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 106

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 106

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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 prejudice 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.

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Rev. P. P. A. Hoffman was born in Cherryville, 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 educated in the common schools, and later attended the DR. JOEL B. BOWER, D. D. S., of Boyertown, one of the leading dentists of Berks county, was born in this town Oct. 27, 1840, son of Henry O. and Barbara (Borneman) Bower, and grandson of JohnzBower. Mercersburg Preparatory School, then that college and Theological Seminary, graduating at an early age. He was installed at Friedensburg, in Berks county, and preached at Friedens Church there for twenty-five (I) Hans Bower, the American ancestor of the family, emigrated from Switzerland between 1708 and 1717. He settled in Colebrookdale township, with other Mennonites who fled because of persecution. In time he bought three different tracts, and his first purchase consisted of 215 acres which he bought from Thomas Hopkinson. His second purchase which was 201 acres, he secured in 1734; and the third was made from the Penns in 1734, for; which he paid twenty-three pounds, five shillings. This land was located in Hereford township, Berks county, and is now owned by Rev. John Ehst. In 1749 he sold this tract to his two sons, Michael and Abraham (whose chil- dren were-George, Samuel and Jacob). years, or until his death. His twenty-fifth installation was celebrated at Hill Church in the presence of a large congregation, which congregation he served from his entry into the ministry until his death. The Friedens charge consisted of four congregations, viz. : Hill, Friedens, Lo- bachsville and Pricetown. He was an able minister and eloquent preacher. For some years before his death he lived at Reading, and is buried in the Charles Evans cemetery there. In 1864 he married Aravesta M. Bodder, daughter of Charles and Susanna ( Mason) Bod- der. Mr. Bodder was a hatter and furrier at Bethlehem, where he was a member of the town council and a very prominent citizen. To the Rev. Mr. Hoffman and wife were born the following children : Charles P .; Willard U., of Reading; J. Lange, of Chicago; Bertha B., m. to Thomas Paine, of Reading; and C. Herbert, of Pottsville.

Charles P. Hoffman received the benefit of an ex- cellent education, attending the public school, Oley Acad- emy, a preparatory school at Bethlehem, and graduated from the Reading high school in 1885, with the class honors. He then became a bookkeeper for the Manhattan Hardware Manufacturing Company, of Reading, serving in that position for two years. In 1887 he became collec- tor for the Gately & Britton Installment House, of Read- ing, and his promotion to a better position was soon merited. In 1894 the firm opened up the Pottsville branch in a small store under the management of Mr. Hoffman, and this has since become the largest furniture, carpet and clothing store in all Schuylkill county. It employs thirty-five to fifty persons and enjoys a large and lucrative trade. Besides making this store a mecca for the buyer of household goods, he has found time to devote to the best interests of the city. He is broad- minded and public-spirited, and is ever in the front rank of new enterprises. He has become the standard bearer for those interests that stand for progress and civic ad- vancement-and the leader 'in all public demonstrations and events that tend to advertise and advance his adopted city. During the first years of his connection with the firm of Gately & Britton (a partnership that has since di- vided, Mr. Hoffman continuing with Mr. Britton) he con- ducted for three years the Tropical Garden, then located at Eighth and Penn streets, Reading.

Mr. Hoffman is one of the organizers of the Merchants National Bank, of Pottsville, and has since heen one of its directors, secretary of the board and a member of the Finance committee. He is actively identified with church, political, social and fraternal associations in Pottsville. With his family he attends Trinity Reformed Church. He is past master of Reading Lodge, No. 549, F. & A. M .: Reading Chapter, No. 152, R. A. M .; past commander of De Molay Commandery, No. 9, K. T .; and a charter member of Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., Reading, which he has had the honor of representing at the Imperial Council of North America. Socially he is a member of the Pottsville Club; a charter member of the Sphinx Club; a member (and past president) of the Commercial Club: The West End Fire Company; Schuylkill County Historical Society; and Liederkranz. He has been presi- dent of the Merchants' Association of Pottsville and vi- cinity since 1903 ; president of the Pottsville Civic Society, which is in the nature of a board of trade, since its incep- tion in 1905: he is a member and chairman of the Finance committee of the board of control of the famous Third Brigade Band. Mr. Hoffman is one of the leading men of Pottsville, and he has the well merited respect of his fellow citizens.

In 1885 Mr. Hoffman married Sue E. Bickley, daughter of the late Capt. Frank and Amelia ( Lotz) Bickley of

(II) Michael Bower, son of Hans, and great-great- grandfather of Dr. Bower, married Fronica, daughter of Johannes Landis. On July 7, 1784, he sold a tract of land containing 108 acres to his son-in-law, Christian Moyer, for the sum of 325 pounds; also a tract contain- ing seventy-four acres and twenty-eight perches, for 175 pounds. His children were : (Samuel, Fronica; and ' Anna.) (III) Samuel Bower, son of Michael, was born Ang. 6, 1746, and he is buried at Hereford Mennonite Meeting House. He was a farmer in Douglass township, Mont- gomery county. His wife was Elizabeth Ziegler, and they had children as follows : Susanna, Barbara, Deborah, John, Elizabeth, Samuel, Hannah, Andrew and Christopher.

(IV) John- Bower, son of Samuel, was born in Doug- lass township, Montgomery county, Dec. 24, 1773, and died there March 30, 1854, and he is buried at Bally. He bought a farm of 156 acres in 1814 for $13,000. This he sold to John Moyer in 1890 for $5,600. He was a well-known farmer and a most excellent man. Dur- ing the panic of 1814 to 1820, he hauled rye flour to Philadelphia, receiving seventy-five cents per hundred pounds. Later he prospered, and although many lost their farms during this time of stringency. he did not. His wife's maiden name was Susanna Overholtzer, and they had five children : Catherine married Samuel B. Latshaw ; Elizabeth m. Jonas Sassaman: John O .; Samuel O. and Henry O.

(V) Henry O. Bower, son of John and father of Dr. Bower, was born in Douglass township, Jan. 6. 1807, and died there Feb. 14, 1867. He was a clockmaker, and made 130 grandfather clocks, some showing the movement of the moon. His grave is at the Mennonite Meeting House at Bally. The last clock he made, completed about 1845, is in the possession of his son Dr. Joel B. Bower of Boyer- town. Mr. Bower was well-known and traveled from house to house in eastern Berks county, repairing clocks. His wife was Barbara Borneman, also a native of Montgomery county. They had six children, as follows : Dr. Joel B .: John, deceased, a farmer in Douglass town- ship; Priscilla, deceased wife of Levi Ehst: Johanna, de- ceased wife of Daniel B. Rittenhouse, of Montgomery county ; Dr. Daniel B., of Boyertown; Elizabeth, living at Boyertown, widow of John Bechtel.

(VI) Joel B. Bower was reared in Douglass town- ship, where he attended school, but later he went to the Freeland Seminary, and then studied with his uncle, Dr. J. H. Borneman, who was a dentist at Boyertown. Still later he attended the Philadelphia Dental College, from which he was graduated in 1867. He immediately located at Boyertown, where he followed his profession for a period of forty-five years. . In 1905 his son Dr. A. L. Bower took charge of the office. In 1892 Dr. Bower opened a branch office at Pottstown, and this his son Dr. Samuel Bower now conducts. His son Dr. Daniel Bower had charge of the Pottstown office for ten years prior to his death in 1905. Dr. Joel B. Bower and his family are members of the Mennonite Church of Boyertown, and he is very active in Church work. He resides in his own house on Philadelphia avenue.

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BIOGRAPHICAL

Dr. Bower has been married three times. His first Isaac m .. and had one child, Isaac; John died young; and wife, Sevilla Stanffer, of Boyertown, died at the age of Solomon. twenty, leaving one son, Henry, who died soon thereafter. He married (second) Elizabeth Latshaw, of East Vincent, Chester Co., Pa., who bore him five children : Dr. Daniel, born March 2, 1873, died unmarried, Feb. 15, 1905; Jacob 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. BOWER, 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.

Dr. Abram L. Bower married Hannah O. Landis, of New Britain, Pa. They have two children, 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.

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. Elizabeth, 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

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 the Farmers' National Bank, and a member of the of Lancaster county, and had children, Anna and David; firm of Rick Brothers, m. Emma Madeira; John, who

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

died in 1900, was also a member of the firm of Rick Brothers ( m. Emma Ammon ) ; Charles; Mary m. Franklin Dundore, of Philadelphia, and had three children-Charles, Frank and Ella; James, of the firm of Rick Brothers, now proprietor of the Rick Knitting Mills of Reading, m. (first) Ellen Trate, and ( second) Julia O'Hara, and had five children by the last marriage-James, Edward, Albert, Harrison and Julia ; and Ellen m. William A. Arnold, de- ceased, and had six children-William, John, Franklin, Anna, Ellen and Mary.

Charles Rick was educated in the common schools of his locality, and in 1857 graduated from the old high school. Until the outbreak of the Civil war he clerked in various stores, but in May, 1861, he went to the front, enlisting at Washington, D. C., and was discharged in July, 1861. Hc then re-enlisted in Company E, 128th Pa. V. I., be- coming first sergeant, and was discharged as first lieuten- ant after nine months service. On his return to Reading, Mr. Rick entered the office of the general superintendent, G A. Nicolls, of the Reading Railroad as clerk, and con- tinued with that company until 1871, when he resigned to engage in business with his brothers, who had founded, in 1867, the business of Rick Brothers Foundry, or Read- ing Butt Works. He continued in this business until his retirement in 1904, at which time the firm sold out.

In 1868 Mr. Rick m. Emma A. Pauli, a native of Berks county, daughter of Rev. W. A. Pauli, of the Reformed Church, and to this union there have been born six chil- dren : Mary m. F. H. Muhlenberg, and has four children -- Hiester H., Charles R., Ernest and Mary; Miss Grace; Mabel m. H. P. Weile, of Reading; Bessie m. Lindsay McCandlish, and has one child, Jane R .; Miss Florence is at home; and Arthur is a member of the firm of Hutch- inson-McCandlish Coal Company, Reading.

Mr. Rick is a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States; and of Chandler Lodge, No. 227, F. & A. M. He is a Republican in pol- itics, and in 1874 he was a member of the common coun- cil. He is a director of the Charles Evans cemetery, the Reading City Passenger Railroad Company, and the Mount Penn Gravity Railroad.

F. C. SMINK, president of the Reading Iron Company, is associated with so many enterprises typical of the com- mercial prosperity of Pennsylvania that he is not only con- sidered a representative business man of Reading, but of the State as well. The Reading Iron Company, to the direction of which the greater part of his time is devoted, has one of the largest independent plants of the kind in the United States.

Mr. Smink was born in 1845 in Kutztown, Berks county, Pa., son of H. B. and Elizabeth (Ebert) Smink. He was educated in the public schools of Reading, graduating from the high school in 1861, after which he taught school during the winter season, doing farm work in the summer months. He has since been identified with Reading. His first position in this city was that of book- keeper in the shoe manufacturing establishment of H. F. Felix, with whom he remained two years. In 1864 he entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company as secretary to Superintendent G.A. Nicolls, in which service he remained three years. after which he resigned to accept the chief clerkship in Bushong Brothers Bank. Soon afterward he was pro- moted to cashier, and acted as such until the bank failed, in 1877. Meantime he had also become treasurer and general manager of the Berks & Lehigh Railroad Company, and president of the Keystone Hardware Com- pany. The latter concern also suspending business in 1877, Mr. Smink entered the service of the Reading Iron Works as general business manager, Jan. 1, 1878. He con- tinued in that capacity until 1889, in which year the works failed. On the organization of the Reading Iron Company, Mr. Smink was made vice-president and general manager under the presidency of George F. Baer, whom he suc- ceeded in 1902 as executive head of the company.

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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 106

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