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 161

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 161

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F. F. BRESSLER, a well known marble and granite dealer, of Reading, Pa., and ex-recorder of Berks county, died Oct. 22, 1908. He was born in Spring township, this county, in 1857, son of Darius Bressler, a stone mason, who was born near Adamstown, Lan- caster county, and died in Berks county at the age of sixty-two years.

Mr. Bressler attended the public schools of Berks county, after leaving which he spent one year with H. H. Hettinger at Sinking Spring, at the stone cutter's trade. In 1876 he located in Reading, being employed with the Eisenbrown Marble Company, of this city, in whose employ he remained for three years. At the end of this time Mr. Bressler went to New York, where he was employed on the State Capitol at Albany, in 1880-81, from there going to Coatesville, Chester county. where he was engaged in business a short time. Returning to Reading, in 1882 Mr. Bressler engaged in business with Amos Esterly, under the firm name of Bressler & Esterly, they continuing as partners until 1877. when Mr. Bressler engaged in work by himself on Washington street, opposite the post-office. Here Mr. Bressler continued until 1904, when he removed to his late location, at Center avenue and Spring streets, his place of business being fitted with the latest im- proved machinery. He employed from ten to fifteen skilled mechanics. His shop was a frame structure, 60 x 100 feet in dimensions, and in one of the most desir- able locations that could be found for such a business.

Mr. Bressler was before the public as an official hav- ing been elected recorder of deeds of Berks county in 1901, on the Democratic ticket, in which office he served faithfully for three years. He was a resident of the Seventh ward, and during 1890-91 he served in the select council. He served as a delegate to various conventions, among them the convention which nomi- nated William Jennings Bryan for the Presidency, at Chicago. Mr. Bressler was a member of the election board in his ward.

Mr. Bressler was married to Mary Esterly, daughter of the late Amos S. Esterly, of Reading, who was a well-known hotel proprietor of the city, and two child- ren were born to this union, Mabel and Alice. Mr. Bressler was fraternally connected with the Elks Lodge of Reading, No. 115.

JAMES M. YERGER, who was one of the county commissioners of Berks county from Jan. 1, 1906, to Jan. 1, 1909, was born in Upper Tulpehocken township, this county, June 22, 1860, son of William and Diana (Moll) Yerger.

Samuel Yerger, grandfather of James M., was a native of Berks county, born in Bern township. He was a farmer and stock raiser by occupation and was quite a prominent man of his day. Mr. Yerger married a Miss Nunemacher, and their children were: Joseph; John; Betsy, m. to Elias Spies; and William. In re- ligious belief the family were Lutherans. Mr. Yerger was a Democrat.

William Yerger was educated in the common schools of Bern township, Berks county, and in his youth learned the carpenter's trade, at which, in conjunction with agricultural pursuits. he continued all of his life. Mr. Yerger passed away in 1885. aged sixty-three years, and his wife Diana (Moll) passed away in 1860, when thirty-three years of age. These children were born to them: Cyrus; Elizabeth, m. to Henry Heffner, of Youngstown, Ohio; William; Amos; Amanda, de- ceased; Clarietta, m. to Franklin Seidel; Annetta, m. to Alfred Stoyer; and James M. Mr. Yerger's second marriage was to Theresa Himmelberger Ulrich, and to this union there were born three children: Wilson; Morris; and Catherine, deceased. Mr. Yerger was a Lutheran. He was a Democrat in his political views, and for some years held the office of school director.

James M. Yerger received his educational advantages in the schools of Centre township, and this was sup- plemented by an advanced course at the Keystone State Normal school at Kutztown, Pa. He taught school for seven terms and then engaged in the produce business, shipping to Reading and Philadelphia. After six years Mr. Yerger removed to Reading, being appointed dur- ing President Cleveland's second administration to the position of stamp clerk in the revenue office located in the post-office building in Reading. After leaving this

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position Mr. Yerger was engaged for some time in the

Mr. Henne is a Democrat in politics and interested manufacture of cigars, disposing of this enterprise to in local affairs, having served two terms as assessor of Upper Tulpehocken township, being elected for the second term without opposition, and receiving. the highest vote on the ticket. He is a member of Zion's Blue Mountain Church (Lutheran). Socially he takes an active part in secret organizations, and is a member

enter the insurance field as agent for the Equitable and Prudential insurance companies, and in this latter capacity he continued successfully until his election to the office of county commissioner in the fall of 1905 on the Democratic ticket. Mr. Yerger took up his official duties Jan. 1, 1906. He has ever been a faithful of the Masons, Odd Fellows, Rebekahs, P. O. S. of A. worker in the ranks of his party, and is considered and P. O. of A.

one of the leaders thereof in this section. Mr. Yerger and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. He is fraternally connected with Leesport Lodge, No. 141, I. O. O. F., St. John's Lodge No. 435, F. & A. M., of Reading, and of Centreport Lodge No. 446, P. O. S. . of A., being a charter member of the latter.

HENNE. The members of the Henne family refer- red to in this sketch are descended from Michael Henne, who passed his life in Berks county. He was born near Bernville, followed farming in that locality, and died there. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Catharine Haag, are both buried at Bernville. Their children were John, Michael, Daniel and Jared.

Jared Henne, son of Michael, was born July 2, 1831, and died Nov. 3, 1906, in Upper Tulpehocken township; he was buried at the Blue Mountain Church. He was a carpenter, following the trade most of his life. He married Sallie Fox, daughter of Jacob and Catharine (Potteiger) Fox, and she still survives, making her home at Strausstown. They became the parents of five children: Aaron F .; Howard F .; Sallie; m. to Abraham Ritzman; Clara, m. to Wilson W. Strause; and John, m. to Agnes Feick.

Aaron F. Henne, eldest son of Jared Henne, was born Dec. 4, 1853, in Upper Tulpehocken township, learned the carpenter's trade with his father, and fol- lowed the same for twelve years. For five years he was in the mercantile business at Cross-kill Mills. For seven years he farmed on the Jacob Potteiger farm and for eight years on the Aaron Kern farm, in 1906 buy- ing the old William Reber homestead, in Upper Tulpe- hocken township, near Strausstown, upon which he has since resided. The place comprises twenty-seven acres, to the cultivation of which he devotes his time. He married Hannah Ritzman, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Wagner) Ritzman, and they have had two sons, Charles W. and William J., the latter a barber at Strausstown.

CHARLES W. HENNE, son of Aaron F., was born Feb. 12, 1879, in Upper Tulpehocken township, and received his education in the public schools. For three years after commencing to work he was engaged at clerking in the general stores of J. A. Smith and L. W. Ritzman at Strausstown, and Howard Long at Rehrersburg. On Aug. 1, 1899, he went to Reading, and learned the barber's trade from William Shearer, of No. 117 North Ninth Street. After completing his trade he returned home and opened the Lincoln Barber Shop, of which he is still proprietor, with his brother, William J., as his foreman. At Strausstown he learned the cigar business with John Bricker and Calvin Fore- man, and in 1905 he opened the La Fama Cigar Com- pany, embarking in business on his own account with only one employe. He now has from ten to fifteen men who turn out a high grade of work. His most popular brands, with more than local fame, are "La

Mr. Henne married Kate Unger, daughter of Abra- ham and Rebecca (Resh) Unger, and four children have been born to them: A son that died in infancy; Han- nah R., who died when three years old; Carrie May, and Jacob A.

HOWARD F. HENNE, second son of Jared and Sallie (Fox) Henne, was born Nov. 9, 1855, in Jefferson township, and received his education in the public schools. When seventeen years old he went to learn the shoemaker's trade under J. A. Smith, at Strauss- town, remaining with him for seven years, after which he went into business for himself at Strausstown, Up-

Mr. Yerger was married Oct. 15, 1887, to Anna S. Kline, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Seaman) Kline; per Tulpehocken township, where he has continued to five children were born to this union, James K., Wil- liam, Samuel, Mary and Earl, al! deceased, except James K.

make his home until the present. He is kept busy doing fine custom work, having a large patronage in that line. Mr. Henne has other business interests, be- ing treasurer of a building and loan association, and is a well-known resident of his locality. He has served as delegate to a number of county conventions, has been juryman several times, and has acted twice as judge of election, being quite active in local politics as a Democrat. He was formerly fire warden of upper Berks county, having been appointed to that office by the county commissioners; and has also served as school director of Upper Tulpehocken township.

Mr. Henne married Emma Henne, daughter of Moses and Leah (Feick) Henne, and they have had one son, Martyn R. Mr. Henne is a Lutheran in religion, an active member of Zion's Blue Mountain Church, which he has served as deacon, elder and trustee. He is active in fraternal circles, belonging to the P. O. S. of A. and I. O. O. F., and is particularly interested in the latter order, being a past grand of his home lodge, a member of the Ridgely Protective Association and a member of the Rebekahs. He was a representative to the Grand Lodge at Wilkes-Barre.

MARTYN R. HENNE, son of, Howard F., was born Aug. 16, 1881, and received his early education in the public schools of his home neighborhood. Later he attended the Palmer's Business College of Philadelphia, and then took a special course at the Y. M. C. A., Phila-' delphia, in Advanced English, Business Law, etc., and also a series of lectures in Credits, and a course in Finance at the University of Pennsylvania. He was employed with the Central high school in Philadelphia for nine months, and for one year following was with Dr. Ernest La Place, also in Philadelphia, at the end of that time becoming connected with a plumbing sup- ply house, with which he remained nine months. He has since held his present position, that of bookkeeper at the Northern National Bank of Philadelphia, with which he became connected in November, 1899. He is a director of the Pennsylvania Building and Loan As- sociation, No. 2, and of the West Somerset Building and Loan Association, both of Philadelphia.

Mr. Henne is a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of Lu Lu Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Phila- delphia. He also belongs to the P. O. S. of A., at Strausstown; Veritas Lodge, No. 643, I. O. O. F., at Philadelphia; Palmer's Business College Alumni; and to the American Institute of Banking, having been en- gaged with the latter organization in numerous ca- pacities for a number of years.

REV. HARRY CHARLES KLINE, pastor of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, at Hamburg, was born at Philadelphia, Pa., May 27, 1868, son of Chris- Fama 10," "Carrie May," "Henne Value," "1910," "Pad- tian S. and Amanda Jane (Koch) Kline. The father dy's Delight," "Little Pets," "Dutch Charlie," "Henne's . emigrated from Monsheim, near Worms, Germany, in Reliable" and "The Cyclone."

1853. accompanying his parents, who landed at New York, and then proceeded to Salfordville, in Mont- gomery county, Pa. When a young man he went to Philadelphia and lived with a sister who was married to Philip Monkenbeck, a cigar manufacturer and mer- chant, who taught him the business, and he then en-

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

gaged in the same line on his own account at Ninth and Green Streets, carrying the business on success- fully until 1877. He then became a railroad engineer on the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, being em- ployed as such until 1889, when he entered the Baldwin Locomotive Works; he was engaged there as a me- chanic until 1896, when he sustained a serious injury, from which he eventually died, in 1898.

Christian S. Kline married Amanda J. Koch, of Le- high county, and by her had eight children: Harry Charles; Howard (m. Ella Robbins); Emma (m. Her- man Frankenfield); Catherine (m. Morris Raudenbush); Clara (m. Marshall Benner, and, after his death, Clar- ence Graham); three children died in infancy.

Harry C. Kline received his early education in the public schools of Philadelphia, and later attended Muh- lenberg College, at Allentown, Pa., from which he graduated with honors in June, 1894. He prepared for the ministry at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Mt. Airy, graduating from that institution in 1897. In June of that year, immediately thereafter, he was or- dained a Lutheran minister at Lancaster, Pa. Shortly after his ordination, June 23, 1897, Rev. Mr. Kline located at Hamburg and was regularly installed as pastor of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, and also of St. Paul's Church, in Windsor township. of Zion's, in Perry township, and of St. Mark's at Shoe- makersville, Pa. With the exception of the church at Shoemakersville, which he served for but four years, he has continued to officiate as minister of these churches to the present time.

Immediately upon his taking charge of St. John's Church, new religious zeal in the members of the con- gregation was developed. They had a severe visitation the following year. On Monday, April 3. 1898, to the amazement of the congregation, the beautiful old church was completely destroyed by fire, caused by a large spark which was blown from the destructive fire at the Wilhelm Bicycle Works, several hundred yards distant to the west. The evening of the day previous, Sunday, two fine windows had been dedicated, and a large catechetical class had been confirmed in the old church. Although shocked by the unlooked-for calamity, the minister and his flock were not discouraged, for they at once resolved to build their exclusive Lutheran church, separating from their Union relations with the Reformed brethren. They set to work in real earnest to accomplish the task, which was finished by Whit- suntide, 1899, when the building was consecrated. It was then and is still recognized as one of the hand- "somest churches in the county. In the erection of this superb structure, Rev. Mr. Kline has received much praise for his unremitting and successful efforts, and. in 1906 the congregation was highly gratified at the extinguishment of the entire indebtedness against the church, due mostly to the personal appeals of the pastor. Rev. Mr. Kline has also shared the honor of building a beautiful Union church, known as Zion's Union Church, in Perry township, which was conse- crated on Whitsunday, 1909; he is the Lutheran pastor of that church.

In 1897, Rev. Harry C. Kline married Gertrude Lil- lian Leh, and they have had two sons, Arlan Luther and Bernard Leh. Mrs. Kline was given a superior education, more especially in music, under Prof. C. A. Marks, and she became a music teacher, following that profession for eight years. In 1890, Professor Marks organized the Allentown Oratorio Society, with which she filled the responsible position of piano accom- panist in a highly commendable manner until her mar- riage in 1897. Mrs. Kline is also an adept in needle- work, as the walls of her beautiful and well-kept home attest. She is a lovely character.

Thomas H. Leh, of Allentown, Mrs. Kline's father, born in 1858, died in 1886. He married M. Alice Mu- maw, and they had three children: Gertrude (m. Rev. Mr. Kline), William T. (m. Mayme Matten), and Anna M. (m. Willis E. Kuehns). Mrs. Kline's grandfather,

William R. Leh, also of Allentown, married A. Maria Ginkinger.

Rev. Mr. Kline, being much interested in local his- tory, has become a member of the Pennsylvania Ger- man Society and the Berks County Historical Society, both of which organizations he encourages most heart- ily.

WILLIAM BRIDEGAM, one of Reading's highly esteemed citizens and retired business men, is a native of Berks county, born June 10, 1826, in Alsace township, son of David and Catherine (Becker) Bridegam, also natives of this county.

David Bridegam was educated in the common schools of his day, and when a boy learned the weaver's trade. This, in connection with farming a small property, oc- cupied his time during his short life. He died at the age of thirty years, having been married but eight years, and having four children: Louisa m. Philip Her- bine, and had eight children, John (deceased), Wil- liam, Lucy, Mahlon, Louisa. Katie, Amanda and James; William; Augustus died single; and Lewis m. Mary Ann Shadle and had three children, Augustus, Katie and James. Mr. Bridegam died in 1832, while his wid- ow survived him fifty-five years and died aged eighty -. six years. The maternal grandfather was David Beck- er, who married Susan Messersmith. They were very prominent farming people of Alsace township, and he was an extensive land owner. He, however, disposed of his interests in Berks county and with a large fam- ily removed to Ohio, where some of his descendants still reside.

William Bridegam was but five years old. when his father died, and his mother not being in affluent cir- cumstances, he was taken to raise by Susan Hassler, with whom he remained until eighteen years of age, receiving, however, but a limited education. While yet in his teens, he was apprenticed to the tinsmith's trade, and this he followed for fifty-four years. Through honest endeavor and perseverance he has accumulated a competency and now in the evening of his life is living quietly, enjoying the fruits of early labor. Mr. Bridegam has been twice married, his first wife being Rebecca Bells, by whom two children were born: Caro- line, deceased; and Susan, who became the wife of Wil- liam Hobart. Mr. Bridegam m. (second) Cynthia Waltz (now also deceased), and six children were born to this union, as follows: Clara, m. Samuel Hartman; Sarah, is a widow; Kate, m. John E. Hun- sicker of Los Angeles, Cal .; William E., is an elec- trician of Reading; Mary, is deceased; and Florence, m. John Fink, of Schuylkill Haven.

In religion the family are members of St. James' Lutheran Church. Mr. Bridegam was formerly a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., and belongs to Reading Council, No. 46, O. U. A. M. He is a very active man for his years, and is most highly esteemed in Reading.

WILLIAM B. YEAGER, proprietor of the Reading Cornice Works, with business situated on the north- west corner of Eighth and Chestnut streets, Reading, Pa., is one of the leading business men of this city. He was born at Reading, in 1851, a son of Abraham and Harriet (Dickinson) Yeager.

Abraham Yeager was one of the business men of Reading for years. For a long period he was a con- fectioner and later went into the plumbing business in partnership with his father-in-law, William Dickin- son, under the firm name of Dickinson & Yeager. The business was then located on Sixth street near Penn street, Reading. Subsequently Mr. Yeager was asso- ciated with a Mr. Miller and the firm became Miller & Yeager and so continued until the latter's death, at the comparatively early age of thirty-seven years. He was laid to rest in the Charles Evans cemetery. Mr. Yeager was survived by a widow and children. He married Harriet Dickinson, daughter of William P. and Elizabeth (Miller) Dickinson, the Miller family

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being a very old and prominent one at Readng. The wood for six years. Mr. Haag is very well known in children of this union were: William B., of this sketch; the city of Reading, where he is highly esteemed for his many sterling traits of character. Edward, formerly mayor of the city of Reading; Harry; Pearson; Clara; and Alice, wife of Henry Heckman, of California.

William . B. Yeager was educated in the schools of his native city, including the high school. His first acquaintance with business was as a clerk in the dry goods store of B. H. Brown, where he remained a short time, and then entered the Reading Sheet Mill Works, and for one year worked at piling scrap iron. His next business connection was with the firm of Delp & Rapp, with whom he was associated for two and a half years. In 1878 he went with W. T. Hain, working at the tinning trade, and remained with him for sixteen years. That long experience gave him a thorough understanding of his present line of work. During this period he spent some eighteen months in Schuylkill county. in the same business.

In 1887 Mr. Yeager engaged in business at his pres- ent site and has met with most encouraging success. The Reading Cornice Works include in their manu- factures copper and iron cornices, crestings, hipping, and finals, roofing, spouting and heater work and sheet metal work of all kinds. His plant is well equipped with all manner of modern machinery and he gives em- ployment to ten skilled workmen. . On Jan. 15, 1906, he received a patent right for a metal window sash and frame, and this device has met with a ready sale. Mr. Yeager visits neighboring towns in the interests of his business and has friends all over the region.

Mr. Yeager was married to Susan Leitheiser, a daughter of Francis and Mary (Adams) Leitheiser, of Hyde Park, Reading. They have a daughter and son, Bessie and Harry, the latter of whom proves a very apt assistant to his father. In politics Mr. Yeager is a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to Chandler Lodge No. 227, F. & A. M .; Excelsior Chapter, and Reading Commandery, and is a past officer of the Royal Arcanum. Mr. Yeager and family belong to the Luth- eran Church. They have a pleasant home at No. 646 North Sixth street, Reading.

A. W. HAAG, a prosperous business man of Read- ing, carrying on a large millwrighting business on the corner of Walnut and Third streets, was born Feb. 15, 1851, in North Heidelberg township, Berks Co., Pa., a son of Joel and Susanna (Wenrich) Haag.

His education was obtained in the schools at Bern- ville and from youth he took care of himself. In 1868 he went to California and helped build the Union Pac- ific railroad, and was one of the party to travel on the first train over the route. Upon his return he went to Luzerne county and there worked at sawmill work, having some acquaintances there, and worked also at Allentown. In 1875 he went to Fleetwood and worked on what was the invention of the Haag Reliance Tur- bine Water Wheel, superintending the setting up of the same, until 1894. Mr. Haag then came to Reading and established his business at the foot of Chestnut street, but in 1896 he opened his present place of busi- ness where he has a fine establishment equipped with all kinds of modern machinery for millwrighting. He makes a specialty of equipping dye works. He is a thoroughly competent machinist and stands very high in the trade.

In 1873 Mr. Haag was married to Sevilla Eck and they have eleven children, namely: Katherine, m. to W. L. Fegley; Charles, m. to Jennie Rambo; Sarah, m. to Samuel Fegley; John A., m. to Ada Heck; George, m. to Blanche E. Wink; Elizabeth, m. to E. S. Fisher; Mary, m. to John Craig; Caroline, m. to E. Miller; Adam W., Jr .; William P. and James H. Mr. Haag is a member of the United Evangelical Church. He is fraternally connected with the Knights of Pythias. While in Fleetwood he was a member of the council, and for a number of years school trustee. He was also secretary of the board of town councilmen of Fleet-

ANDREW HONEKER, a resident of Reading, Pa., who was, engaged in the stone-cutting business, was born June 22, 1845, in Wurtemberg, Germany, son of George Honeker, an agriculturist of that country, where he died at the age of sixty-five years.

Andrew Honeker received his education in the com- mon schools of his native country, and was reared on his father's farm. He came to America in June, 1869, on a vessel of the Hamburg Line, and landed at New York City, where he remained but a few days, then go- ing to the State of Massachusetts. He worked on a farm there for a short time after which he came to Reading and was employed at a furnace for a few months. His next employment was at Altoona, Pa., for a period of three years, after which he returned to Reading and learned the stone cutting trade with the Eben people, in whose employ he was for a period of twenty years. In 1894 Mr. Honeker engaged in business with John Fisher and Christ Becker, with whom he continued one year, after which he formed a partnership with Simon Abel, this connection con- tinuing for five years. In 1904 Mr. Honeker became the. partner of Henry Huber (see sketch elsewhere), and they continued as partners, their yard being lo- cated at Elm and Buttonwood streets, as long as Mr. Honeker lived. and after her husband's death Mrs. Honeker sold his interests. The home of the family is at No. 1167 Green street. Mr. Honeker died July 23, 1908, aged sixty-three years, and is buried in the Geth- semane Cemetery, Reading. He was a member of St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, and of St. Boniface's Society.

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Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I, Part 161

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846; J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1018

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846; J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1018