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 196

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 196

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ALLISON F. McGOWAN, who died at his home in Reading, May 24, 1897, was for many years prom- inently identified with the business interests of the city, as a dealer in coal, lime and sand. Mr. McGowan was born at Geiger's Mills, Union township, Berks county, son of John and Elizabeth (Geiger) McGowan.

John McGowan, whose father was a native of Ire- land, was a well-known agriculturist of Union town- ship, where his entire life was spent. He and his wife, Elizabeth Geiger, were leading members of St.

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Paul's ("Old Forest") M. E. Church. They had the John; Christian; David, who lives in Ohio; a son who following children: George, James, John F., Allison F., Howard, Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth, Harriet, Emily, Kate and William.

Allison F. McGowan received his education in the Union township schools, and afterward engaged for a short time in teaching. He then became a clerk in McGowan & Miltimore's hardware store, in Read- ing, where he remained several years, and afterward connected himself with the firm of Bright & Lerch, with whom he continued for five years. At the end of this time Mr. McGowan purchased an interest in the firm of High & Geiger, coal, sand and lime dealers, and after Mr. High's retirement the business was carried on by Mr. Geiger. When the latter gentleman left the business, Mr. McGowan assumed charge, and carried this on until his death, the enterprise being very successful. Mr. McGowan was always consid- ered a man of much business ability. careful and industrious, and he was rated one of the city's suc- cessful and representative men. He was a member of the I. O. O. F., of Reading, and of St. Peter's M. E. Church of Reading. ' He was a great lover of music, and was the choir-master of St. Peter's church for twenty years.

Mr. McGowan married Miss Louisa Geiger, the daughter of Levi and Mary (Zerr) Geiger, and to this union there were born three children: Howard L.

and Allison J., both deceased; and William H., who of Philadelphia, is now deceased; Mary m. Amos is engaged in the manufacture of underwear at Nos. Brown, of Stowe, Pa .; and Emeline died young.

WILLIAM B. RAUENZAHN was born May 6, 1831, in Eclipse Knitting Company, and who is the organist Ruscombmanor township, Berks county, and was

746-748 Cherry street, the firm being known as the and choirmaster at St. Barnabas P. E. church, Reading.

DR. OLIVER H. FISHER was born Oct. 23, 1850, learned the blacksmith's trade in Ontelaunee 'town-

in Douglass township, Berks Co., Pa .. son of Silas W. and Anna (Hartman) Fisher, and grandson of Jacob and Anna (Weaver) Fisher and of Conrad and Elizabeth (Richards) Hartman. The other children of Silas W. and Anna (Hartman) Fisher were: Wel- lington (deceased), Luther, Jacob, and Rebecca (m. Alfred Dietrich).

Oliver H. Fisher was educated in the common schools of Douglass township and in Kallynean Acad- emy. Boyertown, under Prof. I. B. Hankey, principal. In the fall of 1870 he entered the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, and graduated therefrom in the spring of 1872. He engaged imme- diately in the practice of his profession at Amity- ville, Berks county, But in the fall of the same year went to Pikeville. where he practised until 1879. In

the latter year he moved to Pottstown, and also took the plows, as well as in wagons, and Wash Wiley a special course at the University of Pennsylvania. used them to haul flour to the boat landing at Shoe- In 1880 he moved to Graters Ford, on the banks of makersville. Mr. Rauenzahn recalls many interesting the Perkiomen. in Montgomery county. In 1885 he incidents of his younger days, among which might came to Reading where he has been practising for twenty-four years.

Dr. Fisher has been twice married. On Oct. 23, 1873, he m. Mary Heilig, daughter of Edward Heilig, of Pottstown. To this union were born three chil- dren: Charlie, Lester and Edward. In February, 1883. Mrs. Fisher died at Graters Ford. In 1890 Dr. Fisher m. (second) Ida Wilson, daughter of Joseph Wilson, of Reading.

died in Indiana; and Mrs. Daniel Ballett. Christian Rauenzahn was the owner of a large Bible, the print- ing of which was begun in 1527 and was completed in 1535. This was a rare and valuable book, and the commissioners of the Centennial, held at Philadel- phia in 1876, made some effort to secure it to place on exhibition, sending a man from Philadelphia to Pricetown, he however failing to secure it. This old relic passed from Christian to his son Gideon, and from the latter to his son John, who procured it at public sale, and was sold by him to a concern in Phil- adelphia.

Gideon Rauenzahn, son of Christian, was born in Richmond township, and died upon his 231-acre farm in Ruscombmanor township, in about 1867, when near- ly eighty years of age. He was a stone mason by trade, an occupation which was adopted and followed by seven of his sons. He married Elizabeth Brown, daughter of Daniel Brown of Pricetown, and they had a family of thirteen children, as follows:' Solo- mon met his death by drowning, in 1842; Sarah m. Benjamin Wentzel; Hannah m. Daniel Mannville, and died in Oklahoma: David died at Philadelphia in 1887; William B .: Daniel was a stonemason at Price- town; Jacob, carried on that trade at Reading; Eliz- abeth m. Nicholas Bechtel; Israel, a stone mason of Reading, met his death in a railroad accident; Gideon was a stone mason of Reading; John. a stone mason

reared on his father's farm, upon which he worked until past eighteen years of age, at which time he ship, with Abraham Hughes. This occupation he fol- lowed for two years. and then went to Perry town- ship. where he spent a like period at the trade. and in 1857 he came to Reading, where he entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad. He was a flue-welder for this company at the pipe mill for nine years, and altogether worked for this com- pany as a blacksmith for fifteen years. Mr. Rauen- zahn is one of the few living men in this locality who have shod oxen, this occurring in 1850, 1851 and 1852 while he worked at his trade in Ontelaunee and Perry townships. In the former district there lived many Quakers, among them the Wileys, Perkinses, Smiths and Penroses, and Dr. Wiley had a yoke of oxen which were shod by Mr. Rauenzahn on numerous occasions. These big, strong beasts were used at

be mentioned the following: It was during his term of apprenticeship, and he was working out during haymaking and harvesting time to earn spending money, his employer being Quaker Smith. They were hauling in hay with four good horses, when the large wagon-load of hay became "stuck" and no amount of urging could make the horses go another inch. At this time the yoke of big oxen were hitched up to the wagon, and to the surprise of all these beasts pulled the load away with comparative ease, which the four horses could not budge. Mr. Rauenzahn was a member of the Reading police force under Mayor Charles F. Evans from 1873 to 1879. Since May, 1903, he has lived a quiet life, his retirement being due to his incapacitation from an extraordinary case of hiccoughs, which continued for seven weeks. The case puzzled physicians and attracted wide-spread attention, local and metropolitan papers alike giving much space to it and remedies being sent to Mr.

RAUENZAHN. Christian Rauenzahn, a native of Manheim, Germany, where the family was one, of prominence and wealth, was a son of Herr von Rauenzahn. Christian Rauenzahn left his native coun- try for cause, being at that time well supplied with means, and settled in Richmond township, Berks Co., Pa., where he became the owner ot. about 700 acres of land, but he died in very humble circumstances. He is buried in a private burial ground on the old Weidner farm below Pricetown and his grave has Rauenzahn from all over the country. He was event- no head-stone. Christian Rauenzahn was survived by ually cured by Dr. A. N. Seidel, of Reading, by the his wife, Hannah, who died at an advanced age in use of a common remedy. For many years Mr. Rauen- 1836. Among their children were: Gideon; Isaac; zahn has been a member of Salome Lodge of Odd

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Fellows No. 105, and the American Mechanics, both of Reading. He is a Republican in politics, and dur- ing 1856, when James Buchanan was elected presi- dent, he served as judge of election in his district. He and his family are members of the Evangelical Association.

In 1853 Mr. Rauenzahn was married to Willia Bush, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Brown) Bush, born Aug. 17, 1830, who died Sept. 15, 1891, and they had these children: Henry B .; Solomon and Thomas, who died young; Emanuel, who resides in Milwaukee, Wis .; Sallie, who died young; Emma, who met her death in 1889, aged twenty-five years, in the silk mill disaster; and Zipporah, m. to Allen Levan.

HENRY B. RAUENZAHN was born Aug. 16, 1854, in Ontelaunee township, and as a boy came to Reading, where he spent his school days. For many years he was a sand contractor, but in 1885 he embarked in the hotel business at Tenth and Green streets, and since 1898 he has conducted the "North End Hotel." He is very popular in his district, and enjoys a large and lucrative business. Fraternally he is connected with Salome Lodge No. 105, I. O. O. F., Reading.

Mr. Rauenzahn was married to Mary Hartman, Aug. 7, 1875. She is the daughter of Henry and Hannah (Lease) Hartman, granddaughter of John Hartman, and great-granddaughter of Jacob Bowers, who lived to the remarkable age of 103 years. To Mr. and Mrs. Rauenzahn there have been born six- teen children. as follows: William, Lillie and Lottie, deceased; Harry S .; Luther; Naomi; George; Lester; an infant son; Emma; an infant son; Edith; an infant son; Dorothy, and two who died in infancy.

HARRY S. RAUENZAHN was born July 3, 1880, and died April 11, 1909, in Reading, Pa. He attended the public schools until sixteen years of age, at which time he learned the coach-painting trade at the Keystone Wagon works from Charles Dietrich. now deceased. This he followed at Reading for nine years, after which he worked at the Pullman shops at Wilming- ton, Del., for nine months. and subsequently returned to Reading, and assisted in the erection of the 126- foot brick stacks at the Philadelphia & Reading shops. In 1904 Mr. Rauenzahn became a trolley car con- ductor for the Reading United Traction Co., and there he continued until his death. He was a resident of the Thirteenth ward, owning a brick residence at No. 2044 Kutztown road, purchased by him in 1905. He was a member of Camp No. 663, P. O. S. of A., of Reading, and Tent No. 446, K. O. T. M., also of this city. With his family he belonged to Grace Retormed Church of Alsace, before joining which he was a deacon of Trinity Reformed Church.

On Sept. 29, 1904, Mr. Rauenzahn was married to Anna Wolf, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Houck) Wolf of Chester county, and they had two children: Luther E., born Nov. 4, 1905, died July 22, 1906; and Marie E.

JONATHAN G. LEINBACH, of Reading, senior mem- ber of the J. G. Leinhach Company, comes of an old Berks county family. He was born near Leesport, June 14, 1837, son of Frederick and Maria (Guldin) Leinbach.

Frederick Leinbach, the father, was born in Berks county. While he thoroughly learned the blacksmith's trade and followed it more or less all his life, he also engaged in farming near Leesport, giving the major part of his time to this work. Later in life his farming inter- ests were all in Exeter township. He died in Reading' at the age of fifty-seven years, and his wife, whose maiden name was Maria Guldin, lived to the age of sixty. Only five of their family still survive, namely: Daniel, Albert, Mahlon, Jonathan G. and Mary, the latter being now the widow of James Levan, and a resident of Reading.

position with William Brumbach, a manufacturer of cloth, and remained with him for several years. He left that work to go to York, Pa., to run a woolen-mill, and spent two years there, after which he returned to Read- ing and entered the employ of the Wyomissing Woolen Company in their factory on South Fifth street. This occupied his attention for two years, with a break of ten months when he was in the army during the Civil war. In 1862 he enlisted in Company I, 128th Pa. V. I., and during his term of enlistment he saw considerable active service. He was taken prisoner at Chancellors- ville and incarcerated for a time in the famous Libby prison.

Mr. Leinbach's first connection with the Reading Woolen Mills was as manager under Mr. Fisher, and later under Robert M. Shouse. In 1867 he was taken into partnership, and the firm name became R. M. Shouse & Co. They did a considerable business then, employing fifty hands and having an annual production valued at $100,000. Their association continued until 1875, when Mr. Leinbach became for a short time the sole. owner. But he very soon formed. a partnership with Aaron S. Leinbach and William F. P. Davis, under the firm name of J. G. Leinbach & Co. A little later John Shadel was added to the firm, while in 1887 the personnel was again changed by the death of Mr. Davis, whose interest was purchased by Mr. Leinbach. Two years later the firm was enlarged by taking in three of Mr. Leinbach's brothers, Daniel, Albert and Mahlon, and in 1893 was inaugurated the policy of giving an interest in the business to certain of the older employes, who had been in the factory from twenty to thirty years. This is the only enterprise in Reading in which the hands have been permitted to share in the profits, and the benefits resulting from this generosity of the employers have been mutual. The only surviving members of the old firm are Mr. Leinbach and his three brothers, and the former has carried less of the responsibility for the last few years, as in 1903 the business was incorporated with Mr. Lein- bach as president; A. E. Leinbach, vice-president; and S. W. Reiff, secretary and treasurer.

When the firm was organized in 1875 additional ground was purchased, improvements made in the plant, and new machinery introduced. Liberality in these respects has always marked the management of the factory, and it has been maintained constantly at a high level of equipment. In 1903 an addition 50 x 120 feet, four stories in height, was erected. More than two hundred hands are now required in the operation. The manufacture of jeans has been discontinued since 1880, and the product is now entirely woolen and union goods. The volume of business has steadily increased, and the goods, having a superior reputation, are sold all over the United States, after being manufactured into pants and vests. Much of the success achieved is due to the efforts of Mr. J. G. Leinbach and his able assistants, whose progressive spirit, enterprise and liberal policy have ever been apparent in the conduct of the business.

Mr. Leinbach's other interests are large and varied; among them may be mentioned the Mt. Penn Gravity Railroad Company, of which he has been president since 1897, and the East Reading Railroad, of which he is vice-president. He is a director of the Second National Bank, and one of the organizers and directors of the Reading Cold Storage Company. He is one of Reading's prominent citizens, not only because of his own large business interests,' but also because of his public spirit and liberal attitude toward all good causes. For eleven years he served in the common and select councils, and in 1897 was a candidate for mayor. Although the city of Reading was normally Democratic at that time by over six hundred, Mr. Leinbach lost by the small margin of 163 votes-a remarkable demonstration of popularity. Both he and his wife are members and liberal supporters of the Reformed Church.

Jonathan G. Leinbach acquired most of his education in the public schools of Exeter township, and then be- gan helping his father in the blacksmith shop. His incli- In 1865 Mr. Leinbach married Amanda E. Burkhart, nation for a commercial career early showed itself, how- daughter of John W. Burkhart, and to this union was ever, and when but eleven years of age he obtained a born one son, Frederick, who died in childhood.

VI Leinbach

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EDWIN L. HETTINGER is a great-grandson of pine Islands, War Department. All of this family Heinrich Hettinger, a native of Rheineck (later Bie- are members of Grace Lutheran Church at Reading, tigheim -- the Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. VII, Sec- of which Mr. Hettinger has been deacon, and he also ond Series, page 637, spell it Betigheim), in the King- officiated in that capacity at the Bern Church. dom of Wurtemberg, Germany, born in 1760-61, who Edwin L. Hettinger was born Jan. 27, 1879, in Mount his education in the public schools of Reading. He graduated from the high school with the class of came to America in 1805, from Amsterdam, landing Pleasant (Hettrichstown), Berks county, and received at Philadelphia Sept. 5th. He made the voyage on the ship "Verney," and brought with him his wife Catharine, then aged thirty-six years, and their five 1898, after which he entered the Inter-State Commer- children: Heinrich, aged thirteen; Lorenz, aged cial College, at Reading. He had previously done twelve; Christina Eva, aged eleven; Bernard, aged good work in that line in the high school, having eight; and Mathias, aged six.

been on the honor roll in the commercial depart- the Sesqui-Centennial parade in 1898. Upon leaving the Inter-State College Mr. Hettinger became a clerk in the service of the Pennsylvania Optical Company, with whom he remained four and a half years, when the five previously mentioned having been born in the he became assistant credit man with Gately & Britton.

After his arrival in this country Heinrich Hettinger ment in 1897. He was the high school captain in lived some years in the vicinity of Philadelphia or in that city itself, later coming to Bernville, Berks coun- ty, where he died and is buried. His wife Catharine Miller, born in 1769, bore him seven children in all, Fatherland and the youngest two in America. We He continued to serve in that capacity until the part- nership was dissolved, after which he took his present position with the G. M. Britton Company, of Read- ing, as manager of the office outfitting department. Mr. Hettinger is commodore of the Reading Canoe Club, which holds annual river carnivals. Since 1906 he has been a member of the Berks County Historical Society. have the following record of this family: Heinrich, a cooper by trade, lived in Centreville, in . Penn town- ship; he had sons Harry, Joseph and John. Lorenz is mentioned below. Christina Eva probably married John Brossman, as one of the daughters of this family was married to him and the other to David Kurtz. Bernhard lived in Heidelberg township, following farming; his children were Jonathan, William, Levi, James and Mary Ann. Mathias, who lived in Centre township, near Belleman's Church, had children, Reu- ben, Adam, Henry, Kate, Julia and Susan. Christian lived and died in Penn township, where he owned a small farm; his children were John and Lizzie.

On June 7, 1900, Mr. Hettinger was married to Miss Eloise Strecker, daughter of Dr. Herman and Evelyn (Tarrach) Strecker, of Reading. Her father was a noted sculptor and famous naturalist, and his collec- tion of butterflies and moths, the largest in America, was sold seven years after his death to the Field Museum, of Chicago, for $20,000; during his lifetime

Lorenz Hettinger, grandfather of Edwin L. Het- tinger, was born Nov. 22, 1792, in Bietigheim, Ger- he had refused several large offers for them. He many. Coming to America with his parents he lived was an authority on lepidoptera. Dr. Strecker had two children, a son Paul, who resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Eloise, who married Mr. Hettinger. Mr. and Mrs. Hettinger have had four children: Herman S .; Edwin S. and Eveline S. (both of whom died in infancy), and Eloise S. Mr. Hettinger is a member of Grace Lutheran Church and has been an active worker, having served several years as treasurer of the Sunday-school. Mrs. Hettinger is a member of Christ Episcopal Church. in and around Philadelphia until about twenty-seven years old, following shoemaking, which he learned in young manhood. He then came to Berks county, locating in Bern township and later in Penn town- ship, where he tended Hettinger's Locks, on the Union Canal, for many years. He died at Mount Pleasant in July, 1869, when about seventy-five years old. and is buried at Bern Church, of which he was a prom- inent Lutheran member, serving as deacon and elder of the congregation. His wife, Catharine Lambert, of Lower Heidelberg township, died when past fifty J. O. GLASE, senior member of the carpet and drapery firm of J. O. Glase & Co., of Reading, is a substantial citizen of that city, and is prominent in business, political and fraternal circles. Mr. Glase was born in 1856, in Olev township, Berks county, Pa., son of Benneville A. and Rebecca V. R. (High) Glase. years of age. Their seven children were as follows: Mary Ann m. Samuel Schaffer; Henry lives in Read- ing; Augustus is a resident of Wyomissing; Harrison is out West; John died in Virginia, where his family still lives, at Manassas; Lydia m. Benjamin Grimes, of Robesonia, Pa .; Levi L. was the father of Edwin L. Hettinger.

Levi L. Hettinger was born April 3. 1846 at Mount Pleasant, Penn township, Berks county. and was reared upon the farm. But when fourteen years old he com- menced boating upon the now abandoned Union Canal, and he also did such work on the Pennsylvania and Schuylkill Canals, being employed at boating for four years. He then enlisted at Reading for service in the Union army, joining Company K, 42d Pa. V. I., with which he served three months. After his return from the army he worked in a 'sawmill for about three years, and then learned the carpenter's trade from John Moyer, of Bernville. He has followed this trade ever since, working in western Berks county until 1882, when he settled in Reading. He and his family have resided in their own home at No. 129 South Tenth street for many years.

In January, 1870, Mr. Hettinger was married to Sarah A. Hafer, daughter of Jacob and Anna (Mee) Hafer, and granddaughter of Heinrich and Kate (Zweitzig-Lorah) Hafer, of Muhlenberg township, and five children were born to them: Rosanna, Charles (who died aged nineteen years, eight months, eleven days), Lillie J. (who died aged two years, four months, seven days), Edwin L. and Richard W. The last named was formerly a soldier in Porto Rico and is now a clerk at headquarters, Division of the Philip-

Peter Glase, grandfather of J. O., was a resident of Friedensburg, in Oley township. He made his last will and testament on May 28, 1860, and this was probated Aug. 1, 1868. This will is on record in Vol. XII, p. 56, and his executors are mentioned William and Benneville, his sons. Peter Glase was twice mar- ried. His first wife was Mary Adams, and his second, Catharine Weisner. To his first marriage were born eight children: William, Benneville, Levi, James, Ma- tilda, Amelia, Rebecca, and Mary. To the second marriage came five: Jacob, Peter, Alfred, Caroline and Anna.

Benneville A. Glase, who was also a native of Oley township, was engaged all his life in a general mer- cantile business. He died in 1882, in his sixty-second year, and is buried at Friedensburg. He kept a gen- eral store at Friedensburg, and was a well known citizen of that place, becoming very prosperous. He was a Lutheran in his religious belief, while his widow worshiped in the Evangelical Church. In politics h'e was a Republican, and for many years served as postmaster at Friedensburg. Three children were born to him and his wife: Emma, m. to C. S. Gear- hard, D. D., deceased; Louisa, m. to C. W. Bassler, of Sunbury, Pa .; and J. O., who is mentioned below.

J. O. Glase was educated in the public schools of Oley township, the Oley Academy and was a member

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

of the class of 1878 of Lafayette College. As a boy he clerked in his father's store, succeeding to the business at the time of his father's death. This he carried on until 1892, when in company with Edward S. Lichtenthaler, he established the business of J. O. Glase & Co., it having been formerly carried on by Henry A. Hoff & Son. It is not only the oldest establishment of its kind in Reading, but is the only exclusive carpet and draping house in the city; the retail salesroom on the first floor at No. 408 Penn street, is 20 x 234 feet, and gives employment to twenty- one people. They import their own lace curtains, straw mattings and linoleums, and do a large busi- ness through Berks county.

Mr. Glase is a member of the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Huguenot Lodge, No. 377, F. & A. M .. Kutztown, of which he is a past master; Excelsior Chapter, No. 237, R. A. M .; Reading Com- mandery, No. 42, K. T., of which he is eminent com- mander; Enoch Lodge of Perfection; Zerubbabel Council, P. of J., 16th . degree; Evergreen Chapter, Rose Croix, 18th degree; Caldwell Sovereign Consistory, S. P. R. S., 32d degree; and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is a charter member of Reading Lodge of Perfection. He also belongs to Minnehaha Lodge, K. P. and Oley Castle, K. G. E.

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Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I, Part 196

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