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 69
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Mr. Weinberger, who was the protege of Mr. Worrall, entered the freshman class of 1859. It numbered one hundred and fifty-three members. At the age of twenty-seven, he graduated with honors. The Monday following he took his place as teacher in Freeland Seminary, his department being ancient and modern languages. In two
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years he saved enough of his salary to pay his notes, and felt himself free.
Prof. Weinberger married Miss Emma Kratz, daughter of Jacob S. Kratz, of Plumstead, Bucks county. In 1863 he purchased a small farm, stocked, and moved on it, managing it success- fully without interfering with his profession for a period of twenty-six years. A daughter, Min- erva, was born October 1, 1863.
After Professor Weinberger had taught six years, the school was leased for five years to Adam H. Fetterolf, now Dr. Fetterolf, president of Girard College, Philadelphia. Mr. Weinberger became Mr. Fetterolf's right-hand man. Before the lease had expired, the Seminary was sold to the board of directors of Ursinus College. Mr. Weinberger became a member of the faculty, saved for the college half the seminary students, and has rendered valuable aid to the Reformed brethren in their efforts to place the college on a firm basis. In addition to the degree of A. B. in 1859, and A. M. in 1867, both from Yale, he received the honorary degree of LL. D. from Ur- sinus in 1895. He was professor of Latin and Greek from 1870 to 1887, and professor of the Greek Language and Literature from 1887 to 1903. He was dean from 1892 to 1903. He began teaching in 1851, and taught consecutively forty-five years in the same locality.
Professor Weinberger has filled the following public positions : Judge of elections in Upper Providence by appointment of the court, when the new constitution of 1873 took effect, and re- elected the following year; committeeman from his district at the Montgomery County Centennial in 1884; first burgess of the borough of College- ville; trustee in Trinity Reformed church, Col- legeville, from 1861 to 1869; elder from 1870 to 1901, thirty-one years; teacher in the Sunday school at Collegeville for forty-five years. It was largely through his efforts that the doors of Ur- sinus were opened to women in 1881. He was a member of the committee that erected Bomberger Memorial Hall. He is the only one of the original faculty now connected with the institution. He retired from the professorship of the Greek Lan- guage and Literature and the deanship at Ur-
sinus, September 1, 1903, still retaining the pro- fessorship of Greek Emeritus.
As township committeeman for the County Centennial, in two days he sold a hundred me- morial certificates, and sent that money, the first for the enterprise, to J. A. Strassburger, treas- urer. When the Centennial accounts were closed, there remained a balance on hand of $1,203.40, which, on motion of Professor Weinberger, was paid to the Montgomery County Hostorical So- ciety. in trust, to be invested in real estate secur- ity, which money became the nucleus of the fund with which the Society purchased its fine hall on Penn street, opposite the Court House, in Norristown.
Professor Weinberger has manifested his pa- triotism by teaching good citizenship, correct morals and fair dealing in business to all with whom he has come in contact, by precept as well as example. He has taken a deep interest in the forestry movement, aiding in the organization of the county association, and delivering addresses on the subject. Later he became president of the county branch, and continued in the position until it was merged in the state association, of which Professor Weinberger is a member. He has read many papers and delivered addresses at public meetings, including the following: Address at intercounty historical meeting of Bucks and Montgomery, at Ambler, June 10, 1886, on "Ob- jective History ;" address of welcome before the Farmers' Institute at Collegeville, January 16, 1897 : history of Freeland Seminary at its semi- centennial celebration in Bomberger Memorial Hall, in June, 1898; history of Trinity Church, Collegeville, and life work of its pastor, the Rev. Joseph H. Hendricks, D. D., read at the fortieth anniversary of his pastorate. April 6, 1902; ad- dresses before the students and facultyof Ursinus College, on the following subjects ; "Conscience," "Success," and "Grateful Remembrances," all of which have been printed.
Professor Weinberger, although he is no longer young, maintains the vigor and energy of youth to a much greater extent than is usual in rersons of his years. In his views he is pro- nounced. In politics he votes the Republican
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ticket, but his independence of character would always prevent him from bowing slavishly at the footstool of party allegiance. He aided in 1882 in breaking up the unit rule. He is a believer in civil service reform, as a matter of course. His teaching has always, as might be expected, car- ried with it a strong personal influence for good.
In 1889 Dr. Weinberger sold his farm on the Perkiomen to Francis J. Clamer, a distinguished metallurgic chemist and inventor. The day after making that sale he purchased a modest but hand- some home on Main street, Collegeville, where he resides with his family.
WILLIAM GILBERT, a retired farmer re- siding at No. 467 North Charlotte street, Potts- town, was born in Douglass township, Montgom- ery county, Pennsylvania, October 25, 1822. He is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Bickel) Gilbert.
Jacob Gilbert (father) was born in Douglass township, Montgomery county. He was a hand weaver, and later a farmer. Some time before his death he removed to Pottstown, where he died at the age of seventy years. His wife died three years afterwards, at the age of seventy- three years. He held various township offices. In religious faith they were Lutherans. Jacob and Elizabeth (Bickel) Gilbert had ten children. Mrs. Gilbert was born in Douglass township, Mont- gomery county. Their children who are now living are : William, Frederick, Henry, Jacob, and Elizabeth, married Edward Frederick. Two sons and three daughters are deceased-Esther, Har- riett, Lydia, Jesse and Eli.
Jacob Gilbert (grandfather) was a native of Montgomery county, and died in Berks county, at a good old age. His wife was Miss Shaneley, and they had a large family-Jacob, John, Henry, Andrew, and three daughters. Daniel Bickel (maternal grandfather) was born in Pennsyl- vania, and was an early settler in New Hanover township, where he was a farmer. He died at an advanced age. His wife was Miss Gilbert, and they had a large family.
William Gilbert was reared in Montgomery county, and has lived there all his life. He at-
tended the old-fashioned subscription schools, and. then taught for twelve years before and after his. marriage. After abandoning teaching he under- took farming, which occupied him until his re- tirement from active business. His farm of ninety-seven acres was located about a mile and a half from Pottstown, and he lived there from 1853 to 1896.
On October 17, 1847, William Gilbert married Miss Esther Bickel, daughter of Lewis Bickel and Susanna (Reigner) Bickel. Lewis Bickel was a farmer in Montgomery county all his life, and he and his wife died at an advanced age. They had nine children, and Rev. L. J. Bickel, pastor of St. James' and St. Peter's Lutheran church of Pottstown, was their grandson.
William and Esther (Bickel) Gilbert had seven children, as follows: Susanna (deceased), married Louis Hoffman, and had three children, one now living, William; Milton, died aged six years and four months ; Elizabeth, married Jere- miah Rhoads, and has one son, Harry; Irvin, a physician in Philadelphia, married Laura Laird, and has four children-Irvin (deceased), Grace, William and Paul; Hetty, died in infancy ; Har- riet, married Matthias Wisner; Sarah, died in infancy. Mrs. Esther Gilbert died March 19. 1862, aged thirty-eight years and nineteen days.
William Gilbert married (second wife), in 1864. Miss Sarah Koch, born June 21, 1821, died August 8, 1896. She was the daughter of Henry and Sarah ( Moyer) Koch. There were no chil- dren by the second marriage.
Mr. Gilbert is a member of Emmanuel Lu- theran church, and his wives belonged to the same- church. In politics he is a Democrat, and served as county auditor for nine years, and justice of the peace for fifteen years.
EDWIN S. NYCE, Esq., one of the most prominent of the younger members of the Norris- town bar, is the son of Samuel Edwin Nyce, of Norristown, who was for many years employed in the prothonotary's office, either as principal or deputy prothonotary. His mother is Theresa, daughter of Jonathan Roeller. Edwin S. Nyce was born on the homestead in Frederick township,
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January 10, 1875. His parents removing soon afterwards to Norristown, he was educated in the public schools, graduating from the Norristown high school in the class of 1893. He then entered the Law Department of the University of Pennsylvania, taking a four years' course. He read law with the late Edward E. Long, Esq., and was admitted to the bar of Montgomery county in 1900, and has been ever since engaged in the active practice of his profes- sion. In 1903 he formed a partnership with John T. Wagner, the firm being Wagner & Nyce, with rooms on the second floor of the Shoemaker building, at Swede and Airy streets. Mr. Nyce married, in October, 1903, Miss Minnie, daugh- ter of Professor William N. Lehman, principal of the Bridgeport high school and superintendent of the schools of that borough. Mr. Nyce has a good knowledge of legal practice, and is gifted with a pleasing address, and is rapidly making his way as a lawyer. In politics he is an active Republican, and has served as assistant prothono- tary of the common pleas court. He is solicitor for several townships of the county, and for a number of corporations. He is a director in the West Norristown Building and Loan Association. He is a member of Charity Lodge No. 190, Free and Accepted Masons; of Norristown Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and of Hutchinson Com- mandery, No. 32, Knights Templar, all of Nor- ristown. He and his family attend the Lutheran Church of the Trinity.
Samuel E. Nyce (father) is the son of Jona- than and Rachel (Kepler) Nyce, of Frederick township. He was educated in the schools of Frederick township, and at Washington Hall Collegiate Institne, Trappe. He left school and in 1861 enlisted in the Fifth Pennsylvania Cav- alry Regiment, one of the most gallant commands of the Civil war period. In this Mr. Nyce served as a private with fidelity and courage during a full three years' term of service, participating in every battle and skirmish in which the regiment was engaged. After his honorable discharge from the army in 1864. Mr. Nyce entered into mercantile business, having large interests in tobacco. He was the proprietor of a grocery
store at Marshall and Arch streets, Norristown, for several years. He was very active in Mont- gomery county Republican politics for many years, and represented the county in the lower house of the state legislature at the session of 1873. He was elected prothonotary in 1893 for three years and served one year more, his suc- cessor not qualifying, and then for years as dep- nty, his term of service in the prothonotary's office, either as deputy or as principal, thus cover- ing a period of twelve years. Although a Repub- lican, he served under Democratic prothonotaries because of his acknowledged efficiency in the po- sition. He served for several years after leaving the prothonotary's office as vice-president and trust officer of the Albertson Trust and Safe De- posit Company, now the Penn Trust Company. Since resigning that position he has lived retired on West Main street, where he owns a handsome residence. Mr. Nyce married, in 1865, Miss Theresa Roeller, daughter of Jonathan Roeller. The couple have two children, Olivia and Edwin S., above mentioned.
Jonathan Nyce (grandfather) was born Oc- tober 30, 1795 : married, January 7, 1821, Rachel Kepler, daughter of Samuel and Maria Mag- dalena (Grimley) Kepler. Jonathan Nyce died March 4, 1864, and was buried at Bertolet's cem- etery. The widow of Jonathan Nyce lived to an advanced age. She was born in 1803. The couple had ten children. Jonathan Nyce was a tanner and farmer, inheriting these occupations from his forefathers for several generations. He was postmaster of Frederick from 1838 to 1857. his first commission being dated April 10, 1838. In politics he was a Whig, and later in life a Repub- lican.
George Nyce (great-grandfather) was the son of George and Elizabeth ( Fuhrman) Nyce. He was born February 15, 1760, and married, May 19. 1785, Elizabeth Christman; second wife, Magdalena Hollowbush, and, third wife, Mrs. Catharine Geiger. Elizabeth (Christman) Nyce who was the ancestor of Edwin S. Nyce, among the wives of George Nyce, was the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Shunk) Christman, of Frederick township, and granddaughter of Daniel
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Christman, the immigrant, who settled in the val- ley of Society Run. She was born February 4, 1765, and died November 20, 1803. George Nyce was buried at Bertolet's burying ground. He died December 4, 1838.
George Nyce (great-great-grandfather) was the son of John and Mary Nyce. He was born in 1725. He succeeded his father on the homestead, but sold a portion of the land to his brother Zach- arias. He was a tanner and farmer. He married (first wife) Anna Dotterer, daughter of Bern- hard and Gertrude Dotterer, of New Hanover township. He married (second wife) Elizabeth Fuhrman, of Franconia. George Nyce was a man of influence in the community. In Septem- ber, 1758, he was appointed commissioner of highways of Frederick township. He was also constable. He died December 5, 1789, and was buried at Bertolet's burying ground.
John Nyce (great-great-great-grandfather) who usually wrote his name "Nice," settled upon the 200-acre tract which lay on the western bank of Society Run, and on the southeastern side of the Frankfort Company's land. He was one of the principal citizens of Frederick township. He made his will on February 5, 1738-9, which was proved June 22, 1743. He named as executors his wife, Mary Nyce, and Henry Antes.
Hans Nyce, spelled variously as follows :- Neues, DeNyce, Newes, Nice, Neiss, etc., was a resident of the Northern Liberties, in Philadel- phia. October 20, 1720, he purchased of John Budd and Humphrey Morrey 725 acres of land to be taken up in Pennsylvania. Five hundred acres of this was in the territory afterwards erected into Frederick township. The children of Hans Nyce and his wife Jennekin were Cornelius, John, Anthony, Eleanor. He died July 19, 1736; his wife died September 11, 1762.
SAMUEL HARTENSTINE, one of the prominent citizens of Lower Pottsgrove town- ship, has lived more than three-quarters of a cen- tury. He was born August 1, 1825, being the son of John and Sallie (Gilbert) Hartenstine. He has all his life been a resident of the vicinity in which he now lives. He has been engaged in the
occupation of a farmer since coming of age, and is a stone mason as well.
John Hartenstine (father) died many years ago, having been a widower for a long time. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, being very young at the time of his enlistment. At the time of his. death he was sixty-three years of age. The mother was a member of the well-known Gilbert family who have long been among the most prom- inent residents of that section of Montgomery county.
Samuel Hartenstine spent his younger days in attending school in the vicinity of his home, and acquired a knowledge of the ordinary branches of learning, although the educational facilities in his younger days were much less complete than they are at present. Mr. Hartenstine has had a varied experience in the course of his life, having learned the trade of a shoemaker according to the custom of that day in that section of Montgomery county. Having followed this occupation for four years, and developing considerable business tal- ent, he took up the business of merchandising on his own account and achieved considerable suc- cess therein. He also did a commission business, buying up articles of produce and disposing of them in Philadelphia or on the road between Pottstown and that city.
Having assured himself a comfortable main- tenance and a respectable position in society by his untiring energy and industry, he looked about for a companion in life, and in 1850 married Miss Charlotte Seabolt, who died in May, 1904, daughter of John and Mary (Shick) Seabolt, also of Lower Pottsgrove township. John Seabolt was a farmer all his life, and died a number of years ago, being afflicted with blindness during his later years. His wife survived him only a few years.
After his marriage Mr. Hartenstine devoted himself to farming, in which business he is still engaged at the same location. His greatest de- light is in improving his farm, he having remod- eled and practically rebuilt the farm house, and erected four wagon houses. Having commenced farming in 1851, he has followed that occupation very successfully, and is now one of the most
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prosperous agriculturists of his section of the county. He is a Democrat in politics, but has never sought or held office, with the exception of the position of school director, which he has held for a number of years, being earnestly devoted to fostering educational interests. He is a mem- ber of the Lutheran church.
Mr. and Mrs. Hartenstine have had twelve children, of whom Henry, the oldest, died young. The others are: John S., resides in Philadelphia where he is the proprietor of a hotel ; Ephraim S., a resident of Sanatoga, is engaged in business as a carpenter ; Milton S., who is engaged in the ex- press business in California; Mary, married Jacob Bliem, and lives in Pottstown, where he is a prominent brick manufacturer ; Wilson S., re- sides with his parents ; Sallie, married Harry Walt, who is a molder in Lower Pottsgrove township ; Aaron S., is married, and is employed by the Sanatoga Park Company; Nathan, resides in Pottstown, where he is actively engaged in business ; Elmer, who is one of the leading groc- ers of Pottstown, married Emma Wien; Eli, also a merchant in Pottstown; Harvey, lives in Lower Pottsgrove township, and carries on the butchering business in connection with his farm.
JACOB M. EHST, a prominent farmer of Douglass township, is a native of Washington township, Berks county, where he was born March 21, 1861. He is the son of Abraham and Susanna (Moyer) Ehst, of Berks county, where the father was a farmer all his life. In politics he was a Republican, although not particularly active in public affairs, being devoted to his occu- pation of farming and very successful in it. The couple had seven children. Susanna Ehst (mother) was born June 15, 1821, and died De- cember 8, 1869, being a little more than forty- eight years of age at the time of her death. She was buried at the Mennonite meeting-house at Bally, Berks county. Mr. Ehst (father) sur- vives, residing at Barto, where he lives retired. Their children :
Elizabeth ( deceased), born July 17, 1842, died October 14, 1865. She married Levi B. Moyer, they residing in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He
was a carpenter and farmer. Her husband and one child survive. Rev. John M., born March 14, 1844. He is at present in charge of a pastor- ate at Barto, Berks county. He married Susan Gehman. They have four children. Henry M., born 1846, married Elmira Mest, and they reside in New York state, where he is engaged on a stock farm. They have one child living. Abraham, who died at the age of one year. Susan, died at the age of sixteen years. She was born in 1854, and died March 19, 1870. David M., born in Berks county, July 13, 1858. He mar- ried Alice Meas. They reside in South Bethle- hem, where he is engaged as a merchant. They have no children. Jacob M., subject of this sketch.
John Ehst (grandfather) married a Miss Swartley. Both died many years ago, and were buried in a private cemetery a mile above Boyer- town, on the estate of the family, as was customary in past generations. She died at middle age. He survived many years, dying in 1867, at the age of eighty-six years and eleven months. He was a very prosperous farmer, and had many friends. In politics he was a Whig. The estate has been in the family name for five or six generations. The first ancestor in America was Nicholas Ehst, who landed in 1735 and settled in Berks county, Pennsylvania, upon the tract still owned by Jacob B. Bechtel. He was the great-great- grandfather of Jacob M. Elist. Abraham Ehst (great-grandfather) lived on the homestead in Berks county, and married Miss Freed, of Mont- gomery county. The Ehst family were one of the first to settle in that locality. Michael Moyer (maternal grandfather) was a prominent and prosperous farmer, who always made his home in Berks county. He was born December 28, 1779, and died January 9, 1859. He married Elizabeth S. Oberholtzer, who was born September 4, 1781, and died July 7, 1874. Their children : Henry O., Joseph O., Susanna (mother) ; Catha- rine, Elizabeth.
Christian Moyer ( great-grandfather ) married Fannie Bauer and they were leading farmers in their day. Rev. Peter Moyer (great-great-grand- father) was born in Switzerland about 1723, and
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emigrated with three brothers and one sister to America about 1741. They left Switzerland dur- ing the persecution of the Mennonites, and set- tled in Springfield township, Bucks county. They were all farmers, and members of the Mennonite church. The name of the Ehst family was writ- ten Eis by Nicholas (great-great-grandfather) ; Eisz by Abraham (great-grandfather ) ; Ihst by John (grandfather), and finally became Ehst.
Jacob M. Ehst attended school until he was seventeen years of age, and then learned the trade of miller, which he followed for seven years in Berks and Chester counties. Then, in 1886, he abandoned his trade and removed to his present home, where he has been engaged in farming ever since. He has put a great many improve- ments on the place since his residence there.
On October 25, 1884. Jacob MI. Ehst married Lydia, daughter of Henry and Rachel (Albright) Harpel. Her parents resided in Douglass town- ship, where he was a farmer, carpenter and builder for many years. They died at the age of more than eighty years, and are buried at Sassamans- ville. They were prominent citizens of the county. Their children : Mary, Henry, Jeremiah, Catharine, Sarah, and Lydia (Mrs. Ehst). The children of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob M. Ehst : Mary A., born September 28, 1885; Henry H., born May 17, 1887: Lawrence H., born August 10, 1889 : Laura H., born August 10, 1889 ; Kate H., born December 17, 1891.
Mr. Ehst is a Republican, and held the office of township auditor for three years. He was township assessor for six years. He belongs to the Knights of Friendship, and Sons of America, Camp 474. Sassamansville. The family attend the Lutheran church, of which they are members.
REV. CHARLES SAMUEL WIEAND, pastor of Zion's Reformed church, Pottstown, resides at 209 Chestnut street in that borough. He was born in Zionsville, Lehigh county, Penn- sylvania, February 28. 1848. He is the son of Charles W. and Susan ( Krauss) Wieand, na- tives of Lehigh county. Charles W. and Susan Wieand had six children, of whom four are now living : Maria, wife of Dr. I. B. Yeakel, of Bally,
Berks county, Pennsylvania; Sarah, wife of L. F. Shetler, of Pottstown; Rev. Charles S. Wieand, of Pottstown; Susan, wife of Wilson S. Krauss, of East Greenville, Pennsylvania.
Charles W. Wieand (father) was originally a school teacher and later justice of the peace for many years, conveyancer and general merchant at Zionsville, and was well known throughout Lehigh county. He was an adjutant in the state militia but lost an eye, which incapacitated him for service in the Civil war, but not taking this into consideration he was too old for service at the breaking out of the war. He removed to East Greenville, Montgomery county, about 1872, and spent the remainder of his life in this county. His first wife died in 1877, aged sixty-four years. Both he and his wife were members of the Ger- man Reformed church. He married (second wife) Mrs. Catharine (Wieand) Erb, who died a year before he died. They had no children. Charles W. Wieand died in Pottstown at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Shetler, in 1890, at the age of eighty-one years.
David Wieand (paternal grandfather) was a native of Pennsylvania and lived most of his life in Lehigh county, where he was engaged in the occupation of farming. His wife was Susan Walter, daughter of Lieutenant Philip Walter of the Revolutionary army. They had a family of three children.
Wendel Wieand (great-grandfather) lived at Elourtown, Pennsylvania, and afterward in Le- high county, where he was a linen weaver in early manhood but later a farmer. He was a Revolu- tionary soldier, enlisting at the age of nineteen years. His wife was Christina Herzog.
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