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 181

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 181

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

(III) John S. Rothenberger, son of Peter, was a native of Centre township, born March 5, 1821, died Dec. 29. 1872. He carried on the old homestead farm until 1853, when he removed to Leisz's Bridge, and in company with his father purchased a farm for $14,- 000, on which he spent the remainder of his life. Mr. Rothenberger was married (first) in 1840, to Mary Ann Kauffman (born Sept. 10, 1818, died March 23, 1864), by whom he had eleven children: Cyrus W .; William K .; John K .; Peter K .; Levi K .; Cornelius K .; Milton K. and Albert K., both deceased; Mary K., m. to Welling- ton Moser; Deborah K., m. to Edward Shearer; and Thomas K., of San Francisco. The second marriage of Mr. Rothenberger was in 1864, to Matilda (Kauffman) Daubert, a widow, and sister to his first wife. To their union there were born seven children: James, of Tem- ple; Harry, who went West; Morris, deceased; Kate (Catherine), m. to Elmer Angstadt; Rosa, m. to Edward Moore, of California; George, of Reading; and Sallie, deceased. In religious belief Mr. Rothenberger was Reformed, while both of his wives were connected with the Lutheran Church. In political matters he was a Democrat.

(IV) CORNELIUS K. ROTHENBERGER, son of John S., was born in Penn township, Berks county, June 25, 1847, and was reared upon his father's farm, working there until he attained his majority. He then engaged in the brick manufacturing business at Birds- boro, and in 1878 became the proprietor of the "River- side Hotel" which he conducted eight years. In 1880 he again engaged in the brick manufacturing business, in North Reading, and he also followed contracting and house building very profitably until 1895. In 1894 Mr. Rothenberger engaged in the grocery business, at Riverside, following this ten years, at the end of that time his son-in-law, Wilson E. Moser, becoming his partner under the firm name of Moser & Rothenberger. This firm lasted two years, when the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Rothenberger then lived retired until Feb. 1, 1908, when he again engaged in the grocery

dentally killed Jan. 18, 1909, by a train at the crossing of Seventh and Penn streets, Reading, and is buried at Charles Evans Cemetery; the three preceding genera- tions are buried at Alsace Cemetery. Mr. Rothenberg- er was a member of the Heptasophs; Washington Camp, No. 691, P. O. S. of A. With his family he be- longed to Olivet Reformed Church, Reading. of which for some years he was a trustee. In politics he was a Democrat. In June, 1870, he married Rosa Drexel, daughter of John Drexel, of West Reading. She was born in April, 1844, and died Dec. 27, 1902. the mother of five children: George W., born April 13, 1871; Bertha. m. to Wilson E. Moser, of Riverside; John, who died aged two years; Mary, m. to, Stephen Sehl, of Reading; and William, a dyer at Reading. Mr. Rothenberger owned a farm of fifty-six acres in Exeter township, and the buildings at Nos. 35 and 37 Exeter street, and three lots at Exeter and Front streets.

(I) Peter Rothenberger. great-great-grandfather of George W., of Reading, was a resident of Alsace town- ship at an early date. He was born March 24, 1769, and died in Alsace Jan. 4, 1825, aged fifty-five years, nine months, ten days. He married Rebecca Shalter, (V) GEORGE W. ROTHENBERGER received his education born Sept. 1. 1773, and died Nov. 28, 1847. The federal in the city schools, and in Prof. D. B. Brunner's census report of 1790 records Peter Rodenberger, a Academy and Business College at Reading. At

resident of Alsace township, Berks county, as having the age of eighteen he learned the tailor's trade in that ' six sons, and two daughters. the children all under city, and this has ever since been his occupation. When sixteen years of age. Both Peter Rothenberger and- but twenty-two he engaged in business for himself, and

670

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

soon built up a lucrative business. He is practical, and he understands his business thoroughly. He employs from six to twelve men. Mr. Rothenberger is the owner of the three-story brick residence, No. 906 Penn street, with a frontage of 193 feet and in depth 120 feet, having purchased this April 2, 1900. In March, 1909, Mr. Rothenberger purchased a private residence at No. 1524 Perkiomen avenue, where he has resided since April 1st.

Mr. Rothenberger was married Sept. 14, 1899, to Anna M. Brown, daughter of the late Albert and Emily (Ludwig) Brown, of Reading, and they have had three children, one of whom, the first, died in infancy. The others are Thomas B. and John F. Mr. Rothenberger belongs to the Second Reformed Church and his wife belongs to Trinity Lutheran Church. He is fra- ternally connected with the Mystic Star Commandery, No. 47, Knights of Malta; Progressive Lodge, I. O. O. F., and Penn Wheelmen.

HENRY E. RHOADS, one of the most useful citi- zens of Douglass township, was born in Pottsgrove township, Montgomery Co., Pa., July 6. 1833, son of Charles and Margaret (Egolf) Roth. The early spell- ing of the name was Roth, but was changed to Rhoads by the teachers of the Charles Roth children.

Henry Roth, grandfather of Henry E., lived at Deep Creek, in New Hanover township, in Montgomery county. where he had a small farm. He died before 1830. His wife, a Hoffman, lived to the age of ninety- seven years. They had four children: Hannah, m. to Peter Yerger; Betzy, m. to Daniel Houck; Kate, m. to John Kohl; and Charles.

Charles Roth, son of Henry, was born in New Han- over township, Montgomery county, and died in West Pottsgrove township, that county, Dec. 1, 1887. By trade he was a blacksmith, and this he followed in early life, becoming in 1837, however, a farmer in West Pottsgrove township, where he bought a farm which he operated a number of years. He was a man of enterprise and thrift, and left a large estate that he had accumulated himself. Among the different properties he owned was an eighty-acre tract in West Pottsgrove township, which he cut up into building lots in the early eighties. He sold a large number of them, receiv- ing $22.000 for those he sold. and at his death he still had about 465 lots, which were divided among his children, his son Henry E. acquiring about fifty-two. All are valuable, as this tract adjoins the borough of Pottstown, in fact the farm buildings were located within the limits of the borough. Charles Roth is buried at Mount Zion cemetery, South Pottstown. His first wife was Margaret Egolf, daughter of Adam and Anna (Moser) Egolf, the latter a daughter of Peter Moser (brother of the bachelor Burkhart Moser). Both Mr. and Mrs. Egolf attained eighty-six years. To Mr. and Mrs. Roth were born seven children: Henry E .; William, of Stowe, Pa .; Rachel, widow of Jere Reif- snyder, of Bramcote; Daniel, of Stowe, now deceased; John, who died of hydrophobia; Mary. m. to William Rutter, of Stowe, both deceased; and Adam, of Stowe. Charles Roth m. (second) Mrs. Charlotte (Wamback) Root, widow of Jacob Root.

Henry E. Rhoads was reared upon his father's farm, and has been a farmer all his life. He worked for his parents until he was of age. In 1857 he began farming for himself in Douglass township, Berks county. on the Jacob Yorgey farm, which he tenanted for twenty- seven years. From 1884 to 1887 he farmed the William Wise farm, also in Douglass township. In the fall of 1887 he bought his present farm consisting of 100 acres of the best land in the township, located about one mile north of Maxatawny Station on the Colebrookdale branch of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad. Mr. Rhoads has greatly improved this tract. He also has an interest in different tracts of woodland located in North Coventry township. Chester county, which at one time belonged to his father.

Mr. Rhoads is one of the substantial citizens of the township, and takes a keen intelligent interest in public affairs. In politics he is a. Democrat, and since 1882 has held the office of school director, being one of the very oldest directors in point of service in the county. He has also served as assistant assessor of the township, and was delegate to several county con- ventions. With his family he attends Emanuel Luth- eran Church of Pottstown, of which for six years he was a deacon.

In 1855 Mr. Rhoads married Sarah Yorgey, daugh- ter of Jacob and Sarah (Reifsnyder) Yorgey. She was born March 24, 1840, and died Jan. 20, 1903, and is buried in the Pottstown cemetery. Eleven children were born of this union, namely: Marguerite m. Jacob Levengood, of Montgomery county; Annie m. Irwin Sassaman, and lives at Reading; Jacob is a farmer in Douglass township; William lives at Philadelphia; War- ren died aged thirty-three years; Emma m. August Maberry (deceased), and lives at Pottstown; Darius is a farmer at Amityville; Isaac is a blacksmith at Amity- ville; John is a baker at Pottstown; George Y. is a teacher in Douglass township, and Morris is a farmer in Douglass township.

O. B. S. WILDER, a well-known resident of Perkio- men avenue. Reading, who as a general contractor and builder has erected some of the city's most beauti- ful structures, was born in 1860, in Key West, Fla., son of Barnabas S. and Diana (Waltz) Wilder, the latter a descendant of Michael Waltz, a soldier of the Revolutionary war.

Barnabas S. Wilder was also a native of Florida, and came to Pennsylvania prior to the Civil war. He was a hotel proprietor for many years, and at the time of his death was conducting the "Mansion House" at Car- lisle. Mr. Wilder was a member of the Masonic Or- der at Harrisburg, Pa., and was a consistent attendant of the Reformed Church, his wife being a Lutheran, in the faith of which church she died in 1889. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilder: O. B. S .; Bella E., m. to Lieutenant George of the United States Army; and Robert, in the hotel business at Shippens- burg.

O. B. S. Wilder was about one year old when his parents came to Pennsylvania, and his literary educa- tion was secured in the schools of Dauphin and Cum- berland counties. As a. youth he learned the carpenter- ing, building and painting trades, and in 1882 he engaged in a general contracting business, in which he has con- tinued to the present time. He has worked in Ken- tucky, West Virginia and Tennessee, beside Pennsyl- vania. He has erected many buildings throughout Reading, including the "Crystal Palace Hotel," and the residence of Ferdinand Winter on Center avenue, and his work has gained him an enviable reputation in his line. Mr. Wilder is very fond of hunting. and during the winter of 1906-07 spent some time at this sport in Georgia.

Mr. Wilder was married in 1884 to Emma R. Wahl. He belonged to Montgomery Lodge, I. O. O. F., Read- ing; and Samuel J. Randall Council, Jr. O. U. A. M., Reading. In political matters he is independent.

GEORGE IRA KEEN, M. D., one of Reading's successful young practitioners of medicine, was born at Reading. in 1870, son of Samuel H. and Mary D. (Landis) Keen.

The Keen family has been known in Reading for several generations and has held the respect of the community. Samuel Keen, the grandfather, died in this city, and here Samuel H. Keen, his son, was born and has resided here all his life. In young manhood he was absent for a short time, operating an engine in Georgia, but for the past forty years he has been with the Reading Railway Company, one of that corpora- tion's most valued employes. He married Mary D. Landis, a member of a large and honored family of

671

BIOGRAPHICAL

Lancaster county. They reside at No. 1213 Chestnut Colonel, and was a participant in the campaign of the street, which has been the family home for the past "Flying Camp" at New York, where he was engaged thirty-five years. Their children are: George Ira, of in the battle of Long Island and taken prisoner. He this sketch; James O., a machinist at Reading; Newton Edgar, a printer, who resides in Philadelphia; and Mrs. William M. Kitzmiller, of Germantown, Philadelphia.

Dr. Keen was educated at Reading and after passing creditably through the high school, he attended Pal- mer's Business College, at Philadelphia, and then en- tered Hahnemann Medical College at Philadelphia, in 1889, where he was graduated with the class of 1892. He entered upon the practice of his profession in his native city, and has met with excellent success. He has established his office in his handsome, newly-erected home at No. 941 Franklin street.

Dr. Keen married Elizabeth May Leh, daughter of Frank Leh, of Reading, and they had twin daughters, Helen and Ethel, the latter of whom is deceased. Miss Helen is a student at Reading. Politically Dr. Keen is a Republican. He is a member of the State Medical Association and of the State Homeopathical Association and is president of the Pathological So- ciety of Reading.

MILLER. The Miller family to which Joshua L. Miller, of Albany township, Berks county, belongs, is descended from Christian Miller, born June 3, 1799, in the vicinity of Milton, Pa.

It is said that Christian Miller came from along the Susquehanna river. He died in Albany township. Feb. 27, 1869. His farm comprised that now owned by James E. Snyder of 125 acres, and Joshua L. Miller of 75 acres. On the Snyder farm he built the stone house in 1844, and the barn in 1855. He was a sub- stantial man, and founded Salem Evangelical Church, bequesting one half acre of land upon which it was built in 1882. He served as class leader and exhorter, and a congregation was organized that built a church thirteen years after his death. The congregation con- sists of some forty members, the principal families be- ing the Millers. Snyders, Berks, Kneppers, and Man- reys. Christian Miller married Sophia Bailey (1808- 1868). They had two children: Jacob; and Catharine, m. to James E. Snyder.

Jacob Miller, son of Christian, was born Feb. 20, 1833, died at Kempton, July 21, 1897. He was a farmer and owned the tract now the property of his son Joshua L. In 1886 he retired and built a house at Kempton, where he died. He was active in church life, and is buried at Snyder's Evangelical Association founded by his father. He married Helena Leiby, daughter of Jacob Leiby, of Virginville. They had children: Joshua L .; Valeria m. William Bolich, of Drehersville, Pa .; Kate deceased m. Alfred Miller, deceased; Mon- roe (1864-1877).

Joshua L. Miller was born in Perry township, Berks county, Sept. 9. 1859., When a child his parents came to Albany, and here he has since made his home. He is a farmer and has a seventy-five acre tract, on which he raises many potatoes. His home is most attractive. He and his family are members of the Salem Evan- gelical Association near their home. and he has been class leader, exhorter, and trustee. In 1873 he married Priscilla Heisler, and they have children: Monroe, Mil- ton, Edwin, Alvena, Cora, Amelia, Minnie, Mahlon.

PHILIP H. LOTZ, now living a retired life at his home in Reading, No. 941 Elm street, was for many years identified with various business ventures in this city. Mr. Lotz was born in 1835, in Reading, son of William Lotz, and comes of one of the oldest fam- ilies of this section.

Col. Nicholas Lotz, great-grandfather of Philip H., was born in Germany in 1740, and emigrated to Amer- ica, settling in Reading prior to the Revolution. He served as a delegate to the Provincial Conference in June, 1776, and later took an active part in the enlist- ment of men for the army. He became a Lieutenant

was at the head of the militia battalions for many years. In 1780 he was appointed a commissioner of forage and purchased supplies for the army until the close of the war. He represented Berks in the General Assembly from 1784 to 1786, and again from 1790 to 1806. He died Nov. 28, 1807, and his remains were interred in the graveyard of the First Reformed Church and removed from there to Charles Evans cemetery.

The old Shanaman mill property, at the mouth of the Wyomissing creek, opposite Reading, was the place where Col. Nicholas Lotz made flour for the Continent- al army during the Revolutionary War. Col. Nicholas Lotz sold the grist mill and twelve acres of land, part of a tract of 200 acres, to Peter Bauman.

Philip Lotz, son of Col. Nicholas, was born in Berks county and was a saddler by trade, an oc- cupation which he followed for several years on Penn street, above Third. He and his wife both died in Reading, and were buried in the Charles Evans ceme- tery.

William Lotz, father of Philip H., was born in Read- ing, and in this city received his education. For a number of years he was successfully engaged in the butchering business on North Fifth street, where the Masonic Temple now stands. Mr. Lotz died at the age of eighty-seven years. He married Sarah Hess, and their children were: Barbara; Catherine; Caroline, de- ceased; William, deceased; Henry; Philip H .; Casper and Emma.

Philip H. Lotz attended the public schools of Read- ing, and then engaged in clerking in a dry goods store. Two years later he engaged in the butchering busi- ness with his father, and continued therein for a period of twenty years, he and his brother Casper, being in partnership one year. He then engaged with George W. Hues, who was in the liquor business on Eighth and Penn streets, and later removed to No. 805 Penn street. He then became employed with a Mr. Jones in the same line of business, continuing with him for a period of fifteen years, then engaging with Martin Sheaffer. In 1900 Mr. Lotz retired from business. He married Caroline Lott, daughter of Nicholas, and she died in 1888, their children being: Sallie J., m. Wil- liam Auman, has a family of six children; and George m. a Miss Sullivan, has two children, and resides in Reading. Mr. Lotz is a Republican in his political views. but takes little interest in public matters. He is a member of the Reformed Church.

JOSEPH TRICKEL, master mechanic of the Penn Hardware Company, Reading. and a highly esteemed resident of that city, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1851, and there received his education. He came to America when seventeen years old. and came direct from New York City to Reading, where he has since resided.

Mr. Trickel learned the machinist's trade in Read- ing with A. C. Greth, with whom he remained for twelve and one-half years, and after finishing his trade worked as a journeyman for some time. He then engaged with the Penn Hardware Company, and he has continued with that firm to the present time, a matter of thirty years. He started as foreman of the machine shop, and shortly after was made master mechanic. He is one of the oldest employes of the company, and is a very skilled mechanic, having several patented inventions to his credit, and being at the head of thirty-two foremen.

Mr. Trickel married Catherine E. Nickolas, daugh- ter of Adam and Elizabeth (Draher) Nickolas, the former a pioneer brush manufacturer of Reading, having his foundry at No. 131 North Tenth street. He died at the age of seventy-two years, while his widow survives him and resides with her youngest daughter, Mrs. Christine Regar, No. 1405 Muhlen-

672

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

berg street, Reading, being aged eighty years. Mr. nership with his brother John. They had a small store and Mrs. Trickel have one danghter, Annie, the wife opposite the site of the present magnificent establishment, of Herbert S. De Hart (son of William), a plumber, and they reside with Mr. and Mrs. Trickel.

The Trickels are members of the Catholic Church. Politically Mr. Trickel is independent. He is a stock- holder in the Penn Hardware Company, and is the owner of considerable property in the city of Read- ing. Mr. Trickel's first home was at No. 1050 Muh- lenberg street, having purchased this in 1876, and since that time he has purchased considerable prop- erty, among it being his present home, No. 1236 Perk- iomen avenue, which he bought in 1895. Mr. Trickel's mother paid a visit to the United States when seven- ty-two years of age, visiting all of the large cities, and then returned to her native country, where she died.

Mr. Joseph Trickel was the eldest of his parents' children, the others being: Leander, a well known butcher of Reading; Reinhardt, a blacksmith by trade, who died in Philadelphia; Alfred, who served in the German army, and died in that country; Catherine, deceased; and Bertha, who is living in Philadelphia.

BENJAMIN SAYLOR, senior member of the large grocery firm of B. & J. Saylor, Reading, is a native son of Berks county. He has been interested in his pres- ent business for a period of over forty years. Mr. Saylor was born in Heidelberg township, son of John and Catherine (Sheaffer) Saylor, the former a coun- try merchant and also a tailor, who died in Reading Jan. 1, 1867. The wife and mother passed away Jan. 1, 1857.

Mr. Saylor began his education in the public schools of his native township, and then spent three years at the Union Academy, at Womelsdorf. On leaving school he engaged in teaching, following that profession two and one half years at Robesonia, this county. He then went to Philadelphia, and entering the grocery store of his brother John remained with him ten years. They were first located at Sixteenth and Market streets, and later at Sixteenth and Cherry streets. In 1862 Benja- min Saylor left his brother and volunteered for three years or during the war in the Union army. He entered the service in August of that year as second lieutenant of Company C, 119th Pennsylvania Volunteers, attached to the Sixth Army Corps, and was shortly afterward promoted, becoming first lieutenant of the same com- pany. One year later he was again promoted, becoming captain of Company H, of the same regiment, and con- tinued as an officer in line of battle for two years. His duties led him into participation in some of the most notable campaigns of the war, in the actions up to and in- cluding both the first and second battles of Fredericks- burg. He was at the storming of Marye's Heights and on to Chancellorsville; then followed the engagement at Mine Run, in which so many were killed and wound- ed, and after that the storming of Rappahannock Heights, in which about a third of the brigade, under Gen. David Russell, were lost. On May 5, 1864, the great campaign under General Grant commenced. Crossing the Rapidan, the troops fought through the Wilderness on to Spott- sylvania and Cold Harbor, where Captain Saylor lost forty men out of his company in the twelve days they were constantly engaged in fighting day and night. There at Cold Harbor he received his commission as commis- sary of subsistence of the volunteer service of the Unit- ed States army, in which capacity he served until the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox, April 9, 1865 -practically the close of the war. In this connection he relates that after the surrender of Lee he received or- ders to turn over to the latter's army his beef cattle, about 120 head, to feed the starving men. All of Mr. Saylor's service was under General Sedgwick in the Sixth Army Corps. He was honorably discharged Sept. 11, 1865. as brevet major.

The war ended, Mr. Saylor came to Reading, and in the fall of 1866 began his present grocery business in part-

18 feet front on Fourth street, and 28 feet deep, the broth- ers buying out the former proprietor, William Fisher. For eleven years they remained at that location, and then in 1877 moved to the present place of business, No. 401 Penn street. Meantime the original store had not been long confined to the tiny room with 18 feet front, but spread over three other rooms. The present arrange- ment of the store is the result of many alterations, the building being now 30 x 142 feet in dimensions, four stor- ies high, with a cellar 11 feet clear below the first floor. In its construction 250,000 brick and 140 tons of struc- tural steel were used. There are coffee roasters, ma- chinery driven by steam and electric motors, with coffee- mills and pulverizers-in fact everything that goes to equip a thoroughly up-to-date grocery. Goods are. delivered free over the city and adjacent territory, seven wagons and one automobile being employed for that purpose. The cake and pastry department is one of the most popular in Reading. The bakery is located on the third floor and is a model of neatness, and every precaution is taken to provide only the best and purest materials. A large part of the candy they sell is of their own manufacture, and they also carry a full line of standard makes.

In May, 1888, John Saylor died, and his son, Howard B., succeeded him, the firm name, however, remaining unchanged.

In 1871 Benjamin Saylor married, and his only child was a son John, who in 1907 purchased the interest of Howard B. in the grocery business and real estate.

Mr. Saylor is a member of Encampment No. 43, Union Veteran Legion, and of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion. He also belongs to Chandler Lodge, No. 227, F. & A. M. For over twenty years he has been a trus- tee of the First Presbyterian Church.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 181

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