USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Biographical annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, containing genealogical records of representative families, including many of the early settlers and biographical sketches of prominent citizens, Vol. I > Part 38
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92
years. William is in the harness business in Pottstown. He married Mary Yorgey. They have two children, Leon and Edith. Harry is a salesman in the harness department of Straw- bridge & Clothier's store in Philadelphia. The other children are at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Bach are members of the Baptist church of which he has been a trustee for twen- ty-four years. He was made postmaster under Harrison for one term and again appointed by McKinley, in September, 1898, and re-appointed by Roosevelt, February 19, 1903. He was chief burgess of Pottstown for three terms, and presi- dent of the school board two years, holding both offices at the same time. He has been actively identified with the affairs of a public character, especially in politics, in Pottstown for the past twenty-five years. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Loyal Association, also M. Edgar Richards Post, No. 595, G. A. R., and of Union Veteran Legion Encampment, No. 22.
REV. S. L. MESSINGER, S. T. D., the well-known pastor of the Reformed church at Trappe, is a native of Iowa. He was born at Cedar Rapids, in that state, February 21, 1858. He is the son of Elias and Euphemia (Lockard) Messinger, both of Northampton county, Penn- sylvania, at the time of their marriage, they re- moving afterwards to the west.
Elias Messinger (father) was the son of Isaac and Susan (Keiffer) Messinger. Isaac Messinger was a native of Northampton county, Pennsyl- vania. His father, Jacob Messinger, came from Germany, and settled in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, where he owned a large tract of land. He donated the ground on which Salem Reformed church in Forks township was erected. Isaac was a hotel keeper, and, as was usually the case with the innkeeper of the olden times, he was widely known and respected. It is remembered of his good wife that she started a Sunday school in the barroom, instead of per- mitting it to be used as a lounging place on that day. In politics Mr. Messinger was a Democrat but he never sought or held office. His children were : Maria (Mrs. P. Miller) ; Kate (Mrs. Fritz
1
-- ------------
1
- - -
S.L. Messinger!
217
MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Miller) ; Samuel, a prominent farmer and mem- ber of the Reformed Church ; Aaron, Elias ( fa- ther) ; Sallie (Mrs. J. Fenner) and another son.
Elias Messinger was reared in Northampton county, where he taught neighboring schools for a time, and was also employed as a daguerreo- type artist. About 1857 he removed to Iowa, en- gaging in the merchandise business at Cedar Rapids, which he continued for about four years, and then sold out his business at a heavy loss and returned to his native county in 1861. Soon afterwards he enlisted in the Union army and did his duty at the battle of Gettysburg and else- where in defense of the national government. In that battle he was wounded by a minie ball from which he never fully recovered. He re- mained on duty for a time at the hospital. At the close of the war he was assigned to duty in the guard at Washington, where he remained about one year. He was honorably discharged, and later received a pension. Being a natural artist, during his stay at Washington he painted a picture of the White House which has been much admired. On his return to his home he engaged in painting, doing fine work on organs, chairs, etc., afterwards becoming a traveling salesman for Smith, Kline & Co., wholesale druggists of Philadelphia. This calling Mr. Messinger pursued during active life. He retired from business, and died at Allentown, September 7, 1902, at the age of eighty years, and eleven months. He was a member of the Reformed church, and a Democrat in politics, although not particularly active. His wife survived him, and is still living at the age of nearly seventy-four years, in Allentown. She is a daughter of Eph- raim and Jane (Drake) Lockard, he of North- ampton county, and she of Monroe county, Penn- sylvania. He was a farmer. The Lockard fam- ily are of Scotch-Irish descent. The wife's fam- ily, the Drakes, are of Holland Dutch origin. Mr. Lockard was a Democrat in politics. He died at the age of eighty-four years, but his wife at the age of fifty years. They were strict Pres- byterians. Their children: Euphemia (mother of Rev. Dr. S. L. Messinger) ; Jefferson, a shoe- maker by trade, who took an active interest in
politics, and filled the position of assessor as well as other township offices ; Silas, a farmer ; John, also a shoemaker, who died in young manhood ; Ellen (Mrs. H. Kuntzman) ; Morris, a farmer and quarryman.
The children of Elias and Euphemia Mes- singer : Slias L. (subject of this sketch) ; William E., a teacher, and a painter for the past dozen years or more ; Alice, wife of James Henbest, of Providence, New Jersey ; Susan A. (Mrs. Jacob Dolan, of New York city) ; John C., principal of the Bethlehem high school for six years, and later a prominent manufacturer and inventor, of Beth- lehem.
Rev. Silas L. Messinger, S. T. D., was reared at the homestead of his mother's family in North- ampton county. His youth was spent as a hired farm-laborer, and attending school a few months in winter. Accustomed to farm pursuits, he la- bored earnestly also to acquire an education. He became able to teach in 1876 and secured a school, continuing in that employment for five winter terms, and still perfecting his education as far as he could with his somewhat limited opportunities. While preparing for college he received instruc- tion from a Presbyterian minister, and entered the freshman class at Ursinus College in the year 1881, graduating in 1885 with the second honor of his class, thus realizing the benefits of his earlier efforts to acquire an education that would fit him for some suitable position in life. He took the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Mr. Messinger entered the School of Theology connected with Ursinus, and graduated therefrom in 1887. He was then licensed to preach by Philadelphia Classis, on May 21, 1887, at the same time re- ceiving a call to preach at Blaine, Perry county, Pennsylvania. At that place he had four con- gregations. He remained there five years and three months, and then went to Pleasantville Reformed church, in Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania. He was there four years and four months, and on January 1, 1897. took charge of St. Luke's Reformed church, at Trappe, where he still con- tinues. There was a large number of applicants for the pastorate of the Trappe church, of whom Rev. Dr. Messinger was not one, but when the
218
MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
ballots were counted at the congregational meet- ing he had a large majority of the votes, and he accepted the call. He succeeded Rev. E. C. Hibshman, who had resigned to go to Strouds- burg.
St. Luke's church has a long and interesting history. It was founded October 18, 1742, by Rev. John Philip Boehm. For twelve years the congregation worshipped in the historical Old Trappe (Lutheran) church. In 1755 the congre- gation built a log church on a site in its present cemetery. In this it worshipped until 1835, when a new church edifice was built on the site where the first stood. The present large building was erected in 1874. In 1887 extensive repairs and improvements were made, with the addition of two Sunday school rooms. From its beginning this church has had the services of seventeen pastors, as follows: Rev. John Philip Boehm, 1742-1748; Rev. John Philip Leydich, 1748-1784: Rev. John Herman Wynckhams, 1784-1787 : Rev. Frederick Wm. Vandersloot, Sr., 1787-1813; Rev. Fred. Wm. Vandersloot, Jr., 1813-1818; Rev. Lebrecht Frederick Herman, 1818 ; Rev.John C. Guldin, D. D., 1819-1840; Rev. Jacob Wm. Hangen, 1841-1843; Rev. Andrew S. Young, 1843; Rev. John R. Kooken, 1844-1846; Rev. Alfred B. Shenkle, 1847-1867; Rev. H. H. W. Hibshman, D. D., 1867-1869 ; Rev. J. H. A. Bom- berger, D. D., LL. D., 1870-1883; Rev. H. T. Spangler, D. D., 1884-1886, and 1889-1890; Rev. J. B. Shmuker, D. D., 1886-1889; Rev. Edwin C. Hibshman, 1891-1896. In November, 1896. Rev. S. L. Messinger, S. T. D., was given a call, and he began his present pastorate on January 1, 1897. The work of the church is in a prosperous condition.
In 1904 the church was beautifully renovated in every part, and a new pipe organ was installed, at a cost of $1,800. At the solicitation of the pastor, Rev. Dr. Messinger, this sum was donated by Andrew Carnegie and Mrs. Henrietta Patter- son, of Philadelphia, each contributing $900. The present parsonage was built in 1869. It has been repaired at different times, and in 1904 it was thoroughly renovated and slightly enlarged.
Rev. Dr. Messinger is a most popular and
satisfactory pastor. He is an eloquent speaker, and the church has greatly prospered under his ministrations. The Sunday school connected with the church is very successful. Rev. A. B. Stoner being the capable superintendent. There are also a Young People's Christian Endeavor Society, a Junior Endeavor Society, and a large Woman's Missionary Society. Much work is done for the orphans and the poor. The rela- tions between the pastor and his people are ex- ceedingly pleasant and kindly. The congregation numbers over 300 members.
In 1894 Rev. Mr. Messinger received the de- gree of Master of Arts (in course) from Ur- sinus College ; and in 1902 and 1903 he completed a post-graduate course as a non-resident student of the American University at Harriman, Ten- nessee, receiving the degree S. T. D. The course consisted of seventeen branches, arranged under the heads of Philosophy, Theology, and English Literature. The average of his examination marks for the course was above ninety-six per cent. He was required to write a thesis of five thousand words on an accepted theme. On a card which Mr. Messinger received from the president of the institution was the statement : "Your thesis is excellent, and I mark it 100." Genial and pleasant in his manners, an earnest worker, and a thorough believer in the doctrines he teaches, Rev. Dr. Messinger is a model of what a clergyman should be in every respect.
When Rev. Dr. Messinger was located at Ursinus College in the capacity of a student, he often engaged in teaching, chiefly in the Ursinus Academy ; and since he has been pastor of the Trappe church, he taught for a time at Ursinus. He is an everyday student and educational worker, and is constantly pressing forward and upward in attainment of this kind.
On October 27, 1887, Mr. Messinger mar- ried at Schwenkville, Montgomery county, Miss Laura K. Bechtel, who was born at Limerick Square, February 28, 1860. She is the daughter of Dr. J. Y. and Margaret (Koons) Bechtel, both of Montgomery county,-he is a son of John and Mary Bechtel. John Bechtel was at one time a hotel keeper at Crooked Hill. and later a
----
1
219
MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
farmer. His children : Mary (Mrs. Mock, and, second marriage, Mrs. Loomis) ; John, a hotel keeper: Jacob, Washington, Lavina, Jeremiah, an attorney-at-law; J. Y., father of Mrs. Mes- singer.
Dr. J. Y. Bechtel is a well-known physician and druggist of Schwenkville. He is a man of high educational attainments. After graduating at a medical college he began practicing when he was twenty-one years of age, and is yet engaged in practice, at the age of seventy-four years. His first location was at Limerick Square, from which place he removed to Schwenkville about 1862. In politics he is a Democrat. He and his family are members of the Reformed church. His wife is the daughter of James and Anna Koons. James was an elder in Trappe Reformed church for forty years. The children of James and Anna Koons: Elizabeth (Mrs. A. Thomas) ; John. a farmer; Margaret, mother of Mrs. Mes- singer ; Abram, who was killed in the rebellion ; Ann (Mrs. Shupe) ; J. Evans, a farmer.
The children of Dr. and Mrs. Bechtel : Laura, wife of Rev. Dr. S. L. Messinger ; James A., a druggist (deceased) ; John, a druggist; M. Evelyn.
The children of Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Messinger : Carl J., born October 8, 1889 (deceased) ; Eve- lyn H., born December 16, 1890; Nellie A., born November 5, 1892; Mark G., born March 9, 1896; Cynthia G., born January 3, 1898.
CHRISTIAN BEENER, a retired business man, who resides at No. 557 Kohn street, was very successful in the accumulation of property. He is emphatically a self-made man. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, March 29, 1843. He is the son of Henry and Christian (Schiefer) Beener, both natives of that section of Germany. from which he came. The couple had five chil- dren, all sons, of whom four are now living, as follows: Jacob, of Norristown; Christopher, in the west ; Christian ; and William.
Henry Beener (father) was a farmer and came to America, March 29, 1856, locating in the vicinity of Montgomery Square and coming into the possession of a hundred acres at that place.
He died there in 1873. aged seventy years. His wife died two years later, aged seventy years. Both were members of the Lutheran church. He was forced into the regular army in Germany. according to the practice in that country, and served six years as a soldier.
The paternal grandfather of Mr. Beener was a farmer and the proprietor of a large vineyard on the Rhine in Germany. He died there well ad- vanced in years, leaving a number of children.
The maternal grandfather also died in Ger- many. He was a shoemaker by trade and had several sons and daughters.
Christian Beener was thirteen years old when he came to America, and well remembers the trip, which was made in a sailing vessel, the voyage across the Atlantic requiring three weeks. He lived with his father at Montgomery Square until he was sixteen years old. He then came to Nor- ristown to learn the trade of butchering, serving five years, and starting for himself in 1863. He followed that occupation in Norristown until 1897, and then sold out. Since then he has lived retired and now looks after his property inter- ests, which are very extensive in Norristown and its vicinity.
In 1865 he married Miss Mary Hoffman, daughter of Jacob and Louisa Hoffman. They had nine children, seven sons and two daughters, as follows: Emma, Mary, David, Christopher, Christian, John, Harry, Frank and William. Emma married Martin Ruth, of Norristown. They have two children, Arthur and Mary. Mary married Martin Eskroff. They live in Philadel- phia. David died at the age of twelve years. Christian married Miss Reed. They live in Nor- ristown, he being a plumber by trade. John is a machinist in Atlantic City. He is also married. Harry is a machinist and resides with his parents as do also those not otherwise mentioned, except Christopher, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Beener are members of the Lutheran church.
Politically he is a Democrat but he has never taken a very active interest in politics. Mrs. Becner's parents were also born in Wurtemberg, Germany. They had nine children. Her parents, after coming to America, lived first at New Or-
220
MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
leans a short time, then moved to Ohio, and from Ohio came to Pennsylvania by wagons in 1854, before the railroads were built. They settled in Gwynedd, Montgomery county, where they be- came owners of a large farm. Both are now de- ceased.
ELIAS H. GILBERT, the genial proprietor of the Merchants' Hotel at Pottstown, is one of the best-known citizens of that borough. He was born in Berks county, February 10, 1861, being the son of Elias and Rebecca (Wartman) Gilbert, both natives of Montgomery county. . The couple had four sons and four daughters, six of whom are now living, as follows : Sarah, wife of C. W. B. Todd. and John W., both of Reading ; Ellen, wife of N. K. Gery, of Tioga, Philadelphia ; Elias H., of Pottstown ; Emma, wife of W. M. Stauffer, of New Holland, Lancaster county ; and Howard, of Pottstown.
Elias Gilbert (father) was a blacksmith in early life, and later became a hotel proprietor in Berks, Lehigh and Montgomery counties. He was landlord of the Merchants' Hotel, Potts- town, for ten years, and died there four years later, in 1899, aged seventy-four years. His wife died in March, 1901, aged sixty-eight years. Both were Lutherans in religious faith.
John Gilbert (grandfather) was a native of Montgomery county. He was also a blacksmith most of his life. His first wife was Miss Yerger and his second wife Miss Bickel. He had two sets of children, his son Elias being his only child by the first marriage.
The origin of the Gilbert family has been traced. Their ancestor was one of the five broth- ers who came to this country from Germany and located in Falkner's Swamp in Montgomery county, being among the early settlers.
Elias H. Gilbert was reared in Montgomery county, his boyhood days being spent partly in Berks and Lehigh counties, and since 1881 he has lived in Pottstown. His early schooling was obtained in Berks and Lehigh counties, and he later attended the Perkiomen Seminary at Penns- burg. He taught three terms in the district schools. He engaged in mercantile business four
years before entering the employ of his father, whose successor he became as proprietor of the Merchants' Hotel, the largest in Pottstown, and on of the oldest established inns in that section of the county.
For three years Mr. Gilbert was deputy during the term of county treasurer Isaac Fegely, be- fore taking the hotel. During this time he re- tained his residence in Pottstown, making daily trips to Norristown.
Mr. Gilbert married Miss Ida Moll, daughter of Benjamin and Anna Maria (Keiser) Moll. They have had four children: Charles S., Anna, John and Sarah, all living except John, who died at the age of twenty months. Mr. Gilbert is a Lutheran. His wife is a member of the German Reformed church.
Mr. Gilbert is a member of Stitchter Lodge, No. 254, Free and Accepted Masons; of Wash- ington Camp, No. 92, Patriotic Order Sons of America ; of the Protective Order of Elks, No. 814, and of the Heptasophs. Politically he is a Democrat.
In addition to his hotel interests in Pottstown, he owns a one half interest in the Merchants' Hotel at Reading, in partnership with his sister, Mrs. Todd. Mr. Gilbert is an ideal hotel-keeper, attentive to the comfort of his guests and watch- ful of every detail of his business. Few men in his community are so well-known or so popular as he.
ZIEBER HART, in his day one of the best- known contractors of Norristown, was also very prosperous, owning a large number of dwellings, in different sections of the borough.
He belonged to an old Montgomery county family, of German origin, but long settled in the county seat and its vicinity. Mr. Hart was born on what is now known as the Scott Farm, within the present limits of Norristown, February 8, 1825. He was the son of Jacob and Hannah (Zieber) Hart, both natives of the vicinity. The couple had twelve children, of whom but two are now living : George, of Norristown, and Jacob, of Plymouth, near Cold Point.
Jacob Hart (father) was a farmer all his life,
221
MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
residing in Plymouth township, near Norristown, where he owned a farm of two hundred acres, on which he died at the age of sixty-four years. His wife died some years previously, at the age of forty-seven years. Mr. Hart afterward married Mrs. Anderson, whose maiden name was Highley. There was one son by the second marriage-Lane S. Hart, long a resident of Harrisburg.
John Hart (grandfather). was born in Ger- many, and came to Montgomery county in youth. He was a farmer by occupation, and lived to be eighty-five years of age. His wife was Catharine Wolf, and the couple had two sons, Jacob and John.
John Zieber (maternal grandfather) was a farmer and miller, and lived in Norriton township. He lived to an advanced age, and left a large fam- ily of children.
Zieber Hart was reared on his father's farm in Plymouth township, until he was eighteen years of age. He then went to Norristown where he resided the remainder of his life, a period of more than sixty years. Most of that time he lived on Swede street. He received his education at the country schools of the neighborhood, and ยท afterwards learned the trade of a bricklayer, at which he worked as a journeyman for ten years then becoming a contractor on his own account. He did the brickwork on a great number of houses, among them the first brick on the west side of Stony creek, which now divides the bor- ough of Norristown into two nearly equal por- tions. He built the house for Barney Beaver, on West Main street, and it is now owned and occu- pied by Walter S. Hutchison.
In 1852 Mr. Hart married Miss Mary Streeper, of Plymouth township, daughter of John and Ann (Deal) Streeper. The couple had three children, one of whom is now living, Harry, also a bricklayer, and residing in Norristown. He married Miss Annie Humphrey, who is now de- ceased. They had one daughter, Mary. Mrs. Mary Hart, wife of Zieber Hart, died about 1857. She was a Lutheran in religious faith, as were the family generally. In 1862 Mr. Hart married Miss Mary Hallman, of Whitpain township, daughter of Henry and Mary (Weber) Hallman. They
had two daughters, Katie and Mazie. Mrs. Mary Hart (second wife) died in 1881, aged fifty-three years. The parents of Mr. Hart's second wife removed to Norristown and spent their declining years. He died thirty years or more years ago, aged seventy years, his wife surviving him some years, and dying at the age of eighty-seven. They had ten children, most of them now deceased.
Politically Mr. Hart was a Democrat although he never sought or held office.
Mr. Hart's death was due to an accident, which occurred in Plymouth township, near Black Horse Hotel, where he was superintending the work on a blacksmith shop which he was erecting. While standing on the edge of the roof he lost his balance and fell to the ground, a distance of ten or twelve feet. It was found that he was seriously injured and an ambulance was sum- moned, which conveyed him to his home. He lingered a few days, and died on October 30, 1903.
Mr. Hart was an energetic, enterprising builder, who achieved success in life entirely through his own exertions. He was genial and affable, very kind-hearted, and as a very natural consequence highly esteemed wherever he was known. Few men have done more to benefit the community.
JOHN T. WAGNER, of the firm of Wagner & Nyce, attorneys-at-law at Norristown, was born in Hamburg, Berks county, Pennsylvania, Janu- ary 26, 1866. He is the son of Jacob H. and Sarah A. (Wanner) Wagner, both natives of Berks county, Pennsylvania. They had twelve children, six sons and six daughters : Lucy ; Bar- bara, wife of Milton N. Brandt, of Collegeville ; Isabella, wife of Josephi Cook, of Norristown; Charles A., superintendent of the schools of Chel- tenham township ; John T. ; Elmira, wife of Sam- uel K. Bookheimer, of Centre Point : Alvin E., of West Point, principal of the Upper Gwynedd high school : Katie ; Hannah ; J. Fred : and two others who died in infancy. The father was a mill- wright, miller and carpenter for many years, and later a farmer in Montgomery county, locating at first at Grater's Ford, in 1879, and later at Iron
222
MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Bridge on the Perkiomen. He is a Lutheran in religious faith. His wife is a member of the German Reformed church.
Solomon Wagner (grandfather) was a native of Pennsylvania. He lived in Berks county and died there at an advanced age. His wife was Barbara (Hassler) Wagner. He also was a farmer and they had eight children.
Martin Wanner (maternal grandfather) was a native of Pennsylvania. He also resided in Berks county and died there at the age of nearly seventy years, death resulting from a fall from a bridge. His wife was Hannah (Christ) Wanner. He was a broommaker by occupation. The couple had six children. She was a widow many years and died on Christmas day, 1901, at the age of ninety-four.
John T. Wagner was twelve years of age when he came with his parents to Montgomery county. He was reared on the farm and during his early youth attended the country schools of the neigh- borhood. Later he became a student at Ursinus College, Collegeville, graduating from that in- stitution in 1892, working his own way through school. While he was attending college, he taught school in the winter for four years, being thus pre- eminently a self-made scholar. Being animated by a desire to enter the legal profession, for which his qualities of mind well fitted him, he began the study of law in the autumn of 1892 at the Univer- sity of Michigan at Ann Arbor. After studying two years at the university he came to Norris- town and studied in the office of Edward E. Long another year, and was admitted to the bar De- cember 5, 1895. He has practiced here ever since, for five years in partnership with Mr. Williams, a schoolmate of his, and for about a year with Edwin S. Nyce.
On December 25, 1899, he married Miss Mary C. Bean, daughter of James U. and Sarah (Beyer) Bean. They have a little daughter, Grace Dorothy. Mrs. Wagner belongs to the Lutheran church.
. Politically Mr. Wagner is a Democrat of the old Berks county school but he is liberal in his views as is indicated from the fact that he was associated in the practice of law with Mr. Will-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.