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 182

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 182

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HOWARD B. SAYLOR. until 1907 junior member of the firm of B. & J. Saylor, was born at Philadelphia in 1860. He accompanied his father, John Saylor, to Read- ing, and there received his education in the public and high schools. In 1876 he entered the grocery as clerk, and continued in that, capacity, carefully mastering bus- iness methods in general and the details of the groc- ery business in particular. At his father's death in 1888, he succeeded him as a member of the firm. In 1904 he was elected vice-president of the Colonial Trust Com- pany of Reading.

Mr. Saylor married Lucy Templin. daughter of the late Levi Templin, of Reading, and four children have been born to them: Mary, Lucy, Edward and Josephine. Mr. Saylor is a member of Chandler Lodge. No. 227, F. & A. M .: Excelsior Chapter; and Reading Com- mandery, K. T. His religious affiliation is with the Luth- eran Church.

HIESTER M. NAGLE. M. D., deceased, for thirty- five years a physician in Berks county, was engaged in the practice of his profession in Reading from the close of the Civil war until his death. During his residence in the city he was not only one of the foremost medical men, but a citizen whose activities in behalf of her progress and welfare were recognized and appreciated by all classes.

Dr. Nagle was of German descent-a great-grand- son of Peter Nagle, who founded the family in Amer- ica. Peter Nagle settled in Berks county, where his son, Peter, was born July 11, 1782. The latter mar- ried Susan Filbert. born April 23. 1785, and they had five children, namely: John F., Augustus W., Peter F., Henry and a daughter. The father of this family died May 2. 1846, and the mother May 26, 1854.

Peter F. Nagle, father of Dr. Hiester M., was born in Berks county. in 1808, and died March 25. 1869. He was a physician and practiced first at Williamsport, Pa., later at Milton, this State, thence moving to Read- ing. He was subsequently located at St. Louis for a time, but returned to Reading to spend his last years.

Benjamin Maylor

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To him and his wife, who was Miss Catherine E. Dauphin, of Philadelphia, were born six children, two dying in childhood. The others, Peter, Hiester M., Catherine and Joseph, all reached maturity, but are now deceased.

Hiester M. Nagle was born at Williamsport, Pa., Dec. 23, 1834. In his boyhood he went to school in Reading, later continuing his studies 'at Marshall Col- lege, Mercersburg, and at Kessler's Academy, all Penn- sylvanian schools. He began his medical studies in 1855 with his father, and later read under the direction of Dr. Frank Rieser, of Reading. He entered the Med- ical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, but after one year changed to Jefferson Medical Col- lege, from which institution he was graduated in 1857. His first two years of practice were passed in Exeter township, Berks county, whence he went to Fleet- wood, in the same county, where he was established. at the time the Civil war broke out. On Aug. 14, 1862, Dr. Nagle left home to join the army as assistant surgeon of the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served until his discharge Aug. 13, 1865. He saw much hard fighting, participated in the siege of Suffolk, and the battles of Petersburg, Deep Bottom, Ream's Station, Richmond, Darbytown Road, Seven Pines, Newmarket Heights, Five Forks, Deep Creek, Amelia Court House, and Appomattox Court House. On Dec. 17, 1864, he was promoted to the rank of surgeon of the regiment, which rank he held at the time of his discharge.

Returning to Pennsylvania Dr. Nagle settled in Reading, in which city he passed the remainder of his life, building up a large and lucrative practice. His years were filled with faithful and tireless service in the alleviation of suffering. He was well known to his fellow practitioners, was a member of the County Medical Society and the Pathological Society, and was also a loyal supporter of Masonry, belonging to various Masonic bodies in Reading, Lodge No. 62, Chapter No. 152, and Commandery No. 42. He was likewise active in politics and found time to give much personal service to the municipality. He was elected on the Democratic ticket to the office of county treas- urer, holding that office from 1874 to 1876, was for two years a member of the city council, and during his sec- ond year was its president. In July, 1885, he was ap- pointed examining surgeon for pensioners. Thus with his numerous interests, he accomplished an incalculable amount of good, leaving a record of untiring service such as few men are able to show. He died Jan. 30, 1893, and the esteem and affection in which. he was held were testified at his funeral, which was the largest ever known in Reading.

On June 18, 1872, Dr. Nagle married Miss Lucretia Boyer, daughter of Henry B. Boyer. Their children were: Harry died at the age of eighteen; Katie died in infancy; Frank died at the age of five; Howard, a machinist, m. Elizabeth Buker, and they have two children, Lucretia and Raymond; Paul; Charles, who m. Sarah Haage, is one of the firm of the N. & N. Cigar Company; Hiester C. is also a member of that firm, which consists of the two Nagle brothers and John G. Niethammer.

Mrs. Nagle comes from a distinguished Berks coun- ty family. Her grandfather, Daniel Boyer, was the founder of Boyertown, one of the progressive boroughs of the county, was the first merchant in the place, and his descendants still carry on that line of busi- ness there. Henry B. Boyer, father of Mrs. Nagle, was so engaged for a time, but moved to Reading, and for some years was a merchant in that city. Later he went into the livery business, which he followed until his retirement. He reached the age of ninety years. His wife, whose maiden name was Susan Fritz, died when seventy-two years old. Their children were: Frank, Mary, Harry, John, George, Howard, and Mrs. Nagle. Those living are Mrs. Nagle and her brother, George, the latter a resident of Oak Brook.

ALBERT G. BORKERT, well known in Reading, Pa., as a contractor and builder, was born in that city in 1835, son of Daniel Borkert, a native of Oley Valley, and one of the first large contractors of Read- ing. He had formerly been a brick layer, but took up contracting in middle life, and many of the fine residences of the city are evidences of his skill. He also built the city hall, and a new part of the county jail, and several public school houses and factories. Mr. Borkert followed his business until seventy years of age, and then retired from active work, dying at the advanced age of eighty years. He married Catherine Gantz, who died when fifty-eight years of age. Their children were: William G., deceased; Mary, who m. a Mr. Sheeler, of Reading; Daniel, deceased; Augustus, m. to Amanda Brown, and engaged in the contract- ing business with his brother, Richard; Richard, of Reading; Albert G .; Susan, who died aged thirty-four years; Amanda, m. to a Mr. Goodman, of Wyomissing, Berks county; and John, a brick layer, m. to a Miss Goodman.

Albert G. Borkert attended the schools of the Third ward until fourteen years of age, when he learned the brick laying trade with his father, with whom he was employed until the senior Borkert retired from busi- ness. The six sons then engaged in the contracting business under the name of W. G. Borkert & Bros., and continued under that name until , the death of Daniel and William. Our subject then took his son into partnership with him, and the firm has been since known as Albert G. Borkert & Son, they having a fine office at No. 936 Penn street, and residing in the rear. They also carry a fine line of tobacco in con- nection with the contracting business. The firm built the old Boys' high school, the Girls' high school, the Sixth Church, the first stove foundry on North Third street, and others.

Mr. Borkert married Melinda Wentzel, daughter of Jesse Wentzel, and the following children were born to this union: Thomas, with his father; Harry, a partner of his father; Sarah; Annie; Bessie; Maggie; Katie; and Lillie. Mr. Borkert is a member of the Lutheran Church.

KOMP. Three brothers by the name of Komp (also spelled Kemp) emigrated to America from Ger- many, about the middle of the eighteenth century. One settled about Philadelphia. Deobald, who spelled his name Kemp, located in Maxatawny, east of Kutztown, where he reared a large family, some of his descendants still living in the same locality to this day. The third brother, Martin by name, settled along the Blue moun- tains in Albany, where he owned much land. In 1774 his name on the tax list appeared as Martin "Kamff," and he was assessed eight pounds tax. He was a pioneer settler and operated a distillery, burning much apple-jack. The Indians for some years were friendly with him and made frequent visits to the distillery which stood where Charles W. Dietrich now lives. Komp gave them apple-jack which they liked, and they would then go to the top of the hill on the south side of the road from the present buildings, and find great pleasure in rolling down hill. Later during the French and Indian War (1756) they made frequent onslaughts upon the settlers. They were nevertheless fearful about a man named Knepper, who it was said bore a charmed life, and frequently fought them. The Christian name of Martin Komp's (Kemp's) wife was Catharine.

DAVID KOMP (son of Martin and Catharine) lived at Charles W. Dietrich's present home. He owned upwards of 400 acres of land, and was a farmer and distiller. His wife was Maria Petri (1775-1855). They had children: (1) Reuben, born Nov. 23, 1807, died March 3, 1890; married Regina Schwenk (1817-1893). They were farming people in Albany, and lived where their son Daniel now lives. They had children-Daniel, William, Henry, Mary, Amanda, Lazarus and Lydia.

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Both are now deceased. (2) Martin lived in Albany, ship long before the organization of the county in and had children-Elizabeth, 1815-1822; and Jesia, 1819- 1752. He was the owner of valuable land near Bern- 1823. (3) Samuel, a farmer at Eckville, in Albany, married Hettie Ernst, and they had Jesse, Manasses, Caroline, Elizabeth, Sarah and Hettie. (4) Jacob lived in Schuylkill county, Pa. (5) David, born Dec. 1, 1804, died Sept. 2, 1887, a farmer in Albany, married Catha- rine Schwenk, of the same township, and had-Daniel and Jacob (both died young), Martin, David S., and John B.

DR. MILTON D. LICHTENWALNER, a resident physician of Reading, Pa., was born in Lehigh county, in 1846, son of Elias and Fenna (Click) Lichtenwalner the former a prominent farmer of Lehigh county who owned a farm of 160 acres near Fogelsville. He died when seventy-nine years of age, and his wife in her eighty-first year, both in the faith of the Lutheran Church. Their only child was Milton D.

Dr. Lichtenwalner attended the common and private schools of the place of his nativity, and when thirteen years of age went to Quakertown and entered a school taught by Professor Horne, remaining there four years. He then spent a short time at a business school at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and returned home and spent two years at Philadelphia, 1865-6, at the Homeopathic Med- ical College. He read medicine two years with Doctors Slough and Hulfrich, at Fogelsville, Lehigh county. The Doctor practised in Macungie, Lehigh county, for three years, and then gave up his profession, and went to Chicago where he spent five years as a bookkeeper in the Grain Exchange. He was also engaged in the hat business at Allentown, and came to Reading in 1883, becoming bookkeeper for J. B. Scheaffer, a wholesale hat dealer. He remained there until Mr. Scheaffer closed out his business in 1903, since which time Dr. Lichtenwalner has lived a retired life. The Doctor is the owner of the old homestead farm in Lehigh county, and also owns another farm of 100 acres in the same county, but resides in Reading at No. 51 South Eleventh street.

Dr. Lichtenwalner was married, in Reading, to Miss Alice Hawk, daughter of Charles Hawk, of Reading, and one son was born to this union, Milton H., who is attending school. The Doctor is a member of Lehigh Lodge of Masons, No. 326, of Trexlertown.

BRIGHT or BRECHT. The ancestor of this old and numerous family of Berks county was Stephen Brecht, a native of Germany, where he was born Feb. 17, 1692. He was one of the emigrants from the Palatinate who landed at New York about 1720. These emigrants first settled at Schoharie, N. Y., but because of the unbearable treatment they received at the hands of Governor Hunter, of the Province of New York, sought refuge elsewhere. Hearing of the justice ac- corded the settlers in Penn's Province, by the pro- prietors, and the fertility of the soil, excellent water and other advantages, many of them came into this district. Among them was (I) Stephen Brecht, who desired a tract of good land for himself and three sons. His land was granted him by John, Thomas and Richard Penn, lawful heirs of William Penn, on Nov. 27, 1745 [Recorded in Patent Book A, Vol. 12, page 340]. On this tract he made his home and died Sept. 24, 1747. His remains were interred in the North Heidelberg cemetery among the Moravians. His grave stone lies flat upon the ground, and is the oldest stone that can be found there. The inscription is in good condition. His will was made Jan. 6, 1746, by which his land was divided among his three sons: David, Hans Wendel and George Adam. To George Adam was given the homestead (now owned by Adam Dun- dore, of Obold), and the division of land between David and Hans Wendel was made soon after this date, and is recorded at Reading April 17, 1754, in Book A. Vol. 1, page 68.

(II) David Brecht, son of Stephen, was born Sept. 8, 1719. He was a resident of Bern (now Penn) town-

ville and exercised no small influence among the peo- ple of his neighborhood. In 1771 he was elected county commissioner, and served as such until 1774. By his will on file in the Register's office, after providing for his wife Sarah, and the slave to whom he had given freedom, he devises to his only son John his large plan- tation of 500 acres. He also gives to each of his seven daughters the sum of 900 pounds, which was almost a fortune in that early day. This amount was, how- ever, to be paid by his son John, in part, as well as a copper kettle to each sister. Sarah, wife of David Brecht, was born Jan. 8, 1727, and died Jan. 22. 1798. They were the parents of eleven children, three of whom died in infancy or childhood. The names of those reaching mature years were: John; Margaret m. Philip Himmelberger; Elizabeth m. Jacob Strauss; Catharine m. Philip Adam Riegel; Barbara m. John Michael Geiss; Susanna m. John Wenrich; Magdalena and Sarah. David Brecht and wife, as also their son John and his wife are buried in the private burial ground on the original Brecht farm, which is now known as the Amendon Bright farm. The inscriptions are difficult to read after the action of the elements upon the sandstones.

Hier Ruhet Der Leib von David Brecht erist geboren D 8 Sep 1719 er zeuchte mit Sei ner liben ehrfrau Sain 11 Kinder un nach 8 bei leben 1 Sohn U 7 Tochter u Starb D 22 Sep 1783 Hier ruhet eine die

Storbne und Schwester Na Sara Brecht un sie ist geboh D 8 Jan 1727 sie zeigte mit ihren ehr man David Brecht 11 Kinder u 8 bei leben ein Sohn 11 7 Dochter u Starb De 2 Jan. 1796

(III) John Brecht, only son of David that grew to manhood, passed his entire life in farming on the home- stead. His resting place was found on the farm.

Hier ruhet die gebeine von Johannes Brecht Er wurde geboren den 2 Junius im Yahr 1747 und ist gestorben den 9 Februar in Yahr 1834 brachte sein Alter auf 86 Yahre 8 Monate und 7 Tage

Hier ruhet Anna Maria Brecht Ehrgattin fon Joh. Brecht Sie war geboren Den 15 ten Januar 1757 und ist gestorben den 24 sten. Mai 1842 im altern fon 85 Yahren 4 Monate und 9 Tagen

John and Anna Maria Brecht were the parents of eleven children-seven girls and four boys. The girls were named after their seven aunts: Susanna m. George Geiss; Catharine m. Philip Filbert; Barbara m. Philip Filbert; Magdalena m. Conrad Reber; Mary m. Joseph Althouse; Elizabeth m. Jacob Conrad; Sarah m. Daniel Bucks. John (m. Hannah Klahr) and David (m. Su- sanna Reber) settled near Basil, Fairfield Co., Ohio, and their children are in possession of the land that was

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bought about 1800 by the first John Brecht and is con- there. He conducted a general store at Bernville from sidered among the best in the community. Peter mar- the time of his marriage until his death. He was ried Maria Magdalena Stamm and lived near Bernville where some of the descendants now live. Jacob is mentioned below.

(IV) Jacob Brecht, son of John and Anna Maria, was born March 23, 1791, and died Aug. 26, 1876, at the age of eighty-five years, five months and three days. He was married to Anna Maria Moser. By the will of his father he was to receive the homestead, but was to give certain amounts to each one of his sisters, and the records show that he was faithful in the dis- charge of this provision. From this union we find thir- teen children; eleven grew to maturity while twins died in infancy. The children were: Anna Maria m. David

Leiss; Henrietta m. Isaac Leiss; Sarah m. (first) John Kalbach and (second) Daniel Faust; Elizabeth m. Isaac Kalbach; Catharine m. Elias Staudt; Rachel m. Adam Dundore; Rebecca m. (first) Jonathan Dundore and (second) Joseph I. Greth; Isabella m. William Klopp; John M. m. (first) Lydia Koenig and (second) Lydia Anna Grime; Aaron M. and Amendon.

(V) Amendon Bright, son of Jacob, was born Jan. 15, 1830. His entire active life was devoted to farming. He lived upon and owned the old Bright homestead of 234 acres of the most fertile section of Penn town- ship, and at death owned several other farms in neigh- boring townships as well as in Penn. He was very prominent in public affairs, and took an active interest in the success of the Democratic party. He was school director of his township, for many years committee- man of his district, for three years prison inspector in Berks county. In 1894 he was elected treasurer of the county, conducting the business of the office most satis- factorily for three years. He married Clara Hain, born March 3, 1833, daughter of John D. Hain. Their child- ren were: Ellen, m. to Jacob M. Bordner, of Bernville. who is now county commissioner; William, a small farmer near Bernville, m. to Mary Hine; Sallie, m. to Frank Schaeffer, of Tulpehocken; Harry, a druggist, who died aged twenty-four years; Annie, m. to Jacob Gruber, of Obold; Albert H .; Rev. Edwin D., pastor of the Reformed Church at Derry, Pa .. who is also en- gaged as a genealogist and historian, having in prepara- tion a complete record of the descendants of Stephen Brecht; and three who died young. Amendon Bright passed away May 21, 1897, respected by all who knew him.

(VI) ALBERT H. BRIGHT, son of Amendon Bright, is a prosperous young plumber and gas fitter at West Reading. He was born on the old Bright homestead in Penn township Aug. 25, 1872. He received a good education in the country school and the Bernville high school. Until he was twenty-four years of age he was engaged in work on his father's farm. He then learned the plumbing trade under the careful tuition of Benjamin Yeich, of Reading. Having mas- tered the trade he established himself in business in 1900, at West Reading. He was thus the first quali- fied plumber in West Reading. He has now built up a good trade and satisfies his customers. He also has a Reading license, and does much work in the city.

In his political principles Mr. Bright is an active and firm Democrat, and is keenly interested in the success of his party. His social connections are with Unamis Tribe of Red Men, No. 330. of Reading; and the Royal Arcanum. He is a member of the Reformed Church at Bernville.

Mr. Bright married Cora S. Riegel, daughter of John Riegel. She was born May 18, 1876, and died Dec. 29, 1902. Two children were born of this union, namely: Roy Amendon, born April 18, 1897, and died Jan. 14, 1902; and Charles Adam, born Aug. 19, 1900.

(V) Aaron M. Bright, son of Jacob and Anna Maria, was born in Penn township, Berks county, March 21, 1832, and died at Bernville Aug. 29, 1869, and is buried

active in church life and like all his family belonged to the Reformed denomination. In 1854 he married Mary Kilmer, daughter of John and Catharine (Leiss) Kilmer, of Marion township. Five children were born to this union: Darius K., of Mahanoy City, Pa., m. to Julia Catharine Moyer; Emma K., deceased wife of William Yocum, of Reading; Lehman I .; Al- bert R., of Reading; and Lizzie B., wife of George M. Zellers, of Stouchsburg, Pennsylvania.

(VI) LEHMAN I. BRIGHT, treasurer of Yocum Broth- ers, cigar manufacturers, Reading, is a native of Bern- ville, where he was born May 6, 1859, son of Aaron M. and Mary (Kilmer). He was educated in the town- ship schools, the Bernville high school, and later in the Keystone State Normal School, at Kutztown, graduating from the latter institution in 1881. . He taught school when only eighteen years of age in Penn township, and after his graduation he taught five terms, two at Myerstown and three in the grammar school at West Leesport. In 1886 he came to Reading, and accepted the position of bookkeeper with Yocum Brothers, cigar manufacturers, which position he faith- fully filled for seventeen years, when James Yocum a member of the firm died, and the company was incorporated under the name of Yocum Brothers. Mr. Bright became its treasurer, an office he has since filled. He is a director of the corporation, and was also for one year its secretary. He has given his work great attention, and has devoted his energies to mak- ing the corporation a success. They employ on an average 400 people, and their product is known all over the country. Mr. Bright is very prominent in fraternal organizations. He is a member of Pro- gressive Lodge, No. 470, I. O. O. F., and was its effi- cient secretary for fifteen consecutive years, declining further service on the ground of ill health. He has been an active member of the lodge and served as degree master on the staff for many years. He also belongs to Isaac Hiester Lodge, No. 660, F. & A. M., of Reading; Camp No. 113, P. O. S. of A., of Bern- ville; Castle No. 51, K. G. E., of Reading; Mount Penn Encampment, No. 152, I. O. O. F .; Canton Patriarchs Militant No. 2, I. O. O. F.

On May 14, 1889, Mr. Bright married Emma Madora Ketner, daughter of Charles and Susan (Rohrbach) Ketner, of Leesport, and they have two children: Harry, born Feb. 5, 1890; and Helen, Sept. 25, 1893. They reside in their own home, No. 122 South Tenth street, Reading. Mr. Bright and his family attend the Reformed Church.

(VI) ALBERT R. BRIGHT, of Reading, was born at Bern- ville Aug. 24, 1861, son of Aaron M. and Mary (Kilmer). He was educated in the public schools of his town, and the Bernville high school, then under the able supervision of Prof. M. A. Gruber. In the spring of 1882 he entered the State Normal School at Kutztown, and attended the spring sessions of 1882. He taught school two terms in Bright's school house in Penn township, during the terms of 1881 and 1882. He was very successful as a teacher. He was early trained to farm work, and at the age of thirteen had gone to live with his uncle, John M. Bright, in Penn town- ship. He worked on the farm about ten years. In April, 1883, he became a clerk in the general store of A. F. Schock, of Bernville, Pa., and worked there for a year, when he went back to the farm for three years. In 1887 he became a clerk in the general store of J. L. Klopp & Son, at North Heidelberg, remaining there with his family until the spring of 1890, when he came to Reading, and since May 5, 1890, he has been in the employ of the Stichter Hardware Com- pany, Ltd .. Reading. This is the oldest established hardware business house in Reading. Mr. Bright holds the responsible position of assistant buver in the general hardware department, and besides this he assists in the clerical work of the firm. Until 1874 Mr. Bright lived in Bernville, when he went to live

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with his uncle. Since 1894 he has lived in his own of those destroyed by fire one Sunday afternoon while comfortable residence at No. 524 Douglass street, his son was shooting, a spark igniting the straw roof. Reading. Fraternally Mr. Bright is an active member In 1811 he married Hannah Romich, born Jan. 15, of Progressive Lodge, No. 470, I. O. O. F., Reading. 1791, died Feb. 13, 1864. Their children were: Mary of which he is past grand; Camp No. 113, P O. S. of A., of Bernville; Reading Castle No. 49. K. G. E., of Reading. He and his family worship at Calvary Re- formed Church, Reading.

On May 21, 1887, Mr. Bright married Celesa Dan- iels, daughter of Elias and Sarah (Kantner) Daniels, originally of Rehrersburg but later of Bernville. Mr. and Mrs. Bright have two children: Raymond A. and Harold E.

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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 182

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