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 184
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(VI) CALVIN S. STUMP attended the public schools of Albany township, and later the Keystone State Normal School, from which he graduated in June, 1901. In the fall of 1897 he began teaching school in Albany
one term, and the home school at Swoyer's the past three years, and he has the reputation of being a thorough instructor.
On Dec. 25, 1903. Mr. Stump married Mamie Hen- gey, daughter of Wilson and Elizabeth (Brentzinger) Hengey, and granddaughter of Reuben Hengey. She was the eldest of her father's children, the others be- ing Minnie and Stella. Mr. and Mrs. Stump have a daughter, Norma Grace, born Oct. 26, 1906. Mr. Stump is a member of Lodge No. 634, I. O. O. F., of Lyons; the Jr. O. U. A. M., No. 1004; and the K. O. T. M., of Kutztown. He and his wife are consistent members of the Maxatawny Lutheran (Zion) Church, where he was confirmed. In politics he is a Democrat, and like his grandfather, father and broth- ers, seldom fails to cast his ballot on election day to aid in that party's success.
(VI) JACOB H. STUMP, the leading undertaker of Kutztown, was born Jan. 17, 1881, in the old Watch House mentioned above. When he was a year old his parents moved into Maxatawny township, locating near Shofer's postoffice. He was reared on the home farm, and commenced his education in the local schools, completing it at the Keystone State Normal School. After leaving school he learned cabinet making with Tilghman De Long, at .Topton, Pa., in whose employ he remained for two and one-half years. Then he went to New York City, and attended the U. S. School of Embalming, from which he graduated with high standing, April 19, 1902, and in the same year he came to Kutztown. He embarked in the undertaking busi- ness and by close and careful attention to every part of his business, he has won the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens and is firmly established as a business man. He is a member of the State Undertak- ers Association, and has held a license since 1906.
On April 3, 1903, Mr. Stump married Mattie Z. Heffner, daughter of Levi and Hettie (Stump) Heff- . ner (See Heffner family history elsewhere). To this union has been born one daughter, Edna Mae. Mr. Stump is a Lutheran member of Maxatawny Zion Church, and Mrs. Stump belongs to St. John's Church, Kutztown (Reformed). Mr. Stump is fraternally con- nected with I. O. O. F., No. 634, Lyons; K. G. E., No. 70, Kutztown; and Jr. O. U. A M., No. 1004, Kutztown.
JOSEPH S. BECKER, of Reading, is a scion of a family whose long residence in the State of Pennsyl- vania is indicated by the fact that the name has been perpetuated in the town of Beckersville, in Berks county.
Jacob Becker, grandfather of Joseph S .. established the post office in the community and the place was named for him. He was for many years engaged in ho- tel keeping, and both the old hotel and the "Sorrel Horse Hotel" were built and managed by him. Each place had farming land attached to it, and Mr. Becker oper- ated the farms as well as the hotels. He died at the age of eighty, leaving a large family, viz .: Eli; Mrs. Samuel Frey; Mrs. Daniel Brown; Mrs. Lizzie Gabel; Mrs. G. N. Frey, deceased; Jacob, deceased; Frank, of Doe Run, Chester county; Samuel, deceased; and Mrs. John Lutro.
Eli Becker, father of Joseph S., was born in Berks county, and received a common school education. He learned the trade of a butcher and followed that for a few years in Chester county. From there he removed to Maiden-creek township, Berks county, and went into the business so long followed by his father, hotel- keeping, continuing there eight years. Both there and in Chester county he also acted as auctioneer, and was well known in that capacity for a long time. After leav- ing the hotel Mr. Becker came to Reading and estab- lished himself here in the nursery business, which en- grossed his attention up to the time of his death. He
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is buried in the Charles Evans cemetery. Mr. Becker summer home is Clare Point Stock Farm, Ephrata, Lan- married B. A. Landis, born March 21, 1824, daughter of E. W. Landis, and a family of eight children was born to them: Catherine m. Henry M. De Turck, of Temple, Berks county; Jacob H. is a blacksmith; William H. is in the West; Joseph S .; Samuel H. is a resident and ex-mayor of Cheyenne, Wyo .; E. H. is editor of the Billings Gazette in Billings, Mont .; Franklin is a painter in Reading; and Clara died aged twenty-eight years. The mother died at the age of sixty-five years.
Joseph S. Becker was born in Chester county, Pa., June 11, 1852. He was sent to the public schools there and in Berks county, and until he was nineteen was employed at farming. He then learned the trade of a carriage blacksmith, and for eight years followed it in and near Kutztown. He removed next to Reading and there took up horseshoeing instead of his carriage work, learning it under ex-mayor Rowe with whom .he remained eleven years. At the end of that time, in 1878, he established a shop of his own at No. 418 Court street, and remained there till May 19, 1904, when he changed to his present location, Nos. 116-118 Mad- ison avenue. There he has built a shop that will com- pare favorably with any in the State. It is 30x70 feet and has a three-horse power motor to run his drill, etc. There is also a gas pipe running along the side of the shop which with the aid of a reflector enables him to do shoeing by night as well as by day. He uses only special hand made shoes and has a reputation for good work that has brought him the largest trade in the city. He is also district agent for the well known Harrold's Hoof Ointment, and has introduced that very widely.
Mr. Becker married Miss Caroline Wagner, daugh- ter of Henry B. Wagner, of Schuylkill county. She and her husband both belong to the First Reformed Church. Mr. Becker is a very prominent Mason, belonging to Chandler lodge, No. 227, F. & A. M .; Excelsior Chapter No. 237, R. A. M .; Reading Com- mandery, No. 42, K. T .; and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is also a member of Vigilance Lodge, I. O. O. F.
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GILE J. WILLSON (deceased) was for many years a prominent figure in Reading, where he was connected with several important commercial enterprises, and where his extensive building operations materially promoted the growth of the city. He was justly held in the high- est consideration by his fellow-citizens, and his death, on Jan. 24, 1888, at the age of sixty-four years, was widely felt as a real loss to the community with which he had so long been identified.
The first of these Willsons in America was the grand- father of Gile J., also named Gile, who, when only sev- enteen years of age, left his home in England, gave up his inheritance there and came to the Colonies to en- ter the Patriot army as a private, rising in the course of the war to the rank of major. The Willson coat of arms, used by right of descent from the Ward family, was originally won in the Crusades, and bears the Ward motto, Sub Cruce Salus (salvation by way of the cross), the Willson motto being, in English, "God save or we perish." Henry Ward Beecher, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Julia Ward Howe all belong to this branch.
Gile J. Willson was born in New York State in 1824, of. New England stock. After his marriage he lived for a time in Winchester, Va., and from there came to Reading, where he settled permanently. He established a jewelry business which steadily increased in volume until it was the foremost concern of its kind in the city, located at No. 524 Penn street, where it .is still continued by one of his sons, Charles G. Willson, his watchmaking and jew- elry manufacturing establishment occupying the second and third floors at that location. About 1871 Mr. Will- son also founded the great spectacle factory at Reading, with which he was connected seventeen years. It is now owned by his son, Thomas A. Willson, of Reading (whose
caster county), and managed by the latter's son, Dr. Frederick Willson, one of Reading's prominent men. Mr. Gile J. Willson also went quite extensively into building. The residence in which his widow still lives, at No. 108 North Fourth street, was erected fifty years ago. At that time the city was composed almost entirely of the ordinary plain brick houses, and Mr. Willson was the first to intro- duce the innovation of bay windows, putting up on Washington street, above Fourth, a row of handsome houses, all with this new feature. The ground on which they were built was originally deeded to the Quakers for a meeting-house by the Penns in 1702; the original grant, written on parchment, is still in the possession of the family.
Mr. Willson's enterprises were all very successful. He not only gained a reputation as a jewelry manufacturer and merchant, but made several inventions of note which perpetuate his name to the trade. The first dust-proof watch cap, now in universal use among watch manufac- turers, was invented and patented by him, and he took out patents on other devices in general use at the present time.
Mr. Willson was the organizer of the Reading Mutual Fire Insurance Company, whose first banquet was held at his home. Many prosperous men of Reading today owe their success to his practical advice and encouragement, for he was never known to withhold aid or sympathy from the deserving. He was very active in church work as a prominent member of the First Presbyterian Church, and served as president of the board of trustees of that con- gregation for. many years. He was one of the foremost in the erection of the beautiful chapel connected with that church, serving as president of the building committee. But most precious to his family is the memory of his beautiful home life. He was a most devoted husband and father. He lived for his family, and was never more happy than in his home circle, and when entertaining his family and friends in his home, where all enjoyed his entire confidence and good fellowship. He entered most heartily into all that interested each one of his family. He had a smile and a cheerful word for them at all times. His approval was the highest reward his children asked for any achievement. Words cannot express their love and devotion to him and their more than precious memory of a dear devoted father.
On Jan. 7, 1845, Mr. Willson married Miss Sarah J. Templin, daughter of James Templin, who was a cousin of Betsey Ross, and a descendant of one of the oldest and most prominent families of Berks county. Mrs. Willson's grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution. She bore her husband three children, namely: Thomas A., of Ephrata; M. Elizabeth; and Charles Gile, who suc- ceeded to his father's jewelry business, and who is the ninth in succession bearing the name of Gile Willson- being an abbreviation of the family name of Peckersgile, of Lancashire, England. The two older children were born in Winchester, Va., and the family had many relatives in that section, all extensive slave owners. Mr. Willson left the South because his sentiments on the slavery ques- tion were in such pronounced opposition to the general opinion there. Slaves had been bequeathed to his child- ren, but he would not allow the children to have them. The house in which the Willsons lived while in Win- chester was partly demolished during the battle at that point during the Civil war.
M. ELIZABETH WILLSON is very prominent in all the philanthropic work of Reading, and is connected with its various charitable organizations, including the Civic League and the Humane Society, while she is also a member of the Woman's Club and the Daughters of the Revolution, Berks county chapter. She furnished a room in the Homeopathic Hospital of Reading, in memory of her father, which she keeps in repair and will endow. Miss Willson is greatly interested in all that pertains to the early days in this country, is justly proud of her patriotic ancestors and carefully cherishes certain family heirlooms, including a teapot which the Wards brought
Charles. É, Leifpe.
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BIOGRAPHICAL
from England in 1735, and a cup from which Washington drank at Valley Forge, where Mrs. Gile J. Willson's father, James Templin, was living at the time Washington wintered there; a monocle holder and hand-made Odd Fellows charm dating from the first lodge in England and descending from Sir Gilbert Ward, of Crusade times. She is living in the old home, No. 108 North, Fourth street, with her mother.
VAN REED. The Van Reed family in Berks coun- ty has been resident here for over one hundred and fifty years. It originated in Holland, whence, in 1750, came Henry Van Reed to find fortune and liberty in the New World. On May 20, 1750, he purchased from one John Patrick a farm of one hundred and fifty acres at $6.75 per acre. He had previously lived a short time in Philadelphia county, but on the purchase of this land moved onto same, which was located in what is now Amity township, Berks county, but which was then still in Philadelphia county, the township being erected March 4, 1745. Berks county was erected out of Philadelphia, Chester and Lancaster counties March 11, 1752. In 1778 Mr. Van Reed tore down the old log cabin, and in its place erected a large two- story stone building, the western end of the present structure. He died in 1790, the father of nine child- ren, all born on the Amity township homestead. These children were: John, Jacob, Agnes, Susan, Mary, Anna, Catharine. Margaret and Hannah.
The Van Reed homestead is a part of the land granted by the Crown to William Penn. On Sept. 11, 1704, William Penn granted by letters patent one thousand acres of land to Justa Justason, a Swede. This land extended from the river Schuylkill north to Earl Mountain, or what is now known as "Fancy Hill," the line being about 120 perches south from the Swamp road, leading to Boyertown, and was located between two lines running in a northeasterly direction 210 perches apart by measurement. These lines were two of the Swede's lines, and are now nearly eradicated by the division of the farming land in the neighbor- hood to suit the convenience of the owners. In 1716 Mr. Justason conveyed eight hundred acres of his land to one Samuel Savage, retaining two hundred acres himself. This latter part adjoining the Schuyl- kill river included within its boundaries the village, then called Molaton, now Douglassville. In 1717 Samuel Savage conveyed 150 acres, part of the 800, to George Savage. This smaller tract was almost all arable land, while the larger (650 acres) was mostly heavy timber land. Samuel Savage was the proprietor of what was then called the .Manatawny Iron Works, and he no doubt retained the timber land for the purpose of charing coal and manufacturing charcoal iron. George Savage, it is believed, first settled upon this small tract and erected the first building upon it- a small one-story log cabin, and a log stable-and he was the first person to carry on farming operations there. He and his family continued in possession until about 1737, when he died, and in that year his heirs conveyed the farm to one Oliver Dunklin. In 1740 Mr. Dunklin improved the place by the erection of a large two-story log building at the eastern end of the log cabin, constructing in its center a large stone fireplace, then a necessary part of every house. Mr. Dunklin died about 1748, and the same year his heirs conveyed the property to a brother, John Dunklin, who after holding it only a month conveyed it to his brother- in-law, John Patrick, and in 1750 John Patrick sold it, as above stated, to Henry Van Reed.
When Henry Van Reed died he bequeathed the home- stead to his son Jacob, who was then farming in Cumru township (now Spring). In 1819 Jacob Van Reed tore down the two-story log building, and erected in its stead a two-story brick, the eastern part of the present building. Down to 1810 the log stable was the only place used for storing grain, etc., with a frame addi-
tion rendered necessary by the increasing crops. In that year Jacob Van Reed built the southern part of 63 feet of the present large frame barn, with heavy stone base and gable ends, and with a bank in the rear. When Jacob Van Reed came into possession of this land it was valued at $29.62 per acre, and this sum he was required to pay to his brothers and sisters in due proportion. He married Ann Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Hiester, and he died in 1858.
Jacob Van Reed was succeeded by his son, the present. owner and occupant, Jeremiah Van Reed, who by his father's will was to pay a fixed annuity to his mother, and to his brothers and sisters such sum as would value the land at fifty dollars per acre.
From the time of the first settlement until 1819 the water for household purposes was obtained at a spring near by at the rear of the north end of the building, then a well in front of the house was dug. The live stock was always watered at the creek running diagon- ally through the farm close by the house until 1858, when a well was dug in the barnyard. In 1875 water power was communicated to the pump from the creek 700 feet distant by means of a stout wire worked to and fro by a water wheel. Two orchards are on the farm, one north and the other south of the dwelling. The first was planted south of the house in the latter part of the eighteenth century, and some of the apple trees are still standing and bearing good fruit; the north orchard was planted at the beginning of the nineteenth century. All the improvements other than those here- in mentioned have been made by the present owner.
John Van Reed, son of the emigrant Henry, married Catherine Huy, and he became the father of the fol- lowing children: Joshua, Mary, Lewis, James, John, Henry and Jacob. John Van Reed was a paper manu- facturer and owned and operated a mill on Cacoosing Creek.
Jacob Van Reed. son of John, was born in Lower Heidelberg township, Dec. 24, 1819. He was a large land owner and he lived retired for many years previous to his death, Aug. 10, 1900. He married Mary C. Jones, daughter of Major Samuel Jones (a major in one of the Pennsylvania regiments in the war of 1812), and their children were: Samuel John m. Minerva Yea- ger, and had children, Lewis and James; and Margaret, m. John H. Evans, and had children, Charles V. R. and Jacob V. R. In politics Mr. Van Reed was a stanch adherent to Republican principles. He was a member of the State militia at the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion, and was called out with his company. In every relation of life he was found on the side of honor and truth, and he had the well merited esteem of all men.
CHARLES E. LEIPPE, proprietor of the Reading Knitting Mills, was born at Greenland, Lancaster Co., Pa., Sept. 10, 1859. He attended the public schools of Lancaster city and the Eastman Business College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and, after graduating from the latter institution found employment in the match factory of Joseph Loehr, in New York City. He continued in this factory at a small salary for a year, when he entered his father's bend- ing works at Reading, having declined a position under Mr. Loehr at a large salary; and he continued in his father's employ as bookkeeper until the father's decease, in 1888. He and his brother, J. Harry Leippe, then pur- chased the plant, and they have carried on the business in a successful manner under the name of "Anchor Bending Works" until the present time, shipping their product to all parts of the world.
. In 1898 Mr. Leippe became interested in the manufacture of hosiery, one of the thriving industries of Reading, and, purchasing a half interest in the Reading Knitting Mills, the oldest hosiery works at Reading, he has since then been prominently identified with this great industry. In 1907 he purchased the remaining half interest and from
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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
that time he has carried on the establishment for himself in a most successful manner. His plant has the distinc- tion of being the second largest producer of eighty-four- needle half-hose in the United States. He employs one hundred and fifty hands and ships the hosiery to all the States of the Union.
Mr. Leippe has been identified for a number of years with the management of the Schuylkill Valley Bank, the Berks County Trust Company, the American Casualty Company, and the Reading Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany, as a director, serving the last-named as president since 1902. He has also taken great interest in the Board of Trade since 1888, having served this body so important to the business interests of Reading as president during the years 1907 and 1908. He assisted in establishing the Homeopathic Hospital at Reading in 1891 and has officiated as treasurer since 1896. He has served as a trustee of the Young Women's Christian Association since its or- ganization, in 1898, and during 1909 he started a movement for establishing a gymnasium on the premises, so as to supply a proper place in Reading for the physical culture of women. He is prominent in Masonic circles as a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 435, Excelsior Chapter, and Reading Commandery; also as a member of Rajah Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and of the Lodge of Perfection. In politics he has taken an active part in the welfare of the Republican party at Reading since es- tablishing his residence here, in 1880. In 1900 and 1901 he represented the First district on the board of public works; and in 1905 he was nominated by the Republicans as their candidate for mayor; though not elected the vote for him showed his great popularity.
Mr. - Leippe married Alice Josephine Brose, daughter of Daniel Brose (a well-known miller of Schock's Mill, in Lancaster county) and Mary Reich, his wife, who was the daughter of Dr. George Reich (near Maytown, Lan- caster county). They have a daughter, Anna Brose, who was educated at Reading, having graduated from the high school in 1903, and at Washington, D. C., in the Wash- ington College. Mr. Leippe has traveled extensively in Europe and in the United States. He spent three months abroad in 1895, accompanied by his wife and mother, and three months in California in 1904, accompanied by his wife and daughter. Mrs. Leippe has taken great interest in religious and charitable matters at Reading for many years. She is one of the lady managers of the Homeopath- ic Hospital.
Mr. Leippe's father was Jacob Algeir Leippe, who es- tablished the "Anchor Bending Works" at Reading in 1880 and carried it on successfully until his death, in 1888. He was born at Steinfurth, in Baden, Germany, Nov. 20, 1834, and, after attending the national schools there, learned the trade of wagon-maker. He emigrated to Amer- ica in 1854 and settled at Lancaster, Pa., where he worked at his trade for two years, and then located at Greenland, four miles east of Lancaster, for the purpose of engag- ing in the business for himself. He carried on wagon works there until 1865 and then returned to Lancaster to embark in the manufacture of shafts, rims, spokes, and other supplies for all kinds of vehicles. He named his establishment the "Anchor Bending Works," and con- ducted operations there until 1880; then, seeing an oppor- tunity at Reading to carry on the business more extensive- ly, he removed to this prosperous manufacturing center and operated his plant here under the same name until his decease.
dent of the Reading Hospital; Jacob A .; Clara Minnie m. Herbert H. Ranck, of Joanna Station, Berks county; Lillie Rose m. George Benninger, of Reading; William Theo- dore m. Lillie Spears, of Reading; Albert Augustus m. Gertrude Prutzman, of Adamstown. The last two sons are identified with the bending works as partners.
JOHN G. SCHEALER, contractor and builder of Boyertown, Berks county, was born Oct. 15, 1836, in Exeter township. He has followed his present line of business in Boyertown since the early seventies, and many substantial structures testify to the quality of his work. Being a son of John and Catherine (Gard- ner) Schealer, he is a great-grandson of the founder of the family in this country, who, coming to America from his native land, Germany, settled in Exeter township, Berks Co., Pa., where he was among the pioneers. He spelled the name Schueler, and there are various other spellings, the most common forms being Sheeler, Schealer, Shuler and Schuyler. When this ancestor was born, when he died and where he was buried are facts unknown by his descendants, who are numerous. He had a large family.
William Schealer, the grandfather of John G. Scheal- er, was engaged all his life as a farmer and stone- mason in Exeter township, operating the farm now owned by Jacob Spohn .. He was a member of the Reformed Church. He and his wife Barbara had a family of eight children, namely: Jacob and William, who died in Reading; Samuel, who lived in Robesonia; John, who lived in Exeter; Benneville, who lived at Robesonia; Ann, who died unmarried; Lydia, who married Jacob Wentz; and Harry, who lived at various places.
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