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 153
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Samuel Kern, son of Michael, was born and reared in Exeter township, and his first training was along the line of farm work. He then learned the tailor's trade and followed it for many years. He died in 1872, aged seventy-five. His wife, Elizabeth (Boone) Kern, died in 1868, aged seventy-six years. They had two sons, William (m. Hannah Haws, and had five children) and Franklin Boone. Samuel Kern was a Republican, but had never cared for politics. In his religious faith he was a Lutheran.
Franklin Boone Kern was educated in the schools of his native township, and at the age of fourteen he began to learn the cooper's trade. Later with his father he worked at the tailor's trade, but neither proved congenial to his tastes, and he turned his attention to commercial pursuits, entering as a clerk the general merchandise store of Brooke & Evans, at Birdsboro. This he continued until after the outbreak of the Civil war. On Aug. 10, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, 128th Pa. V. I., under Col. Samuel Croas- dale, and was mustered in as third sergeant under Capt. L. H. Smith, and with his regiment moved on to Washington, D. C., thence to Fairfax Station, and to Frederick. Md., and South Mountain. They par- ticipated in the battle of Antietam in September, 1862, and in the pursuit of Stuart's Cavalry. They went into winter quarters the latter part of January, 1863. but on the opening of the spring campaign under Hooker. they set forth, and took part in the battle of Chancellorsville May 1-4, 1863. Mr. Kern was cap- tured by the enemy, but escaped. He had been pro- moted to first sergeant Feb. 1. 1863. On May 12th the regiment proceeded to Harrisburg. and there was mustered out of service May 19, 1863, on account of the expiration of the term of enlistment. Mr. Kern re-enlisted July 6, 1863, as captain in Company I, 42d Pennsylvania Militia, and served during the emergency, being mustered out Aug. 12, 1863.
After his return from the war, Mr. Kern went to Schuylkill county. Pa .. and at New Philadelphia clerked in a general store until 1866, when he engaged in business for himself, continuing for ten years. Com- ing to Birdsboro he established a general mercantile business on Mill street, near First, and here he soon ac- quired a good trade. People came to know and to respect the enterprising merchant, and to realize that he was not only always accommodating and courteous. but he was absolutely honest and fair in all his deal- ings. His patronage increased with the years, and he gained a comfortable fortune for himself. He con- tinued in business until 1898, when he sold out and retired.
Mr. Kern was one of Birdsboro's best known cit- izens, and in all public affairs he took an active and intelligent part. He was a staunch Lutheran, and was a member of the building committee in 1877 when the present edifice of St. Mark's Evangelical Luth- eran Church was erected. In politics he was a Re-
publican, and he served some time in the council at Birdsboro. His fraternal connections were with Nev- ersink Lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he was a charter member; Reading Lodge, No. 62, F. & A. M. (which lodge had charge of his funeral services); the Knights of Pythias; and was at one time a member of the G. A. R.
On Sept. 24, 1864, Mr. Kern was married to Eliza- beth Hahn, born in Robeson township, daughter of Jacob and Mary Ann (Ehrgood) Hahn. Three chil- dren were born of this union: Mary Elizabeth m. the Rev. James Bowman May, an Episcopal minister: Samuel Jacob died aged two years; and Sallie Hahn married Charles Marquette Steinrock, of Staten Island, and has one child, Franklin Kern.
JAMES L. FREEMAN, who carries on an extensive business in lime and fluxing stone, and crushed stone of all sizes. at Sinking Spring, Berks Co., Pa., was born in that town Dec. 7, 1857, son of Moses and Rebecca (Luft) Freeman, and a member of an old and honored Pennsylvania family.
Jurig (George) Freeman, the American ancestor of this family, was born in Germany in 1706, and came to this country in his thirty-third year. landing at Phila- delphia. Ang. 27, 1739, on the ship "Samuel," command- ed by Hugh Percy. It appears that he settled in Cumri township some time after 1750.
George Freeman, great-grandfather of James L., was born Jan. 10. 1783, and died in 1825. He married Eliza- beth Gerhard, born in 1786, and they became the par- ents of children as follows: George. born Dec. 5, 1808; John: Catherine, born May 7, 1811; Jacob. born Oct. 17, 1813: Elizabeth, born May 28, 1815; Benjamin, born June 1. 1817; Cornelius, born Nov. 29, 1819; Peter; and Samuel.
George Freeman, son of George, and grandfather of James L., was born Dec. 5, 1808, and died July 31, 1881. aged seventy-two years, seven months. twenty-six days. He married Sarah Breidenstein of Cumru township (who lived nearby his parents). born March 17, 1807, died March 23, 1893, aged eighty-six years, six days, and they had these children: Moses, Catherine, Jacob. Benjamin and Levi. Mr. Freeman was a farmer in Spring township, whither he had removed in early life.
Moses Freeman, father of James L., was born March 18, 1833. at Freemansville, in Cumru township, and died Jan. 4, 1859, aged twenty-five years, nine months, six- teen days. He was a carpenter by occupation, following that trade at Sinking Spring, where he had erected his residence just before his death. Mr. Freeman married Rebecca Luft, born Nov. 8, 1835, daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Bensing) Luft. and three children were born to this union: Helen C. m. William Schlegel, of Sinking Spring. Pa .. and has two children, Nora and Harry; James L .; and Moses, roadmaster at Sinking Spring, has these children, Walter, Bessie, Emma. Mos- es, Paul, Catherine and Nora.
James L. Freeman obtained his education in the township schools which he left when sixteen years of age. from which time until 1881 he engaged at lahoring. In the latter year he engaged in huckster- ing. which he followed successfully for some time through Lancaster county, subsequently embarking in a mercantile business at Sinking Spring, of which he was the proprietor until 1904, when he sold out. He was also the owner of a restaurant for some time, but this he also sold. About 1882 Mr. Freeman first engaged in the lime stone business at Wernersville, where he had a lease upon a quarry on Abraham Miller's farm. Here he burned lime and sold furnace stone to Birds- boro. Keystone furnace of Reading, and Warwick Iron Company. This business he continued at Werners- ville for four years, at the same time conducting a quarry on the Evans farm at Sinking Spring, which he discontinued in 1900 to engage on his own tract at the eastern end of Sinking Spring, consisting of about eight acres. He ships to Berks and surrounding coun-
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ties, employs ten men, owns his own crusher, and has tablishment. He specializes in strawberries, his high- built up a large and profitable business. He is a man est year being the one in which he raised 105 bushels. In 1890 he erected the present house, replacing an old log cabin, forty-two feet long, which had been built in 1783 by one John Weidner. He has in many other ways improved the property, and uses the best and latest improved machinery and implements. His chief enjoyment is hunting, and he is noted as a fox hunter in his vicinity, being well acquainted with the sur- rounding hills of Cumru township. In political mat- ters Mr. Freeman is . a stanch Democrat, and his first vote . was cast in 1865. He and his family are Lutheran members of Christ's (Yocom's) Church. of progress and enterprise and has won a reputation for honesty and integrity in all business dealings. In political matters Mr. Freeman is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for his party in 1878. He was elected tax collector in 1909. Fraternally he is a member of Lexington Lodge, Knights of Pythias, No. 155; Jr. O. U. A. M., No. 77; charter member of the I. O. O. F., No. 660, all of Sinking Spring; and order of Red Men, No. 301, Reading. He and his family are memers of St. John's Reformed Church of Sinking Spring, in which he has been a trustee, and from 1897 to 1905 deacon.
In the year 1880 Mr. Freeman was married to Sallie Schell, born April 18, 1858, daughter of William and Mary (Smith) Schell, farming people of Heidelberg township. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Freeman: Charles W., a merchant at Sinking Spring; and Clarence J., a trolley car conductor, at Sinking Spring, who married Addie Reinhart, and has a daughter, Evelyn. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman also reared a niece of Mrs. Freeman's, Lou Ludwig, taking her at the age of seven, and giving her the love and care of parents.
CHARLES W. FREEMAN, son of James L., was born Feb. 8, 1881, at Sinking Spring. Pa., and was educated in the borough schools, and the Inter-State Commercial College, Reading. from which he was graduated in April, 1899. He then assisted his father in the mercan- tile business until November. 1905, when he purchased his father's interest, and since that time has conducted the business alone, with much success. Socially he is prominently identified with the P. O. S. of A., being a member of Washington Camp No. 282, at Sinking Spring, of which he is a past president. He served as district president of district No. 5 from 1904 to 1906. and on Feb. 22, 1907, was elected to the high office of county president. He is also a member of Sinking Spring Lodge No. 660, I. O. O. F., and member of Wil- liamson Lodge No. 307, F. & A. M., of Womlesdorf. Mr. Freeman and his family are members of St. John's Reformed Church of Sinking Spring, where for two years he served as assistant superintendent of the Sunday-school, where he was a teacher for some time.
On June 7. 1906, Mr. Freeman was married to Miss Nora C. Lamm, daughter of Charles F. and Sallie (Gaul) Lamm, of Lower Heidelberg township. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman have one daughter, Olga Sarah.
Peter B. Freeman. a well-known farmer of Cumru township, is conducting operations near Freemans- ville, where he was born Feb. 28, 1844, son of Cornelius and Mary Ann (Britton) Freeman and grandson of George and Elizabeth (Gerhard) Freeman (mentioned above).
Freemansville. a village in Cumru township, was named after Cornelius Freeman, the oldest resident of the place, who was instrumental in establishing the post-office there. Cornelius Freeman was born at this place. Nov. 29, 1819, became a well known citi- zen and land owner, and a deacon of Yocom's Church. He married Mary Ann Britton, who bore him nine children, as follows: Peter B .; Cornelius; Ellen, m. to Christian Breidenstein; Elizabeth, who died single at the age of nineteen years; John; William; Mary and George, who died young; and Catherine, who died at the age of sixteen years.
On May 14, 1865, Mr. Freeman was married to Dora Rathje, born June 14, 1845, daughter of Dietrich and Christiana (Geeseka) Rathje, natives of Hanover, Ger- many. Thirteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Freeman, namely; Mary m. Charles Hartz; Eliza- beth m. Samuel Hafer; William m. Dinah Fleck; Ella m. William Bower; George m. (first) Catharine Breidenstein, now deceased, and (second) Mary Zieg- ler; Annie m. Israel Schmehl; Kate m. Harvey Nea- tock; Marguerite m. Frank Gring; Charles is single. and resides at home; Emma m. Walter Andrew; Min- nie m. George Kurtz; Frederick m. Alice Neatock; and Edith is single and resides at home.
HENRY T. WAGNER, senior member of the well- known firm of Wagner & Emrich, Womelsdorf, Pa., was born April 24, 1859, in Jefferson township. Berks Co., Pa., son of Levi L. and Mary (Troutman) Wagner. Levi L. Wagner, who now resides in his own home at Myerstown, was for more than a quarter of a cen- tury engaged in shoemaking, which he was compelled to give up on account of failing health, and subse- quently in 1888, he commenced farming. For some years he has been living a retired life. Mr. Wag- ner is a deacon and elder in the Reformed Church at Myerstown. He was married to Mary Troutman, who also survives, and to them were born six chil- dren, namely: one who died in infancy; Henry T .; Samuel T. m. Leah Dockslacker and resides at Day- ton, Ohio; Ella m. Levi J. Emrich, her brother's busi- ness partner; Sarah m. Calvin S. Schaeffer, of Greg- ory, S. Dak .; and James T. m. Maggie Lessley, re- sides in Reading, and has one daughter, Edna N.
Henry T. Wagner attended the district schools, and the Palatinate College, Myerstown, for five terms, and was reared upon the home farm, which he left at the age of twenty-six years to become assistant station agent at Myerstown, a position which he filled acceptably for eight years. He then became em- ployed at the Myerstown Planing Mill, where he con- tinned for two years, and in 1894 formed a partner- ship with Levi J. Emrich, under the firm name of Wagner & Emrich, which has continued in the milling business to the present time, gaining a reputation for fair dealing and honest representation. The Wom- elsdorf Rolling Mills cover a floor space of 50x50, and are three stories high, and have a capacity of from forty to fifty barrels every twenty-four hours. The leading brand of the mills, the IXL flour, has a large sale throughout the Eastern markets. In poli- tics Mr. Wagner is a Democrat. He and his family are Reformed members of the Myerstown Church.
In 1892, Mr. Wagner married Lizzie H. Frederick, daughter of Andrew and Justina (Troutman) Freder- ick, the former a railroad employe at Lebanon, Pa. Four children have been born to this union: Lester H., born Nov. 22, 1892; Paul F., Sept. 7. 1894; Edith C., Aug. 12, 1898 (died Dec. 14, 1904); and Laura M., June 3, 1906.
Peter B. Freeman was educated in the public schools. and was reared upon the farm. which he left at the age of eight years to go to work in the Mount Penn furnace, where he continued for about fourteen years, being an all around mechanic. He began farming in 1866 on his father-in-law's farm, and this property he LEVI J. EMRICH, junior partner of the well-known milling firm of Wagner & Emrich, proprietors of the Womelsdorf Roller Mills, and an enterprising and Tulpehocken township, Berks county, son of Daniel purchased in 1871, since which time he has been en- gaged successfully in agricultural pursuits. He devotes considerable attention to truck farming, attending the progressive business man, was born Nov. 10, 1857, in market at Ninth and Buttonwood streets, Reading. where he has been a well-known figure since its es- and Catherine (Weber) Emrich.
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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
The great-great-grandfather of Levi J. Emrich came from Holland with his two brothers and first settled in New York State, whence they later came to Schuyl- kill county. Pa.
John Sebastian Emrich, the son of the emigrant, was a resident of Schuylkill county, and was the father of six children, among whom was Jacob, who was born in Schuylkill county.
Jacob Emrich was a laborer most of his life. but in his later years purchased a small tract of land near Mount Aetna. Berks county, where he died in 1882. He married Susanna Morgan who died in February. 1905, and to them were born two children: Annie, who died at the age of twenty years; and Daniel the father of Levi J.
Daniel Emrich, father of Levi J., was born Dec. 4, 1839, in Schuylkill county, Pa., and died July 9, 1904, being buried at Tulpehocken Reformed Church. He was a tanner by trade. and moved to Berks county in 1852, settling at Rehrersburg, where he worked at his trade. Mr. Emrich enlisted in Company H, 151st Pa. V. I., and served his country faithfully. although for six months of his enlistment he was sick in the hospital. Mr. Emrich married Catherine Weber. born Nov. 16, 1837, daughter of Samuel and Pauline (Mil- ler) Weber, and she still survives and lives one mile west of Stouchsburg. along the Berks and Dauphin turnpike. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Em- rich were as follows: Levi J .; Susan E. m. Levi Fair, of Reading; Miranda A. m. T. W. Kissinger, of No. 111 Oley street, Reading; Jerome P., a foreman of Myerstown, Pa., m. Kate Mountz, and has two chil- dren, Frank and Sallie; Frank L., a painter and paper hanger at Reading, m. Rosa Schlanker. and has one son, William; Wesley G .. a cigar maker of Myers- town, m. Kate Bentz. and has three children, Edna, Grace and Wallace; Valeria m. John Callaney, super- intendent of the American Iron & Steel Company. at Lebanon, Pa .; Amy F. m. Wallace W. Weighley, a cigar maker of Richland, Pa .; and Miss Alva, with her mother. conducts a small grocery store.
Levi J. Emrich attended the public schools of his native locality until reaching the age of sixteen years, and at this time went to learn the milling business with John G. Frantz, of Mount Aetna, Pa., remaining with this gentleman for two years. From this time until 1894 he worked at various mills, and in that year formed a partnership with Henry T. Wagner. under the firm name of Wagner & Emrich, and this con- nection has continued to the present time, with much success. The old Womelsdorf Mills, erected in 1815, by Martin Brown, were occupied by the firm in 1894. but were totally destroyed by fire on Jan. 13, 1900, and were replaced by the present excellent structure, which cost nearly $15.000. This building. which is three stories high, covers a floor space of fifty square feet, and is equipped throughout with the latest and most highly improved machinery. The firm manu- facture a high grade of flour, grain and feed, their best known brand being the IXL. for which there is a ready market not only locally, but all over the country. The partners are industrious, capable busi- ness men, and possess the full confidence of the com- munity.
Mr. Emrich was married Aug. 6, 1892, to Ellen T. Wagner, horn Jan. 30. 1862. daughter of Levi and Mary (Troutman) Wagner. Mr. and Mrs. Emrich are members of the Reformed congregation of Tulpe- hocken Church. In politics Mr. Emrich is a Repub- lican, and fraternally he is connected with Golden Rule Lodge No. 159, I. O. O. F., of Womelsdorf.
GEORGE DELL FAHRENBACH, who makes his home in Penn township, Berks county. was born Aug. 15. 1846, in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, but has lived in this country from boyhood.
He taught music. being a master of many instruments, and was also engaged as orchestra leader in opera houses in his native land. He was a bugler in the Ger- man cavalry, and after coming to this country served in the same capacity in the Pennsylvania State militia.
In 1851 Mr. Fahrenbach came to this country, bring- ing his wife and family, which then consisted of five children, and locating on a farm in Penn township. Berks Co., Pa., he followed farming and wagon-mak- ing, finding his trade very useful in the new world. He became a member of the Reformed Church in Penn township. in which both he and his wife were active workers, and he was known as a devoted student of the Scriptures, concerning which he was very well informed. Mr. Fahrenbach married Christiana Dell, a native of Rhein-Sachsen. Germany, and they became the par- ents of six children, five born in the old country and the youngest born in America. viz .: John, who is de- ceased; George Dell; Adam, who has been blacksmith at the Berks County Almshouse for twenty-seven years, being elected each year by the board of directors; Hannah, deceased, who was the wife of Dr. O. C. Collins; Maria, married to Christian Bohringer, of St. Louis, Mo .: and Caroline, wife of Monroe Strouse. of Clearfield county, Pa. The mother of this family died in 1891, at the age of seventy-five years, and the father preceded her to the grave in March, 1883. at the age of seventy-four years. .
George Dell Fahrenbach grew to manhood upon a farm in Penn township. He had few educational ad- vantages, and began work early, when only nine years old. earning seventy-five cents a month in addition to his board and clothing. After the second year his wages were three dollars a month, and later he was paid seven dollars a month. Though little more than a boy when the Civil war broke out he enlisted in the Union service. entering Company G, 151st Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry, for nine months. serving two months overtime on that enlistment. Re-enlisting, he became a member of Company B. 55th Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry, for three years, and after his discharge from that command, in February, 1864. he again enlisted. serving to the end of the war. The list of important engagements in which he partici- pated with his regiment is a long one: Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862; Gettysburg. July 1-5, 1863: Oldtown Creek, May 9. 1864: Proctor's Creek, May 13, 1864: Drury's Bluff. May 12-16, 1864: Cold Harbor. June 1-3. 1864: Petersburg, June 15-18, 1864: Cemetery Hill, July 30. 1864: Chapin's Farm, Sept. 29. 1864; Signal Hill, Dec. 10, 1864; Hatcher's Run. March 30, 1865; Peters- burg and Richmond, April 2-9, 1865; Rice's Station. April 6. 1865; and Rappahannock Court House, April 9. 1865. On April 15, 1865. for meritorious conduct, Mr. Fahrenbach was promoted to corporal. He had many thrilling experiences during his service. At the battle of Chancellorsville he was taken prisoner while out sharpshooting, but fortunately escaped soon after- ward. At the battle of Gettysburg he was wounded three times the first day, in the arm, the abdomen and the, head, his skull being severely fractured. But he continued in active service through the three days of the engagement. He was sent on a dangerous mission within the Rebel lines, and in the Confederate uniform made his way into the enemy's camp between Peters- burg and Richmond, at Bermuda Hundred. finding out their numbers, plan of campaign and other things of importance. which he reported to Generals Butler, Gilmore and Smith, upon his return, three days later. He subsequently made a similar trip, at Petersburg. and obtained the desired information without going into the enemy's lines.
After the close of his military service Mr. Fahren- bach returned to Penn township, Berks county, where he worked upon a farm for a year before moving to Luzerne county. There he operated a sawmill for three years, in 1869 returning to Penn township, where
Charles William Fahrenbach, his father, was also born in Hesse-Cassel, where he learned the trade of wheelwright, but he was best known as a musician. he began farming on his own account. renting two
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farms, comprising 200 acres, of Daniel Strouse. These has since made his field of practice, having a large he cultivated until 1892, and in the meantime he had clientele in and around the borough. He is a member accumulated considerable property, having bought a of the Berks County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and the American Medical As- sociation. Socially he is connected with the Sons of Veterans and the I. O. O. F., and he is a member of St. Thomas Church at Bernville. belonging to the Re- formed congregation. farm of 167 acres in 1887. Later he purchased others, one of 231 acres and another of 114 acres all in Penn township, cultivating the two larger tracts and renting the smaller one. He has continued to add to his pos- sessions, being at present one of the largest land- owners in his end of Berks county, his holdings now Dr. Fahrenbach married Miss Maggie B. Mertz, daughter of Jacob Mertz, of Reading, and two children have been born to this union. Margaret and Charles. including 630 acres of valuable land. In 1893 he moved to Reading, though he did not give up his farming operations, and in 1905 he put up a fine brick residence on the place where he now lives in Penn township, AMMON L. HAFER, member of the firm of Hafer Bros., commission merchants at Reading and promi- nent factors in the city's business life, was born June 3, 1866, in Exeter township, Berks county, Pa., son of Samuel R. and Elizabeth G. (Lincoln) Hafer. and which is also improved with up-to-date farm buildings. Mr. Fahrenbach has very valuable limestone quarries on his land, and burns as many as 30,000 to 35.000 bushels of lime a year.
As an active member of the Democratic party Mr. Fahrenbach has been prominent in the local councils, frequently serving as a delegate to county conventions, and he has also held various public offices. For eleven years he was a member of the Penn township school board and for six years served as president of the board. He was president of the Bernville Cemetery Association for nine years. In 1893 he was elected sheriff of Berks county. and served one term of three years, during which time the Italian murderer, Pietro Bnccieri, was hung, in 1893.
Mr. Fahrenbach has taken especial interest in old home week at Bernville, and was one of the leaders in that movement, to which he has given much of his time and attention. In 1907 and 1908 he acted as chief marshal. He is a prominent member of the Reformed Church at Bernville, and served as chairman of the building committee that built the present St. Thomas Union (Reformed and Lutheran) Church at Bernville in 1897, though he was still living in Reading at that time. Sunday-school work has always received his particular attention, and he served as superintendent of the Penn Valley Sunday-school for a period of twenty-five years. In fraternal societies he is also very well known, belonging to Williamson Lodge, No. 307, F. & A. M., of Womelsdorf; Excelsior Chapter. No. 237, R. A. M .; Reading Commandery, No. 42, and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .- being a thirty-sec- ond-degree Mason; he also belongs to the Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Odd Fellows, the Grange, the Grand Army of the Republic and Star of Welcome Lodge, No. 60, Shepherds of Bethlehem. In spite of his many interests and activities Mr. Fahrenbach has found time to do considerable traveling. having visited every State in the Union.
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