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 194

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 194

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The Evans family has intermarried with other prom- inent and old established families of this section, where they have remained for nearly 175 years, and its mem- bers are thus related to the Yosts, Gernands, Van Reeds, Joneses and Biedlers-all well known and of good standing.

Mrs. Eve (Yost) Van Reed, mother of Anna Eliza- beth Van Reed, who married Philip Thomas Evans, had three sisters and one brother, namely: Mrs. Ris- ser, Mrs. Abraham Gernard, Mrs. Hersh and Abra- ham Yost.

Abraham Yost married a Hursh (or Hirsh), who died young, leaving six children: Two daughters mar- ried Mosers, two married Biedlers, one had her home with her sister Magdalena (Yost) Biedler, and one son married a Sidel. Mrs. Magdalena (Yost) Biedler lived to be nearly ninety years of age; her daughter Mary Ann married a Brobst.

Thus it will be seen that Eve (Yost) Van Reed, grandmother of Charles Van Reed Evans, was a sis -: literature, and learning to speak fluently the German, ter of Abraham Yost and of Mrs. Abraham Gernard. whose grandson, Abraham Gernard, married Emma Evans, daughter of John V. R. Evans and grand- daughter of Philip Thomas Evans.

GUSTAVUS AUGUSTUS BEHNÉ, a distinguished artist, whose widow has made her home in her native city of Reading since his death, was himself well known there, both because of his own attainments and as a son of the beloved Dr. John Henry Behne.

from that time until his death, Aug. 1, 1876. Dr. Behné began his medical career as an allopath in Nordhausen, Prussia. In studying the works of Hahnemann, the pio- neer of homeopathy, he changed to the new school. He met with opposition and this opposition was the cause of his coming to America. He settled in Reading and was one of the first practitioners of that school in the city. Dr. Behne was not only a skilled physician, but a cultured gentleman, and his fine personal appearance and courteous manners clothed gracefully a character fine and strong, which won him numerous friends aside from the profes- sional popularity he attained. He was particularly well liked among those of his own nationality, but the circle of his friendship and patronage was not by any means confined to the German residents of Reading, and he en- joyed an extensive practice, numbering among his regular patients many of the most influential and well-to-do fam- ilies of the city. People often came to him from different parts of the State for medical treatment. The Doctor be- came an enthusiastic American citizen, taking a deep and intelligent interest in the progress of his adopted country. He was an Odd Fellow, for many years an active member and secretary of Germania Lodge, No. 53. He was twice married, the first time in Germany, to the daughter of a Prussian officer, a lady of much ability. She died in Reading soon after they settled here, the mother of one child, Gustavus Augustus. Rather late in life the Doctor married for his second wife a Miss Zabel, of New York, and by that marriage there are two sons to continue the name, Albert and Paul Behne, who reside in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Gustavus Augustus Behné was born in 1828 in Nord- hausen, Prussia. Like his father he was a man of fine personal appearance, and he was remarkably gifted in many ways, his natural endowments being supplemented by training in the best universities in Europe. His mind was highly cultivated, and he was a fine linguist and talented musician. But his artistic nature showed itself most strongly in his painting, and he was thor- oughly prepared for his artistic career in the Dusseldorf school, and later in the Munich galleries. He took a special course in portrait painting under Sully at Phila- delphia.

In 1856 Mr. Behne married Julia Mayer Keim, who was born in Reading, daughter of Gen. George May, and Julia C. ( Mayer) Keim. She was thoroughly educated in the Reading Academy, which was located on the present site of the Girls' high school, and was also taught by a private tutor at Philadelphia, while her father was officiating there as United States marshal for the Eastern district of Pennsylvania. In 1857 Mr. and Mrs. Behne went to Texas, Mr. Behne having received a commission to paint the portrait of General Sam Hous- ton, for which the State paid him $1,200 in gold. They spent some time there, Mr. Behne painting afterward the portraits of Governor Burnett and other distinguished men. On account of the Rebellion they went to Havana, remaining there until 1867, when they went to Munich. While there Mr. Behne produced a number of superior paintings, for which he received high praise from German critics, and Mrs. Behne took up the study of foreign languages and music, becoming proficient in Continental

French, Spanish and Italian tongues. She gave special at- tention to music, both vocal and instrumental, in which line her accomplishments are particularly noteworthy, a source of the deepest pleasure to herself and her friends through many years.

Mr. and Mrs. Behné remained abroad until 1874, when they returned to Reading because of Mr. Behne's illness, staying there until his death in 1876. In that same year, while at Bar Harbor, Maine, where they went to procure marine views (for which he had orders), Mr. Behne fell from the rocks and injured his back so se- verely that he never recovered from the effects of the accident. He was obliged to abandon all idea of carry-

Dr. John Henry Behne was born in Nordhausen, Prus- sia, in the year 1800, and attended different German universities, graduating in medicine at Würzburg, Bavaria. Coming to America in 1840, he located in Reading the ing on his work there, and he and his wife returned to

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BIOGRAPHICAL

Germany, and made their home in the village of Fursten- feld Bruck, near Munich, where Mr. Behne was finally released from suffering in 1895. He was the last of his family for a long time, until his father's second marriage.

Mrs. Behne took up her residence at Reading after her husband's death, and has been residing there ever since. From her girlhood she has been a member of the Prot- estant Episcopal Church. Having always appreciated history and literature, she quite naturally became inter- ested in the welfare of the Reading Free Library and the Berks County Historical Society, and besides giving them financial assistance, presented to each of these worthy institutions a number of her husband's valuable paintings, which are highly prized for their artistic merit. Many of his productions have an honored place in Read- ing homes.

EDWIN ADDAMS QUIER has passed practically all his life in Reading, where he was born Aug. 14, 1869, son of Levi and Emma (Addams) Quier.

Levi Quier has been a prominent business man in Reading for many years. Born at Rittersville, in Lehigh county, Pa., March 11, 1835, he was there educated in the public schools, and upon the opening of his active years learned the business of construct- ing blast furnaces for the manufacture of iron, under his uncles, Isaac and Samuel McHose, who were well known furnace builders of Lehigh county. After that experience he served for five years as bookkeeper and paymaster for the Allentown Iron Company, and then from 1859 to 1861 was engaged in the construc- tion of blast furnaces, one of them being at Rich- mond, Va. Meantime his patriotism had become aroused by the stirring events of the Civil war period, and in the latter part of 1861 he assiste'd in organ- izing a company at Allentown for the Union service -Company K, 54th Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was commissioned first lieutenant, and served with that rank until January, 1864, when he was appointed quartermaster of the regiment, continuing in that position until he received his honorable discharge from the service, in September, 1864. By special de- tachment he served as recruiting officer at different places, and later as quartermaster on the staff of Gen. J. M. Campbell, participating especially in the campaigns in the Shenandoah valley.

At the conclusion of his military service Mr. Quier locate'd at Reading, where he became interested in the manufacture of fire brick, securing an interest in the firm of McHose & Thompson, of which his uncle, Isaac McHose, was the senior partner. This was in the year 1865, and throughout the forty and more years intervening since that time he has continued his connection with the works, which during all this time have been under his direct management, and of which he is now practically the sole owner.

In 1868 Mr. Quier married Emma Addams, daughter of Reuben E. Addams, of Reading, formerly of On- telaunee township, Berks county, and to them has been born one son, Edwin Addams. Mr. and Mrs. Quier were members of the First Reformed Church of Read- ing until the organization of St. Paul's Memorial Re- formed Church, in 1872, when they withdrew from their original connection to assist in the establish- ment of the new congregation, of which they have since been active members. He was one of the build- ing committee of the church, serving as secretary of that body, an'd he and his uncle, Isaac McHose, are now the only surviving members of that committee. For over twelve years following the organization of the congregation, Mr. Quier officiated. as deacon and trustee.

Though he is best known in business circles as a manufacturer of fire brick, Mr. Quier has been iden- tified with the management of the National Union Bank for twenty years, during which time he has served as a member of the board of directors; he co-operated with other enterprising capitalists of Reading in . estab- lishing the electric light and power plant, and the

steam heat plant, for supplying the community with light, power and heat-all of which projects have been very successful, demonstrating their utility so that they have been highly appreciated in the community. Mr. Quier has always been a public-spirited man, and he represented the First ward as one of the Republi- can school controllers in the board of controllers from 1878 to 1882.

Edwin Addams Quier received his early education in the Reading public schools, graduating from the high school in 1885. He then entered Lehigh Uni- versity, graduating from that institution in 1891, after a course in analytical chemistry. Upon his return to Reading, after graduation, he secured an interest in the Reading Fire Brick Works, with which his father has so long been connected, and he has since been identified with that important industrial concern. He has served as secretary and later as treasurer, and has proved himself a success in business as well as in professional work.

In 1895, Mr. Quier was married to Helen Hawley, daughter of Jesse G. and Kate (Ritter) Hawley, and they have had three children: Hawley, Catherine and Edith. Mr. Quier is a member of St. Paul's Memorial Reformed Church, and his wife is connected with Christ P. E. Church.

Upon the death of Mr. Jesse G. Hawley, who was the owner of the Reading Eagle, the leading newspaper publication of Reading. the Reading Eagle Company was incorporated, and Mr. Quier was chosen vice- president, in which capacity he has since assisted in the management of the publication.

TOBIAS K. SHENK, a prosperous business man of Reading, Pa., who is proprietor of Shenk's Carriage and Wagon Works, Nos. 1137-1149 Moss street, was born in Dauphin county, Pa., son of Peter and Sarah (Kreider) Shenk.

Peter Shenk, who was for many years engaged in farming and carpentering, during which time he gained an honestly earned reputation as a skilled mechanic and practical farmer, is now living retired in Le- banon county, Pa., where for some years he served as school 'director, a position to which he was elected on the Republican ticket. He and his wife are mem- bers of the United Christian Church. They have had six children, three of whom survive, namely: Mary, m. to Harry Hocker, of Hockersville, Dauphin county; Sarah, m. to Isaac Imboden, of Cleona, Lebanon coun- ty; and Tobias K.

Tobias K. Shenk was four years of age when his parents removed to Lebanon county, where he re- mained on the home farm until twenty-two years of age. He was then married to Miss Emma Longeneck- er, daughter of Benjamin and Anna Longenecker, of Dauphin county. He engaged in farming until the age of thirty years, when he came to Reading, and carried on contracting until 1903. In that year he began the manufacture and general repair of wagons, and the steady increase of his business has demanded more floor space and machinery until he now has one of the best equipped plants in the city.

Mr .. and Mrs. Shenk are the parents of five children: Clayton, Viola, Raymond, Harry and Mary. In re- ligious belief the family are connected with the Evan- gelical Church. Mr. Shenk is a Republican in politics.

ROBERT P. R. HUYETT, M. D., one of the lead- ing medical practitioners of Reading, Pa., whose of- fices are situated on North Tenth street, has been engaged in practice in this city since 1893. Dr. Huyett was born in 1854, in Cumru township, Berks county, son of Joseph G. and Mary A. (Pennypacker) Huyett. Isaac Huyett, grandfather of Dr. Robert P. R., was a farmer and cattle dealer in Cumru township, carrying on extensive operations for many years, and becom- ing known as a substantial business man and in- fluential citizen. He married a Miss Gaul, by whom

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he had these children: Isaac; Joseph G. . Mary Ann. m. (first) to Christian Gaul, and (second) to Henry Het- tinger; Kate, m. to James . Pennypacker; Elizabeth, m. to Samuel Reifsnyder; and Sarah, m. to Henry Close. In religious belief the family were Lutherans, in the faith of which church Mr. Huyett died about 1867, at the age of sixty-one years. His wife died in 1864.

Joseph G. Huyett in his young manhood assiste'd his father in the cattle business, and later engaged therein on his own account, also operating a farm and mill, to the latter of which he gave his entire attention in later life. About twelve years prior to his death, in 1900, he removed to Chester county. His wife, Mary A. Pennypacker, who survives him, resides in Wilming- ton, Del., with her daughter. Four children were born to Joseph G. Huyett and wife, as follows: Dr. Robert P. R .; Isaac W., deceased; Joseph and Cora A., m. to A. Ladd, of Wilmington, Del. The family are Luth- erans in religious belief.

Robert P. R. Huyett received his preliminary educa- tion in the schools of Berks county, the Reading Academy, and Prof. Farr's Commercial Business Col- lege, and read medicine under Dr. Christian Hoffman of Sinking Spring, and with Drs. Schomaker and Pan- coast, then entering Jefferson Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1879. After taking a post- graduate course in Philadelphia, Dr. Huyett located at Temple, where he remained in practice for eighteen years, and in 1893 came to Reading, where he has since continued in his profession.

Dr. Huyett married (first) Mary A. Brown, a native of Robeson township, who died in 1892. He m. (sec- ond) Ida (Grush) Michael. Dr. Huyett is a member of the P. O. S. of A., of the Commandery of that order, and of the Knights of the Maccabees.

WILLIAM SHOEMAKER MOHR, a highly es- teemed resident of Reading, Pa., and former cashier of the Citizens' Bank thereof, was born at Mohrsville, Berks Co., Pa., June 28, 1844, son of Charles H. Molir.

The town of Mohrsville was founded by the great- grandfather of William S. Mohr, who came from Ger- many and settled in Berks county. His son. Jacob, was born at Mohrsville, and was widely known as the tavern-keeper there.

Charles H. Mohr, father of William S., was also born at Mohrsville, and when a young man learned the tanning trade, later engaging in that business at his native place. However, he finally disposed of his tanyard and engaged in the lumber business, in which he continued until his death, in 1867, aged fifty- three years. He married Sophia Kerchner Shoemaker, born in 1820, who is still living and spends her sum- mers at her country home at Mohrsville, and her winters with her daughter, Mrs. Rebecca Addams, at Reading. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Mohr were: Mrs. Addams, whose son, Charles P., is in the office of the attorney general at Harrisburg; William Shoemaker; and Charles Shoemaker, now de- ceased.

William Shoemaker Mohr attended the public schools of Mohrsville, and came to Reading in 1862, engaging with the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company as an apprentice to the machinist's trade. After serving his time he was employed in the paymaster's office until 1887 as assistant paymaster, and in April of the year following he was one of the original organizers of the Citizens' Bank, which was opened May 10, 1888, with these officers: George D. Stitzel, president; Jerome L. Boyer, vice-president; and William S. Mohr, cashier. This organization, which was capitalized at 125,000, merged with the Second National Bank of Reading Feb. 8, 1902. Since that time Mr. Mohr has retired from active business, living at his home at No. 203 North Sixth street.

Mr. Mohr was married Jan. 23, 1873, to Miss Cather- ine Stitzel, daughter of the late George D. Stitzel,

who died in 1905. Mrs. Mohr passed away Dec. 24, 1877. The only son of this union died when three weeks old. In politics Mr. Mohr is a Republican. He has served as secretary of the Tax Payers' League since its organization in August, 1905. He is a mem- ber of Trinity Church, and is treasurer thereof.

DR. ALLEN J. FINK, formerly a druggist at Ham- burg, Pa., and a very highly esteemed citizen of that borough, was born in Hamburg, Berks county, Nov. 13, 1860, son of David H. and Jane E. (Gift) Fink, and grandson of Peter Finck.

Peter Finck was born in Greenwich township in 1783, and carried on farming near Virginville until his decease in 1853. He married Magdalena Heffner, born 1790, died 1852, daughter of George and Mary Heffner. They had nine children: Kate, Mary. Ann, Betsey, Abraham, Malara, Joel, Harriet and David H.

David H. Fink was born in Perry township in 1833, and there carried on farming for a number of years, later removing to Hamburg, where he was engaged in the hotel business in the "American House" for thirty- five years. After living retired for several years lie died in 1893, at the age of sixty years. He was mar- ried to Jane E. Gift, daughter of William Gift, and their only child was Dr. Allen J.

Dr. Allen J. Fink fitted himself to become a compe- tent pharmacist by studying and practising in the drug store of Dr. J. H. Stein, at Reading, for two years, and taking a course of lectures in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated in 1888. He located in Hamburg in 1887, for the purpose of carrying on the drug business and manu- facturing specialties, and he conducted his store in a very successful manner. In 1895 Dr. Fink associated with Thomas Raubenhold and Solomon K. Hoffman, Esq., for the manufacture of underwear at Hamburg. For this enterprise they erected a two-story brick building, and they have carried on the business ever since, trading under the name of the Hamburg Keit- ting Mills. In 1906, Dr. Fink gave up the drug busi- ness and has since devoted himself wholly to his in- terests in the mills.

In 1903, Dr. Fink was selected by the citizens of the place as one of the building committee of the new Public Library, this being erected and opened to the public in 1904. At the expiration of the Doctor's term he was re-elected. When St. John's Lutheran Church was rebuilt, in 1898, after its complete destruction by fire, Dr. Fink presented in the name of himself and wife a solid brass lectern, and also one of the three large windows in the west end of the building, both of which present a magnificent appearance, and are highly appreciated.

Dr. Fink married Amy Withers, daughter of George and Joanna (Kalbach) Withers, and they have one child, a son, Langhorn.

MOYER. Few families of Heidelberg township can trace more clearly an old and honorable ancestry than that of Moyer, reaching away back to the days of re- ligious persecution in 1708. The Moyer (Meyer or Mayer) family was one of the many German Palatinate families of immigrants who in 1708 and 1709 went to England, whence 4,000 persons were given transporta- tion, by Queen Anne, to New York, where they landed Dec. 25, 1709,. and June 14, 1710. On the passage and immediately after landing 1,700 of these immigrants died. The survivors camped in tents which they had brought with them, on Governor's Island, and here they remained until autumn, when about 1,400 removed to Livingston Manor, 100 miles up the Hudson river. Being unjustly oppressed by Governor Hunter. and seeing famine and starvation staring them in the face, 150 settlers went to the Schoharie Valley, some sixty miles northwest of Livingston Manor, whither they traveled through three feet of snow, in the unbroken woods, hauling their baggage on rudely made sleds. At Schoharie they improved the lands which had been

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granted them by Queen Anne, but about ten years out of a trench where his company was lying, thus sav- later, owing to a defect in their titles, they were de- ing the lives of many of his comrades. He served in prived of the property which they had labored so some of the fiercest engagements of the war, and was hard to acquire.

Having heard of the just and liberal treatment given to settlers in the Province of Pennsylvania, thirty- three families removed thereto in the spring of 1723, and settled in the "Tulpahaca," which was at that time the furthest inhabited part of the province, northwest from Philadelphia. In subsequent years more than 100 other families followed them and settled in the north- western part of Berks county, and among these were the Moyers, or Meyers. In 1759, when the first federal tax was levied in Berks county, the following Meyers were taxables of Tulpehocken township, and paid their tax as follows: Rudolph Meyer, twelve pounds; John Meyer, eight pounds, and Philip Meyer, three pounds.

In Heidelberg township was one John Moyer, who paid ten pounds tax that year .. It is a family tradition that the ancestor of this particular branch of the fam- ily was John or Johannes Meyer, and that he had seven children. In the courthouse is his will, which was probated Dec. 28, 1765. the year of his death, he 1901 he purchased the Savage farm in Lower Heidel- being then a resident of Tulpehocken township. The executors of his estate were his two sons, George and Henry, and in it were the following provisions: George was to receive the homestead of 120 acres, and the "still," and was to pay his brothers and sisters 200 pounds; Henry was given the mill and house and 128 acres of land. The other children were: Anna Bar- bara, m. to George Wolff; Eva Catherine, m. to a Stet- tler; Gideon; Catherine, m. to a Deissinger; and Valen- tine. By the testator, his "beloved son-in-law, George Wolff," was made guardian over the children of Cath- erine Deissinger and Valentine Moyer.

George Moyer, the great-grandfather of John E., and Mahlon A., of Heidelberg township, was born in Tulpehocken township, Berks county, and was buried at Host Church. He was a farmer by occupation,

1 and owned the property now in the possession of Peter Moyer, Sr., a grandson. His children were: John; Michael, Peter. Heinrich, Jacob, Daniel, Mrs. John Holtzman and Mrs. John Bomberger.

Daniel Moyer, son of George, was born Dec. 2, 1782, and died March 18, 1850. He was a farmer of Heidelberg township, where he had a ninety-five Corner Church, of which they were members. Mr. Moyer m. Susan Belleman, born Oct. 5, 1781, who died Dec. 7, 1853, and to them were born eight children, as follows: John; Mrs. Daniel Miller; Mrs. George Moy- er; Daniel; Elizabeth and Catherine, who died unmar- ried; Isaac; and Susan, m. to George Fornwald.

acre property and he and his wife are buried at the Ezra, Irwin, Harry, Samuel (who lives in Valparaiso,

Daniel Moyer, son of Daniel, was born Nov. 3, 1814, in Heidelberg township, and died Jan. 7, 1881. He was a lifelong farmer, owning and operating a tract of eighty-two acres. He was a prominent Democrat, holding the offices of school director, supervisor and delegate to many county conventions. * He and his wife are buried at Corner Church, of which they were members. Mr. Moyer married Catherine Ernst, born Aug. 19, 1815, who died in April, 1891. To this union were born thirteen children, namely: Adam, born March 28, 1838; Emanuel, Jan. 17, 1840; Sarah, July 21, 1841; Amelia. March 18, 1843; John E .; Jeremiah, Nov. 2. 1846; Amanda S., Nov. 17, 1848; Daniel J., June 22, 1850; Isabella C., Dec. 15, 1851; Aaron W., Feb. 18, 1853; Mahlon A .; Albert H., April 16, 1857, and Julius J., Sept. 26, 1860.

honorably discharged June 11, 1865, with a gallant rec- : ord.

On his return from his country's service, Mr. Moyer resumed his labors upon the farm for one year, and then was employed with a railroad repair crew for a like period. For another year he worked on a farm in Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio, to which he returned for a short time after a tour of the Western States. In 1869, Mr. Moyer r turned to the parental roof, where he continued to work until his marriage, when he began housekeeping at the Robesonia furnace, where he remained five years, his time being spent in earnest, hard labor. For the next nine years he operated his father's homestead, after which he removed to a 200- acre farm in Marion township, Berks county, but after three years removed to the Dr. L. A. Livingood farm of 165 acres, which he conducted for five years. For eight years Mr. Moyer successfully farmed the Jacob Lauck 145-acre farm in Heidelberg township, and in berg township, a tract of 204 acres, which he culti- vated for two years and subsequently. retired, at which time he erected a fine frame residence on Main Street, Robesonia. He was also the owner of a farm of ninety- nine acres in North Heidelberg township, which he traded for the property at No. 236 South Third street, Reading, on which is located a three-story brick house of fourteen rooms.

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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 194

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