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 80

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 80

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Judge Woodward moved to Reading and took his seat upon the Bench in December, 1861. His judicial and social deportment at once inspired the citizens with unqualified confidence. The Civil War caused much commotion in the county. The Democrats were displeased with the ex- treme course of the Republican administration in national affairs, but he, notwithstanding his election by them, ad- vised co-operation and the enforcement of law to restore peace. His earnest public actions in behalf of the war, in conjunction with prominent and influential professional and business men, contributed a powerful influence toward the creation of a proper spirit in that alarming period. His patriotic conduct as a man of Democratic principles and association is worthy of special mention.

During his term he was unusually devoted to his office, and his administration of its responsible duties gave en- tire satisfaction ; and he became thoroughly identified with the interests and welfare of the county. His re-election was therefore assured. Shortly before the expiration of

for Luzerne county, and the Bar of that county unani- mously invited him to accept the office of president judge of the new court. When the movement became known to the attorneys of Berks county they held a special meeting and passed resolutions expressing the highest regard and affection for him, and inviting him to remain with them. The thorough appreciation of his course upon the Bench by the entire community, and the earnest expressions of good will by all the attorneys who practised under him, induced him to remain in the county. He was nominated by acclamation at the Democratic convention in June, 1871, and re-elected for a second term of ten years by a large majority.

The new Constitution of the State increased the number of the justices of the Supreme Court from five to seven members, and the two new members were to be elected in 1874, one by the Democratic party and the other by the Republican. The superiority of Judge Woodward's judicial qualifications and experience brought him prominently be- fore the Democrats of the State as a worthy candidate for this important position, and he received the nomination of their State Convention. This honor was given to him without solicitation of any kind on his part. The office truly sought the man. Upon his nomination he received numerous congratulatory letters, and the people of Berks county rejoiced at this honor, though by it they would suffer the loss of his valuable services.

Shortly after the election, the Hon. Edward M. Paxson, the Republican candidate, elevated at the same time to the Supreme Bench, visited Judge Woodward at Reading. While here they cast lots for precedence in the order of sticcession to the position of chief justice, and Judge Paxson won it. Judge Woodward took his seat Jan. 1, 1875, and filled the office with honor and distinction till his decease, Sept. 23, 1879. He was particularly regarded for devotion, ability and conscientiousness in the dis- charge of his duties. His remains were buried at Wilkes Barre.

Judge Woodward was elected president of the Reading Benevolent Society at Reading in 1871, and he filled this office until his decease. He took a deep interest in the benevolent affairs of the community, and gave generously toward the relief of poor people. In 1875 he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from Franklin and Marshall College. While upon the Bench in Berks county, he adjudicated many cases and his opinions were not questioned by writ of error or appeal. These cases were compiled by G. A. Endlich, Esq., an attorney of the Berks county Bar, and published in two volumes in 1885. They are known as "Woodward's Decisions."

Judge Woodward married Katharine Scott, daughter of Hon. David Scott, of Wilkes Barre, and by her had three children : Henry and Warren were both admitted to the Bar, but are now deceased, and Katharine Scott m. Frank Perley Howe, son of Rev. M. A. DeWolfe Howe, D. D., deceased, and resides at Philadelphia.

LOUIS F. KRAEMER, son of Louis and Catherine (Pfeil) Kraemer, was born at Greeneville, a suburban town of Norwich, Conn., July 30, 1854, and was edu- cated in the schools of that place, at Trenton, N. J., and at Myerstown, Pa. Upon arriving of age in 1875 his father gave him an interest in Stony Creek Mills, which the father had established in Berks county, three miles east of Reading, in 1865, and was operating suc- cessfully at that time. There the son began his active career in connection with this prominent manufacturing plant, and has continued with it until now.

In 1893 Mr. Kraemer assisted in organizing the Read- ing National Bank, and became one of its first directors, serving as such up to the present time. In 1900 he co- operated with capitalists in establishing the third trust company at Reading, and upon its organization under the name of the Colonial Trust Company he was elected president, and this responsible position he is still fill- ing. After an existence of but a few years, the com- pany erected a nine-story office building on Penn Square;

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toward securing a convenient and prominent place for its League, and he has been prominently identified with this business, and the building is not only the finest and lar- gest of its kind at Reading, but also one of the finest in Pennsylvania, truly a monument to the enterprise and management of this financial institution and proving a most substantial investment.

Mr. Kraemer married, in 1877, Ella Hall, of Hunting- don, Pa. They are active members of St. Paul's Memor- ial Reformed Church at Reading, and since their mar- riage have resided at Stony Creek. He has been serv- ing as an elder of the congregation since January, 1906, filling a position which his father had filled for many years.

Louis Kraemer, the father, was born at Berleberg, in the province of Westphalia, Germany, on Jan. 2, 1828, and was brought up and educated in that place. He learned the trade of dyeing at Barmen on the Rhine river, a prominent textile manufacturing town. Upon completing a thorough apprenticeship, he emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1848, while still under age, and located at Manayunk, where he secured the position of dyer in the manufacturing plant of Joseph Ripka. He remained at this place three years, and then went to Norwich, Conn., to assume charge of two large dyeing establishments, one at that city and the other at Greeneville, an adjoining town. After continuing there nearly fifteen years, he vis- ited Reading, Pa., and becoming favorably impressed! with this growing city as a promising center, he selected a site for a mill on the Antietam Creek, at a point three miles east from Reading. In 1864 they commenced mak- ing woolen goods under the name of Kraemer, Schaefer & Co. In 1879 the company was re-organized under the name of Louis Kraemer & Co., and the works have been operated under this name ever since. This industry has been very successful for over forty years, the goods manufactured obtaining a high reputation, and being ship- ped to all parts of the United States. Quite naturally plant by its employes, and this came to be known as Stony Creek, comprising nearly fifty dwellings, and a population exceeding 200. The leading spirit in the com- munity was the founder of the plant which supports the people, all of whom respected him highly for his simple but noble nature and true Christian character. His love of people under and about him and the reciprocity between them was as admirable as it was appreciable.

Mr. Kraemer, the father, was married in 1852 to Cath- erine Pfeil, daughter of John Pfeil, of Westphalia. They were the parents of four children, of whom the son named is the only survivor. They were members of St. Paul's Memorial Reformed Church of Reading, being among the first members at its organization, when they withdrew from the First Reformed Church. The wife died in 1872, and the husband in 1903.

During the last twenty-five years of his life Mr. Krae- mer made several trips across the ocean, giving special attention to Switzerland and Germany, for which coun- tries he had a strong affection. The establishing of "Textile," a promising industrial suburban town (since absorbed by Wyomissing), a mile west of Reading by young German manufacturers from Barmen on the Rhine, is directly attributable to his great success and influence.

SAMUEL BELL, clerk of the United States Circuit court at Philadelphia, for thirty-seven years, was born at Reading, Berks county, April 25, 1827. He was edu- cated in private schools and at Yale College until his eighteenth year, when he went to Philadelphia to engage in the wholesale dry goods business. He served as a salesman until 1851, and then became a partner of B. A. Knight, trading under the name of Knight & Bell, for a number of vea"s.

When the Civil war broke out, Mr. Bell enlisted and served three months. Afterward he acted as one of the commissioners to conduct the draft at Philadelphia ; and he served as paymaster in the United States Regu- lar Army by the appointment of President Lincoln. In February, 1865, he was elected a member of the Union

influential organization until the present time. . He be- came a member of the Meade Post, G. A. R., at Philadel- phia, in 1868, and of the Loyal Legion in 1874, retaining his membership until now. He was elected as a member of the First City Troop of Cavalry at Philadelphia in 1851, and he is now the oldest surviving member of this popular and historic military society.

In 1870 Mr. Bell was appointed by Judge McKenna as the clerk of the United States Circuit court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and he filled this im- portant office with great success for thirty-seven years, resigning Jan. 1, 1907, on account of his age. He was appointed United States Commissioner at Philadelphia in 1874, and he is still serving this office, notwithstand- ing his advanced years. He was elected a member of the board of school controllers, and filled the position by re-election for twenty-seven years, officiating as pres- ident of the board for twenty-two years.

His father was the Hon. Samuel Bell, merchant at Reading and associate judge of the courts of Berks coun- ty. He was born at Reading in 1797. For many years until his decease in 1863 he was a prominent member of the First Presbyterian Church. . He married Louisa Bowman, daughter of Jacob Bowman, of Brownsville, Pa., and their children were: Mary Greer, Jacob B., Samuel (above), Sterling, Goodloe B., Arthur G., James Lowrie, Mary Louisa and William Arthur.

His grandfather was William Bell, born in Ireland in 1763. He emigrated in 1791, and settled at Reading, Pa., where he was successfully engaged in the dry goods business and the manufacture of flour in several grist- mills for many years, until his decease in 1838. He mar- ried Mary Greer, also born in Ireland, daughter of Ar- thur Greer, and they had an only child, Samuel.

a thriving settlement was formed in the vicinity of the adelphia for thirty years, was born at Philadelphia March

DR. CHARLES MECK SELTZER, physician at Phil- 7, 1857. He received his preliminary education in private schools and in the Eastburn Academy, which he attend- ed until 1875, when he took up the study of medicine in the University of Pennsylvania, graduating and re- ceiving his diploma in. 1878. He traveled abroad for a year, attending the hospitals in England, France, Italy and Germany, and upon his return was appointed resi- dent physician of the Episcopal Hospital, which position he filled successfully for two years; afterward he at- tended the hospital as visiting surgeon from 1881 to 1887. In his private practice he was associated with Dr. Horace Y. Evans from 1883 to 1885, but since 1885 has been ac- tively engaged in practice by himself. For fifteen years he lectured on Anatomy, Physiology and Hygiene in the Eastburn Academy and during the year 1894 he filled the position of professor of Hygiene in the Medico-Chirur- gical College. During his first ten years of private prac- tice he was visiting physician and surgeon to numerous institutions, including the Charity Hospital, Northern Home, . Odd Fellows Home, Angora Home, and several others. Since 1895 he has been acting as the supervis- ing medical examiner of the Travelers Insurance Com- pany of Hartford, at Philadelphia, with many physicians under him. Of late years Dr. Seltzer has gradually been withdrawing from active practice of medicine and de- voting his time and energies to matters of hygiene-es- pecially to the production of pure milk and scientific agri- culture, also to the disposal of the waste of large cities, particularly garbage and its reduction to sanitary by-pro- ducts.

In 1885 he was married to Emily Stulb, daughter of Joseph Stulb, of Philadelphia, and they have a daughter, Mary Louise. His father was Franklin Peter Seltzer (cousin of Jonathan F. Seltzer, whose sketch appears in this publication), born at Womelsdorf in 1823. When he was a bov six years old his parents removed West, driv- ing all the way ard settling at Crestline, in Ohio, where they were among the first settlers. He was educated there and remained in that vicinity at farming until 1845, when he went to Philadelphia and entered a wholesale grocery

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store as a clerk, where he continued until 1847. He

then formed a partnership with his cousin, Jacob Sheetz, for conducting a wholesale grocery and liquor business, and they were partners for fifteen years. Their store was at Third and Callowhill streets. In 1862 he became the sole owner and he continued at the same stand with increasing success until 1873, when he removed to a larg- er and more central property, No. 1017 Market street, which he had purchased. At this stand he became still more successful, with his trading relations extending throughout Pennsylvania and into the adjoining States; and he continued actively engaged until his decease in 1886, having been identified with the mercantile life of Philadelphia for forty years. He was largely interested for twenty years, in the "Continental Hotel," then the leading hotel of Philadelphia, and at his decease he was succeeded by his son Charles, who became president of the board of managers and officiated until 1903. He was married to Louisa Meck, a daughter of Isaac Meck, of Liverpool, in Perry county, Pa., and they had eleven children : Charles M .; Anna Maria, married to Dr. Hen- ry A. Smith; Alice Louise; Susan May, married to John H. Zebley; Henry Fister, married to Margaret Moore ; Ralph Edgar, married to Helen Thomas; Elizabeth Maud; Walter Harold, who died in 1905, aged twenty- six years; and three who died in infancy.

Dr. Seltzer's grandfather was David Seltzer, born in Heidelberg township, Berks county, at Womelsdorf, and he assisted his father at farming until 1829, when he mov- ed with his family to Ohio. He was married to Elizabeth Sheetz, while at home, and they had five children, in- cluding a son Franklin Peter. Upon his first wife's death he married Margaret Kuntz, by whom he had two chil- dren, and after her decease he married a third wife, whose name was Kuhn. [For antecedents see sketch of J. R. Seltzer, in this publication.]

COL. NICHOLAS LOTZ was born Feb. 20, 1740, and emigrated to Pennsylvania when a young man. He first settled in the western section of the county, and there married a young woman by the name of Meyer. Some time previous to the Revolution he located at Reading, and became the owner of the two mills at the mouth of the Wyomissing Creek, which he conducted very success- fully. When the struggle for independence began, he was prominently identified with the patriotic movements at Reading. He served as one of the ten delegates from Berks county to the Provincial Conference, which assem- bled at Philadelphia in June, 1776, and upon his return home, he took. an active part in the enlistment of men. He was commissioned a Lieutenant-colonel, and partici- pated in the movement of the "Flying Camp" from Phil- adelphia to New York, where he was engaged in the bat- tle of Long Island and taken prisoner. He was admit- ted to parole within certain bounds on April 16, 1777, and exchanged on September 10, 1779. In 1780 he was ap- pointed commissioner of Forage, and whilst serving this appointment he purchased a large amount of supplies for the army, consisting of flour, oats, cattle, sheep, etc. A receipt book of his still extant in 1893, shows receipts for money paid out from Aug. 12, 1780, to Dec. 5, 1781, aggregating $202,033. He advanced large sums of mon- ey from his own purse for the government, but unfortu- nately was never fully repaid.

Colonel Lotz represented Berks county in the General Assembly from 1784 to 1786, and again from 1790 to 1794; and he filled the appointment of associate judge of the county from 1795 to 1806, having succeeded Colonel Jo- seph Hiester in that office. He died Nov. 29, 1807. He left to survive him. eight children, seven sons-Philip, Nicholas, Jacob, John, Henry, Michael, and William-and one daughter-Rosa (m. John Yeager). His remains were buried in the grave yard of the First Reformed Church at Reading, and from thence removed to the Charles Evans' Cemetery. He was a man of splendid physique, well proportioned, six feet three inches tall, and weighed about three hundred pounds.

In 1794 Gen. Washington, then President of the United States, visited Reading while on his way to Carlisle. Col. Lotz was at the head of a party of prominent men who arranged a military parade in honor of Washington. The latter reviewed the parade from a second story win- dow of Federal Inn, the building now occupied by the Farmers' Bank.

Philip Lotz was the son of Col. Nicholas. His fam- ily Bible is in an excellent state of preservation, and the entries were made by himself. We copy these entries : My father, Nicholas Lotz, died on Nov. 29, 1807, aged 67 years, 9 months and 8 days. My dearest wife, Catharina Lotz, died March 13, 1821, aged 41 years and 14 days. His marriage record is as follows: April 16, 1797, Philip Lotz and Catharina Rapp were married. Phil- ip Lotz had eleven children. The oldest was William, born April 4, 1799; who resided many years at No. 213 North Sixth street, Reading, and who aided largely in erecting the present St. John's Reformed church. Next to the youngest child was Mary, the late widow of Peres Hain, a well-known member of St. Paul's church. She was confirmed by Rev. William Pauli in the First church in 1834, soon after its erection.

The Bible mentioned above is the property of Daniel Miller, author of "History of the Reformed Church in Reading," who also is the happy possessor of a large volume in German, which was the property of Col. Nich- olas Lotz. It is a book of sermons which explain the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer and the catechism. It was published in Jena in 1658. Col. Lotz gave this book to his son John. On the fly leaf in the beginning of the book is this transfer: "This book belongs to John Lotz after my death. Witness my hand, written on the twenty-third day of November, 1806. Nicholas Lotz." On Jan. 18, 1808, John Lotz transferred the book to his brother Philip Lotz.

The descendants of Col. Nicholas Lotz are numer- ous in Reading. Mrs. Hoffman, wife of the late Rev. Henry Hoffman, was a great-grandchild. Mr. Chas. K. Snell, present secretary of the First church consistory, is a great-great-grandson.

GARRICK MALLERY, fourth President Judge of Berks county, was a native of Massachusetts. After ob- taining a preliminary education, he entered Yale College and was graduated in 1809. He soon afterward became principal of an academy at Wilkes Barre. While occupy- ing that position he engaged in the study of law, and was admitted to the Bar about 1812. Being well-adapted by nature to the legal profession, he added to his efficiency by diligent study, and soon acquired a practice which extended over a large portion of northern Pennsyl- vania. In 1825 he was elected a member of the House of Representatives. and during his legislative career was instrumental in securing the enactment of certain bills which led to the great improvement of the North Branch region. In 1832. Governor Wolf appointed him president judge of the Third Judicial District, then com- posed of Berks, Northampton and Lehigh counties, and he served the appointment for three years. The Hon. William Strong, of the Supreme court of the United States, was married to a daughter.

ELIJAH BULL was for about thirty years one of the important figures in the commercial world of Reading. He was probably best known in his connection with the Reading Stove Works, Orr, Painter & Co., of which firm he was a member for over thirty years before his retire- ment, thereafter continuing to serve as director until his death. Other business interests which made him prominent in the city were his association with the Nation- al Union Bank. the Building and Loan Association and the Reading Hospital. Mr. Bull was regarded with particular esteem as the architect of his own fortunes, for he rose to a position of distinction from ordinary circumstances.

Mr. Bull was born Jan. 20, 1835, at Springfield, Ches- ter Co., Pa., son of Thomas and Sarah A. (Painter)

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Bull, and grandson of Elijah Bull, the latter a native er for C. K. Whitner & Co., leaving them in 1902 to en- of Chester county, where he spent all his life. He owned and operated large tracts of farm land. He was mus- tered into the volunteer service of the war of 1812, but before the detachment of which he was a member reach- ed the front the war had been brought to a close.

Thomas Bull, father of Elijah, was born in Spring- field, Chester county, May 23, 1802, and there received his education. He was reared to farming which he fol- lowed in his native county until the spring of 1846, when he moved to Pottsville, Pa. There he took up the voca- tion of a blacksmith, but he died within a short time thereafter June 13, 1847. He married Sarah A. Painter, and they had five children: Margaret m. Levi Buckwal- ter, of Spring City, Chester Co., Pa .; Charles, late of Reading, was a stove mounter, engaged in the works of Orr, Painter & Co .; Elizabeth died in childhood; Elijah; and Mary m. the late B. F. Graff. Mr. Bull m. (second) Maria Cryley, and to them were born two children, name- ly : Susan, m. to Reuben Rishel; and Thomas, who re- sides in St. Louis, Missouri.

Elijah Bull received a good education in the public schools of Chester county. Going to Philadelphia, he learned the trade of a stove molder, and there followed that occupation until he was thrown out of employment by the closing of the works on account of the panic of 1857. Thereafter until 1864 he worked part of the year at his trade, teaching school in Chester county during the winter months. In 1864 he began teaching in Ma- hanoy City, where he continued three years, during which time he became superintendent of the schools. On Jan. 1, 1867, he became a member of the firm of Orr, Paint- er & Co., manufacturers of stoves, hollowware and fine castings. In February, 1886, the firm was incorporated as the Reading Stove Works, Orr, Painter & Co. Soon after becoming a member of the firm Mr. Bull assumed charge of the shipping department, and discharged the duties of that position with fidelity until the death of Mr. Orr, in June, 1892, when he was made treasurer of the company. The latter position he retained until 1898, when he retired from active participation in the af- fairs of the company, though he continued to hold stock and serve as a member of the board of directors. The extent of the business done by this concern may be judged from the fact that over four hundred workmen were em- ployed in the various departments, engaged in molding, casting, grinding, cleaning, grinding and polishing, nickel- plating, finishing and mounting. Four branches are con- ducted-in Chicago, Boston, Buffalo and Philadelphia, representing thousands upon thousands of stoves made and sold annually. Mr. Bull was a director of the Nation- al Union Bank of Reading, and a member of the Build- ing & Loan Association. He never took any active part in public matters, his business duties having occupied all his time and attention., He was a member of the board of managers of the Reading Hospital, and liberal and generous along lines of true philanthropy. Mr. Bull was a member of the Memorial M. E. Church of Read- in, and was at one time president of its board of trus- tees. He joined the Odd Fellows in 185-, affiliating witlı Welcome Lodge, No. 229, of Philadelphia, and was also a member of Mt. Penn Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He enlisted for emergency service during the Civil war in the 42d regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers.

On Dec. 31, 1867, Mr. Bull married Mary A. Amole, whose father, George Amole, of Chester county, Pa., was born Oct. 12, 1802, and died Feb. 20, 1876. He was a farmer by vocation, and always resided in Chester count- ty. 'Mr. Bull died Jan. 18, 1900, and his wife survived until Sept. 18, 1903. Their only child, Edna Marguerite, was' married May 13, 1905, to Henry C. Keast, a native of Michigan, born Sept. 24, 1882, son of Charles and An- na E. (Eustice) Keast, both of whom were born in Corn- wall, England. Mr. and Mrs. Keast have one child, Ken- neth E., born Aug. 7, 1906.

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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 80

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