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 62

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 62

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In 1906, the taxables numbered 969; the total assessed property amounted to $1,223,264; and the money at interest, $472,534. The buildings numbered 450; East ward, 280, and West ward, 170.

FIRST TAXABLES .- The following list embraces the first taxable inhabitants of the borough :

Enoch Alderman

William Hart

James Brusstar

John E. Hook

Dr. B. F. Bunn

Levi E. Hook

George Brinly

Henry E. Hook

Jeremiah Beard

Henry M. Houck

John R. Bechtel

George W. Hains

Edward Brooke

William Hayflicker

George Brooke

Anna Kline

Zacharias Bishop

John Keinard

Augustus Britton

Joseph R. Kerst

William Harbeson

Jacob Steinmetz

Richard Bull

James Liggett

Reuben Beidler

David J. Lincoln

Samuel Bland

Michael Lacy

John Hoffman, Jr.

Lewis R. Bland

Ellen Luft

Charles Hoyer

Daniel Bower

Peter Moll

James Henry

John Bechtel

Raymond Mohr

Henry Henry

James Bradley

Daniel R. Miller

Daniel Hoyer

John Britton

John T. Miller

Amos Harner

Effenger Dengler

Enos Morris

Henry Haws

William DeWitt

James Price

William D. Homan

Ferdinand Egelman

Cyrus Painter

James Homan

Henry A. Esterly

Edward Parlaman

Charles Hoffman

Reese Evans

Andrew Painter

Levi Hartman Isaac Hahn

William Thompson

Cyrus Rhoads

Joseph M. Hale

Hugh Vaneman

Samuel Rhoads

Henry Hoffman

Owen Wolff

Michael Hoffman

Moses Stubblebine

Jacob R. Hunter

Hannah Steinmetz

John Incheliff George Irey

John White

Henry Houck

Elijah Shirey

David Johnson

Jonathan Woomer

Daniel Spencer

Samuel Kachel

Benjamin Weidner George Wert

Dr. Isaac B. Hallman

George Wert

David Kline

Francis M. Weaver

Caleb Harrison

Elizabeth Wood

Samuel Kring

A. B. Young

Jacob E. Hook Susan Hale

Henry Yeager

Adam Hoyer

John Yeager

Tenants

Edward F. Alderman

Robert Arnold

Reuben Breidegam

James Biedencup

John Bailey

John H. Brinley Jeremiah Babb

William Bortz

Henry Bechtel

John Lacy Jacob Lichty Henry Lichty

Joel Moore . Benjamin McCord

Edward Mohr

David McCord Joseph McKim

Charles Coughlen

Uriah Carson

Peter Detemple

William Davis

James Doaty

Jeremiah Dieter

John Deeds

John Davis

John Mock John Mills

James Davis

Caleb W. Mann

William Davis, Jr.

William March

Henry Davis

John Nichols

Tames Daub

David Dieffenderfer

Aaron Ellis

Lewis Phillips

Lacy Epstein

Henry Quimby

Joseph H. Fisher

Colbert Reamstein

David Focht

John Fillman

Samuel Fair

Franklin Reed

Isaac Fair

Caleb R. Rhoads

Peter Frymoyer

Augustus Redge

William Fosnacht

Benjamin Roberts

Jacob Fry

George Rotz

John Geary

Robert Rhoads

George Grubb

John Rhoads

Samuel Goheen

Peter Rorke

John Goheen

Henry Reimert

Frederick Garrick

George Siegfried

William Haggins

Rudolph Hayflicker

Daniel Spencer

Henry Biedencup

George W. Knabb

Thomas Hesser

Aaron 'Sloyer

Owen Hamilton

James Schule Henderson Sample William Stanley John Siegfried

George Schirey Ezra Smith Isaac Steinruck Samuel Shealer J. S. Scheffey Samuel Troop James Tolbert

Benjamin Grubb Samuel Goheen Charles Glass Jacob Geiger Joseph Hale

John Rork

Charles Hoyer

Charles Vanderslice

Augustus Redcay

William Ives

David Watts

Elisha B. Houck

Augustus Schlichter

Perry Jones

Oliver C. Wilson

Hannah Huyett G. W. Harrison

David Vanneman

Henry Kline

George Yocum

John Kutz

Charles Lacy

John H. Yeager Peter Zeller

Single Men

William Britton George Britton William Dengler Lewis Delavan

Daniel Aldenderfer Ammon Albright Henry Albright

Samuel Bland Edward Bland Charles Bland

Albert Borden

Joseph Bigley John Boyer John Brown William Bishop Thomas Conner Edward Conner Jacob Cramp

William Morris Adam McMullen

Tames H. Minker

Isaac Minker Augustus Minker

Levi Mover

William Nagel

George Painter

David Rhoads

B. F. Rorke

William Seidel

John Hoffman, Sr.

Edward Siegfried

William Siegfried

Isaac L. Pauling

Daniel Witman

George Engelman Edward B. Evans

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Levi Focht

William March

Constables, Samuel Kirby Mahlon Donner

Aaron Francis

Amos Miller

Lot B. Foreman

George Mohr Auditors, D. Harvey Whitman

Samuel Green

John Phillips

Daniel Meinder

Joseph Henderson

Benjamin F. Rork

George F. Bierman

Edward Hesser

Enoch Rhoads

Caleb Harrison, Jr. John Shiner

Samuel M. Harrison Tacob Steinmetz

William H. Harrison

Andrew Steinmetz

John Haws

Albert Shirey

Joseph Lacy

Samuel Westley

Peter Luft David Waltz

George C. Mohr Thomas White

OFFICIALS .- The following chief burgesses, town clerks and justices of the peace have officiated from the beginning of the borough to the present time :

CHIEF BURGESSES

George W. Hain 1873

James Ligget 1874-75

George Beard

1876

D. K. Miller 1877

George W. Hook. 1878

Dr. Henry B. Brusstar 1879-80

C. B. Beard 1881-82

Cyrus Painter 1883

Michael Hoffman 1884

Abner S. East. 1885-89

Jacob M Prutzman

1889-92

Isaac W. Miller

1892-93

David Kline

1893-94

Julius R. Langner*

1894-97

James A. Hoffman

1897-1900

Jacob Derr

.1900-03

Oliver W. Eck.

1903-06

John W. Davis. 1906-09

Elmer E. Squibb. 1909-12

* First elected for three years under Act of 1893.

TOWN CLERKS

Caleb K. Rhoads 1873-1903

Albert Fritz 1903-06

Howard Deam 1906-10

JUSTICES . OF THE PEACE

Joseph R. Kerst. .1873-88

James S. Brusstar. .1873-90

Jeremiah Beard 1888-93

Jacob Prutzman 1890-1911

Oscar S. Hertzog. 1893-98

Zacharias Bishop 1898-1903

Harry E. Hart* .1903

James A. Hoffman* 1903-09

John Wells, Sr

1909-14

BOROUGH OFFICIALS-1909

Chief Burgess, Elmer E. Squibb

Town Council,

Howard L. Hook, President

Enos Rhoads, Treasurer

Samuel C. Ward

George Brooke, Jr.

John W. Slipp

W. Oliver Geiger

Horace Fry

Howard C. Deam, Clerk

School Board, Robert F. Brooke, President

Harry A. Beard, Secretary

Jacob Shaner, Treasurer

Lyman B. Umstead

William K. Young Philip Brown

Justices of the Peace, Jacob M. Prutzman

James Hoffman

* Hart resigned shortly after receiving his commission; Hoffman was appointed in his stead and elected in 1904.

Collector, Charles H. Miller Board of Health, Frank P. Lytle, M. D., President

Frank Arters, Secretary Charles H. Miller

Henry H. Davis Harry Henderson John Murray

INDUSTRIES .- The industries at Birdsboro are nu- merous and together make the place the most pros- perous town in the county next to Reading. The large and flourishing works of the E. & G. Brooke Company constitute the conspicuous industrial life of the place and its chief support.

William Bird established the first iron works here in 1740 and upon his decease in 1762 they passed to his son Mark, who operated them until his fail- ure in 1788. They embraced several forges, roll- ing-mill, slitting-mill, nail-mill, grist and saw-niill, and about eight thousand acres of land, which lay to the east, south and west of the works for sev- eral miles. John Nixon, Cadwallader Morris, James Old, and James Wilson then became owners. John Louis Barde (the grandfather of Edward and George Brooke) had located here in 1788 and run the forges until 1796, when James Wilson sold them to him, including 2,200 acres of land, and upon his decease in 1799, Matthew Brooke (the father of Edward and George) became the owner.

Brooke Works .- In 1837, the two sons named purchased the plant, and they and their sons have been operating it successfully until now, covering a period of more than seventy continuous years and altogether in the family for more than a hundred years. In 1846 a charcoal furnace was erected by them along the creek about a mile to the south, to take the place of the "Hampton Forge"; in 1848, an enlarged rolling mill and nail factory ; in 1852, an anthracite furnace (known as No. 1 and operated until recently when it was dismantled) ; in 1870, another anthracite furnace, No. 2, and in 1873 a third, No. 3, both of which are still in active operation. No. 2 affords constant employment to 100 hands, and No. 3, to 200 hands.

In 1878, Edward Brooke died, and the E. & G. Brooke Iron Company was organized, which be- came the owner of the extensive plant. The capac- ity has been gradually enlarged until the present time. Now the works produce annually 80,000 tons of pig iron, and 250,000 kegs of nails ; and furnish employment to 775 men and boys. The company own altogether 250 dwelling-houses, which are oc- cupied by its employees ; and 150 are owned by em- ployees, which evidences their industry and thrift.

In 1867, a foundry company was organized for manufacturing stoves and machine castings, but it was operated only several years when the Brookes purchased the large building. In 1885 the Penn-

Assessors, John H. Beidler

George W. Reeser

BOROUGHS

277

sylvania Diamond Drill Company removed their has been managed very successfully. In 1901, a plant from Pottsville to this building and engaged new and attractive building was erected for the in the manufacture of diamond-drilling machinery, transaction of its business. In November, 1908, mining tools, and high-speed electric light engines. the resources of the bank were $358,896, with in- dividual deposits $177,844. Edward Brooke has been the president since its organization. Owing to the increasing business a new stone build- ing was erected in 1888, and equipped with the finest machinery for manufacturing machinery for rolling mills, blast furnaces and steel plants; and subsequently the old building was enlarged and changed to a cast-iron foundry for producing all kinds of grey-iron castings.

In 1902, the plant was destroyed by fire; but it was immediately rebuilt, with a modern equipment to produce the largest and most difficult castings. In 1903, a steel-casting branch was added. The total cost of this great industry exceeds $1,000,- 000, and over four hundred hands are afforded constant employment. The Brookes became the owners, and they operated the plant under the name of the Birdsboro Steel Foundry & Machine Com- pany.

It is estimated that 150 men from Reading are employed in the different works at Birdsboro, who travel by train to and fro daily.

Bird Mill .- Next to the iron works, the oldest industry in long-continued operation is the large stone grist-mill at the corner of Main and Mill streets, along Hay creek. It was first erected by William Bird about the time he started in the iron business, for the purpose of supplying flour and feed to his working-people and live stock. In 1844, the third building was put there. In 1879, this was remodeled with roller-process ma- chinery, and flour was manufactured until 1898; since then it has been used as a chopping-mill, operated by George C. Riegner.

Shoe Factories .- In 1881, H. M. Willits started the manufacture of infants' shoes and has con- tinued until the present time, employing upward of sixty hands; and in 1890 Albert H. Huyett and Charles S. Rhoads, trading as Huyett & Rhoads, started in the same business and have since employed from sixty to seventy-five hands.

Hosiery Mill .- William B. Byers and son Charles have been engaged in the manufacture of hosiery since 1904, employing twenty to thirty hands. They succeeded William Cavanaugh, who had car- ried on the factory for about ten years.

Creamery-A creamery was started at Birds- boro about 1895 by Herbine & Kline and they oper- ated it until March, 1909, when they sold it to with his brother Roy Koch as manager.

Harry Koch, who has been operating it since, the Methodist Episcopal church, erected in 1839

Glove Factory .- A new enterprise for the manu- facture of canvas gloves has been recently start- ed by James Sponagle and his son.

Besides the industries named the borough con- tained in April, 1909, two bakeries, two tinsmith shops, eight grocery stores, one drug store, one bottling works, and four physicians.

RAILROADS .- The Philadelphia & Reading rail- road was constructed along the northerly bank of the Schuylkill river opposite Birdsboro in 1838; the Wilmington & Northern, through the central section of the town and thence southward along Hay creek, in 1874; the Pennsylvania Schuylkill Valley, also through the central section, extend- ing east and west, in 1884; and a trolley line of electric railway was extended from the Black Bear Inn, via Seyfert and Gibraltar to Birdsboro, in 1904. They are all of great importance to the place, not only in respect to its industries but also to the convenience and encouragement of its inhabitants in visiting the county-seat for business, political, social and amusement purposes.

FIRE COMPANY .- In 1883, a fire company was organized at Birdsboro to afford the place protec- tion against fire, named Friendship Fire Company No. 1. In 1884 the company erected a fine two- story engine-house, on a lot donated by George Brooke, in which to place its apparatus. It was enlarged in 1905. The equipment comprises two hose carriages with 1,000 feet of hose; and the membership numbers 120. The building includes all modern improvements, with four bath-rooms and pool-room for the convenience and entertainment of the members.

NEWSPAPERS .- The Birdsboro Pioneer was the first newspaper published at Birdsboro. It was an English weekly started by B. F. Fries on April 27, 1873, and he continued its publication until Jan- uary, 1876, when he moved to Reading, changed the title to Industrial Pioneer, and continued its publication for several months.

The Birdsboro Dispatch was started by Rapp & Ryan in 1884 as an English weekly and they carried on its publication until Jan. 1, 1894, when Luther S. Mohr became the purchaser and he continued its publication until July 1, 1908, when he sold it to Harry E. Hart, who has issued it since in con- nection with The Birdsboro Review, which he had founded in 1893 and published successfully until the consolidation.

CHURCHES .- The first church in this locality was near Mt. Airy, several miles to the east. The ad- herents of this denomination at Birdsboro attend- ed services there and continued to do so until 1869, when a church was established in the town; and this has been maintained until now.

Members of the Protestant Episcopal Church at- tended services at Douglassville until 1853, when they secured a church at Birdsboro, which was named "St. Michael's." The building was remod-

BANK .- A national bank was organized and chartered in 1888 with a capital of $50,000, which eled in 1885 and made one of the most attractive

278

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

churches in the county. A fine rectory was added fine, large, three-story brick building to provide to the property in 1877; and also a library hall in a hall for their meetings, and all the secret socie- 1884. The members of this denomination were ties (including Sons of America, Mechanics, Mac- mostly instrumental in laying out a cemetery a mile east of the town in 1870. A soldiers' monument was erected there in 1905, and dedicated with im- posing ceremonies on July 4th.

The Evangelical Association erected a small church in 1874; the Lutherans, in 1877 (after main- taining an organization since 1873) ; and the Re- formed, in 1880. Members of the last two denom- inations until then had generally attended church services either at the "Plow Church" to the south; or at the "Schwartzwald" to the north, or at the "St. John's" to the west.

In South Birdsboro, there are two brick church buildings, one erected by Grace United Brethren Association in 1886, and the other by Trinity Evan- gelical Association in 1904.

SCHOOLS .- The citizens of the community adopt- ed the free school system in 1836. Previously there were pay schools, as elsewhere in the county.

An academy for higher education was established in 1855 by Prof. B. F Boyer, a graduate of Yale College, who afterward practised law at Reading. The site is now included in the cemetery. It was carried on for about twenty years, and commonly known as the "Philomathean Academy." Educa- tional matters have been much encouraged, as evi- denced by the superior and costly school buildings in the town. A fine modern structure was erected ' in 1896. In 1906, there were eleven graded schools, with 459 scholars.

BANDS .- There are three popular bands of music at Birdsboro: The 46th Regiment Band (organized before the Civil War) ; the Birdsboro Band, with twenty performers; and the Orpheus Band, with twenty performers. The Birdsboro Drum Corps, with fifteen members, has also been a popular or- ganization for a number of years.

Cornet Band in Civil War .- The Birdsboro Cornet Band was enlisted in the Civil war, and the musicians were R. J. Stanley, leader, Augustus Dewitt, John W. Deeds, Benneville Evans, Dan- iel Fix, Isaac Hoyer, George W. Horner, John H. Karch, William V. Light, Joseph Lacey, Au- gustus Minker, James H. Minker. It was mus- tered into service Aug. 27, 1861, for three years, as the regimental band of the 46th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. It accompanied the reg- iment in its movements but was mustered out of service Aug. 16, 1862, in pursuance of an order dispensing with regimental bands. It was rec- ognized as a superior band. It has kept up an active organization until the present time, known as the 46th Regimental Band. The members num- ber forty, all expert players on their respective instruments. Samuel Nagle has been the leader for the past twenty years. It is popular and parti- cipates in many public demonstrations.

LODGE HALL .- In 1904, the Knights of the Gold- en Eagle and the Odd Fellows jointly erected a

cabees and Red Men) meet there, excepting the Freemasons, which meet in Brooke Hall. The Auditorium for public meetings and amusements was erected in 1892, and has been patronized lib- erally.

HOTELS .- There are three licensed hotels in the borough, Washington, Mansion, and St. Elmo. The first was rebuilt in 1904 by John Barbey of Reading to supply a modern hotel; the Reading Brewing Company secured the second also in 1904, and made costly improvements.

HOMES .- Birdsboro is remarkable for beautiful homes, more especially in the sections known lo- cally as Lincoln-town and Brooklyn. The Brooke homes are palatial.

FIRST BRIDGE .- In 1778, a ford was reported at Jacob Huyett's farm along the Schuylkill river which was above the mouth of Hay creek, and then the water was eight inches in depth. This ford was used until 1845, when a covered wooden bridge was erected by a stock company and it was main- tained as a toll-bridge until 1887, when it became a free county bridge. In 1850, it was swept away by the great freshet. It was immediately rebuilt and is still in daily use.

FLOOD OF 1902 .- In February, 1902, there was a considerable fall of rain and on account of the rushing swollen waters in Hay creek the dam above the Brooke nail-mill was swept away and the lower section of Birdsboro along Main street was flood- ed to the depth of seven feet. After the waters had passed away, there was a deposit of fourteen inches of mud on the street and six inches in the dwellings.

CENTREPORT

INCORPORATION .- Centreport was incorporated as a borough in 1884, having been taken from Centre township, for the purpose of securing better school facilities. The borough, which is the smallest in the county, includes one school building, with 25 scholars ; 38 dwellings ; and a population of 150.

FIRST TAXABLES .- The taxable residents at the- time of incorporation were as follows :

William B. Borkey George P. Rentschler

Mary Blatt David Stepp

William W. Haag John H. Stepp

George W. B. Kauffman

Henry Stoyer

Daniel H. Kline

Benjamin Schlappig

William R. Kline

Esther Stoudt

Alfred A. Lesher

Tenants

Joshua Bucks

David Myers

Elias Boltz

James H. Moll

James Dunkelberger

Daniel H. Noecker

William Deweese

John E. Pautsch

Samuel Heffner

Elias S. Rentschler

Tames A. Hoffman, M. D.

Morris Reeser

Samuel B. Kantner William Knauer

John H. Spatz, M. D.

Elizabeth Seaman

James W. Klapp

Adam S. Williams

James T. Kline

Ephraim C. Moyer

Charles S. Yoder

279

BOROUGHS

OFFICIALS .- The following have served as chief making ladies' and children's underwear. In 1901, burgesses and justices of the peace since the incor- Mr. Pautsch became the sole owner, and he oper- poration of the borough: ated the plant for five years in a successful man- CHIEF BURGESSES ner; employing from eighteen to twenty-five hands, Morris Reeser 1884-85 with an investment of $10,000; then it was des- James Kauffman 1886 troyed by fire, and Mr. Pautsch died shortly after- ward.

Darius E. Sheidy

1887; 1890-91

William Knauer

1888

M. G. Rentschler.

1889

James Lengel

1892-97

Frank Dewees 1897-1900

James H. Moll.

1900-03

Frank H. Borkey.

1903-06

P. S. Ludwig

1906-09

James S .: Miller

1909-12

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

James Klapp 1884-89

George W. B. Kauffman

1884-88

Darius E. Sheidy ..

1888-92

Michael S. Rentschler.

1889-1909

J. M. Yerger

1892-93

M. D. Winter

1894-1909

BOROUGH OFFICIALS-1909

Chief Burgess, James S. Miller

Town Council, H. E. F. Deitz, President

David Porter

John Bagenstose

William Reber

Levi Haag

M. S. Rentschler, Secretary

School Board,

James S. Miller, President

M. D. Winter, Secretary

Thomas D. Moyer, Treasurer

William Rick

M. S. Rentschler

H. E. F. Deitz

Assessor, M. D. Winter

Collector, H. E. F. Deitz

Auditors, D. B. Rentschler

Thomas Moyer

William Reber Justice of the Peace, M. S. Rentschler

Constable, T. D. Moyer

INDUSTRIES .- Before 1890 there were no indus- tries at the place. The first was a creamery es- tablished by M. S. Rentschler, Esq., in 1891. It has been operated since 1900 by H. S. Frauenfel- der, of Mohrsville, in connection with three other creameries.

In 1892, Jonathan G. Reber started the manu- facture of light and heavy farm wagons at this place and he has continued until the present time, employing from ten to fifteen hands, with a capi- tal of $8,000. His wagons are sent to all parts of the county, being appreciated for their strength and durability.

The same year F. R. Hiester began the manu- facture of cigars, moving here from Shartlesville, where he had been in the business from 1885. He and his son produced annually about 200,000, which were sold mostly in the coal regions of Pennsyl- vania. They discontinued in 1906.

In 1895, a knitting-mill was established by J. E. Pautsch, M. M. Kline and D. E. Noecker for

In 1895, C. K. Miller opened a marble yard for supplying gravestones and marble work, and has continued it since. In that year M. D. Win- ter began the making of ice-cream and confec- tionery, enlarging his business in 1902 by the addi- tion of a gasoline engine. His trade extends in- to the surrounding townships.

In 1900, Joseph D. Naftzinger engaged in the manufacture of kitchen furniture, continuing un- til now with three hands. The top floor of his factory building is used for lodge purposes. He also deals in furniture and carpets. He is the undertaker for this vicinity.

In 1902, William Boyer, began a small saddlery for the manufacture and repair of harness. A similar shop had been at the place for many years.

M. D. Winter started a shirt factory in 1908 with eighteen hands; and J. S. Balthaser an imple- ment store in 1907 with five hands.

M. D. Winter has been the postmaster for six -. teen years. The previous postmasters were J. E. Pautsch and William B. Borkey.

The enterprise of the place is commendable, con- sidering its smallness and situation from the rail- way. [Statistics relating to the borough will be found in Chapter IX.]

About 1818, a public house, including a general store, was opened at this point by John Haag, and from this time forward it gradually became a center for the transaction of business. The store was sep- arated from the tavern in 1857, and William Bor- key was the first store-keeper. M. S. Rentsch- ler's father carried on this store for many years. The son succeeded him in 1886, and has operated a large general store in a successful manner ever since.

In the erection of the borough, the tavern was excluded, though the premises adjoined the line. A post-office was established there in 1868. Curb- stones were set along the gutters in 1895; and the streets came to be lighted in the night-time by large oil lamps set on posts. The nearest railroad point is at Shoemakersville about two miles to the east, but the station generally taken is Mohrsville, though farther distant, on account of the shorter distance to Reading.

PHYSICIANS .- The medical practitioners at this place have been Dr. William Palm, Dr. J. H. Spatz, Dr. C. G. Loose, Dr. James A. Hoffman, and Dr. J. G. Matternes.

BAND OF MUSIC .- A band of music was organ- ized in the borough in 1906, with upward of fif- teen members, who are instructed by Byron Miller, of Bernville.

280

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

WEST LEESPORT

When the Philadelphia & Reading railroad was being extended from Reading northward, Samuel Lee laid out a town along the Centre Turnpike in Maiden-creek township (now Ontelaunee) a short distance east of the Schuylkill river, nine miles from Reading, and named it "Leesport." But the railroad was constructed on the western side of the river, and the station was located at the point where the public road from Leesport into Bern township crossed the railroad. This station was named Leesport by the railroad company in 1842; and the name has been continued until the present time.

The business at the station encouraged the for- mation of a settlement at this place and in time it developed into an important and popular trading center. Samuel H. Lenhart was actively and suc- cessfully engaged in the general store business here for fifty years, taking great interest in the wel- fare and enrichment of the community; Leonard F. Schock was the railroad station agent from 1870 until his decease in 1908; and Isaac H. Rahn the justice of the peace from 1868 until his decease in 1907.

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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 62

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