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 124

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 124

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ISAAC F. MARCH, late one of the most respected citizens of Birdsboro, where he had been prominent in the business world and active in the town government for many years, was a native of Philadelphia, born there July 6, 1841.

Early deprived of his parents he was reared by rela- tives near Pottstown. As soon as he was old enough to learn a trade, he was sent to a grist mill near Amityville, there to acquire such knowledge as would enable him to be a first class miller. For many years he worked at the Livingood mill on Ironstone creek, and later he operated March's Mill on the Manatawny near Pottstown, and for about five years was similarly engaged at Monocacy. In 1880 he came to Birdsboro and engaged in the lumber and coal business, but in time gave it up and opened a like line at Bridgeport under the firm name of I. F. March & Son. At the end of a few years he sold out to his sons, who still carry it on under the name of I. F. March's Sons. During the last three years of his life he had a number of interests, and among the positions he held may be men- tioned : president of the Alabama Coal, Mineral and Lum-

Watts .Creek Jellico Coal Company, of Wofford, Ky .; director in the Pennsylvania Coal Company, of Drifton, Ala .; vice president of the First National Bank of Birds- boro.

Mr. March was always a busy man, but like most busy men he kept constantly on the alert for anything that affected the interests of his community. He was keenly interested in public affairs, and was active in the work of the Democratic party. In 1891 he was elected treasurer of Berks county, and served a three-year term. He also served three years in the town council of Birdsboro, being the first Democrat to win that honor after the two parties had named candidates or changed from the former method of uniting on a citizens' ticket. He was connected with the Birdsboro Electric Company and Friendship Fire Company, No. 1. He had been a member of and an official in the Amityville Lutheran Church, and after locating in Birds- boro joined St. Mark's Church. He was prominent in Masonic circles, and also belonged to Neversink Lodge, No. 514, I. O. O. F. In all his business affairs Mr. March was eminently successful; as a citizen he was enterprising, progressive and public-spirited; and in his home he was friendly and social with a host of warm friends. He died Jan. 13, 1906.

(1) Matthias m. (first) Sallie Ludwig, and had two children, William and Ethel; and m. (second) Lilla M. Keiger, who bore him five children, Russell, Anna, Ellsworth, Robert and George. (2) Ellsworth is unmarried. (3) Irvin m. Annie Knabb, and has one child, Paul. (4) Isaac m. Anna Nagle, and has three children, Ralph, Syl- vanus and A. Florence. (5) A. Delila m. Henry Harri- son Koch, and has five children, Sarah, Ruth, Esther, Isaac and Henry M. (6) Morris m. Ida Herflicker (no issue). (7) John died at the age of five days. (8) Linton m. Leah Hoffman and has one child, Linton E. (9) Mary

JAMES B. FUNK, miller near Clayton, in Hereford township, Berks county, was born Jan. 17, 1845, in Wash- ington township, this county, and has lived at his present place, on the Butter Valley creek, since 1873. He is a son of Philip H. Funk and grandson of Rev. Henry Funk.

(I) The first of the Funk family to come to America was Henry Funk, who emigrated from the Palatinate or from Holland in 1719, and settled in Franconia township, Montgomery county, Pa. He built a mill along Indian Creek, and also carried on a large farm. He was a deep scholar, and was well educated for the times, and was the author of two books which passed through several editions. His greatest work probably was when, in con- nection with Diehlman Kalb, he supervised the translation from Dutch into German of "The Martyrs Mirror," a great historical work on the Mennonites, 1,512 folio pages, which was printed at Ephrata, Pa., in 1748, and was the largest work published in Colonial times. Henry Funk was a minister and bishop in the Mennonite Church. He died in 1760. By his wife, Anne Meyer, he had ten children- four sons and six daughters-one of the sons bearing the father's name, Henry (2).

(II) Henry Funk (2) son of Rev. Henry, was born in Montgomery county, Pa., about 1730. In 1786 he moved to Virginia, where he died some years later. For many years he was a Mennonite minister, but during the Revolutionary times, he took the part of Congress and the American people, and for this he and his adherents were expelled from the Mennonite communion. However, he afterward preached independently. He married Barbara Showalter, and they had thirteen children, all of whom except Jacob accompanied their father to Virginia.

(III) Jacob Funk, son of Henry (2), was born in 1761, ber Company, of Cordova, Ala .; general manager of the and died in Chester county, Pa., in 1817. He, too, became Berks Coal Company, of Jasper, Ala .; president of the a minister in the Mennonite church. He married Mary Shelly, and they had nine children-six daughters and three sons.

(IV) Henry Funk, son of Rev. Jacob, was born in 1787, and died in 1826. He became a Mennonite minister in Hereford, now a part of Washington, township, Berks county. He married Mary Hoch, and they had six child- ren, among them a son named Philip H.

(V) Philip H. Funk was born in Washington township, near Schultzville, and in his earlier life taught school in Lancaster county, but later engaged in farming. He was a Mennonite, and is buried at the Hereford meeting-house at Bally. His wife was Anna Bechtel, daughter of John Bechtel, and they had two children, Mary (m. Abraham Clemmer) and James B. After the death of Philip H. Funk his widow married Jacob Johnson, by whom she had three children : Ephraim; Abraham, who died at Read- ing, where he was a well-known dentist; and Milton, of New Berlinville, Pennsylvania.

(VI) James B. Funk received his education in the public schools and at Freeland Seminary (now Ursinus College), and in 1861 he received a license to teach school, from Prof. John S. Ermentrout. For five terms he followed the profession, the first term in Lower Heidelberg, near Wer- nersville, this county; the next year in Lower- Providence township, Montgomery county; the third in West Pikeland township, Chester county; the fourth term in Hereford township, Berks county, where he was engaged at the

On Sept. 14, 1861, by the Rev. George F. Miller, Mr. March was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Livingood, daughter of Matthias and Elizabeth (Reinart) Livingood, of Amityville. She survives him, and still makes her .Clemmer school, at Clayton; and the fifth and last term home in Birdsboro, where she is greatly beloved for her at Huber's Church, in Montgomery county. Having been many kindly deeds. The children born of this union were: reared upon the farm, he turned to agricultural pursuits

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

when he settled down after his marriage, which occurred in 1868, and for three years rented land at Clayton, in 1873 coming to his present home. Here he has since car- ried on both farming and milling with much success, prov- ing himself to be a man of intelligence as well as industry. His farm consists of 152 acres, of fertile, productive land, formerly the homestead of David Clemmer, who erected the present stone house upon the place in 1857. Mr. Funk has made a number of improvements during his ownership, including an addition to the barn, and has added to the value of the place in various ways. The mill was erected by David Clemmer during the forties, but the engine house was added by Mr. Funk. His establishment enjoys a large patronage, the proprietor being noted for his integrity and honorable dealings. He is an influential and esteemed citizen of his locality, held in the utmost respect, and his fine home and family would be a credit to any com- munity.

Mr. Funk is a progressive citizen, as shown by his con- nection with various enterprises affecting the general welfare. He has been treasurer of the Hereford Turn- pike Company since 1893, and is a member of the Clayton Butter and Cheese Company, of which he was one of the organizers; he has been a director ever since its organiza- tion, and is treasurer of the board of directors, which consists of five members. He has been a school director of his township for many years, and is still holding that office. He was elected on the Republican ticket.

In 1868 Mr. Funk married Susan Clemmer, daughter of David and Mary (Bechtel) Clemmer, and six children have been born to them, as follows: Oswin assists his father ; Ambrose is in Pendleton, Oregon, where he is at present serving as deputy sheriff; Horace is a respected public school teacher in Hereford township; Warren is a student at Cornell University; Anna is a Mennonite missionary in Janjgir, Central Provinces, India; and Cora, unmarried, is at home. Mr. Funk and his family are members of the New Mennonite Church at Bally, in which he is a faithful and active worker and is at present serving as deacon.

HOWARD E. HARBSTER, who makes his home at No. 138 West Oley street, Reading, is a representative of one of the city's oldest families. He was born March 2, 1861, in Reading, son of William and Ellen (Matthews) Harbster, the former the founder of the Reading Hard- ware Company.

Mr. Harbster received his education in the schools of his native city, and when a boy entered the employ of the Reading Hardware Works, known as "Harbster's." In the fall of 1877 he entered a preparatory school to make himself ready to enter Yale College and remained there for two and one-half years, but before completing the course left to enter Eastman's Business College, after graduating from which, in 1881, he again found employ- ment with the Reading Hardware Company, working in the various departments of this great enterprise until after his father's death, in June, 1885. In 1886, in company with his brother, Frank, he engaged in the brass foundry busi- ness at the old Keystone Hardware Works, Tenth and Muhlenberg streets. There he continued for a short time, when he purchased his brother's interest, and conducted the enterprise alone until 1889, when he took as partners Miller M. Deem and George Tyson, the firm continuing under the firm name of Harbster & Co. The plant was then removed to Ninth and Bingaman streets, where the company added the manufacture of novelties and specialties and in 1890 Mr. Harbster organized the National Brass Works with H. K. Getz, president; H. E. Harbster, vice- president, and general manager ; Charles Peacock, treasur- er; Miller M. Deem, superintendent of the manufacturing department; and Joseph S. McConnell, bookkeeper. The company continued on the old grounds until 1892, when the site of the present plant was purchased and the build- ings erected. Mr. Harbster continued with the company until 1893, when he sold his interest and engaged in the brass foundry business with William Kline at Second and Beach streets. This they continued until 1897, and in this year Mr. Harbster engaged in business for himself on

South Front street. Later, in company with George Mil- ler, Mr. Harbster started the plant now occupied by Dick Brothers, but sold this to engage in the foundry and platers' supplies business. Mr. Harbster is considered one of the substantial business men of Reading, and he is possessed of much executive ability. He is a member of Reading Lodge No. 549, F. & A. M., and Wyomissing Council, Royal Arcanum.

Mr. Harbster married Mary A. Kline, of Reading, and to them have been born two children: William H. and E. Marguerite. Mr. Harbster is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, while Mrs. Harbster attends the Re- formed Church.

REV. J. J. CRESSMAN. On Normal Hill, on the western borders of the flourishing borough of Kutztown, resides the Rev. J. J. Cressman, one of the best known and best loved Lutheran clergymen of eastern Pennsyi- vania. Like most of the ministers of the Lutheran faith in this State, Rev. Cressman is of German descent. His great-great-grandfather came to America from Saxony about the year 1733, and settled in Philadelphia county, where he spent what of life remained to him. At that early period family records were either poorly kept or wholly neglected, and consequently little is known con- cerning this early, ancestor, his first name even being lost in obscurity. It is known, however, that he had a son named Christian, who was born April 13, 1753, and who died Dec. 5, 1827. On Feb. 24, 1781, Christian had a son born whom he named John, and who early in life removed to Northampton county, where he died Feb. 14, 1853. This John Cressman had a son named Abraham, who became the father of Rev. J. J. Cressman.

Abraham Cressman was born in Lower Mt. Bethel town- ship, Northampton county, Feb. 1, 1817. In 1840 he moved to Moore township, near Petersville (living there the rest of his life). He died Nov. 8, 1893. His first wife was Ly- dia Frutchey, who bore him eight children, and died July 4, 1870, at the age of fifty-four years, four months, nine days. His second wife was Catharine Elizabeth Smith, who bore him two children. Four of the sons of the first marriage entered the ministry of the Lutheran church, three of whom are still living, the Rev. J. J. Cressman being the eldest of the three. The fourth to enter the ministry died suddenly Oct. 6, 1898, while pastor of the first Luth- eran Church of Ridgeway, Pa., and his remains are buried at Bethlehem.

Rev. J. J. Cressman was born in Moore township, North- ampton county, Jan. 10, 1841, and was baptized in the Kreiderville Church on July 25th of the same year by Rev. W. F. Mensden. His boyhood was spent upon the farm, and in his father's mill, engaged in duties and pas- times adapted to his strength. On reaching the required age he was sent to the district school where he soon be- came known for his studious habits and good conduct, qualities that all through his scholastic career were marked characteristics. Rev. Dr. F. A. Muhlenberg, Professor of Greek in Pennsylvania College, said of him: "Rev. Cress- man was one of the best students I ever had." At sixteen he took a course of catechetical instruction under Rev. Augustus Fuchs, and by him was confirmed in Immanuel Lutheran Church near Petersville, Northampton county. He next sought employment at teaching and for several years taught in the public schools of Moorestown and Flicksville with very gratifying success. For the purpose of attaining a higher education, and to prepare himself for the sacred calling he had in view, he then quit teaching and entered an academy at Weaversville under the man- agement of Prof. Savage. After spending a year in Prof. Savage's academy he entered the Collegiate Institute of Easton, Pa., of which Rev. William Phillips was principal and Selden J. Coffin, D. D., one of the instructors, and under them completed his academic course. In the fall of 1860 he entered the freshman class of Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, and graduated from that institution in the summer of 1864. This college being situated near the theatre of the great Civil war, and for a time actually enveloped by the conflict, he pursued knowledge under

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disturbing and distracting circumstances. When the Con- ed him an urgent call to come and minister unto them. He federate invasion came in 1863 he and many of his fel- low students enlisted in Company A, 26th regiment of Pennsylvania Militia, and under General Couch assisted in the defense of the State. Their regiment was one of the first commands upon the ground and participated in the early stages of the battle of Gettysburg, and a large por- tion of it-including about forty of the student soldiers- was captured by the Confederates. Their caps, coats and shoes were taken from them, and after being paroled, they were marched, bareheaded and barefooted to Harrisburg, by way of Shippensburg and Carlisle. Exhausted and suf- fering from hunger and exposure, they were sent from Harrisburg to a parole camp near West Chester. From these hard conditions young Cressman broke away, and as quickly as he could made his way back to Gettysburg to look up the personal effects he had left there. These consisted of a lot of books, some furniture, a new suit of clothes, a valuable watch and the money which was intended to cover his school expenses for the year. With the exception of two or three books and a few pieces of furniture, all these articles were gone. The loss to him was very serious and embarrassing, but though sorely dis- couraged he wasted no time brooding over his misfortunes.

Although a paroled prisoner his sense of duty did not permit him to remain idle in face of the awful wreck of battle that lay all around him. He promptly reported to the provost and volunteered to assist in burying the dead- blue and gray-and to re-inter such as had been only par- tially buried. This grewsome work done he returned to his home in Northampton county, but soon after reaching there was stricken with typhoid fever and became dan- gerously ill. For four weeks he hovered between life and death, and four months elapsed before he was able to resume his studies at Gettysburg.

While at college and in the seminary he made good and proper use of his vacations. He permitted none of his time to go to waste, employing it all either tutoring, selling . and the arbors on the premises was set by the pastor's books or working on the railroad. His experience under James Smith, a contractor on the Lehigh and Susquehanna railroad, is an interesting episode in his life. Applying

to him one vacation for employment he was put to work ' dents which he loves to recall and dwell upon. Among these

a+ bridge building at Penn Haven. After working five days he was promoted to the foremanship of a gang of carpen- ters to construct a depot and other buildings in the vicinity. His daily wages were $3.65 and although he paid at the rate of $21 a month for board and had other expenses besides, he in six weeks saved the round sum of $100, almost enough to see him through a year at college.

After graduating from college he entered the newly established theological seminary, which is now located at Mt. Airy, Philadelphia. He was one of that institution's first regular students, and his name was enrolled upon its records before it afforded proper accommodations for the young men who came eagerly to seek the pure Lutheran doctrine at the blessed fountain of its learned faculty, con- sisting of Drs. C. F. Schaeffer, C. P. Krauth, W. J. Mann, C. W. Schaeffer and G. F. Krotel.

Upon completing his course at the seminary he was or- dained to the ministry by the Synod of Pennsylvania at Lebanon in 1867. He then received an unanimous call from a parish at South Easton, and accepting it labored there successfully for ten years, building a fine parsonage and preparing the congregation for the subsequent build- ing of a new church. He also actively interested himself in education, and was instrumental in founding the South Easton borough high school, of which he was elected the principal, a position he held continuously for six years. In the last year of his principalship he, in addition, was made superintendent of the borough schools, which, with than he had time and strength to perform. Doing double duty in this way, he found was impairing his health, and in the fall of 1876 he resigned both his school positions and his pastorate, for the purpose of taking a much-needed rest. This he was allowed to enjoy but a few months, as

hesitated to accept as the two churches were twenty-two miles apart, and to attend to their wants properly involved much travel and an incredible amount of labor. But with the understanding that better arrangements should be made within a year or two he accepted and entered upon pas- toral relations which continued for twenty-four years with- out alterations, and in part still exist. In the spring of 1901 he resigned the pastorate of Friedens church at Bernville, leaving its congregation with a new church edifice, built a few years before, completely furnished and paid for, and with money in its treasury. Since resigning the Bernville part of his charge he devotes himself ex- clusively to St. John's Church at Kutztown. Here also his zeal and energy have borne good fruit, and with his good people here he feels very much at home. The present St. John's Church edifice he had the honor of helping to finish in 1877, and with the assistance of Rev. J. S. Her- mann, the Reformed pastor. to dedicate; and with the assistance of Rev. J. H. Leinbach (successor to Rev. Her- mann) he collected the money needed to liquidate the debt remaining unpaid at the time of its completion, and to make subsequent important improvements. The church building presents a fine appearance, is in splendid condition in all its details, elegantly furnished, and has one of the best organs in the county and one of the finest bells in the world. Its congregation never wearies in well doing, and is warmly attached to the pastor who watches over its spiritual welfare.

The Rev. Mr. Cressman's pleasant home on Normal Hill was built in 1885, with the assistance and liberality of his good people. Besides being convenient and com- fortable it is neat and attractive. The house is surrounded by a yard and garden, 112 feet front by 350 deep, partly donated by his friend and neighbor Charles Deisher. Every tree, vine and shrub, as well as every post in the fences own hands. Both in theory and practice he is a disciple of the strenuous life, but busy as he has been and hard as he has worked his career is dotted full of pleasant inci- are the receptions tendered him by his people at South Easton in April, 1867, and at Bernville in March, 1877, and the party given him on his sixty-fifth birthday by the mem- bers and friends of his Kutztown charge. These he fondly treasures as marks of the appreciation of his labors, and for their comforting influence he gives God the praise.

At the South Easton reception a valuable gift was thrust upon him so informally and unexpectedly that it afforded amusement to all who were present, and also a topic of conversation in the community for some time. As the large party was about to be invited to adjourn to the dining room, the pastor happening to look out of the win- dow noticed that one equipage had not as yet been cared for. It consisted of a beautiful sorrel horse and a fine bug- gy, perfectly new. No one in the company seemed to know to whom it belonged, but the good pastor insisted that the horse should be put up and fed before he would sit down to dinner. This evoked broad smiles all around the room, and to allay his anxiety he was finally informed that it was a gift to him from his congregation, that the horse had lately been fed, and could easily wait until after din- ner when his new owner could take formal possession of him and test his qualities. He was also informed that if agreeable to him the horse could be kept in the stable of one of his good members and cared for free of charge. The generous donation touched the loved pastor deeply and his feelings can better be imagined than described.

The Rev. Mr. Cressman is a great lover of books, and his church work, gave him almost a greater amount of labor owns one of the finest private libraries in Berks county. It

comprises over 1,500 volumes, some very rare and of great value, and he has them so carefully arranged and is so familiar with their order that he can find almost any vol- ume in the collection in the dark. These books are all housed in well constructed and costly cases, planned by prominent members of St. John's Church at Kutztown and the owner himself, and constructed under his immediate Friederis of Bernville-then comprising one charge-tender- supervision,

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

On Aug. 27, 1865, the Rev. Mr. Cressman was married to Emma C. M. Walter, of Allentown, and they have six children, as follows : Charles F. S., who holds a civil ser- vice position at Greenville, Pa .; Krauth H., who is super- intendent of an Indian reservation at Naper, Nebr .; John L., who resides at Harrisburg, and is a railway mail clerk on the route between Pittsburg and New York; Abraham I., who is connected with the cement business at Nazareth, Pa .; Benjamin F., a teacher at Macungie; and Esther Lydia, who married John D. Wink, and has two sons, David Deshler and Charles Frederick.

Although devotedly attached to the Lutheran Church, her doctrines and usages, and caring faithfully for his own flock, Mr. Cressman is tolerant and liberal with those who hold religious views at variance with his own. He in no way interferes with other people's business, and avoids giving offense, aiming to be just and fair in all the re- lations of life, with words of good cheer and a smile for all. His mission in life is to do good to his fellow men, and this he endeavors at all times to fill.

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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 124

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