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 41

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 41

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1 Piano Factory

1 Coffee-Mill Factory

1 Rope Factory

1 Comb Factory

1 Saw Mill

1 Distillery

1 Stove Foundry

3 Farming Implement Shops

8 Fur Hat Factories

2 Glue Factories

5 Windsor Chair Factories

14 Wool Hat Factorics

PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND ENTERPRISES

3 Banks

7 Newspapers

2 Bridges

13 Private Schools

2 Canals

13 Public Schools

12 Churches

4 Public Libraries

5 Coal Yards

1 Railroad

6 Fire Companies

4 Store-houses

1 Greenhouse

89 Stores

4 Livery Stables

8 Sunday-schools

3 Lumber Yards

5 Vineyards

2 Market-houses

1 Waterworks

3 Military Companies

4 Wood and Coal Yards

The foregoing list is not complete, for it is known that many men were engaged in other oc- cupations which contributed their share toward the enrichment and development of Reading, such as

wheelwrights, distillers, brewers, rope-makers, and boat-builders.

DEVELOPMENT OF READING, 1783-1847 .- Be- tween 1783 and 1847 the energy of the people was constantly shown in various directions. In the course of local events, it appears prominent in patriotism, in religious zeal, and in business inter- course. The erection of churches by different de- nominations would seem to have been accomplished mostly by first efforts; but the erection of bridges, turnpikes and canals required much perseverance under adverse circumstances, extending through many years.

The growth of the population of Reading was sur- prising, especially considering it as an inland bor- ough. The stage-coach and turnpike contributed the greater proportion of this growth until 1825, and the canal and railroad from that time until 1847. Coal became the principal factor in this development after 1825. It was discovered about 1770, but it was not appreciated for heating purposes until after 1810, and for creating steam until after 1825. The first practical use of it in a stove at Reading is said to have been made in the Branch Bank about 1810. When the canal was opened for trans- portation from the coal regions in 1824, it began to be introduced in large quantities. Then factories were erected and they were operated by steam power. When the railroad was extended to Potts- ville in 1842, the influence of coal in accelerating the development of Reading was felt in a marked degree. Iron must also be mentioned in this con- nection. It was the great constituent in machinery for factories, shops and furnaces, and in a substan- tial track for the railroad. Coal, steam and iron were each necessary to complete the great combina- tion for power, despatch and economy, and they contributed largely to the rapid development of Reading from 1825 to 1850. This appears from the census enumeration, as follows: from 1820 to 1830, 35 per cent. ; from 1830 to 1840, 46.6 per cent., and from 1840 to 1850, 87.2 per cent.

In 1847 .- As near as it can be ascertained, Reading in 1847 contained 37 different kinds of industrial establishments ; also 130 mercantile houses for which county licenses were issued. The fol- lowing statement includes the names of the more prominent persons who carried on business here at that time:

Bakeries : Henry Drum, John G. Eben, David Mitchell, Daniel Moyer.

Blacksmith shops: John Drenkel, Aaron Getz, Peter D. Getz, Jacob Jones, Daniel Miller, Thomas Rambo, William Stoltz.

Boat-yards: William Krick, Samuel & Adam Krauser. William Hiester, Savage & Call, Corbett & Stratton.

Breweries: Frederick Lauer, Nicholas Felix, John Borrell.

Brick-yards : John Darrah, Adam Diehm, Thomas Diehm, John Hoff, Benjamin Fink, Jacob Geiger, Henry Graul, George S. Levan, William Yeager, Jacob Young.

6 Coach-trimmers

1 Coffee-mill maker

2 Coopers

4 Coppersmiths

3 Curriers

4 Dentists

11 Doctors

3 Drovers

4 Druggists

4 Dyers

4 Cigar-makers

9 Clock-makers

6 Coach-makers

8 Cabinet-makers

26 Lawyers

2 Grist-mills

1 White and Morocco Tannery

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READING

Brush Factories: Benjamin Witman, Helms & German, Isaac Enis, Jacob Frill, George Gernant, Samuel Graul, William Sage.

Cabinet Factories: John Bertolet, Henry Haberacker,

Josiah Hearing, Henry Rhein, Daniel Spang.

Candy Factories: P. K. & H. L. Miller, G. W. & A. M. Souders, Amos B. Yeager

Corriage Factories: Ephraim Booth, Samuel Filbert, Jacob Hessler, Godfrey Simon, Isaiah Thomas.

Chain Factory : Nicholas Rapp.

Chair Factories: Owen Bitting, John Brown, Frederick Fox, James M. Lewis, Gustavus Leslie.

Cigar Factories: John Beadencup, Charles Breneiser, J. & E. Eyrich, Franklin Frantz, J. M. & G. W. Hantsch, John Maltzberger.

Clothing Shops : James Jameson, William McFarlan, George Newkirk.

Comb Factory : Viven & Behm.

Cooper Shops : Peter Barbey, Daniel Engel, Morton

Righter, William Sands, Henry B. Shearer, Thomas Willson.

Distilleries: Philip Bushong, Riah Gillson.

Forming Implement Works: Adam Waid, Montgom- ery & Armstrong.

Fire-Brick Works: William Wells.

Glue Factories: Daniel Levan, Samuel Levan.

Greenhouse : Michael Hauser.

Grist-Mills : Frees & Kissinger (steam), George Smith (water).

Hat Factories: Henry Brown, George Drenkel, Levi Hildebrand, Henry Henritze, John Kutz, John Lotz, Isaac W. Levan, Jacob Maurer, Adam Rightmeier, Charles W. Ringgold. Jacob Sauerbier, M. & J. Siegel, John Yerger, William Yerger.

Iron Works: Bertolette's Rolling Mill [Enterprise], Darling, Dotterer & Co.'s Machine Shop, Eckert's Fur- nace [Henry Clay], Johnston's Foundry [Franklin], Phila- delphia & Reading R. R. Co. Shops, Sabbatin's Forge, Sey- fert, McManus & Co.'s Rolling Mill.

Locksmith Shops: John Mellert, John Miller, George Heilman.

Marble Works: John F. Moers, John T. Craig, Ferui- nand H. Strecker.

Nail-makers: George Heilman, Frederick Heilman, Organ Factories: Daniel Bohler, John Schoener.

Potteries: Asaph Shenfelder, William Wells.

Rope Walks: Thomas Jackson, Stephen Orth.

Saddleries: George Frees, Jacob H. Hain, Andrew Fichthorn, Henry Hahs, Gideon Weiser.

Sawmills : Boas & Spangler, J. V. Craig, Foos & Bingaman.

Shoe Factories : H. F. Felix & Co., Henry Fry, Jacob Goodhart, O'Brien & Foster.

Silversmith Shops: Frederick Grotevent, Charles L. Heizmann, George Heller, Levan Mannerback, Otto Ralle. Soap and Candle Factories: John R. Klein, Albert Fischer.

Tanneries : Henry Connard, Andrew, Charles & Wil- liam Fichthorn, Abraham Kerper, George Winters.

Tin- and Copper-smith Shops: F. & W. Bright, Jacob Long, Morris Pauli, Charles K. Snell, Daniel Smith.

Turner Shops: Joseph Bitting, Charles Young.

Wheelwright Shops: Jacob Goodman, Henry Goodman, Reuben Goodman.

Weaving Shops: George Goodman, George Price, Philip Rush.

The following must also be mentioned, because they contributed a great deal toward the prosper- ity of Reading :

Banks: Farmers' Bank; Branch Bank of Pennsylvania. Builders: William Call, N. M. Eisenhower, George Foos, Benjamin Fink, John Fink, Jacob Fritz, William and Joseph Henry, William B. Hertzel, John and Frede- rick Printz, Solomon Spohn.

Hotels: Herman Beard, Wm. Behm, John W. Burk- hart, John Darrah, Andrew Davis, Wm. L. deBourbon,

Daniel Herr, John Mellon, John Messersmith, John Moyer, Michael Nunnemacher, Philip Orth, Peter Phil- lippi, Wm. Rapp, Solomon Spohn, Harry Weldy.

Merchants: Philip Albright, John Allgaier, Marks John Biddle, Boas, Lott & Co., D. R. Clymer, William and Peter Coleman, Lewis Briner, Baum & Sands, Samuel Ermen- trout, Wm. Ermentrout, Fasig & Henry, Wm. S. Fisher, Fricker & Stout, John Green, Hoff & Bro., George Feather, Hart & Mayer, Johnson & Templin, Keely & Kerper, Wm. & John Keim, Michael Keffer, Frank Miller, J. & C. M. Pearson, Alexander Peacock, Wm. Rhoads & Son, Francis Roland, Stichter & McKnight, John Ritter & Co., Seyfert & Miner, Frank B. Shalters, David R. Schultz, E. D. Smith, Weitzel & Bro., Philip Zieber.

The following women were in business then, all con- ducting millinery establishments, and several including trimmings and notions: Mrs. Catharine Andrews, (Bar. bara) Babb & (Catharine) Wanner, Mrs. Rachel Boyer, Helen Dwight, Mrs. Amanda Heller, Mrs. Mary Marsh, Mrs. Hannah Phillippi, Catharine Price, Deborah Potts, Mrs. Elizabeth Reamer (Norton), Ellen Richards, Mrs. Red, Mrs. Runyeon, (Mrs. Susan) Rapp & (Mrs. Catha- rine) Harvey, Mrs. Harriet Smith (Kutz).

DEVELOPMENT SINCE 1847 .- By the foregoing de- tails it is apparent that the community then pos- sessed a remarkable spirit of enterprise, and that this spirit caused the development of Reading in its industrial, financial and social affairs. The es- tablishments were mostly small, and employed only several mechanics. The iron works, however, were large and afforded employment to a considerable number of hands, especially the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company shops, and the Seyfert, McManus & Company rolling-mill. The major part of their production was shipped away by railroad, canal, stage and private conveyances, more par- ticularly cigars, iron articles and wool hats.

It would be very interesting to describe in detail the development of the industrial life at Reading in its various channels until the present time, but the subject cannot be exhaustively treated here. The status at the beginning of 1909, sixty years after the incorporation of the city, is far beyond that of 1847. This will be made ap- parent by comparing the foregoing statement with the following. The improvement is truly wonder- ful, and the people of Reading can show a pardon- able pride in its manufacturing concerns, to which it is chiefly indebted for the great increase of its wealth and population.

It must be stated in this connection that a sim- ilar improvement was made in the dry-goods estab- lishments. Some of them have grown into large department stores, notably Dives, Pomeroy & Stew- art, C. K. Whitner & Co., Kline, Eppihimer & Co., J. Mould & Co., and Lord & Gage. The stores at Reading from 1760 to 1847 were practically what the department stores are today, the differ- ence being in the amount of stock carried. Then the value was from $5,000 to $50,000; now it is from $50,000 to $1,000,000. After 1847, as pop- ulation increased, many of them began to carry distinct lines of goods, and this has been continued until now. The department stores began here in 1876.

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

STATEMENT OF INDUSTRIES

The following concise description of the numer- ous industrial enterprises at Reading, showing name and nature of business, date of founding, etc., will give the reader an idea of the great variety of articles manufactured. The compiler had hoped to supply particulars showing the ex- tent of the business, persons employed, investments, etc., of the various establishments in existence at this time, whether large or small, but he found that the information could not be made complete, or reliable, and that changes in the firms and the business were constantly going on; therefore he confined his efforts to the preparation of a simple statement. The list indicates truly that Reading has been and is a great industrial center. Its trad- ing relations extend to all parts of the world. Many of the important facts will be found in the sketches of the manufacturers which are includ- ed in the biographical part of this publication. The iron industries have been described in a class by themselves, at the end of the alphabetical list. ABATTOIRS :

Reading Abattoir Company, 1898, 60 to 75 men. Simon & Sherman, 1906, 3 to 4 men.

BADGES :

Reading Ribbon Badge Company, 1896; 20 to 30 hands.

Keystone Ribbon Badge Company, 1893; 8 to 10 hands.

BAKERIES, BREAD, PIES, etc. (the more important,

which employ several or more teams for deliver- ing their products ).

Joel A. Arnold

Jacob B. Mertz William Moyer

William H. Behrle

Alfred E. Brossman

Andrew J. Muntz

Mrs. Minnie Brusch Harry Pappa

Mrs. Lena C. Dallwig

John W. Pfautz

Charles H. DeHart

John F. Rauch

Charles G. Fender

Conrad Schamburg

Daniel H. Folmer

Henry Schofer's Sons

Conrad Gantert

James A. Schofer

Samuel A. J. Green Samuel Spadofora

A. J. Howard & Andrew Christian

Daniel B. Spatz

Edwin C. Stahl

Frederick K. Humrichouse

John S. Stegmann

Robert W. Kingkinger

Edward F. Stoeber

Frank C. Kolb

Mrs. Kate R. Warfel

John P. Luft

Michael Wolicki

BAKERIES, BRETZELS :

Pennsylvania Bretzel Company, 1900 (succeeded Lichtenthaler Bretzel Company, which was started in 1860).

J. T. Adoms & Co., 1907 (succeeded Hendricks

& Adams, which was started in 1893). Francis J. Bachman, 1884.

Addison Geyer, 1885.

Frank P Nistle, 1903.

American Pretzel Company (William L. Schul- er), 1906.

BAKERIES, CRACKERS:

A. Mitchell Est. (succeeded David Mitchell, who started in 1853).

Reading Biscuit Company, 1903.

BASKETS :

George S. Cook, 1905 (having succeeded his father, John Cook, 1852-1905).

William L. Wunder, 1883.

BENDING WORKS :

Anchor Bonding Works, J. Harry and Charles E. Leippe, 1889 (succeeded father, 1880-89).

BOATS :

John A. Hiester, since 1878.

Previously, Samuel Krauser, David Ely, William Hiester ( father of John), Peter Krick, Adam Waid, William Call, and Jerome Ringler, covering a per- iod of fifty years.

BOOKBINDING :

Edward Taenzer, 1889 ( formerly Taenzer Broth- ers, and Engel Brothers, 1869-85).

Heller Bindery, 1908 (succeeding Charles F. Heller, 1883-1904, and H. C. Wonnberger, 1894- 1907).

Arnold's Commercial Book Shop (Augustus W. Arnold), 1907 (succeeding F. P. Heller, 1902-07).

Previous binders, Isaac W. Harper (1835-74) ; George Kesserling (1858-86).

National Text Book Company, at Reading, Pa., was organized in 1909 for the purpose of binding books, manufacturing text-books and tablets of all kinds, and publishing magazines, and, when fully established, to include a printing department. In this behalf the company purchased the Connard Brass Foundry at Sixth and Chestnut streets and secured possession on June 1, 1909. The building was equipped with the latest machinery and opera- tions were started July 1st. Its trade will be ex- tended throughout the United States. The officers of the company are: President, Hon. L. S. Wal- ter, Mt. Carmel, Pa .; vice-president, J. B. Steiner, Reading, Pa .; secretary, W. W. Ridge, Centralia, Pa .; treasurer, Paul K. Leinbach, Reading, Pa. The directors are: Hon. Thomas P. Merritt, James H. Renninger, F. B. Musser, G. L. Klein- ginna, Reading, Pa .; Hon. E. M. Herbst, Oley, Pa .; Hon. Leopold Fuerth, Honesdale, Pa .; J. V. Lesher, Esq., Sunbury, Pa .; E. J. Flynn, Esq., Centralia, Pa .; James F. Carline, Mt. Carmel, Pa .: Harry W. Davis, Esq., Wilmington, Delaware. BOTTLING WORKS :

J. Fett & Sons, 1887 (succeeding John Fehr, 1850-55, Herman Floto, 1855-64, Schick & Fett, 1864-87).

Empire Bottling Works, 1898 (Herman J. Croes- sant, succeeding Fries & Croessant, 1882-98).

Excelsior Bottling Company, 1894 (Thomas J. Fessler, succeeding Fessler & Dunkelberger).

Reading Bottling Works, 1906 ( Reading Brew- ing Company).

Irvin Hassler, 1908 (succeeding A. W. Fisher, 1887-1908).

Union Bottling Works, 1902 (Walton A. Griese- mer).

Mountain Spring Water Company, 1892 (John Lawrence, and his sons Edward and Richard).

Mt. Laurel Spring Water Company, 1908.

Gottlieb Mayer

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READING

BOXES, CIGAR :

A. Thalheimer Manufacturing Company, 1903 (succeeding John Kaul, 1865-66, Frederick Brecht, 1866-68, Albert Thalheimer, 1868-95, A. Thalheim- er & Son, 1895-1903).

E. R. Fichthorn Est., 1907 (succeeding E. R. Fichthorn, 1878-1907).

Lyman P. Kline, 1905 (succeeding Boyer & Heil- ig, 1866-1905).

Old Honesty Cigar Box Company, 1907 (J. N. & C. W. Bucks) (succeeding Bellman Brothers, 1905-07).

BOXES, PAPER :

Reading Ribbon Badge Company, 1896 (suc- ceeding Julius Webber, who manufactured ribbon badges etc. from 1853 to 1896).

Standard Paper Box Company, 1894 (succeed- ing Albert Trate, 1875-94).

William H. Engel, 1886.

Reading Paper Box Company, 1892.

Mt. Penn Paper Box Company, 1894 (Ephraim G. Wanner & Sons, since 1907).

Excelsior Paper Box Company, 1908 (Charles C. Miller & Harry I. Steiger).

BOXES, PACKING CASES:

Abner S. Deysher, 1894 (succeeding Jacob H. Deysher, 1860-88, and his widow, 1888-94).

Leinbach Box Company, 1902.

J. F. Kachline, 1904.

BRASS WORKS :

Henry Connard Est., 1907-May, 1909 (succeed- ing Douglas & Connard, 1854-96, and Henry Con- nard, 1896-1907).

Dick Brothers, 1901 (succeeding Miller & Buck- walter, 1897-1901).

Excelsior Brass Works, 1903 (succeeding Charles Dick & George A. Wicklein, who started in 1897). Kline & Co., 1897 (J. W. Kline).

Crescent Brass Manufacturing Company, 1904. Brass Foundries also carried on by P. & R. R. Company, Reading Hardware Company and Penn Hardware Company.

BREWERIES :

Lauer Brewing Company, 1883 (Frank P. Lauer) (succeeding George Lauer, 1826-35, and Frederick Lauer, 1835-83).

Deppen Brewing Company, 1901 (succeeding N. A. Felix, 1847-79, and William P. Deppen, 1879- 1901).

P. Barbey & Son, 1880 (John Barbey) (succeed- ing Peter Barbey, 1861-97).

Reading Brewing Company, 1886.

Schneider Brewing Works, 1907 (August Schnei- der) (succeeding Stocker & Roehrich, 1891-1907). BRICK, FIRE :

Reading Fire Brick Works, 1889 (succeeding William A. Wells & Isaac Bertolette, 1845-57, and McHose & Thompson, 1857-89) ; plant, Fifth and Canal streets.

George J. Eckert manufactured fire-brick for many years on Canal street, near Bingaman.

BRICK, BUILDING:

The manufacture of building and paving brick was a prominent industry at Reading from the be- ginning of Reading until 1907, when the last brick kiln was abandoned. The manufacture is carried on prominently by parties residing in Reading, but the plants are situated in West Reading and ad- joining Wyomissing.

BROOMS :

Shanaman Brothers, 1873 (Jacob, William F. and Walter Shanaman, the last having retired from firm in 1896).

S. E. Nies & Co., 1899 (Samuel E. Nies and David T. Schmehl).

Henry H. Krouse manufactured brooms for many years, having started in 1840.

BRUSHES :

George Regenfuse, 1852.

J. O. Flatt & Co., 1895 (Joseph and George) (succeeding their father, Joseph O. Flatt, 1872- 95).

Previous brush-makers were Benjamin Witman, Morris Helms, Peter Steinel, 1847-70, John E. Steinel, 1870-1905.

BUGGYAUTS :

In 1906 Charles E. Duryea became interested in the development of a horseless conveyance which he named the "Buggyaut," a carriage propelled by gasoline. He established a place in 1908 on Cherry street, above Third, for assembling the several parts, which are made by different parties here and elsewhere, and then started filling orders. He employs 4 hands.

CABINET WORKS :

In 1907 John Herb and Daniel Rhoads associated together as the Reading Cabinet Works for the pur- pose of manufacturing cabinets, show-cases, etc., having succeeded J. Howard Cutler, who had carried on the business for a number of years at No. 834 Court street. They employ 5 hands.

The Neversink Planing Mill makes a specialty of supplying cabinets.

CANDY :

J. O. Koller, 1880; transferred to son May, 1909.

Luden Candy Factory-In 1882, William H. Lu- den began modestly making candy for Christmas, with thirty pounds of sugar, at No. 37 North Fifth street, and he disposed of the result of his first ef- forts in his store. He continued there for ten years, gradually increasing his production, and then he was obliged to move into larger quarters, which he established in a four-story building on the northeast corner of Sixth and Washington streets. He em- ployed then 140 persons and worked up a carload of sugar weekly, and his trade came to extend through the Eastern, Middle and Southern States. By the year 1900 his trade had been developed to such proportions that he was obliged to secure still larger quarters, and he accordingly located his plant on Eighth street beyond Walnut, where he erected a four-story brick structure, 165 feet front by

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

110 feet deep, dedicating the building in June, 1900, on successfully with 7 to 10 hands, according to and taking possession shortly afterward. And the demands of his trade.

there, too, his business has been increasing from CELLULOID SIGNS: year to year until he has come to employ from 400 to 500 hands. During the summer of 1909 he erected a four-story brick addition to the south end, 60 by 110 feet, making the plant altogether 225 feet front by 110 feet deep. He manufactures all kinds of candies in very large quantities, which are shipped throughout the United States. For several years he has made a specialty of "Luden's Menthol Cough Drops," which have become very popular, the an- nutal sales amounting to 5,000,000 5-cent packages.

Mr. Luden has endeared himself very much to all his employes by his kindness and generosity. Annually he provides an outing for them at his own expense, which is highly appreciated.

John M. Fries, 1888.

Reading Confectionery Company, 1892.

W. G. Hollis, 1893-1905, and since by estate. tate.

Numerous other parties manufacture candy, but in a limited way.

CARPETS :

Charles Pflugfelter, 1882 (succeeding his father, John Pflugfelter, 1855-97).

Joseph A. Boyer, 1883. Charles J. Smith, 1887.

Carpets made are entirely of rags. Ingrain car- pets were also made for some time but discontin- ued.

CARRIAGES AND WAGONS :

Wetherhold Brothers, 1891 (William and George) (succeeding father, William H. Wether- hold, 1862-91).

Biehl Carriage and Wagon Works, 1903 (suc- ceeding George W. Biehl, 1877-1903).

G. H. Smith & Son, 1902.

Keystone Vehicle Company .- The Keystone Ve- hicle Company was incorporated May 4, 1909, with a capital of $75,000, for the manufacture of wagons and automobile bodies, as successor of the Keystone Wagon Works, which had carried on a large busi- ness at Reading since 1890, extending to all parts of the United States. It secured the established plant along the Lebanon Valley railroad at Third street, consisting of a four-story brick structure, 200 by 225 feet, equipped with first-class modern machinery. Operations were started immediately and employment was given to 100 hands. The an- nual wages will amount to $50,000, and the product to $300,000. The officers of the company are: Ed- ward C. Nolan, president; G. Stanley Hendel, sec- retary ; John L. Coxe, treasurer and manager.

Tobias K. Shenk followed general contracting at Reading for eight years, and in 1903 embarked in the business of manufacturing heavy and light wagons and carriages, including rubber tires, at No. 1139 Moss street, and has continued until the present time, employing from 6 to 10 hands.

David L. Reber (engaged in local express and storage) started in this business at Buttonwood and Cedar streets in 1905 and has since carried it

The General Advertising Company was incorpor- ated in the year 1900, with a capital of $15,000, by a number of Reading capitalists, for the purpose of establishing a plant at Reading for the manufacture of steel enameloid signs of a general description. The company carried on business successfully at several places in the city, and in October, 1907, erected a superior four-story brick structure, 30 by 100 feet, at Fourth and Franklin streets, where they have developed a very large trade, almost wholly engaged in manufacturing steel celluloid signs for paint manufacturers, and for railroads, which are sold throughout the United States. The plant employs 25 hands. It is the only one of the kind at Reading. The officers of the company are: Walter S. Hamaker, president ; How- ard J. Potts, secretary-treasurer.

CEMENT PAVING:

R. L. Wilson & Co.

Dominic Maurer (succeeding Engelbert & Wag- onblast).

Franklin Walters.

Reading Cement & Paving Company (Hover- ter & Hartman).

Weller Brothers (Frederick W. and Ephraim).

Cement paving began at Reading about 1876. The first large pavements were put down at the Boys' High School in 1883, and the Post-Office building in 1887. Cement blocks began to be made at Reading in 1904 by Weller Brothers.

CHEWING GUM :

The Kola-Chemical Company was incorporated in the year 1903 with a capital of $20,000, for the manufacture of chewing gum at Reading, and since then has manufactured "Richardson's Kola Chew- ing Gum" in large quantities, employing 25 hands. Its quarters are located in the Luden Candy Fac- tory. The officers of the company are: William H. Luden, president ; Miss M. M. Boas, treasurer ; and A. N. Bodey, secretary.

CIGARS :

The manufacture of cigars at Reading began about 1800, and the prominent manufacturers un- til the Civil war were James Morris, John Ey- rich, Samuel Eyrich, Isaac James, J. & E. Eyrich, Philip Albright, John Maltzberger, J. & G. W. Hantsch, Charles Breneiser and William Hartman. In 1908 there were over one hundred factories at Reading and each of the following parties made annually upward of five hundred thousand :

H. G. Burky George W. Lehr N. & N. Cigar Co. A. R. Orth

Dibert Bros. (Samuel D.) Otto Eisenlohr & Bro.

Fleck Cigar Company F. Ganter

Julius G. Hansen P. Hilderbrand Heymann Sons Haller & Whiteraft Industrial Cigar Mfg. Co. E. E. Kahler Cigar Co.

Penn Cigar Co. H. H. Roland

John H. Riegel

Charles Ream

Rush Mfg. Co. M. Steppacher

J. G. Spatz & Co.

J. W. Sheridan & Co.

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READING

W. W. Stewart & Son Valentine Wilk

Yocum Bros.

During 1908 the number of cigars manufactured in the Reading district exceeded 120,000,000; and the revenue paid was $361,873; and the revenue paid on manufactured tobacco was $14,782.

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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 41

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