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 163

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 163

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George C. Suender received his education in the schools of Berks county, attending pay schools in Bern

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township and Freeland Seminary, and after leaving previous year built at Albany Station the brick resi- the latter institution taught school for five years. In dence near the railroad, where he now lives. The large lawn is most attractive. Mrs. Graff is a great lover of flowers and has been very successful in their cultivation, and the beautiful blossoms attract much attention, not only of the passers-by but also of the passengers on the trains of the Schuylkill & Lehigh railroad running close to the house. Mr. Graff is a man of intelligence and is well posted on public questions. He takes great pleasure in reading. He and his wife have erected their monument at Friedens Church cemetery. 1868 he commenced farming, continuing thereat until 1870, when he embarked in the livery business on Pearl, below Franklin street, Reading. One year later he sold out to engage in the flour and feed business with William Frame, and shortly thereafter accepted a position with William T. Clous & Son, ice dealers. In 1880, Mr. Suender engaged in the milk business. and this he carried on until April 30, 1907, when he sold out. Mr. Suender has been prominent not only in business, but in political circles as well. He has long been a stanch adherent of Democratic principles in this section, was school director for six years, and for the past seventeen years has served efficiently as ward assessor. He is well known throughout the city, and has many warm friends.

Mr. Suender was married (first) to Elizabeth Kauf- man, by whom he had two children: Lillie; and Eliza- beth, m. to John Sheidy. His second marriage was to Louisa Menges, and to them there have been born six children: Katie, m. to Elmer Heilig; Eugenia H .; T. Howard; Charles F .; Emma, m. to John Dersch; and Vernie. The family is connected with the Lutheran Church.

GEORGE GRAFF. a farmer of Albany township, Berks county, now living retired in his comfortable home at Albany Station, is a native of Nenbeuern. Germany, born Ang. 11. 1835, son of George Michael Graff.

George Michael Graff was born in Bayern, Ger- many, May 23, 1793, and died at his home near Wess- nersville, Berks county, June 29, 1879. He came to America in 1839 bringing his family, and first lived for a few years in Philadelphia, from which city he came to Berks county, and made his first location in Green- wich township, on the place where William Emore now lives about Klinesville. About 1848 he moved to Albany township. and located where his son Christian now lives near Wessnersville. He owned this farm, which first consisted of fifty-six acres, and this he cultivated until a few years before his death. He was a Lutheran in religions faith, as was also his wife, and they are buried at Friedens Church at Wessners- ville, of which they were members. Mr. Graff had been a tanner in the Old Country, but never followed that trade in America. He was a man of medium height with very black hair. His second wife was Anna

and died April 21, 1881. They had four children: George and Michael, both born in Germany; and Christian and Catharine (m. Samuel Mohn, of Round Top, Albany township), both born in America. Of these children, Michael lived some years in Albany town- ship, and then moved to West Penn township, Schuyl- kill county, where some years later he sold out his farm, and then went to Tamaqua. He married Polly Kunkel, and their children were: Thomas, George, Charles, Alvin. Jonathan. Mary Ann, Missouri and Cora. Christian Graff, son of George Michael, a shoemaker by trade, also carries on farming on the old homestead in Albany township. He married Polly Frey (spelled Frai in German), sister to George Graff's wife, Sarah, both daughters of Napoleon Frey. To Christian Graff and wife have been born: Oscar, Mantillis (m. Amanda Zimmerman, daughter of Noah Zimmerman), Richard (m. Alice Zimmerman, sister to Amanda), Irwin, Elmer and Herbert.

George Graff accompanied his parents to America, and in Greenwich township he learned the shoemaker's trade under Peter Reinhard, and this he followed four- teen years. During the Civil war he enlisted in Com- pany G, 167th Pa. V. I. and served nine months. After the war he engaged in farming in Albany township, and has a nice farm of 110 acres located in the potato belt on the Ontelaunee. He built in 1883 the present barn on his farm. and he retired in 1889, having the

In 1860 Mr. Graff married Sarah Frey, daughter of Napoleon and Kate (Billman) Frey, the latter a daugh- ter of Jacob Billman (whose children were-Sallie, Leah, Betsey, Hettie, Kate, Polly, Jonas and Reuben). To Mr. and Mrs. Graff have been born no children. Mr. Graff is a Democrat in politics, and he and his wife are Lutheran members of Friedens Church.

WILLIAM BORDER, a retired citizen of Reading, has been a resident of that city from youth, and was one of its foremost business men for many years. His success was not made in any one line alone, but in different ventures, his chief interest, however, center- ing in the local financial institutions and in the Acme Manufacturing Company, of which important concern he was a member and director for several years. He is a man of independent spirit and persevering disposi- tion, and made his own way to a high position in busi- ness circles.

Mr. Border is a native of Berks county, born in Al- sace township, June 6, 1829. He is of German descent, his grandfather, Samuel Border, having been born in Germany, whence he emigrated to America, settling in Exeter township, Berks Co., Pa. Daniel Border, son of Samuel, and father of William, was born in Exeter township and there passed his early life. In time he settled in Alsace with his family where he remained until his comparatively early death in 1821. He was a farmer by occupation. Daniel Border married Elizabeth Kline, and they had two children, Daniel and William, the former dying when eleven years old. Mrs. Border remarried, her second husband being Jacob Bower, by whom she had one son, Jeremiah, who be- came a well known physician of Reading.

William Border was only a year and a half old when his father died, and he remained at home with his moth- er, and step-father until he reached the age of eleven, when he began to support himself. For several years

Maria Himmelshear, who was born March 13, 1813, he hired out as a farm hand, but when he was seven-

teen the family removed to Reading, and he accom- panied them to the city, which has since been his home. During his first summer here he found work in a brick yard, and then he did day's labor until he commenced fence-making, in which line he made his first notable success. He continued in that line for twenty-two years, taking orders for the particular kind of fence he sold in every section of Berks county, where he formed a wide acquaintance while traveling around in the pursuit of his business. For the first six months after he quit fence-making he was in partner- ship with Isaac Roland, whose interest he purchased at that time. He then formed the firm of William Border & Co., in which his associates were James T. Reber and Adam Bard, and they continued together for eight years, doing a profitable business as manufacturers of parts for wagons, buggies, etc., such as felloes, spokes, shafts, etc.

Mr. Border's next venture was as a money broker, a business which he began in 1873 at a most favorable time for that calling, as the financial panic of that time had just broken out. He followed that line for three years, during which he not only exercised his native shrewdness to the best advantage in various financial transactions, but also found several openings for profit- able investment. The accuracy of his judgment, wheth- er in regard to men or conditions, was the principal factor in his success at this time. It was about this

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period that he invested largely in timber lands, upon three daughters, it being his desire to see the enjoyment which he intended to realize by cutting and selling the of his children in his property while he was yet living. timber, and the outcome of these investments showed He is now in his eighty-first year, and enjoying fair him to be an expert in the valuation of such property. health. He continued on a similar line for some time after- - ward, buying land which he laid out into building lots, and he did considerable trading in real estate through- out his active career, also retaining a number of lots for himself-about a hundred near Reading. His sales amounted to over $30,000 annually.

In 1894 Mr. Border became a member of the Acme Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of the Stormer bicycle, whose business offered a most promising in- vestment as the demand for bicycles was then at its height. His executive influence soon became apparent, and he continued to be a factor in the management of the concern, during which time the large bicycle fac- tory on Eighth street, at that time the largest in the city, was erected, in 1896. The product was twenty thousand bicycles yearly, and employment was given to a force of four hundred in their manufacture. The wheels were marketed all over the United States and also in foreign countries, being of high standard make. In 1893 Mr. Border opened a toy and variety store, the conduct of which he turned over to his grandson, Wil- liam F. Lease, and this was sold in 1903. Mr. Border has also been identified with some of the most notable of Reading's financial institutions. He had an interest in the Penn National Bank, the Schuylkill Valley Bank, the Reading National Bank and the Reading City Pas- senger Railway Company, still retaining his stock in the last named.

Though his phenomenal success followed a youth of hard toil, with no promise of the affluence which crown- ed the efforts of his manhood, Mr. Border was never carried away with his prosperity, and never became a reckless investor or improvident in any way. His rise was steady, and a wise conservatism and excellent judgment led him to decide deliberately and venture cautiously. Thus, having gained ground, he did not lose it, and his course not only made for his own profit, but won for him a substantial position and gave the enterprises with which he was connected high prestige. He made his way against many obstacles, but he had the qualities of determination and perseverance, and his successful struggles against lack of means in his earlier years gave him courage for large things as time passed. His integrity in all transactions gained him universal respect.

On July 1, 1849, Mr. Border married Emma Harbold, like himself a native of Berks county, born May 26, 1822, daughter of Adam Harbold and granddaughter of Frederick Harbold. She died May 7, 1889, the mother of five children, namely: (1) Ellen Alwidla m. Jeremiah Lease, of Reading, and they have a family of five: Wil- liam F., m. to Sallie Hafer, has two children, Ella and Catherine; Edwin J., m. to Carrie Wiest, has six child- ren, Lester, Florence, Harold, Grace, Emily and Carrie; Arthur F .; Clarence, and Raymond. This family, with the exception of Arthur F., who is Reformed, belongs to the Lutheran Church. (2) Amanda Otilda .. (3) Anetta m. Frank Reinert, of Reading, and they have had three sons: One died in infancy; Leroy, m. to Hel- en Fleckenstein, has one child, William; and Guy is un- married. (4) Emma and (5) Elizabeth died when young. Mr. Border and his daughter, Amanda, reside at No. 1238 North 12th street, Reading.

Mr. Border is a Republican in political faith and has been almost since the formation of the party. He cast his first vote for Buchanan, supported Abraham Lin- coln, and has upheld Republican principles staunchly, though he has never taken an active part in political affairs. Fraternally he unites with Freedom Circle, Brotherhood of the Union, and is an Odd Fellow. His religious connection is with the Lutheran Church, to which he gives liberal support. ' Among the character- istic traits showing Mr. Border's beneficent spirit was the distribution of all his real estate in 1907 to his Ind. (2) Clara E. m. Wilson R. Merkel, of Lenharts-

WANNER. The Wanner family was one of a half dozen families who came from the southwestern sec- tion of Germany or Switzerland prior to 1740, and settled in Richmond township, Berks Co., Pa. Old set- tlers, tradition, appearance and descendants of these families who are posted on genealogy, in many cases confirm the idea that they were Palatinates, who ac- cepted the Christian religion before they came to the New World.

(I) Martin Wanner, the emigrant ancestor of this. old family, came from Germany in the fall of 1733. He had six children, namely: Christian, of whom we have no record; Jacob, who married Mary Elizabeth Drei- belbis, and had issue, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Peter, Magdalena and Mary; Peter; Margaret, who married a Burghart; Mrs. Muthart; and Mrs. Ango- stadt.

(II) Peter Wanner, son of Martin the emigrant, was thrice married. He m. (first) Catharine Rothermel, and they had six children, as follows: (1) Daniel is mentioned below. (2) Jacob is not mentioned in the records. (3) Peter m. Catharine Redinger, and had seven children-Martin, m. to Hannah Christ; Anna and William, unmarried; Peter, m. to a Brown; Eliza- beth, m. to Charles Leis, and mother of seven child- ren; Isaac; and Esther. (4) Thomas m. Rebecca Al- bright, and had three children-Susanna, m. to John Adams, and had two children who died in infancy; and Mary and Peter, who are unmarried. (5) Cabilla was married, but we have no record of either her or her family. (6) Esther m. a Heckman, and had three children-George, Aaron and Esther. Peter Wanner m. (second) a Miss Schwartz, and by her had three children, all of whom died in infancy. He m. (third) Magdalena Dreibelbis, and they were the parents of John Wanner, the grandfather of Solon A. Wanner.

(III) John Wanner m. Elizabeth Biehl, daughter of Christian Biehl, and to this union were born the following children: Maria, born May 6, 1811, m. into the Sharadin family; Anna, born Feb. 4, 1813, m. into the Mertz family; Ephraim, born Feb. 4, 1815, died young; William, born Feb. 22, 1817, is a farmer; John Daniel is mentioned below; Joel B., born March 5, 1821, a graduate of the Franklin and Marshall College, a lawyer, and during the Civil war a major in the Union army, m. into the Zieber family; Peter Chris- tian, born March 24, 1823, m. a Moyer; John Charles, born Jan. 22, 1825, is a successful china merchant in Philadelphia; Charles H., born Sept. 3, 1827, a doctor, m. into the Hilbert family; Elizabeth, born Oct. 15, 1829, m. a Humbert; Amos, born Dec. 25, 1831, a lawyer and a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, m. into the Zieber family; and Henry, born March 28, 1834, is a tanner and currier, and is unmarried. John Wanner, the father, was a prominent politician, and served several terms in the Legislature.

(IV) John Daniel Wanner, father of Solon A., was born near Kutztown, in Maxatawny township, Berks Co., Pa., Feb. 20, 1819. He m. Elizabeth, daughter of Jonas and Elizabeth (Sell) Bower, and to them were born these children: (1) Llewellyn, a graduate of the Franklin and Marshall College, was a member of the Reading Bar, and after a successful career in Reading he went to Goshen, Ind., with his family, where he practised law until his death. He m. Catharine M. Dech, of Allentown, Lehigh Co., Pa., and to this union were born four children: Kate Laneta, m. to Joseph H. Lesh, a lumber merchant of Chicago, Ill., has one daughter, Kathrine; Lulona Elizabeth, m. to Edward Herith, a piano dealer in Indianapolis, Ind., has two daughters; William Ralph married Carrie -; and Gertrude Bower m. . a Mr. Haskel, of Goshen,

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ville, Pa., son of George Merkel, an iron master of that place. The only child of this union was a daugh- ter who died at birth, the mother passing away at the same time, April 10, 1882. (3) Solon A. is mentioned below.

John Daniel Wanner received a common school edu- cation, and began life as a school teacher in Maxa- tawny township, later taking up civil engineering, which he mastered successfully in a short time. He then began the study of law, in his spare time, meanwhile working in the dry goods business with Heidenrich & Kutz, for meager wages. The firm kindly let him go surveying several days of the week, and at night when the rest of the family were in bed, he was preparing his drafts and making calculations, these being so cor- rect that his surveyings were never questioned by the courts. Raising and educating his own family, besides helping to educate three of his brothers, he was un- daunted in his efforts, and success attended his every step. He was a justice of the peace at Kutztown for many years, served as chief burgess, and was clerk of the borough council until age incapacitated him for further work. He also held the office of registrar of wills for Berks county with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. The whole life of J. Daniel Wanner was an excellent example of ambition, pluck and energy, united with love and kindness to- ward his neighbors. Honest to himself and everyone who came in contact with him, sociable with everybody he met, loving and exceedingly kind to his family and friends-all of these characteristics, combined with a God-fearing spirit and a keen desire to do right, made up Mr. Wanner's life.

(V) SOLON A. WANNER was born Nov. 13, 1850, and spent his boyhood days in Kutztown. There he at- tended the public schools, and later entered the Key- stone State Normal School, in 1868 taking the regular course at Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, The first of the family to come to the New World was the Rev. Frederick Herman, a native of Holland, who in 1786 was sent by the fathers of the Reformed N. Y., graduating therefrom in 1869. After his return to Kutztown he became a clerk in the Peabody Bank, under his father, and four years later entered the Church to preach the Gospel in America. He located employ of the Farmers State Bank, of Goshen, Ind. in New Jersey, but remained there only a short time, He remained there for three years, and then on account of the age of his parents he re- turned home, and engaged in business on Main street, conducting a branch office for the Keystone and Farm- ers' National Banks of Reading, Pa. He later en- gaged in the cigar and tobacco business, but is now yeoman. In 1905 he was called as an expert account- ant to examine and audit the accounts of the county alms house, which duty he performed with great credit. Besides being a good business man Mr. Wanner is a musician of some note.

On Sept. 10, 1885, Mr. Wanner was married to Mary A. Leiby, daughter of Alfred and Susan (Wertz) Leiby, and to this union were born children: Lee, a telegraph operator; Vernon; Daniel, an expert electrician at the Locomotive works at Huntington, W. Va., and a clever musician; and Clara Mary, a bright and accomplished daughter, who is now teaching school.

(III) Daniel Wanner, son of Peter and great-grand- father of Charles A. Wanner, married and became the father of three children, Samuel, Thomas and Jacob.

(IV) Samuel Wanner, son of Daniel, was a farmer and miller, and erected a number of grist mills, among which was the Leinbach mill in Fleetwood. He was very prosperous, owning an excellent farm of 100 acres in Richmond township. He was a member of the Reformed Church of St. Paul, of Fleetwood. In poli- tics he was a Democrat. He m. Anna Albright, and to them were born children as follows: Daniel. A., a farmer in Alsace township; Thomas A., now retired, who was an iron worker, having a forge in Chester county; Peter A., retired drover; John A., deceased; and Lewis A.

(V) Lewis A. Wanner was a well known and pros- perous business man of Fleetwood, and a member of the firm of Schaeffer, Wanner & Co. He m. Hettie Kelchner, daughter of Jacob and Ann (Sheirer) Kelch- ner, and to this union were born the following children: Katie, wife of Marvin Moyer, a dealer in wall papers at Quakertown, Pa .; Isaac, deceased; Annie, m. to Henry D. Schaeffer, of Reading; Charles A .; Eliza- beth, who resides with her mother in Fleetwood; Lewis A., a student in the Department of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania; and Oliver B., a student at Albright College.

(VI) CHARLES ALBRIGHT WANNER was born Aug. 25, 1876, and received his primary education in the public schools of the place of his nativity, later attending the Keystone State Normal School at Kutz- town. Later he attended Albright College, at Myers- town, Lebanon county, and graduated from that insti- tution in 1895. The senior partner in his father's business retired, and the present firm, that of Schaef- fer, Wanner & Co., was formed, consisting of Charles A. Wanner, and Llewellyn D. and Webster D. Schaef- fer, the two latter being sons of George B. Schaeffer, ex-sheriff of Berks county. The new firm has thus far been very successful.

Charles A. Wanner is a Republican in politics. In religion he is connected with the United Evangelical Church. Besides other business interests he is a mem- ber of the hosiery manufacturing firm of Madeira & Wanner of Fleetwood. He is an honorable and public- spirited citizen, and a representative man of his com- munity.

HERMAN. The Herman family of Berks county. represented in the present generation by that popular official, George C. Herman, Esq., of Maxatawny town- ship, had its early home in Holland, and the four generations in America have given their time, their talents and their education to the service of the public.

going then to Germantown, near Philadelphia, and there he was living in 1793 when President Washington and the American Congress met there. In fact, his home was secured for the accommodation of the President and his private secretary, Mr. B. Dandridge. Three rooms and two beds were placed at the disposal of the distinguished guests, "with breakfast, and tea in the afternoon, at ten dollars each per week." The dinners were sent in by a neighboring tavern keeper. From Germantown the Rev. Mr. Herman moved to near Pottstown, in Montgomery county, where he served many congregations, besides paying special at- tention to preparation of young men for the work of the holy ministry, and died at a ripe old age. after sixty years of faithful service as a minister of the Gospel

Rev. Charles G. Herman, son of the Rev. Frederick Herman and Maria, his wife, whose maiden name was Feit, was born in Germantown, Philadelphia county. He, too, became a minister of the Reformed Church, and, locating in Maxatawny township, Berks county, made that locality the scene of his labors throughout the remainder of his life. He entered into rest Aug. 4, 1863, at the age of seventy years, nine months and eleven days. He married Hester Sassaman, who was born in Maxatawny township, and they became the parents of five children: Maria, m. to Judge Wil- loughby Fogle, and now deceased; Hester, m. to Dr. Henry Helfrich, a resident of Allentown, Pa .; Louisa, m. to Rev. Daniel Brendel, of Bethlehem, Pa .; Jacob Sassaman, deceased; and the Rev. Alfred Jasper. ,

Rev. Alfred Jasper Herman, son of Rev. Charles G. and Hester (Sassaman), was born Nov. 6. 1831, in Maxatawny township, in the house in which he now

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self-denial. His education was acquired in the com- mon schools; in Easton Academy, under the Rev. Dr. Vandeveer; in the University of New York, where he pursued a special course for two years; and his theological studies under his uncle, the late Rev. Dr. Guldin, of New York City, and his father. The hono- rary degree of A. M. was conferred upon him by Frank- lin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa. During the last year of his study in New York City he preached weekly, on Wednesday nights, in the Howsen street Reformed Church, of which his uncle was pastor. In 1851 the Classis of the Reformed Church ordained him, and he immediately became assistant to his father, a position he filled for five years. At the end of that time he took charge of the New Jerusalem Church at Wessnersville, where he remained for half a century. He also had charge of a number of other churches in that locality, at one time being pastor of eight parishes -an almost superhuman task, yet his industry, his devotion never flagged, and his superb physical health sustained him. In forty-seven years he missed but twenty-five Sundays because of ill health or inclement weather. To his earnest efforts is due the existence of St. Paul's Church, at Seiberlingville, and of St. Peter's at Topton. In 1897 when he celebrated the forty-sixth anniversary of his ordination, and the forty- first of his pastorate at the New Jerusalem Church, people to the number of 2,000 gathered from all over Berks and Lehigh counties to do him honor, and to show their affection for their spiritual leader.

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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 163

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