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 160
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The firm was now finding itself in a position to cope with the large manufacturers, and to be regarded by them as competitors worthy of attention. Up to this time the products of the factory had been a cheap class of goods, but when the fast black and tan goods came to be generally favored they found it necessary to meet the popular demand, and in order to facilitate their work opened a finishing establishment in Philadelphia. Mr. Horst took charge of the new branch, Mr. Nolde retain- ing the management of the Reading plant, and this arrangement lasted until the concern was incorporated, in 1897. It had previously been conducted on a part- nership basis.
After. the incorporation the Nolde & Horst Company purchased a tract of land adjoining the first lot, 100x160 feet in dimensions, and built an extension 32 x 160 feet, as well as a wing 50x100 feet, a dye-house and an engine-room. This gave them facilities for operating four hundred knitting machines, furnishing employment to five hundred hands. On Dec. 7, 1899, fire destroyed almost the entire plant, only the dye-house and boiler remaining. But this disaster in no way retarded the progress. of the business. The debris was cleared away at once, and by May 1, 1900, within five months, the knitting mills were again in full working order, with im- proved equipment, all the new machinery installed being of the latest models. Moreover, extraordinary precautions were taken against a repetition of the catastrophe and to insure the safety of all employed in the building, which was provided throughout with the most approved fire escapes.
The steady expansion of trade has since called for several additions. In 1903 two extensions, 60 x 32 feet and 50 x 100 feet, respectively, three stories and base- ment, were made. In 1905 two more of the same dimen- sions were found necessary, and the same year the dye- house was enlarged by an addition 40x120 feet. On the Ninth street side of the property another building, 50 x 380 feet; has been erected, increasing the floor space to the remarkable area of 230,000 square feet-over five acres. Fifteen hundred people are regularly employed in turn- ing out the product of this vast establishment, and when the addition now being made is open the force will be increased to two thousand. There are only a few metro- politan establishments which have a showing to be com- pared with this. The output of this factory is confined to hosiery, but the Nolde & Horst Company are also interested in another establishment of similar nature, a large glove factory 50x210 feet, five stories in height, for the manufacture of silk gloves exclusively. More- over, since their operations have attained such enormous proportions, they have found it practicable to extend their attention to allied enterprises, and they are inter- ested in the Windsor Machine Company, manufacturing all their own knitting machines. Excellent management in this and in other respects has not only proved econom- ical, but has facilitated the work in many ways and improved labor conditions for the operatives as well as commercial opportunities for the management.
Personally Mr. Nolde is well known as a member of the B. P. O. E. and a high Mason, his Masonic associa- tions including membership in Teutonia Lodge, F. & A. M., the Chapter, the Commandery and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He has been twice married, his first union, which took place in 1889, having been. to Lydia Lorah, who passed away in 1892. She was the mother of two children, Carl and Ella, both of whom are at home. His present wife was Louisa Horst, sister of his business partner, George Horst, and to them have been born four children, George, Lena, Hans and Louisa. Mr. and Mrs. Nolde are active members of Zion Reformed Church, with which Mr. Nolde united as a charter member. He has acted as secretary of the church organization since 1893.
AUGUSTUS S. FLICKER, deceased, known among the hotel men of , Reading, Pa., and for fourteen years the proprietor of the "Merchants Hotel" of that city, was born in Oley township, Berks county, Aug. 22, 1847, son of Jeremiah and Mary (Swavely) Flicker, and died Nov. 28, 1900.
The Flicker family has its origin in Christian Flick- er, who located in the hills of Earl township, Berks county, about the close of the American Revolution, in which war he is said to have fought against his will, in King George's Army. He was a German, and came from Brunswick or Hessen. In 1790 the Federal census report records him the head of a family consisting of five persons, made up of himself and wife, one son under sixteen years of age and two daughters.
Jacob Flicker. his son, was the grandfather of Au- gustus S. Flicker. He was born in Earl township, but removed to Oley township where he died, and where his son Jeremiah was born.
Jeremiah Flicker, son of Jacob, owned and operated a large tract of land in Oley township, where he con- tinued agricultural pursuits until his death, in 1863. when in his forty-second year, caused by a fall into a well some three years previous. He was a prom- inent Democrat, and for some years served as road commissioner. He married Mary Swavely, daughter of Jacob Swavely, and wife (nee Trout). Seven children were born of this union: Jacob m. Anna Drayer, and has five children, Laura, Harry, Ellen, Jennie and John; Augustus S .; Sally; Jeremiah, Jr., m. Mary Carl, and has one child, Anna; Mary m. Daniel D. Becker, and had five children: Esther, Wayne, Lucy, Marcella, and one who died in infancy; and two others died in infancy. In re- ligious belief the family were members of the Reformed Church.
Augustus S. Flicker was educated in the schools of Oley township, and as a boy of fourteen began work on a farm, carrying his earnings of four dollars a month to his mother. He continued at farm work un- til he was twenty, and from that time until he came to Reading drove the Almshouse Farm team or was in charge of Amos Young's trotting horses in Exeter township. On coming to Reading he was employed on the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad as a fireman until 1876. He then worked on a farm and the following year
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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
engaged in huckstering. His next venture was in the grocery business, in which he continued for nine years and then for a few years with various partners was in the flour and feed business. In 1888 he engaged in the hotel business at the corner of Third and Penn streets. The place was owned at that time by John M. Kissinger. Mr. Flicker purchased this property after conducting it for five years. This hotel contained sixty-five rooms, and was one of the best kept hotels in the city.
On Feb. 26, 1878, Mr. Flicker married Emma Snyder, daughter of Lewis and Kate (Gambler) Snyder, and four children were born to this union: Florence (m. Hollingsworth Spotts, and they reside in Reading and have a daughter, Martha), Wayne, Edna and Earl. Mr. Flicker was a member of Lodge No. 62, F. & A. M., the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of the Golden Eagle. He was well known as a member of the Nev- ersink Fire Company and of several clubs. In poli- tics he was a Democrat and was largely influential with his party in this section. In religion Mr. Flicker was connected with the First Reformed Church.
JAMES ONEAILL, a highly esteemed retired citi- zen of Mohnton, Pa., and an honored survivor of the great Civil war, was born April 3, 1839, in Robeson township, Berks county, son of Michael Oneaill.
James Oneaill, grandfather of James, came from Ire- land when eighteen years of age and settled in Berks county, where he spent the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits. His children were: Harriet (m. Abner Old, of Philadelphia), Katie (m. Patrick McNul- ty and lived in Iowa), Mary (m. Frederick Homan, died in Iowa), Jane (m. Samuel Bittler, and died in Robeson township), James (m. Abbie Stafford), An- nie (m. Benjamin Wamsher), Hugh (m. Fannie Pain- ter, and died in Robeson township), John (died young), and Michael.
Michael Oneaill, like his father, was a farmer all of his life, and followed this occupation in Robeson township. ' He married Mary Wolfe, and to them were born children as follows: Sarah A. (m. John Piersol), James, Mark M. (m. Jennie Lauderbach), Jacob (m. (first) Hannah Frey and (second) Sarah Jacobs, and resides in Robeson township), Ellen (m. George Geiger, of Geigertown), Hugh (m. Ellen Gor- man, of Robeson township), and twelve others, the oldest of whom was two years of age, who died in infancy. This was one of the largest families in Robe- son township.
James Oneaill attended the schools of Robeson town- ship and worked on his father's farm until twenty-one years old. He then went to Reading and found em- ployment at the iron works, where he was employed at the time of his enlistment, Aug. 8, 1862, in Com- pany K, 128th Reg., Pa. V. I., being discharged May 29, 1862. He enlisted (second) in Company I, 196th Pa. V. I., July 1, 1864, and was honorably discharged Nov. 17th of that year. His third enlistment was on Sept. 1, 1865, in Company E, 75th Pa. V. I. In his second enlistment he became seventh corporal of Job Obock's company, and throughout his entire service he was a faithful and cheerful soldier, perform- ing his duties efficiently and well. He participated in many of the hardest fought battles of the great struggle, including Antietam and Chancellorsville, and was always a brave and gallant fighter. After the war Mr. Oneaill returned to Reading and resumed work at the, iron works, later learning the hatting trade, which he followed for three years, also taking care of his small farm, which he still looks after. Mr. Oneaill now receives a pension from the Govern- ment as reward for his faithful services, and he re- sides on Oneaill street, which was named in his honor. He bears the reputation of being an honest man of sterling integrity, and has the respect and esteem of all who know him. In politics he is independent. He is a member of Salem Evangelical Association, of which he is now steward, and is also active in Sunday- school work.
On May 21, 1866, Mr. Oneaill was married to Aman- da Reichwine, daughter of Cornelius and Elizabeth (Holtery) Reichwine, and to this union there were born: Ellen m. Walter Webber, of Mohnton, and has two children, Claude and Ralph; Mary J. m. William Beaver, of Reading, and has two children, Clyde and James; Sadie m. John Werner, of the firm of E. G. Werner & Sons, Mohnton, and has two children, Alethea and Norman; and Gertrude since 1902 has been a trained nurse in the German Hospital, Phila- delphia. Mr. Oneaill also has an adopted daughter, Katie Lausch.
SAMUEL S. WEIS, a farmer on the Weis home- stead in Earl township, Berks county, near the Cole- brookdale township line, was born Sept. 15, 1836, on the farm on which he now resides.
Killian Weis, Sr., his grandfather, was born Dec. 15, 1751, and died Feb. 16, 1840, and was buried in the old cemetery at the Hereford Mennonite Church at Bally of which he and his wife were members. In the Federal census of 1790 he was recorded as a tax- able resident of Upper Milford township, Northampton county, (a district now embraced in Lehigh county) and as the head of a family consisting of himself, his wife Catharine (nee Landis) and six sons, Jacob, John, George, Henry, Killian (father of Samuel S.) and Samuel (three of whom were under sixteen years of age), and three daughters, Anna (m. John Ehst), Kate (m. Henry Shelly) and Hannah (m. Isaac Longacre).
In Upper Milford township, in what is now Lehigh county, there also lived Jacob Weis, brother of Kill- ian, Sr., who was the owner and proprietor of the old Weis' mill, now known as Kriebel's mill, in 'Lower Milford township. In 1790 he had two sons and three daughters.
Killian Weis, son of Killian, Sr., was born Jan. 21, 1788, and died Dec. 23, 1874. He was a life-long farm- er, and in 1819 bought the Ehst farm now occupied by his son Samuel S. This farm consists of 100 acres of fertile hilly land, on which is found a high grade of magnetic ore. The Berks Development Company have sunk a number of shafts and have found a good grade of ore. Killian Weis also owned the farm now owned by his grandson, Frank Weis. His name has been spelled Weis and Wise. He married Barbara Shelly, born Jan. 31, 1796, and died June 20, 1886. Their children, seven sons and two daughters, were: Jacob, born Feb. 9, 1825, died Aug. 10, 1899; Catharine and Franklin, twins, born March 2, 1826, of whom Cathar- ine died Oct. 12, 1849, and Franklin Jan. 19, 1888; Hen- ry, born 1827, died June 24, 1908; Killian, born 1828, died April 29, 1904; Joel, born 1830, died young; John, born 1832, died Feb. 28, 1899; Elizabeth, born 1834, died Sept. 26, 1908; and Samuel S. is the only survivor.
Of these children only two married, Jacob and Kil- lian. John, Henry, Frank, Elizabeth and Samuel S. spent their lives on the old homestead. In poli- tics they were all Democrats. They were steadfast believers in the Mennonite faith, and belong to the Mennonite Church at Boyertown, where the parents are buried. The earlier generations lie in the Here- ford burial ground at Bally.
Jacob Weis, son of Killian and brother of Samuel S., born in 1825, died Aug. 10, 1899. He was a far- mer in Colebrookdale township. He married Eliza- beth Moyer, daughter of Michael Moyer, and she died in 1900, aged eighty-three years. They had two children: Elizabeth, born April 8, 1857, m. Jan. 28. 1882, Oscar K. Hausman, of Colebrookdale, and has three sons and one daughter-Morris W.
(born Aug. 12, 1882), Edward (Jan. 3, 1890), Jacob (Aug. 12, 1893) and Lizzie (June 22, 1896); and Kate, born May 21, 1859, has since 1906 been the home inaker for her uncle Samuel S. (she is an active worker in the Mennonite Church). Morris W. Hausman mar- ried Sept. 6, 1902. Catharine Johnson, and has two sons, Monroe and Elmer.
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BIOGRAPHICAL
Killian Weis, son of Killian and brother of Sam-
. Samuel Miller succeeded his father, Johannes, in the uel S., born 1828, died April 29, 1904, married Sarah tanning business, and carried it on during his whole Staufer, daughter of William Staufer, and they have life. He married a Miss Moyer, and to them were had two sons and one daughter: Lizzie, born July, born children as follows: Michael, the father of 1858, m. Samuel Beer, and died in April, 1892; Frank, Franklin K .; Jonathan, m. to Lydia Klahr; Sarah, m. born December, 1859, m. Mary Updegroff, and had to Elijah Weaver; Rebecca, m. to Israel Wagner; Cath- one son Samuel, Jr. (born Sept. 11, 1886, m., Jan. 19, erine, m. to David Koenig; Matthias, m. to Eliza Sny- 1907, Lillie Worstler and has two children, Samuel der; Jacob, m. to Mary Gerhard; Samuel, who died in and Mary); and William, born October, 1874, died in February, 1887.
Samuel S. Weis has passed all his life on the farm that is now his home. never having been absent from it more than one week at a time. In politics he is a Democrat, and has twice been delegate from Earl township to the county conventions. He adheres to the Mennonite faith, belonging to the, church at Boy- ertown. Mr. Weis though seventy-three years old is a very active man, and is an excellent farmer. He has an old grandfather's clock, made by John Brooker, of Germantown in 1789, which still keeps good time, and is in fine condition. Mr. Weis has never married. As stated above his niece, Kate, daughter of his brother Jacob, has kept house for him since 1906.
FRANKLIN K. MILLER, who is proprietor of the well-known Excelsior Soap Works, one of the large industries of its kind in Reading, Pa., was born March 3, 1840, on the old Miller homestead in Upper Tulpe- hocken township, at Strausstown, son of Michael and Catherine (Klahr) Miller.
(I) Jacob Mueller, the immigrant ancestor, according to his tombstone inscription at Little Tulpehocken Church, was born Oct. 22, 1697, died Dec. 18, 1772; married fifty-three years to Catharine (middle name badly worn, but probably, according to will, it was Charlotte, maiden name not shown. born Oct. 11, 1699, died April 5, 1777); "left a good name, a sorrowing widow and four children." Jacob Mueller and his wife had ten children, of whom three sons and one daughter survived the father. He was the immigrant Jacob Mueller who, with Charlotta (very likely his wife), John Jacob (under sixteen) and Barbara (no in December of which year Franklin K. Miller re-
doubt another child), all grouped together on the moved to Hazleton and there remained for a period of seven years, for a part of which time he was en- gaged in operating a currier shop. In 1882, Mr. Miller first engaged in a very small way in the manufacture of soap in Reading, making samples which he dis- tributed while doing other work. He also obtained a position in a tannery, and in the fall of that year removed with his family to the city. On Christmas, Mr. Miller was laid off from work, on account of slack business, but he soon found a position at the Scott foundry, at the meagre salary of one dollar per day, on which he paid rent and supported his large family. Mr. Miller's energy and industry were not to be denied, and on again engaging in the soap business, to which he gave his entire attention, after another lay-off on account of slack work, he found success. While going to and from work in the foundry he distributed sam- ples, orders began to come in and soon his soap had gained a wide reputation. He first carried his soap to thereafter getting a push-cart, and finally a horse and wagon. The Excelsior Soap Works of East Reading, Pa., is now a three-story, brick building, on a 60 x 110 feet lot, the building being 40 x 60 feet in dimensions. Here a large number of men are employed in the manufacture of laundry, fulling and scouring soaps, the latter two being specialties. Mr. Miller has four teams constantly on the streets, and his soaps find a ready sale in the markets all over the State. Success in this case has come where success was due. In all his early struggles with adversity Mr. Miller never. lost "original list" of passengers, is shown as having land- 'ed at Philadelphia Sept. 19, 1732, having come over in. the ship "Johnson," of London, David Crocket, master, from Rotterdam, last from Deal; passengers, 112 males above sixteen, 98 under sixteen; 98 females above sixteen, 85 under sixteen. He came from Ger- many. In 1759 Jacob Mueller paid £11 tax. He is mentioned as a yeoman in his last will and testa- ment, made Jan. 29, 1766, witnessed by Balser Unbe- hauer and Henrich Kettner, and recorded in Book II, page 117. The oldest son was allowed £25 over and above all others for his birthright. The children mentioned are John Jacob, born Sept. 24, 1728 (was single in 1759); Johannes, born Nov. 9, 1733 (was married in 1759); Elizabeth Barbara Hess: and Math- ias, born Oct. 18, 1743. In the Little Tulpehocken Church records of births and baptisms are found the fol- lowing children of Jacob Mueller: John Jacob, born Sept. 24, 1728, in Europe. baptized Sept. 26, 1728 (sponsors, market in a basket, next used a wheelbarrow, soon Frederic William Beckle, Christopher Haist, Joseph Rohr and Joh. David Bauer); John, born Nov. 9, 1733, in Pennsylvania, baptized Nov. 16, 1733, by Rev. Philip Boehm, Reformed minister at White Marsh at the time (sponsors, Joh. Henry Fegner and Mary Eliza- beth Barbara Schneider); Mary Elizabeth Barbara, born Sept., 9, 1736, baptized Sept. 28, 1736, by Rev. Bartholomew Rugner, who was Reformed pastor at Germantown, Pa., at that time (sponsors, same as for John); Matthias, born Oct. 18, 1743, baptized Nov. 6, 1743, by Rev. Joh. Casper Stoever (sponsors, Matthias Schmidt and wife); Elizabeth Barbara, born June 7, heart, but at each succeeding reverse started in all 1755 (baptism not. given). It seems doubtful that the last named child belonged to the family of Jacob, the immigrant.
June, 1909, m. (first) to Hettie Christman and (second) to Henrietta Scholl; John, who died aged thirty-five years; Leah, m. (first) to John Miller and (second) to Joel Kantner; and William, m. to Theresa Wilhelm.
Michael Miller, father of Franklin K., was born Aug. 3, 1814, and died March 19, 1882, having been a life-long tanner at Strausstown, and also owning the old homestead and tannery. He married Catherine Klahr, and to them were born ten children, as follows: Franklin K .; Mary, deceased; William; Rebecca; Charles, of New York, who died in March, 1908; Edward and Lewis, twins, born in July, 1850; Sabilla; Levi; and Albert.
Franklin K. Miller received his education in the schools of his native locality, also attending Whitehall Academy, three miles west of Harrisburg, during the winter session of 1855 and 1856. He was reared on the old homestead, and when sixteen years of age learned the tanning trade with his father, following this oc- cupation until his twenty-second year. During 1863, when the Commonwealth was threatened with invas- ion, Mr. Miller enlisted in Capt. Augustus G. Greth's Company I, 48th Pa. V. I., for ninety days, and re- ceived his honorable discharge Aug. 26th of the same year. On returning home, Mr. Miller again took up tanning as an occupation, and on June 8, 1865, removed to Tamaqua, where he followed the trade two years, then removing to Ringtown. Forming a partnership with P. M. Barrow, under the firm name of Miller & Barrow, they continued at this place for two years, when Mr. Miller went to North Branch, between Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton, and there formed a partnership with his brother. They con- tinued in the tanning business at this place until 1875,
over again to build up a paying business. He is now considered one of the substantial men of his com- munity, and has a large circle of friends who enjoy
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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
his business prominence. In politics, Mr. Miller is a Democrat. He is a member of Vigilance Lodge, No. 194, I. O. O. F., of Reading, and Mount Penn Encamp- ment, No. 152. He and his family are members of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church.
On Feb. 14, 1861, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Caroline Nunnemacher, daughter of William and Esth- er (Gettle) Nunnemacher, and to this union there have been born children as follows: George W., Mary, Elva, William, Stella, Henry R. (deceased), Laura, Phoebe and Beulah.
JOSEPH H. MOYER, who died in Reading in 1891, was one of the veterans of the Civil war and had been a resident of the city for the whole of his active busi- ness life. He was born in Spring township, Berks county, in 1835, son of John and Elizabeth (Hontz) Moyer.
Educated in the township schools, Mr. Moyer at first took up the vocation of a teacher, but after several years' successful experience, he decided to learn a trade, and at once apprenticed himself to a harness maker. When he had completed his term, he established him- self in business in that line in Reading, and thereafter made that city his home. When the Civil war broke out he at first continued in his usual routine and did som'e work on saddles for the government, but on Aug. 16, 1862, he responded to his country's call for more men, and was mustered in at Harrisburg in Company H, 128th Pa. V. I., under Capt. John Kennedy, and Col. J. A. Matthews. He proceeded with his regiment to Washington and thence to the front. He partici- pated in the battles of Antietam and Chancellorsville, besides a number of minor skirmishes and at the expi- ration of his term of enlistment was honorably dis- charged at Harrisburg in May, 1863.
Returning to Reading, Mr. Moyer once more engaged in business as a harness maker, and established him- self on Penn street, between Second and Third. He was a very good workman and commanded the very best prices, but despite his success he sold out his business after some years, moving to No. 8 North Ninth street, remaining there two years. He then moved to No. 208 Penn street where he retired and after five months he died. Invariably honest in all his dealings he commanded respect from all who had business deal- ings with him, while his genial personality made him well liked socially also. On political questions he was independent, voting always for the man he considered best fitted for the office regardless of party lines. In religion he was a devont member of the Universalist Church, and socially he belonged to the I. O. O. F. and the American Mechanics, besides being a member of Mcclellan Post, No. 16, G. A. R., of Reading.
Mr. Moyer was married in 1862 to Miss Margaret C. Wright, and six children were born to them as follows: Lizzie; Annie, deceased; John and Susan, twins, the latter deceased; and Ella and Amy, both deceased.
Mrs. Margaret C. W. Moyer was a daughter of John K. and Elizabeth (Sigman) Wright. Her father was a blacksmith by trade, and a man whose name stood for thrift and honesty, was prominent in the local ranks of the Democratic party, and served efficiently as post- master during President Jackson's administration. He died in 1848. A son, Charles E. Wright, was one of those who gave their lives for their country during the great Civil war. He enlisted June 7, 1861, in Company D, 3d Pa. V. I., and was killed at the battle of Fred- ericksburg. Dec. 13, 1862, at the age of twenty-three years.
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