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 168

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 168

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KRICK. The Krick family is one of the most num- erous and prosperous in the Schuylkill section of Berks county. The name has been a familiar one in that locality for a hundred and fifty years, associated in- variably with good citizenship, thrift and integrity, its members in every generation having been jealous of their good repute and mindful of the honorable tra- ditions of their ancestors. All of the land purchased by Frantz Krück (as the name was originally spelled), the founder of the family in America, is still owned by his descendants. His posterity is especially well known in Cumru, Spring, Heidelberg, Windsor and Tulpehocken townships, Berks county. Some of his descendants have also located in Lancaster. Union and Mifflin counties.

certain that he was a man of intelligence and stand- ing. His will, made April 26, 1782, was probated June 4, 1784, the year of his death, which occurred at a ripe old age. He was buried at Sinking Spring, in the Baptist burial-ground back of the old eight- cornered school-house still standing. He reared -a large family of sturdy sons and daughters, all of whom became useful men and women. Thirteen children are mentioned in his will as heirs, and the sons Francis and George were executors of the will. In February, 1782, Frantz Krück sold some of his land to his son Frantz (Francis), who gave his father bonds of £50 denomination each, and the will specified the dates upon which these bonds were to be redeemed. We have the following record of the family: (1) John, born in Germany, came to America with his parents. In 1759 he paid £3 tax in Cumru township. His name appears in the roster of Capt. Jacob Myers' Com- pany, 6th Pennsylvania Battalion, 1782. This com- pany had organized and was ready to respond to the call, but there was no actual service performed. John was married but had no children. He was a black- smith by trade. He died in 1800. (2) Jacob also came to America with his parents. His name appears among the' single men in the tax list of 1759. He was, however, married. as would appear from the baptis- mal records of Hain's Church. He had the follow- ing children: John Jacob, Maria and John George. He saw active service in the Revolutionary war in Capt. Reehm's Company of the 1st Regiment of Berks County Militia in an expedition to Newtown, Bucks county. (3) Francis is mentioned below. (4) George (known as "Blind George"), born May 8, 1738, died Sept. 9, 1825. He m. Margarita Seitzinger and was the father of a large family, Solomon, William, John, George. Isaac, Philip, Samuel, and eight daughters. He was a taxpayer in Heidelberg township in 1759. A few years later he moved back to Cumru, now Spring township, and purchased a farm between Sinking Spring and Reading. where he conducted a hotel for a number of years. He is buried at Sinking Spring. (5) Adam (there is no record of him). (6) Philip was captain of the 8th Company, Berks County Militia, Ang. 5, 1777, to Jan. 5, 1778. This company joined the army after the battle of Brandywine and took part in the battle of Germantown. No doubt he spent the winter at Valley Forge. We have no record of his family (7) Peter, the youngest son of Frantz Krück, was born June 27, 1756, and died July 31, 1829. He was a soldier in the Revolution in the 8th Company, 6th Battalion, and saw active service. He was known as "School Teacher" Peter and taught school near Sinking Spring, and was also teacher and "Forsinger" at the Muddy Creek Church. He m. Catharine Rader, and was the father of a large family, as follows: Rachael m. Henry Young; Elizabeth m. John Salladay; Katharine m. Philip Getz; John m. a Hornberger; Lelia m. Frederic Auman; Susanna m. Jacob .Buchart; Mary m. Rudy Miller; Adam m. Catharine Fisher, and lived at Reading; Barbara m. Daniel Neff; Magdalena m. John Luft; Christianna m. a Rupp; Jonas moved to Holli- daysburg; William moved to Hamburg; Peter moved to Lancaster; John Jacob. (8) Margareth m. Michael Seitzinger. (9) Elizabeth m. Philip Worheim. (10) Maria m. John Philip Spolin. (11) Catharine, born Oct. 14. 1749, m. Jacob Ruth. (12) Eva. (13) Mag- dalena m. George Hain.

Frantz Krück was a native of Germany, born in the Rhein Pfalz in October, 1702. Having one night in a mischievous mood upset a sentinel (schilder) house he was found out, and in order to escape the punishment came to America, arriving at Philadelphia, Sept. 11, 1731, on the good ship "Pennsylvania Merchant." Set- tling in the Cacoosing valley, along the Cacoosing creek, in what is now Berks county, Pa .. he became the owner of considerable land, originally owning a tract of 350 acres, in five parts, and later increasing his holdings to 750 acres. His property was in Cumru (now Spring) township. and comprised what is now the finest and most valuable agricultural land in the county. He devoted the rest of his life to the im- provement of his holdings, and his descendants have followed in his footsteps to such an extent that his property is still in their possession, and in some cases has been farmed by the sixth generation. A part of the original land secured by him from the Penns in 1737 is now owned by Rev. Thomas H. Krick, a descendant of the sixth generation. When the city of Reading was laid out, in 1749, Francis Creek (as Frantz (or Francis) Krick, third son of the original settler, was born Nov. 6, 1736, in Cumru (now Spring) township, and died April 20, 1814, aged seventy-seven years, five months, fourteen days. He was a shoe- maker by trade. In 1759 he paid £3 tax in Cumru. He was a private in Capt. Charles Gobin's Company, in 1780, during the Revolution, serving from Aug. 10th to Sept. 9th of that year, and saw actual service in the name was Anglicized when he secured land from the Penns) became the owner of lots Nos. 490 and 491. In 1759 he paid £19 taxes in Cumru town- ship, an amount equal to $50.54, a Pennsylvania pound being valued at $2.66. He was an industrious and well-to-do man, and the records of his extensive land transactions and dealings with the early settlers are proof that he was well educated, old papers that he the war. In 1757 he married Maria Spohn, who died signed being written in a good German hand. There in 1785, and his second marriage was to Catherine is a family tradition that he was of royal blood, and it is Schlegel, widow of Frantz Gehrling. She was born

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March 1, 1736, was first married in 1754, and died During his active years Mr. Krick devoted himself March 1, 1830, aged ninety-four years. No children thoroughly to business, attending to his work, and the were born to this second marriage. The names of his management of his property with intelligence as well as industry, with excellent results. But he also found time for the development of his social and religious tendencies, and the associations growing out of such relationships have given him many pleasant interests for his leisure years. He holds membership in Coun- cil No. 77, Jr. O. U. A. M., and the K. G. E., No. 334, both of Sinking Spring, and is a past officer of both organizations. He is a Reformed member of St. John's Church at Sinking Spring, which he has served as dea- con and elder for many years, and he has proved his worth to the community in various other capaci- ties. While living on the farm he was for six years school director of Spring township. He is a Demo- crat in politics. children appear in his will, and the dates of birth are given in the family Bible: Catharine, born Dec. 20, 1758, m. William Brown; Jacob, born Aug. 27, 1760, moved to near Richmond, Va .; Maria. born July 30, 1762, m. a Mr. Brown; John Adam was born March 4, 1765 (he had a daughter Catharine, who married Henry Snider and had a son, George); John was born April 11, 1767; Philip, born Oct. 4, 1769, moved to Wooster, Ohio; George, born Sept. 8, 1771, m. Cath- arine Wagner; Crete or Margaret (known by both names), born 'Aug. 29. 1773, m. William Fisher; Francis, born Feb. 8, 1776, m. Hannah Gehrling; Peter, born Feb. 28, 1779, m. Elizabeth Hill. The son Francis, the third of that name, was the sole executor of his father's large estate. The will was witnessed by John Spyker and Jacob Lambert, and was probated June 8, 1814. Francis (2) disposed of his farm to Francis (3) in the same way that Francis (1) had sold it to Francis (2), by bonds.

Francis Krick, son of Frantz and Maria (Spohn) Krick, was born Feb. 8, 1776, at the homestead, and died May 19, 1863, aged eighty-seven years. three months, eleven days. He was a farmer in very com- fortable circumstances, owning about four hundred acres of valuable land. He was a soldier in the war of 1812-15. He married Hannah Gehrling, born June 4, 1774, died Feb. 3, 1842. They had a large family, two sons and seven daughters, and we have record of the following: Jacob is mentioned below; Katie. born May 7, 1801, died in infancy; Daniel is mentioned below; Elizabeth, born April 11, 1806, m. Daniel Bross- man; Sarah, born June 1, 1808, m. Israel Grimes; Han- nah, born May 9, 1810, m. Adam Bohn; Maria (Polly). born July 20, 1813, m. Abraham Briel; Esther, born Nov. 22, 1815.

Jacob Krick, son of Francis and Hannah (Gehrling) Krick, born in 1798, at the homestead, died Dec. 20, 1883. Like all his immediate ancestors he was a life- long agriculturist, and prospered so well in his chosen calling that he was able to present each of his sons a farm when they left home. He was a zealous church worker, being an official member of St. John's Reformed Church of Sinking Spring, and was known to all as a worthy and substantial citizen. He is buried at that church. Jacob Krick was married April 12, 1829, to Catharine Bechtel, and they became the parents of four sons and four daughters, namely: Wil- liam, born Oct. 10, 1829, lived and died in Lower Heid- elberg township; Mary, born Oct. 26, 1831, m. Daniel Seltzer, of Lower Heidelberg township; Jacob B., born March 10, 1833, now a retired resident of Sinking Spring, m. Sarah A. Seltzer; Richard B., born Feb. 1, 1835, is a resident of Sinking Spring; Francis B., born June 2, 1836, died in Sinking Spring in 1902; Hannah, born April 4, 1834, and Sarah, July 5, 1839, both unmarried, have a comfortable home together at Sinking Spring; Susan. born Feb. 24. 1843, m. Jacob Eckert, of Wernersville.

JACOB B. KRICK, son of Jacob, was born at the old homestead in Cumru (now Spring) township, March 10, 1833. He remained at home working for his father until he was past thirty-two years old, after which he continued his labors upon the same property, but upon his own account, living at the old Krick place until he decided to retire from the arduous work of the farm, in 1887. He then moved into Sinking Spring. where he has since resided, and in 1897 he purchased his present dwelling, formerly the Hettinger residence. on Main street. Here he has a most comfortable home, the house being one of the largest in the village and delightfully located. Though Mr. Krick has not en- gaged personally in the cultivation of the soil for many years he has retained possession of the old homestead, which now comprises eighty-seven acres, besides twenty-five acres of woodland.

Mr. Krick married, Sept. 19, 1863, Sarah A. Seltzer, daughter of William and Catharine (Ruth) Seltzer, of Womelsdorf, Berks county. and they have had three children, two daughters and one son, the latter still- born. Of the daughters, Mary Annie m. Isaac Het- tinger, of Kansas City, Mo .. proprietor of the Hettinger Bros. Manufacturing Company, of Kansas City, Mo., and 'Madison, Wis., manufacturers of dental surgical supplies, electric batteries, elastic goods, etc .; they have three children, Emily C., Evelyn G. and Francis K. Emily S. Krick, born Oct. 21, 1867, died Oct. 27, 1896. Mrs. Krick and her daughters united with St. John's Church as Reformed members.

Daniel Krick, son of Francis and Hannah (Gehrling) Krick, was born Oct. 28, 1804, in Spring township, and there passed his life engaged in farming. About a year before his death he moved with his son, Henry B., to a farm in Lower Heidelberg, near the Cacoosing, where he died April 16, 1864. In 1833 he married Susan Bohn, daughter of George Bohn (son of Frederick Bohn), of Bern township, and she survived him many years, making her home with her son Adam, in Sink- ing Spring. She died Aug. 19, 1887. To Daniel and Susan (Bohn) Krick were born children as follows: James, born Jan. 12. 1834. died July 26, 1834; Lydia, born May 31, 1835, m. William R. High; Adam B. is mentioned below; Henry B., born Jan. 16, 1839, died Ang. 3, 1906; Mary E., born Jan. 6, 1851, died May 19, 1902.

Adam B. Krick was born Oct. 27, 1836, in Spring township, and received a good education, attending school at Sinking Spring and Reading, and later study- ing at the Hudson River Institute, at Claverack, N. Y. During his early manhood he was engaged at teaching for five terms. after which he devoted himself to farming, continuing in that line for nine years. Meantime he had suffered more or less from the re- sults of an accident which occurred in 1852. and which culminated in 1873, when he found it necessary to undergo the amputation of a limb. This naturally caused a complete change in his plans for his life work, and in the year last named he removed from his farm into the village of Sinking Spring. where with- in a short time he embarked in a mercantile business, dealing in flour, feed and grain, both wholesale and retail. He carried on that business throughout his active career, meeting with excellent success, for he dis- played the same ability in the management of his business ventures as he did in his previous under- takings. He never lost his interest in educational affairs and the public school system', and served four successive terms as school director. He was an active member of the Sinking Spring Reformed Church. of which he served as treasurer, for a period of thirty years. He also served as township tax collector for a number of years.

In the year 1863 Mr. Krick married Lucy J. Reber, born April 13, 1844, daughter of Benneville B. Reber (son of Conrad) and Sarah V. R. (High), daughter of William and Catharine (Van Reed) High. Six child-

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BIOGRAPHICAL

ren blessed their union, viz .: William F., born Oct.

WILLIAM F.' KRICK, one of the leading citizens of Sinking Spring of the present day, was born Oct. 4, 1863, on a part of the old Krick homestead, in Spring township. He obtained his early education in the public schools of that locality, later attending at Sink- ing Spring, and finally, in the spring of 1880, began a course at the Keystone State Normal School, where he studied for three terms. He received his first li- cense to teach, however, when but seventeen years old, from Prof. S. A. Baer, then county superintendent, and for two terms he taught the Gelsinger's school, in his native township. He had been reared to farming in his earlier years, and always had an inclination for agricultural work, which he began on his own account at the age of nineteen years, on a 130-acre tract be- longing to his father. He remained on that place for twelve years, during which time he made distinct pro- gress in the science of farming as well as in his finan- cial equipment. In 1894 he was able to purchase a farm in Lower Heidelberg township, consisting of 141 acres, and he has conducted this place ever since, improving it constantly according to the most approved mod- ern methods. He has not confined himself to farming by any means, but has branched out until his interests now include a large flour-mill and the controlling share in the Sinking Spring Electric Light Company, of which latter he is president. His farm is supplied with all the most improved implements and well stock- ed, and is considered one of the finest properties in the township. In 1894 Mr. Krick erected a Swiss barn 118 by 46 feet in dimensions, and his other out- buildings are on a similar scale and very substantial.

Mr. Krick resided on his farm until 1902, when he removed to the village of Sinking Spring, his commer- cial interests demanding his constant attention. He put up the building on Main street .in which he es- tablished both his home and his business headquarters, the structure being a substantial brick three stories high, 48 by 64 feet, and he did business there for about three years. Meanwhile, however, he had erected the large Krick Roller Mills, along the south side of the Lebanon Valley railroad, a three-story structure of brick, 36 by 72 feet, with an annex 36 by 60 feet, erected in 1904. The mill is a model of its kind pro- vided with all the latest machinery required for the roller process, and a high grade of flour is manufact- ured, Mr. Krick's special brands being the "World's Best" and "Ladies Choice." The product finds a ready market throughout the Eastern States, and Mr. Krick of the higher institutions of learning. He also took has an extensive local trade in this line, as well as a very active interest in college athletics, playing on a large wholesale and retail trade at Reading in the the foot-ball team as right tackle for five years. He is

grain, feed and flour business. He has developed his 4, 1863, is mentioned below; Daniel B., born March 29, business to its highest possibilities, showing what a 1865, m. Mary Scheetz and resides at Sinking Spring; man of enterprise' and adequate, ability may accomplish, Sarah S., born Oct. 26, 1866, died in infancy; Rev. Thom- and he gives employment to from ten to fifteen men, as H., born Jan. 11, 1868, is mentioned below; Ida R., also using three teams in the transaction of his busi- born Oct. 11, 1869, lives at home with her mother; M. ness. Ellen, born Sept. 18, 1871, is the widow of Prof. Frank Mr. Krick has displayed his enterprise as much in the development of an up-to-date public utility as in his strictly private affairs. The Sinking Spring Electric Company, in which he is the largest stockholder, is a private concern, but its workings so affect the public comfort and welfare that the community has a much deeper interest in its conduct than in the average com- mercial venture. This company not only supplies the light for Sinking Spring, but also for Springmont, Wyomissing, Shillington and Edison. The excellent service of the plant, and its efficient management from an industrial as well as a financial standpoint, are fur- ther evidences of Mr. Krick's powers as a man of ex- ecutive force. His personal character is above reproach. P. Miller, of Kutztown, Pa. Mrs. . Krick still resides at the old home in Sinking Spring, where Mr. Krick died March 10, 1904, aged sixty-seven years, four months, fourteen days. He is buried at Sinking Spring. Mr. Krick was one of the most respected representa- tives of this large and influential family, and he ever maintained high standing both as a citizen and a business man. For a number of years he was recog- nized as the foremost citizen of Sinking Spring. He was regarded as a man of excellent judgment, and his advice was sought by a great many people. For a number of years he was the recognized leader of his political party in the township. Many a struggling person received help at his hands; more than one student was assisted in his struggles for advancement by him. He was frequently asked to write deeds and legal papers for others and was frequently made the custodian of other people's money-people who placed more confidence in him than in banks. He was often appointed guardian by court for minor children.

In 1882 Mr. Krick married Clara Y. Hartman, daugh- ter of the late Amos and Rebecca (Yost) Hartman. Four children have been born to this union, as fol- lows: Bessie H., who graduated from the Keystone State Normal School in 1902, is now engaged at teach- ing in Sinking Spring; Gertrude H., who also attended the Keystone State Normal, married Walter Graeff; Bertha H. is in high school; Charles H., born Oct. 10, 1892, is the fourth of this line born in October, his father, grandfather and great-grandfather having been born, like him. in that month, on the same farm in Spring township. The home of this family is a com- fortable dwelling, supplied with every modern conven- ience for the well-being of its occupants. It is sur- rounded by a large and well-kept lawn, and is delight- fully situated, being one of the pleasant homes in the village.

Mr. Krick is a prominent member of St. John's Re- formed Church, of which he has served as deacon for two years, and which has so many dear associations for the members of this family. Many of the earlier generations sleep their last sleep in the graveyard of this old house of worship. Mr. Krick is a Democrat in his political faith, and in social connection he is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Sinking Spring Lodge, No. 660.

REV. THOMAS HENRY KRICK, a leading minister of the Reformed Church, now located at Coplay, Lehigh Co., Pa., was born Jan. 11, 1868, in Spring township, Berks county. on the old homestead near Sinking Spring, and was five years old when his parents moved to Sinking Spring, where he attended public school in the lower and middle stone school building. Later he attended the Charter Oak Academy, taught by Thomas J. Oberlin, in his district, and in the spring of 1885 entered the State Normal School at Kutztown, grad- uating from that institution in 1887. Through the efforts of his teacher, Dr. N. C. Schaeffer, and his thirst for higher education, he decided to take a college course. In 1887-88 he took the college preparatory course at the Normal school, and in the fall of 1888 matriculated at Franklin and Marshall College, at Lancaster. Pa., graduating therefrom in 1892. The same year he entered the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church at Lancaster. In 1893 he taught mathematics at the Keystone State Normal School, and he also engaged in canvassing a few summers before his graduation from the theological seminary, in 1895. He had been licensed as a public school teach- er when but sixteen years old, by Prof. D. S. Keck. During his college course he specialized in mathemat- ics, in which he is a master. One of his classmates ex- pressed the opinion that had he chosen to continue his studies in mathematics there is no doubt at all that he would have filled a chair in mathematics in one

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six feet and a half inch in height, and built proportion- fully written up in the archives of the Berks County ately, and he was generally known as the "impreg- nable stone wall." The college team saw the "golden age" of its athletic glories during his attendance, de- feating nearly all the other college foot-ball teams that they played. Mr. Krick was manager of the team for one year.

On May 22, 1895, Thomas H. Krick was licensed by the Lebanon Classis of the Reformed Church, and on July 7, 1895, he was ordained by a committee of the East Pennsylvania Classis, at Jacobs Reformed Church, Weissport, Pa., which charge he served with high merit for the period of six years. During this time he raised a debt of $1,500 on the church property within one year, remodeled the basement of the church, in- creased the membership greatly, and the collections for benevolent purposes were increased threefold.

In August, 1901, he accepted a call from the Coplay cliarge, which is in the cement regions of the Lehigh valley. It consists of three churches, Trinity Reform- ed at Coplay, St. John's at Mickleys and St. John's at Fullerton. During the seven years of Mr. Krick's incumbency the membership at Coplay has been in- creased from 120 to 400, and in 1907 the congrega- tion erected one of the finest parsonages belonging to the Reformed Church. At Mickley's a new Sunday- school room was added through his efforts, and in 1902 he organized the Fullerton congregation, which now has a membership of 225.

Mr. Krick is a leading and active member of the Classis of the Reformed Church of the United States, highly esteemed by his brethren for his efficient work, high character and pleasant disposition. He is sec- retary of the Spiritual Conference of Ministers and Laymen of the Reformed Church. In 1908 he was elected president of the Lehigh Valley Ministerial Association. He was a delegate in 1899 to the General Synod of the Reformed Church of the United States, which met at Tiffin, Ohio, and in 1908 at York, Pa. He was delegate to the District Synod which met at Bethlehem, twice to the Synod when it met at Lan- caster and delegate to its meetings at Sunbury, Per- kasie, Lebanon and Reading. In 1898 he was presi- dent of the East Pennsylvania Classis. His exec- utive ability and skill as an organizer are gen- erally recognized, and he is as highly regarded in his own congregations as he is in other relations. He is a forceful and eloquent preacher, officiating in two languages, and ably proclaims the Word to whose spread he has devoted his life.

For a number of years Mr. Krick took a deep and active interest in the history and genealogy of his own and other families, and in 1907 founded the Krick Family Reunion, which in 1908 held its second re- union on the ancestral acres and was largely attended. He traces his genealogy through the following families: Hoch, Van Reed, Hottenstein, Yost, Herbein, Reber, Bright, Kershner, Bohn, Slegel, Kissinger. Womerin, Spohn and Krick. He has given considerable time to research on most of these families.

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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 168

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