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 157

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 157


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Joseph T. Smith attended the public schools of Ad- ams county, and when a young man learned the brick- laying trade. His early business life was spent in Reading, but later he removed to Philadelphia, where he spent eight years, at the end of that time return- ing to Reading. In 1873 he engaged in contracting in brick, and this he followed very successfully until his death, Aug. 6, 1891. He married Barbara Ritner, daughter of Jacob Ritner, and to this union there were born: Frank, a brick layer is employed with his brother; Charles A .; Mary, m. to George Rippel; John, deceased; Vincent A .; and William A., who was Charles' partner until his death in 1897. For a number of years Mr. Joseph T. Smith was a school controller from the Ninth ward.


Charles A. Smith's educational advantages were se- cured in the schools of Reading, after leaving which he secured employment in the Scott works, and he continued at various positions until 1873, when he began to learn the bricklayer's trade with H. J. De- Long, of Reading. Remaining with this gentleman but a short time, Mr. Smith entered his father's em- ploy and continued with him until the latter's death, when he and his brother William took up the business, which they continued until William's death. Since this time Mr. Charles A. Smith has continued the business alone with great success. Among the many large buildings of Reading erected by the Smiths may be mentioned the St. Joseph Hospital, and Mr. Smith has also done much work for the well-known firm of Rehr & Fricker.


Charles A. Smith married Maggie Waldman, daugh- ter of Joseph Waldman, and to this union there have been born: Joseph, who is engaged with his father at brick laying; Mamie; William, and Edward. Mr. Smith is a Democrat in politics, but has never cared for office. He is a member of the St. Paul's Catholic Church. Fraternally, Mr. Smith is affiliated with the Eagles.


LOTZ. The records of the Lotz family show that it was founded in America prior to the Revolution by (I) Nicholas Lotz, who was born Feb. 20, 1740, in .m. Harry Cook, of Reading.


the Palatinate, Germany. He emigrated to Pennsyl- vania when still a young man. first settling in the western section of the county of Berks. Some time previous to the breaking out of hostilities in the Rev- olution, he located at Wyomissing creek, where he be- came the owner of two miles at its mouth, a princely possession, and he conducted it very successfully. When the struggle for independence demanded his ser- vices, he was prominently identified with the patriotic movement at Reading. In January, 1775, he was se- lected chairman of the standing committee. He served as delegate to the Provincial Conference in June, 1776, and upon his return home he took an active part in the


lieutenant-colonel, and took part in the campaign of the "Flying Camp" at New York, where he was en- gaged in the battle of Long Island and taken prisoner. He was admitted to parole within certain bounds on April 16, 1777, and exchanged on Sept. 10, 1779. He showed great interest in militia matters, being at the head of the battalion in the central section of the county from 1775 through a period of many years. In 1780 he was appointed commissioner of Forage, and as such purchased supplies for the army until the close of the war. The executive council addressed him as col- onel, and recognized him as holding such rank. Col. Lotz represented Berks county in the General Assembly from 1784 to 1786, and again from 1790 to 1794, and he filled the office of . associate judge of the coun- ty from 1795 to 1806. Gov. Thomas Mifflin gave him the appointment, not only because of his belief that he was the best man for the exalted position, but also because of the deep friendship which existed between them. While President Washington was at Reading on his way to Carlisle, in 1794, Col. Lotz commanded the imposing parade which honored the presence of the distinguished visitor. The review took place in Penn square, and the President was sta- tioned on the second story of the "Federal Inn" (now the site of the Farmers Bank building). Col. Lotz was a tall, finely proportioned man, over six feet in height. and weighing about 300 pounds, and upon that occasion, he attracted marked attention not only on account of his commanding presence, but also because of his military, political and social prominence. Col. Lotz died at Reading Nov. 28, 1807, and his' remains were interred in the graveyard of the Reformed church, but later they were removed to the Charles Evans cemetery. Eight children survived Col. Lotz: Philip, Nicholas, Jacob, John, Henry, Michael, William and Rosa (m. to John Yeager).


(II) Philip Lotz, son of Col. Lotz, was a life-long resident of Reading and for many years he kept a hotel at Lutz Dam. By trade he was a saddler. In 1856-57 he represented the Southwest ward in the council. By his wife. Catherine, he had children as follows: Sarah m. Ivan Benson; Rebecca m. a Mr. Shanaman; Hannah m. George Fichthorn; Mary m. Paris Hain; Molly m. George East; Peter m. and his children were-Mary, Henry, William, John and Peter (twins), Harry. James, Philip and Louise; Philip; William m. and had children -Barbara, Kathryn, Henry, Caroline, Philip, William, Casper and Emma.


(III) Philip Lotz, son of Philip Lotz, was born Nov. 24, 1802, and died Aug. 9, 1858, aged fifty-five years. By trade he was a butcher, and followed that occupa- tion many years, residing at Lutz's Dam where the . sheet mill is now located. The old stone house was built in 1811, and there all his children were born. This landmark is still standing. Philip Lotz married Anna East, born July 7, 1808, died May 20, 1882, aged sev- enty-four years. Their children were: Henry and Na- than died in infancy; Cyrus and Jeremiah were killed in the Civil war; Mary Ann died in infancy; Sarah m. Charles Melcher; Catherine m. Alfred Franks, of Read- ing: Michael was killed in the Civil war; Ivans, born Nov. 11, 1842, died May 17, 1899; Andrew; and Anna


(IV) Andrew Lotz, son of Philip Lotz, was born in Reading April 6, 1844, and has always made this city his home. When only seventeen years of age he commenced working on the old Schuylkill canal as a laborer, and after two years began boating on the canal, under Captain Aaron Hoyer. After several seasons they were in the employ of the government in the vicinity of Washington, but upon the outbreak of the Civil war, he sympathized with the struggle of the government. and in 1864 enlisted in Company D, 198th Pa. V. I., and served fifteen months. He was wounded in the leg at South Side Railroad in Virginia, March 29, 1864. After the war he returned to Reading


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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA


and became bar clerk for several establishments, finally establishing himself in the hotel business in which he continued for twenty years, but he is now living retired at No. 458 Tulpehocken street, Reading. In 1865 Mr. Lotz married Ellen Catherine Lieb, born March 8. 1850, daughter of Joshua Lieb of Spring town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Lotz had these children: Sallie C., George E., Rosa, Annie, Edward, Joseph, Ella and Howard, all of whom reside in Reading.


(V) GEORGE E. LOTZ, son of Andrew Lotz, was born in Reading Aug. 16. 1869. He commenced working in a pipe foundry at Second and Court streets when only fourteen years old, and there remained for several years, when he went to work in a brick yard. After several years he engaged with the United States Express Com- pany, and was with them for nine years, when he changed to the Adams Express Company, and remained with them for eighteen months. For one year he was in the employ of the Union Cab Company, and then for another year he was with a wholesale house. His next employer was Wj. H. Luden, the candy manufacturer of Reading, whose head teamster he was for three years. On Jan. 8, 1906, Mr. Lotz embarked in the hotel busi- ness, and is the proprietor of the popular hotel at No. 153 North Tenth street, which he has since conducted so as to win for his hostelry a steady patronage, not only from the traveling public, but also from residents of the city.


For three years Mr. Lotz served as a member of the National Guard, and with Company I of the Fourth Regiment was at Drifton, and at Latimore, Pa. This company was first attached to the Eleventh regiment. He is now a member of the Sons of Veterans. Camp No. 16; the Old Guard Association; the Reading Turnverein; and Nest No. 116, American Order of Owls. He is also the representative of the Liquor Dealers Protective Association. Ever since old enough to cast his first vote, he has been a Democrat.


On May 14, 1889, Mr. Lotz married Catherine Raeger, daughter of Henry and Emma (Snyder) Raeger, of Reading, and they have two children, Elwood H. and Walter A.


(III) William Lotz, son of Philip. and father of Casper Lotz, was born at Reading April 4, 1799. All of his life was spent in Reading, where he carried on a large and successful butchering business on North Fifth street at the location of the present Masonic Temple. Mr. Lotz was active in church work, assisting in building the First Reformed and St. John's Re- formed churches of Reading. He served on the build- ing committees of both churches, and was very liberal in his contributions. Among other things he contrib- uted the brick used in the erection of St. John's Re- formed church at Ninth and Chestnut streets. He mar- ried Sarah Hess, daughter of Casper Hess, of Reading, and they had these children: Barbara m. Rev. Henry Hoffman, a Reformed minister; Kathryn m. John H. Seltzer; Caroline died unmarried; William died in in- fancy; Henry is of Reading; Philip is of Reading; Cas- per H .; Emma m. Albert Briemer. of Reading.


(IV) CASPER H. LOTZ was born in Reading Oct. 27, 1839. and was educated in the public schools of Read- ing. He learned butchering from his father, following that line of business all of his active life in Reading. For years he attended the Reading market on Penn Square, and was one of the well known butchers of the city for nearly half a century, and controlled the best trade, always carrying a very fine class of goods. He gave his personal supervision to the work. His butcher shop was on North Fifth street, the present location of the Masonic Temple. This property was the home- stead of his grandfather. Casper Hess. Mr. Lotz built his residence on the southeast corner of Fifth and Windsor, and there he also had his shop and slaughter houses, which were very complete. Mr. Lotz retired from business in 1904, and the family now reside at No. 715 North Fourth street. Reading. In politics, Mr.


Lotz is a Republican, and in 1864 cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He served in the common coun- cil from 1880 to 1884 from the Seventh ward. He and his family are members of the Reformed church.


In 1860 Mr. Lotz married Rebecca Nagle, daughter of Henry and Mary (Homan) Nagle, and they had a family as follows: Alice m. Ellsworth Leinbach, of Reading; Harry W. is engaged in a laundry business at Reading; Sue is at home; William was accidentally killed on the Reading railroad at Blandon, Pa .. on June 5, 1904, leaving a daughter Edna. Mrs. Casper H. Lotz died suddenly Feb. 25, 1909.


GEORGE A. LEINBACH, late of Reading, who was well known in business circles as the junior member of the firm of Leinbach & Bros., died at his residence, No. 611 Walnut street, Reading, at four o'clock, Thursday afternoon, Sept. 21, 1905. He was born in Bern township Sept. 29, 1843, son of Christian and Susan (Althouse) Leinbach.


The Leinbach family is an old one in Berks county. Mr. George A. Leinbach's line of descent from the earliest known American ancestor, Johannes Leinbach, Sr., was through Johannes, Jr. (and his wife Catharine Riehm), John Daniel (member of the State Assembly from Berks county in 1790), and Christian (and his wife Susan Alt- house ).


At the age of eighteen years George A. Leinbach en- listed in Company H, 104th P. V. I., being mustered in Sept. 5, 1862. On Oct. 21, 1864, he was promoted to ser- geant-major of the regiment, and he served until the close of the war, receiving his honorable discharge June 16, 1865. In the fall of the same year Mr. Leinbach and his brother, Joseph A., formed a partnership and engaged in the clothing business, continuing thus until the death of George A. In business circles Mr. Leinbach was known as an active and progressive man, always able to see an opportunity and grasp it. His business principles were hard steady work, fair, square dealing, courteous and gentle manners. The business which he and his broth- er started gradually enlarged until their establishment be- came the leading and best known clothing house in the city of Reading.


Mr. Leinbach never took an active part in politics, but in religions work was very active, being very charitable. and distributing much in that way. He was a member of St. Paul's Reformed Church, and was a member of the Consistory. At the last session of the General Synod of the Reformed Church before his death Mr. Leinbach was elected a member of the Board of Ministerial Relief.


Mr. Leinbach married Miss Emma C. Shartle, daughter of Benneville and Mary ( Shenk ) Shartle. She survives her husband and makes her home in Reading. The only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Leinbach still surviving is Katharine L., wife of C. Clarence Long, of Reading, and mother of a son, George Leinbach Long.


George Leinbach Long, grandson of George A. Leinbach, possesses a beautiful claw foot Chippendale chair, which was used by John Daniel Leinbach in the Colonial As- sembly which met at Philadelphia in 1735. The chair was the property of Pennsylvania, but when Mr. Leinbach's term of office expired he bought it and brought it home, and it has since descended to the nearest and eldest male Leinbach. Its history as printed on the back of the chair is as follows: "Daniel Leinbach, of Gilbertsville, Montgomery Co., was a member of the Colonial Assembly held in the State House of Philadelphia, 1735, and when his term had expired he bought the chair he had used in the Assembly from the State as a memento. paying $5.00 for the unique piece of furniture."


D. WEBSTER BLAND KUPP, M. D .. a popular physician, residing at Gibraltar, Berks Co., Pa., has met with success in his chosen calling. He was born at Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill county, July 4. 1837.


The original spelling of the name was "Krupp," and the family is distantly related to the noted gun makers.


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Lange A Leinback


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BIOGRAPHICAL


Frederick Krupp, great-grandfather of Dr. Kupp, emi- sician and loyal friend, belonging to that happy class grated from Germany and became one of the early set- of useful men, now all too fast disappearing in the rush of modern life-the family physicians. tlers of Union township, Berks county, taking up a large tract of land opposite Douglassville, and there he en- gaged in farming and blacksmithing. Frederick Krupp had four sons: William, John, Frederick and Henry.


John Kupp, son of Frederick, was born in Union township, Berks county, and became his father's suc- cessor in both farming and blacksmithing. He was a member of the German Baptist Church of Chester county, Pa. He had seven children: William, Samuel. John, Isaac, Harrison, Elizabeth (m. Jacob Haws, a carpenter and undertaker of Union township) and Mary E. (m. Henry W. Titlow, of Pottstown, Montgomery Co., Pa.).


Isaac Kupp, son of John, was born in the old Kupp home, Feb. 10, 1819, and there grew to manhood. He learned the tailor's trade, and conducted a clothing store at Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill county, Pa., and later one at Pittston, Pa. His health failed, and in 1860 he gave up his mercantile business and returned to the farm, farming for his father. In a few years he pur- chased the farm and operated it until his death Jan. 3, 1893. In 1840 he became a local minister of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and was a preacher through all the remainder of his life. On Aug. 4, 1839, he married Margaret L. Bland, who was born Jan. 19, 1819, daughter of Edward and Martha Bland. Edward Bland was born Aug. 23, 1774, and belonged to the old Bland family of Mt. Airy, Union township, Berks county, Pa. He was the father of the following children: Edward, born Jam. 22, 1794; Catherine, Dec. 7, 1798; Mary, July 16, 1800; Ann, April 13, 1802; William, Sept. 13, 1804; Samuel, Nov. 13, 1806; Robert, Jan. 22, 1809; Adam, May 5, 1811; John, Jan. 6, 1816; and Margaret L., Jan. 19, 1819. To Isaac and Margaret L. (Bland) Kupp were born four children, namely: Elizabeth Anna, born May 3, 1845, died Aug. 27, 1880; Edward Newton, born Dec. 10, 1847, read law with John S. Richards, a leading mem- ber of the Berks County Bar, and after graduating with first honors at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., Sept. 1, 1868, took charge of a classical institute at St. Michaels, Md., and died at that place Dec. 30, 1868; Walter Earl, born Sept. 5, 1853, died Nov. 17, 1855; and D. Webster B., born July 4, 1857.


Dr. D. Webster B. Kupp received his early education in the Hill school at Pottstown, Montgomery county, and he began the study of medicine with Dr. Franklin R. Gerhard, of Douglassville, Berks county. After a three-years course he graduated from the Medical De- partment of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadel- phia, Pa., March 15, 1882. On June 1, 1882, he located at Gibraltar, Berks county, for the practice of Medicine, and there he has continued ever since. He has built up a large practice and has won a warm place in the hearts of the people in the village and in the surround- ing country.


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On March 15, 1882, Dr. Kupp was united in marriage with Amanda Smith, daughter of Jacob Smith, of Shenkel, Chester Co., Pa. To this union were born two sons: Warren Newton, born May 24, 1884, died June 5, 1888; and Webster Bland, born Jan. 13, 1889, graduated from the preparatory department of Dick- inson College in June, 1907, and then entered the Med- ical Department of the Medico-Chirurgical College, Philadelphia, Pa., to take up the profession so ably followed by his father. Mrs. Kupp died June 6, 1906. Dr. Kupp married (second) Anna F. (Warmkessel) Wolfe, widow of Dr. William S. Wolfe, of Fleetwood, Pa. This union has been blessed with one daughter, Miriam Bland, born March 6, 1908. Dr. and Mrs. Kupp are members of the Lutheran Church. ל


SAMUEL C. MAYER, for over fifty years a prom- inent citizen of Reading, where he died at an advanced age, was prominent both in the business life and ad- ministration of public affairs of that city.


Mr. Mayer was a native of Lancaster, Pa., born April 17, 1824, son of George Louis and Esther (Clarkson) Mayer. He received his education in his native place, where he passed his early boyhood, being sixteen years of age when he came to Reading. His first business venture here was in the hardware line, in association with his cousins, John and William Keim, and later he entered into partnership with his brother-in-law, A. M. Hart, in the dry-goods busi- ness. He was also interested in the West Reading Roller Mill, which he served as secretary and treas- urer, and in all his enterprises he proved his right to the high standing he enjoyed among business men wherever known.


At the breaking out of the Civil war Mr. Mayer enlisted for service in the Union army, becoming a member of Company C, 42d Pennsylvania Volun- teers, and he was a soldier until the close of the con- flict. It was after his return from the army that he began to take an active interest in municipal affairs in Reading. He was a stanch member of the Demo- cratic party, and as its candidate, in 1871. was elected mayor of the city by a majority of 451 votes, his Re- publican opponent being William Geiger. He served one term in that responsible incumbency, giving thor- ough satisfaction to his constituency and maintaining the high reputation he had made in business life. In 1868-70 Mr. Mayer was a member of the common council, representing the Seventh ward. Mr. Mayer was in poor health for a number of years toward the close of his life, suffering from a complication of ailments, but his last illness was comparatively brief. He died at his residence No. 144 North Fifth street, on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 25, 1906, aged eighty- two years, five months, eight days. He was a member of the Episcopal Church.


Dr. Kupp is a firm believer in the principles of the Republican party. In 1885 and 1897 he was a delegate to the Republican State convention from Berks county, Mr. Mayer married Miss Mary A. Hunter, whom he survived a number of years, the only surviving member of his family being Miss Mary H. Mayer, principal of the Girls' high school, Reading. and in 1892 was alternate delegate to the National Re- publican Convention at Minneapolis, Minn. For many years has been a member of the county committee. From 1899 to 1905 he was a member of the school board in Robeson township, filling at different times the LATSHAW. The first of the name of Latshaw in America came to Pennsylvania late in the eighteenth century, and settled either in Chester or Montgomery county, and there his son John was born. John Lat- of Fritztown, Berks county. offices of president, secretary and treasurer of the board. Since May 1, 1898, he has been a member of the board of Pension Examining Surgeons and sec- retary of the board since 1899. He is an ardent friend shaw, on reaching manhood, settled in the vicinity and supporter of the Hon. Boies Penrose, senior Senator of Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1903 Dr. Kupp was raised a Mason in Union Lodge, No. 479, F. & A. M .; He is a charter member and past president of Wash-


John Latshaw (2), son of John and grandfather of Howard and Adam Latshaw, was born in Spring township about 1804, and died in middle life. He was ington Camp, No. 592, P. O. S. of A., of Gibraltar. He a tailor by trade, and was also engaged for many is a member of the Berks County Medical Society, has years in quarrying stone, which he disposed of to con- been a member of the State Medical Society since June tractors. He married Polly (Mary) Hinnershitz, and 29, 1887, and of the American Medical Association since to them were born the following children: Jacob; John 1896. Dr. Kupp is both the practical, resourceful phy- (3); Abraham; Isaac; Harriet, m. to Solomon Yerger;


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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA


Mary, m. to Valentine Moyer; Jonas; Catherine, who Myers, of Reading, and now holds membership in died at the age of ten years; Joseph, a farmer of Bethany Lutheran Church of West Reading. Spring township; and Susan, m. to John Moyer. Both John (2) and his wife are buried at Hain's Church.


John Latshaw (3) was born Nov. 7, 1838, in Spring township, and died Aug. 29, 1902. He was an engi- neer and was sixteen years with the G. W. Alexan- der Company, of Reading. During the Civil war he 'enlisted as a member of Battery F. 1st Pa. Light Ar- tillery, being mustered into service Feb. 13, 1864. He served in the Second Army Corps, Army of the Po- tomac, and among others participated in the following engagements: Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Har- bor and siege of Petersburg. He was mustered out with his regiment June 9. 1865, and was given an honorable discharge. Mr. Latshaw married Rebecca Reedy, born Dec. 28, 1839, who died Sept. 26, 1902, daughter of John Reedy, of Spring township, and chil- dren as follows were born to them: Mary E .; J. William, who died suddenly in 1907, aged forty-three years; Thomas; Adam, of Reading, m. to Christina F. Bower; Howard; and Catherine. Mr. and Mrs. Lat- shaw are buried at Sinking Spring burial ground.


On Sept. 15, 1884, Mr. Latshaw was married to Annie Eyrich, born Oct. 17, 1872, who died Dec. 9, 1906, daughter of Franklin and Mary Ann (Adam) Evrich, the former of whom lost his life at the age of twenty-three years, when with his brother on a pleasure trip, he slipped on the deck of a steamer and fell overboard. Mrs. Latshaw had the following half-brothers and sisters: Annie; Richard;" Robert Pattison; Mary Ann; Carrie. and Katharine A., all of whom are deceased, with the exception of Miss Katharine A., who with her mother resides at the home of Mr. Latshaw in West Reading.


GEORGE H. LASH, deceased, who was long a citizen of the city of Reading, being employed for a period of thirty years at the Seyfert McManus Iron Company, was born in Baden, Germany, June 21, 1819.


Mr. Lash was educated in the common schools of his native country, where he was employed until his twenty-eighth year, at which time, in 1847, he came to America. He at once came to Reading, finding employment as a laborer, but later entered the employ of Seyfert & McManus, in whose iron mill he worked as engineer for thirty years. Mr. Lash died Aug. 21, 1892, aged seventy-three years, two months.


ADAM LATSHAW, son of John (3), was born at Sink- ing Spring, May 12, 1868. When still quite young he learned the hatting trade, and during the summer months he worked at the trade at Alexander's Hat Mr. Lash was married to Mary Ann Wonderly, daughter of Henry and Mary (Whitman) Wonderly, and to this union there were born twelve children. all of whom are now deceased with the exception of Philip H. and George F. Mr. Lash was a valued mem- ber of the Lutheran Church, which he attended reg- ularly. In his political views he was a Democrat. His widow resides at No. 924 Spruce street, where the family has lived since 1869. Factory at West Reading. and during the winters he attended school. For about six years he was em- ployed by the Alexanders, and later he worked for Kessler's at Reading for about seven years. In 1895 he commenced working at the John Hendel & Son Hat Factory in Reading, and continued with them as journeyman until 1901, when he was made foreman of the blocking department. This position he has since most capably filled. and being a good mechanic him- self, he is able to direct wisely the nine men in his ADAM H. LEADER, one of Reading's successful business men, has been prominent in public life as well, having in 1896 become city comptroller, and later mayor. He was born March 22, 1867, in Reading, son of Jacob and Sarah (Herb) Leader. charge. Since 1894 he has resided in his own home at No. 118 Hamilton street, and in 1905 he built his present handsome residence, a two-story brick, to take the place of the former home at that number. He is the owner of some fine pigeons, all flying homers, and of these he has from one to three hundred in Montgomery county, Pa., whence he removed to all the time. His best bird won a 500-mile race. He also keeps fancy chickens, white, brown and buff Leg- horns, as well as other fancy breeds.




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