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 122

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 122

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BIOGRAPHICAL

Jacob, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, and after- 'Spring township-about the time of the Revolutionary war. ward a colonel of militia, known to history as Colonel His wife was Eva Yost, and of their children there were Jacob Shindel. He married Elizabeth Leisenring, of Sunbury, and by her had six children, of whom Louisa, for her second husband, married Joseph Fenstermacher.

To Joseph Fenstermacher and Louisa, his wife, the fol- lowing children came: Elmira T., born Oct. 9, 1842, m. Hi- ram W. Hess, of Lebanon, Pa., deceased; Jacob A., born April, 1844, died in Jan., 1845; Winfield Scott, born Oct. 6, 1846, m. Rebecca Hultzeizer, of Finesville, N. J., deceased ; Emma Catharine, born Dec. 30, 1848, died March 16, 1858; John P. S .; Joseph S., born April 11, 1850, died in Jan., 1851; Rebecca, born Feb. 6, 1856, died Feb. 9, 1856; Anna L., born Feb. 11, 1858, m. Aaron B. Fry, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

John P. S. Fenstermacher born in Leban- on March 30, 1853, and grew to manhood in that city. His education was obtained in the public schools of his native town and was limited, as he early had to apply him- self to the earning of a livelihood. At the age of four- teen he became a railway news agent, running between Lebanon and Philadelphia, and by his pleasing ways be- came very popular with the patrons of the trains. Frank- lin B. Gowan, then president of the Philadelphia & Read- ing Company, learned to know and like him, and had him promoted to the position of brakeman when yet but seventeen years of age. From brakeman he rose to baggage master, and from that on Jan. 15, 1885, to pass- enger conductor on the Kutztown branch, a place he held continuously till 1909, a period of twenty-four years.

Mr. Fenstermacher has long been active and prominent in secret societies. He is a member and was an officer of Huguenot Lodge, No. 377, F. & A. M .; a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M., and a member and was trustee of Camp No. 383, P. O. S. of A. He is also a member of the K. G. E. and organized Adonai Castle, No. 70, of that or- der in Kutztown, and was its master of records for thirteen years. He is a member of the F. O. E., Aerie No. 839, of Kutztown, and at this writing its treasurer. For many years he has been active in Republican politics, do- ing much hard and efficient party work, frequently repre- senting his party in county and State conventions. He has always been in close touch with county and State leaders, and long recognized by them as a faithful and trusted lieutenant. These relations naturally brought him to the front for political preferment, and in 1898 he was made postmaster of Kutztown. Immediately upon assuming the duties of the position he set himself to work improving the office and succeeded so well that in 1902, and again in 1906, he was re-appointed without opposition. He is an attentive and obliging official, ever on the watch to improve the efficiency of the office and the rural de- liveries that radiate from it, and he has won high praise both from the Department at Washington and from the the patrons he has served.

In the year 1870 Mr. Fenstermacher married Emma Heilig, of Lebanon, Pa., daughter of John G. and Harriett Hanley Heilig. To them were born children as follows: Elizabeth Shindel, born Jan. 25, 1871 (m. (first) to George Fisher, deceased, and (second) to Lynn J. Koch, of Fleet- wood, Pa.) ; Sarah Jane, Sept. 2, 1872 (m. to Harry J. Reiff, of Reading) ; Rebecca Hultzeizer, Nov. 5, 1874 (m. to Frederick A. Marx, Esq., of Kutztown) ; Edwin Hutter, April 25, 1877 (m. to Emma Fridy, of Lancaster) ; Char- lotte Ely, July 10, 1879 (m. to George Gensemer, of Read- ing) ; Louise Shindel, April 29, 1886; Ella Hess, June 21, 1888 (who died Aug. 31, 1888) ; Mabel Helen, Sept. 15, 1889; Marguerite May, June 18, 1892; and Jay Dee Barnes, Nov. 27, 1893.

GEORGE R. VAN REED was a descendant of one of the representative families of Berks county, which has been active and influential for upward of a hundred years in the development and upbuilding of the county.

The first of the name in the western division of the county was John Van Reed, who died April 18, 1820, in the seventy-third year of his age. He settled in the northern part of Cumru township-that part which is now

four sons, John, Charles, Henry and Thomas. The Van Reeds were members of the Reformed Church, but in poli- tical opinions they have been more or less divided, all par- ties being represented. They have, however, never been office seekers.

John Van Reed, son of John, was born in Cumru town- ship, on the Cacoosing creek, near its outlet into the Tul- pehocken, in 1786. He married Catherine Huy and their children were: Henry, James, Lewis, John, Joshua, Jacob and Mary.

Henry Van Reed, son of John and Catherine (Huy) Van Reed, was born on his father's farm in Cumru (now Spring) township, Aug. 21, 1821. His education he ac- quired in the schools of Reading, Lititz, Lafayette College and Dickinson College, completing the course at the last named institution with the class of 1843. Selecting the profession of law as his life work, he entered upon his studies in the office of David F. Gordon, of Reading, a most able and conscientious attorney who was afterward made president judge of this judicial district. Under his careful tuition Mr. Van Reed attained a thorough know- ledge of law and of the ethics of the profession, and on April 5, 1844, was admitted to the Bar. He opened an office in Reading, and in a comparatively short time had a large practice, continuing it twenty years. In 1851 he went to California to visit his brothers, James and Lewis, and with the former he engaged in banking in San Francis- co for some months, but the East called him, and he re- turned to his profession in Reading, the same year.

On July 13, 1869, Mr. Van Reed, on the recommenda- tion of the Republicans of the county, was appointed law judge, with powers similar to the president judge, by Gov. John W. Geary. This was in compliance with an act passed by the Legislature authorizing an additional judge, and his term of office was to continue until his successor was duly elected -and qualified, which was on the follow- ing 6th of December. Judge Van Reed had always been a good Republican, but he did not believe that a judgeship should be made a matter of political self-seeking, and true to his convictions at no time offered himself as a candidate. What came to him was the unsought reward of faithful and efficient service. From Jan. 12, 1875, to Jan. 2, 1876, he again filled the same office, having this time been ap- pointed by Gov. John F. Hartranft to fill a vacancy. He filled the office with dignity and impartiality, but the pre- ponderance of the Democratic majority made his filling it by election impossible. After leaving the Bench he gradu- ally retired from practice. He was a member of the Con- stitutional Convention in 1872-73. During the Civil war he gave warm support to the administration, and in Sep- tember, 1862, he became a member of Company G, 2d Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia, commanded by Capt. F. S. Bickley, to repel the threatened invasion of the State. They performed military duty for eleven days, and were then discharged. At the time of the battle of Gettysburg, he again enlisted, becoming sergeant in Company C., 42d Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia, under Col. Charles H. Hunter, and served from July 6 to Aug. 12, 1863.

At his death, June 30, 1885, many highly eulogistic ad- dresses were delivered by members of the Berks County Bar, and in the resolution passed it was said of him: "As a lawyer and judge he was able, conscientious and pain- staking. As a man he despised sham and hypocrisy; and he took for his own example the Christian virtues. He had the rare gift of courage equal to his convictions; and therefore in public as well as in private life he acted as he believed an honest, upright man should act, without re- gard to . affiliations or personal consequences."

On Sept. 2, 1852, Judge Van Reed married Miss Harriet, daughter of George Gernant. She died Jan. 13, 1883. Their children were: George R. and Anna.

George R. Van Reed was born in Reading Sept. 21, 1853. He obtained his earlier education in the public schools and then entered Lafayette College, at Easton, graduating therefrom in 1874. He became division engineer for the

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

South Mountain & Boston Railroad, and later assistant en- gineer on the Pennsylvania Railroad, being stationed at Paoli. He assisted in the construction of the Schuylkill Valley Division, of the Pennsylvania Railroad, continuing in the service of that company from 1876 to 1884. He was a very able civil engineer, and the mastery of difficulties in that work afforded him keen enjoyment. He read law under Garrett Stevens, of Reading, and Jan, 21, 1888, was admitted to the Bar, but he never engaged in practice. He died Aug. 12, 1908.

In 1891 Mr. Van Reed married Miss Effie, daughter of John H. Knapp, of Menomonie, Wisconsin.

THOMAS P. MERRITT, son of Abraham and Margaret (Irick-Budd) Merritt, was born at Mt. Holly, N. J., Sept. 29, 1844. He received his education in the schools of his native place, and in the University of Lewisburg, Pa. (now Bucknell), and upon completing his special course of preparation for business located in Philadelphia, engaging in the lumber business with a firm trading as Norcross & Sheetz. After remaining with this firm sev- eral years, he went to Norristown and started in business for himself. He continued at Norristown until 1870, and then removed to Williamsport, for the purpose of carrying on the wholesale lumber business and manufacturing all kinds of lumber.

Shortly after 1870 Mr. Merritt took his younger broth- er, A. Howard Merritt, into partnership, and they trad- ed under the name of Merritt Brothers until 1880, build- ing up a very extensive business, and shipping lumber to all parts of the country. Disposing of their business at Williamsport, the firm purchased the well-established lumber stand of Boas & Randenbush, at Reading, and mov- ing to that place have since been engaged in the retail lumber business in a very extensive and successful man- ner, having in the past thirty years supplied a large pro- portion of lumber used in the construction of the many thousand buildings which were erected in Reading dur- ing this time.

Immediately after locating in Reading, Mr. Merritt identified himself with its numerous local affairs, but more especially of a business nature and the enterprising men of the community soon learned to appreciate his worth by selecting him to fill prominent positions and cooperat- ing with him in establishing financial institutions. His first public position was on the board of health. This was in 1882, and he has officiated on the board ever since. Be- coming interested in public charities, he participated in the proceedings of the Reading Benevolent Society, and served the Society as its president ; and he served the Associated Charities of Reading as vice-president. When the State of Pennsylvania established the large hospital in Berks county near Wernersville in 1894, for chronic insane, he was selected by Governor Pattison as one of the first trustees, and he was reappointed hy Governor Hast- ings, serving in this position for six years, and he was chosen by the board as its treasurer. In 1904, though a Democrat, he was reappointed by Governor Pennypacker for a third term.

Mr. Merritt assisted in organizing the Pennsylvania Trust Company in 1886. and the Reading National Bank in 1893, and he has served on the board of directors of each body from their inception until now. He was also one of the projectors of the Reading Electric Light & Power Company for supplying light and power by electricity (this eventually becoming the property of the Metropolitan Electric Company) ; of the Reading Steam Heat & Power Company. for supplying steam heat to dwellings and public buildings in the central portion of the city; and of the beautiful suburban town Wy- omissing, two miles west of Reading along the main thoroughfare.

The municipal affairs of Reading attracted Mr. Mer- ritt's earnest attention, and to put himself in a position to favor them he became a member of the Board of Trade. When councils established the park board in 1886. they selected him as one of the first four com- missioners, and he officiated until 1890-the first import-

ant step in the creation of the park system having been taken during this time. In 1894 he was elected president of the Board of Trade, and he filled this position very successfully for four years. During his incumbency the first steps were taken toward a proper celebration of the Sesqui-Centennial of Reading in 1898, which cul- minated in a most successful demonstration. Upon the reorganization of the Historical Society of Berks coun- ty in 1898 he became a member of the Society, and he was selected as one of the executive council, which po- sition he has served since then. And about this time he was appointed by councils as one of the trustees of the Reading Library, and he has served by reappoint- ment until now. He represented Pennsylvania as one of the Commissioners to the World's Fair at Chicago in 1893, by appointment of Governor Pattison.

When Mr. Merritt reached his majority, he identi- fied himself with the Democratic party, and he has been a stanch advocate of its principles ever since. Upon fixing his residence at Reading, he at once manifested a keen interest in local politics through the party, and this gave him great public prominence before the peo- ple; indeed, so prominent had he become by 1890 that the Democrats placed his name on their ticket for mayor, and he was elected, evidencing his unusual popularity. During his official term, from 1890 to 1893, numerons important questions were considered, more particularly such as related to improved lighting, streets and sewers, and they received his earnest encouragement.

Mr. Merritt was made a Freemason in 1867 at Nor- ristown, becoming a member of Charity Lodge. No. 190, and he still retains his membership in that lodge; he was made a Knight Templar in Hutchinson Commandery. No. 32, but he transferred his membership to Reading Commandery, No. 42, of which he was eminent com- mander in 1888. He has taken the thirty-third degree.

Immediately after locating in Reading, Mr. Merritt was admitted to membership in Christ Episcopal Church, and he has since then shown much interest in the welfare of the congregation. He has served as a vestryman since 1886.

Mr. Merritt married Emma P. Rambo Nov. 30. 1871. She is a daughter of Nathan Rambo and Ann Broades (Currie-Ross), his wife, who are descendants of the oldest families in the Schuylkill Valley in the vicinity of Norris- town, Pennsylvania.

MORRIS C. BERGER. farmer of Peun township, the present tax collector of that township, and a director of the First National Bank of the borough of Bernville, is one of the most respected citizens of his section of Berks county. The name he bears is an old and honorable one here, several generations of Bergers having lived in this region.

Mr. Berger's great-great-grandfather had the following named children: Elizabeth. born Feb. 8. 1760; George W., Sept. 20. 1761: Tobias, Jan. 21, 1765: Catharine. July 9, 1766: Maria B., April 8, 1768; Johannes. June 24. 1769; Maria M .. June 9, 1771: Diana Maria, April 27, 1773; Ma- ria Magdalena, Sept. 18, 1774; John Christian, Nov. 5, 1777: Johan Ludwig. Jan. 28. 1779; Johan Philip, born June June 3, 1782.

The great-grandfather of Morris C. Berger lived and died near the Blue Mountains. His children were born as follows: Sarah, Feh. 12, 1797: John. April 16. 1798; Solomon, May 5, 1801: Catharine. Dec. 2, 1803: Elizabeth. Sept. 14, 1805; Daniel, Sept. 16, 1807. George, Sept. 7. 1809 ; William, July 30, 1811: Susannah. May 18, 1814: Joseph, Feb. 26, 1818: Benneville, Sept. 21, 1820.

Solomon Berger. born May 5, 1801, owned a farm in Bern township, which he cultivated. Later he removed to Bernville, where he died. He married Elizabeth Pottei- ger, and to them were born six children: Adam; Levi, of Bernville : John, who died young: Rebecca, m. to Daniel Strause ( their daughter, Miss Strause. of Bernville, has the record of the great-great-grandfather's children previously given ) ; Esther, who died unmarried ; and Eliza, m. (first)

Thos . P. Merritt

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BIOGRAPHICAL

to Benneville Bethram and (second) to William Schlapp- lows: John, M. D., of Pottstown, Pa., married (first) ich.

Adam Berger, son of Solomon and father of Morris C. Berger, born in 1830 in Bern (now Penn) township, died in 1882. After his father's death he took the home- stead, where he passed most of his life, and besides man- aging the place he was for many years engaged in the contracting business with his brother Levi under the name of Berger Brothers. They built many churches, among them being St. Michael's, Leesport Union, which they re- built after its destruction by fire, St. John's Reformed at Schuylkill Haven, Mohrsville Union and three Bap- List churches. Adam Berger was a well known man in his day in public affairs as well as in business life, served his township as school director, and was also active in re- ligious matters, being a prominent member of the Bern- ville Reformed Church, in the work of which he was deep- ly interested. He married Elizabeth Hafe, daughter of Samuel Hafe, and to them were born four children : James and John, who both died at the old homestead; Morris C .; and Mary, who died at the old homestead. The mother now lives with her only surviving child, Morris C. Berger, in Penn township.

Morris C. Berger was born in Penn township April 11, 1863, and there attended the public schools. He was eighteen when his father died, and though rather young took charge of the homestead at that time, making a suc- cess of his work. His land comprises eighty-five acres, three miles northeast of Bernville, and is in very good condition, giving evidence of his care and intelligent man- agement. He has prospered well as the result of indus- try, and when the First National Bank of Bernville was organized he became a member of the first board of directors, and is still serving in that capacity. He is progressive and energetic, and has done his share toward the advancement of the township, having given six years of service as school director, for five years of that time acting as treasurer of the school board. For three years he has been tax collector of the township. He is a Demo- crat in political belief and a worker in the local ranks of the party, having been a member of the election board of the township. Like his forefathers he clings to the Re- formed denomination, being a member and deacon of St. Thomas Church, Bernville.

Mr. Berger married Rebecca Seaman, daughter of Will- iam and Rebecca (Wertz) Seaman, and eight children have blessed their union : Alice, who taught three terms in Penn township before her marriage to Milton Potteiger (they have a daughter, Pearle) ; Kate, wife of Elwood Kra- mer (they have one daughter, Ruth) ; Alvin, a teacher, who taught four terms in Penn township; Mary M .; Allison; Edwin; Stephen, and Earle.

C. W. B. TODD, a representative business man of Read- ing, Pa., who is proprietor of the "Merchants' Hotel," at the corner of Third and Penn streets, was born Dec. 30, 1839, in Montgomery county, Pa., son of John and Christina (Bachman) Todd, and grandson of Andrew Todd.

John Todd, father of C. W. B., was also a native of Montgomery county, and was a leading manufacturer of spinning wheels when nearly all the cloth used was spun by hand. He was known far and wide for his superior workmanship in this line, and his trade ex- tended far into the surrounding counties. Later in life Mr. Todd engaged in farming. He was one of Montgomery county's best known and most highly-res- pected men, and his popularity was proved when he was elected sheriff by a handsome majority. He proved him- self a faithful and efficient official, serving in that high office with credit and distinction, and to the satisfaction of all. He died in 1862, at the age of eighty-four years, and his faithful wife in 1873, when seventy-four years old. Mrs. Todd was a good wife and loving mother, and was well known in her neighborhood as one who could be depended on in times of sickness and trouble. To Mr. and Mrs. Todd there were born children as fol-

a Miss Smith, and (second) a Miss Heller of Boyer- town, Pa .; William, a contractor of Norristown, Pa., m. Mary Saylor; Christiana B. m. Horace Royer, and their deaths occurred within a week of each other; Emily m. H. W. Kratz, of Norristown; Samuel M., M. D., is of Boyertown; and C. W. B.

C. W. B. Todd received his education at the "Trappe" in the Freeland Seminary (now Ursinus College), and after leaving school he apprenticed himself to learn the blacksmith's trade, which he followed until the out- break of the Civil war, when, in 1861 he enlisted in the 2d Pennsylvania Reserve Corps as a musician. After serving thirteen months he was honorably discharged, and returned home, where he was engaged at various occupations for some time. He then accepted a posi- tion as traveling salesman for an agricultural imple- ment firm, and this he followed successfully for several years, and in 1901 he came to Reading, leasing the "Mer- chants' Hotel," which he has conducted with much suc- cess to the present time. At the time of Mr. Todd's lease the hotel had been neglected and allowed to run down, but Mr. Todd has built up a fine, first-class trade, and today the hotel is considered one of the best of the mod- erate rate houses in the State. The house contains sixty- six sleeping rooms. Having been a "Knight of the Road" himself, Mr. Todd fully understands what is required for the comfort of traveling men, and his place is fully equipped with every convenience. He personally attends to the dining-room service, doing his own buying, and he sees that nothing but the best that the rates can afford enters this department. Mr. Todd is very popular in fraternal circles, and is a member of Warren Lodge, F. & A. M., of Trappe, Pa .; Chapter No. 152, Reading; De Molay Commandery, Reading; and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.

In 1872 Mr. Todd married Miss Adaline Schwenk and to them have been born these children: Emma, and C. Wallace B., who married, Feb. 21, 1901, Miss Sallie Gil- bert. Mr. Todd is a Democrat, but claims the right to vote independently.

RHOADS. The name of Rhoads (original spelling Roth) has been continued through many years in Berks county, Pa., whither came Mathias Roth from Germany at an early date, settling near Boyertown. In the pres- ent generation are found Ben Jonson Rhoads, proprietor of the "Hotel Allen," and John Gilbert Rhoads, deputy prothonotary, both well known and highly respected in Reading.

John Rhoads. their grandfather, a grandson of Math- ias and son of Jonathan, was born on the old Boyertown homestead, and after a life devoted to agriculture, died within' the borough limits in the house erected by his father, Jonathan.

Dr. Reuben B. Rhoads, son of John, was born on the old Boyertown farm. He became a physician, and be- sides his practice in medicine, was a surgeon in the army of the Rebellion, at one time was warden of the Berks county prison, and later was burgess of Boyertown. He married Catherine Gilbert, daughter of Adam Gilbert, of Douglass township, Berks county. Five children were born to this union: Margaret Elizabeth, who died at the age of thirteen years; Ben Jonson, proprietor of the "Allen House"; Laura, wife of Harvey Bridenbaugh; Mary Ella, wife of George Guldin; and John Gilbert.

BEN JONSON RHOADS, son of Dr. Reuben, was born at Zieglerville, Montgomery Co., Pa., March 24, 1861. He was educated in the public schools of Amityville, in Berks county, and was licensed to teach under Prof. S. A. Baer, then county superintendent. His first school was in Earl township, but after teaching three terms in all he directed his attention to farming, for five years engaging in that calling on his father's farm. Going then to Boyertown he assisted his father in the coal and lumber business for about five years. In July, 1893, he was appointed postmaster of Boyertown by President Cleveland, and in that office he served efficiently for up-

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

. wards of five years. In 1900 he came to Reading, and his first employment was as a clerk in the Citizens bank, a position he filled acceptably for two years. He assist- ed in straightening out the business of the Citizens Bank when it was transferred to the Second National Bank. For three months then he served as deputy prothonotary under his brother, John G. In May, 1902, Mr. Rhoads purchased the stock and good-will of the "Hotel Allen", and since then has conducted that popular hostelry with great success. He has made many improvements in the building, and brought the whole to the plane of an up- to-date, progressive hotel. The stand is well known to the traveling public, and the table bears a very high reputation.

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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 122

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