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 114

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 114

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Christian Brobst, another son of Valentine, lived at Rehrersburg, where he kept a tavern known to this day as the "Brobst Hotel." He died there at the age of forty- one, and was succeeded in business by his son Valentine, then unmarried. He was buried in the old Lutheran Church yard at Rehrersburg. His wife, whose maiden name was Kreider, bore him children as follows : Valen- tine; Michael, who had a son Henry born in 1821 (and his son Frank, born in 1847, was high sheriff of Berks county 1899-1901) ; Henry; William; and a daughter who married a Kurr.

Valentine Brobst, son of Christian, was born in Albany township, and after acquiring a good education in a pri- vate school, learned the hatter's trade, which he followed in Rehrersburg. At his father's death he succeeded to the hotel, as stated above. His death occurred in the spring of 1897, when he was in his eighty-ninth year, and he was laid to rest in the cemetery at Rehrersburg. He married Mary Miller, and they became the parents of children as follows: Dr. Edward; John A., a physician of Bernville; Sarah, deceased, who married John Bossler, of Myerstown; Mary, who married Frank Buch, of Lititz; and James C., a physician at Lititz.

Dr. Edward Brobst received his literary training in the day schools, which he attended until he was twelve years

county, which he attended for four years. Determining to enter the medical profession he became a student in the office of Dr. Adam Schoener, of Rehrersburg, long since deceased, and under that sturdy physician of the old school acquired not only a good foundation for his medical studies but also a conception of the dignity and obligations of the profession he was about to enter. He was graduated from the Medical Department of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania in 1853, and in the spring of 1854 began the active practice of his profession at Danville, Luzerne county. There he remained, however, only until 1865, when on account of the continued urging of friends, he settled at West Leesport, where he quickly attained a high standing. In his younger days, many of his visits were made on horseback. The roads were never in too bad a condition, nor the weather too severe, for him to venture out to relieve suffering or distress, and the de- mands made upon his time and strength would have long before worn out a less robust man. He was always keenly alive to the advance of medical science, and spent much time in study, and his reputation spread throughout the neighboring counties, he being often called in consulta- tion to distant places. His regular practice covered ter- ritory within a radius of seven miles from West Lees- port. In 1863 he enlisted as surgeon in the United States Army, but contracted typhoid fever while at Hagerstown, Md., and was given sick leave. In December, 1864, he re- enlisted as surgeon, being assigned to the 143d Pa. V. I., under Colonel Dana, and continued in service until the close of the war, when he was mustered out at Hart Is- land, in June, 1865. He was pension examiner during the administration of President Harrison.

In spite of the cares of his large practice Dr. Brobst did not neglect his duty as a citizen. He was greatly interested in all public questions, especially those pertain- ing to his home town and county. He was in favor of the incorporation of West Leesport. For some years he served in the office of auditor. His home was built in 1866, and from that time until his death he delighted in welcoming his friends there. He was a tall, well-built man with a kindly benevolent face, ever winning affection from the many with whom he was brought into such close contact. On Saturday, Dec. 21st, he was stricken with apoplexy, and while his great vitality enabled him to rally from the first shock, others followed, and his spirit winged its flight but a few hours before the passing of the old year. He was buried at Trinity Union Church. Like all the Brobsts, as well as the members of his own im- mediate family, he was a Lutheran in religious faith.

Dr. Brobst was twice married. In 1854, he married Louisa, daughter of George Zacharias, of Bern township, who bore him two children: Henrietta, wife of George Filbert; and John, who died aged one year. In 1866 he married Sarah Groff, daughter of Samuel Groff, of Groffdale, Lancaster county. To this union came one daughter, Carrie, now the wife of Henry G. Lenhart, member of the firm of S. H. Lenhart & Sons, merchants, of West Leesport. Dr. Brobst was a life long member of Leesport Lodge, No. 141, I. O. O. F .; Huguenot Lodge, No. 377, F. & A. M., of Kutztown. He also was a con- sistent member of the Berks county Medical Society from the date of its organization.

Dr. Francis H. Brobst, of Reading, is a son of Will- oughby and a grandson of Daniel Brobst. Daniel Brobst was a grandson of Michael or Martin Brobst, of Albany township.

"Brobst Heirs Association" is the name of an organiza- tion founded by the descendants of the original settlers for mutual aid in securing possession of certain coal lands originally belonging to the family. At the meeting of the hoard of directors Dec. 18, 1907, held at the home of the Treasurer, Charles H. Brobst, No. 1128 Franklin street, Reading, Rev. Howard B. Jones presiding, steps were taken to have the case reopened. Among those present were: Dr. James C. Brobst, Lititz: Dr. John A. Brobst, Bernville; Henry Stump, Friedensburg: John K. Stump, Kutztown; Harry A. Brobst, Reading; and Charles H.

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Brobst, Reading. Mrs. Elmira A. Phillips, of Pottsville, & Sons warehouse, $24,500; Reading Railway for coaling a member of the Board, was unable to be there.

ANDREW JACKSON FINK, president of the firm of George W. Beard & Co., Inc., contractors and builders, Colonial Trust building, and one of the most prominent young business men of Reading, was born in that city in 1872, son of Andrew Jackson and Catherine (Helder) Fink.

Andrew Jackson Fink, Sr., was born in Reading July 6, 1840, son of Benjamin Franklin Fink, a well-known carpenter in the early part of the nineteenth century. He attended the public schools and later learned the car- penter's trade under the careful guidance of his father. He took a keen interest in public affairs, and in 1879 was elected a member of the school board, serving several terms. He was next elected superintendent of repairs, an office he held about three years, and then engaged in a general contracting and building business, erecting many houses in the city, especially in the northwestern part. In political sentiment he was a Democrat, and he was a familiar figure at ward meetings and conventions. He was a good logical speaker, his keen wit scoring many a point against his opponents. With the exception of the offices previously mentioned, he held no political position. He was a charter member and first president of the Schuyl- kill Fire Company, and member of the Eighth Ward Democratic Club. His church membership was with St. James Lutheran Church. He married Catherine Helder, who preceded him in death some years. Of the children, the following survived the parents: Clara (m. to Samuel Jacobs) ; Kate (m. to James Gilbert) ; Ella (m. to James Grist) ; Florence and Annie (unmarried) ; and Andrew Jackson. Mr. Fink was survived by his brother, John, of Reading; and his sister, Rebecca, wife of James Kerst.

Andrew J. Fink, son of Andrew Jackson, Sr., was born in 1872, and attended the public schools of the city, and then began the study of architecture with A. F. Smith, with whom he remained two years. He then became connected with Cofrode & Saylor, remaining one year, and next spent two years at civil engineering with the Reading Railroad Company, and for three years was with L. H. Focht, builder. In 1892, with George W. Beard, the present firm was formed by Mr. Fink, who became presi- dent after the latter's retirement. The firm has done over $2,000,000 worth of business, being the leading con- tractors and builders in eastern Pennsylvania. They main- tain suitable offices in the Colonial Trust Building, Read- ing, Pa., and a branch office at Easton, Pa., and employ on an average from 300 to 400 men. They have done building at Wilkes-Barre, Easton, Harrisburg and Hazleton, although their business comes principally from Reading. Following is a list, with the value, of some of the build- ings constructed by this company: Girls' high school, Reading, $125,000; First National Bank, Easton, $125,000; Dairy Building, State College, $90,000; Montello Brick Company, works at Perkiomen, $110,000, and at Wyomis- sing, $80,000; P. & R. Round House, Rutherford, $50,000, and Power House, Ash Conveyor, etc., Reading, $136,000; St. Stephen's Church, Reading, $30,000; Second Reformed, Reading, $27,000; Grace United, Reading, $22,000; St. Mark's, Reading, $42,000, and at Lebanon, $32,000; Masonic Temple, Reading, $60,000; Acme Bicycle Works, $52,000; J. G. Mohn & Bros., factory, $30,000; Hendel Hat Com- pany, Reading, $29,000, and factory, $22,000; C. W. Hen- del factory, Reading, $15,000; St. Thomas' church, finish- ing, $11,000; Trinity United Evangelical church, Reading, $10,000; Addition to Widows' Home, Reading, $25,000; Coaling Station, Harrisburg, for Reading Railway Com- pany, $35,000; Keystone Cold Storage, Reading, $40,000; Hershey building, large store, $32,000; car barn, United Traction Company, Reading, $40,000; John S. Shade & Sons, Reading, $15,000; Woodward street Market House, $14,000; Gately & Britton, $18,000; Wertz & Co., ware- house, $12,000; Reading Car Wheel Company, foundry

station, $26,000; Nolde & Horst stocking factory, $24,- 600; Curtis & Jones shoe factory, $47,000; J. G. Leinbach pants factory, $22,000; freight station for Reading rail- road at Lansdale, $12,000; alterations to County court house, Reading, $21,000; C. W. Hendel residence, $26,- 000; for J. W. Kutz, $25,000; for Frank W. Hanold, $20,- 000; for Howard L. Boas, $21,000; Prospect Dye Works, $15,000; J. G. Hansen cigar factory, $12,000; addition for George F. Baer, $10,000; Nurses Home, Reading Hospital, $12,000; store buildings for James Nolan, $11,000; for Mrs. Bishop, $10,000; Hope Lutheran Church, $25,000; Rajah Temple, $28,000; George W. Biehl's apartment house, $10,- 000; City Pumping Station, $20,000; Boys' high school, Reading, $250,000; and many small buildings which cost less than $10,000 each, and are too numerous to mention.

Mr. Fink was married to Laura G. Goodenough, and to this union were born : Dorothy and Donald. In religious belief the family were Lutherans, and members of St. Luke's Lutheran Church. Mr. Fink is a Republican in politics, and has served on the school board two terms, and as a member of the board of public works, of which latter he is now president. He is a member of Lodge No. 62, F. & A. M., Reading Chapter; DeMolay Commandery No. 9, K. T .; Allen Council, No. 23; Harrisburg Con- sistory, 32°, and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He also belongs to the Knights of Malta, Reading Lodge of Elks, Wyomissing Club, the I. O. U. A., the Union Fire Company, No. 13, and the Reading Board of Trade. Mr. Fink has always taken deep interest in all the affairs of the city, and has devoted a great deal of time in the in- terest of progressive movements.

GEORGE D. HUMBERT, who stands in the front rank of attorneys at the Berks county Bar, has resided in Reading since 1897. He hails from Kutztown, where he was born Aug. 21, 1871, son of John Humbert, and grand- son of George Humbert, of Kutztown.

George Humbert, the grandfather, was a farmer for some years, and later engaged in carpentering at Kutztown, winning considerable fame as a builder of fine barns. He was the owner of considerable real estate, all of which he acquired by his own efforts. He married Susanna Biehl, of Richmond township, and they had three children : Jacob, a school teacher who died in young manhood; Edwin, who died at his home in Kutztown about 1900; and John.

John Humbert, son of George, was born in Kutztown in 1832, and was reared on a farm in Maxatawny township. As a young man he learned the carpenter's trade, but later began teaching in the public schools, and after some years of experience there became an instructor in the Maxatawny Academy. His next work was as a teacher in Prof. H. R. Nicks's Academy, which later developed into the Keystone State Normal School. For many years he was trustee of this school, and was most active in the best interest of the institution, having superintended the erec- tion of a number of its large buildings. He successfully conducted a shoe store in Kutztown for eighteen years, and in 1878 sold out to William Sheradin. He then de- voted himself to surveying and to his work as justice of the peace, which office he held for twenty-five years. In politics he was a Democrat. For a number of years he was an official in Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a charter member and master of Huguenot Lodge, F. & A. M., of Kutztown. His death occurred May 16, 1896, in his sixty-fourth year.

John Humbert married Elizabeth Wanner, who was a daughter of Jacob Wanner, of Kutztown. The Wanners were an old and honored family of Maxatawny township. Mr. and Mrs. Humbert were the parents of five children, two of whom are deceased. The surviving children are: Lizzie E. (m. U. J. Miller, a traveling salesman at Kutz- town) ; Maggie (m. Allen S. Christ, a stationer of Kutz- town) ; and George D.

George D. Humbert received excellent education ad- and other buildings, $15,500; Bright & Co., warehouse, vantages, passing from the public schools of Kutztown to $16,800; Pennsylvania Knitting Mills, $14,000; Auditorium, the Keystone State Normal School, and graduating from $25,000; school at Moss and Elm streets, $25,000; Miller the latter institution in 1889, after which he took a post-

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graduate course for one year. He then taught school, teaching for one year in the grammar school of Kutztown, then one year at the high school, and for four years was principal of the schools of Bath, North- ampton county, Pa. While at the latter place he intro- duced the course of study and system of grading yet used there with great success.

In 1895 Mr. Humbert became a law student in the office of George W. Wagner, and on Nov. 14, 1898, he was ad- mitted to practice at the Berks county Bar, and he has since been admitted to the Superior and Supreme courts. He has built up an enviable practice and has been in- terested in some of the hard fought and most prominent criminal and civil cases in the last decade. Among these cases handled by him in a manner that has won him high repute may be mentioned the Commonwealth vs. Antonio Taddei, Sr., in which case he was of counsel for the de- fense ( the defendant was charged with killing three men on Penn street, on the night of July 3, 1901, and was acquitted) ; the Commonwealth vs. Emes, charged with murder in the first degree, but convicted only for involun- tary manslaughter; Weidenmyer vs. Jackson Rope Walk, the plaintiff receiving a verdict of $1,400 for finger torn out; Commonwealth vs. Salvatore Garreto, who was charged with killing a state policeman; and many others. Mr. Humbert's well-appointed officers are at No. 40 Sixth street, Reading. In 1902-03 he was solicitor for the County Alms House, and he has since been a popular candidate for district attorney. He is a prominent and influential Demo- crat, was chairman of the City Executive Committee, (in 1902), and also a member of the County Standing Commit- tee of the Fifth ward, Reading. In the midst of his busy professional life he has still found time to take an interest in the cause of education, and for a time was an instructor in night school. In 1898 he succeeded his father as a trustee of the Keystone State Normal School, being one of two trustees from Reading, and he is a member of the Finance and Accounts committees.

Mr. Humbert is a member of Huguenot Lodge, No. 377, F. & A. M., of Kutztown; Reading Chapter, No. 152, R. A. M .; De Molay Commandery, No. 9, K. T .; Philadelphia Consistory; and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; Washington Camp, No. 163, P. O. S. of A .; Court E .. of Reading, of which he is Past Exalted Ruler.

Victory, No. 123, F. of A .; and Lodge No. 115, B. P. O. of the Berks County Democrat and Der Boyertown Bauer, was born in Philadelphia Nov. 25, 1865, son of Charles and On Nov. 14, 1906, Mr. Humbert married Gussie L. Pen- nock, of Reading, and they now reside at No. 604 North Third street, Reading. Julia (Busch) Spatz. The Spatz family is highly con- nected in Germany, and closely related to the Krupps of the famous gun manufactory.

JAMES NOLAN, president of the Reading Trust Com- pany, and for many years engaged as a railroad con- tractor, was born Jan. 9, 1844, in the town of Clonaslee, Queen's County, Ireland.

James Nolan, his father, was born in Ireland in 1798. He married Annie Bennett, of the same country, by whom he had children as follows: Mary married Dennis Mc- Avoy; Catharine m. William Kearns; Charles m. Kath- erine Eisenbise; William m. Kate McDonough ; Thomas m. Nellie Jackson; James; Edward m. Mary Leader. The father, in 1849, determined to emigrate to America, and he and his two daughters proceeded to New York to make arrangements for the rest of the family, the mother and sons joining them the following year. He carried on the business of stone-cutter at New York until 1855, and then moved to Wernersville, Berks county, to engage in stone bridge work on the Lebanon Valley rail- road. He died in 1857, aged fifty-nine years; his wife survived him forty-two years, dying at Reading at the remarkable age of ninety-four years.

When but five years old James Nolan emigrated with his mother and four brothers to America, landing at New York. He received his education in the public schools of that city, and when seventeen years of age began an apprenticeship as a stone-cutter in the erection of the great St. Patrick Cathedral, on Fifth avenue and Fifty-first street. After he had been so employed for Mr. Spatz has always been interested in politics, and has two years the building operations were suspended on ac- heen several times a delegate to State and National Con- count of the Civil war. He then turned his attention to

learning the trade of a boiler-maker, and continued at it for four years, after which he entered the employ of his brothers, Charles and William, railroad contractors. After working for the brothers several years, until 1870, and showing great aptitude for the business, he was admitted into the partnership, and under the firm name of Nolan Brothers they did business for thirty years. They were prominently identified with the construction work of the Pennsylvania railroad and the Philadelphia & Reading railroad on all their branches, and, in carrying out their contracts, established a very high reputation, being rec- ognized in railroad and financial circles as one of the most successful firms of Reading and the country. Though not inclined to engage in municipal contract work, they constructed at Reading the Hampden reservoir and several squares of the Buttonwood street sewer, west from the railroad, which was the beginning of the extensive storm water sewer system in Reading.

Mr. Nolan has been identified with the financial insti- tutions of Reading for more than twenty years. He is at present a director in the Farmers National Bank, Reading Steam Heat and Power Company, Reading Brew- ing Company, Reading Stove works, and is president of the Reading Trust Company, the Reading Electric Light and Power Company, the Reading Academy of Music Company and of the board of trustees of St. Joseph's Hospital. From the time of attaining his majority, he has been an active adherent and supporter of the Dem- ocratic party. In 1903 he was given the nomination of secretary of Internal Affairs by the Democratic party on the ticket with Robert E. Pattison for governor and G. W. Guthrie for lieutenant-governor.

Mr. Nolan married Kate Stewart, the only child of Dr. Lemuel and Angeline (Smith) Stewart, and they had three children: James Bennett. who graduated . from Cornell University, and is a member of the Berks county Bar, married May Smink, a daughter of Frank C. Smink, president of the Reading Iron Works; Angela married Thomas Hall Ingham, of Philadelphia; Mary is not mar- ried. The mother of these children died in 1882.

CHARLES B. SPATZ, former member of the Penn- sylvania State Legislature and the editor and publisher

Charles Spatz, father of Charles B., was born in Elber- feld, Germany. He learned the printer's trade, and this he followed the greater part of his life. His education was broadened by travel, and he became an excellent linguist, speaking fluently German, English, French, Russian, Polish, Hebrew and Italian. He was married and had two children when he came to America, bringing his little family with him. He found employment at his trade, and in 1871 he moved to Boyertown, buying the Boyer- town Democrat, which he conducted until his death Aug. 7, 1884. He was an active Democrat in politics, and in re- ligion was a member of the Reformed Church. He married Julia Busch, and their children were: Mrs. William Grosscup, of Camden, N. J .; Mrs. Gussie Orr, of Camden, N. J .; Charles B .; and Mrs. Otto Janssen, of Camden.

Charles B. Spatz was educated in the public schools, Kallynean Academy and Mt. Pleasant Seminary. From boyhood he has been familiar with the printer's trade, and he was but nineteen when his father died and he assumed the management of the estate. Like his father he pub- lished the paper in both English and German, but later he took a more advanced ground and published two papers, the Democrat, an English weekly, and the Bauer. a German sheet. Both are progressive, newsy papers, and are very popular. The plant is equipped with a linotype, large presses and folding machines, besides modern joh presses. The politics of both papers is Democratic.

ventions. He served two terms in the State Legislature,

James holan

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BIOGRAPHICAL

beginning with 1896, and he took an active part in the legislation at that time, being the author of the first resolu- tion acknowledging the belligerent rights of Cuba passed by any Legislature; and he was also responsible for legis- lation in behalf of good government. He is at present committeeman from his district. He is a Past Master of Stichter Lodge, No. 254, F. & A. M., Pottstown; and is also a member of Pottstown R. A. Chapter; Nativity Com- mandery K. T., No. 71; Bloomsburg Consistory, 32d degree Masonry, and Rajah Temple of the Mystic Shrine.

On Jan. 17, 1889, Mr. Spatz married Anna Muntz, daugh- ter of Andrew Muntz, of Reading. They have five child- ren : Flora, Carl, Ruth, Frederick and Anna.

COL. WILLIAM HEINS, who died April 27, 1899, at his home at Eshbach, after an illness of some six months, was one of the best known men of his community, and for years had taken a prominent part in the commercial and municipal life of the town.

The Heins family was one of the best known in Phila- delphia county, Pa., its early home being at Germantown. Various members of the family were active in the Revolu- tion. The grandfather of Col. William was a farmer liv- ing near the village of Mt. Airy, now a part of German- town, ard he became one of the wealthy and influential men of that time and place. His children were: Peter; Charles; Abraham; Daniel; Hettie, m. to John Siner; Sally, m. to a Beecher ; Sarah, deceased; and a daughter m. to Jacob Bechtel. They were all reared in the Lutheran faith.

Daniel Heins, father of Col. William, was born in Ger- mantown, in 1779, and was reared on his father's farm. Upon reaching manhood he engaged in the hotel business, becoming proprietor of the "Washington House" in German- town, one of the most popular public houses there. In 1824 among the distinguished guests he entertained was General LaFayette. Later in life he had charge of the "Dove Ho- tel" in Mt. Airy, and also carried on farming. In his re- ligious faith he was loyal to the teaching of his parents, and he died Feb. 23, 1842. In March, 1816, he married Elizabeth Hearring, who died May 25, 1833, the mother of the following children: John, born Feb. 10, 1817, was a farmer owning a part of the farm where the Norristown (Pa.) Asylum now stands; Hannah, born Nov. 18, 1819, is deceased; Susan, born Feb. 2, 1821, is deceased; Anna Margaret, born March 2, 1825, is deceased; Elizabeth, born Jan. 20, 1827, became the wife of John Guisen, of Phila- delphia; Daniel, born Sept. 20, 1829, lived in Montgomery county, and there died May 25, 1858; and William.

1823, and was reared upon his father's farm, receiving such education as the common schools afforded. His first ven- ture for himself was as a clerk in a store in Sassamans- ville, Montgomery Co., Pa., where he remained two years. He then moved to New Berlinville, Berks county, where as a clerk and huckster he continued for but one year, then removing to Limestone, Douglass township, where he was employed in a similar line by Peter K. Ludwig. The latter then sold his business and with Col. Heins went to Amity township, and engaged in the manufacture of gunpowder with young Heins as teamster, hauling the powder from that point to Philadel- phia, Lancaster, Carlisle and Chambersburg. Col. Heins continued in this business for some years after which he went to Bechtelsville, and there for five years was em- ployed at huckstering by Isaac Bechtel. After five years in this business on his own account he bought a farm of sixty-two acres at Eshbach, carrying on general farm- ing. He also fitted up a store in his house, and did a large and paying business among his neighbors. In December, 1894, his son Daniel succeeded to the business, and the Colonel retired to spend his last years in quiet.

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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 114

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