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 214

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 214

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MAHLON NUNNEMACHER KLINE, president and general manager of the Smith, Kline & French Company, . who conduct the largest wholesale drug establishment in Philadelphia, and one of the largest in the United States, was born Feb. 6, 1846, near Hamburg, in Windsor town- ship, Berks Co., Pa., son of John and Mary (Nunne- macher) Kline.

Hans (Johannes) Klein, the great-great-grandfather of Mahlon N., a farmer of near Centreport, died in 1795. He was twice married, and by his first union had four sons, John, Werner, Nicholas and Jacob; by his second wife, Catherine, he had eight children: Philip; Conrad; Peter; Catherine, who married Henry Lutz; Barbara, who married John Koch; Elizabeth, who married John Tobias; Mary, who married Christian Haak or Haag, brother of Philip's wife; and Margaret Elizabeth, who married John Losz. These eight children are named in the last will of the second wife, which was probated in 1801. All twelve children are named in Hans Klein's will, probated in 1795.

Of the foregoing family, Philip Klein, who was also a farmer of the vicinity of Centreport, was the great- grandfather of Mahlon N. He died in 1837, aged sixty- five years. By his marriage with Magdalena Haag he had five children`: John; Joseph, who married a Stetzler ; Jacob, who married a Roth; Charles; and Rebecca, who married Matthias Hettinger. The mother of these children died in 1856, at the age of eighty-two years.

The grandfather of Mahlon N. Kline, who like his father ancestors who were ever ready to risk their lives in the and grandfather was engaged in farming near Centre- service of their country, her grandfather Caswell and his brothers having served with distinction in the Civil war; her great-grandfather in the war of 1812-15; and her great-great-grandfather in the Revolutionary war.

port, died in 1835, aged thirty-eight years. He was married to Catherine Faust, and by her had six children: John; William, who removed to Milton, Pa .; Benjamin, who removed to near Pottsville, Pa .; Mary, who married Jacob Renninger ; Esther, who married John G. Hollenbach; and Catherine, who married Simon Hoffman.

PERKIOMEN SEMINARY. At Pennsburg, Montgomery County, Pa., two and one-fourth miles from the John Kline, father of Mahlon N. Kline, was a farmer Berks County line, is located the famous Perkiomen of Upper Bern .(now Tilden) township, where he carried

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on agricultural pursuits until his decease, in 1889, at the intendent since 1896. He has also officiated as a director age of sixty-nine years. He took an active interest in of the Franklin Reformatory Home at No. 915 Locust the United Brethren Church situated several miles west street for upward of ten years. For three months in 1895 he traveled extensively on the continent of Europe, Scotland and Ireland. of his residence. John Kline married Mary Nunnemacher, daughter of John Nunnemacher, of the same township, and in-1897 he visited all the important places of England, and she died in 1897, aged seventy-three years, the mother of one son, Mahlon N.

Mahlon Nunnemacher Kline removed with his parents, while still an infant, to Upper Bern (now Tilden) town- ship, near Berne Station, on the Philadelphia & Reading railroad. He received his education in the public schools of that vicinity and for two years attended a private school at Reading. When fourteen years old he was sent to Philadelphia to attend public school there for a course of higher education, but he continued his studies there for only six months, when he returned home, and though but fifteen years of age he made application for a position as teacher. He passed an examination successfully, and was given a school several miles north of Reading, now Hyde Park, where he taught for one term. With this prepara- tion he directed his attention to store-keeping, and, finding a place in a country store at Hamburg, a few miles from home, he applied himself assiduously to that work for two years. He then went to the Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, and after graduating from this institution secured a position as bookkeeper with the wholesale drug firm of Smith & Shoemaker, at No. 243 North Third street, Philadelphia. This was in February, 1865, and in three years, so highly were his integrity and devotion to busi- ness appreciated, he was admitted a member of the firm. Mr. Shoemaker retired from the firm in 1869, and the name was changed to Smith, Kline & Co. The business stand was at the same place until 1887, when larger and more convenient quarters became necessary, and it was removed to Nos. 429-431 Arch street. A year afterward the firm was incorporated. In 1891, the wholesale business of French, Richards & Co. being closed out, Harry B. French joined the corporation, the name of which was changed to the Smith, Kline & French Company, and as such it has continued to the present time. The plant has been much enlarged and the volume of business developed until it ranks third in its line of trade in the United States. They now occupy the premises at Nos. 429-435 Arch street, with laboratory and mill at Canal and Poplar streets. Mr. Kline has been the general manager of the corporation since its formation and its president since 1903, which evidences his prominence in the successful management of the enterprise.

. Mr. Kline has been publicly identified with the business, political, social and religious affairs of Philadelphia for many years. He took an active part in the establishment of the Bourse and was elected a director in 1900. The Drug Exchange was organized in 1861, and he became a director in 1882, vice-president in 1883, and president in 1884. The National Wholesale Druggists' Association was organized in 1882, and Mr. Kline cooperated with other wholesale drug merchants in establishing it as a body to take the place of the Western Wholesale Druggists' As- sociation; and since that time he has been attending all of its annual meetings, excepting in 1895, when he was trav- eling in Europe. Notwithstanding his busy life he took time to unite with other prominent citizens of Philadelphia in their efforts to reform local politics and improve the municipal government, and his activities in this behalf naturally led to his selection as a member of the executive committee of the Lincoln party, and as treasurer of the State committee in 1905. In the stirring campaign of 1906 he made numerous speeches in different sections of the State, advocating the election of the candidates on the Lincoln party ticket, and thereby demonstrating in a public manner his earnest devotion to the cause of political re- form. Mr. Kline has been a member of the Union League since 1896; he is also a member of the Manheim Cricket Club and of the Philadelphia Cricket Club. Fol- lowing the religious inclinations of his parents, he has been a devoted member of the Church of the Saviour ( Protestant Episcopal, at Thirty-eighth and Chestnut streets), and has served the Sunday-school as its super-

In 1874, Mr. Kline was married to Isadore E. Unger, of Allentown, daughter of Leopold Paul and Hettie (Hart) Unger, and by this union he has three children : Isadore C., who married Harry S. Valentine, treasurer of the drug corporation named; Leah Elizabeth, who married T. Car- rick Jordan; and Clarence' Mahlon, who is one of the directors of the Smith, Kline & French Company.

GEORGE ALBRECHT, junior member of the well known firm of Northeimer & Albrecht, practical plaster- ers of Reading, Pa., was born in that city, Oct. 10, 1864, son of the late Isadore and Mary (Reichert) Albrecht.

Isadore Albrecht was a native of Baden, Germany, and came to America in 1848, landing at New York City, thence going to Philadelphia. He had learned the trade of tailor in his native country, and that occupation he fol- lowed in Philadelphia for about one year, at the end of which time he located in Reading, in which city he con- tinued to follow his trade for a period of twenty-four years. He was also engaged in the hotel business at Eleventh and Walnut streets, and was well known and very successful. He died in April, 1904, aged seventy- nine years. His widow, who survives him, resides at No. 1041 Walnut street. They had these children: Louisa, of Reading; William, a cigar maker of Reading; John, a contractor and builder of the city; George; Charles,. proprietor of the "Friendship House," No. 108 Robeson street, Reading ; and Matilda, m. to John Popp, of Reading.

George Albrecht attended the schools of Reading, his first employment being at Jackson's Rope Walk, whence he went to the Reading Hardware Company. He then became employed at the pipe mill, and for a time served on the police force of the city under Mayor Jacob Wei- del. He learned the plastering trade, which he followed for one year in Philadelphia, then returning to Reading, where he engaged in business with J. E. Northeimer, the firm having since been known as Northeimer & Albrecht.

Mr. Albrecht married (first) Miss Annie Boyer, who died, leaving one child, Annie, who died when thirteen months old. Mr. Albrecht's second marriage was to Jennie Williams, born in London, England, who came to this country when eight years old. Nine children, eight of whom are living, were born to this union: Annie, de- ceased; Catherine; Jennie; Gerald; Maria; Josephine; Gertrude; George, and John. Mr. Albrecht is a Demo- crat in politics. He is a member of St. Paul's Church. He is connected fraternally with the Eagles Aerie No. 66, and the Rainbow Fire Company. Mr. Albrecht makes his home at No. 215 North Tenth street, Reading, and is very well known and highly esteemed in his community.

BEN. H. ZERR, a traveling salesman whose home is in Reading, was born in Lebanon, Pa., Oct. 22, 1860, and in paternal lines is of Holland ancestry.

(I) George Zerr, the pioneer ancestor of this family, was a native of Holland, and emigrated to America in 1750. The exact date of his settling in Hereford town- ship, Berks county, is unknown, but in 1790 he was a taxable there, as was also his eldest son Jacob. He was a farmer by occupation. and owned a tract of 160 acres of good land. He died "old in years" in 1801, and, was survived by his wife, Sophia. In his will, recorded in Book 4, page 37, he is called a yeoman. The executors of his will were his son Jacob and one Peter Fink. The children mentioned in the will were: Jacob; George-"my youngest son shall have the adjoining tract of 150 acres"; Catharine m. Conrad Fink; Magdalena m. John Bickel; Mary m. Jacob Keifer.

(II) Jacob Zerr, eldest son of George, was born in Hereford township in 1760. He settled on a large farm in Amity township at an early date, and died there March 1, 1826, aged sixty-six. His wife Susanna, born in 1766, died Sept. 19, 1842, and both are buried in the graveyard

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at the Amityville church. His will, dated April 19, 1825, first experience, however, was in selling safes, afterward is on record in Will Book 5, page 487. He and his wife entering the employ of the J. G. Leinbach & Co., Woolen had the following children: Jacob; Elizabeth (Kerst) ; George; Peggy (Bickel) ; Henry; Lidda; Samuel and Sarah.

(III) Jacob Zerr, eldest son of Jacob, was born in Amity, but in middle life he settled in Spring township on a farm located near the Lancaster bridge. His last will, made on March 25th, and probated Dec. 6, 1865, soon after his death, is on record in Will Book 11, page 436. He was survived by his wife Mary, and the fol- lowing children : William and Elizabeth. He left a large estate, and his son William was bequeathed the tavern stand and tract of land in Amity township consisting of forty-three acres, bounded by the Perkiomen turnpike, and the house in Spring township in which his father died, besides other land in Spring township.

(III) George Zerr, third child of Jacob, was a farmer at Geigertown, in Union township, where he died in 1872. In his will he valued his 130-acre farm at $6,000, and this he bequeathed to his son, Jacob G. By occupation George Zerr was a linen weaver. His will, made July 14, 1869, is recorded in Will Book 12, page 455. His child- ren were: Jacob G .; Christina m. Elijah Geiger; Hannah m. Jacob Kachel; Mary m. Joseph Geiger.

(III) Henry Zerr, son of Jacob, was a farmer in Union township. He died in 1866, and is buried at Geiger- town. He provided that his wife Elizabeth should re- main on the farm as long as she lived. This farm was cultivated by his son Lafayette. To Henry and Elizabeth Zerr were born: Harriet; Elizabeth; Mary Ann; George; Lafayette (who had sons, Henry H. and George M.) ; Hannah; and Elizabeth.

(IV) Jacob G. Zerr, only son of George, was a pros- perous farmer at Geigertown. His children were: How- ard; Henry; Jacob L .; Elijah M., a prosperous farmer, prominently identified with the Berks County Agricul- tural Society and Farmers' Union, whose three daugh- ters, Sophie E., Eva A., and Sallie E., are all graduates of the Keystone State Normal School; Eliza; Mary Ann; Adaline and H. Susanna.

(III) Samuel Zerr, son of Jacob, is buried at Geiger- town. He married Catharine Neida, born Sept. 10, 1805, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Neida, and she died Ang. 31, 1856, and is buried at Amityville. They had a son Samuel.

(IV) Samuel Zerr, son of Samuel and Catharine, was born in Amityville, where he lived until after attaining his majority, when for a short time he lived in Lebanon, Pa. He then came to Reading, and was in the sand business for a number of years along the Schuylkill river, supplying the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company with sand. The sand bank eventually came into the hands of Augustus Hoff, of Reading. Mr. Zerr spent his later years at farming in Caernarvon township, and ' there died in the early part of 1860, and is buried at Geigertown. He was twice married. To his first mar- riage were born: Samuel; Augustus; Jacob; Caroline m. Augustus Mentz; and Catharine m. Jacob Armpries- ter. His second wife was Catharine Krum, and to this union was born but one son, Ben. H. Mrs. Catharine (Krum) Zerr died at the age of seventy-two years.

Mills, North Fourth street. In 1892 he conducted a cigar store in the "Hotel Penn" known as the "Art," and noted in particular for its appointments in the selection of the fine draperies, curtains, pedestals, and engravings. In 1907, with others, he engaged in the manufacture of hosiery, and in this he has continued to the present time. Mr. Zerr is a thorough business man, and has a pleasing address. For several years he was active in the base ball world of Reading, and it was his idea to secure Lauer's Park and transform it into the present ideal ball park. In spite of his other interests Mr. Zerr returned to the road in 1895, and has since continued at that work, as a merchandise broker.

On Feb. 22, 1882, Mr. Zerr married Elenora Muthart, daughter of John and Leah (Hoyer) Muthart, of Read- ing, and their children were: Walter B., an electrician in New York City; Florence, who died in childhood; Ben. H., Jr., who died Oct. 27, 1908, aged seventeen years and seven months; and Stewart R. The family have resided at No. 148 North Eleventh street, Reading, since 1888. Fraternally Mr. Zerr is a member of Chand- ler Lodge, No. 227, F. & A. M .; Lodge No. 115, B. P. O. Elks, and several commercial societies. In his travels Mr. Zerr has seen many of the points of interest of the country.

(V) SAMUEL ZERR, son of Samuel and half-brother of Ben H., lived in Reading, where he was an upholsterer employed by the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Com- pany. He died in 1893, aged fifty-two years. By his wife, Susan Kissinger, he had two children: (1) Sallie died small. (2) Samuel, born June 27, 1869, was edu- cated in the schools of Reading, graduated from the Pharmaceutical College, Philadelphia, in 1891, and has been for a number of years manager of the machine shop of Jacob S. Peipher, his half-brother; he married (first) Katie Hoffman, who died leaving two children, Samuel E. and Nora E., and he m. (second) in 1901, Mary Helfrich, daughter of John Helfrich, a native of Germany, and they have three children, Georgine, Mary and Harold.

JOHN M. GRILL, for a number of years a well known agriculturist of Cumru township, Berks county, now living retired at Shillington, Pa., was born Sept. 13, 1837, near Wernersville, Berks county, son of Joseph and Hannah (Matz) Grill.

Joseph Grill was born Aug. 7, 1806, in Cumru, now Spring, township, and was a lifelong farmer. For seven years he lived on a sixteen-acre tract in Lower Heidel- berg township, and later he removed to Spring township, where he owned a good farm on which he died in July, 1891. He also owned the old Grill homestead in Spring township, and was in comfortable circumstances. Mr. Grill married Hannah Matz, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Shoup) Matz, and to this union there were born children as follows: Joshua, m. to Mary Gring; Mary, living at Sinking Spring; John M .; Joseph, who died in childhood; Henry, m. to Sarah Huyett; Catherine, living in Sinking Spring; and Samuel, who died in childhood.

John M. Grill attended the pay schools and later the free schools of his day, and his entire life was spent in farming. He remained on the farm until 1890, in which year he removed to Shillington, and he has there resided retired to the present time. In 1866 he commenced farm- ing for himself near the Green Tree in Cumru township, on his father-in-law's farm, which he acquired after the latter's death July 22, 1891, at the age of eighty-three years, eleven months, eleven days. In 1890 Mr. Grill built a large, two-story brick residence at the corner of Phila- delphia and Lancaster avenues in Shillington, which the family has occupied since 1893. Mr. Grill and his brother Henry own the old Grill homestead of 120 acres of land, which lies adjacent to the old Wheat Field mines in Spring township, and here blue iron ore is found in great quantity. At one time Mr. Grill was a prominent figure

(V) Ben H. Zerr was less than a year old when his parents came to Reading, where the family has since lived. For a time the family home was where the Elks Home is now located at Fifth and Franklin streets. Mr. Zerr received his education in the public schools, and in 1879, when the Philomathean Society was organized he became one of the active members, and so continued as long as the society was in existence. This organization was a great factor in the city, and many of its members became noted in various walks of life. When but twelve years of age Mr. Zerr became a newsboy for the Read- ing Eagle, selling the papers both in the city and on the different railroads through this section of the country. When he was twenty-one years of age he became a. traveling salesman, and in 1882 he was one of the first to go out from Reading to sell hosiery and pants. His in local politics, and for a time was a Democratic auditor

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of Cumru township. He and his wife are members of Company. Mr. Kreps then spent six months at Pottstown, Christ's Union Church, Cumru, of which he is a Re- Pa., coming to Reading in 1892, where for thirteen years formed and she a Lutheran member. He has been a he was employed by the plumbing firm of Ed. Schull & deacon and elder of the church for many years. In 1893 Co. In 1907 Mr. Kreps engaged in business on his own account, opening an establishment at No. 108 North Eighth street, and later his present place, conveniently situated in the down-town district, No. 40 North Sixth street. He is a practical plumber, gas, hot water and steam-fitter. Mr. and Mrs. Grill attended the World's Fair at Chicago, and in 1901 the Exposition at Buffalo, and they have also traveled extensively in other parts of the country. They are well known in their vicinity, and have a large social circle.

Mr. Kreps was married to Maggie Garrison, of Read- ing, and their residence is situated at No. 108 North Eighth street. Fraternally Mr. Kreps is connected with Aerie No. 66, F. O. E., of Reading, and he is also a member of the Master Plumbers' Association.

WILLIAM W. SEITZINGER. In the early death of William W. Seitzinger, which occurred at his home Sept. 21, 1900, there was lost to the city of Reading one of its most enterprising young business men. Mr. Seitzinger was born in 1860, in Philadelphia, Pa., son of Jacob J. and Hannah (Collins) Seitzinger.

After leaving the common schools of his native city Mr. Seitzinger entered the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated, and in April, 1896, he took up civil engineering. Later he became associated with Mr. James K. Getz, as secretary and treasurer of the Read- ing Shale Brick Company, a prominent business concern, and in this capacity he was serving at the time of his death. He was an able business man, and was popular in business and fraternal circles. Mr. Seitzinger was a thirty- second degree Mason, a member of Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and was also connected with the Wyomissing and Berkshire Clubs. In religious belief he was a Luth- eran, and attended Trinity Church of that faith, of which his widow is a member.

In 1895 Mr. Seitzinger married Miss Anna L. Barbey, the eldest daughter of John Barbey, a sketch of whose life will be found elsewhere.

CYRUS G. DERR, lawyer of Reading, was born July 18, 1848, at Lebanon, Lebanon Co., Pa., son of William M. Derr, a leading member until his death of the Lebanon Bar, at which he practised for forty years.

George Derr, his grandfather, was born in Berks county in 1800, moved to Reading when a young man, and there married. When his son William was three months old he removed with his family to Lebanon, Pa., where he became a prominent citizen. He became identified with the construction of the Union canal, being superintendent of the middle division, extending from Myerstown to the Swatara. He served as chief burgess, was a trustee of Lebanon Seminary, and was active in church work, being one of the founders of Zion Lutheran Church, which he

Henry Kreps, father of Frank L., was also a native of Salem, Ohio, and there spent his entire life, and died also served in an official capacity. He died in 1880.

The Derr family is of Irish extraction, and the immigrant ancestor spelled the name Derry, but the "y" was dropped in course of time. He settled near Monocacy, Berks Co., Pa., engaged in farming, and acquired considerable property.

William M. Derr was born in Reading, Pa., in 1827, and as above stated was three months old when the family moved to Lebanon. He received his early education in the public schools and in Lebanon Academy, and, choosing his life work, began the study of law. But. in deference to his parents' wishes he took up medicine, at the Penn- sylvania Medical College, Philadelphia, and before settling down to his first choice also studied theology and archi- tecture. In the end he returned to law, and meantime he spent a couple of years in the Western States, being in fact first admitted to the Bar in Illinois. His experiences broadened him and quickened his perceptions. In 1858 he was admitted to the Lebanon county Bar, and there he practised for almost forty years, until his death, May 31, 1897. He was foremost in many respects among the mem- bers of his profession, was long a member and for some time president of the Lebanon Bar Association, and at the time of his death was the oldest member of the

Frank L. Kreps attended the public schools of his native town, and when twelve years old went to Dela- ware, later to Chester county, Pa., and finally to Philadel- phia, where he learned the plumbing trade, following that occupation for about six years. At the expiration of this time he removed to Norristown, Pa., where for one year he was in the employ of the State' Government, as a plumber, and the next year was spent at Phoenixville, Lebanon Bar. But his intellectual strength had never where he was connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad waned, and he was known to the last as a profound scholar

On Nov. 21, 1867, Mr. Grill married Sarah Fritz, daugh- ter of Martin ,and Margaretta (Gring) Fritz, and grand- daughter of Martin and Catherine (Rathje) Fritz. Mr. and Mrs. Grill's adopted daughter, whom they reared from her third year, Sallie A. Kohl, married Washington Lein- bach, son of James and Catharine (Ahrens), Reading, and they have one son, Leroy K. Mr. and Mrs. Lein- bach reside with Mr. and Mrs. Grill.

HENRY HALLER was a tailor at Reading in 1765, and in 1775 was engaged as an innkeeper, by which time he had become a man of considerable social and political influence. In the formation of a regiment in Berks coun- ty, as its quota of the 4,500 men for the Flying Camp, he was chosen Colonel, but he did not accompany the regiment in its march to Long Island, and did not parti- cipate in that battle. Shortly afterward, however, he commanded another battalion which went into service in New Jersey. In the public actions for encouraging the Revolution, he took a prominent part, and next to Ed- ward Biddle, George Nagel, Jacob Morgan, and Bodo Otto, was as prominent as any man in Reading. He was a delegate to the Provincial Conference in 1776, and also a member of the Committee of Safety, the Committee on Attainder, and the Committee to Collect Arms, etc. He served as a member of the Assembly from 1776 to 1781. During the years 1778, 1779 and 1780, he was wagon-mas- ter of Berks County, and during 1779 and 1780, wagon- master-general of the Continental Army. The first public office he held was that of coroner of the county in 1767.

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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 214

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