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 178

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 178


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About 1875 Mr. Ritter retired from the cabinet-making business, since then devoting himself to job work. At the time of the panic of 1873 in real estate and business, when so many banks broke, his investments amounted to $80,000, and he lost considerable.


Mr. Ritter has made his own casket, a remarkable piece of work. The material is Canada oak, and it is 6 feet, 6 inches long, 26 inches wide, and 13 inches deep. On the lid is a swinging mirror, enabling a person to see the remains without going near the casket. Mr. Ritter has a bronze medal awarded him at the United States Cen- tennial Exposition in 1876, for a hydraulic hoisting ap- paratus which he had on exhibition.


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Mr. Ritter is the vice-president of the Ritter Family had three men at work for three days cleaning up, taking Reunion, in which he is very much interested. He is the out roots and setting up the gravestones and markers. present owner of the powder-horn formerly belonging to His brother Isaac made an iron gate weighing over three hundred pounds for his share, and it makes a very suitable ornament for the wall. In short, the place is now a source of pride to all the family. During the war of 1812-15 General Ross, the British general who was shot near Baltimore in 1814, was buried in this old burial- ground. Christian Ritter (mentioned above), and which is now inclosed in a box frame, and hung in the rooms of the Berks County Historical Society. This came into the possession of Christian Ritter in 1799, and he gave it to Milton S. Palm, who on June 9, 1906, presented it to Jacob R. Ritter. Mr. Ritter was a member of the com- mittee on arrangements for the Ritter Family Reunion. On Nov. 30, 1856, Mr. Jacob R. Ritter married Miss Sophia D. Ruth, daughter of John and Sarah (Dick) Ruth. She was born June 27, 1833, died Nov. 9, 1905, and is buried at Sinking Spring. Two children were born of this union: (1) Sarah Ellen, born Feb. 28, 1858, married Charles Nein, an engineer on the Lebanon Valley railroad since 1889, had a family of ten children, and died in 1903, Mr. Nein dying in 1893; (2) Susan E., born May 23, 1859, died when sixteen days old. He is an interested member of the Berks County His- torical Society, which is located at No. 519 Court street, Reading. His memorandum books, which he has kept for many years, contain not only many interesting items concerning his own life, but also much of value and interest about other persons, with whom he has come in contact during his long and busy life. He has a yearly pass admitting him to the press-room or building of the Reading Eagle.


The historic. Ritter burial-ground, near the Schwartz- wald church, in Exeter, owes its present excellent con- dition principally to Mr. Ritter's efforts. Three years ago, at one of the Ritter reunions, at Allentown, Mr. Ritter made the claim that the first Ritters came to Berks county, and in the course of conversation about family matters and the pleasantries usually exchanged on such occasions, one man present bantered him about the condition of the old graveyard in Exeter, saying the Ritters ought to be ashamed to have such a burial-ground in Berks county. This aroused Mr. Ritter's interest to such an extent that he went there in the spring and had a photograph taken; it shows him standing between the gravestones of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Ritter. He appointed George W. Billman treasurer, paid him $10, and then went around among his relatives with the photograph, soliciting subscriptions for the fixing up and future care of the old cemetery, where the pioneers of the Ritter family in Berks county are buried. Soon he had $70 promised, and before long the amount was raised to $192, subscribed by forty-two people, every dol- lar of which was paid to the treasurer. Samuel and Adam Kutz, who now own the estate on which the cem- etery is located, sent a check for $10, when the work was commenced on it. John Kutz, of Reading, is the man- ager of the estate. Mr. Ritter's aunt, Abigail Masser, in 1889 willed a fund of $50, to be invested at 5 per cent interest, for the purpose of caring for and keeping in repair the wall around this burial-ground, and through Mr. Ritter's efforts this was turned over to Mr. Billman.


The old graveyard belonged to Mr. Ritter's ancestors on both sides, and is located a half mile below the Schwartz- wald church, being on the line of the Boyertown Traction Company, and two squares from Ritter's crossing, on that line and Ritter's Crossing road. It is located seventy-five feet back from the car line, and the road to the entrance through the farm is recorded with a deed made to three trustees-Daniel Ritter (son of Francis), Joseph Ritter (brother of David), and William Boyer (husband of David Ritter's sister )-or their successors forever (one dollar paid in hand) by Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Ritter (Mr. Ritter's maternal grandfather), and her sister, wife of Daniel Rit- ter (both born Snyders), and John Ritter (son of Isaac) and his wife. Mrs. Elizabeth Ritter was the promoter of the deed. When Isaac Ritter (Mr. Ritter's paternal grand- father) died in 1852, Daniel Ritter (eldest son of Francis Ritter) and Joseph Ritter were not satisfied. There- fore the deed was made as mentioned. It gave 20 perches or 74 by 74 feet, and the road through the farm for the cemetery. The place being nearly all occupied in 1852 they has been walled in. William Boyer has five children bur- ied there; all have gravestones. When the Schwartzwald cemetery was started many who had been buried in the old part of the Ritter cemetery were transferred to it.


When assured of proper support Mr. Ritter had work on the cemetery commenced. He hired ten masons with help and raised the whole wall, walling it up new, put a cement coping on 20 by 4 inches in dimensions, and


In politics Mr. Ritter is a Democrat, and he served in the common council in 1869-70-71 from the Eighth ward. Of late years he has voted independently, and cast his ballot in support of Theodore Roosevelt. He is a mem- ber of the First Reformed Church, and when the church was rebuilt in 1875 he subscribed $500 toward the build- ing fund. For many years he was a member of the Odd Fellows and Masons.


At the time of the battle of Antietam Mr. Ritter was serving a ninety days' enlistment in the Pennsylvania militia, sworn in at Harrisburg. When Lee crossed the Potomac he was with his command two and a half miles above Hagerstown, Md. That night they lay behind a stone fence, the line extending back to Virginia.


CAPT. EDWARD F. REED, a popular and pro. gressive citizen of Lyons, Pa., was born in Manheim, 'Pa., near the Schuylkill county almshouse, Nov. 11, 1838, son of George W. Reed, and grandson of Dan- iel Reed.


The Reed family was early known in Schuylkill county. In 1771, when Pine Grove township, that county, was established, Philip Rith (Reed) was a taxable. He was a native of Berks county, however, a member of the Tulpehocken family. In 1791 Jere- miah Reed, Michael Reed (both married) and Thom- as Reed (single) were taxables for Manheim township, Schuylkill county. In 1802, Theodore Reed, John Reed, John (Morris) Reed, Thomas Reed, Sr., and Isaac Reed, were tax-payers in Norwegian township, and John and Philip Reed in Mahantango township, that county.


Christoph, George and Conrad Reed, brothers, were born in Brunswick township, Schuylkill county. Of these, Christoph passed all his life in his native township, and there reared his four sons, Obediah, George, Charles and Emanuel. George was for many years engaged in the hotel business at Orwigsburg. Conrad, born about 1788, died in his native township about 1830. He was a farmer. His wife, Elizabeth Neyer. bore him six children: (1) David, born near Orwigsburg, Jan. 5, 1819, was a skilled blacksmith for many years, retiring about a quarter of a cen- tury ago. For nearly a decade he has lived in Read- ing with his daughter, Mrs. Hunsicker, at No. 430 North Tenth street. He m. Lucy Ann Haff, and had nine children (seven still living), Emeline, Mary, Harriet, Sarah, Louisa, Elizabeth, Katie, and David Frank (of Summit Hill). (2) Cath- arine m. John Graver, and went to Wisconsin. (3) secured more ground, 50 by 50 feet in dimensions, which . Hannah m. a Mr. Adams. and settled in Wiscon- sin. (4) Elizabeth m. Daniel Fegley. (5) Lewis settled in Michigan. (6) Henry makes his home in New Ring- gold. Pennsylvania.


Daniel Reed, grandfather of Capt. Edward F .; resided in Pottsville, where he was an early hotel keeper, his hotel being located at the corner of Main and Ma- hantango streets. He died at a ripe old age, and is


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buried either at Pottsville or Orwigsburg. Among others he had children: Jacob, who lived at Pottsville; Thomas; George W .; Hannah; and Daniel, who after a long residence in Schuylkill county, moved to Mer- cer county, and whose son, George W., was a member of the General Assembly, 1875-76, and the latter's son, William F., from the same county, 1893-94.


George W. Reed, son of Daniel and father of Capt. Edward F., was born in Pottsville in 1805, and died at Philadelphia March 4, 1890, aged eighty-five years. He lived in his native county, and there married Cath- arine Kline, of Rockland township, Berks county, daughter of David Kline. They had thirteen children: Thomas; Jacob; Susanna; Mary; Sarah; Edward F .; Kate; Daniel, who was killed in the fight at White House Landing in the Civil war; Lizzie; Malinda; David; Reuben; and Amanda, all now deceased, except Mary, Sarah and Edward F.


Capt. Edward F. Reed was brought up familiar with the duties of a farmer, but at the age of seven- teen he learned the cabinet making trade, and in 1862 he engaged in business for himself at Stony Point, carrying on cabinet making and undertaking there with great success for twelve years. In 1874-75 he gave up his business to devote himself to his father- in-law's farm. The next year he moved to Lyons, and there erected his present residence. He resumed his former business of cabinet making and undertaking, and continued it until 1887. He then lived retired for two years, his son Daniel conducting the business, but in 1889 the latter moved to Rockland township, and Capt. Reed resumed the undertaking, carrying it on until 1904. In 1888 he began conducting a steam double press cider mill, and during the season does a good business in that line. In 1908 he attached to his mill a forty-horse-power boiler, for making apple butter.


On April 20, 1861, Capt. Reed enlisted as a private in Company D, 7th Pa. V. I. for the three-months service. In 1862 he was drafted, and became captain of Company K, 167th Pa. V. I., a nine months regi- ment, and was mustered out at Reading Aug. 12, 1863.


In 1860 Captain Reed was married to Elizabeth Sharadin, daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Kieff- er) Sharadin, and they have been blessed with five children, namely: James M .; Charles A .; George E .; Daniel P .; and Emma E. m. to Percival Koller, of Fleetwood, Pa. In his political affiliations the Cap- tain is an unswerving Republican, and is always inter- ested in the public affairs of his town. In 1908 he was elected supervisor of his township, by over one hundred majority. He is well known and is very popu- lar with all classes.


DAVID H. HAIN, M. D., a well-known physician in Penn township, who has been engaged in the prac- tice of his profession at Obold, Pa., for more than twenty-five years, and is said to have the largest prac- tice of any country doctor in Berks county, was born May 12, 1861, in Lower Heidelberg township, son of Frederick and Sarah Hain.


Frederick Hain was born Nov. 22, 1822, in Lower Heidelberg township, where his entire life was spent in agricultural pursuits. He died April 23, 1875. He married Sarah Hain, and to them were born these children: John. who died in Lower Heidelberg town- ship; Eva. m. to Henry B. Werner; Henry, living at Wernersville; Emma, m. to Jacob Huyett, of Frank- . lin Grove, Lee Co., Ill .; Mary, m. to William K. Lud- wig, of Wernersville; and Dr. David H.


Dr. Hain secured his primary education in the pub- lic schools of Wernersville, and later he attended Palatinate College at Myerstown, and Prof. D. B. Brun- ner's Business College at Reading. Then he became a student at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadel- phia, and graduated from that institution in 1881. On March 1, 1882, he located at Obold, where he has built up a very large country practice.


Dr. Hain married Sallie A. Fisher, daughter of Reiley Fisher, and to this union there have been born three children : Edna, a graduate of the Keystone State Normal School, class of 1902, now teaching at Wer- nersville; Raymond, a graduate of the same institu- tion, now a senior at Bucknell College; and Stella, a member of Class of 1910, at the Normal School at Kutztown.


GOTLEIB BOYER (deceased) will be remembered by the people of the city of Reading, as the leading florist of his day, his stand being in Kissinger's Mar- ket. Mr. Boyer was born in 1824, in Stuttgart, Ger- many, came to America when a young man, and passed away at Reading in 1899.


On first locating in this country, Mr. Boyer set .. tled in Lancaster county, his last residence there being at Ephrata, where he remained for five years. He then located in Reading, where he soon established himself as a florist and gardener, at one time operating three greenhouses. He was considered the leading gardener and florist of his day in the city, although at the time of his death he was conducting, but one place of business, the old Kissinger Market stand. Mr. Boyer was a true type of the self-made man. On coming to this country he was a poor, friendless boy, knowing little of the language and less of the business methods in use, yet at the time of his death he left a large and valuable estate to his widow and children. Mr. Boyer was a member of the Lutheran Church, and a Democrat in politics.


In 1861 Mr. Boyer married Miss Rosina Linsen- meyer, also a native of Germany, and to them were born five children, namely: George, born April 12, 1862, of Reading; Anna, m. to Ellsworth Swoyer, of Hoboken, N. J .; Charles, a farmer, of Muhlenberg township, and two girls, who died young.


DR. J. E. KURTZ, one of the most prominent physicians of Reading. belongs to a family noted for its members who have followed the "healing art," his father, Dr. Samuel L. Kurtz, being one of the best known physicians in Reading, and his brother, Dr. Clarence Morgan Kurtz, being another of the skilled medical men of that city.


The maternal ancestors of Dr. J. E. Kurtz came from Wales to America in 1661. and his paternal an- cestors were natives of Darmstadt, Germany, who came to this country at various periods ranging from 1727 to 1745, settling in Chester county, Pa., where they followed agricultural pursuits.


Dr. Samuel L. Kurtz married Sarah Morgan, daugh- ter of John Morgan, of Phoenixville, Chester county, whose farm embraced all of the land upon which Phoenixville now stands. Three children were born to this union: Clarence Morgan Kurtz, M. D., of Reading; Georgine, m. to Nicholas Muhlenberg, a chemist; and Dr. J. E.


Dr. J. E. Kurtz was born Oct. 15, 1856, at Oakland Mills, Juniata Co., Pa. He was educated in the Read- ing high school, and at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., from which he graduated in 1877 with the de- gree of A. B. (the degree of A. M. being later con- ferred upon him). and at Jefferson Medical College, from which he was graduated March 13, 1880. Since this time the Doctor has been practising his profession in Reading. For a time he followed a general practice, but for many years he has made a specialty of the eye, ear, nose and throat, and in this he has been eminently successful.


Dr. Kurtz was married Oct. 3, 1888, to Mary E. Shoemaker, daughter of Dr. Charles E. Shoemaker, a prominent physician of Reading who died in 1890. Two children were born to this union: Georgine and Francina, both at school. Dr. Kurtz is a member of the Reading (City) Medical Society, of the Berks County Medical Society, the Pennsyl- vania State Medical Society, and the American Medi-


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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA


cal Association, and has time and again been a delegate to the State and National bodies.


FRANK S. LIVINGOOD is a descendant of one of also been associated with the I. O. B. A., of Reading. the early German settlers of Berks county. Though originally Swiss the Loewenguths or Leibundguts emi- grated to this country from Alsace where they had lived for over seventy years in the town of Schalken- dorf near Strassburg. Mr. Livingood's ancestor, John Jacob Loewenguth, arrived in New York in 1708, and after residing for a number of years in Schoharie coun- ty, migrated to and settled in Tulpehocken township,


Berks county, in 1727. In April, 1758, he and his wife Abraham J., Morris, Michael, Jacob, Dorothy, Margaret


were killed by the Indians and their two daughters taken captive. A son, Jacob, escaped the massacre. From him was descended John Bricker Levengood, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who was a practicing physician at Womelsdorf, Berks county, from 1812 to 1872. Dr. Levengood had six sons dis- tinguished in the professions: four as physicians and two as lawyers, of the latter being Jacob Seltzer Livin- good, a member of the Berks County Bar from 1845 to 1906, who married Lucy Jane Shalters; daughter of Francis B. Shalters, a prominent citizen of Reading, his home by adoption. Their son, Frank S. Livin- good, was born in Reading Feb. 24, 1855. He attended public and private schools, and for two years the Read- ing high school; entered Phillips Andover Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, in 1869, and upon graduating there in 1872 entered Harvard College, where he gradu- ated with the class of 1876. He then studied law in Reading in the office of his father, Jacob S. Livingood, being admitted to the Berks County Bar in August, 1879, since which time he has been continuously en- gaged in active practice. He is vice-President of the Berks County Bar Association.


Actively interested in politics Mr. Livingood was, from 1881 to 1888, chairman of the Republican county committee, and in 1884 was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in Chicago. Mr. Livingood has been president of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion of Reading since 1888, and a trustee of Charles Evans Cemetery Company since 1892. He is treasurer of the Reading Hospital and trustee of the Reading Public Library. He has official positions in a number of business enterprises, and is a member of the follow- ing: Pennsylvania Historical Society, Berks County Historical Society, the Pennsylvania German Society, the Pennsylvania State Bar Association, the Wyomis- sing and Berkshire Clubs of Reading, the University Club of Philadelphia and the Harvard Club of New York. Mr. Livingood is a member of St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Reading.


PHILIP SHAPIRO, one of Reading's hustling busi- ness men, and a member of the Reading Board of Trade, who conducts a flourishing tailoring establish- ment at No. 6 South Sixth street, was born Sept. 1. 1861, in Germany.


Mr. Shapiro learned the tailoring trade in his native country, where he also received his literary education. In 1881 he sailed from Hamburg on the Hamburg-Am- erican Line steamer "Estralia," and landed at Castle. Garden, N. Y., July 7th of that year. He worked as a journeyman tailor in New York for two years, and then engaged in the manufacture of coats on his own account, commencing with two machines. His skilled workmanship and honest dealings soon won him a widespread reputation, and in 1895 he came to Read- ing, at once opening up his present place of business. Since locating here he has commanded some of Read- ing's best trade, and has a reputation second to none in his line. He has taken an active part in business circles in the city, and in 1904 was unanimously chosen a member of the Reading Board of Trade. Mr. Shapiro is held in the highest esteem by his friends and asso- ciates, and is considered one of the foremost business men of the city. He has been prominently identified


with fraternal matters, being a member of the Knights of Pythias, the I. O. O. F., the Red Men, and the John F. O. Hein Association of New York City. He has of which he has served as president and treasurer for three terms each, and is now serving as conductor of the O. B. A., of New York City. He is a member of the Union Fire Company, the Northeastern Democratic League, and a charter member of the Hebrew free school board of Reading.


Mr. Shapiro was married in 1879 to Anna Etta Cow- en, and to this union there have been born: Sadie, Bella, and Beatrice. Mr. Shapiro and his family reside at No. 121 Moss street, Reading, and are held in the high- est esteem in their community.


DANIEL E. SCHROEDER. The Schroeder's have been established in Pennsylvania since 1720 or 1730, when three brothers, Anthony, Martin and Jacob, came from Germany and settled in Oley and Alsace town- ships.


The immediate forefathers of Daniel E. Schroeder were farmers, his grandfather, George, following that calling in Alsace township, and his father, John S., in Exeter township. John S. Schroeder was quite a prom- inent man in his region, his position as sheriff of Berks county. an office which he filled from 1848 to 1850, making him well known. He died in 1891. His wife, Susan E. Boyer, was a daughter of George Boyer, and came of Huguenot stock. She was born in Read- ing, and died many years before her husband, passing away in 1868. Of their ten children six are deceased, all but one of them having reached maturity: George; John, who was killed on a railroad; William, who en- listed in Company H., 2d Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was killed in battle during the Civil war; Charles; Francis and Louis, who died in childhood. Those who survive their parents are: Martha, m. to Daniel S. Keller of Bellefonte; Lucy, widow of W. G. Bryson, of Philips- burg, Centre county; Joseph, of Reading; and Daniel E.


Daniel E. Schroeder was born Jan. 20, 1842, in Read- ing and received his literary education in the pub- lic schools of that city. After finishing school he went into the office of Judge Hagenman, to read law, and in 1863 was admitted to the Bar. Later he was also ad- mitted to practice before the Supreme court of the State and the United States District courts. He has been established continuously in practice in Reading, and has made an enviable reputation for himself.


Mr. Schroeder was married in January, 1870, to Clara L. Clark, of Reading, daughter of the late George B. Clark. Three children have been born to this union. namely: Harry F., in the lawn-mower business; George F., at the head of the shipping department of the Prospect Dye Works; and Estelle H., at home. The family attend the Lutheran Church. Mr. Schroeder is a good Democrat and active in politics. He was one of the originators of the Americus Club, and served as a school director from the Fourteenth ward. He is eligible to membership in the Sons of the Revolution, as his great-grandfather on the paternal side was Capt. John Soder, who participated in the Revolution. His maternal great-grandfather, George Boyer, was a veteran of the war of 1812, in which he served with the rank of lieutenant.


HENRY R. ESHELMAN, in whose death the city of Reading, Pa., lost one of its good citizens, was known throughout musical and church circles as an organist of rare talent. Mr. Eshelman was born at Sinking Spring, Berks county, April 5. 1845.


Martin Eshelman, grandfather of Henry R., made his home in Cumru township, Berks county, where he died.


Isaac Eshelman, son of Martin, was born in Cumru township, Berks county, Jan. 19, 1817, and died Nov. 6. 1852. By trade he was a tailor, following that busi-


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ness at Sinking Spring for several years after which fountains, reservoirs, driveways, stable floors, cellars, he went to Centre county, Pa., where he engaged in all kinds of cement work with the latest process and ยท huckstering until his death. He was a member of in the most durable manner. His work is its own rec- ommendation.


the Lutheran Church, and a Republican in politics. He married Eliza Rollman, born Sept. 24, 1817, daughter of John and Maria Rollman. She died aged seventy-six years. Their children were: Wendell, of Illinois; Louisa, who died young; Josiah, m. to Emma Fisher; Henry R., m. to Emeline Gougler; Sarah, m. to George Smith; and Franklin R., born April 2, 1849.


'Franklin R. Eshelman, son of Isaac, is a shoemaker by trade at Shillington. He married Catharine Fisher, and their children are: Annie F., m. to Thomas Fromm, a hatter and shoemaker, at Shillington, Pa .; Agnes F .; William R., m. to Ella Plank; Frank H., m. to Elizabeth Snyder; Emma E., m. to Andrew S. Long; Katie F., m. to Rev. William L. Meckstroth; Jennie F., m. to Joseph Rolland; Isaac, unmarried; Mamie F., m. to James M. Bitler; and Martha, who died young.




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