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 137

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 137

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In October, 1900. Dr. Burkholder married Miss Rheba G. Smith, of Blainesport. Pa. The union was blessed with two children both of whom died in infancy. Dr. Burk- holder holds membership in various fraternal organizations, principal among them being the Knights of Malta and the Masons. The latter order he joined while in Chicago, being a member of Mizpah Lodge, No. 768, of that city. He is also a member of the City, County, State, and American Medical Associations.

OLIVER M. WOLFF, a prominent young professional man. of Reading, Pa., senior member of the law firm of Wolff & Shomo, was born May 28. 1879, in Hamburg, Berks county. son of Oliver J. Wolff.

Abraham Wolff, great-grandfather of Oliver M .. was located in Hamburg. where he was engaged in business as a harness maker.

Daniel Wolff, son of Abraham, was born at Hamburg, in 1800, and he, too. became a harness maker. From

WILLIAM A. SHOMO. one of the leading young at- torneys at law of the Berks county Bar, and a member of the well-known law firm of Wolff & Shomo. was born at Hamburg, Pa .. Dec. 25, 1879, son of Harry P. and Emma R. (Confer) Shomo.

Mr. Shomo is a member of one of the oldest families in Berks county. his great-great-grandfather, John Shomo. having lived here as early as 1752. John Shomo was a son of Bernard Shomo, who emigrated to Philadelphia from France in the early part of the eighteenth century. The latter was a civil engineer of repute in his native coun- try, and he continued to follow this profession after com- ing to America. He died in Philadelphia, in 1793. John Shomo, like his father before him, became a civil engineer, and, so far as known, followed his profession up to the time of his death, May 5. 1836. It was he who originally surveyed the Schuylkill county coal fields. and he is known to have owned a large acreage of land in that section. He was a Revolutionary soldier. He resided in Reading up to the year 1800, when he moved with his family to

David 7: Manger-

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Hamburg. He was the father of four children: Eliza- beth, Joseph, John and William.

William Shomo, son of John Shomo, was born in 1796 and died Dec. 18, 1842, at the age of forty-six years. He was a successful merchant. He was the father of four children: John, deceased, late of Washington, D. C .; Henry, deceased, late of Fremont, Ohio; Sarah, deceased (m. Thomas P. Wren, of Pottsville) ; Elias, deceased, late of Hamburg.

Elias Shomo, son of William Shomo, was born in Ham- burg March 26, 1827, and died there May 13, 1894, hav- ing been a life-long resident of that place. For some years he was engaged in the furniture business, but later he purchased the "Central House" property, one of Ham- burg's leading hotels, and there conducted a successful hotel business for many years. He retired from busi- ness several years before his death. He was at one time postmaster of Hamburg, and was a leading and influential man of his day. He married Elizabeth Schatz, of Ger- man ancestry, and to them were born six children: Sarah, James, Laura, Harry P., Allen L. and Elizabeth.

Harry P. Shomo, son of Elias Shomo and father of William A., was born in Hamburg, Pa., Sept. 28, 1860. He received his education in the public schools of Ham- burg and under private tutors. For a number of years he has been prominently identified with the Auditor Gen- eral's Department, at Harrisburg. He is a highly respected citizen of Hamburg and has a wide acquaintance through- out the county. Mr. Shomo married Emma R. Confer, daughter of Alfred Confer, deceased, and to this union have been born three sons: William A., Allen E. and J. Harold. The latter died during January, 1908, at the age of nineteen years.

William A. Shomo spent his boyhood days in the borough of Hamburg, where he attended the public schools, gradu- ating from the high school in the spring of 1898. In the fall of that year he entered Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., matriculating as a member of the Class . of 1901. He pursued the Latin Scientific course, and at the end of his' sophomore year left the college to enter the Dick- inson School of Law. From the latter institution he grad- uated three years later as a leading member of the Class of 1903, with the degree of LL. B. While at College, Mr. Shomo became a member of the Belle Lettres Society and the Sigma Chi Fraternity, and took an active part in the affairs of both. In the law school, he was a mem- ber of the Allison Law Society, and was chosen one year as president of his class. While a student at college, he was awarded a gold medal as first prize in an oratorical contest held under the auspices of the State Convention of the P. O. S. of A.

Upon graduating from the Dickinson School of Law, Mr. Shomo was admitted to practice before the Cum- berland County Bar, but soon thereafter returned to his native county to follow his profession. At Reading, he entered the law office of Stevens & Stevens, where he re- mained for one and one-half years, and, then in June, 1904, he passed the State Board examination for admis- sion to practice before the Supreme Court. On Oct. 3. 1904, he was admitted to practice in the several courts of Berks county, and on Sept. 1, 1905, he formed a partner- ship with O. M. Wolff, Esq., under the firm name of Wolff & Shomo. This firm have a fine suite of offices at No. 522 Washington street, Reading. They enjoy an enviable reputation, and have won the confidence of a large clientage. Mr. Shomo is a member of the Berks County Bar Association, Chandler Lodge, No. 227, F. & A. M., Reading Board of Trade, American Academy of Political and Social Science. and other organizations.

On Aug. 10. 1905, Mr. Shomo was married to Marian Rae Fisher. daughter of the late George and Elizabeth Fisher, of Reading.

WESLEY D. MOHN, merchant and contractor at Mohnton, Pa., was born in Cumru township, Berks county, Mav 5, 1853, son of the late Benjamin and Harriet (Deeds) Mohn.

Benjamin Mohn, who was born in Cumru township in 1806, learned the shoemaking trade when a boy, but later went to farming. In 1846 he founded Mohnsville, now known as Mohnton, building the first house at this place. He also erected a gristmill in the same year along Wyo- missing creek, engaging in this business for about twenty years in connection with clearing his land, and then he engaged in the manufacture of boxes, in which he was very successful, to the time of his death. His death, caused by a fall down a stairway, occurred in his eighty- third year, and he was buried at the Mohnton cemetery.

Wesley D. Mohn attended the township schools, and when a young man learned the blacksmith's trade, and also the wheelwright's trade with Daniel Peiffer at Mohnton. He engaged in the manufacture of wagons, and this he followed successfully for twenty-two years, then engag- ing in contracting, in which he still continues. He es- tablished his store at Mohnton in 1891, and this has be- come the leading general store of Cumru township. In January, 1906, Mr. Mohn admitted his son, H. Irwin, to partnership, and the firm has since been known as W. D. Mohn & Son. From 1891 to 1897 Mr. Mohn was post- master, this office having been established by a cousin, Mr. S. K. Mohn. Mr. Mohn is also interested in many other business enterprises, having been connected with the Allentown & Reading Traction Co. since 1897, serving as its treasurer in 1903; he has been a director and second largest stockholder in that company since that time. At present he is vice-president of that corporation. He is a director of the Kutztown Electric Light & Power Com- pany, one of the founders of the Mohnton Water Com- pany, and superintendent of the latter industry. Mr. Mohn was one of the instigators in building the Reading & South Western Electric Railway (connecting Mohnton and Reading). He secured the rights of way for this road, and also raised $30,000.00 in stock at Mohnton. This stock was paid back, along with interest at six per cent., when the road changed hands. Mr. Mohn is also senior member of the machine company located at Carpenter and Cherry streets, Reading, known as W. D. Mohn & Co. His interests are many and varied, and he is considered one of the most substantial citizens of Cumru township.'

On March 1, 1873, Mr. Mohn married Sarah Binkley, daughter of Jeremiah and Mary (Kline) Binkley, and to this union were born children as follows: Margaret, a graduate of the Keystone State Normal School in the class of 1901, has taught school for several years; Irwin, in business with his father, married Sarah Fitterling ; Minnie A. is interested in charitable and religious work; Clara E., married Adam Bear; Anna, a graduate of the Keystone State Normal School, class of 1904, is now engaged in teaching school; Wayne, a graduate of the Kirst College of Stenography, is employed at the Mohn- ton store; and Pearl attends the township high school. Mr. Mohni is a Republican in politics, and his fraternal connections are with the K. of P., No. 485; the K. G. E., No. 211; and O. U. A. M., of Mohnton. He is a faithful member of the Zion United Evangelical Church, having been trustee thereof since 1885, and a liberal supporter of the church.

DAVID F. MAUGER. Being descended through his father from a line of Palatinate German ancestry, and through his mother from the French Huguenots, David F. Mauger has the admixture of blood which stands for the highest type of citizenship in Pennsylvania. He is a son of the late David B. Mauger, and his wife, Amanda Lorah.

David B. Mauger, who died April 2, 1906, at the age of eighty-four years, was a man of great usefulness to his community in his generation. For a period of fifty-five years, he served continuously in the office of justice of the peace. He had a thorough knowledge of the law relating to the administration of his office, and he probably filled the English idea of the country squire and gentleman more nearly than any local justice of his time. He was an expert surveyor and his surveys and drafts on disputed boundaries and land titles have so effectively settled questions of that character in Lower Berks, that the

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

courts of law are seldom invoked to give judgment upon and their children were: Matilda, wife of Casper Aman; them. He was identified with many local interests and Hannah, whose third husband was Jacob Newkirk; Ellen, corporations, and served his community faithfully in a deceased wife of William M. Griscom; Henry; Samuel, who died in youth; Matthan, of Reading; and William. Of this family in 1906 were still living Hannah and Matthan. manifold way as executor, administrator, guardian, trustee and in many another fiduciary capacity. He reared his family in the Reformed Church, and gave to each of his children a liberal education. His eldest son, D. Lorah Mauger, is now the assistant passenger agent of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, with offices at Reading; the youngest son, Henry S. Mauger, is a success- ful druggist in the City of Philadelphia. His only daugh- ter, Sallie, is the wife of Dr. S. H. Shingle, of Philadel- phia, and the remaining son, David F. Mauger, is the sub- ject of this sketch.

David Franklin Mauger is a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College of Lancaster. At this institution, he be- came a member of the Phi Kappa Psi College Fraternity and the Goethean Literary Society. He was graduated with high honors in 1886 which entitled him to an election in the Phi Beta Kappa Society. Upon leaving college, he became principal of the high school in Center Hall, Penn- sylvania, which position he filled with credit for two terms. He then entered, as a student, the law office of George F. Baer, Esq., now the president of the Philadelphia & Read- ing Railway Company, and was admitted to the Bar at Reading in 1889. Upon his admission to the Bar, he en- tered into a partnership with his college friend, Abraham H. Rothermel, under the name of Rothermel & Mauger, with which firm he is still associated. This co-partnership is one of the well-established firms of lawyers in the City of Reading, enjoying a large and lucrative practice in all the Courts. Mr. Mauger has served for a term of three years as the county solicitor and for a like term as assist- ant district attorney. He is affiliated with the Democratic party. As an adviser and counselor Mr. Mauger is able and sound, and as a practitioner before the courts and juries, he is skillful and persuasive.

Mr. Mauger is happily married to Miss Mary Gorrell, daughter of the late Robert Gorrell, of Douglassville, for- merly an extensive operator in anthracite coal in Schuylkill and Columbia counties. Their marriage has been blessed with two daughters Dorothy and Marion. He resides at Douglassville, Pennsylvania.

His grandfather was David Mauger, a farmer of Doug- lass township. He died in 1875, aged seventy-eight years. He was married to Sarah Bechtel, a daughter of George Bechtel, of Pottsgrove township, Montgomery county. She died in 1881, aged seventy-nine years.

His great-grandfather was Henry Mauger, who emi- grated from the Palatinate about 1762, and settled in Douglass township.

His mother, who was eighty-four years of age on the 25th day of April, 1909, was the daughter of Daniel Lorah, of Amity township, and granddaughter of George Lorah, also of Amity township. Her mother was Hannah Knabb, of Oley township. George Lorah was a son of John Lorah, who emigrated from France in 1710, during the time of the persecution of the Huguenots, and settled in Amity township.

WILLIAM HARBSTER (deceased), for many years one of the leading spirits of the manufacturing interests of Reading, Pa., was born Oct. 20, 1823, in Albany town- ship, Berks county, son of Henry and Mary (Bucher) Harbster.

John Harbster, grandfather of William, emigrated to America from Germany, settling in Albany township, Berks county, and later lived in Montgomery and Lehigh counties, following farming in the several localities.

William Harbster received his education in the com- mon and subscription schools of Albany township, after which he removed to Boyertown, where he apprenticed himself to learn the blacksmith's trade, remaining in that locality seven years. After his apprenticeship had been served he worked as a journeyman, and then removed to Reading, where he engaged in work in a foundry and was subsequently employed with the Philadelphia & Read- ing Railroad Company. Not liking the change, he decided to commence operations in the northern part of the county, and, locating in Hamburg, he opened a smithy, manufactur- ing the iron work for carriages, etc. After remaining here two years, he returned to Reading, and with the as- sistance of his brother-in-law, William M. Griscom, he founded the Reading Hardware Works. Beginning under very humble circumstances, and at first manufacturing but a few articles, by his incessant energy, excellent man- agement and skilled workmanship the business increased and far exceeded the fondest hopes of its originator and founder. He found it necessary to admit more help, subsequently admitting Matthan and John, his younger brothers, as partners, under the style of Harbster Bros. The business continued to prosper under the new man- agement and the brothers succeeded in building up one of the most extensive plants in the world, the Reading Hardware Company.

Mr. Harbster was also the head of the Reading Nickel Plating Works. His advice was much sought after on account of his being so successful in his own business, and he later became officially connected with banks and other business organizations. In fact, if any new enterprise was founded in which he was not interested, investors seemed to lose confidence, such was the esteem in which he was held. He was a man of noble character, honest and upright in all of his dealings, and a great friend of the poor and needy. He gave liberally to any and every just cause and the extent of his philanthropy will never be known to the outside world. Through his death Read- ing lost one of its most prominent citizens.

Mr. Harbster married June 15, 1848, Ellen Matthews, daughter of George Matthews, a native of Lebanon county, Pa. He was of Irish descent, and belonged to a family, the descendants of which figured conspicuously in the affairs of the State. To Mr. and Mrs. Harbster the fol- lowing children were born: Emma R. m. William Kensel; Cecelia m. John G. Mohn; John F .; Morris G. is deceased; Annie R. m. John Goodman; Howard E .; and Mary Mar- garet m. J. Wilhelm Hartmann, native of Germany, and a graduate of the Hamburg Conservatory of Music and that of Munich, from which institutions he received the high- est honors, and he has become a composer of much note.

Mr. Harbster was a Republican in his political belief, but never aspired to public preferment. He was a member of Chandler Lodge of Masons No. 227; Reading Chapter No. 152; Creigh Council No. 16; and De Molay Com- mandery No. 9. He was a consistent member and liberal supporter of Trinity Lutheran Church for many years. Mr. Harbster died June 16, 1885.

JAMES PHILIP SELLERS, clothier at Reading for forty years and still in active business, was born at Allen- town, Pa., May 9, 1844, and there educated. in the public schools and the Allentown Academy. At the suggestion of his uncle, James Jameson, he went to Reading in 1865, and after working in the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company's shop for eighteen months, entered the large wholesale and retail clothing house of his uncle at the northeast corner of Penn square, where he has continued to the present time.

Henry Harbster, son of John, was born in Berks county and educated in the subscription schools. In carly life he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed some years. He also invented and manufactured coffee mills in Berks, Montgomery and Lehigh counties, in which he met with more than ordinary success. He was a For ten years Mr. Sellers was a salesman in the store and his great interest and success in the business so won Democrat in political belief, but only took a voting interest in politics. He married a daughter of Sebastian Bucher, the confidence of his uncle that he was then admitted as

William Harlista

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BIOGRAPHICAL

a partner in the firm which has been trading for many years at the same stand as J. Jameson & Co. In 1890 Mr. engaged in farming at Mertztown, where he spent his ac- tive days, He married Catherine Grim.

Jameson died; then the firm was re-organized by the sur- viving partners, William A. Medlar, Mr. Jameson's son-in- law, Charles S. Bachman, a former employe for many years, and Mr. Sellers, as Sellers, Medlar & Bachman, the nephew having taken the uncle's place as the senior part- ner in the business, which evidences his superior character. In 1900 Mr. Bachman withdrew from the firm on account of his age, and his interest having been purchased by Wil- liam R. Fenstermacher, of Lenhartsville, the name of the firm was changed to Sellers, Medlar & Co. Mr. Medlar having retired in 1903, his interest was purchased by Wil- liam J. Frederick, of Allentown, a nephew of Mr. Sellers, when the name was changed to J. P. Sellers & Co. And thus it has continued to the present time. In 1908 Joseph Ritter Sellers, a son of the senior member, was admitted as a partner.

In 1882 the electors of the Seventh ward elected Mr. Sellers to represent them in the Common branch of the city councils, and he served one term of two years, having been elected on the Republican ticket. In 1890 he became identified with the Board of Trade, and after serving on different committees, he officiated as its president in 1901 and 1902. During the observance of the sesqui-centennial of Reading in 1898, he was president of the executive com- mittee, and much of its success was due mainly to his un- remitting labors during a preparatory period of two years. Mr. Sellers has also been identified with the financial af- fairs of Reading, serving as a director of the Reading Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and of the Pennsylvania Trust Company.

In 1868 Mr. Sellers was married to Elizabeth Ritter, the only child of Joseph Ritter and Eliza Witman, his wife, both of whom were descendants of the earliest inhabitants of Reading. By her he is the father of a son Joseph Ritter, who married Minnie Heffner, daughter of Daniel Heffner of Reading, and they have one son James Heffner Sellers. Mrs. Sellers died in 1908. She was a devoted member of Trinity Lutheran Church from her childhood, as her parents and grandparents had been in the early history of the church, and, on account of her superior voice was chosen as a singer in the choir for fifteen years. She took an active part in the Sunday-school work for many years, and also in works of charity for the congregation as well as the community at large.

Joseph Ritter, father of Mrs. Sellers, was the honored court crier of the Berks county courts for forty years from the establishment of the court house at Sixth and Court streets in 1840, and upon his decease in 1880 the judges and lawyers, at a public meeting held for that purpose, passed highly complimentary resolutions eulo- gizing his superior character. At a Bar supper, Dec. 20, 1872, in appreciation of his distinguished services and uniform courtesy, they presented him with a fine gold watch and chain.

The father of Mr. Sellers was Philip Sellers, a whole- sale tobacco and cigar manufacturer at Allentown for fif- teen years. He died in 1851 aged forty-six years. He was married to Elizabeth Worman, daughter of Henry Wor- man, of Allentown, who died in 1876, aged seventy-three years. They had three children: James P .; Henry; and Mary. m. to Benneville Frederick, of Allentown, whose son William J. is now a member of J. P. Sellers & Co. His antecedents were brought up in the vicinity of Sellers- ville, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania.

COL. WILLIAM TREXLER, long prominent and widely known throughout Berks county, died at his home in Longswamp township Dec. 19, 1905. He was born in that township Sept. 2, 1816, son of Reuben and Anna (Lesher) Trexler.

The Trexler family in America, so far as is known, was founded by John Peter Trexler, who made his home in Northumberland county, Pa., where he became very influential.

Peter Trexler, the paternal grandfather of Col. William,

Reuben Trexler, son of Peter, was an iron master, and that calling together with farming he followed all his active years. He died in 1846, at the age of sixty-four. He married Anna Lesher, who was born in Longswamp township, Berks county, daughter of Jacob Lesher, an iron master of Berks county, who moved to Pottstown after retiring from business. Five children were born to Reuben Trexler and wife, namely: Horatio, who at the time of his death was president of the National Union Bank, at Reading; William; Lesher, who became a suc- cessful physician at Fort Wayne, Ind., and is now de- ceased; Caroline, deceased wife of William Schall, of Nor- ristown, Pa .; Lucinda, who married James Rittenhouse, and both are now deceased.

Col. William Trexler was given a good common school education, and on reaching young manhood engaged in farming, afterward taking up tanning at his late home farm. He then tried milling and later the coal business, all proving successful ventures and he finally added a gen- eral mercantile store. The last few years of his life were spent in retirement. He took great pleasure in his beauti- ful home, located in Longswamp township.

In 1842 Colonel Trexler was married to Mary Ann Sing- master, of Macungie township, Lehigh county, daughter of John Singmaster, a farmer and tanner. Mrs. Trex- ler died in 1877. To this union were born the following . children : Reuben, deceased; Alonzo, late of Hunting- don county, Pa., now deceased; Annie, widow of Harrison Maltzberger, an attorney at Reading: Alvin S., who conducted a tannery and coal yard in Longswamp town- ship, but is now retired; William; Lesher Ashley, a prac- ticing physician at San Antonio, Texas, now deceased; John L. S., of Macungie, Pa .; Mary, who married Hiram Weiler, and who is now deceased; and Henry Clay and Myra, both deceased. Colonel Trexler married (second) Amelia Schall, who died in February, 1890.

In politics Colonel Trexler was a Republican, and for fifty-three years was postmaster at Longswamp. He was justice of the peace for many years, and also held a num- ber of other local offices, never being defeated if he offered himself as a candidate. He was a Mason, belonging to Burgess Lodge No. 333, F. & A. M., Allentown. In his religious faith he was a Lutheran.

JOEL H. KRICK, the well-known proprietor of the "West End Hotel," one of the popular hostelries of Read- ing, located at the corner of Schuylkill avenue and Button- wood street, was born in Reading, Dec. 4, 1861, son of Levi J. R. and Mary (Hinnershitz) Krick, and grandson of Peter Krick.

Peter Krick was a native of Heidelberg township, Berks county, and was a well-known boat-builder in the days when the Schuylkill canal was one of the principal means of transportation in this section of Pennsylvania. He followed his vocation for many years at the foot of Buttonwood street, Reading, where his boat-building yard was located, and became very successful. Mr. Krick mar- ried Susan Reber, of Berks county, and she bore her hus- band these children : William R., Joel R., Adam R., Levi J. R., Peter. R., Emma (m. William Leas) and Catherine. Mr. Krick was very liberal in his religious views, but was kind and charitable, and few indeed were the subscriptions for a worthy cause that did not bear his name. In politics he was a stanch Democrat, but he never cared for, nor sought, public office.

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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 137

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