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 127

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 127

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In 1883 Mr. Levan was married to Isabella Ganser, daughter of Joseph Ganser, of Reading, and she died in 1893, when thirty-seven years of age. She was the mother of one child, Harvey Ralph, who is employed by his father in the store. Mr. Levan is a member of the Schwartzwald Reformed Church.

EZRA S. HASSLER, a prominent merchant and in- fluential citizen of Wernersville, Pa., where he has re- sided for fifteen years, was born June 27, 1854, in Rus- combmanor township, Berks county, son of Philip and Sarah Ann (Seidel) Hassler.

Philip Hassler, great-grandfather of Ezra S., lived in the vicinity of Friedensburg. His wife was a Miss Shofer or Shaffer, and their children were: William, of Fried- ensburg; Mrs. Sally Roemer, of Kutztown district; Mrs. Moses Sarig, who moved West; and Jacob.

Jacob Hassler, grandfather of Ezra S., was born in Berks county in 1801, and died in 1875. He attended school in Reading, when the only school building was a log house, and in early life lived near the Oley line, where he owned a small farm. He was also a cabinet maker by trade, and this he followed at his house, which was situated on the Reading road two miles from Fried- ensburg, working until his retirement, when he removed to Reading and there died. He is buried at Spies's Church, of which he was a Lutheran member. He married ( first) Elizabeth Fox, by whom he had children as follows : Eliza, Benjamin and Isaac, all of whom died young; Philip; Jonas died at Milton, Pa .; Sarah m. Adam Scha- del, and died of small-pox; Susan m. Daniel Hartman, and died in May, 1905; William lived at Yellow House; Amos died at a Soldiers' Home; and two died in in- fancy. Mr. Hassler m. (second) Mrs. Judith (Lukens) Thompson, and there were two daughters born to this union : Mary Ann, of Reading, m. (first) Israel Rauen- zahn, and (second) William A. McDonough; and Louisa m. (first) Albert Herbine, by whom she had one son, Harry, and (second) William Merkel, now also de- ceased.

Philip Hasler (Hassler), father of Ezra S., was born Aug. 6, 1829, in Oley township, and died in Ruscomb- manor township, March 11, 1860. He was a cabinet maker by trade, and also engaged in farming, owning a tract of about thirty acres of land. For a number of years Mr. Hassler was a constable of his district. He is buried at Pricetown. Mr. Hassler's wife, Sarah Ann Seidel, was born at Hamburg, Pa., Nov. 2. 1828, and died in Ruscombmanor township. May 18, 1895, being also buried at Pricetown. They had these children : Ezra S .; Well- ington S. resides at Akron, Ohio; and Emma A. m. Albert J. Evans, of Lancaster county.

Ezra S. Hassler attended the common schools of his native locality until reaching the age of seventeen years, and in 1872 was licensed to teach school by the late Prof. D. B. Brunner, subsequently teaching in Pike and Rich- mond townships, Berks county, for two years. He then learned telegraphy from William Schantz, of Blandon, Pa., and was appointed station agent at Reinholds Station, Lancaster county, where he remained for a period of thir- teen years. During the latter year of his service with this company he was also engaged in the mercantile busi- ness at Reinholds, but in 1887 removed his business to Spring Grove, Lancaster county, where he continued with much success for five years, being also the postmaster at this point during President Cleveland's administration. He came to Wernersville in 1892, and erected his present store building, 31 x 86 feet, two stories high, with a frontage of fifty-three feet on the main street. He has the leading mercantile establishment of the town, and car- ries a complete, up-to-date line of goods, doing a strictly cash business and enjoying the confidence of the com- munity. Mr. Hassler is a Democrat in politics, and has been greatly interested in public matters in Werners- ville, and has served as postmaster thereof for four years, during Cleveland's second administration. Frater- nally he is connected with Lodge No. 62, F. & A. M., which he joined in 1876; Royal Arch Chapter, No. 152, R. A. M., which he joined in 1886; and DeMolay Com- mandery, No. 9, K. T., which he joined in 1892. He

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BIOGRAPHICAL

joined Terre Hill Lodge, No. 454, I. O. O. F., in 1887, and in 1892 was admitted by card to Wernersville Lodge, No. 835.

Mr. Hassler married (first) Oct. 13, 1876, Adaline K. Mentzer, of Stevens, Pa., born Nov. 27, 1855, who died Aug. 31, 1878, leaving one daughter, Bertha May, born July 29, 1877, who died April 26, 1882. Mr. Hassler mn. (second) Catharine E. Bucks, daughter of David and Ellen (Hain) Bucks, and they have two children: Ralph B., born at Reinholds Station, Jan. 6, 1887, is assisting his father in the mercantile business and on his own ac- count is conducting the musical department in the same establishment. He is a graduate of Wernersville high school, class of 1905. Mr. Hassler's daughter, Ruth Irene, was born Aug. 9, 1897.

BERTHOLD J. IMHOFF. Reading has among her dis- tinguished men, Berthold J. Imhoff, artist, decorator and frescoer, a man of genius who thoroughly understands his art and makes a specialty of church and mural decorations.

On Jan. 14, 1868, Mr. Imhoff was born in Mannheim, Germany, and was there educated, beginning to learn the painter's trade when only fourteen years of age. For three years he served an apprenticeship, then worked for others for another three years, when he entered the College of Ob- erwinter where he took a course in graining and marble work. Once more he resumed working for others to gain sufficient money to carry out his ambition, and when he had accumulated enough he studied art at Halle-an-der- Halle. On leaving school he became foreman for a large decorating firm, and received large compensation for his work. Still he was not satisfied. but entered the art insti- tute at Karlsruhe. Baden, where he studied art in its higher forms, and in March, 1892, he landed in America and lo- cated in Ohio, where he worked for five months, and then returned to Philadelphia where he believed there was more appreciation to be found for his excellent work. While in that city he was in the employ of Sima, and did some of his best work. Once more he crossed the ocean, and locating at Pforzheim, Germany, he engaged in business for himself. There he remained until 1900, and during that time he entered, in 1898, the academy of art at Düss- eldorf, where he studied figure work. Selling out his business he returned to America, this time locating at Reading, and purchasing a valuable property at the cor- ner of Eleventh and Green streets he has established himself in a very large business and is recognized as the leader in art circles. His studio is 18x42 feet and is specially arranged with regard to light and space. Five artists work under his direction.

While Mr. Imhoff is so well known as a decorator, he is also an artist and one of his most famous paintings is the Death of St. Joseph. The painting is 7x10 feet, and the group includes St. Joseph, the Blessed Virgin, Jesus and a ministering angel. Being a devout Catholic Mr. Imhoff has handled the subject reverently as well as artistically, with a due regard to coloring and back- ground which makes it a masterpiece. Another very no- table painting by this man of such diversified talents is Jesus in the Temple, 4x6 feet. He has upward of one hundred others, suitable for churches and private resi- dences, and all display his wonderful power and his skill at figure work.

Mr. Imhoff has frescoed over one hundred churches since his return to Pennsylvania, among which may be mentioned : St. Stephen's Reformed; St. Luke's and Trin- ity, Lutheran; Salem Evangelical. of Reading, while Columbia, Lebanon, Slatington, Phoenixville, Tamaqua, Allentown, Pottsville, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, Ha- zleton, York, Philadelphia, Mahanoy City, etc., have had him decorate their handsomest places of religious worship. Mr. Imhoff has also decorated the Academy of Music, Masonic Temple, the residences of Ferdinand Winter, Mrs. Catherine Archer, John Hendel, Rev. Fath-

er Bornemann, Mr. Isaac Frey of Douglassville, Pa., and Mr. Sternbergh, of Reading, etc.

Some of Mr. Imhoff's masterpieces are to be found in St. John's Catholic church at Pottsville; St. Mary's Catholic church at York; German Catholic church at Ha- zleton; Catholic church at Williamsport; Trinity Luth- eran church, Reading; Lithuanian Catholic church, Ma- hanoy City; Baptist church, Reading ; Spies's Union church, Alsace township; Reformed church, Hazleton; Lutheran church, Myerstown; and St. Paul's church, Reading. Of all these, St. Paul's church, Reading, is his master- piece. The architecture of the church is Romanesque, and this necessitated rich colors and heavy ornamenta- tion. Above the main entrance is a picture representing the parable of the Prodigal son. The center of the ceil- ing shows three large compositions, 12x18 feet, "The Des- cent of the Holy Ghost," "The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin" and "The Coronation of the Virgin," these form- ing the last three mysteries of the rosary, the preceding twelve being depicted in the painted windows. There are two other large compositions, "The Adoration of the Ma- gi" and the "Death of St. Joseph"; eight panels, each con- taining a single figure; small medallions showing the symbols of the rosary and the instruments of the passion. The sanctuary arch, as is fitting, is marvelous in both execution and design. The main composition is 40x25 feet. In the center the risen Savior sits enthroned, and on either side but a little below him are the Blessed Vir- gin and St. John the Baptist. Between heaven and earth is the Holy Spirit surrounded by the cherubim. On the earth, grouped about the cross, are the apostles and evan- gelists, Saints Peter and Paul standing a little higher than the others. Other figures appear, all tending to bring out more fully the subject of the whole composition, "The Church of God." There are about fifty figures in all, and they occupy five of the seven panels. In each end panel 'is an angel, one bearing the pillar at which the Savior was scourged, and the other the spear that pierc- ed His side, and the sponge with which they quenched His thirst. In this work Mr. Imhoff ha's used the best models, and his historical accuracy is above question. If he left no other work than St. Paul's, Mr. Imhoff's fame as an artist would be complete.

The delightful home of Mr. Imhoff is artistically treat- ed, and is one of the most beautiful in the city. He car- ried out his own ideas in its decoration and tried to re- produce something of the style of the Fatherland in his own residence. That the result is artistic and very pleas- ing goes without saying.

In 1891 Mr. Imhoff married Matilde Johner, daugh- ter of Joseph and Leopoldina (Helmuth) Johner. Jos- eph Johner was Mr. Imhoff's teacher of painting at Bonn- dorf. To Mr. and Mrs. Imhoff have been born these chil- dren : Alexander, Hubert and Berthold, who were born in Germany and are now deceased; Rosina; Paul, de- ceased; Maria, George and Katharinn. The family are all Catholics and belong to St. Paul's Catholic church. In politics Mr. Imhoff is independent, preferring to vote for the best man rather than be bound by party lines.

The family history of Mr. Imhoff is rather meagre, although it is known that his grandfather was Leopold Imhoff. Among the sons of Leopold Imhoff was Leopold Imhoff, Jr., father of Berthold Imhoff, and he was an Oberjäger and lived in Karlsruhe. His wife was Ro -. sina Allgeier, and their children were: Alexander, Leo- pold, Berthold and Max.

There are very few men in America who are so well fitted by nature and training to represent the true artis- tic preceptions of the people as Mr. Imhoff. Combined with his high artistic sense of the true values, he has a thoroughly practical conception of the requirements of his business and his results fully justify his methods. Mr. and Mrs. Imhoff are the center of a circle of charm-

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ing people, whose appreciation of art and higher culture George de B. Keim, who for many years was a prominent makes them delightful companions, and the artist and his hardware merchant and financier of Reading, was one wife dispense to them and their other friends a delight- of the incorporators in the founding and establishing of the Philadelphia & Reading railroad; and his uncle, Wirt Robinson, was on the staff of engineers who built the road. ful hospitality, that makes their home a favorite gather- ing place. The young people are already displaying in marked degree talent in several directions which will un- doubtedly be fostered by their parents who thoroughly recognize the value of careful training under proper in- structors.

GEORGE de BENNEVILLE KEIM, one of the dis- tinguished sons of Berks county. for many years a resident of Philadelphia on account of his prominent connection with the Philadelphia & Reading railroad, was born in Reading Dec. 10, 1831. His father was Hon. George May Keim, who for thirty years was prominent in the financial, industrial, military and political life of Reading. in which city his lineal antecedents had been prominent since 1755.

George de B. Keim received his preliminary education in the local schools and at Georgetown College, District of Columbia, and at the age of fifteen years entered the sophomore class in Dickinson College, where he was grad- uated in 1849. Having become much interested in the subject of chemistry, he took a practical course in the laboratory of his first cousin, Dr. Charles M. Wetherill, of Philadelphia, with special reference to the analysis of minerals; but after a year's study in the laboratory he decided to turn his attention to the study of law. He entered the office of Charles Davis, Esq., a successful attorney at Reading, with whom he remained two years, and on April 8, 1852, he was admitted to practice before the several courts of Berks county.

Mr. Keim found his ability recognized and almost im- mediately entered upon busy practice at Reading, which continued for three years, when his father induced him to remove to Pottsville, in order to look after large interests in coal lands in Schuylkill county, which were owned by his father together with Dr. William Wetherill, Jacob W. Seitzinger and others. Upon removing to that place he was admitted to practice before the courts there and he made a special study of coal land titles, and naturally many prominent coal land owners became his clients, bringing him both reputation and increased emolument. Some years later when the Philadelphia & Reading Company decided to control the coal trade by securing important tracts of land and organizing a coal and iron company, Mr. Keim's comprehensive knowledge of the situation and recognized ability were so highly appreciated that he was selected to he the company's solicitor for that section of territory : and his identification with the company's affairs continued from that time, with increasing prominence, for twenty- five years.

In 1875 he was appointed general solicitor of the com- pany, and as the offices were located in Philadelphia he removed there with his family. His professional services in the management of the law department were of the highest order, and the company retained him in this im- portant position for eight years, until 1883, when he was elevated to the office of vice-president. Before and about this time the company was involved in so many financiai difficulties and embarrassments, that it was forced into the hands of receivers. Mr. Keim was appointed one of the three receivers, and he filled the important position with great credit for four years, when the receivership was terminated. He and his associates were highly com- plimented for their skill, energy and devotion in restoring the solvency of the company. In a re-organization of the inter-related affairs of the railway and coal and iron company, he became the president at different times, espec- ially from 1884 to 1886, and 1888 to 1891, being obliged to retire from the active management of the complicated affairs of these two gigantic corporations on account of ill health. In 1888 he was also chosen one of the directors of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, continuing to serve on the board until his decease in 1893. His brother-in-law, Charles F. Mayer, was then and had been for some years president of that company. Mr. Keim's grandfather,

The criminal prosecution of the "Mollie Maguires" by the Philadelphia & Reading railroad in the coal regions was a most laborious and hazardous undertaking, and the president of the company, Franklin E. Gowan, Esq., not only accomplished a brilliant success in destroying this malicious and nefarious secret society, but displayed ex- traordinary and well directed courage. In his great endeavors and final success, Mr. Keim was of much valuable assistance to him in the preparation and direction of the cases, although not publicly concerned in the note- worthy trials.

Historical matters relating to his native county and State received Mr. Keim's early attention. In 1853, shortly after his admission to the bar, he identified himself with the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, and he continued in active membership for forty years. having officiated as first vice-president from 1868 until his death, a period covering twenty-five years. He was also a mem- ber of the Sons of the Revolution; of the American Phil- osophical Society; and he was one of the directors of the Finance Company of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, which he assisted in re-organizing. While residing at Reading, from 1849 to 1855, he took an interest in local matters and joined the militia and the volunteer fire department. He was possessed of a truly sociable nature, which he displayed at all times in a straightforward, un- pretentious manner. He was very fond of both literature and art, and owned a large library of valuable books, while the numerous choice paintings which adorned his home, at No. 2009 De Lancy Place, gave evidence of culture and critical artistic taste. After his death, Mrs. Keim donated all of his Americana, comprising historical works of great value and numbering about a thousand volumes, to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

In 1853 Mr. Keim married Elizabeth Cocke Trezevant, only daughter of Dr. Louis Cruger and Elizabeth Marion (Cocke) Trezevant, of Charleston, S. C. The latter was a daughter of Buller and Elizabeth ( Barron) Cocke. Mrs. Keim's father was the only child of Hon. Louis Treze- vant, a justice of the Supreme court of South Carolina, and his wife Henrietta Morrell ( Nethercliffe) Trezevant, of Sa- vannah, Ga. To Mr. and Mrs. Keim two daughters were born : Julia Mayer and Susan Douglass. The latter mar- ried William Lyttleton Savage, of Philadelphia, son of William L. and Sarah ( Chauncey ) Savage.

Mr. Keim died Dec. 18, 1893, and his remains were inter- red in the Keim lot in the Charles Evans cemetery. Read- ing. His death elicited many testimonials of regret and condolence, which were highly complimentary to his life and character.

DREIBELBIS-DREIBELBIES. The early home of this family was in southeastern Switzerland, in the part originally a portion of the German Empire.

(I) John Jacob Dreibelbis (Dreibelbies) came to Ameri- ca from Hannesthal, Switzerland, crossing the ocean on the ship "Mary" from London, and landing at Phila- delphia Oct. 26, 1732. Its passenger list showed sixty- nine male passengers over sixteen years of age, and one hundred and twenty-two women and children. It is probable that John Jacob was single. He used to say in the spring of the year, "now the Rhine is overflowing, because of the snow melting on the Alps." The exact date that he settled in Berks county is uncertain, but in 1743 he settled on the farm located about a quarter of a mile east of Fleetwood, now the property of Milton Shollenberger. This farm originally consisted of 157 acres, but it has since been divided into two farms, one now owned by Charles Leibelsberger. On the part owned by Mr. Shollenberger John Jacob Dreibelbis built the first set of buildings near a spring of fine water, which the

July your , Jeorge de B. Kein.

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Indians named "Dreibelbis spring." This spring and the streams in that vicinity were alive with brook trout until some time before the Civil war. John Jacob Dreibel- bis was a farmer and became a very extensive land owner. In 1759 he was the largest tax payer in Richmond town- ship, paying a federal tax of thirty pounds. On April 11, 1752, he obtained by warrant from the State two tracts of land located in Richmond township, Berks county, one being for fifty acres and the other for one hundred. On Feb. 3, 1753, he obtained a warrant for one hundred acres, and on April 12, 1753, for five hundred acres. In appear- ance Mr. Dreibelbis was small and of dark complexion, with black eyes and hair, indicating that he was of Jewish extraction, as were the Kelchners, Wanners, Biebers and one family of Merkles in the same vicinity. He died in 1761. He married either a Merkle or a Rothermel, probably the first mentioned and daughter of Georg Merkle, and his six children, three sons and three daughters, were: Abraham; Martin; Jacob; Mary Elizabeth m. John Wan- ner; Mary Magdalena m. (second) Martin Wanner; and Philibena, who went with her brother Martin to Schuyl- kill Haven, m. William Koch, and her three daughters married, respectively, a Huntzinger, a Rausch and a Holler. The last will and testament of John Jacob Dreibelbis, made Feb. 5, 1761, and probated Feb. 21, 1761. is written in good English and is on record in Will Book 1, p. 94. To each of his three sons he gave a farm, and to each of his daughters 150 pounds in lawful money. "My oldest son Abraham shall have all that tract in Rich- mond township, 157 acres." "My executors shall build a house for my son Martin on land given him lying on the Mesilm ( Moselem) Road. The house must be 30 feet long and 24 feet wide." "My executors shall also build a house for my son Jacob, on land bequested to him near the road leading from Eastown to Reading." And lastly I will and do order that my younger children shall be taught to read and write." The will is signed by the testator in good legible German. The executors were Abraham Dreibelbis and "my loving and trusty friend George Merkel." John Jacob Dreibelbis was buried in a private graveyard on the Shollenberger farm. He has no tombstone, but his grandson Daniel who is also buried there has a marble tombstone. A number of the early members of the family are buried in this neglected spot.

(II) Abraham Dreibelbis, eldest son of John Jacob, was born about 1749, and died in December, 1803, and is buried in the same cemetery as his father. He was en- gaged in farming on the homestead, and at his death left a large estate. By his wife, Anna Margaret, he had six children : Daniel obtained the homestead; Abraham ob- tained the grist mill; Peter received 300 pounds gold and silver money; Maria Barbara married John Haak; Isaac and Joseph. The last three-Maria Barbara, Isaac and Joseph-were each bequeathed 900 pounds of money. (III) Joseph Dreibelbis, son of Abraham and Anna Margaret, lived in the hills about Fleetwood. He died at Fleetwood, and is buried in the Dreibelbis private bur- ial ground. His children were: Daniel, Abraham, Reuben, Isaac, Rebecca, Susan, Stephen and Mary.

(IV) Daniel Dreibelbis, son of Joseph, had a small farm in Ruscombmanor township, on which he lived. He is buried at Friedensburg. He married Sarah Heater, who bore him nine sons and two daughters, as follows : Joel, Isaac, James, Orlando, Jonathan, Daniel, Ephraim, Solomon, Samuel, Luzetta and Lizzie.

(V) Isaac Dreibelbis, son of Daniel and Sarah, was born Jan. 9, 1839. He is a farmer by occupation, and lives in Rockland township, Berks county, near where Oley, Ruscombmanor and Rockland townships meet. In 1859 he married Hannah Heck, and their children were: Isaac H., Katie, Mary, Lydia, Annie, Louisa and four that died bers his benefactors with gratitude, and he called them young.

(VI) Isaac H. Dreibelbis, son of Isaac and Hannah, was born at Fleetwood, Oct. 10, 1864, and is now a successful business man in Reading. In 1895 he married Mary Kate Bernhard, widow of Thomas Leinbach, and they have one son, Isaac Franklin.

(II) Martin Dreibelbies, second son of John Jacob, was born in "Mosselem" in Richmond township, Oct. 5, 1751, and died at Schuylkill Haven, Pa., in 1799. In 1775 he moved to Manheim township across the Blue Mountains in Schuylkill county (then Berks), where he was the founder of Schuylkill Haven. He opened up many enterprises and became very prominent. He mar- ried Catharine, daughter George Markel ' (Merkel), of Richmond township, and their children were: Jacob m. Margaret Mush; Daniel m. Christina Leise; George m. Mary Magdalena Weber; Mary m. Jeremiah Reed; Eliza- beth m. John Hughes; Catharine m. Michael Moser; Re- becca never married; and Christina m. Benjamin Pott, founder of Pottsville, Pennsylvania.

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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 127

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