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 210
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On Sept. 20, 1846, Mr. Ritter married Rebecca Glase, daughter of Peter and Mary ( Weisner) Glase. She was born in Alsace township in 1835 and died Jan. 5, 1907. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ritter were : Rose, born Jan. 3, 1850, died Jan. 22, 1855; Lucy A., born April 1, 1852, died June 20, 1853; James E., born July 12, 1859, died Nov. 11, 1861; Mary J., born Sept. 14, 1862, is the only survivor of the family; and George H., born Sept. 24, 1864, died April 13, 1872.
JOEL W. D. WHITMAN, one of the old and honored residents of Reading, Pa., who has been engaged in paint- ing in the city for over forty years, was born Dec. 17, 1832; in Montgomery county, son of George and Cath- erine (Deliger) Whitman.
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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
George Whitman was a weaver by trade and followed 22, 1857, is deceased; Amelia, born July 4, 1859, m. F. F. that occupation in Montgomery county, where he died at Seidel; John S .; Lillie E., deceased, born Jan. 26, 1864, the age of forty-seven years. His first wife died at the m. John Forney; Howard L., born in 1866, died in in- age of thirty-five years, and he married (second) a Miss fancy; Annie, born March 21, 1867, m. John Barto; Caro- Culp, by whom he had these children: Jesse; Lydia Ann, line E., born in 1870, died aged three months; Caroline and Lucy A. (m. to John Schol). To George Whitman
(2), born Sept. 9, 1871, m. Dr. Abraham Warner; Wil- and his first wife were born these children : Sarah, Maria, liam A., born July 3, 1875, a steel worker, m. Sallie Kittie, Hetty, Fayette, David, Ephraim, Joel W. D., all Schwenck; Solomon F., born July 26, 1878, m. Carrie being deceased except Ephraim, who resides at Potts- town, Pa., and Joel W. D.
cabinet-maker's trade, which, however, he followed but a short time. He next took up painting as an occupa- tion, and April 3, 1866, came to Reading, where he has made his home to the present time. He still resides at his first location, No. 322 North Ninth street, and is one of the oldest men of the district. In 1860 Mr. Whitman married Lucy Ann Sassaman, born July 2, 1841, daughter of Christina C. and Maria B. Sassaman, and to this union there were born children as follows: Hemmer died when nine months old; Luther C. S., who died Jan. 5, 1894, m. Mary M. Smith, and had one child, Helen M. S., who lives with her grandfather; Katie m. Edward Moyer of Reading; Ella S. died Oct. 28, 1873, aged six years, seven months; Annie E. died in December, 1870, aged six months; and Lucy M. died in 1873, aged one year, ten days.
Mrs. Whitman has been a teacher in the Sunday-school since her sixteenth year, and since 1878 has had charge of the primary class of St. Luke's Lutheran Church. Mr. Whitman has also been active in church work, and has for many years been a teacher in the Sunday-school. He is fraternally connected with the Knights of Pythias No. 65, while in political matters he is a Republican.
JOHN S. HARTMAN, a leading business man of Reading, Pa., well and favorably known in the building and contracting line, was born May 11, 1861, in Muhlen- berg township, Berks Co., Pa., son of Absalom and Caro- line (Felix) Hartman, grandson of Samuel and Elizabeth (Wrightmeyer) Hartman, and great-grandson of Valen- tine Hartman.
Valentine Hartman was born in Alsace township, near Spies's Church, and he subsequently owned a farm in that vicinity, where both he and his wife died. They were worthy members of the Reformed Church. In political views he was first a Whig but afterward was inclined to the Republican party. The children of Valentine Hart- man and wife were: Samuel, William, Abraham, and Kate (m. Valentine Ritter).
Samuel Hartman learned the wheelwright's and mill- wright's trades, and followed same for many years. He also operated a small farm. His death took place at the age of eighty-two years, and that of his wife, Elizabeth Wrightmeyer, when she was aged eighty-one years. They had ten children, all of whom grew to maturity. and mar- ried, their names appearing as follows: Lewis, Gideon. Absalom (born April 28, 1827), Augustus, Samuel, Israel, Christy (of Reading), Elizabeth (m. John Gechter), Emma (m. Jacob Snyder), and Valentine. In politics he was first a Whig, but later became identified with the Republican party.
Absalom Hartman attended school in Alsace township and then learned the wheelwright's trade with John Feiss, which he followed for several years, and then engaged for several more years in a hotel business at Reading. Prior to his retirement from business cares he conducted a store at the corner of Centre avenue and Exeter streets. During the Civil war he was employed by the U. S. Government as a wheelwright, and was first stationed at Martinsburg and later at Harper's Ferry, Va. In 1887 Mr. Hartman entered the Philadelphia & Reading railroad shops where he continued until 1899. He died May 3, 1907.
In 1855, Mr. Hartman was married to Caroline Felix, daughter of Solomon and Catherine (Fisher) Felix, and they have had children, as follows: Emma E., born July 13, 1856, died aged five years; Catherine R., born Oct.
Steiff ; Edwin M., a cigar manufacturer, born May 30, 1881, m. Gertrude M. Young.
The father of Mrs. Hartman, Solomon Felix, served
Joel W. D. Whitman attended the schools of Mont- gomery county, and when a young man learned the in the Mexican war. He was born at Reading and was engaged in various lines of business in this city at dif- ferent times. He was a stone mason, a quarryman, a shoemaker and a butcher. He acquired a good estate and was a well-known citizen. His children were the follow- ing: Lucetta m. Adam Shadler; Catherine m. William Moyer; Emma m. Lewis Reigel; and Caroline m. Mr. Hartman. Mr. Hartman is a Republican in politics. Both he and his wife belong to the Reformed Church. Formerly he was connected with the F. & A. M. and the I. O. O. F.
John S. Hartman attended school both in his native township and in the Reading schools. He then learned the molding trade with the Reading Hardware Company, and he worked as a molder for some years and then learned the wheelwright's trade under his father, which he followed for two years. He was next employed by the Philadelphia & Reading company, as a carpenter, and remained with this organization for five years, working in different departments. Mr. Hartman then engaged in carpenter work and bridge building, following the same for three years, after which he engaged with the Phila- delphia & Reading Railway Company, as a carpenter, in a very short time being appointed foreman of his di- vision. After a faithful service with this company which extended over fourteen and one-half years, Mr. Hartman remained one year with the Reading Stove Works. In 1900 he engaged in a general contracting and building business and has met with well deserved success, his experience being long and thorough.
Mr. Hartman was married to Nellie Hollenbach, daugh- ter of William and Susan (Haines) Hollenbach, and they have two children, Harrison J. and L. Elizabeth. The former was a graduate in 1906 in the Reading high school and is now taking a collegiate course. The latter, born Sept. 10, 1891, is a high school pupil. The family home of Mr. Hartman is situated at No. 204 Douglass street. In politics he is a Republican. He belongs to Camp No. 61, P. O. S. of A.
WILLIAM R. BUCKS, of Reading, now living retired in his comfortable home at No. 1135 North Eleventh street, was born on the old Bucks homestead near Bern- ville, in Bern, now Penn, township, Berks county, Jan. 10, 1834.
John Bucks emigrated to America from Berne, Switzer- land. He had been engaged in the dairy business in his native land, where the mountains and meadows in the valleys supplied the people with good pasture and water. On coming to America Mr. Bucks began prospecting for just such an ideal location, finding it at what is now Scull's Hill, where the hills were adorned with a rich growth of trees and shrubbery, the valleys fertile, and where many of his countrymen had already located. He selected a tract of four hundred acres, the hills covered with wood and shrubbery, and two meadows with fine streams of water running the entire length. Between the meadows, on a slight elevation, he erected the build- ings and commenced clearing the land for cultivation. There is an old record that shows that in the year 1759, when the first tax was levied in Bern township, John Bucks paid a tax of nine pounds, a considerable amount in those days.
John Bucks, grandfather of William B., was born on the homestead in 1779, and later on became the owner of it. He was a farmer and with the exception of the last years, passed all his life in his native locality. He married Elizabeth Riegel, born in 1780, and they had four
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BIOGRAPHICAL
children : John; Catharine m. Daniel Dundore; Elizabeth business at No. 154 North Ninth street, under the firm m. Isaac Dundore; and Mary m. Jacob Rieser. They name of J. & B. W. Ziegler. He was a native of Potts- ville, Pa., where he was born July 8, 1856, son of Capt. Elijah Ziegler. both died in Marion township, and were buried in the Tulpehocken cemetery, he in 1845, aged sixty-six years, and she in 1851, aged seventy years.
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John Bucks, son of John and father of William R., came into possession of the old homestead, and was en- gaged in its cultivation until 1840, when he sold it and purchased the Jacob Reed farm of 125 acres in Marion township, one-half mile northeast of Stouchsburg, and removed there, carrying on farming very successfully for many years. In 1853 he tore down the old stone man- sion built a century before with strong, thick walls. It was provided with a dark room on the second floor, at the head of the stairs, where shelter could be found against the Indians then numerous in that section. On the site of this old house he erected a large brick dwell- ing. In 1864 Mr. Bucks' son Aaron took charge of the farming, and Mr. Bucks lived with him in retirement until his death in 1889, in his eighty-second year. He married Catharine Rieser, born April 10, 1810, died 1884. They were buried in the cemetery adjoining Tulpehocken church, of which they were devoted members. Their children were: William R .; Mary R. m. Dr. George Crum, de- ceased; Aaron R., who first engaged in farming, and then moved to Reading and engaged in the coal business, died in 1894; Emma R. m. Jacob Miller, deceased; John R. resides in Myerstown; Sarah E. m. Henry Krum, deceased; Frank S. resides in Stouchsburg; and Allen died in Reading in 1900.
William R. Bucks attended Stouchsburg Academy dur- ing the winter months, and assisted his father on the farm the remainder of the year. In 1853 he taught one term of school in Tulpehocken township the year before the county had a superintendent of public instruction. He then attended a boarding school at the Trappe, in Mont- gomery county, for a term, and taught the following year in Marion township. He next taught five terms in Jefferson township. In 1861 he was employed in Bern township where he taught eight terms, one at Epler and seven at White Oak Hill (so named because of the many stately trees of that species adorning a hillside nearby). In 1867 Mr. Bucks turned his attention to a feed, grain and grocery business along the Schuylkill canal, below Lees- port, where he was located for thirty-nine years. He also cultivated a small farm, which he owned, and his place was one of the busiest to be found along the canal. In 1906 he retired and went to Reading, purchasing his present property.
On Oct. 5, 1865, Mr. Bucks married Amelia Z. Herbine, daughter of William and Catharine (Zacharias) Her- bine, of Bern township. She was a consistent member of Epler's Church, and later of Trinity Reformed Church, at Leesport. She died Dec. 18, 1904, and is buried in the Charles Evans cemetery, Reading. Two children were born of this union: John W., who is engaged in the grocery business, m. Emma Irene Fritz, and resides at the corner of Twelfth and Green streets, Reading; and Deborah A., who resides with her father, taught school for a number of terms, and later on gave private lessons in elocution. Mr. Bucks was a member of Trinity Re- formed Church at Leesport, where he served as deacon and elder. After locating in Reading, he transferred his membership to St. Thomas Reformed Church, this city. In politics he is a Democrat, as were both his father and grandfather. He served eighteen years as school direc- tor, ten of which he was secretary of the board, and at different times president. He also served on the election board. Mr. Bucks, together with James Rieser and Jere- miah Parvin, owns a large tract of woodland in Bern township. It is on the highest point in 'the township, and bears the name of Seidels' Hill. The Buckses as a family have always been people of substance and res- pectability.
JARIUS WEISER ZIEGLER, who died May 13, 1909, was one of' Reading's well-to-do and well-known citi- zens, who with his son was engaged in the wall-paper
Capt. Elijah Ziegler was born near Fleetwood, Berks Co., Pa., and when a young man went to Schuylkill coun- .ty, locating at Tamaqua, where he learned the carpenter's trade. He was here married to Priscilla Turner, daugh- ter of Abraham Turner, and after their union purchased a farm in Schuylkill county, living thereon for a few years. He was elected county commissioner; and soon thereafter removed to Pottsville, where he was later en- gaged in the hotel business, carrying on farming opera- tions as a side line for seven years. Removing to Pine Grove, he became engaged in the lumber business for seven years and then purchased a farm at Friedensburg, Schuyl- kill county, but six years later returned to Pottsville and served the county as prison warden for three years when he again removed to his farm. For some years prior to his death he was engaged in bridge contracting and in the cattle business. He died in 1902, at the age of sixty-two years. During his entire life he was a stanch Democrat, and he was one of his community's most ac- tive and influential men. His children were as follows : Emma, Elmira, Loretta, Florenda, Clara, Jarius W. and Erasmus.
Jarius. Weiser Ziegler was educated in the public schools of Schuylkill county, and continued in his father's em- ploy until coming to Reading in 1885, when he became a clerk. Later he engaged in business for himself, follow- ing painting and paper-hanging for some time, and in 1900 opened his wall paper store. He and his son, in partnership, had about ten men in their employ and. their business grew to large proportions. They were job- bers in water colors, art novelties, etc., and one of their specialties was the 16 x 20 frame.
In 1883 Mr. Ziegler was married to Miss Henrietta Gerber, daughter of Amos Gerber, of Reading, and one son, Bruno Weiser, was born to this union March 12, 1882. He married Elsie M. Lessig, daughter of George D. Lessig, of Reading, and they have one son, Howard. In politics Mr. Ziegler was a Democrat, and he and his family were members of the Reformed Church. Fra- ternally he was connected with Lodge No. 549, F. & A. M .; Reading Lodge of Perfection; Philadelphia Con- sistory; and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.
FREDERICK W. CRANSTON, Deputy Internal Rev- enue Collector of the First District of Pennsylvania, and a well known and highly esteemed citizen of Reading, was born Sept. 29, 1859, in Philadelphia, Pa., son of William and Fannie (Curtis) Cranston.
William Cranston was born June 9, 1822, in Glasgow, Scotland, and in that country and England learned the trade of machinist. He came to America in 1845, locat- ing at New York City, whence he removed to Reading some time later. On reaching the latter city he secured employment in the shops of the Philadelphia & Read- ing Railroad, under Superintendent Missimer, but lat- er he connected himself with the Scott Works, where he manufactured sugar-making machinery. He was later sent to the island of Cuba to erect machinery, and while there became superintendent of a sugar plantation. On his return to the United States, he went to Philadelphia, where he worked in the Baldwin Locomotive Works until his retirement. Mr. Cranston married Miss Fannie Cur- tis, a native of Dorsetshire, England, who died at the age of fifty-four years, and to them there were born the following children: Mary m. George Roemmele, a chem- ist with Powers & Weightman; Frances m. George W. Phillippi; Edwin, a machinist, died at the age of twenty- two years; Alfred W., is a contracting machinist of Philadelphia ; and William Mac., a machinist. In religious belief William Cranston adhered to the faith of the Presbyterian Church, while his wife was a Methodist. He is one of the oldest Odd Fellows in Pennsylvania, having joined the order sixty-five years ago, and is also connect- ed with the Knights of Pythias.
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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Frederick W. Cranston was graduated from the public them fourteen years. In 1901 he left that firm and ac- schools of Philadelphia when nineteen years of age, and cepted a position with James A. Schoffer, as engineer in his bakery and he still fills that capacity. immediately thereafter came to Reading and entered the shops of the Philadelphia & Reading railroad, where he On Sept. 26, 1857, Mr. Reber married Sarah A., daugh- ter of Isaac Herbein. Their four children are: Ellen, m. to Charles Tobias; Emma, m. to Storm Miller; James; and Sarah A. The family belong to the Second Re- formed Church, while in politics Mr. Reber is a Demo- crat. Their home is at No. 19 South Second street, Read- ing. remained several years. He was also in the employ of Abraham T. Phillippi, in the plumbing, steam fitting and metal working business, and then became associated with the Carpenter Steel Works, where he had charge of the steam fitting department. On Dec. 1, 1898, he was ap- pointed Deputy United States Revenue Collector for the First District of Pennsylvania, in President Mckinley's administration, and since that time the business in the cigar trade has been increased from 74,000,000 to 144,- 000,000, Mr. Cranston having the largest division to cover of any deputy in the State. He has proved himself to be an efficient, faithful official, filling the duties of his po- sition to the satisfaction of all concerned.
In 1879 Mr. Cranston was married to Miss Emma C. Fox, daughter of John Fox, a veteran of the Civil war, and to this union there have been born eleven children, seven of whom survive: Robert D., who is employed at the League Island Navy Yard, m. Anna Clingaman, and has children, Robert D., Jr., and Dolly; Mary R. m. Peter R. Weldmann, and has one child, Carrie; Frederick W., Jr., a street car conductor, m. Hannah Barlett, and has , one son, Frederick W. (3); Edwin B., is a cigar maker; William Mac is' at Little Falls, N. Y .; John F .; and Charles H. is at school. Mrs. Cranston died in April, 1907. Mr. Cranston m. (second) Sarah Kern, born in Lehigh county, Pa., the daughter of farming people near Topton, Berks Co., Pennsylvania.
Mr. Cranston is a member of Camp No. 329 and Nath- an Hale Commandery, P. O. S. of A., and served as Sen- ior Vice Commander of United States for one year (1897).
SIMPLECIUS REBER, residing at No. 19 South Sec- ond street, Reading, is descended from a family identi- fied with Berks county since 1783, when the paternal grandfather, Johannes, settled there.
Johannes Reber came to America from his native Ger- many when a boy of only twelve years, and part of his education was acquired in this country. From his very arrival he lived in Bern township, and became one of the influential farmers of that region. He owned very. valuable land there and also operated a mill for many years. He married Magdalina Roadmacher, and their children were Joseph, Sally, Polly, Rebecca and Bessie, the last named of whom married a Mr. Ahrens. So far as known, the family were members of the Reformed Church. Mrs. Reber died in Reading, and her husband died in 1847, aged seventy-six. He was a Democrat in his political principles.
Joseph Reber, father of Simplecius, was born in 1802, at the old Reber homestead, and remained there nearly all his life. He carried on the farm and operated the old Reber Mill, situated on the Tulpehocken, but about 1874 he moved on to a small farm which he had bought some time previously, and there passed the last six years of his life, dying in 1880. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Minnich, passed away five years before him, at the age of seventy-two. They were the parents of ten children: Elias, to whom the father gave over the op- eration of the farm and mill; Maria, m. to Joshua Ey- rich; Fietta, m. to Henry Rose; Elizabeth, m. to Charles Gring; Harrison; Sarah, m. to James Adams; Priscilla, m. to William Reeser; Henry; Rebecca, m. to Jacob Rich- enbach; and Simplecius. Most of the family belonged to the Reformed Church. Joseph Reber was a Democrat like his father.
JOHN COLLER HEPLER, late a highly esteemed citi- zen of Reading, Pa., was superintendent of the Charles Evans cemetery from 1880 until his death, during which time he made this burial ground one of the most beauti- ful spots in Berks county. Mr. Hepler was born April 17, 1829, in Reading, son of John and Elizabeth (Coller) Hepler, and died Sept. 26, 1907.
The ancestors of this family, who came from Wales, were among the early settlers of Philadelphia. William Hepler, grandfather of John C., located there in 1793, where the remainder of his life was spent, and where, during the yellow fever epidemic, he was engaged in haul- ing the bodies of the victims to the place of interment. In religious matters he adhered to the faith of the Re- formed congregation, and in politics he upheld the prin- ciples of the Whig party. His children were: John; Hen- ry and George, who died single; Gideon, a cigar maker; and Elizabeth, m. to Dr. William Palm.
John Hepler, son of William, was born Dec. 26, 1800, in Philadelphia, and when fifteen years of age came to Reading and apprenticed himself to the house carpenter's trade for four years and six months. This occupation he followed all of his life and at the time of his death in Reading Dec. 22, 1862, he was a very prosperous man. He was a Republican in political matters, and until 1842 was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, in this year becoming one of the organizers of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church. Mr. Hepler m. Elizabeth Coller, daughter ot John and Catharine (Bickley) Coller. To Mr. and Mrs. Hepler were born: William P., a soldier in the Mexican war, going out as a private in the Ringgold Battery, United States Regulars, and serving under Zachary Taylor until his death of a fever at Saltillo in 1847; John C .: and Henry A., and Catharine A., twins, the former of whom died in Reading in 1880, while the latter became the wife of Capt. Joseph G. Holmes, and is now also deceased.
John C. Hepler's education was limited to a few months at a pay school during the winter term, and at the age of fourteen and one-half years he became an apprentice to the trade of a tailor under his uncle the late William I. Clous, serving in that capacity for five years. He then went to Philadelphia, where he worked for six months and learned cutting. Returning to Reading he entered the clothing and tailoring business for himself, and car- ried it on successfully until 1860, when failing health com- pelled him to give up this work. For some time he was employed on the Philadelphia & Reading railroad, and then he removed to a small farm in the Hockley Out. lots, where he continued until 1880, when he was ap- pointed superintendent of the Charles Evans Cemetery at Reading, taking up the duties of that office on April 1st of that year. This cemetery, which was incorporated in 1846, includes a tract of 118 acres, and under Mr. Hepler's careful management many improvements were made. He performed the duties of his position in a most efficient manner, and inaugurated a system of records for burials of persons who were not lot owners, which is one of the most complete in the United States, it record- ing as follows: The name, number of permit, date of bur- ial, age of deceased, name of lot owner upon which de- ceased is buried, 'and number and section of cemetery in which such lot is located. In this Mr. Hepler was ably assisted by his son, John A., who has a thorough know- ledge of all the records. During his administration nearly 16,000 bodies were interred in this cemetery.
Simplecius Reber was born on. the homestead in Bern township, March 2, 1838, and received his earlier educa- tion in the public schools of that section. Later he at- tended school in Reading. He remained at home help- ing in the work on the farm until he was thirty-three years old, when he came to Reading and took a position with the Stichter Hardware Company. After learning the details of the business with this company, he engaged Mr. Hepler also conducted a greenhouse on the corner with the Bright Hardware Company and remained with of Schuylkill avenue and Greenwich street, which is in
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