Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I, Part 105

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846; J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1018

USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I > Part 105

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).

In 1892, Mr. Wanner assisted in organizing the Reading Paper Box Company. His brother Howard officiated as president from that time until his decease in 1895; then he succeeded him in the position, which he has filled until now. In 1900 Mr. Wanner was one of the incorporators of the Greth Machine Works for the manufacture of stationary engines, &c., and he was selected as one of the directors, and also vice-president of the company, filling these positions until the present time.

Upon reaching his majority in 1885, Mr. Wanner identified himself with the Americus Club, the leading Democratic Society at Reading, and he took an active part in its affairs from the start. His activity led to his selection as vice-president of the Club several years after- ward; and having filled this position for a number of years, when the president, Jefferson M. Keller, Esq., died in 1899, he was elected as his successor. The members have appreciated his services so highly that they have retained him since then as their president.

In 1894, the Democratic electors of the Seventh Ward elected Mr. Wanner as a school controller, and he has been one of the representatives of the Ward in the board of controllers continuously until now. In 1898 the con- trollers selected him to be the president of the board; and again in 1905, 1906, 1907 and 1908. While connected with the board, twelve large modern school buildings were erected in different parts of the city; and during his later presidency the superior high school for boys was erected at a total cost of $365,000, this great structure in the cause of local education receiving a great deal of his at- tention. In social matters, Mr. Wanner has affiliated with the Free Masons, Elks, Wyomissing Club, Penn Wheel- men, and the Junior Volunteer Fire Company.

His parents were amongst the first members of the Second Reformed Church at Reading upon its organiza- tion in 1848, and he joined the same church at an early age, retaining his membership until now. The father of Mr. Wanner was Amos B. Wanner, Esq., a prominent member of the Berks County Bar for many years. He was born in Maxatawny township (near where the Normal School is situated) in 1831, educated in the local schools and at a seminary at Philadelphia, and admitted to the Bar as an attorney-at-law at Reading in 1857. He became a very successful practitioner and was in active practice until his decease in 1892. He represented the Reading District in the Legislature during the years 1875 and 1876, having been elected on the Democratic ticket; he served as a State delegate to the Democratic National Conven- tion which assembled at St. Louis in 1876; and he repre- sented the Seventh ward in common council from 1882 to 1884, officiating as president of that body during the first year. He was married to Clementine C. Zieher (a daughter of Philip Zieher, of Reading, for many years in the mercantile business, and prominently identified with the insurance and real estate business in this section of the State). She was born in 1833 and died in 1893, short- ly after her husband. They had three children: Howard P. (a practicing attorney at Reading who died in 1895 at the age of thirty-four years) : George A. (who is engaged in the manufacturing and insurance business at Reading) ; and J. Edward, the subject of this sketch.

Mr. Wanner's grandfather was John Wanner, of Maiden- creek township, where he was born Oct. 10, 1788. He removed at an early age to Ruscombmanor township, there married Elizabeth Biehl (a daughter of Christian Biehl) and carried on farming. He had twelve children: Maria Magdalena (m. David Sharadin) ; Anna (m. John Mertz) ; Ephraim, single; William (m. Elizabeth Deisher) ; John Daniel (m. Elizabeth Bower) ; Joel B. (m. Louisa Zieber) ; Peter Christian (m. Sarah A. Moyer) ; John Charles, single; Dr. Charles Herman (m. Hannah Hilbert) ; Eliza- beth (m. John Humbert) ; Amos B., above; and Henry, single.

His great-grandfather was Peter Wanner, a farmer of Colebrookdale township, who married three times. His first wife was Esther Rothermel; his second, Anna M. Schwartz; and his third, Magdalena Rothermel (widow, nee Dreibelbis), he having had by the third an only child, John Wanner above named.

His great-great-grandfather was Martin Wanner, who emigrated to Pennsylvania from the Palatinate in 1733, on the ship "Samuel," from Rotterdam, landing on the 17th day of August.

JACOB B. OBERHOLTZER, miller and farmer of Colebrookdale township, who conducts the White mill, located on Swamp creek, was born on the family home- stead in Washington township, this county, Oct. 29, 1844. The Oberholtzers have lived in Berks county for several generations. According to the Pennsylvania Archives three of the name came to America in the early days of the Commonwealth, viz .: Hans Jacob Oberholtzer arrived in 1730; Jacob Oberholtzer arrived in 1732, at which time he was twenty-eight years old, and had a daughter Elizabeth, aged six years, and a son Samuel, aged three years, to come with him to the New World; Hans Georg Ober- holtzer arrived in 1754. One of the two first mentioned settled in Milford township, Montgomery county (now in- cluded in Lehigh county), and there is a well-founded tradition that Jacob Oberholtzer, great-grandfather of Jacob B. Oberholtzer, whose name heads this sketch, was of this Montgomery county stock. The family is of Swiss origin, and its members have clung to the Mennonite re- ligion. They have been upright in morals, successful in business and true to the traditions and faith of their forefathers.

Jacob Oberholtzer, previously mentioned as the great- grandfather of Jacob B. Oberholtzer. located about 1770 in Colebrookdale township, Berks county, in that section now included in Washington township. There he con- tinued to make his home until he died, in May, 1811, full of years. He owned land and followed farming. In 1779 this pioneer paid a tax of £121, 10s. sterling. In 1805 he paid $3.70 and his son, Jacob, Jr., $1.79. In 1809 they paid. respectively, $3.09 and $1.46. Jacob Oberholtzer was a Christian man. His will, made Nov. 28, 1810, and probated May 27, 1811 (sons Christian and Jacob, ex- ecutors), is on record in Will Book A, page 584. He was survived by his wife, Esther, who bore him the following named children: Christian, Jacob, Abraham, Martin, Eve (m. Abraham Stauffer), Barbara (m. Jacob Stauffer), Esther and Elizabeth.

In Book 7, page 376, there is on record a German will of one Jacob Oberholtzer ( the executors being Regina and Joseph Oberholtzer), who may have been a son of Chris- tian Oberholtzer or one of the Montgomery county Ober- holtzers.

Martin Oherholtzer, previously mentioned as one of the children of Jacob Oberholtzer ( who died in 1811), made his will Aug. 21, 1862, and died the following year in Washington township, where he had spent all his life, en- gaged in farming. His sons Jacob and Isaac were the executors of the Will. He had six children in all, namely : Polly (m. a Hunsberger ), Elizabeth (m. George Yohn), Susanna (m. Matthias Linsenhigler ). Isaac, Sarah and Jacob.

Jacob Oberholtzer, born Dec. 5, 1773, another son of Jacob Oberholtzer ( who died in 1811), was also a farmer in Washington township, where he owned land. He was a blacksmith by trade, and followed that line of work in

427

BIOGRAPHICAL

connection with farming. He married Esther Moyer, tian Buchert, and they died in Montgomery county; Deet- born March 16, 1784, died Jan. 13, 1843, who bore him er died in Montgomery county; Samuel died in Mont- two sons and one daughter, Susanna and John M. reach- 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 Harberger, and died in Montgomery county. ing maturity. The daughter married Henry Landes, and they had a daughter Susanna, 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 April 19, 1859. The executors were his friends

Jacob M. and Jacob C. Oberholtzer. He died April 3, an excellent farm in New Hanover township, where he 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. 2, 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 old 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-

(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 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 2, 1865, he sold his farm and removing to Reading, engaged in the grocery business, and later operated a hotel for about 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. 1022 North Tenth street, Reading, and has one daughter, Ada; Hiram, who died aged thirty- eight, m. Sallie Moyer, who now resides at No. 956 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. 22, 1882, Mr. Rhoads was married to Miss Angeline Eiler, 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 kill county; Elizabeth died single; and Mrs. Joseph of Berks county, Pa., who until 1896 was engaged in agri- Snyder. cultural 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, 1827, 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 1851 Mr. Harner married Mary Ann Shower, born Jan. 24, 1829, who died Nov. 24, 1898, 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-

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. M. 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 Greenwich and the adjoining townships. Later in life Mr. Rhode engaged in farming near the town of Grim- ville, 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 early 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 in educational matters and served as school director in his district. He was a member of the Re- formed Church.

429

BIOGRAPHICAL

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 in 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. Willoughby Gehringer; Cyrus J .; Anna E. m. Albert Flough; 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 Kleffner. 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.

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.

Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I, Part 105

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846; J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1018

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846; J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1018