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 204

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 204

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr .. Dick married Mary A. Kissinger, daughter of . Washington S. and Elizabeth (Yost) Kissinger, and she lives at No. 106 South Ninth street, Reading. They had children as follows: Charles, Franklin and Henry (who is attending Princeton University, as a member of the class of 1909).

CHARLES K. DICK, senior member of the firm of Dick Brothers, brass founders and pattern-makers, of Read- ing, was born March 31, 1875. He attended the district schools and the Reading high school, and subsequently took a course at Stoner's Business College, Reading, after which he served an apprenticeship to the trade of pattern- maker, at the National Brass & Iron Works. After a few years of work as a journeyman for the same firm he engaged in business on his own account, in 1897 organ- ing the well-known Excelsior Brass Works, of which firm he served as secretary and treasurer until 1901. On March 1, 1902, Mr. Dick engaged in business with his brother Franklin K., at No. 120 Penn street, the firm being known as Dick Brothers. Twenty skilled mechanics are employed in the works, the local trade is large and steady, and extends through many States, and the firm is enjoying increasing prosperity.

Mr. Dick married Eva M. Baldwin, daughter of Frank- lin D. and Amanda D. (Rudolph) Baldwin, of Lancaster county, and one child, Martha Elizabeth, has been born to this union. Mr. Dick is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being connected with Chandler Lodge, No. 227, F. & A. M., Excelsior R. A. Chapter, No. 237, Reading Commandery, No. 42, K. T., Reading Lodge of Perfec- tion; Caldwell Consistory, thirty-second degree, of Bloomsburg, Pa., and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. Since 1901 Mr. Dick has been superintendent of the well- known Farmers' Market-House, Inc., being also treasurer and a director of said corporation.

FRANKLIN K. DICK, junior member of the firm of Dick Brothers, was born in Cumiru township, Berks county, June 26, 1878. He spent his early school days in his native township, later attending the public schools of Reading, after leaving which he served fifteen months at the trade of. locksmith. He later learned the pattern- making trade, as well as engraving and chasing, and remained with the Reading Hardware Company, his first employers, for about six and one-half years. On March 1, 1902, with his brother, Charles K., Mr. Dick engaged in business at No. 120 Penn street, under the firm name of Dick Brothers.

On the organization of the firm it was the intention of the brothers to manufacture nothing except brass cast- ings, but since that time .they have added to the list of their products, which now include plumbers' supplies and a fine line of plumbers' specialties. The works were first furnished power by a five-horse-power engine, but they now have a seventy-five horse-power engine and 120 horse-power boiler. The works are equipped with the latest and best machinery, and employ nothing but skilled mechanics.

Mr. Dick married Miss Margaret Schick, daughter of Christian and Mary Schick, of Reading, and two children, Miriam and Carroll S., have been born to this union. Mr. Dick is a member of the First Reformed Church, and is assistant librarian of the Sunday-school. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, of Chandler Lodge, No. 227, F. & A. M., and of the P. O. S. of A., and is very popular in all of these organizations. His residence is at No. 33 North Ninth street. -

Mr. Dick married Miss Catharine DeHart, and they reside at No. 1120 Franklin street. . They are the parents of three children: George W., who is attending school; Esther L., deceased; and Mary A. He and his wife are members of the Reformed denomination.

OLIVER MOHR LANDIS, an enterprising business man of No. 427-431 North Sixth street, Reading, Pa., engaged in doing mantel, fire-place, grate, tile and mosaic work, is a native of Berks county, born in 1868, in Washington township, son of George O. and Mary (Mohr) Landis.

Mr. Landis attended the district schools and West Chester Normal school, and then returned to Berks county, teaching one term in Hereford township. Mr. Landis then went to Pottstown and learned the car- penter's trade, which he followed there for three years, and one year in Philadelphia, with some success. He next went to Seattle, Wash., being there one year after the great fire in that city. He also engaged in the box manufacturing business at Portland, Ore., and in 1889 returned to Pennsylvania. In 1892 Mr. Landis located in Reading and engaged in business under the firm name of O. M. Landis & Co., at No. 932 Penn street, one year later locating at No. 933 Penn street, and the following year at No. 15 North Sixth street. He then entered into partnership with H. C. Geisler, Sr., and for six years they carried on business under the name of the American Tile & Mantel Company, at No. 727 Penn street, and later at No. 230 Penn street. . In the spring of 1906 Mr. Landis opened his present business at Nos. 427-435 North Sixth street, at the well known old Esterly Marble stand, and here he has continued successfully up to the present time.

Mr. Landis married Clara Stoudt, and they reside at No. 332 Windsor street, Reading. They have six children: Russel H., Mary D., Ruth, Grace C., Oliver and Harrison. In political matters Mr. Landis is a Republican. He and his wife attend the First Re- formed Church.

AARON S. WAGNER, one of the prosperous busi- ness men of Shoemakersville, Berks Co., Pa., -was born April 26, 1868, in Penn township, son of Harrison L. and Mary (Speicher) Wagner'

John Wagner, great-grandfather of Aaron S., was born Nov. 20, 1764, and settled on a large farm in Jefferson township, which is now owned by Isaac Wen- rich. He was married three times, the names. of his wives being Miller, Leymaster and Conrad. He died July 11, 1841. We have no record of the children by his first wife, but those of the second marriage were Philip, Jacob, Isaac, John and Daniel, and by the third marriage one child was born, Mary, who became the wife of John Henne. Mrs. Henne survived her hus- band a number of years; she died, in 1908, at her late. residence, Bernville, Pennsylvania.

Daniel Wagner, grandfather of Aaron S., was born in Tulpehocken (now a part of Jefferson) township, and died in 1880, being buried at the Bernville Church. He was a well-known and influential citizen, was a prominent Democrat, and was active in the affairs of the church. Mr. Wagner married Eva Lengel, who was . born in 1813, and died in 1906, daughter of Israel Len- gel, and to them there were born eleven children: Levi, Elizabeth, Harrison, Amelia, Calvin, Mary, Emma, John, Jane, James and Frank, who died at the age of twelve years.

ELI D. DICK, a well-known business citizen of Reading, Harrison L. Wagner was born in Jefferson township, who is associated with the Bard Hardware Company, of July 1, 1836, and died on his farm in Penn township,

746

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Nov. 13, 1894. He was a leading Democrat, and served ters and other good books were burned at Gottfried his township in various offices. He and his family were Fidler's house near Womelsdorf, in the presence of members of the Reformed Church at Bernville. Mr. a number of the followers, among them being the Wagner married Mary Speicher, and they had two great and good leader, Conrad Weiser. Gottfried children, Aaron S. and Alvin S.

Aaron S. Wagner received his education in the dis- Henry, Stephen, Andrew, Adam and John.

trict schools and was reared to agricultural pursuits. When a young man he learned the milling trade, which he followed for five years, and he then became a stationary engineer, following this profession until 1897, when he formed a partnership with Soloman S. Miller, and under the firm name of Wagner & Miller mann- factured hosiery at Reading until 1900, at which time Mr. Wagner formed a partnership with Jeremiah W Heckman, of Shoemakersville. There they engaged in business until 1907, when Mr. Heckman purchased Mr. Wagner's interest. Mr. Wagner is a Democrat in politics, and socially he is connected with the Odd Fellows, the Shepherds of Bethlehem No. 60, of Cen- treport, and the Modern Woodmen. He and his family attend the Reformed Church of Shoemakersville.

On June 9, 1889, Mr. Wagner was married to Kate Marburger, daughter of William H. and Esther (Reed) Marburger, and four children have been born to this union: Annie R., Mary J., William H. and Marguerite I.

BENJAMIN F. SHEEDER, a prominent business man of Reading, Pa., who is conducting the Sheeder Planing Mill, located at the corner of Spruce and Miff- lin streets, was born in Montgomery county, Pa., in 1851, son of Philip Sheeder (born April 15, 1808), a blacksmith by trade, who was engaged as an iron worker.

Mr. Sheeder secured his education in the common schools of Reading, and while still a boy apprenticed himself to the carpenter's trade, working for John Fink & Co., where the Goetz tannery is now located. He continued in the employ of this company for . twenty-five years, and then engaged in outside con- tracting until 1901, when he organized the Sheeder Planing Mill Company, with the following well-known business men: Dr. Walter A. Rigg, and Samuel B. Rigg. This company does all kinds of contract mill work, stair work, etc. The factory and grounds cover an area of 110 x 480 feet, the building being equipped with the latest machinery, doing an extensive amount of work in Reading and the surrounding country, as well as in the States of Delaware and New Jersey. They furnished all of the building material for the Co- lonial Trust Building, the Boy's new high school, the Masonic Temple, and many others of Reading's sub- stantial buildings. The company employ from twenty- five to thirty hands, and are kept busy the year around. Mr. Sheeder is a member of the Liberty Fire Company. In political matters he is independent.

Mr. Sheeder was married in 1874 to Miss Mary Ag- nes Seiders, and to this union there were born two children: Howard F. and Peter N., both of whom are engaged in work at the planing mill.

WILLIAM FIDLER, who is carrying on agricul- tural operations in Marion township, Berks Co., Pa., along the Berks and Dauphin turnpike, was born in that township, Feb. 18, 1856, son of Henry and Han- nah (Scholl) Fidler.

Fidler had a large family, and among his sons were:

Henry Fidler, born Feb. 14, 1723, died May 2, 1777. He and his wife Mary Magdalene had four sons and five daughters.

Henry Fidler (2), born March 21, 1752, died June 6, 1831. He married Eve Lehnig, and their married life covered a period of twenty-nine years. They were the parents of three sons and eight daughters, as recorded at St. Daniel's Church: Maria Catharine, born April 23, 1776 (sponsors, Conrad Spatz and Ma- ria Catharine Fiedler); John, born Oct. 31, 1778 (spon- sors, John Fiedler and Elizabeth Fischer); Henry (3), born Dec. 16, 1779; Eva Barbara, born April 16, 1782; Elizabeth, born Dec. 24. 1784 (sponsors, John Adam Fidler and wife); Magdalena, born May 31, 1787; Ma- ria Christina, born Dec. 16, 1789; Eva Catharine, born March 24, 1792; Maria Margaret, born Feb. 3, 1794; Abraham, born July 5, 1796; and Sarah, born Aug. 15, 1800.

Henry Fidler (3), born Dec. 16, 1779, died Sept. 24, 1860. He married Catharine Leininger, with whom he lived forty-four years. They had three sons and four daughters: Elizabeth, born March 19, 1802; Dan- iel. born May 31, 1804, died Jan. 19, 1857, m. in 1831, Elizabeth Miller, by whom he had four daughters; Polly; Sarah; Eliza; Henry (4), born in 1812; and Elias, born July 1, 1814, died April 15, 1879. Of these child- ren, Elias, born 1814, was for thirty years a general merchant at Womelsdorf, and then until his death was engaged in the grain business. He was very active in the New Lutheran Church, and held a num- ber of offices therein. He married Eliza Schulze, born Oct. 5, 1818, died May 1. 1901, and they had children: Mary; Julia C., wife of George C. Valentine, of Wom- elsdorf; Henry S .; Frederick (1854-1899), who had children, Arthur Penn, Julia, Herbert S. and Alfred.

Henry Fidler (4), father of William, was born near Charming Forge, in 1812, and died in the borough of Womelsdorf in 1873. He was a hosiery manufac- turer until about forty years of age, at which time he moved to the farm on which his son William now lives, and there he lived until 1865. He then spent two years in Womelsdorf, after which he located on a farm in that borough, there passing the remainder of his life. He and his family were members of Reed's Church, where he was buried. Mr. Fidler married Hannah Scholl, daughter of Peter and Margaret (Reed) Scholl, who had children: Peter, George, Isaac, Sal- lie (m. Jacob Zerbe), Catharine (died unmarried), Mattie (m. a Gerhart) and Hannah (m. Mr. Fidler). Mrs. Fidler's grandfather was Simon Scholl, of Mill- bach, Lebanon county, and his father was the ances- tor of the American line of Scholls. After her hus- band's death Mrs. Fidler continued on the farm until 1884, when she moved to Womelsdorf, and there lived until 1893. when she moved to the present farm of her son William, where she died in 1900. To Henry Fidler and his wife were born the following children: Richard, Kate, Harry, Eliza, Frank, Louisa, William, Amelia, George and Wayne. None of the daughters were ever married.

There was a Gottfried Fidler, over twenty-one years of age, among the emigrants that came to New York William Fidler was reared to agricultural pursuits and he became the owner of his present farm in 1900, State in 1710, passing the winter of 1710 and summer of 1711 in Livingston Manor, N. Y., then settling in after his mother's death. He had conducted the farm Schoharie, N. Y., in 1713, and in 1723 coming to Tul- pelocken, Berks (then Lancaster) county.

for her from 1893 to 1900. This tract. which is located on the pike one mile northwest of Womelsdorf, con- sists of thirty-two acres, and is in the best of con- tion, and is supplied with good water. He at present devotes all his time to its cultivation. With his family he attends Reed's Lutheran Church. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and has held several local offices.

Gottfried Fidler (or Fiedler) was an early settler in Tulpehocken ,and is buried at St. Daniel's Church. He was a co-worker with Conrad Weiser, Peter Klopn Hans Miller and others in the Tulpehocken Valley, and was one of the Palatinates from the Schoharie who joined the Seventh-day Adventists in Lancaster before 1750. It is a matter of history that during Mr. Fidler was married to Lizzie F. Cherington, the early period of their conversion, the old Psal- daughter of Thomas D. and Kate (Scholl) Cherington,

747

BIOGRAPHICAL.

of Millbach, Lebanon county, and they have children as twenty-two days. Mr. Werner had never had a day's follows: Harry W., Elsie M. and Thomas C.

LOUIS POHLIG, a well-known resident of Reading. who is engaged in the Deppen Brewing Company of this city, as brewmaster, is a native of Germany. born in Saxony. July 4, 1865, both of his parents dying in that country.

Mr. Pohlig received his education in the place of his nativity, and came to America in 1885, settling in Reading. He attended a school of instruction on brewing in New York City, then going to Reading, where he was second brewmaster for three years. Returning to Reading Nov. 1, 1901, he engaged as brewmaster with the Deppen Brewing Company, and has continued to act in that position to the present time, brewing porter, lager beer, etc. In religious belief Mr. Pohlig is a German Lutheran. He is a member of the Turnverein, president of the German Beneficial Association No. 227, a member of the Ger- man Central American Society, and of the American and Philadelphia Brewmasters Association. In his po- litical faith Mr. Pohlig is a Democrat.

Mr. Pohlig was married to Marie Bohlman, a na- tive of Germany, and to them there have been born two children, -- Elsie and Marguerite.

ISAAC SMITH, who died at Albany, Pa., was a native of Albany township, Berks county, born in 1806. He learned the stone-mason's trade early in life, and that was his occupation throughout his ac- tive life; also owning and operating a small piece of land. Mr. Smith married Rachel Correll. a native of Albany township, Berks county, and to this union there were born eleven children, as follows: Chris- tian and Charles, both deceased; Mary, m. to Eman- uel Sassaman; James; Jonathan; Abraham; Isaac; Julia, who resides at Drehersville, m. to Reuben Panley, the latter now deceased; William, who also resides at Drehersville, Schuylkill county; Emma E .; and a daugh- ter Susan, who died in infancy. In religions belief the family were Lutherans. Mr. Smith was a Democrat in his political belief, but never cared for public office.

Emma E. Smith, daughter of Isaac. was married to Sylvester Kemp (now deceased) and to them was born one son, W. Wilson, who was educated in the schools of Reading, and is now employed at the J. H. Stern- bergh mills, where he has a responsible position. Syl- vester Kemp was a son of William Kemp, a native of Kutztown, who located at what is now Kempton, after the building of the Schuylkill & Lehigh Rail- road.

John Schmidt, grandfather of Mrs, Emma E. Kemp, was born in Albany, where he was engaged as a farm- er. He was the father of Isaac; Samuel; Sally (m. Christian Lutz); and Susanna (m. a Greenawalt).

WILLIAM W. WERNER, business agent for Car- penter's Union, No. 492. of Reading, Pa., was born in Garfield, Tilden township, Berks county. April 16, 1851, son of Frederick H. and Lovina (Moser) Wer- ner.

Jacob S. Werner, grandfather of William W., was one of Berks county's old carpenters, and he followed that occupation until his death, at the remarkable age of ninety-seven years, two days, erecting many sub- stantial buildings in this section, some of which are still standing, among them being a number of churches in the rural districts of the county. Mr. Werner also worked upon the Farmers' National Bank, Fifth and Penn streets, Reading. He married Mary Seabold, of Montgomery county, Pa., and to them were born four children: Frederick, Jacob, Henry and Charlotte. In religious belief the family were Lutherans. Politi- cally Mr. Werner was a Democrat.

sickness until the one which proved fatal, although he had served through the Civil war, in which he gained an honorable record as a brave and faithful soldier. He was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity. After the war Mr. Werner went to Schnyl- kill county, and after building many of the coal break- ers around Pottsville, Tamaqua, Tremont, Ma- hanoy City, Shamokin and Pine Grove, etc., located in Reading in 1855, following house building up to 1879, when he retired. He was a stanch Democrat, but was never an office seeker. Mr. Werner was a trustee of the Lutheran Church, and a valued member thereof, giving liberally to its support. His widow, who survives him, resides in Reading, at the age of eighty-two years, the mother of these children: Amelia, m. to Levi M. Zerbe, superintendent at the Philadel- phia & Reading Car Shops; Ellen, m. to Francis Ganter, a farmer of near Carsonia Park; Ida, m. to John S. Peifer, highway commissioner of Reading; May, who died in 1862, aged twelve years; and Wil- liam W.

William W. Werner was educated in the Reading com- mon schools and the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, after leaving which he learned the car- penter's trade with his father. Upon completing the prescribed time as journeyman he established himself in the contracting and building business, employing at one time as many as thirty-five to forty skilled me- chanics. Mr. Werner always aimed to give his pa- trons the best of satisfaction, paying the best of wages and hiring the most skilled workmen long before the Union was established in this part of the State. He has always been a friend of the workingman, and has given much of his time to advancing their inter- ests. He takes a great pride in demonstrating to those less skilled in his craft that nothing stands so much in the way of their ultimate success as the want of education, and he is constantly advocating the use of standard books which will increase their ability and widen their opportunities. In order to further this laudable work, he has provided a complete set of many standard works on general subjects which are open to the use of the members in the Union rooms. This indicates the manner of man that Mr. Werner is, and explains, partly, the fact that since he has become business manager of No. 492 the working conditions of it have been greatly improved. On every side can be heard words of commendation which are deserved.

Mr. Werner was greatly instrumental in organizing the Union in Reading and has been a most zealous worker, serving as president for one term and in his present capacity since 1902. He is connected with Chandler Lodge, No. 227; Excelsior Chapter, R. A. M .; Reading Commandery, K. T .; Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; Neversink Castle, K. G. E .; has organized three camps of the P. O. S. of A. in Reading, belong- ing to No. 678 of that Order; is a charter member of the Knights of Friendship, and a member of the Sons of Veterans, No. 16. When but twelve years and nine months old, Mr. Werner enlisted in the 93rd. Pa. V. I., and served for fifteen months. He has been active in the ranks of the Democratic party, and served as City assessor for three years, his majority, which was 1599, being the largest in the history of Reading. He also served as tax collector for twenty-three years.

Mr. Werner was married in 1868. to Miss Angelina Etter, born in Lancaster county, daughter of Alexan- der Etter. No children have been born to this union.

WILLIAM S. ANDERSON, who conducts a thriving business at No. 823 Penn street. Reading, dealing in Frederick H. Werner was born in Heidelberg town- hats, shoes and men's furnishing goods, is a native of Pennsylvania, born Sept. 22, 1860, in Lebanon, Leb-

ship, Berks county, and with his father learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed all his life, dying anon county, son of William S. Anderson, Sr., a na- Oct. 7, 1905, aged eighty-two years, nine months and tive of Connecticut.

748

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

William S. Anderson, Sr., went to Philadelphia, Pa., It will be noted that the arithmetic of the stone-cutter in early life, and thence to Lebanon, Pa., where he en- is at fault-married in 1752 and dying in 1797, she could gaged in the manufacture of cigars during the time have been married fifty-five years, but born Nov. 15, 1724, of the Civil war. He was very successful in this line, and dying July 19, 1797, her age could not have been but later engaged in the tanning business with a Mr. seventy-two years, four months. Of interest in this con- Greenwalt, under the firm name of Greenwalt & An- nection are two entries contained in the old records of a . derson, they being the pioneers of the special process church in Earl township, Lancaster Co., Pa. (discovered and transcribed by Luther R. Kelker, State Custodian of Public Records, of Harrisburg). They were made by Rev. John Waldschmidt, a pioneer Reformed minister, who served widely separated congregations in eastern Penn- sylvania. These records are as follows: of tanning hides, in this State, the process being later adopted by all leading tanners. Mr. Anderson con- tinued in this business until his death, five years later, at the age of forty-five years. He married Margaret Eaches, who survives him and makes her home with her son, William S. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson had two children: Nellie G., the wife of Albert D. Deem, of the firm of Close & Deem, Reading, Pa .; and William S.

William S. Anderson, Jr., came to Reading in 1870, and was here educated. His first employment was with Philip Albright, a pioneer local express man located at Fourth and Penn streets, with whom he remained three years. The next two years were spent with the Reading Hardware Company, in the lock department, after which he went to learn the hatters' business with William H. Rennoll & Co., at the corner of Tenth and Spruce streets. After learning his trade, Mr. An- derson engaged with R. H. Savage & Co., at Thirteenth and Muhlenberg streets, for thirteen years, at the end of which time he was employed by Bell & Cadwell of New York, for whom he traveled two years. Returning to Read- ing Mr. Anderson embarked in business with John F. Doremus, at No. 823 Penn street, engaging in the sale of men's furnishing goods, shoes and hats, under the firm name of Doremus & Anderson from Sept. 25, 1895, until Jan. 1, 1904, when Mr. Anderson purchased the interest of his partner, and since this time has continued in business on his own account, carrying a full line of hats, shoes and men's furnishing goods of all kinds. His straightforward way of doing business and the fine quality of the goods which he offers for sale have won him the confidence and patronage of the people of Reading to a large degree, and he is en- joying an ever-increasing trade.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 204

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