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 138

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 138

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Levi J. R. Krick learned boat-building under the skilled tuition of his father, following that occupation for many years. In 1887 he turned his attention to the hotel busi- ness, following that occupation until his death in 1905, at the age of sixty-six years. He was known for his many sterling traits of character, and was ever liberal to those in need. The children born to Levi J. R. Krick and his wife were: Joel H., Peter M., Annie (m. Harry Shrump, deceased), Emma (m. Daniel Whitmoyer, deceased), Mary (deceased, m. Harvey Kissinger) and Rebecca (deceased).

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

In religious belief the family were connected with the Re- September, 1905. During 1909 he entered into the career formed Church. He was a loyal Democrat, and was elect- of publisher of fiction under the name of The Kraemer Publishing House-in addition to his Book and Job Printing. ed to fill positions of honor and trust, serving in both the common and select councils, and at one time being market commissioner. He was a letter carrier during President On Sept. 2, 1897, Mr. Kraemer married Miss Mary L. Ott, of Reading, daughter of Magnus and Josephine (Al- brecht) Ott. This union has been blessed with five chil- dren : Louisa M., Marie A., Gertrude L., Theresa B. and Herman J. Cleveland's first term. He was connected with several fra- ternal organizations, and was a member of the Junior Fire Company. Mrs. Krick died in 1891, aged about forty-eight years.

Joel 'H. Krick received his education in the public schools of Reading, and when a boy worked in the boat yard which had been founded by his grandfather. Learning the trade of boat builder with his father, he followed this occupation for some time, and in 1885 was appointed under Mayor Getz, a member of the Reading Police Force, con- tinuing as a member until 1887. During Mayor Merritt's administration Mr. Krick was again appointed to that po- sition. 1890-1893, and upon the expiration of this term he entered the employ of his father in the hotel, in which he has since continued. In 1897 he was elected a member of the board of prison inspectors for Berks county, serv- ing nine years, and for seven years was president thereof. He was elected by the firemen of the 2nd district as assist- ant chief of the Reading Fire Department, serving three years. Mr. Krick has always been a stanch Democrat, and has always been a valuable party man in the Sixth ward. He has been a delegate to various county and State con- ventions. On Nov. 3, 1908, by a large majority Mr. Krick . was elected a director of the poor of Berks county, for a term of three years. He is very popular fraternally, hold- ing membership in the following orders: I. O. O. F .; Fraternal Order of Eagles; P. O. S. of A .; the Indepen- dent Gun Club; the Eagles Mountain Home Association ; the Harmonie Association; and the Schuylkill Fire Com- pany. He was a member of the Junior Fire Company for twenty years, but resigned to join the Schuylkill Fire Com- pany in 1901. He is also connected with the Northwestern Beneficial Association. In religion Mr. Krick is connected with the Reformed Church.

In 1886 Mr. Krick married Rosa Weidner, and to this union were born five children, four of whom are living, as follows: James, Joel, Jr., Maud (who married Edward Englehart, is living at No. 252 W. Buttonwood Av., and is the mother of Joel Henry) and Esther.

ADOLPH KRAEMER, of Reading, Pa., the owner and manager of a printing and publishing establishment at No. 236 North Ninth street, was born July 28, 1875. and is a son of Joseph and Balbina Kraemer, who emigrated from the Duchy of Baden, Germany, locating at Phil- adelphia, for a period of time, and in 1882 settling in the northeastern section of Reading, Pennsylvania.

Adolph Kraemer attended the Reading schools until fourteen years of age, whereupon he entered the print- ing office of Mr. W. Rosenthal to learn the printer's trade. For a period of five years he remained at this establish- ment, working his way during the day into the secrets of the art of printing, and at night studying his books to advance himself further in the knowledge of gener- al literature. For nearly three years he attended a local college, taking courses in business, literature and lan- guages. During 1894 he made a tour of the States for the purpose of studying the various conditions, methods and systems of printing establishments throughout the country, being during this tour employed in about thirty different printing plants. In the fall of 1894, he returned and engaged in the printing business at No. 621 Moss street (the residence of his parents) in a small back room, operating his one job press by foot power.

In 1897 Mr. Kraemer removed his establishment to larg- er quarters at Ninth and Oley streets where he acquired the use of an electric motor. In 1898 he removed his place of business to No. 208 North Ninth street, and six months later to No. 310 North Ninth street, where he re- mained for seven years. In 1905 he purchased his pres- ent quarters, the desirable property at No. 236 North Ninth street, which he remodeled and rebuilt to suit his increased requirements and he has occupied same since

HARRY KLINE, postmaster and general merchant at Rehrersburg, Pa., and one of Tulpehocken township's representative citizens, was born at Rehrersburg, June 25, 1874, son of Frank S. and Rebecca E. (Forry) Kline.

Philip Kline, the great-grandfather of Harry, was born Dec. 26, 1788, and was a resident of Rehrersburg, where for many years he kept a large tannery and general store, and where he died July 18. 1855. He married Catharine Shollenberger (born Aug. 4, 1791, died Jan. 27, 1867), and they had these children: Benjamin, grandfather of Harry; Alexander; and Anna Maria, born Ang. 17, 1799, and died June 6, 1842.

Benjamin Kline was also born in Rehrersburg, and after the death of his father took charge of the tannery and general store, the latter of which was closed out at the time of the death of his brother Alexander who had been his business partner. Mr. Kline continued the tannery business until about 1886, when he sold out to Barnett Brothers, and the remainder of his life was spent in retirement with his son-in-law, Dr. Daniel Dec- hert, Schuylkill Haven. Mr. Kline married Catherine Lutz, daughter of Benjamin Lutz, and to this union there were born children as follows: Sarah m. Joel Dewaldt, who conducted a hardware business in Lebanon county for many years, and died there in 1893; Martha, who died in 1896, m. Isaac Harner, a hotel keeper of Rehrersburg; James, who for many years worked in his father's tan- nery, now resides at Lebanon; Genevieve m. Dr. Daniel Dechert, and died in 1882, leaving one daughter; Anna, who died in 1896 at Pinegrove, Schuylkill county. m. John Harding, who subsequently removed to Reading ; and Frank S.

Frank S. Kline was reared in Rehrersburg, where he learned the trade of tanner with his father, and was employed in the tannery from the age of twelve years until the business was discontinued, when he went to Myerstown, Lebanon county, and there continued many years. He is now engaged principally in finishing in the spring and fall of each year at East Berkley.

Mr. Kline married Rebecca E. Forry, daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Troutman) Forry, and to this union there were born the following children: Harry; Matilda m. Paul Furman, of Strausstown, Berks county, and has one son, Robert, m. Clara Bertram, daughter of Daniel Bertram, and is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Rehrersburg; Edward is single; Laura is employed at the shirt factory; and Marguerite lives at home. Ed- ward Kline served three years in the Spanish American war. being a member of Troop B, 14th U. S. Cavalry, stationed in the Philippines, and the last nine months of his enlistment were passed in the United States, where he engaged in racing various cavalries. He won the U. S. Rescue races from representatives of twenty-one cavalries, and rode races Cossack style in every State west of the Mississippi, losing only three races, and he also holds medals for sharpshooting and marksman- ship for the three years of his enlistment. He ranked as first sergeant. After receiving his honorable discharge, Mr. Kline returned to his home, and three months later enlisted in the State police force at Punxsutawney, where he is still in service at the present time. He stands very high, and he is said to be an expert horseman and very well liked by everybody.

Harry Kline was educated in the common schools of his district and the high school at Millersburg. At an early age he learned butchering at Hazleton. and the trade of painting, at home, the latter of which he fol- lowed for some years. At one time he aspired to enter

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the medical profession, but gave up this idea and took

union : Otto, , Carl and Leon. The family are Luther- up boating as an occupation, following it on the Schuyl- ans. In politics Mr. Wittich is a Democrat. He is a kill, Raritan, Erie, Northern and Delaware canals. He member of the Royal Arcanum. now conducts a general store at Rehrersburg, where he CHARLES P. HIGH, a prosperous coal merchant of Reading, Pa., who is also engaged in the flour and feed business, with yards and office at No. 312 Rose street, was born in Cumru township, Berks county, son of William R. and Lydia A. (Krick) High. is discharging the duties of postmaster. Mr. Kline is a member of the Reformed Church, while his wife is a Lutheran. In politics he is a Republican, and for some years has been standing committeeman of his township, and fraternally he is connected with Vigilance Lodge, No. 149, I. O. O. F., at Reading; and Camp No. 597, P. O. S. of A., at Rehrersburg, of which he is a charter mem- ber.

In 1897 Mr. Kline married (first) Miss Nettie Stam- baugh, daughter of Rev. L. D. and Henrietta (Smith) Stambaugh, and one child, Grace, was born to this un- ion. Mrs. Kline died Nov. 28, 1901, and he married (second) in 1904, the widow of Selas M. Shade, by whom he has also had one child, Harry.

ARTHUR WITTICH, a dealer in pianos and organs, and a prominent and representative man of Reading, Pa., doing business at No. 116 South Sixth street, was born in Reading, Berks county, July 2, 1860, son of John D. and Harriet ( Peifer) Wittich.

John Wittich, our subject's grandfather, lived in Hesse Cassel, Germany, ali of his life, was a general merchant there and quite a prominent man. He and his wife, whose name is not known, were the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters, and of these four came to America, their names being: Henry, George, John D., and Margaret, the latter of whom married Henry Goelz, and resided in Reading.

John D. Wittich came to America in 1842, and set- tled first in Philadelphia. He had learned the shoe- making business in his native country, and was also a musician of some note, as well as a composer of much ability. He resided in Philadelphia for about five years and there gave instructions on the violin and other in- struments. He settled in Reading in 1847 and upon mak- ing this his home, took charge of the leading orchestras of the city, conducting them for the following thirty years. His wife was a daughter of Henry Peifer, also a native of Germany, where a part of his family was reared, his two youngest children, however, being born in this country. The eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. John D. Wittich were: Margaret (m. John W. Gerdemann, and resided in Philadelphia) ; George (de- ceased ) ; Anna (died young) ; Catherine (m. Rev. N. C. Fetter, and lives in Doylestown, Pa.) ; Elizabeth and Stricklin (deceased) ; Arthur; and Valeria (living in Reading' at the old Wittich homestead, No. 310 South Fifth street). The Wittich family were members of the Reformed Church, while the Peifers were Lutherans. In politics Mr. Wittich was a Democrat, but took no active interest in party work.

Arthur Wittich received his education in the schools of Reading, and after graduating from the Reading high school entered the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music from which he was graduated. He was then instructed by some of the best and most noted masters of Eu- rope and America, and the following twenty-five years were devoted exclusively to teaching music, in which profession he was very successful. He bears the re- putation of being an expert in this and other branches of his art. Since practically giving up the instruction of music he has devoted his time to selling pianos and play- er pianos. He is well known in Berks and adjoining counties, and goods purchased from him can be relied upon to be just as represented. He has one of the best equipped show rooms in the city, located at No. 116 South Sixth street, where first-class salesmen are constantly on hand to display goods. His store is well stocked with the leading makes of pianos, among them being the Steinway, Kranich & Bach, Hardman, Pack- ard. Harrington, McPhail and Sterling.

Mr. Wittich married, in 1882, Miss Kate Schrader, daughter of Charles E. Schrader, of the firm of Schra- der & Kline, and three children have been born to this

Charles P. High received his education in the schools of his native township, and during his boyhood worked upon his father's farm. At the age of nineteen years he left the farm and went to Philadelphia, engaging with the Phoenix Plumbago Mining Company, and while iu the employ of that company attended a business col- lege. He subsequently returned to Reading, entering the employ of his brother, of D. K. High & Co., who was carrying on the coal, flour and feed business in Reading, which had been established in 1887 by him, and Mr. High continued in this business ' until 1890; when he accepted a position at the Philadelphia & Reading freight house. At the end of one year, in company with George Richardson, Mr. High established the present successful business, and one year later Mr. Richardson withdrew. Mr. High's father engaging in bus- iness with him, under the firm name of High & Son. This connection continued until 1903, when the elder High withdrew, and since that time Charles P. has suc- cessfully conducted the business alone. He is a very enterprising business man, of much ability, and his honesty and integrity have never been questioned.

Mr. Charles P. High was married, in 1895, to Miss Cora Hechler, daughter of William A. Hechler, of Spring township, and in religious belief Mr. and Mrs. High are .connected with the Reformed Church. Fraternally he is connected with the P. O. S. of A., and the Order of Independent Americans.

THOMAS A. BOYER, a well-known citizen and en- terprising business man of Reading, Pa., is a native of that city, born May 1, 1853, son of Isaac and Mary (Dickinson) Boyer, and grandson of Thomas Boyer, for many years a prosperous farmer of Dauphin county.

Isaac Boyer came from Dauphin county to Reading when a young man, and was employed by a corporation as a teamster, an occupation which he followed all of his life. In religious belief he was a Quaker. He and his wife were the parents of these children: Thomas A., William, Harrison, Annie (m. Jacob Carl), Alice (m. James Reigel), Jemima (m. Joseph Levan) and two children died in infancy. Isaac Boyer died in 1896, aged seventy-two years, and his wife in 1894, when sixty- nine years of age.

Thomas A. Boyer received his literary training in the public schools of the city of his nativity, and when a young man was employed by the Reading Pipe Mill, with which concern he remained for a period of ten years. In 1883 he commenced the manufacture of rag carpets, in which he has continued to the present time, with much success. He has a large and profitable bus- iness, his factory being. located at the corner of Pearl and Bingaman streets, and in addition to carpets he han- dles rugs, linoleums, oil cloth and art squares.

Mr. Boyer was married in 1879 to Hannah E. Snyder, and both are valued members of the M. E. Church, in which Mr. Boyer has held various offices, while Mrs. Boyer is very active in church work, and much inter- ested in advancing the cause of charity, devoting her- self especially to the finding of homes for homeless and friendless women who have passed the age of self- support.

DAVID L. HEINLY, who, with his son, John E., is doing business under the name of the Reading Engrav- ing Company, at Reading, Pa., is a prominent and influ- ential business man of that city. He was born on the old homestead farm, near Virginville, Berks county, Jan 31, 1836, son of George, and grandson of John George Heinly.

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

David L. Heinly was educated in the public schools, and then engaged in a general store business at South Evansville from 1858 to 1867, and then went to Ham- burg, where he conducted a similar establishment for four years. He then engaged in the hardware business, with his brother William, for eight years, the next four years traveled for the Bard Reber Hardware Co., Read- ing, and the following eighteen years for the Seltzer- Klahr Hdw. Co., of Philadelphia. He then engaged in the engraving business with his son, John E., as the Read- ing Engraving Company, at No. 604 Court street, and this venture has proved a great success. Mr. Heinly belongs to St. Luke's Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat, was a school director at Evansville and a councilman at Hamburg.

David L. Heinly belongs to the Masons, having joined that Order in 1869. He has been a member of the Blue Lodge since that time, and has been a Knight Templar since 1886. He is also connected with the Odd Fellows, having joined that order in 1870. The Heinly family has an association and holds annual reunions, the last few having been held at Kutztown Park. David L. Hein- ly is president of the association, which numbers from 500 to 600 people, and one of his sons, Harvey F. Hein- ly, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume, is secretary.

JOHN E. HEINLY, his father's partner in the engraving business, was born July 8, 1867, at Hamburg, and was educated in the public schools. He learned the trade of engraver and worked at this occupation for some years in New York. starting in that business at Read- ing in 1890. Mr. Heinly was married May 23, 1895, to Bess Maguire, daughter of William Maguire, deceased, of Reading, and four children have been born to this union : Martha, Katheryn, Marian and David. the first two named at school. Mr. Heinly belongs to St. Luke's Lutheran Church. Like his father he is a Democrat.

C. GILBERT STEFFE, late of Reading, was in the service of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company for over fifty years before his retirement, in 1904. For a number of years previously he acted as general road foreman for the company. He was an expert in his line and recognized as such in railroad circles all over the country.

Mr. Steffe was a native of Lancaster county, Pa., born in Earl township, Jan. 26, 1834, son of Frederick and Annia (Unger) Steffe, who were farming people. Some- what late in life his father went to Ohio, where he en- gaged in agricultural pursuits and remained to the close of his days. 1

Mr. Steffe spent his boyhood and youth in the public schools of Earl township, helping his father at farm- ing. At the age of eighteen he came to Reading, where he became an apprentice in the machine shop of the Phil- adelphia & Reading Company. He remained in the shops there three years, for he had determined even then to learn the business of practical railroading from the very beginning. In 1855 he began on the road as brakeman, and later was fireman on both passenger and freight en- gines, all of which at that time burned wood. During the years 1853-54 he was on the Williamsport branch, with Reading engines, in 1855 returning to Reading, and becoming fireman for passenger trains on the well known "Mohawk" and other engines then quite famous. He was made fireman for the "Illinois," the first engine in the United States to burn anthracite coal.

In 1858 Mr. Steffe was promoted to the position of en- gineer, running trains on the main line. When the Civil war broke out he and others connected with the motive department of the road, evinced a desire to enlist in the service of the Union, but the superintendent requested them to stand by the railroad, arguing that they were needed there as badly as at the front. The superintend- ent then went to Washington, D. C., and after an inter- view with Lincoln and Stanton secured exemption pap- ers for Mr. Steffe and others whose services he wished to retain. During the battle of Gettysburg, Mr. Steffe

was under orders to hold a train at Harrisburg, ready to take all the valuable documents there to Philadelphia in case of Lee's victory. In 1866 he was appointed en- gine examiner, to take charge of the engines as they came out of the shops, and he remained in that position until 1871. In that year he was sent with efficient help to in- stall what was known as the "pop valves" over the whole system. His mind was constantly on the alert for a solu- tion of the various problems of his work, and in 1876 he assisted in the arrangement of a means of improv- ing engines so that they could burn all kinds of fuel, and especially fine anthracite coal.

Through all these years Mr. Steffe was steadily gain- ing recognition as an expert in his line, and when, in March, 1878, the great engine "412" was made in the Reading shops, to be sent to the Paris Exposition, he oversaw its packing and shipment, and then went over to France to install it in its place. Returning in July of that year, he spent some time in experimental work on the New England railroads in the interest of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, and in Octo- ber, 1878, made a second trip to Paris to install "412" on the road. During the winter of 1878 and spring of 1879, prior to the opening of the exposition he traveled through France operating the engine on the different railroads in that country, and thence went to Switzer- land, Germany, and Italy, running his engine in each of these countries. In November, 1879, he returned to America with his engine, on his arrival in America being appointed road foreman of engines with headquarters in Philadelphia. There he remained until transferred to Reading in 1888, as general road foreman, a position he was still holding when put on the company's retired list, March 2, 1904, after a faithful service of just fifty- two years. When Mr. Steffe entered the employ of the Reading Company they had only between fifty-five and sixty engines, and at the time of his retirement the equip- ment included eleven hundred. Though all of this large number were under his charge he was able to locate any engine and day of the year, a feat considered remark- able even among railroad men. During his career he had many experiences not included in the duties of the average railroad man, and was called upon to exercise his resourcefulness in various unusual circumstances. While at Milan, competing with the French, English and Ital- ian engine builders, he had some exciting as well as enjoyable experiences. It was necessary for him to be constantly on his guard against the Italians, who made every conceivable effort to create the impression that the American engine was not equal to theirs, especially as regarded consumption of fuel. But Mr. Steffe was ready at every turn, and succeeded in convincing the judges that the Americans were not only the best builders but also capable of caring for their own interests.

Mr. Steffe enjoyed nearly half a century of happy mar- ried life. Wedded in June, 1858, to Esther, daughter of John Hill, their union was unbroken until March 25, 1905, when Mrs. Steffe passed from this world. She left no children. Mr. Steffe continued to reside at No. 106 North Ninth street, during the remainder of his life. Mr. Steffe was a member of a number of organizations, principally of fraternal character, and he was an enthusi- astic Mason, belonging to Lodge No. 62, F. & A. M .; Reading Chapter, No. 152, R. A. M .; De Molay Com- mandery, No. 9; and Philadelphia Consistory. On Sept. 19, 1893, the Thirty-third degree was conferred upon him, in Chicago, and he was enrolled as an Honorary Member of the Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Scot- tish Rite for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America, and on the same date was made a member of the Royal Order of Scotland. Mr. Steffe was also a member of the Philadelphia Veteran Association. In May, 1907, Mr. Steffe attended the Ma- sonic gathering at Los Angeles, Cal., and was on his way home in the train wrecked in Honda, Cal., May 11th, meeting his death in that frightful accident.

Mr. Steffe was a man of real achievement, actively con- cerned in the forwarding of our country's material ad-

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BIOGRAPHICAL

vancement, and his work won the unstinted respect of all informed on the general subject of railroading.

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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 138

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