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 126
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WILLIAM M. CROLL, county treasurer of Berks county and junior member of the well-known clothing firm died in 1898.
of Heffner, Gilbert & Croll, of Reading, Pa., was born April 9, 1866, in Upper Macungie township, Lehigh Co., Pa., son of Martin S. and Elizabeth (Grim) Croll.
William M. Croll received his early education in the public schools of Berks county, and this was subsequently supplemented by a course at the Keystone State Normal school, and the Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He taught school for one year, but in 1889, in company with William H. Smith, engaged in the mercan- tile business at Rothrocksville, Berks county, this firm continuing in existence until 1897, when Mr. Croll formed a partnership with D. A. Heffner and John W. Gilbert. The firm of Heffner, Gilbert & Croll are the largest dealers in clothing and gentlemen's furnishings in this section of the State. The business was first conducted at No. 528 Penn street, whence in 1904 it was removed to the old Illig stand, larger quarters being necessary, and here it has since continued. Mr. Croll is a thoroughly capable business man, as are his partners, and the firm enjoys the confidence and patronage of the entire community. He is also secretary and treasurer of the Berks Coal Company, at McCalla, Ala., and in January, 1909, was elected a director of the Berks County Trust Company.
In political matters Mr. Croll is an unswerving Democrat and while at Rothrocksville served as postmaster for the Maxatawny postoffice. On April 11, 1908, he was nom- inated for the office of county treasurer by over 3,800 majority over the next man, and by 1,091 over the other
John Rowe was an expert mining engineer, and traveled four candidates together. At the election in November fol- almost all over the world. He came to America and
lowing he was elected by 6,289 majority, about 3,000 ahead of the National ticket.
In 1889 Mr. Croll was married to Miss Annie M. Kuhns, daughter of L. F. Kuhns, proprietor of the "Arlington Hotel," at Slatington, Pa., and two children have been born to them -- Amy and Mabel. The family are members of the Lutheran denomination, and attend Trinity Church, Reading. Mr. Croll is a member of Huguenot Lodge, F. & A. M., Kutztown; Reading Chapter, No. 267; Reading Commandery, No. 42, K. T .; and Philadelphia Consistory, 32d degree; Lodge of Perfection, Reading; Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; the P. O. S. of A .; Knights of the Golden Eagle; Knights of the Maccabees; Harmonie Maennerchor; Lodge No. 115, B. P. O. Elks; and Read- ing Aerie, No. 66, F. O. E.
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MICHAEL K. KEITH, merchant and postmaster at Brownsville for nearly forty years, was born in Lower Heidelberg township, Berks Co., Pa., Sept. 21, 1844. 'He was educated in the public schools and brought up to farm- ing, and when he became of age he entered the general store of Samuel K. Lutz, at Fritztown, and was employed there for two years. He then entered the general store of Flickinger & Lutz, at Brownsville, and after being in
In 1893 Mr. Keith erected a creamery, and a cidermill near the store. In 1898 farming implements were added as a special business line, and in 1904 a butchering de- partment was also included for the purpose of manufactur- ing smoked sausages, curing hams, etc., and these several branches have been carried on successfully until the present time. A postoffice was established in the store in 1869, and Mr. John B. Flickinger was the postmaster until 1900, since when Mr. Keith has filled the position."
Mr. Keith married Maria Maurer, daughter of Daniel Maurer, of Fritztown. Daniel Maurer was married twice. By his first wife he had children: Isaac m. Anna Texter ; Amanda m. Adam Becker; Hannah m. John Texter; and Maria. His first wife dying in 1898, Daniel Maurer then married Mrs. Elizabeth Werner, widow of Joseph Werner. Michael K. Keith and his wife had three children: Harvey m. Elizabeth Bohn; Adeline m. Jacob Heffner; and one died in infancy. The mother of these children
Jacob. Keith, father of Michael K., was a farmer of Lower Heidelberg. He married Rachel Kegerize, daugh- ter of Christian Kegerize (whose wife was a Harting), and by her he had twelve children: Angeline m. Nathan- iel Moyer; Catharine m. Levi Binkley; Michael K; Mary m. David Claudy; Mollie m. Henry Gensemer; Susan m. Jonathan Ruth; Levi m. Anna Ebling; Rachel m. Am- brose Zeller; Emma m. Joseph Hoppman; and three died young.
Michael Keith, the grandfather, was also a farmer in Lower Heidelberg township. He married Elizabeth Shin- gle, and by her had nine children: Jacob; Michael m. Elizabeth Binkley; William m. Kate Pennepacker; Lu- cetta m. John Paine; Mary m. Michael Hain; Harriet m. Levi Wolf; Catharine m. Samuel Binkley; Rosa m. Charles Winter; and Hannah died unmarried.
Christian Kegerize, maternal grandfather of Michael K. Keith, married a Miss Harting, and their children were: Michael; Daniel m. Susan Blankenmiller ; Christian m. Catharine Hatt; Samuel m. Sarah Leininger ; William; Rachel m. Jacob Keith; and Susan never married.
WILLIAM GARBER ROWE, who has been promi- nently identified with the mining interests of the country for a period covering thirty-five years, was born in Read- ing, Sept. 16, 1849, son of William Rowe and grandson of John Rowe, a native of England.
opened copper mines near Shannonville and Phoenix- ville, Pa., then went to Australia to operate gold mines, and finally to Brazil, where he died of yellow fever, when fifty-two years of age. He was known as one of the most skilled engineers and prospectors of his time.
William Rowe, son of John, was born in England, and came to America with his father when a lad of fourteen years. He always engaged in the mining business, and, like his father, was very successful. He traveled through Cuba and Australia, and in 1849 went to California to engage in gold mining. He opened the first iron ore mine of the Eastern Pennsylvania valley, which was very successful, and he likewise operated in Berks, Lancaster and Chester counties. He was very skilled in his pro- fession, and was known as one of the leaders thereof. Mr. Rowe died April 3, 1906, having been for twenty- five years retired. He married Julia V. Vache, who sur- vived him and resided at No. 1040 Penn street, Reading, until her death, Feb. 3, 1907, when more than four score years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. William Rowe were born: H. T., engaged in plumbing on Penn street, Read- ing; Thomas M., a druggist; Mrs. T. B. Maurer, of Long Beach, N. J .; Mrs. A. F. Smith; Misses Mary M. and Jane A., at home; and William Garber.
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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
William Garber Rowe attended the schools of Reading, children, five sons and three daughters, as follows : Daniel and under his father's instructions became skilled in K .; Moses m. Sabina Long; Jacob m. Rebecca Koenig; Benjamin m. Sarah Greenawalt; Charles m. Sarah Schlen- ker; Katherine m. Elias Wagamann; Florence m. Reuben Ebert; and Angelina m. Elias Dengler. mining. He has been actively engaged in that occupa- tion since 1871. For seven years he was superintendent of the Edge Hill Iron Company, Pa., and operated mines in Orange county, Va. He was for ten years at Barto and operated the Rhoads mines at Boyertown, and was superintendent of the iron ore mines for the Reading Coal and Iron Company. In 1901 Mr. Rowe, knowing the value of the ore deposit in the location of Boyertown, bought up all the mining properties, including the Phoe- nix or California mine, the Warwick, Gable No. 1 and Gable No. 2, and the Lewis estate, in all covering over 300 acres in fee simple and mineral rights. They are a continuation of the large Cornwall ore beds in Lebanon county, Pa., and next to them for quantity thus far dis- covered. This is now owned by the Boyertown Ore Com- pany. They have title to the mineral rights under Boyer- town from one end of the borough to the other. Since 1902 this company, of which Mr. Rowe is general super- intendent, have conducted the mining operations, and they have on hand large quantities of ore and are shipping daily.
Daniel K. Henry, son of Joseph, was born Feb. 18, 1836, in Lynn, township, near Lynnport. He followed an agricultural life in what is known as Kistler's Valley. He died April 5, 1901, and was laid to rest at New Jerusalem Church in Albany township, Berks township. He married Miss Sarah Wagamann, born Dec. 7, 1836, in Weisenburg township, Lehigh county, died April 12, 1881; she was laid to rest at New Jerusalem Church. This marriage was blessed with nine children, five sons and four daughters, namely : Harrison, a farmer near Jack- sonville, m. Delia Snyder; Joseph, a carpenter at Kutz- town, m. Rosa Hollenbach; Monroe, a carpenter at Lynn- port, m. Emma Hollenbach; George, a farmer at Rising Sun, m. Missouri Kemmerer; Rev. Jonas O., of Long- swamp township; Rosa m. Lewis Snyder, of New Tripoli, Pa .; Cordelia m. Wilson Snyder, of Pleasant Corner, Pa .; Sarah Jane m. Amandus C. Oswald, of Rising Sun, Pa .; and Lizzie M. m. William Sechler, of Hynemans- ville, Pennsylvania.
Jonas O. Henry was born March 2, 1874, at Stein's Corner, Lehigh Co., Pa., and was reared on the home farm and received his early education in the local schools. For three years he taught school and later entered Muhl- enberg College where he was graduated in June, 1899 .. He completed his course in theology in the seminary three years later, and on May 26, 1902, he was ordained a minister of the Lutheran faith in St. John's Church at Easton, Pa. On the last Sunday in November of the same year he was installed by Rev. G. F. Speiker, D. D., and Rev. H. S. Fegley, as pastor of the Topton Lutheran parish, consisting of St. Peter's, Topton, St. Paul's, Fleet- wood and Christ (of Rockland township) Churches to which charge he has faithfully ministered ever since.
On May 21, 1903, the Rev. Mr. Henry married Miss Ida L. Sefing, daughter of Leonard Sefing, son of Herman and Anna Margaret (Conrad) Sefing, of Allentown, Pa. Her people came from Hessen, Germany, in 1854. The Rev. Mr. Henry and wife have three children : Karl Sefing born June 4, 1905; Paul Jonas, born Oct. 17, 1906; and Leonard Daniel, born June 21, 1908. The family resides at Topton, Berks Co., Pennsylvania.
JEREMIAH MOLL DETURK, who has been war- den of the Berks County Prison since 1904, was born in Maiden-creek township, Berks county, March 1, 1857, and received his education in the public school of the township and at the Keystone State Normal School. He then served as a clerk in general stores at Molltown and Schaefferstown in Berks county for four years, and conducted a store for himself at the latter place for four years. While residing at Schaefferstown he officiated as the assessor and tax-col- lector of Jefferson township for six years, and he was also elected one of the justices of the peace of that town- ship on the Democratic ticket. In 1896 he filled the posi- tion of deputy county treasurer, and in 1897 and 1898 served as a clerk in the employ of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company. While filling this last posi- tion, the board of Prison Inspectors of the county elected him clerk of the prison and his services proved so highly satisfactory that upon a vacancy occurring in the position of warden in July, 1904, they elected him to serve as such for the unexpired term. His management of the prison affairs until the following December having been very successful, the board elected him for the succeeding term of one year, and his continued superior management has led to his annual unanimous re-election until the present time, notwithstanding his adherence to the Democratic party. He is now serving his sixth term. The grand juries of the county and the State Board of Public Charities
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Much trouble was caused in the operation of these mines in the past, and one of the most exciting of the experiences was that of 1887, when William Garber Rowe and George F. Baer were operating the Rhoads mine. A cofferdam was located between this and the Phoenix operation. The superintendent of the latter followed the vein of ore, and, it is alleged, broke through this dam and continued this drift into the Rhoads property. One morning at 7:30 o'clock, Mr. Rowe received a telegram at his home in Reading, stating that the Phoenix miners were trying to take possession of the Rhoads mine. He at once consulted with his partner, then drove his trotter to Boyertown, covering the distance in one and one-half hours. Upon reaching the scene Mr. Rowe went under- ground and found the men in his mine. All were ar- rested and taken before Squire Schoenley, of Gables- ville, and held under bail for forcible entry. The case was taken to court and Mr. Rowe won.
The most complete plant is the Gable No. 2 mine. The shaft house is of structural iron, making it perfectly fireproof. There is a double-acting first-motion engine of 300 horse power. Since Mr. Rowe assumed charge of the mine larger tanks have been placed in the shaft, and by means of these 1,000 gallons of water are ejected each minute, day and night, thus controlling the coming water from all the mines. The company proposes to in- stall a new plant at the Warwick shaft similar to that at the Gable No. 2, and thus opening up the operations which have been lying idle for twenty years. Mr. Rowe also operates mines at Gardner, Lehigh county, and Siesholtzville, Berks county.
Mr. William Garber Rowe married Zipporah E. Bech- tel, daughter of Abraham B. Bechtel, and she died in January, 1881, leaving two children : William A., who was associated with his father in mining operations until his death, Aug. 6, 1908, when thirty-two years of age; and Miss Leonore, at home. In politics Mr. Rowe is a Republican. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Reading, and resides at No. 1156 Franklin street, that city.
REV. JONAS O. HENRY, pastor of the Topton Lu- theran parish, is the great-grandson of John Adam Henry, who came to America from Germany and settled near Wanamakers, in Lynn township, Lehigh Co., Pa., and later resided on a farm about one-half mile south of Lynnport, Lehigh county. He was a farmer by occupa- tion.
Joseph Henry, son of John Adam, was born on the family homestead in Lehigh county, Dec. 14, 1810. His home was near Lynnport, Lynn township, Lehigh county, where he died July 5, 1871, and was buried at Jackson- ville, Pa. He married Miss Judith Kistler, who was born April 14, 1806, and who died May 24, 1879, and was in- terred in Jacksonville. They were blessed with eight
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BIOGRAPHICAL
have frequently commended his management of this pub- lic institution.
In 1881, Mr. DeTurk married Catharine S. Stetzler, Frederick Smith, Judge of the Supreme Court of Penn- daughter of Jacob Stetzler, farmer of Perry township, sylvania, and great-granddaughter of Johan Frederick and Esther Shappel, his wife. They have six children: Schmidt, born Jan. 9. 1747, and died May 16, 1812. Dr. Elder (m. to Sallie Lieb), Herbert, Jeremiah, Edna, John Stewart and wife had two children: Margaret, who died aged three years, and Katie Leaf, who became the wife of James Nolan, and at her death left three children, James Bennett, Angela and Mary E. Mrs. Stewart is a member of the Catholic Church. Dr. Stewart died in 1853 at Reading.
and Elmer. Mrs. DeTurk has been the matron of the prison since her husband's incumbency as the warden, and the management of her department has been equally com- mendable. The family is connected with the Reformed Church. He has been a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle for twenty years, having joined the Castle at Schaefferstown while residing there.
Mr. DeTurk is a lineal descendant of Isaac DeTurk who located in Oley township in 1712, as one of the first settlers in that section of the county. His father Jere- miah was a son of Abraham, who was a son of John, who was a son of John, who was a son of the immigrant. The father was born in Exeter township in 1817, but was reared in Maiden-creek township on a farm which he afterward came to own and operate in a successful manner for thirty-five years. He died in 1891. He married Cath- arine Moll, of the same township (born 1817, died 1881), by whom he had ten children: Sarah (m. to Solomon Stoudt) ; Amos (m. to Louisa Deisher) ; Ellen (m. to Allen Moser); Mary and Catharine (single) ; Jeremiah M .; Esther (m. to William C. Dries) ; and three who died in infancy.
Jacob Stetzler (Mrs. DeTurk's father) was a son of Daniel Stetzier was a son of Martin, all of Perry town- ship. Jacob Stetzler's wife, Esther Shappel, was a daugh- ter of Jeremiah Shappel, of Perry township. [See gene- alogy of Shappel family in this publication.]
Daniel Stetzler and Catharine Hoffman, his wife; and were born twelve children: Henry; Susan m. Andrew
Mr. DeTurk's mother was a daughter of David Moll of Resh; Joel m. Mame Reber; and John died in infancy. Maiden-creek township, who died in 1857 leaving eleven Henry Stoyer received his education in the public schools children : George, John, Daniel, Samuel, Peter, Catharine of his native place, upon leaving which, while still a boy, (above), Lucy (m. Charles Coleman), Elizabeth (m. Peter he assisted at butchering and store-keeping until his Adam), Diana (m. William Yerger), Lydia (m. William twentieth year, then going to Centreport, where, after serv- ing as a clerk in the butchering business for two years, and for four years in the general store of James A. Koller, Hieter) and Mary (m. Henry Buchard). And her grand- father was Michael Moll, farmer of the same township, who died in 1810 leaving a widow Anna Margaret and he engaged in the huckstering business for nineteen years. eight children : John, Daniel, Michael, Henry, Peter, David, Catharine (m. Samuel Ely, Jr.) and Susanna.
LEMUEL STEWART, M. D. (deceased), who prac- tised medicine and surgery at Reading from 1848 to 1853, was born near Stouchsburg, Berks Co., Pa., Sept. 1, 1815, son of Jacob Stewart.
Jacob Stewart was of Scotch Ancestry. He married a daughter of Conrad Weiser. They were old and respected farming people of Berks county, and their children were : Rebecca m. Adam Ulrich; Priscilla m. Mr. Miller; Ur- silla m. a Mr. Royer; Clementine died unmarried; William was accidentally drowned at Hagerstown, Md .; and Lemuel.
Dr. Stewart married Angeline Smith, daughter of George and Margaret (Bright) Smith, granddaughter of
HENRY STOYER, manufacturer of paper boxes at Shoemakersville and Fleetwood, Berks Co., Pa., who has been placed prominently before the public in business and political life, was born Oct. 14, 1848, at Hamburg, this county, son of Samuel F. Stoyer.
Samuel Stoyer, of Greenwich township, grandfather of Henry, married Catherine Focht, of Windsor township, and to this union there were born children as follows : Samuel F .; Benneville m. Catherine Raubenhold; Daniel m. Anna Miller; Elizabeth m. Jacob Kepner; Hannah m. William Kepner; Catherine m. John Billman; and Sallie m. William Deisher.
Samuel F. Stoyer, son of Samuel and now of Bethel township, where he has been a farmer for thirty years, was born and reared at Hamburg. He married Catherine Weidner, daughter of Jonathan Weidner, and to them Schmeltzer; Franklin m. Mary Schreck; Sarah m. John Peiffer; Charles m. Clara Moore; Caroline m. Werren F. Kline; Amanda m. George Snyder; Ida m. Samuel Strausse; Anna m. Charles Strausse; Samuel m. Clara
While engaged at the latter occupation, Mr. Stoyer came to know the whole northwestern section of the county, and this acquaintanceship was afterwards of great politi- cal assistance to him, for in 1893 he secured the nomination for county commissioner on the Democratic ticket, and was elected. He served in this important county office for a term of three years, from 1894 to 1897. Upon the erection of the borough of Centreport, in 1884, Mr. Stoyer served in the council for three terms, and also in the school board for the same period; and when his name was on the Democratic ticket for election, there was no nomi- nation against him on the opposition ticket, he receiving the unanimous vote of the electors, an exceptional honor.
Upon assuming the office of county commissioner, Mr. The early education of Dr. Lemuel Stewart was secured Stoyer removed to Reading so as to be able to devote all in the common schools, but . later he pursued higher of his time to the interests of the county, and he served branches at St. Mary's College at Emmitsburg, Md., where his term with great fidelity to his trust. At the expira- he became a convert to the Catholic faith. Dr. Stewart tion of his term, he served as collector of ward and county taxes for four years. In 1902 he purchased the was an unusually brilliant man, was thoroughly versed in English literature, and spoke and wrote other languages Acme Paper Box Factory at Shoemakersville, and in 1907 fluently. He was a brilliant writer of both prose and he purchased the Fleetwood Paper Box Factory which he poetry, and at his early death left many works of high has been operating successfully to the present time. He merit. A large part of his medical papers were written manufactures all sizes of paper boxes, which are supplied in French. One of his medical books, which is widely to the mills in the village and vicinity. He retains his resi- known, bears the name of "The Physician and the Pub- dence in Reading, traveling to and fro daily in operating lic." He was graduated in medicine at Jefferson Medical his business. College, Philadelphia, and his certificate was signed by Mr. Stoyer married Catherine Dunkel, daughter of Jacob Professor Jackson. On numerous occasions Dr. Stewart Dunkel, of Upper Bern township. She died in 1870, leaving addressed both literary and medical societies, and he was one daughter, Sallie (m. W. P. Brown). Mr. Stoyer m. always listened to with the respect and admiration which (second) Annie Schiffert, daughter of Reuben Schiffert, his learning and oratory commanded.
of Perry township, and to this union were born: Katie
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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
(m. Thomas Bickel) ; Tamah (m. Harry A. Breidegam) ; and Annie (died in infancy).
HENRY B. LEVAN is descended from Huguenot ancestry. His great-great-great grandfather, Daniel Levan, fled from France to Amsterdam, Holland, during the time when the Huguenots were persecuted. He was married in France to Marie Beau.
Isaac Levan, son of Daniel and Marie, emigrated from Amsterdam, Holland, and located in Exeter township, Berks Co., Pa., in about 1730, being one of the first settlers there. He was engaged in farming until the latter period of his life, when in 1770, he moved to Reading, Pa., where he died in August, 1786. He and his wife, Mary Margaret, had the following children: Abraham, Isaac, Daniel, Jacob, Mary (wife of Peter Feather) and Judith (wife of Samuel Weiser).
Jacob Levan, Sr., son of the emigrant, was born at the old homestead in Exeter township, Berks Co., Pa., about 1736 and died there in January, 1814. He was en- gaged in farming all his life. He was married to Susan- nah Ludwig, and had the following children: Abraham, Daniel. Jacob, Margaret (m. (first) Peter Rightmeyer, (second) John Wollison), Judith (m. Henry Leese), Susannah (m. John Stitzel), Elizabeth (m. ,Samuel Kurst), Mary (m. Henry Werner), Hannah (m. Godfrey Kersh- ner), Catherine (m. Jacob Goodman), and Sarah (m. Adam Stitzel.
Jacob L. Levan, Jr., grandson of the emigrant, Isaac Levan, was born at the old homestead in Exeter town- ship, Jan. 1, 1784, and died Jan. 1, 1852. He was mar- ried to Catherine Fegeley, of Richmond township, Berks Co., Pa., and they had the following children: Isaac; and Anna, who m. Capt. Henry Schaeffer.
Isaac Levan, son of Jacob L., was born at the old home- stead in Exeter township, July 21, 1816, and died Jan. 7, 1857. He was married (first) to Rebecca Brumbach, daughter of Jacob Brumbach, and (second) to Louisa Wein, daughter of Henry Wein. His children were as follows : William, Jacob, Isaac, George (deceased), Henry B., Daniel (who died in infancy), and Rebecca (m. John Knorr).
Henry B. Levan, son of Isaac and Rebecca (Brumbach) Levan, has for nearly a quarter of a century been post- master at Lorane, Exeter township, Berks county, where he has been engaged in a general merchandise and hotel business. He was born in Exeter township June 20, 1850, and was educated in the public schools. After the death of his father he went to live with Joseph Levan, his guardian, with whom he remained until nineteen years of age, when he entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, as telegraph operator. He spent about eleven years in that employment. In 1883 he purchased property in Lorane, where he has since been located in business with the exception of two years. In addition to his mercantile business Mr. Levan has also dealt extensively in coal and feed, has served as post- master since 1883, with the exception of the two years that he was out of business and has done much toward making Lorane the hustling, enterprising village that it is. He has always been esteemed and respected by his fellow-citizens, who recognize and appreciate his many sterling qualities of character. In politics he is a Dem- ocrat, while fraternally he is connected with Reading Lodge, No. 62, F. & A. M.
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