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 193

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 193

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709

BIOGRAPHICAL

school at Weitzeltown (Fritztown), in Cumru town- ship, and also a few terms in Bern township.

The first wife of Benneville S. Yost was Christina Rapp, to whom he was married Jan. 22, 1848, at Read- ing, and they had these children: William H. R. died in infancy; Nicholas R. also died in infancy; Susan died unmarried; Rufus R. is mentioned be- low; Cyrus R. is deceased; Nicholas R. is a resident of Myerstown, Pa .; James Franklin R. is mentioned below. Benneville S. Yost married (second) Clem- entine Henke, of Reading, who was of German descent. There were no children born to this marriage.

RUFUS R. YOST was born on his grandfather Nicho- las Yost's farm at the "Green Tree" in Cumru town- ship Jan. 5, 1855, attended the district schools, and later studied at Palatinate College for two years, leaving school when twenty years old. with a good education. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and worked for his parents until twenty-five years old. but in 1880 began working on his own account, spending four years on his father's farm in Cumru township, located at the Flying Hill. He then lived at Myerstown, Lebanon county, for two years, after which he spent four more years at the Flying Hill, in 1890 purchasing the Richard F'ennypacker farm, in Spring township, a tract of 125 acres of some of the most fertile and productive land in lower Berks county. This valuable farm is well and conveniently situated, and on it is found an inexhaustible supply of some of the best limestone in the State, which is burned by Mr. Yost. He has disposed of as much as ten thousand bushels of lime annually in connection with his farm work. Since the spring of 1907 he has rented his farm, and with his brother, James Franklin R. Yost, has engaged in building houses at Reading, Shillington, Wyomissing and Springmont. At the time he rented his farm Mr. Yost sold his live stock at public vendue, and he realized a large amount therefor, one pair of mules bringing $536, a cow $70, and his thirty head of cattle averaging $50 each.

In 1879 Mr. Yost married Catherine Kurtz. daugh- ter of Samuel and Catherine (Haines) Kurtz, and to this union have been born three daughters and one son: Christina married Webster Hartz, of Shilling- ton, Pa .; Harry, Laura and Bessie are unmarried and reside at home. Mr. Yost and his family are members of Yocom's (Christ) Reformed Church, of Cumru township.

JAMES FRANKLIN R. Yosr was born at the Yost homestead at the Flying Hill, Cumru township, Berks county, Sept. 9, 1864, and was educated in the public schools and at D. B. Brunner's Academy in Reading, which he left when sixteen years of age. In 1889 he commenced farming for himself on a fine tract of 152 acres in Wyomissing borough, Spring township, which he had purchased in 1887 and which he had rented for two years. From 1885 to 1889 Mr. Yost was also engaged in the milling business at Myerstown, Lebanon county, but since the latter year has en- gaged in farming and building. He purchased the Reeser farm of 164 acres in Sinking Spring, but this he later sold to Daniel Wenrich. Mr. Yost conducts a fine dairy, keeping about thirty Holstein and Jer- sey cows, and has a select trade in Reading, to which city he conducts a daily route. In addition he has good horses and mules, and his farm is operated by the latest improved machinery. In politics Mr. Yost is a Republican, and fraternally he is connected with West Reading Castle. K. G. E. With his family he attends Yocom's Reformed Church in Cumru town- ship.

William H. Dietrich, of Reading, and to this union there have been born two children, George Washing- ton and Lloyd Allen.

IRVIN K. KELLER, of Reading, proprietor of "Kel- ler's Cafe" (a designation descending from a prev- ious owner, was born Aug. 3, 1866, in Rockland town- ship, Berks county, son of Jeremiah C. and Mary (Klein) Keller. The Keller family (antecedents of Irv- in K.) became established in Berks county prior to the days of the Revolution.

The educational advantages granted our subject were meager enough, for his people were in modest circum- stances, and Irvin, being the eldest of ten children, was early put to work upon the farm, as such a family meant no little burden and responsibility to his parents. In 1887 he left his Pennsylvania home for Ohio, accept- ing a situation with his uncle, J. C. Keller. then fore- man of the P. P. Mast Foundry Company, situated at Springfield, Ohio. He was employed as core maker and molder, and after four years of diligent application discovered that the exactions were too arduous for a "light weight." He then turned his face eastward, re- turning to Berks county, and soon thereafter engaged with Amos Barto. who was conducting a hotel at Ly- on Station, remaining there until the spring of 1893, when he entered the employ of the Reading Hardware Company at Reading, terminating his engagement in the fall of that year. His next venture was with his uncle, Col. D. C. Keller, that proprietor of Keller's Cafe, situated at No. 527 Penn Square, Reading. This was was in 1893, and their association covered a period of more than nine years, being dissolved by the Col- onel's death, May 22, 1902. After an interim of two years (in the meantime having formed a partnership with Charles Buck) he became his uncle's permanent successor, and whatever credit might have once been due the "Colonel" for the conduct of his business is as well deserved by and as reasonably attaches to the present owner.

On Feb. 25, 1893, Irvin K. Keller was married to Liz- zie C. Keller, daughter of William and Barbara (Con- rath) Keller. The following children were born to William Keller and his wife: Daniel C., a tailor' of Bechtelsville, married Lizzie Herb; Mary C. first mar- ried Harry Bauer, and her second marriage was to William Shollenberger (she and her husband were both victims of the Boyertown fire); Charles C., a tailor of Reading, married Annie Eckert; Hannah C. is the.' widow of George E. Schmick; Lizzie C. married Irvin K. Keller; William C., a tailor of Allentown, married Millie Bauer. William Keller, the father of the fam- ily, was killed by the train at Lyon Station, Berks county, Aug. 19, 1890.

To Irvin K. Keller and wife. two children were born: Clarence, July 17, 1897 (died March 1, 1902); Esther May. born March 18, 1907. Whatever fortune may have come to this household due credit should be giv- en to Mrs. Keller.

Mr. Keller owns valuable property within the city. He has been successful, for he has been obliging, cour- teous, reciprocal and fair.

CHARLES S. PHILLIPS, M. D., physician and pharmacist, located at No. 1342 North Eleventh street, Reading, was born July 2, 1849, at Womelsdorf, Pa., son of Charles S. and Eliza (Stephen) Phillips.

Solomon Phillips, the ancestor of the Phillips fam- ily, came to America in the ship "Phoenix." which arrived at Philadelphia, Aug. 28, 1750. He lived to a ripe old age and reared a large family, two of his sons being Michael and Heinrich (the latter the direct ancestor of Dr. Phillips).

On Dec. 19, 1885, Mr. Yost married (first) Annie Catherine Kachel, daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Wagner) Kachel, and to this union were born three children: Stella A., Walter H. and Emma K .. Mrs. Heinrich Phillips resided near Belleman's Church, where he and wife Esther .(Mogel) Phillips, lie buried. Yost died Sept. 1, 1896, aged thirty-one years, four months. three days. On Nov. 30, 1899, Mr. Yost They reared children as follows: Peter, Jacob, John, married (second) Clara May Dietrich, daughter of Samuel, John Adam and several daughters.

710

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Peter Phillips, grandfather of Dr. Phillips, was a Dec. 13, 1774, he married Anna Mary Romig, born farmer near Belleman's Church in what is now Centre May 31, 1754, died Feb. 21, 1813, and they had children: Peter, born Oct. 29, 1775; Catharine, March 25, 1777; John, April 27, 1779; Susanna, March 6, 1781; Esther, Dec. 29, 1783; Elizabeth, Nov. 28, 1788 (died Oct. 31, 1791); Mary, April 5, 1793. Samuel Butz died Aug. 17, 1821, aged seventy-one years, seven days. township, Berks county, where he was born, and both he and wife are buried in the old graveyard near that church. He was accidentally drowned at Len- hart's Dam. He married Maria Catherina Schwalm, and their children were: Magdalena, born Dec. 22, 1809; Anna Maria, Dec. 19, 1812; Charles S., Sept. 19, 1813; Peter, Aug. 20, 1815; Esther, Aug. 27, 1817 (m. John Richard); Catherine, Jan. 31, 1820 (m. (first) William Schwenk, (second) George Eyrick and (third) Daniel Rhein); John, June 24, 1822; Caroline, Oct. 2, 1824; Rebecca, April 9, 1827; Reuben, Oct. 18, 1831, and Franklin, Dec. 3, 1835. Of these Catherine and Frank- lin still survive.

Charles S. Phillips, father of Dr. Phillips, was born Sept. 19, 1813, in what is now Centre township, and died near Reading on his farm, in 1896. He is buried at the Ontelaunee Church. . He dealt extensively in horses and the business was very lucrative before the days of railroads. He was also a veterinary sur- geon for many years. He married Eliza Stephen, who was residing with her son, Dr. Phillips, at the time of her death, and she rests in the Womelsdorf cemetery. They had the following children: Walker and Charles S., both professional men at Reading; Francis, residing at Philadelphia; George, a physician practising at Womelsdorf; and John, a prospector and miner, now residing in Central America, but formerly for many years of California.

Until he was twelve years of age, Dr. Charles S. Phillips lived at Womelsdorf, but in 1861 he accompan- ied his parents to Lebanon, where he attended school. In 1864 he went to Washington City and was in the employ of the Government as a hospital steward, re- maining there until Christmas morning, 1864, when he returned to Lebanon.

In 1876, Dr. Phillips was married to Kate Fehafer, a daughter of Michael and Sarah (Geiger) Fehafer, and to this union has been born sixteen children, ten of whom are buried in the family lot at Womelsdorf, namely: Anna, m. to J. W. Gramm; Stella, who died young; Charles, residing at Port Kennedy. Pa .; Maud and Walker, twins, the latter of whom died in infancy; Agnes, who died in infancy; Francis, residing at Read- ing; John and Louisa, who both died young; Emma; George and David, twins, who both died young; Cris- sie, who died young; Edith, residing , at home; and Grant and Ernest, both of whom died young. Dr. Phillips and family belong to the Reformed Church. In politics he is identified with the policies of the Republican party, but he has never consented to hold political office. He is a member of Ashland Lodge, No. 294, F. & A. M., and Griscom Chapter, No. 219, Royal Arch Masons.

BUTZ. Among relics owned by this old and hon- ored family of Berks county, is a Bible, in excellent condition, now in the possession of Mrs. Fianna (Butz) Bertolet, who has willed it to her son, Dr. M. L. Bert- olet of M't. Penn, Pa. This Bible was brought to Amer- ica by (I) John Butz, who in 1737, landed at Philadelphia with his two children, Peter and Catharine. John Butz came to this country from Hertzogberg near Krom- anenberg in the lower part of Bavaria. John Butz died Feb. 23. 1750, in Philadelphia.

(II) This same old Bible shows that Peter Butz (son of John) was married Oct. 22, 1743, to Anna Bar- bara Carl, who was born in Hessen-Nassau, Germany, and they had these children: Mary, born in 1744; Car- oline, in 1746; John, in 1747; Samuel, in 1750; Peter, in 1754; Elizabeth, in 1758. and Anna, in 1761. Peter Butz died in 1780. aged sixty-one years, eight months and twenty-five days. His wife died March 6, 1795, aged seventy-six and four months.

(IV) John Butz, son of Samuel, was born April 27, 1779, and died Aug. 19, 1874, aged ninety-five years, three months and twenty-two days. The place of his birth was the same as that of his father, the homestead in Longswamp township. In 1806 he married Anna . Yaeger, of Oley township, who died Aug. 24, 1828, aged forty years, eight months and fourteen days, and they had eight children, but only three grew to any age; Nathan, Jacob and Anna Maria. In 1828 the Butz. family Bible came into the hands of John Butz, who highly cherished it. This very valuable volume was printed in 1704, and is in an excellent state of pres- ervation. It contains the family records, and is of great value.

(V) Jacob Butz, son of John, was married May 25, 1828, to Elizabeth Christman, born May 28, 1809, died Nov. 19, 1895, aged eighty-six years, five months and twenty-one days, daughter of Peter and Margaret Christman. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Butz were: Daniel C., born in 1831; John Peter, in 1833 (de- ceased); Franklin, in 1835; Fianna, in 1837; Henry A., in 1839 (deceased); Susanna, in 1841 (deceased); Cath- arine, in 1848, and Jacob, in 1851 (deceased).

(IV) DANIEL C. BUTZ, an aged resident of Oley township was born in Longswamp township, Berks county, Aug. 26, 1831, a son of Jacob Butz. He was reared to farm work, and has always been a farmer. He began working for himself upon the homestead! farm of 134 acres he now occupies in 1860, and farmed this property until 1897 when he retired. and during his: active life he was very successful. On the property is a spring of excellent water. The present barn was built by John Bertolet, as well as the stone residence, the. latter being over one hundred years old. The barn is a very large one. being 103x42, and the spring water runs through the structure thus simplifying the wat- ering of the stock. Mr. Butz lives in a house on the- farm built by his father in 1860. At present Mr. Butz rents the farm, but lives upon it and enjoys his de- clining years, surrounded by the plenty he has himself accumulated. Mr. Butz is a member of Oley Reformed church, and was a deacon for five years. Mrs. Butz belongs to the Lutheran church.

On Oct. 18, 1859, Mr. Butz was married to Susan D. Hoch, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (De Turck) Hoch of Oley township. Mr. and Mrs. Butz: have a daughter. Mary m. William Marquette, who is now deceased. Mrs. Marquette resides at Friedens- burg, and has these children,-Ida, Nora, Sallie, Sam -- uel, George and Mabel.

Mr. Butz and his wife dispense a charming hospital- ity that makes their home a favorite gathering place- for all their relatives and friends. In addition to other interests Mr. Butz is a stockholder in the creamery at Yellow House.

(IV) Peter Butz, grandfather of Lewis B. Butz, was born in Longswamp township, Oct. 29, 1775, son of Samuel and Anna Mary (Romig), but when still young, removed to Whitehall township, Lehigh county. He was a very efficient blacksmith, and made gun barrels and all kinds of cutlery, as well as farming a large farm he owned. He is buried at Unionville church. He and wife, Susanna Bieber, had child- ren: Samuel lived in North Whitehall township, and had children, William (deceased) Peter, Louisa and Katie; Egedius; Enoch, a farmer, also lived in North Whitehall township, and had a daughter, Sarah. (V) Egedius Butz, father of Lewis B. Butz, was born in North Whitehall township, Sept .. 30, 1805, and died

(III) Samuel Butz, son of Peter, was born in Long- swamp township, Berks county, Aug. 10, 1750. On in Maxatawny township May 28, 1890, aged eighty-

711

BIOGRAPHICAL

four years, seven months and twenty-eight days. for the honesty and integrity of its members, some of The following inscription is found on the tombstone whom have filled positions of eminence in their day. erected to the memory of Egedins Butz and wife: Three brothers named Evans emigrated from Wales about the year 1720, and landed at Philadelphia, whence all went prospecting through Pennsylvania, with the result that Daniel settled in Chester county, Philip (the ancestor of the family herein described) in Berks county, and the third in Montgomery county.

"Egedins Butz Sept. 30, 1805 May 28, 1890 84-7-28. Elizabeth born Bieber July 10, 1810 Oct. 16, 1877 67-3-6."

Egedins Butz came to Maxatawny township when a young man, soon after his marriage, he marrying a young lady from Maxatawny township which perhaps had something to do with his selection of this town- ship as his place of residence. His wife was Elizabeth Bieber, and they had these children: Abraham died young; Mary m. David Kemp; Susanna died young; Fianna died young; Lovina m. Caston Hoover; Lewis B .; Sarah m. Henry Kohler; Peter died at the age of twenty-one years; Louisa m. Jerry Levan; Elizabeth m. William De Turck; Carolina m. Daniel Sheradin; Clara is unmarried, and Elmira m. Henry Roth.

(VI) LEWIS B. BUTZ, son of Egedius and Eliz- abeth, was born in Maxatawny township, Jan. 27, 1837. He was reared a farmer, and made that his life work until his retirement in 1900, having commenced farm- ing for himself when twenty-one. He now owns a fine farm of 100 acres, which was once the property of Egedius Butz and earlier belonged to Abraham Bieber. Mr. Butz made a success of his farming op- erations, but now rents his property and lives in re- tirement near the Normal School on the Eastern Road which has been his home since 1892. Mr. Butz. has taken a deep interest in educational. matters, serving as school director for many years. At present he is trustee of the Keystone State Normal School, and has held that office since the organization of the school. He represents the stockholders, and has the honor of being the oldest living member of the board. He also was much interested in the erection of the pres- ent church of St. Paul's Reformed congregation, in 1876, serving on the building committee and contrib- nting generously toward the necessary fund. He and his family are members of this church, of which he has been both deacon and elder, and he is regarded as one of the pillars of the church and among its most liberal contributors. In politics Mr. Butz is a Dem- ocrat, and he has held many of the elective offices of the township.

Lillian Garrett, and has a son, John Alfred; Ida, m. to William R. Smith, of Philadelphia.

Such families as this are a credit to Berks county. Its. in politics, and held a number of township offices, was representatives are men of substance, who have borne their part in the development and advancement of their several communities.

CHARLES VAN REED EVANS (deceased), who during the course of a long and useful life was a well- known and most highly esteemed resident of Berks county, conducting a farm in Heidelberg township, was born on the original Evans homestead in Cumru township, March 4, 1810. The Evans family, one of the early established families of Berks county, has contributed its share of prominent citizens in this section in peace. and in war. Church-loving, law-abid- ing and God-fearing, the family has always been noted decai, who died young.

Joshua Evans, grandfather of Charles Van Reed Evans, was born in 1733, and his death occurred in March, 1778, when he was aged forty-five years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Thomas, was born July 1, 1746, and died in 1813, at the age of sixty-seven, after a widowhood of almost thirty- six years. They were the parents of the following children: Thomas, Peninnah, Philip, Thomas, Mor- decai, Sarah and Joshua. Mrs. Evans' parents, Phil- ip Thomas and his wife, Esther, lived in East Vin- cent township, Chester Co., Pa., but they owned out- lying land near Reading, upon which their daughter Mary and her husband, Joshua Evans, settled. By the will proved in Philadelphia Oct. 4, 1774, Philip Thomas wills this farm to Joshua Evans' son, Philip Thomas Evans. As previously stated, Joshua Evans and his wife continued to live on the farm, improved it, and built the stone farm house.

Philip Thomas Evans, father of Charles Van Reed Evans, was born on the old Evans homestead just mentioned, July 13, 1770, and he passed all his life on that place, dying there Sept. 26, 1835. On Feb. 1, 1801, he married Anna Elizabeth Van Reed, who was born Sept. 29, 1778, daughter of John and Eve (Yost) Van Reed; she died July 18, 1853, aged seventy-four years. They became the parents of children as follows: (1) Thomas Evans, born Jan. 7, 1803, died July 30, 1844, aged forty-one years, six months and twenty-three days. He m. Susan Bechtel, and lived eleven miles up Maiden Creek. (2) John V. R., born Jan. 29, 1804, died July 5, 1864, aged sixty years, five months, six days. He inherited the homestead. He m. Anne Mil- ler. (3) Joshua, born Dec. 25, 1805, died Dec. 12, 1826, aged twenty years, eleven months, seventeen days. (4) Mary T., born Sept. 11. 1807, m. Peter Bright, and moved to Danville, Montour Co., Pa. (5) Charles V. R. is mentioned farther on. (6) Abner, born Dec. 25, 1811, died May 21, 1816, aged four years, four months, twenty-six days. (7) Hannah was born Feb. 10, 1814. (8) Henry V. R., born Jan. 8, 1818, died Oct. 29, 1838, aged twenty years, nine months, (9) twenty-one days. He inherited the mill property. Anna Elizabeth, born May 10, 1821, m. Thomas H. Jones, who died in 1850. Mrs. Jones resides in Reading.

On Nov. 17, 1857, Mr. Butz married Catherine Kieffer daughter of Jonathan and Fannie (Shirey) Kieffer, and granddaughter of Abraham and Lizzie (Sebert) Kief- fer. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis B. Butz were: Amos A., of Kutztown who has a son, Herbert; John E., born July 7, 1862, and died April 1, 1902, leaving a daughter, Elsie; Ella C., m. to Seldon Charles Van Reed Evans was born March 4, 1810. He received his education in the common schools, the teacher being paid by the patrons of the school. He gave his time to his father on the farm, and with his patrimony purchased his farm in Lower Heidelberg, where he continued throughout his active days, fol- lowing farming. He spent the last twenty years of Gernert, of Allentown; Alfred, of Philadelphia, m. to his life in retirement. and died April 13, 1891, at the

age of eighty-one years, one month, three days, and was buried at Sinking Spring. He was a Republican

frequently appointed administrator, executor and guardian, and was of well known integrity. In 1836 he married Maria Spohn, daughter of William and Catharine (Miller) Spohn, and to them were born a family of thirteen children, namely: Josiah S., a sol- dier in the Civil war, who served in the 90th Ohio regiment under Captain Carpenter, and died in a Southern hospital. Feb. 26, 1863; Margaret E .; Jane, who resides at No. 115 North Third street, Reading; Amanda, deceased; John H., m. to Margaret J. Van Reed; Maria C., Catharine, James, Sarah and Katie E., all deceased; P. Thomas, of Iowa, m. to Sally H. Shepp; Annie S., who died Sept. 24, 1901; and Mor-

712

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

JOHN HENRY EVANS, a retired farmer and promi- same year, and continued to practise his profession there nent citizen of Lower Heidelberg township, was born March 6, 1844, north of Womelsdorf, in Marion town- ship, son of Charles V. R. Evans. He was educated in the district schools and was licensed to teach when seventeen years old by Prof. John S. Ermentrout, superintendent of schools of Berks county. He taught his first two terms at Buck's schoolhouse in Lower Heidelberg township, and then worked for his par- ents until he was married, when he commenced tenant farming, and carried it on for fourteen years. At the end of this time he went to Reading, remaining until after his father's death, and then located on the home farm, a fine tract of 165 acres in the Cacoosing dis- trict. His home is one mile due west from Cacoosing, along the Bernville road, and two miles due north of Sinking Spring, on one of the old Van Reed farms, which was formerly the property of the Samuel Jones estate. Samuel Jones had erected a house for his ten- ants on the corner of his farm in 1791, and a stone from the barn built in 1796 is to be found in the Evans barn wall. The present residence, however, is a two and one-half story brick dwelling, and is built in Colonial style. Mrs. Evans also owned a farm of 116 acres in Lower Heidelberg township, her farm and that of her husband being divided by that of Annie V. R. Addams.

Mr.' Evans married Margaret Jones Van Reed, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Jones) Van Reed, and to this union there have been born two sons: Charles V. R., a farmer residing at home; and Jacob V. R., a chemist for the Elk Tanning Company, at Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa. They are both unmarried. Mr. Evans is a Republican in politics, and has efficiently served his township as school director for three years, has been delegate to numerous county conventions, and assistant assessor for twelve years. During the Civil war he served in Company I, 11th Pennsylvania Vol- unteers. He is a member of St. John's Church, at Sinking Spring, which his wife also attends, there being no. church of her faith, the Episcopal, in this district. Both Mr. and Mrs. Evans are intelligent, refined people, and are not only well known in this district but have a large acquaintance in Reading.

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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 193

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