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 189

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

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

lowed that occupation for some years, but in time went into a general mercantile business. During the war he became the government collector of internal revenue and retained the position for a long period, winning universal respect by his ability and character. He and his wife became the parents of five chil- dren, Thomas, Elizabeth, Carrie. Isaac and Cath- arine. the last named living only a few years. The family were Methodists in religious belief although the Wells family, to which the mother belonged were Quakers. James Sweney was a strong Republican.

Thomas W. Sweney was educated in the public schools of West Chester, where his parents resided. In 1853 he moved to Reading. and began to learn the jeweler's trade with Solomon Weida. remaining with him until he had mastered the business in all its details. He early displayed his marked aptitude for the work and had no difficulty in finding employ- ment when he left' Mr. Weida. Some years later he went to Philadelphia, and followed his trade there until 1858, when he was offered a very promis- ing opportunity for advancing in the world by going into the coal business with his uncle. He tried this for some time, but did not find it a congenial occu- pation and so he returned to Reading and took up the jewelry business again.

Mr. Sweney established a store of his own at No. 424 Penn street, but after several years there he moved to another location on Penn street, the pres- ent site of the C. K. Whitner concern. He remained there quite a while, but moving again, went to North Fifth street, in the vicinity of the Gas Company. This did not prove to be a satisfactory location and before long Mr. Sweney went back to his first lo- cation, where he carried 'on his business for many years. During his later years, however, he gave up his retail trade and moving to the rear of his prop- erty confined himself to a manufacturing establish- ment. He was thus engaged up to one week prior to his death, when he was suddenly stricken about four o'clock one morning with a stroke of apoplexy, from which he never recovered.

Thomas W. Sweney married, April 9. 1859, Miss Pamelia Catherine Coller, daughter of John and Har- riet (Wanner) Coller, both natives of Pennsylvania. of Dutch stock. Four children were born to this union, but only two lived to maturity: William P., a machinist, m. Miss Annie Boyer, and they have one child, Ruth. Katie B. m. Charles D. Tuke, of Rochester, N. Y .. and has two children, Charles H. and Catherine E. Mr. Sweney was a member of the Methodist Church and for some time sang in the Fifth Street Methodist Episcopal Church choir.

In his younger days Mr. Sweney was much inter- ested in secret orders, and was one of the founders of the Knights of the Mystic Chain. The honor of organizing the order was accorded to John O. Mat- thews, but it was Mr. Sweney who formulated the degrees. Of a very genial kindly nature, he had many warm friends, and his death has been very deeply felt and regretted.

JOHN D. MISHLER, manager of the Reading Acad- emy of Music, Sixth street, between Washington and Walnut streets, from 1886 to May 12, 1907, with the ex- ception of two years, 1889-1890, is one of the best known amusement managers in the State of Pennsylvania and throughout the country, and surely few managers among them are as popular as he. In presenting his career to the readers of the Historical and Biographical Annals of Berks County we take pleasure in quoting briefly from various newspapers of Reading, showing the esteem in which he is held in the community, as voiced by these newspapers.

1864, he entered the service of the then leading dry-goods house (now the Common Sense Shoe Store), John S. Pearson & Co., as a package delivery boy, at the salary of $75 a year. He kept the store clean and carried or delivered on a wheelbarrow to residences and hotels goods sold by the firm and between times sold over $15,000 worth of dry goods in the first year, for which the firm made him a present of $25.

"May 2, 1867, he went to Europe and the Paris Exposi- tion, making a four months' tour. He was on the sea twenty-one days, owing to fogs and damage to the ma- chinery of the steamer. His 'death on the sea' was announced in the Berks County Democrat, a then prom- inent weekly newspaper, as no news could be had of the steamer. He was accorded the privilege of perusing his own obituary. On his return he visited relatives in Berks, Lancaster and Lebanon counties, giving an account of his travels, people gathering from great distances to hear him, as going across the ocean was then considered re- markable. He was met at the depot on his return by a brass band and many citizens, escorted to the Keystone House (now Hotel Penn) and given a supper. He was the fifth person from Reading who had gone to Europe. His letters to the Berks and Schuylkill Journal were read with much interest and copied by Pennsylvania newspapers.

"May 4, 1868, at Reading, he commenced the retail dry-goods business at No. 533 Penn street (the Globe Store, later purchased by Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart), which he continued until the latter part of 1874, intro- ducing many new ideas in the store and in newspaper advertisements to attract customers. He was always an original, liberal advertiser, and was the first business man in Reading to insert a column advertisement, in 1868- later one of four columns, and he at one time had an entire page of the Times, with an extra edition of two thousand copies of the paper. An an early age he was a contributor to newspapers, with a weekly article in the Times, called 'The Man About Town'; he has always been a warm and much respected friend of the press and was the first associate member of the Reading Press Club (organized Feb. 18, 1888).

"It was the custom of the only morning newspaper, the Times, published in the then old State House, northeast corner Penn and Fifth streets, to go to press at 9 P. M., the telegraphic news being clipped at 6 P. M. from the Philadelphia Telegraph and The Bulletin; local events following after that were noticed in the second day issue. He secured the consent of the owners of the Times once to go to press specially in the morning, and 'bribed' the printers (with a sextel of beer, four dozen pretzels and some cigars) to work all night. By doing this had published Dec. 4, 1868, an account written by himself, of over two columns, of a Maennerchor masquerade ball. at Odd Fellows Hall, now the Library building, the first time that such a thing had been done in the city, and that an occurrence after 9 P. M. appeared in the paper the next morning, and it created much surprised comment. He conducted for some years the 'Globe Condenser' in the Berks and Schuylkill Journal, making it a feature of the paper while also advertising his Globe Dry Goods Store.

"He was one of the active men and one of the first directors of the first Penn Street Passenger Railway Company in 1874, running from the foot of Penn street to Nineteenth street. He was a member of the board of health in 1873. In April, 1875, he had a drawing made for a park of the then Fair Grounds, now Penn Common, illustrated in the New York Graphic, the first illustrated daily newspaper in America, and advocated their abandon- ment for a public park, by a liberal distribution of the papers in the city and to leading people in the county. May 10, 1871, he erected in front of his place of business, No. 533 Penn street, a marble public drinking fountain. for which he paid to the city $10 a year for the use of the water. The fountain is now at Penn Common, Elev- enth street, above Washington. Prof. Washing Donald- son, the well-known aeronaut, made the only store packing

"John D. Mishler was born in Newmanstown, Lebanon county, April 28, 1847, and he moved with his parents, Joseph and Rebecca (Zimmerman) Mishler, to Reading in 1848. After receiving an ordinary education in the pay schools of the city, at seventeen years of age, in paper balloon ascension ever attempted in this country,

John Mischler

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BIOGRAPHICAL

from Penn Square, May 17, 1873, in the 'John D. Mish- ler,' Mr. Mishler having furnished everything for the experiment."

"In politics Mr. Mishler is a Republican, but is liberal and broad-minded in his politics as he is in all things. He was confirmed a member of Trinity Lutheran Church by Rev. Jacob Fry, but is not an active church member or bigoted in his faith, being a very liberal friend to Catholics and Hebrews. He is a member of Philadelphia Sovereign Consistory, thirty-second degree Masons, a Knight Templar of Reading Commandery, No. 42, and all the lodges of the various orders to that elevation, being a member of the new Isaac Hiester Lodge, No. 660, having withdrawn from lodge No. 367. He is a member of Rajah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

"For over twenty-five years he has been liberal and foremost in charities of all kinds, from the time when the people contributed hundreds of dollars up to now, when they annually give thousands of dollars. His efforts in behalf of the Home for Widows and Single Women were of much assistance to the Board of Managers, and he has given toward and solicited from citizens for that in- stitution money many times.

"On July 11, 1873, he took at his own expense and en- tertained for the day 1,300 poor children, to Heilman's it was. As chairman of the Finance committee, he so-

Dale, above Lebanon; Christmas, 1872, he gave a dinner to 260 poor children at the City Hotel. Dec. 25, 1892, he gave a special free Christmas morning dramatic per- formance, 'Lost in New York,' to the delight of over three thousand poor children, and the Reading newsboys have often in a body attended entertainments at the Academy without charge. In 1887 he inaugurated the idea of an annual Christmas offering to all the Reading charitable institutions by placing contribution boxes in hotels, saloons, stores and factories. Over $500 was rea- lized. He was general secretary for seven years of the Associated Charities, organized in 1902.

"He organized the Berks County Society for the Pre- vention of Cruelty to Animals, April 2, 1891, and was the president for five years, giving much time and effec- tive advice in the prevention of cruelty. He was one of the Citizens' Committee in the introduction in Reading of the 'Pingree Potato plan,' to aid the poor to help themselves. He had a drawing made by William H. De- chant Feb. 2, 1893, for a public drive along the slope of Mt. Penn from the Common to McKnight's Gap and re- a much needed want in the city; he has done much effect- turn. He organized in Reading Dec. 18, 1894, the Penn- sylvania Bill Posters' Association and was the president to June 6, 1909. In 1875 he managed the Active Base Ball Club, and placed it at the head of all amateur organ- izations in the State. In 1896 and 1897 he was chairman of the executive committee for Reading's Floral and Chrysanthemum Show, both exhibitions being very suc- cessful, and the profits of which were divided among the Hospitals. In May, 1895, he was chairman of the Finance committee for the Forty-Second Annual Conclave, Knights Templars, held at Reading, May 27-29; all bills were paid a week after the Conclave and a pro rata of the surplus was returned to the subscribers to the fund. He was again chairman of the Finance committee for the Con- clave May 27-29, 1901, with the same financial business result. He was the treasurer of the Finance Committee for the thirty-ninth Annual Encampment, Pennsylvania Grand Army of the Republic, held at Reading, June 6-7-8, 1905. After all bills were paid the balance in the treasury, with additional subscriptions by individuals, was given to the Charles Evans Cemetery Company, to keep in good condition for all time 'the Soldiers' Monument, the graves and the ground surrounding.'

"His father had erected the first modern theatre in the State, outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburg, which was opened Oct. 1, 1872, at 533-535 Penn street, Reading, and this he managed until 1886, when he had it removed and the present Academy of Music was erected by a public assemblage Oct. 13, 1908; he presided at the Re- stock company and himself. The Academy has very often publican mass meeting in the Academy of Music Oct. 30, been given without charge for charitable and religious

purposes. Gus Williams, June 19, 1882, named his most successful play 'John Mishler.' In 1877-78 Mr. Mishler toured the country as manager of the Swedish Ladies Vocal Quartette. From 1882 to 1886 he managed and was with Bartholomew's famous Equine Paradox, and again from 1889 to 1891 (the Academy was then leased by H. R. Jacobs). In 1873 he established the Mishler Theatrical Circuit of Eastern Pennsylvania, comprising nine of the principal cities, which he controlled for years. As an amusement manager he is in many respects a re- markable exception, in that he will not exaggerate and always tells the truth ouly, in newspaper advertisements, and if an entertainment deteriorates from the time he booked it, until the date of its appearance, he so an- nounces in the newspapers that day, and his patrons are always sure of what they will see.

"Mr. Mishler has always taken a lively, progressive, useful, liberal and unselfish, much appreciated interest in the development of the city and the welfare of the people. His greatest achievement was the Sesqui-Centen- nial. He selected the week of the celebration, June 5-12, 1898, and, as he prophesied it would be, the weather from Sunday morning to Saturday night, was perfect, clear, cool. and delightful. He arranged most of the program for the seven days' festivities, and did very much in every way to make the celebration the complete success licited subscriptions for $10,416.66. Within two weeks after the celebration all bills had been paid and there was remaining $1,418.84, which the Executive committee decided to give toward the payment of the electrical display, $1,902.50, that had been ordered by the City Council com- mittee. The $483.66 was paid by the city in 1902.

"Mr. Mishler is an enthusiast in everything that enlists his attention. No matter what the result may be, he works untiringly to the best of his judgment and ability for success. Always doing, but one who still feels that he has not enough to do. It not for money's sake or popularity-simply that he feels best satisfied when em- ployed-if not for himself, then for others."

Mr. Mishler was on the committee of the Board of Trade, to solicit subscriptions for the erection of an armory for the several companies of the National Guard of the City of Reading, October, 1907; he was active in securing a loan of $500,000 for Reading to have a plant for the filtration of water, October, 1907; he has repeatedly made liberal efforts to build a modern hotel, ive work in the Board of Trade to enlarge its public use- fulness; he was a member of the committee who collected $5,000 for the relief of the sufferers of the Boyertown theatre fire, January, 1908; he revised the constitution and by-laws of the Board of Trade and published an illustrated sixty-page manual; as chairman of the com- mittee on "Streets, Sidewalks, Light" of the Board of Trade he has very much improved these city conditions. On Jan. 9, 1908, he responded to the toast "Our City's Special Needs," at a Board of Trade dinner. In May, 1908, he was given a dinner at the Mineral Spring Hotel by the Board of Trade as "A Reading Booster"; he delivered an address at the Eighteenth Annual Commencement ex- ercises of the Reading Hospital, May 27, 1908, full of plain truths, forcibly given, and advocated State legislation for the protection of graduated nurses; he was on the Reception committee when Governor Stuart addressed the Christian Endeavor State Convention in Penn Common at Reading, July 9, 1908; in 1908 he visited Ireland with Mrs. Mishler, and wrote to the Eagle many very interesting letters of the condition of that country, its changes and possibilities, given in his candid and original style; on his return Mr. and Mrs. Mishler were given a "home coming dinner" at the Mineral Spring Hotel, Sept. 10, 1908, by more than one hundred men and women; Sept. 24th of the same year the Reading Press Club gave him "a welcome home reception"; he presided at a Christian Science

1908, in the Taft campaign; he was foremost in making

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country roads better and in advocating a State road from always been intensely loyal to Reading and its municipal Philadelphia to Pittsburg passing through Reading; he was advancement. chairman of the "General Relief Committee," for the "In his retirement from his long and honorable connec- tion with the dramatic life of Reading, it is sincerely hoped by many citizens that he may continue to reside here. He is a useful citizen, a wide-awake business man, public-spirited, never weary of well-doing, clean- handed and active in the discharge of whatever he is called upon to do that may inure to the welfare of his city, his friends and his neighbors." relief of the needy families afflicted with typhoid fever during the local epidemic in 1908; he is a trustee of the Young Women's Christian Association and assisted in soliciting more than five thousand dollars to build a gym- nasium and to modernize their home, which he assisted in providing five years ago. Evidently Mr. Mishler is one of those very busy men who can find time and who take delight in helping to advance public affairs in the different sides of life. He was the toastmaster at a banquet of JONATHAN H. MILLER, a retired citizen of Mohnton, Berks Co., Pa .. was born in Cumru township. on the present site of Edison, Jan. 24, 1839, son of Jonathan and Catharine (Hornberger) Miller. Reading's best citizens given by Henry W. Shoemaker and G. Scott Smith, owners of The Reading Times, Feb. 10, 1909, when an oil painting of Kuechler (deceased) was placed in a building made famous by Kuechler, who had a national reputation.

"Mr. Mishler said: 'All the world loves a generous person. It is not the material result of the generosity, but the kindly spirit that prompts it that attracts and en- dears. It is not necessary to have much in order to be generous-but the disposition to share liberally what one has. Even at the cost of a little self-sacrifice, the reward is always worth the price paid. There are things of which we may all be more generous. The comfort of sympathy, the stimulus of praise and encouragement, are often more welcome, more appreciated, than that which mere money can buy.' Mr. Mishler's philosophy of life is affecting in its simplicity. 'Just to be kindly and good- natured,' he says; 'just to do the little good one can, to sympathize with one's friends and to give them a lift when they're down-to leave the world a little bit better than one found it, that's all I think a man need aim at, if you ask me.' He also said: 'If only half the nice things said after people are dead were only told while they are alive, how much more happiness there would be in the world.' "

Such has been the life of Mr. Mishler as portrayed by his home newspapers; and the writer (Walter Kieffer, of Lancaster), who knew him for over thirty years, de- sired to bear testimony to the truthfulness of all that has been said of one of Reading's foremost citizens-John D. Mishler. Beginning a good deal more than a quarter of a century ago, Mr. Mishler gave to Lancaster and other leading neighboring cities the best amusements they had, and he is just as popular in other Pennsylvania cities as he is in Reading.

Mr. Mishler married Sept. 7, 1871, Louisa C. Halbach, daughter of the late August Halbach, of Philadelphia, and their home at No. 417 Green Terrace is known at all times as one of the most hospitable in Reading. Three children were born to this union: Rebecca Marie m. H. Hurd Hillegass, paper bag manufacturer at Read- ing; Maud Viola m. Henry E. Bell, proprietor of the Reading Bill Posting Company; J. Boyd assists his father in the clerical work of his business. No family is more respected, nor none is more beloved in Reading, for their unselfishness and sociability. Mr. Mishler retired from the theatrical business at Reading May 11, 1907. He then agreeably surprised some friends-"each one of whom he remembers for their participation in a spe- cific incident in his life," by presenting them a copy of "Mishler's Memoirs," a neatly printed and handsomely il- lustrated volume of some two hundred pages, octavo size, telling the story of John D. Mishler's life from 1847 to 1907. The edition was limited to one hundred copies. The table of contents embraces much that is of interest in the career of the enterprising townsman who has rounded out a period of more than sixty years of a varied and busy life. In this volume may be found much con- cerning him as a man of business; as a liberal newspaper advertiser; his connection with the drama in Reading; his public benefactions; his connection with and fostering care of various charitable institutions; his active partici- pation in the Sesqui-Centennial celebration of Reading, etc. Indeed, the history of nearly all public enterprises in Reading for well nigh half a century contains pages upon pages of the work done by Mr. Mishler. He has

Mr. Miller attended the pay schools of Cumru township until he had attained the age of eighteen years, working on a farm during the summer sea- sons. He lived at home until his marriage, in 1859. to Mary Gaul, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Fox) Gaul, when he came to Mohnton, and for about twenty years was engaged in operating a grist-mill along the Wyomissing. He then learned the hatting business, engaging at that trade in Mohnton, being later in partnership with J. G. Mohn & Bros. He then entered a partnership with his son, Albert, under the firm name of J. H. Miller, Son & Co., and they con- tinued together for fifteen years. Mr. Miller then worked at his trade with the well known firm of Whorley Bros., of Mohnton. until 1904, since which year he has lived retired. His first wife died July 2, 1876, and was buried in the Mohnton cemetery. She was the mother of one son, Albert G. Miller. who married Mary Dietrich, and resides at Mohnton, the father of two children, Elmer and Arthur. Mr. Mil- ler m. (second) Mary Fleisher, daughter of Peter Fleisher, and to this union there were born: Edwin is unmarried and at home; Robert m. Lillie Rich- wine, and lives at home where he is engaged in the hat business; and Matthew also lives at home, and is unmarried. Mrs. Miller is a daughter of Peter Fleisher, who was born near the Swamp Church, in Lancaster county, Nov. 14, 1819. and died Dec. 26, 1888. He m. Catharine Brensing, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Reedy) Brensing, and they had these children: Samuel m. Mary Stettler; Mary m. Mr. Miller; and James m. Mary Howe.

Mr. Miller and his family reside on the corner of Wyomissing avenue and Wood street, in the home which was built by him in the summer of 1866. It is three stories high and of sandstone, and is con- sidered one of the finest in the town. Mr. Miller is one of the oldest residents in the town of Mohn- ton, which at the time he arrived contained but five dwellings. In politics he is a Republican. He is a mem- ber of Zion's United Evangelical Church of Mohnton. which he joined in 1870, when it was known as the Evangelical Church. He has served on the building committees of two churches, has been class leader of Class No. 2, trustee and steward for many years, and a teacher in the Sunday school for many years. now teaching class No. 23. Mr. Miller is one of the honorable and upright men of his township, and as an acquaintance and friend he is honored and esteemed by all with whom he comes in contact.

HENRY PRICE, a well-known contractor and build- er of Reading. Pa., residing at No. $10 Franklin street, has been engaged in these lines in this city since 1888. Mr. Price was born Oct. 13, 1846. in Myerstown, Lebanon Co., Pa., son of William Price. also a native of that county.

William Price was a carpenter by trade, an occu- pation which he followed throughout a useful life. In 1863 he went to Shelby county. Ill., taking his family with him, and there he continued to ply his trade up to the time of his death, when forty-eight years of age. While there he built one of the finest flour mills in the State for a Mr. Schoefield. He was

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acquainted with President Abraham Lincoln when berger, and to them was born one son, Peter, who the latter was still a law student, and was a witness became the father of James P. Kershner. to the President's assassination. Mr. Price married (first) Lydia Wetzel, who died in her twenty-sixth year. The children of this marriage were: Jonathan, who died when twenty-one years of age; Emma, m. to John Rupp, of Indiana; Henry, our subject; Reuben A., who is engaged in contracting at' Reading, and m. to Fannie Kieffer; William, who died when twenty years of age; and one child which died in infancy. William Price m. (second) Leah Anthony, who is still living and makes her home at Myerstown, Leb- anon county. She is the mother of three children, namely: Seal, m. to Edward Hecht; of Chicago, Ill .; George, of Myerstown, m. to Annie Holtzman; and Mary, m. to Morris Kreider, of Annville, Lebanon county.

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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 189

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