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 165

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 165

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then moved to a farm near Van Reed's paper mill in Spring township, and for five years devoted him- self to agriculture. In 1887, with his brother Henry, under the firm name of D. K. High & Bro., he opened up a coal yard at No. 312 Rose street, Reading, also handling flour and feed. They met with a good trade, and the business has been carried on with increased success by his brother Charles P. High. The firm was continued as D. K. High & Bro. until 1891, when Mr. D. K. High retired, and started in the creamery busi- ness on his farm. This he conducted for two years, but on account of the scarcity of milk in that locality he removed to Brownsville, and with M. K. Keith as a partner under the name of High & Keith carried on the business for five years. Again the difficulty of securing milk proved a factor in Mr. High's business arrangements, and he sold out to his partner, and bought a half interest of Harry W. Sheeler, of the firm of Sheeler & Leinbach, who were engaged in the hosiery business at Robesonia, Pa. Later Mr. High bought out Mr. Leinbach's interest, and he now con- ducts the business alone under the name of Robesonia Knitting Mills. His factory is a two-story frame struc- ture 40x60 feet. He employs upwards of fifty people, and the out-put is about 250 dozen pairs per day. This consists of men's fine seamless hosiery, and a ready sale is found all over the United States. In 1906 he started his sons Edwin and Walter in a branch factory at Bernville, where about thirty people are employed. The capacity of this factory is also 250 dozen pairs per day. This business is most successful. Mr. High still retains his fine farm of 118 acres on the Tul- pehocken, near the Van Reed mills (now used by the Acme Paper Company).

In politics Mr. High is a Democrat. He was hon- ored by election as school director to fill an unexpired term, and then re-elected, serving as secretary of the board and rendering valuable service to the cause of education. Socially he is a member of Castle No. 49, K. G. E., of Reading. Since 1885 he and his family have been connected with St. Paul's Reformed Church at Reading, of which he was a deacon.

On Feb. 26, 1880, Mr. High was married to Clara Van Reed. daughter of Henry Z. and Mary (Leinbach) Van Reed, and granddaughter of Charles and Margar- et (Zacharias) Van Reed. To Mr. and Mrs. High were born three sons, namely: (1) Edwin V. R., born July 14, 1881, in Spring township, has a liberal educa- tion, and is successful in business. He married, June 22, 1907, Rachel M. Taylor. (2) Henry V. R., born in Spring township, July 27, 1883, is a bookbinder by trade, and is manager and treasurer of the C. F. Heller Book Bindery, at Reading, where he learned his trade (D. K. High is vice president and director of this com- pany). On Sept. 12, 1906, he married Anna Lengel. (3) Walter V. R., born Aug. 16, 1885, with his brother Edwin is engaged in the hosiery business at Bern- ville, under the firm name of the Durable Hosiery Mill. Walter V. R. is the superintendent. He married, May 25. 1908, Estella May Gerhart.

GEORGE FIELD, of Reading, who resides at No. 441} South Sixth Street, has made that city his home since 1865, but claims Philadelphia as his birthplace. His birth occurred Nov. 5, 1836, in a locality known as Francisville, but which is now a part of Seven- teenth street and Ridge avenue.

Mr. Field passed most of his boyhood and youth in Conshohocken, and when old enough went into the People's Works in Philadelphia to learn to be a machinist. When his preparation was over he took a position for a short time with the Alan Wood Co., in the Schuylkill Iron Works at Conshohocken, and then went to Norristown, Pa. This, too, was but a tempor- ary position, as Mr. Field had an offer from the Ply- mouth Iron Works, which he accepted. On Feb. 9, 1863, he left the Plymouth Iron Works having ac-

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

cepted a position at the Monocacy Furnace, where he May; and Emma I., deceased. Mr. Markley was at put the furnace in order, and remained for two years. one time connected with the I. O. O. F., and was a past officer of Freedom Circle, No. 7, Brotherhood of the Union. In politics he was a Democrat, but never as- pired to public preferment, although he took a good citizen's interest in elections. He was a kind husband and indulgent father, and in his death the city of Reading lost one of its good, intelligent citizens. A place was then offered him in the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Shops, and Feb. 8, 1865, began his long connection with that Company, covering a per- iod of forty-two years. Mr. Field has long enjoyed a reputation as a most competent machinist and was considered one of the Company's most reliable men.

In 1878 the Railway Company sent a party abroad to assemble a locomotive built at the Reading Shops for the Paris Exposition, and Mr. Field, who had charge of erecting the engine at the Reading Shops, was among those chosen for this work. S. D. Blackmon, who was general foreman at this time, C. Gilbert Steffe, Frazier W. Wooten and Mr. Field composed the party. They left Philadelphia, April 4, 1878, on the steam collier "Pottsville, No. 14," Captain Samuel Col- burn, a vessel owned by the Reading Company, and arrived at Havre April 21st. After remaining there two weeks, seven days of which was required to assemble the engine, they left Havre May 5th.

Mr. Field has always been a strong Democrat of the Jacksonian type, and has been active in party work in the Second ward. He was made representative from that ward in Common Council in 1869, and was one who helped to vote the market houses from Penn Square. Fraternally he was formerly connected with the I. O. O. F., F. & A. M., and the K. of P., and is now a member of the Philadelphia & Reading Relief and Reading Railway Veteran Associations.

On December 1st, 1906, he was retired and placed on the pension list, having attained the age limit of sev- enty years.

In 1860 occurred the union of George Field and Miss Amanda Brant, ' also a native of Philadelphia, and a great number of friends. daughter of Thomas and Catherine (Barndollar) Brant. The issue of this marriage is an only daughter, Kate V., at home.

D. FRANK MARKLEY (deceased), who for many years was engaged in the real estate and insurance business, was born in Maxatawny township, Berks county, May 3, 1842, son of Joseph and Esther (Fisher) Markley, both parents being natives of Berks county, Pennsylvania.

Joseph Markley was engaged in farming in Maxa- tawny township for many years, but removed to Minn- esota in 1876, dying in St. Cloud, that state, in 1889, his widow, Esther Fisher, surviving him but a few years. They had been the parents of five children, four of whom lived to maturity: D. Frank, deceased; T. Well- ington; Elmira, m. to John May, deceased; and Jos- eph H., deceased. The family were Lutherans in re- ligious belief. Politically Mr. Markley was a Demo- crat, but it is not known whether or not he ever held office.

D. Frank Markley was educated in the common schools of Reading, and when a boy engaged in work at the old Bushong distillery, located at the corner of Front and Penn streets. Here he remained a number of years, and later accepted a position with the Nation- al Union Bank of Reading as clerk, continued in that capacity for some time, and then engaged with the Boas Lumber Company, for several years. Mr. Mark- ley then was employed by the Reading Fire Insurance Company, which he left in 1898 to engage in the real estate business, in which he continued until his .death, July 12, 1900. He was buried in the Charles Evans cemetery.

FRANK A. MARKLEY, one of the leading young business men of Reading, Pa., is successfully engaged in the real estate and insurance business. He was born May 26, 1874, in Reading, and received his educa- tion in the public schools of that city. His first busi- ness experience was gained as a clerk for the Reading Hardware Company, with whom he remained eleven years. He then succeeded his father in the real estate and insurance business, and in this he has successfully continued ever since. The business was established in 1898.

Mr. Markley was married Aug. 11, 1904, to Mamie May Frederick, daughter of Louis and Emma Freder- ick, of Reading, and to them were born two children, Frank Edwin and Mary Elizabeth. Mr. Frederick is the owner of a meat market. Mr. Markley belongs to the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Knights of the Maccabees, the Modern Woodmen of America, Har- monie Maennerchor, and the Friendship Fire Company, having served in all the offices in the latter organiz- ation, is a Past Worthy President of the Eagles, and President of Reading Eagles Home Company, Inc .. and has held office in nearly all these societies. He belongs to Trinity Lutheran Church. Mr. Markley is one of the foremost young business men of Reading, is popular in fraternal and social circles, and has a

JAMES K. MERKEL has been a resident of Read- ing since 1903, and with but little exception has passed all his life in Berks county. His ancestors have long been settled here.

Abraham Merckel (or Merkel) was born in Macungie township, Northampton (now Lehigh) Co., Pa., about 1767, and is a descendant of an old family of French origin. He was a farmer, and in 1785 and 1786 was as- sessed for 100 acres of land, two horses and three cattle. In 1785 he paid a federal tax of ££1 8s 6d, and in 1786 the amount was £1 1s 6d. The tax lists of his native county bear his name as a taxable until 1805. In 1806 he is assessed as a resident of Albany town- ship, Berks county, where he owned a tract on which he lived. The farm is now owned by Jacob Schroeder; a big hill on this farm for many years was known as "Merkel's Hill," now "Donat's Hill." It was at this place that his father-in-law, Jacob Donat, had previous- ly settled. Abraham Merckel was an industrious and honest citizen. He was a tall and well-built man, standing over six feet, and was possessed of great strength and endurance. He was a wheelwright by trade. He met a tragic end. During the summer of 1826 there was a drought in the upper end of Berks county. Water had become scarce on the southern side of the Blue mountains, while on the opposite side there was an abundance of rain and water. Therefore Abraham Merckel took his grain to a mill on the opposite side of the mountain, and on the return trip fell into the hands of a band of roughs. one of whom cruelly murdered him. On the slope of the mountain in West Penn township. Schuylkill county (on the road from Jacksonville to Tamaqua), which he had to pass, there was an old hostelry around which many stories of robbery, and even the murder of peddlers and cattle dealers centered. That the place was notorious was evidenced by the frequent reference to it in the recol- lections of the older residents of the section. It was

Mr. Markley was married in 1864 to Amanda E. Ar- nold, daughter of William and Catherine (Sauerbier) Arnold, the former a hat manufacturer and director of three banks. To Mr. and Mrs. Markley were born children as follows: Catherine May; Edwin Arnold; Charles Hunter, deceased; William A., a druggist of abandoned over thirty years ago, and only crumbling Harrisburg; Frank A., of Reading, who is carrying on walls and an old well half filled with stones and rub- the real estate business at No. 535 Court street; Alice bish mark the site of the once busy and widely known

619.

BIOGRAPHICAL

stopping place. While passing the hotel Mr. Merckel

James K. Merkel was born in Albany township Oct. was requested to stop off, which he did. He found a 7, 1847. He has followed the blacksmith's trade almost number of men playing cards and also, undoubtedly, drinking. One of the card players, a man named Jacob Hawkenstein, commenced quarreling with Mr. Merckel, who told Hawkenstein it would be to his bene- fit to keep his peace. Hawkenstein, in confab with other men during that day, had made a threat that he would kill someone before the day was over. When Mr. Merckel was loosening his horse, which was tied to a tree near a fence, he was stabbed with a knife by Hawkenstein, who had secreted himself behind the fence, and died of his wounds. Hawkenstein there- after led a secluded and miserable existence among the rocks, dens and hollow trees of the Blue mountains, where he died alone and despised of all men. His skeleton was found more than a year after his death by a band of hunters. Mr. Merckel is buried in an unmarked grave at the New Bethel Church in Albany township. He died in the late summer of 1826.

Abraham Merckel married Susanna Donat, who was born Nov. 6, 1779, and died Jan. 25, 1864, aged eighty- four years, two months, nineteen days. Her father, Jacob Donat, was a native of Germany. Four child- ren were born to Abraham and Susanna (Donat) Merckel, namely: Abraham was the father of James K. Merkel and is mentioned farther on; Elizabeth, born March 24, 1813, died unmarried March 15, 1894, aged eighty years, eleven months, twenty-one days, and is buried at New Jerusalem Church; Catharine, born Jan. 3, 1816, died unmarried Nov. 20, 1879, age'd sixty-three years, ten months, seventeen days, and is buried at New Jerusalem Church; Joseph, who spelled his name Markley, married Esther Fisher, and lived in Reading until 1876, when he moved to St. Cloud, Minn. At a meeting of the Orphans' Court, April 6, 1827, accord- ing to the records in Vol. IX, page 206, Elizabeth Merkel, daughter of the late Abraham Merckel. of Al- bany township, Berks county, petitioned the court as a minor above fourteen years of age, asking that John Shollenberger be appointed her guardian. Henry Rup- pert appeared as a friend of Catharine Merkel and Joseph Merkel, minor children of Abraham Merckel, deceased, and William Sweyer was appointed guard- ian for Catharine, and John Shollenberger for Joseph.

from the time he began work, having commenced to learn it when he was only eighteen years old, under his brother Abraham, who at that time had a smithy in the village of Jacksonville, Lehigh Co. Pa. In 1867 Mr. Merkel came to Berne, in Upper Bern township, now Tilden township, Berks county, where he was engaged at his trade in the employ of another brother, Aaron, who had a blacksmith shop in the village . of Berne. In 1870, after several years' work in Mahanoy City and other places, he erected a shop of his own in the "Bockmohl" (a valley in the southern end of what is now Tilden township, to which he had come about 1867) and there continued to work at his trade until the year 1900. At that time he moved with his family to Conshohocken, at which place he remained for three years in the responsible position of boss blacksmith in the Alan Wood Iron Works, an indisputable evidence of his skill as a mechanic. In the spring of 1903 Mr. Merkel removed with his family to the city of Read- ing, settling in his own home at No. 757 North Eighth street. Mr. Merkel also owns a small tract of good land, comprising twenty-four acres, near Berne station, upon which he lived for twenty-five years. He is a man of industrious habits and is a good citizen. His character is above reproach.

Mr. Merkel has been twice married. In 1869 he was united to Sarah Schuman, who was born Oct. 6, 1847, daughter of Solomon and Sarah (Zweitzig) Schuman, and died Nov. 14, 1877, in her thirty-first year, the mother of four children, namely: (1) J. Franklin taught school for fifteen years, but has been engaged as a railway mail clerk since 1904 and is stationed at Pitts- burg. (2) Anthony O. m. Ada Chamberlain, of Nor- ristown. (3) Ella V. m. Reuben Blatt, and has had three children, Reuben, Rachel and Ruth (who died in childhood). (4) Sallie M. m. William J. Dietrich, of Reading, and they have three children, Naomi, Ruth, and William J., Jr.

Mr. Merkel's second marriage, in 1879, was to Emma L. Keim, who was born June 28, 1858, daughter of Percival and Susanna (Strasser) Keim, and by whom he has had ten children, namely; John, who died in infancy; Cora L .; Clara A., who is the wife of Samuel Mengel and has two children, Mabel and James; James D .; Lizzie A .; Mame F .; Howard J., born Dec. 16. 1888, who died Feb. 19, 1890; Abbie A .; Lillie L .; and George R., born Jan. 25, 1897, who died Aug. 23, 1897.

Abraham Merkel, eldest child of Abraham, was born about 1805-1806, and died in June, 1849, aged' about forty-three years. His death occurred in the hay field, from the effects of drinking much cold spring water when overheated, and he is buried at New Beth- Mr. Merkel is a consistent member of the St. Paul United Evangelical Church of Reading, in the work of which congregation he has been quite active, having held various offices. el Church, in Albany township. He was a tall man over six feet, and was strong and an excellent worker. Abraham Merkel married Maria (Polly) Kroninger, who was born Sept. 8, 1808, and died Dec. 23, 1878, aged sev- enty years, three months, fifteen days. Children as fol- HARVEY F. HEINLY was born at Hamburg, Berks county, Pa., July 1, 1873, son of David L. and the late Maria E. (Heinly) Heinly. When he was six years old the family moved to Reading, and Mr. Heinly is therefore indebted to the excellent school system of his adopted city for his scholastic training. He graduated from the Boys' High School in June, 1890, with first honors, being the valedictorian of his class, and leaving behind him a record for most effi- cient scholarship, winning prizes for spelling and essay, and the gold medal for oratory-in fact, all the prizes which were offered during his high school course. lows were born to their union: Anna m. John Cameron, of Sagon, Northumberland Co., Pa .; Catharine m. Jon- athon Machmer, who was noted as a singer, and they conducted the Upper Bern Hotel a number of years; Abraham, born Jan. 13, 1832, died Feb. 14. 1908, m. in 1859 Leah Follweiler (1835-1901), and they had a fam- ily of seven children: Sarah Jane (m. Adam Berk, and died leaving a son, Wm. H., who has his home with his aunts, Louisa and Clara Merkel), Astor (m. Ida Kline), Rosa Alice (m. Francis Allsbach, deceased). Cordelia (m. Alfred Allsbach, and died leaving a daughter, Leah M.), Louisa P. (a popular school teacher of Albany township), Clara (is unmarried and lives on the home- stead with her sister Louisa), and John A. (m. Emma E. Nester, and has two children, Elsie M. and Leah L.); Susanna m. Ferdinand Machmer and later a Mr. Baum, of Hamburg; Aaron m. Valeria Miller and they live at Conshohocken, Pa .; Caroline m. William Machmer, who met a tragic death in Michigan; Re- becca m. Michael Schaeffer, of Tower City, Pa .; Sarah m. James De Long, of Reading; James K. is mentioned farther on. Caroline and Susanna both lived and died mediate notice with the leaders of the Democratic in Michigan.

Mr. Heinly at once began reading law, his preceptor being William J. Rourke, then city solicitor and assist- ant district attorney. Upon his admission to the Bar, Nov. 12. 1894, he became associated with his preceptor in practice, which continued with success until March, 1901, when he established himself at No. 47 North Sixth street, and has since continued in active practice there. Mr. Heinly takes a lively and intelligent in- terest in public and political affairs. His reputation acquired in school as an orator brought him into im- party, whose principles Mr. Heinly has always es-

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

poused, and he has been in demand for "stump" service sought refuge in England from the religious persecu- in every campaign since his majority. He has fre- quently been called upon to do like service for the Democratic State Committee, at Lancaster, Harris- burg, Lebanon, and other places. He is a member of the Americus (Democratic) Club, the Northeastern Democratic Association and is the President of his Ward organization. He retains his interest in edu- cational affairs, having been an organizer of and still a member of the Alumni Association of the Reading high schools, and having served two terms as its presi- dent. He is a member of the Reading Press Club, the Board of Trade, the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, and several fraternal organizations. His religious affiliation is with St. Luke's Lutheran church, and he is connected with the Sunday-school, being the teacher of the Young Men's Bible Class for the past twelve years.

On Nov. 20, 1900, Mr. Heinly was married to Lydia I. Eckert, daughter of the late Rudolph and Lucetta Eckert, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

The family of Mr. Heinly is one of the old fam- ilies of the State. As secretary of the Heinly Family Association, he has assisted in compiling a resume of its development in this country. Well authenticated records show that the original American ancestor, David Heinly, together with a brother, came from Germany about the middle of the eighteenth century. In Rupp's "Thirty Thousand Immigrants," there ap- pears an entry to the effect that David and Matthias Heinly landed in Philadelphia Sept. 19, 1749, having come over in the ship "Patience" from the Kingdom of Wurtemberg and the Palatinate. One of these immigrants, David, was the great-great-grandfather of the subject of this review. He received a patent for three hundred acres of land in what is now Green- wich township, the document being signed by the proprietaries of the State of Pennsylvania, July 21, 1774. In this township he passed the remainder of his days, and lies buried there in Dunkle's Church cemetery, the tombstone over his grave bearing these words, cut in the sandstone, with German words, but English letters:

"Hir ligd Dafid Heinle, ist geboren 1728 den 17 Ockober und gestorben den 3 Ockober 1784."

On the reverse side of the stone is the following from an old German Hymn, written in 1638, and appearing in the Leipsiger Gesangbuch:

"Die Kron der gerechdig-keid, Ist mein schmuck und ehrenkleid: Damid will ich for Got bestehen, Wan ich werd in himmel eingehen."

The Heinly Family Association was organized in August of 1899, the first meeting being held along Ontelaunee creek, near Virginville, on a part of the tract on which was located the homestead of the or- iginal American ancestor. Reunions are held annually, latterly at Kutztown Park, at which there are from four to five hundred members of the family present. At the Fifth Annual Reunion, Aug. 15, 1903, a handsome gran- ite memorial in the form of an open book, symbolizing the family record, was erected adjacent to the old head- stone referred to above, and was dedicated with ap- propriate exercises.

If to be well born is half the battle, then is victory certain for Harvey F. Heinly, since the other half will be amply cared for by the wealth of energy and alertness of mind which he has displayed. Of good lineage, happily married, and with hosts of friends, what more could any man ask of the Fates?

tions suffered in their native Switzerland. They brought little with them to America besides their Bible. Upon their arrival in the New World they pushed on into the wilderness beyond Oley hills, and finally settled on the Manatawny. Yost Yoder was one of the most active of the early frontiersmen of Penn- sylvania. His chief occupations were hunting and trap- ping, which he always combined with farming, or rath- er with the "clearing and cultivation of a plantation." It is certain that he and his brother were located in Pennsylvania before 1714. Nine children were born to Yost Yoder, and of seven of these the record is as follows: (1) Johannes Yoder, often called Yost, was born in 1718. After 1752 he removed to Reading, where he died April 7, 1812, and his remains were in- terred on his father's land at Yottersville (Yoders- ville), named after his family, now Pleasantville, in Oley township. The following inscription marks his grave: "Hier Rhuet Johann-es Yoder. Erwurde geb- oren 1718. Verelichte sich mit Catharina Lyster (Lesher) 1747 und zeughte 4 sohne und 5 tochtern. Starb den 7th April, 1812, nach seiner 66 yahr in der ehe gelebt hatte war alt warden 94 yahr und 14 tag." In 1747 he married Catharine Lyster (Lesher), and her . tombstone records "b. 1730, d. 1812, having lived married 66 years and aged 82 years." (2) Jacob Yoder removed to the western side of the Schuylkill. On Nov. 6, 1757, at the age of twenty-two years, he enlisted in the Provincial service of Pennsylvania, and was a saddler three years in Capt. John Nicholas Weather- holt's Company. He was stationed in Heidelberg town- ship, Northampton county, in March and April, 1758 [Pa. Arch., 2d Ser., Vol. II]. He served in the American Revolution as a private in Peter Nagle's Company, and later in Capt. Charles Gobin's Company, 6th Battalion, Berks county, Pa. He was in a detachment of the 6th Battalion to guard prisoners of war from the Hessian camp, Reading, to Philadelphia. He mar- ried Maria Keim. (3) Samuel Yoder settled on a "plantation" near Lobachsville, about one and one-half miles from Pleasantville, which he received from his father. He had children: John, Jacob, Samuel and Catharine. (4) Mary Yoder married Daniel Bertolet. (5) Catharine Yoder married John Reppert. (6) Eliza- beth Yoder was the wife of Mathias Rhode, and they had children: Jacob, John, Joseph, Abraham, Catha- rine, Maria and Esther. (7) Esther Yoder married a man named Cunius.

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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 165

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