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 142

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 142

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Rev. Mr. Stamm m. in the fall of 1906 Miss Pauline Herbrecht, of Doylestown, Pa., formerly of Philadelphia.

(V) Adam S. Stamm, son of William, was born May 22, 1841, in Penn township, and since he was twenty-one years old has conducted the old Stamm mill in Penn town- ship. He has followed farming and milling all his life, and has been very successful in material matters, being a man of thrift and intelligence, energetic and honorable. His business has naturally brought him into contact with most

of the residents of his section, and he is held in high esteem by all who know him, being regarded as a straight- forward business man and an excellent citizen. Like the members of the Stamm family generally he belongs to the Reformed denomination, being a member of Christ's Little Tulpehocken Church.

Mr. Stamm m. Anna E. Kalbach, who was born Feb. 17, 1841, daughter of Joseph and Anna Elizabeth (Stump) Kalbach, and this marriage has been blessed with nine children : Morris K., Francis and Martha (twins), Isabella R., Ella K. and a son that died in infancy, Edwin A., William J., and Maggie K.

(VI) WILLIAM J. STAMM, son of Adam S., was born July 5, 1873, in Jefferson township. He received his edu- cation at the schools of Penn and Upper Tulpehocken townships, attending until he was fourteen years old, since which time he has been engaged at the carpenter's trade, with the exception of three years he worked for his father. He served his apprenticeship with John Moyer, of Bern- ville, in whose employ he remained for a year and a half as apprentice, until he went to Reading. There he was employed by George F. Foos, contractor and builder, and in 1901 he removed to the borough of West Reading, where he has since lived and labored. For three years Mr. Stamm worked for his father at milling. During his residence in West Reading he has built up a large local patronage in his line, particularly in the execution of fine cabinet work, in which he is especially skillful. There are few mechanics as proficient as Mr. Stamm. He de- lights in intricate and difficult work, the kind that requires artistic ability and patience as well as expert workmanship, and several specimens of his art are worthy of mention. In 1904 he finished a chest 17 by 84 inches, and 103 inches deep, which contains 2,384 pieces of wood of seven differ- ent varieties ; the smallest pieces are diamond shaped, and measure 516 by "16 inches. Mr. Stamm has also made puzzles of various kinds. He is a master hand at any kind of wood-working. He enjoys the highest standing in his line, and is a prominent member of the Carpenters' Union.

Upon his removal to West Reading Mr. Stamm pur- chased the brick residence at No. 113 Obold street where he and his family have since resided. He m. in 1893 Emma E. Bohn, born Nov. 12, 1870, died Nov. 14, 1900, the mother of five children, viz .: Bertha M., Elsie E., Simon S., William J. and Elizabeth E., of whom Bertha is the only survivor. The others died in childhood, and are laid to rest in the cemetery of Christ's Little Tulpehocken Church. where their mother is also interred.

In 1901 Mr. Stamm m. (second) Lillie M. Webber, born Oct. 8, 1876, daughter of Davilla and Caroline (Strause) Webber, the former of whom is now deceased. One child has been born to this union, Caroline M. Mr. Stamm and his family are members of St. James Reformed Church, in which he at present holds the office of deacon. He is an active worker for the welfare of the church, and has .aided faithfully in its upbuilding. In politics he is a member of the Republican party.

CORNELIUS S. STAMM at the time of his death was a well-known resident of Reading. He was born in Bern township, Berks county, March 21, 1828, son of Benjamin and Sarah ( Seaman) Stamm.

(I) Werner Stamm, his earliest ancestor in this country, is mentioned above.

(II) Nicholas Stamm, son of Werner, born April 22, 1752. died Oct. 6, 1828. He m. Catharine Lerch, born April 21, 1754, died May 16, 1844. Like his parents, they are buried at the Bern church. Among their children were: Johann Adam, Frederick. Peter, John, Mrs. Benja- min Graeff, Philip, William, Catharine (m. Peter Rein- hart) and Benjamin. Some of this family moved to Lycoming, Snyder and Northumberland counties, Penn- sylvania.

(III) Benjamin Stamm, youngest son of Nicholas, was born Feb. 21, 1795. He hecame interested in the stone- mason's trade early in life, and followed it throughout his active career. For several years prior to his death,

543

BIOGRAPHICAL

on Dec. 20, 1873, he lived retired. Mr. Stamm was twice married. By his first wife, whose maiden name was Sea- man, he had four children: (1) William S., chief engineer in the United States navy, was on the retired list at the time of his death, June 27, 1897; he married Emily Pax- ton, and had four children, of whom Norman, a resident of Philadelphia, survives. (2) Cornelius S. (3) Mary A. became the wife of James P. Walter, of St. Louis, Mo. (4) Elmira married Samuel Fulton. Benjamin Stamm married (second) a widow, Mrs. Heacock (born Oct. 13, 1814, died April 11, 1897), and three children were born of this marriage, namely: Franklin, Jane (deceased) and Wellington. The family were at one time members of the Reformed Church but later became Universalists. Mr. Stamm was a Whig in politics, but on the organization of the Republican party cast his vote in its support.

(IV) Cornelius S. Stamm was educated in the schools of Reading. He learned the brick-layer's trade, and fol- lowed it for many years, later, however, engaging in contracting, a business he followed for many years. Mr. Stamm was prominently connected with the Masons, be- longing to Chandler Lodge, No. 227, F. & A. M .; Reading Chapter, No. 152, R. A. M .; and DeMolay Commandery, No. 9, K. T. For many years he also belonged to the I. O. O. F. In his political views he was a stanch Re- publican, and for several years he was a member of the city council. He died Feb. 21, 1902, sincerely regretted, the people realizing the city had lost an able business man and public spirited and valuable citizen.

On Feb. 13, 1870, in Reading, Mr. Stamm was married, by the Rev. Aaron Leinbach, to Emma M. Rick, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Fisher) Rick; her father born Feb. 28. 1799, died Jan. 29, 1839. To this union were born : William W. B .; and Emily E., born 1876, a teacher in the public schools and an accomplished musician, who died Aug. 24, 1897.

WILLIAM W. B. STAMM, son of Cornelius S. and Emma M. (Rick) Stamm, was born in Reading April 9, 1874. He attended the public schools and graduated from the high school in 1892. He then took a course in me- chanical drawing at Franklin Institute, in Philadelphia, and completed it in 1894. From 1895 to 1897 he studied ap- plied electricity at Drexel Institute, and he is now a thor- oughly equipped and practical mechanical draughtsman and machinist with the E. & G. Brooke Co. at Birds- boro, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Stamm is very prominent fraternally. He belongs to Chandler Lodge, No. 227, F. & A. M., which he joined in 1901, and he was Worshipful Master in 1908, when the lodge celebrated its sixtieth anniversary; he rep- sented it at the Grand Lodge in 1909. He is a member of Williamsport Lodge of Perfection, fourteenth degree, and Williamsport Consistory, thirty-second degree, serv- ing as a member of the choir. Among other Masonic bodies to which he belongs are Excelsior Chapter, No. 237, R. A. M .; Reading Commandery, No. 42, K. T., and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. Mr. Stamm resides with his mother at No. 316 Washington street, Reading.

HON. WILLIAM KERPER STEVENS, Additional Law Judge of Berks county, was born at Reading in 1861. He attended the public schools for several years and after taking a special preparatory course under a private tutor, entered Yale College where he pursued the regular course and was graduated in 1883. Choos- ing the law as his profession, he entered the office of Isaac Hiester, Esq., of Reading, and pursuing the reg- ular course of reading under Mr. Hiester's direction, was admitted to the Bar Nov. 10, 1884. He immediately engaged in active practice in the office of his precep- tor and after carrying it on several years in a success- ful manner formed a law co-partnership with Garrett B. Stevens, Esq. (an older attorney, but no relative), and they continued to practise together with increasing success until Sept. 10, 1908, when he received the ap- pointment of additional law judge to fill the vacancy caused by the promotion of Hon. G. A. Endlich to

the office of president judge; then the co-partnership was dissolved and he has been performing the duties of additional law judge until the present time in a most satisfactory manner. The term for which he was ap- pointed by the Governor terminates on the first Mon- day in January, 1910. At the primary election of the county in June, 1909, his name was placed on the Re- publican ticket for the office of judge and he was nom- inated without any opposition, which evidences the superior manner in which he performed his judicial duties.

Immediately after being admitted to the Bar, Judge Stevens identified himself with the Republican party and took much interest in the management of its affairs. In appreciation of his services and ability he was se- lected as school solicitor for the years 1892, 1893 and 1894, and as city solicitor in 1895. In 1901 he was the nominee on the Republican ticket for Congress from this District. He served as chairman of the county committee for some years and also as a member of the State central committee. He assisted in organizing the Reading National Bank in 1893, the Berks County Trust Company in 1900, and the American Casualty Company in 1903, and served as a director until he be- came additional law judge, when he resigned. He co- operated earnestly with other gentlemen of Reading in the establishment of the Wyomissing Club, and the Berkshire Club, and has since taken much interest in their affairs. He is a member of the University Club of Philadelphia, and of the Yale Club of New York.

In 1887 Judge Stevens was married to Mary Depuy Davis, daughter of Col. Depuy Davis, and they have a son Frederick William.

His father was Dr. Sadosa S. Stevens, a prominent and successful druggist at Reading for fifty years. He was born in Cumberland county in 1825, and there ob- tained his education in the subscription schools until he was fifteen years old, when he went to Carlisle and, entering a drug store, became a druggist. He was then engaged for several years until 1849 in a drug store at Philadelphia when he located in Reading and em- barked in the drug business, which he carried on in a successful manner until his decease in 1900. In the organization of the board of health, he was selected as one of the members and served on the board from 1874 to 1882. He also took much interest in the Reading free library, and the Historical Society of Berks County. In 1852 he was married to Eleanora B. Kerper, daugh- ter of Abraham Kerper and Elizabeth Boyer, his wife, of Reading, and they had four children: Frank and Emily (died young); William Kerper; and Bessie Ker- per (m. Rev. William P. Taylor, an Episcopalian cler- gyman at Morristown, New Jersey).

The first ancestor of Judge Stevens in America was Thomas Stephens, a native of Leicestershire, England, who emigrated from that place to Philadelphia . in June, 1777. Two months after his arrival (Ang. 2, 1777), was born his son George, who became a prominent woolen manufacturer of Cumberland county, where he lived until he died at the age of ninety years. He was enlisted in the English War of 1812-15. In 1797, he was married to Margaret Clendenin, and they had two sons: John C. and Thomas Jefferson.

Thomas Jefferson Stevens, grandfather of Judge Stev- ens, was born in Cumberland county in 1800, and after becoming of age succeeded his father in the woolen business which he carried on for a number of years. He was a man of unusual literary culture, and displayed great fondness for music and painting. He became an intimate friend of the famous scientist and superin- tendent of the Smithsonian Institute at Washington, D. C., Spencer Baird, and through his association with Mr. Baird accumulated a large and interesting collec- tion of curios. He died in 1884 leaving to survive him his eldest son, Dr. Stevens, who died April 17, 1900.

544

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

PHILIP S. ZIEBER, a prominent member of the Berks County Bar, bears a name familiar in the city of Reading, and, indeed, throughout eastern Pennsylvania, his father and grandfather before him having been identified with the manufacturing interests of the city as makers of wool hats. His grandfather Philip Zieber was the pioneer in this industry in Berks county, while Samuel Zieber, father of Philip S., continued the busi- ness in New Holland, Lancaster county, though he maintained his residence in Reading. Samuel Zieber was born in that city in 1794, and died in 1868. He mar- ried Matilda Schmeltzer, daughter of Andrew, a farmer of Bethel township, Berks county, and to them were born three children, of whom Catherine and Emma still reside at home, while Philip S. is the third.

Philip S. Zieber was born June 30, 1861, in Reading, and was carefully schooled in his native city, graduating from the Reading high school in 1876, as valedictorian of his class. In 1879 he was sent to Lafayette College, at Easton, entering the junior class, where he grad- uated in June, 1881. Returning to Reading he began reading law in the office of George F. Baer, then one of the leading attorneys of the city, but now president of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, and in November, 1884, successfully took the examination for admission to the Bar. Mr. Zieber won his spurs alone, and had established himself firmly when, in 1889, he was asked to become a member of the firm of his former preceptor, then Baer & Snyder. His acceptance changed the firm name to Baer, Snyder & Zieber, and it remained so until Mr. Baer's election to the presi- dency of the railway company caused his retirement, when it became Snyder & Zieber. The firm has always enjoyed a large and select practice, serving such im- portant concerns as the Philadelphia & Reading Rail- road, the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Com- pany, the Reading Iron Company, the Farmers Na- tional Bank, Penn National Bank, and numerous smaller private corporations. It will be seen at a glance that Mr. Zieber bids fair to establish himself in the front rank of his chosen profession.

On Nov. 26, 1889, Mr. Zieber married Miss Annie Gillespie Fry, daughter of Rev. Jacob Fry, D. D., for thirty-five years the beloved and able pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church of Reading, and now occupying the chair of Homiletics and Sacred History at the Luth- eran Theological Seminary at Mt. Airy. Two children came to brighten the Zieber home, one of whom, Anna, the younger daughter, passed away July 15, 1904, at the age of twelve years. Catherine Fry Zieber, the surviv- ing daughter, is a student at Smith College, Northamp- ton, Massachusetts.

In his private life Mr. Zieber is most exemplary, taking a lively interest in the welfare of the com- munity. He holds membership in the Odd Fellows, is a director in the Penn National Bank and also of the Berkshire Country Club and votes with the Democratic party. In the religious life of the city he is equally helpful and prominent, being a vestryman of the Trin- ity Lutheran Church, and is identified with its national organization as a member of the Foreign Mission Board of the General Council of the Lutheran Church in North America, of which board he was treasurer for a number of years.

CYRUS RICK, who died at his home in Reading, Pa., in 1895, was one of that city's leading business men, and was for many years well known in the manufacturing cir- cles of Berks county as a member of the foundry firm of Rick Brothers. Mr. Rick was born Sept. 2, 1837, in Bern township, Berks county, son of Charles and Ellen Louisa (Ruth) Rick.

Herman Rick, the great-grandfather of Cyrus, came to this country with his parents in the early part of the eighteenth century, when about twelve years old, and received his education in the pay schools of Bern town- ship, after leaving which he engaged in farming, an occu- pation which he carried on throughout life.

John George Rick, son of Herman, was also a farmer, and he became a large landowner and influential citizen of Bern township, where all of his life was spent. He and his wife, Catherine Weiser (a grand-niece of Conrad Weiser), were members of the German Reformed Church, and in political matters he was a stanch Whig.

Charles Rick, son of John George and father of Cyrus, received his education in the early schools of his native township, after leaving which he engaged in a general merchandise business at Centreport and Peacock's Locks. In 1841 he came to Reading, where he was engaged in mercantile business and in real estate operations for a number of years and where he lived retired the remainder of his life. He died in 1878, and his wife, whose maiden name was Ellen Louise Ruth, in 1880, both in the faith of the German Reformed Church. They were the parents of children as follows: (1) Cyrus. (2) John, who died in 1900, was a member of the firm of Rick Brothers. He married Emma Ammon. (3) Charles, a retired citizen of Reading and veteran of the Civil war, was also a member of the firm. He m. Emma Paul. (4) Mary m. Franklin Dundore, of Philadelphia, and had three children, Charles, Frank and Ella. (5) James is mentioned below. (6) Ellen m. William A. Arnold, deceased, and had six children, William, John, Franklin, Anna, Ellen and Mary.

Cyrus Rick was educated in the schools of his native place, and at an early age he entered the Farmers' National Bank, of which he later became cashier, becoming widely known in financial circles. On the establishment of the firm of Rick Brothers he was made a member in 1873, and he continued as such until his death, in 1895, in the faith of the Reformed Church.

In 1868 Cyrus Rick m. Emma R. Madeira, daughter of William S. and Rebecca (Shepp) Madeira, and five chil- dren were born to this union, four of whom are living; Ella (m. S. K. Spang, and has two children, Emily and Mary), Anna, Mary and Charles.

JAMES RICK, son of Charles and brother of Cyrus, and a prominent business man of Reading, Pa., being at the head of the Rick Knitting Company, was born in Reading in 1844. He was educated in the local schools and served his apprenticeship with one of the large carpenter firms. Later he engaged in pattern-making, and also clerked for the West Reading Iron Company in 1866. In 1867, with his brother John and Franklin Dundore, he engaged in the hardware business under the firm name of Dundore, Rick & Co., their plant being at Third and Buttonwood streets. In 1869 Mr. Dundore withdrew from the firm and sold his interest to Charles Rick, and then the firm changed to Rick Brothers, but the last named did not take an active part. In 1873 one-fourth of the interest was sold to Cyrus Rick, also a brother, as it was the father's wish to have his four sons together in business, but Cyrus never took an active part in the management. In 1904 this property was sold to the Keystone Hardware Com- pany, and leased to the Consolidated Hardware Company. In 1905 Mr. James Rick organized the Rick Knitting Com- pany, and has associated his sons with him in the business. The firm was incorporated in 1906, and has one of the successful industries of the city. The officers are: James Rick, president; Edward Rick, vice-president; James Rick, Jr., secretary and treasurer; and Albert Rick, a member of the board of directors.

Mr. Rick has been twice married. His first wife, Ellen Trate, died in 1881. In 1883 he m. (second) Julia G. O'Hara, and they have had six children, namely: Helen (deceased), James, Jr., Edward, Albert, Julia and Har- rison. Mr. Rick and family are members of Calvary Re- formed Church, in which he is a deacon. He has always taken an active part in civic affairs, and from 1888 to 1892 served as a member of the board of water commis- sioners. He is a member of several business and social clubs of Reading, including the Wyomissing, Berkshire and Maiden Creek Fishing Clubs (of which latter he was one of the organizers and has been president).

legnes Rick

BIOGRAPHICAL

545

CHARLES L. MOLL, who was the competent and Schuck, of Hyde Park, Pa .; and Mary, m. to Martin faithful city comptroller of Reading, Pa., is descended Leininger, of Reading. Mr. Rollman and his family were Lutherans in their religious faith, members of the Sinking Spring Church. from German ancestry, who came to America several generations ago, his grandfather, George Moll, having been born in this country.

Alfred Moll, father of Charles L., was born in Maid- en-creek township, Berks county, raised at Strauss- town, same county, followed milling, and later engaged in farming. He married Emma E. Boltz, daughter of Isaac M. Boltz. He served with the famous 151st P. V. I., and was slightly wounded at Gettysburg. Two sons were born to Mr. Moll: Lehman, who has charge of the stock of the Hooven Mercantile Company, whole- sale grocers; and Charles L.

Charles L. Moll was born at Strausstown, Berks county, April 3, 1866, and was educated at the Bernville high school and at the Eastman Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which latter institution he was graduated in 1884. He taught school for six years in Berks county, and later engaged in the grocery busi- ness, continuing therein in Reading for eleven years. In 1899 he was elected city comptroller for a term of three years, and was re-elected in February, 1902, his second term being readily and heartily accorded him for the capable manner in which he had discharged the responsible duties of the office. He was again re- elected in 1905 for another term of three years, and continued in office to the end of his term. when in 1908 he became the secretary and treasurer of the Mt. Laurel Slag Company, which position he still holds.

Mr. Moll was married Dec. 4, 1886, to Catherine Obold, the daughter of Elias Obold, a retired merchant and justice of the peace of Mount Pleasant, Berks county. Six children were born to this union: Alfred, with the Mt. Laurel Spring Water Company; Abner, with the City Laundry Company; Lloyd, a graduate of the Reading high school, 1909, now assistant ship- per for the Barbey Brewing Company; Herbert, with Orr & Sembower, learning the machinist's trade; and Florence and Russell, at school. Mr. Moll belongs to the Order of Elks as well as a number of other secret organizations. Politically he is a Democrat, but he is very popular with men of all parties. Hie is a member of St. Stephen's Reformed Church.

ADAM M. ROLLMAN, formerly postmaster at Shillington. and now living retired, was born in Cumru township, Berks County, Oct. 7, 1841, son of Henry and Elizabeth S. (Matz) Rollman.

The family has long been resident in Cumru town- ship. William Rollman, grandfather of Adam M., was a farmer and landowner in that section, and his farm descended to his son Henry. He married a Miss Eliza- beth Spohn. and they had five children, viz .: Joshua, a farmer and butcher near the "Five Mile House' m. to Miss Amelia Mengel; Henry; William and Sallie, who both died unmarried; and Molly, m. to William Matz, of Reading.

Henry Rollman, born Jan. 21, 1819, was a farmer for the better part of his life. Until 1851 he operated his father's farm of ninety-six acres near Sinking Spring, but in that year he sold the place and bought instead the Schwartz farm, of 300 acres, on Mt. Penn. There he remained till 1872 when he sold this second farm also. and moving to Reading. opened a shoe store. He conducted this a number of years, but finally retired not long before his death, Sept. 3, 1890, when he was aged seventy-one years, seven months and twelve days, and he was buried at Sinking Spring Union Church. Mr. Rollman married twice. On July 11, 1840, he m. Elizabeth Sharp Matz, who died April 22, 185-, aged thirty-eight years, one month and twenty-eight days, and was buried at Sinking Spring Church. The only child of this marriage was Adam M. On Oct. 28, 1856, Mr. Rollman m. (second) Marguerite, daughter of John and Elizabeth Swartz. The issue of this second union was two daughters, viz .: Elizabeth, m. to Albert 35

Adam M. Rollman grew up at home, familiar with the routine of farm life, but he was sent to school for a generous portion of the time, attending first the township schools and then a private one in Reading. At the age of twenty-five he took up butchering, and has made that his trade for the greater part of his life since. He learned his trade from his uncle Joshua Rollman, under whom he worked a year. and then until 1871, did butchering among the farmers. The next two years he was associated with John Yerg- er, of Reading, and then from 1873 till 1877 he worked for Henry Hoover, of that city. When he left Mr. Hoover it was with the intention of going into business for himself, and he selected Shillington as his location, opening a butcher shop there in 1877, which he con- ducted with most satisfactory results till his retirement in 1901. This, however, was not his only interest, for his wife had previous to her marriage carried on a mercantile business, of which after 1884 her husband assumed a joint management. The preceding year they had built a home on Lancaster avenue and planned it with reference to continuing and enlarging this busi- ness at this new location. The enterprise proved in- creasingly profitable, and was maintained till 1904.

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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 142

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