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 145
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In 1908 Mr. Rick was nominated for mayor of Reading on the Republican ticket, being chosen in preference to several other candidates. His Democratic opponent was Edward Yeager, who had been Mayor three years before, and who was popular with the community. A vigorous campaign was waged, Mr. Rick conducting much of it himself and making numerous speeches. Though Read- ing was normally Democratic by about 500, Mr. Rick was triumphantly elected mayor by upwards of 1.800 majority. being the youngest candidate ever elected to that position. Shortly before his inauguration he formed a law partnership with Frederick W. Nicolls, under the title of Rick & Nicolls. and, though he spent part of his time in attending to his law business, devoted himself principally to the intricate municipal affairs of the city. One of the most remarkable local improvements during his term was the completion of the Spring street subway. connecting the northeastern section of the city with the north central, and greatly expediting traffic and transpor- tation which had formerly been almost impossible between these districts except by a circuitous route.
Mr. Rick has always had a good business head, and it is as a business lawyer, seeing the common sense side of the law and discarding its technicalities and in- equalities, that he has been particularly successful. His conduct of city affairs thus far has also been on a strictly business basis, as well as of absolute integrity. His busi- ness capacity is evidenced by his connection with a num- ber of local enterprises, being a director of the Berks County Trust Company. the American Casualty Company, the Reading Wood Pulley Company, and the Reading Saddle and Manufacturing Company.
Mr. Rick, both as lawyer and as public officer, has al- ways been animated by a keen desire to do his full duty to his clients and to his constituents, and nothing is too laborious or unpleasant for him to undertake in attaining this end. His courtesy and patience are inexhaustible. and if his resentment is ever aroused, it means that he has endured until endurance is no longer right, and that
In 1899 Mr. Rick was married to Carrie B. Lawshe, daughter of Abner Lawshe, merchant at Reading, and they have one daughter, Margaret.
Mr. Rick's father was Garrick Mallery Fisher Rick. He was born June 15, 1831, in Penn township, at Centre- ville, now Garfield. He attended the local schools during his boyhood, and also a school in Chester county. Upon his return home he was employed on a farm for a number of years, and then entered a general store at . Rehrersburg for the purpose of learning the mercantile business, and in 1855 he embarked in business for himself. He continued at Rehrersburg until 1860, and then moved to Millers- burg, where he carried on a large general store with increasing success until 1884, when he retired, and lived in retirement until his decease Oct. 10, 1908. For forty years he was prominently identified with the business. financial and political affairs of his section of the county. and exerted much influence in the community. Upon his retirement from business, he was succeeded in his busi- ness by his son John George Rick. He was an active member of the Lutheran Church for many years, and in politics was a stanch Republican. He officiated as post- master of Millersburg for twenty-five years. He married Sarah Ann Beyerle, daughter of Dr. George Beyerle, of Bernville. They had three children: John George (m. to Clara Kline) : Mary (m. to Harry A. Reinoehl, a lumber merchant at Lebanon, Pa.) ; and William, the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Rick's grandfather was John Rick, who carried on a store and tannery at Centreville for many years. He died in 1839, aged thirty-nine years. He married Eliza- beth Fisher, by whom he had eight children: Louisa (m. to William Schaffner) : Fayetta (m. to John Heighold) ; Garrick M. F. (m. to Sarah Beyerle) : Emma M. (m. to Cornelius Stamm) ; Lydia (m. to Amos Huyett) : John : Sidney, and George (m. to Mary Ann Deppen).
DIETRICH. The Dietrich family is one of the most numerous and prominent in Berks county. It has been distinguished for the loyal and intelligent citizen- ship, and for the honorable and upright lives. of those bearing the name. The ancestry was of royal blood in the German empire, and acts of valor and deeds of philanthropy of the Dietrichs have illumined the pages of German history for more than one thousand years. Five distinct houses of Dietrich or Dieterich have been elevated to the same armorial bearings as have been worn by the kings and emperors them- selves. In the New World they have participated in all the wars of this country, and in times of peace have been among the industrious and useful mem- bers of society.
The Dietrich Family Association was founded along original lines in the year 1903 by William J. Dietrich. of Reading. Meetings were held in 1903, at Lenharts- ville, and in 1904 and 1906 at Kutztown. At the last meeting were representatives from seventeen States. and also from Canada and Mexico, and upward of three thousand persons were present. Up to the pres- ent time this is the largest family gathering ever held in Pennsylvania.
In the following record of the family, the Roman numerals indicate the number of the generation, begin- ning with the first American ancestor.
(I) Adam Dietrich, born in the German Palatinate, in the Rhine Valley, Oct. 28, 1740, was reared to agri- cultural pursuits in his native country. where he also learned the trade of weaver. In 1751 his elder brother, Johannes Dietrich. emigrated to America, and settled in Greenwich township, Berks County. Pa. He was followed to this country by Adam and another brother, Casper, in 1767. The two brothers crossed the At- lantic in the good ship "Britannia," which qualified at Philadelphia Oct. 26, 1767. Casper located in North- ampton county, Pa., where he lived until about 1790, when he settled in Virginia, from which State his
WILLIAM RICK MAYOR OF READING 1908-1911
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son, Casper, Jr., served as a soldier in the war of She was called Beckie, and she m. Jacob Heffner 1812. Casper Dietrich had a large family.
For some years after coming to this country Adam Dietrich apparently lived in Lowhill township, North- umberland county, where in 1772 he paid a proprie- tary tax of $27.96. His occupation was that of a farm- er and innkeeper at Sunbury. In 1785, when a federal tax was collected in that county, he was no longer a resident there, but the State records, and the old tax lists of Berks county, show him a resident in Greenwich township, Berks county. In 1779 he owned there 130 acres of land, four horses and three cows. In 1780-81-82-83 he was assessed with 130 acres, two horses, two' cattle in Greenwich; and in 1779-80-81-82- 83-84-85 he was assessed also in Maxatawny township with two horses. two cattle and two sheep. He conduct- ed an inn a quarter of a mile northeast of Topton for some years, in addition to farming in Greenwich. A warrant for eighty acres of land located in Northumber- land county was deeded to him Feb. 15, 1767, by the Commonwealth. On Feb. 15, 1787, he obtained an- other warrant, this one for sixty acres located in Greenwich township. In 1785 he bought several lots of ground located on White Oak street, Kutztown, from George Kutz. In 1789 he bought from Michael Roth, who lived in Virginia, a tract of land located in Maxatawny township, Berks county. This deed states that Adam Dietrich was a yeoman. and a true and trusty friend of the grantor. In 1793 he purchased more land, this being a tract in Kutztown, from Sam- uel Schoedler. On November 30, 1809, a warrant was granted Adam Dietrich by the Commonwealth of Penn- sylvania for a tract of 200 acres located in Greenwich township, and this he sold, June 3, 1812, to his young- est son, Johann Christian, for $2,796. Adam Dietrich was loyal to his adopted land, and the Dietrich Family Association have certified records that he was a ser- geant in Capt. Jacob Baldy's company, under Lieut .- Col. Joseph Hiester, of Berks county, in the Revolu- tionary war in 1780.
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Adam Dietrich was married before his emigration to America, and two of his children," Johann Adam and Johann George, were born in the Fatherland. He married Maria Barbara Steinbruch, who was born March 13, 1741, daughter of Jacob Steinbruch. She died on the homestead in Greenwich township, June 6, 1821, aged eighty years, two months, twenty-four davs. He died in Greenwich township March 1, 1817, aged seventy-six years, four months, and three days. Both Adam Diet- rich and his wife were stanch Lutherans, and were members of the Moselem Church (which was estab- lished in 1742), of which he was an official, and they are both buried in the cemetery adjoining this church. To this couple were born seven sons and five daugh- ters, all but one of whom lived to old age. All the sons were named Johann, but each was known by his second name with the exception of the sixth son, who had no second name. These children were: (1) Jo- hann Adam, born Dec. 11. 1765, died Aug. 19. 1823, aged fifty-seven years, eight months, eight days. (2) Johann Georg. born May 7. 1767, died Nov. 4, 1845, aged seventy-eight years, five months. twenty- seven days. (3) Maria Barbara, born 1769, m. Jo- hannes Zimmerman, of Albany township, where their descendants still reside. (4) Maria Catharine. born 1771, m. Rev. Johann Michael Schmidt, mentioned elsewhere. (5) Johann Jacob, born June 25, 1773, died Sept. 1, 1857, aged eighty-four years, two months, six days. (6) Johann Michael. born April 6, 1775, died June 19, 1861. aged eighty-six years, two months, thir- teen days. (7) Johann Heinrich, born 1777, died 1857. (8) Johann, born Jan. 7. 1779, died July 28, 1830, aged fifty-one years. six months, twenty-one days. (9) Ma- ria Elizabeth, born 1781. (10) Johann Christian, born Jan. 13, 1783, died Nov. 21, 1873, aged ninety years, ten months, eight days. (11) Maria Magdalena, born 1785, was known by the name of Polly. She m. a Becker. (12) Anna Margaret, born January, 1787, died July 14, 1838. aged fifty-one years, six months.
(1781-1867), of Virginville, Pennsylvania.
(II) Johann Adam Dietrich, oldest son of Adam the emigrant, was born Dec. 11, 1765, in Germany, and when a mere child came with his parents to Pennsyl- vania. He grew up on the farm, and when twenty-one years old, in 1788, married Catharine Christ, born 1767, who died in Greenwich in 1837, aged sixty-nine years. He lived in Greenwich township for some years, and then owned a farm on which he lived in the Stony Run, in Albany township. Here he died suddenly of apo- plexy, Aug. 19, 1823, aged fifty-seven years, eight months, eight days. He and his wife are buried at Grimville. His three children were: Johannes, born Feb. 26, 1795, died April 1, 1872; George died in in- . fancy; Mary (1803-1883) m. Jacob Wessner.
(III) Johannes Dietrich (1795-1872), son of Johann Adam, lived in the Stony Run, on the homestead which latterly was owned by his son John, who was over six feet tall, and very strong. Johannes Diet- rich kept many bees, and was very successful in rais- ing them. Visitors to his family were treated to an abundance of honey, which he had the year around. His sons and grandsons inherited from him the art of bee raising.
In 1823 he married Catharine Kunkel, born in Al- bany June 8, 1800, died Sept. 22, 1880, aged eighty years, three months, fourteen days. They had the fol- lowing eight children: Polly m. Daniel Fenster- macher; Rebecca (1824-1891) m. Johannes Schlenker; Daniel m. Catharyn Dietrich; Anna m. Samuel Mil- ler; Maria C. m. William S. Mosser; John H. m. Polly Leiby (they had no issue); one died young; David (1840-1852).
(IV) Daniel Dietrich, son of Johannes, was born in Albany on the homestead in Stony Run, where all his brothers and sisters were also born. He died on his farm at the top of Stony Run hill Oct. 5. 1901, aged seventy years, seven months. eighteen days. He was a life-long farmer, and also raised bees. He was an honest and kind-hearted man, tall, strong and a little stooped; he wore a heavy beard. He and his family were Lutherans and are buried at Grimville. His wife, Catharyn Dietrich, a daughter of Michael Dietrich, died Oct. 10, 1895, in her sixty-sixth year. They had these seven children: Levi D. m. Mary Dietrich; Catharyn m. Augustus Dietrich (they have Newton E. and Walter L.); Daniel m. Emma Rein- hart; Ellen m. Jacob George; Sarah m. Mr. Baer; Charles A. m. Louisa Kutz; Mary A. m. Nathan Zimmerman.
(II) Johann Georg Dietrich, born May 7, 1767. son of Adam the emigrant, came with his parents to America when a mere child. He located in Green- wich township, near Dunkel's Church, of which he was an official Lutheran member. In 1809 his name appears as a church official and active member. He died Nov. 4, 1845, aged seventy-eight years, five months, twenty- seven days. He and his wife, Elizabeth Brunner (1773- 1850). are buried there. Their eight children were: (1) Johannes (born 1793, died 1872) m. Maria Moyer (1793- 1861), and had children: Polly, Hannah, Jeremiah, Het- tie and Lucinda. Polly and Hettie still live on the farm, the former past ninety years old, and the latter nearly ninety. (2) Katie (1796-1870) married Jacob Stoyer,' and had eight children. (3) Beckie (1798) married Benjamin Hummel, of Greenwich, and had three chil- dren. (4) Maria Magdalena (1801-1880) married John Komp, and had four children. (5) George B. (born 1805, died
1878) was of Greenwich. He married Polly Riegelman. and had children: Fennias, Jonas, Katie, Lewis and Helena. (6) Daniel (born Nov. 12, 1809, died Jan. 18. 1842). (7) Ann married Benjamin Riegelman. of Greenwich town- ship, and had two children. (8) Lucinda married Jacob Lesher, of near Topton, Pa., and had six children.
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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
(III) Daniel Dietrich, son of Johann Georg, was born Nov. 12, 1809, and died Jan. 18, 1842, aged thirty-two years, two months, six days; he was buried at Dunkel's Church. He was a farmer in Greenwich township. On Oct. 17, 1830, he married Catharine Lesher (1812-1844), and they had five sons and one daughter, namely: (1) Benjamin married and had children: John, Mary, Ella, Rachel and James D. The last named was the father of Prof. A. M. Dietrich, of Reading. (2) Samuel lived at Lewisburg, Union county, where he died. He had two children, Frank and Laura. (3) Daniel died at Mif- flinburg, Pa .. at the age of fifty-four. He had three children, Charles, George and Irwin. (4) Joel L. (born June 6, 1837). (5) Isaac is buried at Hamburg. His son Irwin lives at Schuylkill Haven, Pa. (6) A daugh- ter.
(IV) JOEL L. DIETRICH, son of Daniel, born June 6, 1837, in Greenwich township, was reared to farming. In his young manhood he went to live with his uncle, Solomon Lesher. who was a farmer in Upper Tulpehocken township. There he lived some years, and was married to Catharine Unger, daughter of David Unger, of that township. Mr. Dietrich worked at car- pentering for some years, and then engaged again in farming. He owned a farm of over one hundred acres in Jefferson township, near Bernville, and this he cul- tivated some years. He also owned a smaller tract adjacent. In 1905 he sold his land and retired. mov- ing into Strausstown, where he makes his home at the present time. He is a man very highly respected, and for many years he was active in church life at the Zion's Blue Mountain Church. To him and his good wife were born twelve children, as follows: (1) Frank- lin P. (born April 2, 1860). (2) George B., of Reading, m. Valeria Groff, and has one daughter, Mary. (3) Milton C., of Reading, m. in 1890 Ida Fox, and their children are: Robert F .. Ida S., John J. and Annie C. (4) William A. (born Feb. 24, 1866, died Sept. 9, 1903). (5) Mary m. in 1888, Charles Christman, and has four sons and four, daughters. (6) Katie m., in 1892, Wil- liam Kenney, and has one son and four daughters. (7) Amelia m., in 1889, Calvin Himmelberger, and has three sons and one daughter. (8) Lizzie m. in 1892, Levi Christman, brother of Charles, and has a daughter, Ella. (9) Fietta m., in 1892, Moses Ebling, and they have four sons and one daughter. (10) Charles (1863- 1884). (11) Isaac, of Rehrersburg, m. Lizzie Gehart. (12) John, a music teacher and organist and chorister of the Rehrersburg Lutheran Church, m. Lillian Bright, and has a son, Charles.
(V) FRANKLIN P. DIETRICH, son of Joel L., born April 2, 1860, at Schaefferstown. Jefferson township, this county, is a farmer in Bern township. He obtained a common school education, and remained at home un- til he was thirty-two years of age. He then began farming in Cumru township, near Mt. Penn Furnace, where he remained three years. In the spring of 1902 he went to his present farm, located near Leinbachs, in Bern township. This farm, which contains thirty-seven acres of good land, he purchased from Jacob Balthaser. In his young manhood he learned the painter's trade, and this he followed for nineteen years, of which time three years were passed in Reading and three years in business for himself at Strausstown. He is an ener- getic and progressive citizen. In politics he is a Dem- ocrat, and in religious connection he and all his family are members of Eplers Lutheran Church. On June 18, 1893, he married Ellen Schlappig. daughter of William and Mary (Savage) Schlappig, of Upper Bern. They have three children, all in school: Lillie, Mary and Charles W.
great efforts to improve the younger element in vocal and instrumental music. He was a man of high ideals, and was greatly beloved by all who knew him. By trade he was a stone-cutter, and this he followed in con- nection with the teaching of music. He moved to Strausstown in 1895 from Hamburg, having lived in the latter place three years, there following the profession of music teacher with great success.
On April 29, 1892, he married Sallie M. Potteiger, daughter of William Potteiger, a former member of the State Legislature, and justice of the peace of Berks county many years. No children were born to them.
(II) Johann Jacob Dietrich, son of Adam the emi- grant. was born in Berks county, June 25. 1773, and he died on his farm in Albany township, whither he had moved in 1817, Jan. 1. 1857. He was an official member of the Lutheran congregation of the Union Church at Lenhartsville, and is buried in the cemetery there. He was an extensive landowner. In about 1817 he settled at "Spitzenburg," in Albany township, where he suc- cessfully conducted a tannery and hotel for many years. On Jan. 30, 1829, he purchased seventeen acres and three rods from Jacob Trautman, a neighbor in Albany township. On Dec. 22. 1829, he obtained a grant from the Commonwealth, through the Secretary of the Land Office, for sixteen acres, twenty-six perches, for $33 .- 78. This tract was lying adjacent to his other land. He also purchased a tract from John Stoudt, a neighbor, for £3,100. From the Christian Henry estate (to whom it had been ceded by the Common- wealth) he obtained 194 acres, 84 perches. in Albany, and adjoining his other land. He owned about 500 acres of land in the southern end of Albany township. around the south and west base of Spitzenburg, part of this land lying across the Albany line into Green- wich township, and he was known as "Spitzenburger Jake Dietrich." This land is now divided into three large farms: The 148-acre farm owned by Jacob H. Dietrich (son of Samuel P. and grandson of Johann Jacob); the Nathan Stump farm (on which Johann Jac- ob Dietrich built the present barn in 1837); and the Simon Bautsch farm. The last named tract was the homestead farm of Mr. Dietrich, and on it is a one and one-half story stone house, which was erected in about 1760 by the Henry family, the original owners. This had no cellar, and was used as a church many years ago, and also as a schoolhouse, one Karl Cook being the teacher. In a corner in the wall was a hollow or hole. in which the Holy Bible was kept. Mr. Dietrich kept a very popular hotel, known as "Dietrich's Hotel," in this house for many years, and about 1800 built a stone addition on the west side. Battalion days were held annually in an open field at the Spitzenburg, and on this day the militia met and drilled in all the splendor they could muster. Each company tried to exhibit the best discipline. Dietrich's battalion was always largely attended. and was a very joyful occasion, the ladies in their bright attire adding to the brilliance of the scene. The day, however, usually wound up somewhat disas- trously, as the disputes regarding the relative merits of those participating in the day's work were frequent- ly settled by blows. Mr. Dietrich was also a distiller, and burned considerable apple-jack, the ruins of his old distillery still being visible in the meadow facing the house. He sold a "smaller." a drink of apple-jack, for two cents. He was a man of no little prominence and influence in his district, and while of mild disposition, and kind heart. he was unbending in his convictions, and was very strict in his discipline of his children. He was smooth-shaven. had black hair and clear white teeth, and though small in stature was possessed of great strength, being able to carry twelve bushels of wheat at one time, six bushels of which he could shoulder alone.
(V) WILLIAM A. DIETRICH, son of Joel L., born in Upper Tulpehocken township Feb. 24, 1866. died at Strausstown Sept. 9, 1903, aged thirty-seven years, six months, fifteen days, and was buried at Blue Mountain Church. He was a musician of note, was organist of In 1806 Johann Jacob Dietrich married Christina Peiffer (1786-1861), and they became the parents of Blue Mountain Church and Sunday-school for seven years. a leader of the Strausstown choir, and made cleven children, namely: (1) Daniel (born 1808, died
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BIOGRAPHICAL
1872) m. Anna Christman. (2) Samuel (born 1810, died Western soil, and raised very large crops. He also 1898) m. Sarah Heinly. (3) Henry (born 1812) m. Anna Kline. (4) Jacob P. m. Leah Greenanwald. (5) Gideon P. (born 1815, died 1898) m. Susan Moser. (6) Solomon P. (born 1817, died 1901) m. Anna Hein. He was a well-known citizen of Albany township. (7) Pol- ly (born 1819, died 1900) m. Charles Greenanwald. (8) Sally m. Peter Kline. (9) Moses P. (born 1824, died 1906) m. Anna Dreibelbis, owned and conducted a grist mill on the Ontelaunee, at Lenhartsville, for many years. (10) Charles P. (born Nov. 11, 1826), formerly a well known citizen of Albany township, who how lives at Reading, m. Kate Smith. (11) Caroline (born 1830) m. Peter Krause, of Klinesville. He died in the nine- tieth year of his age, in 1909. She died shortly after- ward. engaged in stock raising, meeting with great success. He purchased his land at several dollars an acre, and commenced raising alfalfa, which greatly enhanced the value of the land, and his real estate speculations always were profitable. During the winter of 1898-99 Mr. Dietrich came East, and, becoming ill, decided to remain in the region of his nativity. Until the spring of 1907 he resided on South Third Street, in Hamburg, and he then located in Reading, where he purchased a fine home at No. 1019 Franklin street. He is now living retired. Mr. Dietrich has been twice married. In 1859 he married Catharine Raub, daughter of Leon- ard Raub, and to this union were born children as fot- lows: Sarah died aged twenty-two years; William L. lives at Sweetwater, Buffalo Co., Nebr .; Lucinda C. died in her fourth year; Emma R. mi. Wellington Moser, a native of Columbia county, and they now live at Turbotville, Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania.
(III) Daniel Dietrich, eldest child of Johann Jacob, was born in Albany township, July 27, 1808, and died of smallpox at Reading, Aug. 30, 1872, aged sixty-four years, one month, three days. He was first engaged in farming immediately west of the borough of Kutztown, from there moving to Oley township, where he was engaged in farming for many years. On retiring from agricultural work, he moved to Reading, and there for ten years conducted a dairy, meeting with great suc- cess. In 1833 he married Anna Christman, born May 6, 1814, daughter of Peter Christman. She died Oct. 24, 1883. Both Daniel Dietrich and his wife are buried in the Charles Evans cemetery. They had a family of thirteen sons, and we have record of the following: (1) James M. (born Aug. 11. 1834, died in Nebraska, Feb. 5, 1901) m. Sarah Neiferd, of Iowa, and had seven children-Franklin, Daniel, John, Charles. Rebecca, Mary and Amelia-and fourteen grandchildren. (2) Daniel P. (3) Charles C. (born Oct. 20, 1837) lives at No. 923 Elm street, Reading. He m. Sophia Gehret, who has been an invalid since 1898, and they have had four children: Mary Ann. Cyrus (1862-1891), Alice and Amanda. (4) Penrose (born 1838) m. Wilhelmina Mary Buchanan, from the West, and has children: Anna Mary, William F., Edward C., Franklin A., Carrie M .. Albert A. and Elmer J. (5) Alfred m. Beckie Fisher, and lives at No. 110 North Tenth street, Reading. No issue. (6) Francis F. (born Jan. 6, 1841) m. in 1872, Amanda Jane Zumbrun, of the West, and they live in Nebraska. Their children are: Alvin M., Truman O., Mary A., Emma M., Fianna S., George F .. Valetta J. and Lloyd J. (7) Thomas T. (born Feb. 29, 1848) m. and with his son, Fred W., lives in the West. (8) Alvin, of Yellow House, Berks county, m. Catharine Miller, and has children: Oscar M .. Alvin M .. Elmer M., Bertha, Anna, Katharyn and Mary. He also has four grand- children. (9) Cyrus died young. (10) Jacob (born 1850, died 1897) was unmarried. His remains rest in the Charles Evans cemetery at Reading.
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