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 134

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 134


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185 | Part 186 | Part 187 | Part 188 | Part 189 | Part 190 | Part 191 | Part 192 | Part 193 | Part 194 | Part 195 | Part 196 | Part 197 | Part 198 | Part 199 | Part 200 | Part 201 | Part 202 | Part 203 | Part 204 | Part 205 | Part 206 | Part 207 | Part 208 | Part 209 | Part 210 | Part 211 | Part 212 | Part 213 | Part 214 | Part 215 | Part 216


Louis A. Sassaman was the only child of Augustus S. and Louisa Sassaman. He was born Sept. 15, 1868, in Amity township, Berks county. His early literary training was secured in the common schools and at Car- roll Institute, Reading, and he later attended Palatinate College, Myerstown, and Diekinson College, Carlisle, where he graduated in 1891. He at onee began read- ing law with his father. After leaving Diekinson Col- lege he served four years as deputy clerk in the Quar- ter Sessions court. and in 1894 he was admitted to the Bar of Berks county. His admission to the Superior, Supreme and United States District courts was a mat- ter of later date. Mr. Sassaman at once began prac- tice, being fortunate in having the advice of his fath- er, who was then living in retirement in Reading. He soon built up a flattering clientele, and has for the most part engaged in private practice, but has served the pub- lic in several positions, notably as solicitor of Berks county and as prison inspector, which latter office he has held since 1899.


Mr. Sassaman married Sept. 26, 1895, Mary A. Zim- merman, daughter of William Zimmerman (deceased), of Lebanon county, and to this union was born a daugh- ter. Marie, now in attendance at school.


Mr. Sassaman is a well-known figure in the Demo- eratic politics of the city, county and State. He has always been interested in politics and from the time lie attained his majority has been in demand as a cam- paign speaker. His ready wit and keen, forceful logic carry convietion, and he is thus valued greatly by the party leaders in campaigns. He is an active party work- er and is seen at all of the conventions of the party, having been delegate to many county conventions. In the memorable campaign which placed Mr. Pattison in the Governor's chair he was a tireless worker.


Mr. Sassaman is a member of the Woodmen of the World. and has for many years been a member of Friend- ship Fire Company No. 4, of Reading, and Aerie No. 66, Fraternal Order of Eagles. His religious affiliations are with the Reformed Church.


REV. GEORGE SMITH KRESSLEY, A. M., Pro- fessor of Latin. Greek and German. in the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, Pa., was born Feb. 8, 1877, in the village of Rothroeksville, in Maxatawny township, Berks county.


Nathan Kressley, grandfather of George S., was a farmer and machinist. In early life he was a resident of Lowhill, Lehigh county, but later he removed .to Maxatawny township, where he owned land. and where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is buried at Morgenland Church in Lehigh county. Mr. Kressley married Abbie Moyer, and they had these children : Frank. Percival M., Oliver, Amanda, Jane, Maria and Annie.


Pereival M. Kressley, son of Nathan, was born in Lowhill, Lehigh county. Sept. 5, 1849, and died Feb.


517


BIOGRAPHICAL


21, 1906. He was a farmer in Maxatawny township office of secretary and treasurer laid upon him. There for about twenty-eight years, owning excellent land are 117 people on the pay-roll of the Eagle Company, near Rothrocksville, at which place he had engaged in and all of these employes as well as the general inter- the mercantile business for many years prior to engaging ests of the company are under Mr. Rauch's personal supervision. The phenomenal growth of the Eagle in popularity and the extent of its circulation and patron- age give unimpeachable evidence of Mr. Rauch's en- tire fitness for the position he fills. in agricultural pursuits. He was a good, representa- tive citizen, and in political matters he was a Republican. On June 27, 1874, Mr. Kressley married Martha R. Smith, daughter of Stephen and Caroline (Smoyer) Smith, and to this union there were born these children: Rev. George Smith; Howard S .; and Annie S., a graduate of the Keystone State Normal School, class of 1907, and now engaged in teaching.


Rev. George Smith Kressley received his early edu- cation in the schools of Maxatawny township, attend- ed the Keystone State Normal School, and then entered Muhlenberg College, from which he graduated in 1898. He later took a course at the Theological Seminary at Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, and graduated therefrom in 1901, being ordained a minister of the Lutheran Church in June of that year. Previous to his graduation from the seminary he had been appointed to the Department of Latin, Greek and German, in the Keystone State Normal School, in which capacity he has served to the present time with great credit to himself and to the in- stitution. Latin is a part of the regular Normal course, but the school makes a specialty of regular college prepar- atory work, and Prof. Kressley has been especially success- ful in this line, having prepared during the short time in which he has presided over the department over fifty students for the various colleges of the country.


On Ang. 5, 1902, Dr. Kressley was married to Anna R. Fretz, daughter of Reed and Maggie (Landis) Fretz, of Bucks county, and to this union there has been born one daughter : Helen Elizabeth.


JOHN W. RAUCH, secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Reading Eagle Company, is descended from old established families of Pennsylvania. The Ul- richs, his ancestors on the maternal side, were among the early farmers of Heidelberg township, Berks coun- ty, while the Rauch family belonged originally in Dau- phin county.


William Rauch, father of John W., was born in Han- over township, Dauphin county. Though his father spent his early life farming, he learned the carpenter's trade and came to Berks county as a journeyman. William became a contracting carpenter, and followed that trade till his death in 1872 at the comparatively early age of fifty-four years. He married Matilda, daughter of George Ulrich, a well-known farmer of Berks county, and to their union eight children were born, namely: one who died in infancy; Henry, who died aged six; Sarah, Mrs. Jacob Stupp, of North Heidelberg, who died when forty- two years old; Mary E., deceased wife of 1. M. Landis, private secretary of Vice-President Voorhees, of the ; Philadelphia & Reading railroad; George U., a farmer in Jackson township, Lebanon county; Rebecca, wife of William Zartman, also a farmer in Jackson township ;. Frank I., assistant superintendent of the Eagle Company ;. and John W.


John W. Rauch was born in Heidelberg Nov. 8, 1848, and he attended the public schools of that district. His opportunities for an education were limited, however, for when he was twelve and a half years old he was taken from school and put to work on a farm. He con- tinued at this connection till he was eighteen, and then went as clerk in country stores, remaining two years and six months in the first place, six months in two other stores, and then returning to his first store posi- tion he remained there three years more. In 1872 he moved to Reading where he was at first engaged again in a dry goods store, but after five months he secured a position with the Reading Eagle Company, and has ever since been connected with that, rising steadily. When he began Feb. 24, 1873, he was subscription clerk; the following year he was made bookkeeper; Dec. 6, 1881, was promoted to the position of superintendent; and Feb. 1, 1904, had the added responsibilities of the


On Oct. 3, 1868, Mr. Rauch was united in matrimony to Miss Maria E. Anderson, and three children have been born to this union: Harry, a linotype operator on the Eagle; William B., head of the mechanical part of the Eagle advertising department; and Lillie May, wife of Peter B. Graeff, a stenographer at Washington, D. C. Mr. Rauch was formerly a member of St. Paul's Re- formed Church, and belonged to the Consistory of that body, but his name is now on the rolls of the First Re- formed Church. He is a man of wide and varied in- terests, as is shown by the character of the many or- ganizations with which he is connected. These include Teutonia Lodge, F. & A. M .; Harrisburg Consistory; Rajah Temple, Mystic Shrine, Reading; Reading Lodge, B. P. O. E .; Fraternal Order of Eagles; Royal Arca- num; Loyal Addition to the Royal Arcanum; Wyomis- sing Club; Elks' Home Company; Eagles' Mountain Home Company; Americus Club; Commercial Club; Maennerchor : Liederkranz: Turnverein; and the Board of Trade. In the wide circle of acquaintance resulting from this diversity of association Mr. Rauch has num- erous warm friends and is held in high esteem by all. He has the respect of all the employes of the Reading Eagle Company for the executive ability and the energetic yet courteous manner in which he manages that estab- lishment. In February, 1898, on the twenty-fifth anni- versary of his service at the Eagle office, he was suprised by the employes, who tendered him a banquet at the "Mansion House," when toasts were drunk to his health. In the speeches many complimentary remarks were made respecting him. Some 'sixty persons, including repre- sentatives of other Reading newspapers, participated. It was marked by a cordiality which spoke volumes of the harmony and good feeling prevailing in the Eagle office and toward all its neighbors. Mr. Rauch, was escorted by a committee to the "Mansion House" and introduced to the company while they were seated around the ban- queting board.


JOSEPH RAMBO DICKINSON, a member of the Berks county Bar, is a son of W. Scott and Mary A. (Rambo) Dickinson, and was born in Reading July 31, 1872. On the maternal side he is a grandson of Joseph Rambo, a drover and hotel-keeper of Reading. Mr. and Mrs. W. Scott Dickinson had three children, viz .: Jos- eph R .; Nelson H., a molder of Reading; and William S., a teller of the Berks County Trust Company.


Mr. Dickinson graduated from the Reading high school in 1889, and immediately. afterward entered the office of Jeremiah K. Grant, then district attorney of Berks coun- ty, remaining there until September, 1900, when he en- tered the employ of Ermentrout & Ruhl, a firm com- posed of the late Daniel Ermentrout, a member of Con- gress, and C. H. Ruhl. While clerking for these law- yers he read law and was admitted to the Bar in 1899. He is a member of the Superior and Supreme Courts { of the State and the United States District, Circuit and Circuit Court of Appeals. He is engaged in the active practice of the law and enjoys an extensive practice.


He is a Mason; a member of the B. P. O. Elks, Fra- ternal Order of Eagles, Red Men, Liberty Fire Company, and many other social organizations. He belongs to the Trinity Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and he is interested in a number of financial and indus- trial enterprises.


On April 8, 1900, Mr. Dickinson was married to Eva M. Moyer, daughter of Charles Moyer, of Reading. They fhave two children, a daughter Anna, named in honor of the noted lecturer and authoress, Anna Dickinson, and a son, Joseph R.


is this games -6 Nov 19-1842. Sacola Sele 0. =


518


HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA


WAYNE LEINBACH SHEARER, B. S., M. S., M. D., was born in Reading, Berks Co., Pa., Oct. 3, 1876. His early school life he spent in the private school of Miss Jennie Cooper, on South Fifth Street, later attend- ing the Reading public schools at North Seventh and Dick streets and Washington and Rose streets. He was prepared for College in the Carroll Institute, of which Professor Edward Carroll, a graduate of Trinity Col- lege, Dublin, Ireland, was principal. Dr. Shearer was grad- uated from the Pennsylvania State College June 13, 1900, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Science, and in the Fall of the same year entered the University of Pennsyl- vania, Medical Department, from which he was graduated June 15, 1904, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine. On June 13, 1906, the degree of Master of Science was conferred by the Pennsylvania State College upon Dr. Shearer.


He has been active in the practice of medicine since his graduation from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition he is treasurer of the Leinbach Box Com- pany a corporation, engaged in the manufacture of wooden packing cases, crates etc., also secretary and treasurer of the Reading Manufacturing Company, a corporation, manufacturing washing machines.


He is a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Frater- nity and the Theta Nu Epsilon Fraternity, the former of which Greek Letter societies is still active at both the University of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania State College. He is also a member of St. John's Lodge No. 435. F. & A. M .; of Excelsior Chapter. No. 237, R. A. M .; and of Reading Commandery, No. 42, K. T.


Doctor Shearer is the only child of Benjamin Y. Shear- er and Clara A. Shearer (nee Leinbach). His father, Benjamin Y. Shearer, was born in Bern township. Berks county, Dec. 15, 1848, where he received part of his preliminary education; later he attended the Reading Classical Academy. He taught school from 1864 to 1874, and during the latter part of that period devoted his spare time to the study of law ; also the entire year from 1874 until the time of his admission to the Berks County Bar on April 12, 1875, since which time he has been steadily engaged in the practice of law. He married, Oct. 14. 1875, Clara A. Leinbach. He is a member of St. John's Lodge No. 435, F. & A. M .; Excelsior Chapter, No. 237, R. A. M .; and a past commander of Reading Commandery, No. 42, K. T.


Benjamin Y. Shearer is a son of Samuel T. Shearer, born Feb. 29, 1808, died in 1881, and Catharine D. Shear- er (nee Yorgey), born April 1. 1810, died July 1, 1893. He is a brother to William Y. Shearer, James Y. Shearer, M. D., Catharine Y. Hain, Elizabeth Y. Dundore, Sarah Y. Weitzel (deceased), Aaron Y. Shearer, Amos Y. Shearer, and Brigetta Y. Hiester (deceased). His fath- er, Samuel T. Shearer, was a son of John Shearer, born in 1773, and died in 1847, who in turn was a son of John Christopher Sherrer, who came to America from Ger- many in 1769, landing at Philadelphia. Pa., in the ship "Minerva," Thomas Arnold captain. During the Revolu- tion he was under Washington when he crossed the Del- aware on Christmas, 1776, at Chadd's Ford, etc.


Dr. W. L. Shearer's mother, Clara A. Shearer (nee Leinbach), was born in Bern township, Berks county, June 28, 1851, where she received the greater part of her early education. She was married on Oct. 14, 1875, to Benjamin Y. Shearer. She was a daughter of Chris- tian R. Leinbach and Catharine S. Leinbach (nee Es- terly). Her father Christian R. Leinbach, born Dec. 6, 1820, died July 10, 1892, was a son of William Lein- bach and Elizabeth Leinbach, (nee Rich), an aunt to Mrs. William Arnoid, Cyrus Rich, James Rich, etc. Mrs. B. Y. Shearer's mother Catherine S. Leinbach (nee Es- terly), born May 5. 1827, died March 15, 1859, was a daughter of Amos Esterly and Ann Barbara Esterly (nee Stichter), a daughter of Peter Stichter, born in 1761, died in 1843, and Catharine Stichter (nee Hoff). Mrs. B. Y. Shearer is a sister to Annie E. Althouse, B. Franklin Leinbach, J. Calvin Leinbach, Catharine E. Graeff (deccased), and Timothy J. Lembach.


Benjamin Y. Shearer and Clara A. Shearer are living at No. 146 North Fifth street, Reading.


Dr. W. L. Shearer was married on June 1, 1905, to Marie Carolyn Hoffman, of Philadelphia, daughter of George H. Hoffman and Emma S. Hoffman (nee Schnei- der). Dr. Shearer has his office and residence at the Northwest corner of North Front and Greenwich streets, Reading, Pennsylvania.


JOHN H. BRIDENBAUGH, lawyer, of Reading, with offices at No. 529 Court street, is a native of Martinsburg, Blair Co., Pa., born Jan. 5, 1877. He has been in the active practice of his profession since the year 1902.


Henry Bridenbaugh, his grandfather, was a farmer of Martinsburg, Blair county. Rev. Samuel R. Bridenbaugh, D. D., his father, is pastor of the Second Reformed Church of Reading. Dr. Bridenbaugh married Lydia A. Bowman, daughter of John Bowman, a merchant, and niece of Dr. J. C. Bowman, of the Reformed Theologi- cal Seminary at Lancaster. There were three children in their family, of whom Paul died Aug. 31, 1904, when just entering upon his career in the ministry of the Re- formed Church; he was twenty-four years of age, and a graduate of Harvard Theological Seminary. George B. is a student at the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston.


John H. Bridenbaugh received his carly educational training at Berlin, Somerset county, and at Carroll In- stitute, Reading. Having been thoroughly prepared for college at these institutions he matriculated at Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, where he graduated in 1899. In carrying out his decision to enter upon a ca- reer at the Bar he then went to Harvard Law School, where he graduated in the class of 1902, in which year lie was admitted to the Berks county Bar. He has since been admitted to practice in the Supreme court. At Reading he read law in the office of Baer. Snyder & Zieber. He engages in general practice.


While at college Mr. Bridenbaugh became a member of the Phi Kappa Psi chapter at Franklin and Mar- shall. He was also connected with the Diagnothian Lit- erary Society at that school, is a member of the Harvard Club of Reading, and is a member and chairman of the executive committee of the Reading Canoe Club. He belongs to the Second Reformed Church, in the work of which he takes an active part, being at the present time superintendent of the Sunday-school.


WILLIAM H. LUPPOLD, senior member of the real estate and insurance firm of Luppold & Whitman, of Reading, Pa., and a gentleman of wide influence and great activity in business circles, is on his native heath, having been born in Reading Nov. 5, 1870.


The grandfather of Mr. Luppold, John George Luppold, was a farmer of Brecknock township. Berks county, while his father, John Luppold, now retired, was for many years in the grocery business in the city. Mr. Luppold's mother was Elizabeth Stuber, daughter of Charles Stu- ber, who was a farmer of Maiden-creek township. There were but three children, Elizabeth, who died at three years, a daughter that died in infancy, and William H.


William H. Luppold is a product of nineteenth century methods in education and business, and he is an example cf what they can do when coupled with a fair share of native wit and energy. He passed through the various grades of the city schools, and then took a thorough course in Brunner's Business college. His father being in the grocery business, he began his career as an as- sistant to him. remaining in that capacity for some ten years. Having become convinced of the possibilities of the real estate business in Reading he, in 1904, in company with Mr. J. Benton Whitman, established offices at No. 526 Court street, and as a member of the firm of Luppold & Whitman has since spent his activities in that line. Mr. Luppold's judgment was not at fault, and he has succeeded beyond the most sanguine expectations of his friends. The strong point with Mr. Luppold is the per- fect knowledge he seems to have of the territory in


519


BIOGRAPHICAL


which he is working. Having been reared in the city, there is not a foot of ground unfamiliar to him; this, coupled with the fact that he has an intuitive knowledge of the future possibilities of any particular section of the city, makes him one of the strongest real estate men in the city. The firm also does a large business in fire paper work. insurance.


Mr. Luppold is a man of family. He married, June 21, 1901, Miss Cora K., daughter of Morris H. Boyer, a farmer of Amityville, Berks county. To them have come two daughters, Helen B. and Alice B., now (1909) six and three years old, respectively.


In the public life of the city, Mr. Luppold has taken an active part ever since he can remember. He is an ardent Democrat, and as president of the Northeastern Democratic Club gives much attention to the interests of his party, in both the local field and the larger state and national. For a period of five years he has repre- sented the Ninth ward on the school board, and gave most intelligent attention to the interests of education through- out the city, which may be truthfully said to possess one of the best school systems in the country. At present he is serving his second term as city assessor, having first been elected to that responsible position in February, 1905, and re-elected in February, 1908.


Mr. Luppold is affiliated with several of the best fra- ternal organizations, among them being the P. O. S. of A., of which he is treasurer, and the Maccabees. His re- ligious life has been passed in the St. John's Lutheran Church, where he is one of the influential and active members.


Life means to us all that which we would have it mean. It is true that untoward circumstances seem at times to thwart our best efforts, but no man is the "vic- tim of circumstances" for any great length of time, un- less he wills it so. This, in brief, is the philosophy of William H. Luppold, who by reason of energy and will power is one of the leading men of his city.


JOHN WEILER, publisher of the Reading Post, the' Deutsche Eiche and Die Biene, is one of the best known men in newspaper circles in Reading. He was born April 17, 1852, in Essingen, Oberamt Aalen, Kingdom of Wurt- emberg, Germany, and was educated in the common and high schools of his native land. After several years' employment in the post-office at Stuttgart, he came to America in 1872, and in the same year entered the service of William Rosenthal, at that time the owner of the Reading Post, as collector. He then, after a short time, became a reporter, then editor, then manager, and finally for the past fifteen years he has had general supervision of the establishment. In June, 1908, he purchased the Reading Post printing establishment from Mr. Rosenthal, and in less than one year, after making great improve- ments, the business had been more than doubled. The Post had been published for forty years when it came into the possession of Mr. Weiler. It is the oldest German daily paper in the State of Pennsylvania outside of Phila- delphia and Pittsburg, and its readers include all classes of the German speaking population, by whom it is regarded as the best public medium of communication.


Mr. Weiler also publishes two other papers-Die Biene is a weekly containing entertaining and instructive mat- ter for the numerous subscribers; and the Deutsche Eiche is the organ of the German Order of Harugari, and is an eight-page weekly edited personally by Mr. Weiler.


Notwithstanding the vast and responsible work entailed by the publication of three papers, Mr. Weiler has always had some time to spare for matters of public interest, and he has taken great pride in the development of his adopted town, and he has given much time to furthering the interests of the city. He is an active member of the Reading Press Club, and has officiated as its president for several terms, and he is also connected with all the German organizations in the city, and is a member of Teutonia Lodge, No. 367, F. & A. M., which he has served as master.


Over thirty years ago Mr. Weiler was married to Miss Louise Hansen, who died in 1907. He has three sons: Philip A., owner of the Keystone Electric Company; George Fred, an electrical engineer ; and Harry H., asso- ciated with his father and thoroughly interested in news-


SAMUEL K. SPANG, son of Jacob K. and Sarah (Kauffman) Spang, was born at Hamburg, Pa., Jan. 14, 1868. He was educated in the schools of Reading, in- cluding a business course in the Interstate Commercial College, and upon finishing his preparation; assisted his father for six years as clerk, etc., in the business of manufacturing charcoal iron at Lenhartsville, Berks coun- ty, where his father conducted an old-established iron works. In November, 1891, he became a clerk in the office of the Reading Trust Company, and after fill- ing this position very satisfactorily until December, 19.03, the directors selected him as treasurer of the company, which responsible position he has since held.


Mr. Spang was married in 1900, to Ella Rick, daugh- ter of Cyrus Rick, who was for many years cashier of the Farmers' National Bank of Reading. They have three children : Emily R., Mary R. and Charles R. Mr. Spang is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reading. He has officiated as secretary of the congregation for four years.


His great-grandfather, Frederick Spang, was a prominent iron manufacturer in Oley township before 1800, having then become the owner of the Oley Forge along Mana- tawny Creek, and operated it very successfully until his death. He was succeeded by his son Jacob S. Spang, and by his grandson Jacob K. Spang. For many years the plant was known as the "Spang Forge," and the set- tlement came to be called Spangsville.


LEONARD M. RUTH, cashier of the Wernersville National Bank, of Wernersville, Pa., was born in Lower Heidelberg township, son of James H. and Catharine (Dundore) Ruth.


Leonard Ruth, Mr. Ruth's great-grandfather, was a son of Michael Ruth, and carried on farming near Hain's Church. He married Elizabeth Weinhold, of Cumru (now Spring) township, and they had ten children, four of whom died in infancy. The others were: Isaac, Josiah, Levi, Elizabeth, Michael W. and Leonard.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.