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 130

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 130

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Kissinger's Storage House is a four-story structure, 60x120 feet in dimensions, weekly and semi-weekly sales . being held therein. On March 1, 1885, C. Carroll Briner was admitted to partnership in the feed, flour and stor- age business under the firm name of Kissinger & Briner, the location of the house being as at present. This con- tinned till Mr. Briner's retirement in February, 1897, after which the firm of Kissinger & Son was formed. This continued four years, since which time Mr. Kissinger has been sole proprietor. Under Mr. Kissinger's ener- getic and able management, the business has developed to large proportions. On Jan. 17, 1907, in company with others he formed the Kissinger Market House Company, embracing the following markets : Nos. 2, 3 and 4, located at Ninth and Cherry street, Peach and Cherry streets, and Nos. 834-836 Penn street. They have recently inaug-

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

urated the successful Saturday afternoon and evening market, in addition to their tri-weekly markets.

Personally Mr. Kissinger has reached a leadership in the business field in a time of life which makes it prob- able that his future will bring him into even more than State prominence. Mr. Kissinger is connected with no secret organizations, although socially he is very genial and popular. For his standing he has depended upon no extraneous efforts, solely upon his individual honesty, as- siduity and ability. He is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and has served as a vestryman of that organiza- tion at different times for nine years.

On April 16, 1874, Mr. Kissinger was married to Miss Sallie R. Spohn, of Reading. She died March 11, 1903, leaving three children: Clifford W., Sarah E. and Anita M. On Oct. 19, 1904, he married (second) Miss Mary L. Warren, of Ohio, and to this union has been born a son, Warren Nicholas. Mr. and Mrs. Kissinger reside at their comfortable home, No. 1030 Penn street, Reading, enjoying the comfort and culture attendant upon the prosperity and intelligence of the modern business man.

DR. ROBERT WALTER, founder and proprietor of "The Walter Sanitarium," near Wernersville, in Berks county, the largest and most successful health resort in Pennsylvania, was born Feb. 14, 1841, in Canada (town- ship of Esquesing, county of Halton, Province of Ontario). He received his early education in the township schools and afterward by his own efforts. When fourteen years old, he entered a store as clerk and filled the position successfully for a year, after which he was employed as cashier and bookkeeper in a large tannery, where he continued until the chief employer died one year after- ward. Notwithstanding his youth, the interested parties retained him to settle up the estate, which he accom- plished satisfactorily; and his grandfather dying he was requested to administer his estate also, and this he did in such manner as to lead to the settlement of other estates. For a year he was assistant Division court clerk and then he directed his attention to teaching in the public schools for several years; and learning stenog- raphy, he followed this occupation for some time, being employed for a while in the land office of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company at New York.

During much of this time he was more or less of an invalid, with the chances for continued life against him, and though his case was regarded as hopeless he never- theless finally recovered. He attributed his recovery to a course of treatment which he himself had originated, and which had come to be everywhere employed in the sanitariums. The results so encouraged him that he re- signed his position in the land office and devoted him- self to a more complete study of medicine, to which he had devoted much labor for several years.

In 1872, he married Eunice C. Lippincott, of Dirigo, Maine (a graduated physician from the Hygeio-Thera- peutic College of New York in 1865), and accompanied by his wife located in New Jersey, where he delivered lectures on mental science, a subject which had received a great deal of his attention for a number of years. He attended a course of medical lectures in the college from which his wife was graduated; and he too was graduated from the institution in 1873. Upon his graduation he took charge of a sanitarium and mountain home in Franklin county, Pa., and while serving this position he was invited to visit Berks county and carry on a health resort on South Mountain, near Wernersville. He accepted this invitation, and leasing the place, conducted it successfully for three years. During this time he abandoned the water-cure idea and originated the sani- tarium treatment, as it is now understood.

Toward the termination of his lease, Dr. Walter de- cided to start an establishment of his own, and in 1876 began the erection of the first institution in this, and it is believed the first in any, country, devoted to the treat- ment of invalids and the preservation of the health of well people by purely sanitary methods. This building

was erected on South Mountain, one mile south of Wer- nersville, and he moved into it in May, 1877, his success already established becoming still more pronounced, and has continued without interruption for thirty-five years. His patronage almost from the first came from all parts of the United States, and his establishment necessarily grew with his patronage until it became one of the famous resorts of the country. Now it is admittedly the largest, most complete and most successful sanitarium in Penn- sylvania.

The institution comprises a number of contiguous, sub- stantial stone buildings, five stories in height, 350 feet long, and numerous tracts of farming and woodland, which altogether cover 500 acres. It is thoroughly equip- ped with all modern conveniences and appliances. The view in the rear along and about the mountain sides is picturesque, but the extensive view in front, reaching from the mountains of Reading in the east to the hills of Lebanon county in the west, a distance of thirty miles, and from the South Mountain across the rolling fields and hills of the Tulpehocken, Schuylkill and Ontelaunee Valleys to the Blue Mountains, a varying distance of from twenty to forty miles, with all the growing towns, rich enterprises and internal improvements, is indescrib- ably grand.

During the great development of his sanitarium and his sanitary methods, Dr. Walter was also intellectually a thoughtful and busy man, for he published a monthly journal of health, numerous pamphlets relating to san- itary topics, an octavo volume of 320 pages entitled "Vital Science," and a large octavo volume of 300 pages entitled "The Exact Science of Health," the latter being based upon the same principles that have made astronomy and chemistry to be regarded as among the exact sciences.

Besides graduating from the Hygeio-Therapeutic Col- lege of New York in 1873, Dr. Walter took a special course of lectures in Hahnemann Medical College at Philadelphia, and was graduated from that institution in 1888.

Dr. Walter and his wife have five children: Maud M .: Robert L. (m. Alice Betts) ; Mabel H .; Estella M .; and Earnest A. The first two are graduated physicians. His wife and the first three children from the time of quitting school have co-operated most earnestly with him in the successful development of his great sanitarium.

His father was George Walter, of Devonshire, Eng- land, by occupation a farmer and by relationship con- nected with the Walter family of Southern England. He married Elizabeth Vodden, a daughter of Robert Vodden, also of Southern England. They emigrated to Canada in 1837, and to Ontario in 1839, thus being among the pioneers of that section. He died in 1892, at the age of eighty-four years; and his wife died in 1884 at the age of sixty eight. They had ten children : William, John George, Robert, Sarah, Mary, Albert Lorenzo, Elizabeth, Frances Amelia, Augusta, and Emma Maria. Mrs. Walter is the daughter of John Lippincott and Sarah Kitchen, his wife. John Lippincott's father was Jacob Lippin- cott, of Shrewsbury, N. J., who being a Friend and con- scientiously opposed to war, migrated to Nova Scotia to avoid Revolutionary operations. Jacob Lippincott was of the same lineage as the numerous Lippincotts of Penn- sylvania and New Jersey.

JAMES GICKER MATTERNES, M. D., of Centreport, has been located there in the practice of medicine ever since his graduation and is in command of a good pat- ronage. He was born Sept. 16, 1869, in Lower Heidel- herg township, son of Abraham and grandson of Isaac Matternes.

Heinrich Matternes, the great-grandfather, was an early settler in Cumru township and followed milling there. Isaac Matternes, the Doctor's grandfather. was raised on the South Mountain, back of Wernersville, and attended the Hains Church school. He learned the shoemaker's trade and followed it for some time at Reading, eventually moving to Mt. Pleasant, in Penn township, where he died

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BIOGRAPHICAL

at the age of eighty-three years. He assisted in digging for the foundation of the second house erected at Wern- ersville. He was a well-known man in his day. His first wife, whose maiden name was Mell, died at the age of thirty years, the mother of five children : Abraham, Isaac, Jr., Amanda, Mary (m. Peter Miller) and one that died in infancy. For his second wife Mr. Matternes married a Mrs. Paff, by whom he had no children.

Abraham Matternes, son of Isaac, was born in Lower Heidelberg township. He learned milling, which he fol- lowed a few years, and then went to work in Van Reed's paper-mill, where he contracted smallpox, from which he died in March, 1873, at the early age of thirty-three years. He was twice married, first to Amelia Shell, of Bern township, who died without issue. His second marriage was to Mrs. Caroline Hinnershitz, daughter of Daniel Gicker, and to them were born two children : James Gicker and Sallie, 'the latter the wife of Harry Haag, of Lower Heidelberg township.

James Gicker Matternes attended the Blue Marsh school in Lower Heidelberg township and had two months at select school in Mt. Pleasant. In the spring of 1887 he entered the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1891, after which he engaged in teaching, five terms in all. For three terms he was in Lower Heidelberg township, one term in Washington township and one term in Penn township, and meantime he began preparation for the profession to which he intended to devote his life. He read medicine with Dr. D. H. Hain, of Mt. Pleasant, for three . summers, and in 1894 entered Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, graduating in 1897. He has since been located at Centreport borough, where he has gained a large practice, being one of the best known physicians of his locality. He is a member of the Berks County Medical Society and the Pennsylvania State Medical So- ciety, and has various fraternal connections, belonging to Vaux Lodge, No. 406, F. & A. M., of Hamburg, Pa .; Excelsior Chapter, No. 237; Reading Commandery; and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; to the K. O. T. M .; to Camp, No. 446, P. O. S. of A., of Centreport; and Perry Lodge, No. 1055, I. O. O. F.

In 1899 Dr. Matternes married Miss Mary E. Plies, daughter of Benjamin Plies, of Bernville, this county, and they have had two children, Helen May and Law- rence Abraham. The Doctor is a member of the Bern Re- formed Church. He is a Democrat in politics and has been school director at Centreport.

DAVID ENGLE STOUT, deceased, paymaster of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company for forty years, was born in Muhlenberg township, Berks county, six miles north of Reading, Feb. 10, 1820. He was edu- cated in the local schools and at an early age became a clerk in the hardware store of John M. Keim, at Read- ing, where he continued until 1844, when he entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Company. In 1847 he was appointed paymaster, and this responsible posi- tion he filled in a most satisfactory manner for forty years, retiring in 1887, with the highest respect of the officials. He lived retired from that time until his death at Ocean Grove, N. J., Sept. 12, 1894.

Mr. Stout took an active part in the local affairs of Reading for many years, more especially of a financial nature, having assisted in the organization of the Union Bank, the Reading Gas Company and the Reading Trust Company, and he served as a director in each. He also served as a school controller for several terms. In his early manhood he was interested in the Junior Fire Com- pany, acting for a time as secretary. He became a mem- ber of Christ Episcopal Church at an early age, and show- ed a constant interest in the welfare of the congregation, officiating for a time as superintendent of the Sunday -. school, and as vestryman and warden of this church, and of other parishes with which he was subsequently identi- fied for upward of fifty years. He was also greatly in-

terested in the charitable societies of Reading, contributing liberally toward their success.

In politics Mr. Stout started as a Whig and became a Republican upon the formation of that party. He re- presented the Berks district of Pennsylvania in the Na- tional Republican Convention of 1860, which nominated Abraham Lincoln for President; and in 1864 he was a member of the Pennsylvania Electoral College on the Republican ticket headed by Lincoln. The several posi- tions which he filled at Reading for many consecutive years evidence his prominence and superiority as a man in the community. He was identified with the Free Ma- sons for a long while; was a charter member of the De Molay Commandery; and a member of the Grand Com- mandery of Pennsylvania, having for a time officiated as District-Deputy Grand-Master of Berks county.

In 1848 Mr. Stout was married to Margaretta Duey, of Philadelphia, by whom he had five children: Emily D., who married Samuel R. Kerper; Edward H., who married Katherine Kerper; David D .; William H., who married Mary McCoy; and Charles E., who married Mary Pid- geon.

His father was John Stout, born at Schuylkill Bend, in Maiden-creek township, and he carried on farming. He married Elizabeth Engle, and had ten children: Mary, John, Solomon, Esther, Valentine, James, Jacob, David, Caroline and Alfred.

His grandfather was John Stout, who was born in Bern township, in 1737, and who was brought up to farming. In 1772 he purchased a farm of 162 acres in Maiden- creek township, and then moved there carrying on the cultivation of this land until his death, in 1801. He was married to Maria Catharine Kershner, by whom he had eight children: George, Jacob, John, Daniel, Samuel, Catharine (who married Henry Body), Barbara (who married George Snyder) and Elizabeth.

His great-grandfather was John Michael Staudt, who emigrated with his father from Germany in 1733, when twenty-two years of age, and settled at Schuylkill Bend, above Reading (now Stout's Ferry), where he carried on farming until his death in 1776. He had nine children : John Jacob, Michael, George William, John George, Jost, Anna Barbara, Catharine Elizabeth, Appolonia and Cath- arine ._

REV. ACHILLES JOHNSON LONG. A. M., the well- known Lutheran minister at Rehrersburg, whose pasto- rate included the churches at Stouchsburg. Rehrersburg, Newmanstown, Millbach, Little Tulpehocken and Schaef- ferstown, gave his entire mature life to the work of Christ, and the great good he accomplished is manifest in the spiritual well-being of the many who came within `the radius of his influence. He was born at Claussville, Lehigh county, Oct. 20, 1847, son of Ephraim and Hannah (Kline) Long.

The Long family is of Scotch-Irish descent. About 1790 four brothers came to this country. and located in New Jersey. John Long, grandfather of Achilles John- son, went from New Jersey into Lowhill township, Lehigh Co., Pa., where he followed his trade of millwright. He married Elizabeth Heilman, and. among their children was a son Ephraim.

Ephraim Long was born in Lowhill township. but on reaching manhood he went first to Allentown, and later to Schnecksville. From the latter place in 1850 he moved to Egypt, and there he continued to reside until his death June 6, 1901. He had a large general store and hotel, and was also engaged in a real estate business, and had a wide acquaintance. He married Hannah Kline, who was born in Lehigh county, and who died in 1893. Their children were: Achilles Johnson: Alice m. Rev. S. H. Fegley, of Lehigh county; Josephine died in 1895; Ag nes m. Samuel Black of Ashley, Pa .; Alfred is engaged as a coach manufacturer at Blooming Glen. Pa .; Eugene assisted his father in the store at Egypt; Harvey is un- married and at home: and Walter has a music store at Allentown. The family were all reared in the Lutheran faith, and have been active in church work.

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Rev. Achilles Johnson Long received his first mental training in the common schools, and in 1865 he went to Freeland Seminary, Trappe, Montgomery county, and in 1866 to Fort Edward Institute, New York. In 1867 he entered the Academic Department of Muhlenberg Col- lege, and the following year the College proper, graduating in 1871, and receiving a purse of twenty-five dollars for his German oration. While there he distinguished himself as a member of the Euterpean Literary Society, and the Chi Phi fraternity. Acting upon his decision to enter the ministry he became a student in the Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, and in May, 1874, graduated therefrom. He received a call to Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church on the Tulpehocken (near Stouchsburg), and was or- dained to the ministry in Trinity Lutheran Church, June 2, 1874, and was installed as pastor of the Tulpehocken

charge, Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, June 13, 1874, by the Rev. Dr. Hinterletner, president of the Third Conference, and Rev. Dr. Horne, principal of the Keystone State Normal School, Kutztown, and on the same day was also installed as pastor of the Rehr- ersburg Church. He served these churches thirty-four years, and also had charge of St. Elias Church at New- manstown, St. Paul's Union Church at Millbach, Little Tulpehocken in Jefferson township, and St. Paul's at Schaefferstown. In 1893 the Sesqui-Centennial of Christ Church was celebrated, and the good work accomplished there by the Rev. Mr. Long was highly praised. This church has prospered under, or in spite of, great difficul- ties. The original church was built in 1786, and this build- ing was badly damaged by a dynamite explosion Nov. 6, 1884. It was rebuilt and Aug. 1, 1887, was struck by lightning and this time wholly destroyed. Though sadly disheartened, the members went to work and in spite of the heavy financial loss, the church was rebuilt. Alto- gether during his ministry the Rev. Mr. Long erected five splendid churches. On June 17, 1907, the Sesqui-Centen- nial of the Rehrersburg church was appropriately celebrat- ed, and the thirty-two and one-half years of Pastor Long's pastorate stand out conspicuously in the history of the church for the wonderful results he obtained financially and spiritually. He was close to the hearts of his parish- ioners and his unselfish devotion to duty merited the high esteem and affection in which he was held. Ministers from many places came to join in the celebration and to pay tribute of praise and respect to Rev. Mr. Long. The oc- casion was a most happy one, and will long be remembered by those fortunate enough to participate in it.

On Jan. 4, 1876. the Rev. Achilles Johnson Long was married to Deborah I. Minnich, born in North Heidel- berg township. daughter of Adam and Isabella (Klopp) Minnich, the former a school teacher in early life but now a farmer in North Heidelberg. This union was blessed with three daughters-Laura E., Anna L. and Mabel M. The Rev. Mr. Long was a practical business man, and he brought his churches all to a sound financial condition. He was a director in the Womelsdorf Na- tional Bank and a member of the board of trustees of the Orphans' Home at Topton. He was a charming com- panion, intelligent, broad minded and charitable, and he had the confidence of the entire community. He died Sept. 13, 1908, beloved by all who knew him.

JOHN A. BRITTON, a substantial citizen of Read- ing, Pa., as a member of the well-known dry-goods firm of C. K. Whitner & Co. is prominently identified with the business interests of the city. He was born in Reading in 1853, son of John A. and Leah (Borkert) Britton.

John A. Britton was educated in the public schools of Reading, and at the age of fourteen years started in to work as an errand boy for Lewis Briner, at the corner of Penn and Third streets. After four years with Mr. Brin- er, he entered the employ of John D. Mishler, proprietor of the original Globe Store, and here learned the business in all of its details, finally resigning to become salesman for Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart, at the time that that firm occupied the quarters now held by C. K. Whitner & Co.

Later he engaged in a mercantile business for one year with John E. Lewis, at .Lebanon, Pa., but disposing of his interests he returned to Reading and engaged with C. K. Whitner as salesman, later becoming manager, and in 1898 he was admitted a member of the firm.

In 1891 Mr. Britton married Sally A. Ruth, and to them have been born two children, namely, Calvin A. and Ruth A. By a former marriage Mr. Britton had one son, Har- ry A. Mr. Britton is fraternally connected with several societies, in which he is very popular. He is a member of the St. Paul's Reformed Church. His business interests connect him with the Board of Trade and also the Mer- chants Association.

PROF. GEORGE L. KLEINGINNA, M. E., PH. B., an author of some note, and for some years a well-known and popular educator of Berks county, was born there Dec. 31, 1872, in Bern township, son of Joseph and Leah (Leisy) Kleinginna.

Mr. Kleinginna was reared on his father's farm, on which he lived until twenty-one years of age. He ob- tained his early education in his native township, and in 1893 entered the Keystone State Normal School at Kutz- town. from which he was graduated in 1895. Prior to entering this institution, Prof. Kleinginna had taken a commercial course in the Reading Scientific Academy, under the supervision of the late Hon. D. B. Brunner. He began teaching school in Bern township when nineteen years of age, and after graduating from the Normal school he was appointed teacher of the Shillington grammar school, in Cumru township, where he continued success- fully for six terms. He then purchased the Reading Scientific Academy from Prof. D. B. Brunner, and con- ducted it very ably for four years, at the end of that time selling out to the Reading Commercial Business Col- lege. by whom the Academy is now being conducted. During the school term of 1903-06, Prof. Kleinginna taught the Mohnton grammar school. In 1900 he received the degree of Ph. B. from the University of Michigan. He gave up teaching in the spring of 1908, to become a member of the Saylor Drug Company, at Allentown, Pa., of which he is now vice-president. He organized the Berks County Teachers' Association, incorporated in 1909, and was elected its first president, which office he still holds. He is one of the organizers and original directors of the National Text Book Company, located at Reading. Prof. Kleinginna is an author of some prominence, his "James Snow," written while he was conducting the Read- ing Academy, meeting with a large sale. While at the same institution he also conducted a monthly pamphlet entitled the "University Chronicle," which met with much success.

In politics Mr. Kleinginna is a Democrat, placing prin- ciple before partisanship. He is a leading citizen of his community and has shown himself to be very public spirited ; he was one of the original spirits in the move- ment which ended in the incorporation of Shillington as a borough. He and his family are connected with Grace Lutheran Church, where he has been a member of the Consistory since 1903.

On April 9, 1898, Prof. Kleinginna was married to Annie E. Kauffman, born May 12, 1876, daughter of Samuel and Priscilla (Kauffman) Kauffman, and two children were born to this union: Pearl E., born Nov. 11, 1900, who died Nov. 9, 1902; and Paul R., born March 27, 1903. On March 23, 1909. the Professor and his family moved to No. 243 South Twelfth street. Reading. Both he and his wife have many warm friends.

CHARLES W. HERBINE, a well-known business man of Reading. Pa., who was formerly superintendent of the Pennsylvania Knitting Mills, was born in Reading, in 1869, son of Charles and Catherine (Rapp) Herbine, na- tives of this city.

Charles Herbine was for many years engaged in the hotel and baking business in Reading, and became a sub- stantial man. He died March 3, 1899, and his wife sur-

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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 130

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