History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 122

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards
Number of Pages: 1418

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

dred and fifty hands and manufactured daily sixty-eight thousand brick,including ornamental. He had then five kilns in service, four at Read- ing and one at Birdsboro'. They are the largest in the county, capacity varying from one hundred and twenty thousand to two hun- dred and twenty thousand. Altogether there are five hundred hands employed in this bus- iness at Reading.

Mr. Printz served in the Common Council

1885 he visited the New Orleans Exposition. He has traveled altogether through thirty-six States and Territories of the United States.

He was twice married,-first to Matilda Totton, who died in 1877 ; and then to Catharine Bulles. He has six children-John Thomas, Alice Catharine (married to George Clouser), Harry C., Anna, Laura and Bessie.

The Shenfelder brick-yard at Hockley Laue and Kissinger Streets, has been in successful

John A hint

of Reading three times,-from the Third Ward, | operation since 1856. At this date A. Shen- felder and D. P. Shenfelder, his son, commenced making pressed, building and paving brick, and continued for twenty-eight years. In 1884, D. P. Shenfelder and H. P. Shenfelder, his son, purchased the works, and, under the name of D. P. Shenfelder & Son., have continued it to date. They manufacture bricks by machin- ery which turns out twenty thousand bricks per day. Thirty-two workmen are employed.

1869 to 1871 ; from the Fourth Ward, 1880 to 1882 ; and again from the Third Ward from 1884 to 1886. He also officiated as constable of the southern district of Reading (that por- tion south of Penn Street) for two years, 1865 and 1866. He entered the order of Free Ma- sonry in 1866, being a member of Chandler Lodge, No. 227. He was one of the Knights Templar excursion party which made a grand pilgrimage to San Francisco in 1883; and in

William Graul, James Katzermoyer and

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Mathias Moyer, trading as Graul & Co., com- menced brick-making in 1878 at Sixth and Hockley Lane. They were the successors of Daniel Graul and J. L. Moyer, who started the brick-yard in 1876. Graul & Co. burn both pressed and common bricks for building pur- poses. They employ sixty-five hands, turning out three million five hundred thousand bricks per year.

Conrad Kaltenbach and Charles Focht com-

France, came to Berks County, and engaged in farming. His children were John, Abraham, Henry, Adam, Elizabeth, Sarah. Henry, of this number, was born in Alsace township, Berks County, where he combined the business of farming with the trades of a cooper and a weaver. He married Magdalena Shmale, daughter of John Shmale, of the same county. They had children,-John, Catharine (Mrs. William), Adam, Henry, Abraham, Sarah

Simontiline

menced burning house and paving bricks on ; (Mrs. Jacob Brumbach), Daniel, Elizabeth Second Street, near the Lebanon Valley Railroad bridge, in the year 1884, where they continue to do a large business. Fourteen men are reg- ularly employed. The product of the year 1885 was seven hundred thousand bricks.

The other brick manufacturers of the city are William B. Kline, William Parker and Cor- nelius Rothenberger.

SIMON KLINE is the grandson of Henry Kline, who, on his emigration from Alsace,

(Mrs. Henry Diehl), Mary (Mrs. Perry Reif- snyder), Sophia (Mrs. David Clouser, and Simon. Simon Kline was born May 14, 1830, on the homestead farm in Alsace township, and in youth attended the schools of the neighbor- hood, after which he continued his studies in Reading. He then assisted his father in his various occupations until his twenty-first year, and, on the 30th of November, 1851, was married to Catharine, daughter of Henry Noll,

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

of Ruscomb-manor township, Berks County, and granddaughter of Peter and Magdalena Keller Noll. Their children are Ezra, born September 13, 1852; Henry Adam, May 19, 1856 (deceased); Rebecca Minerva, May 7, 1858 (deceased); Mary Magdalena, August 23, 1859, married to Edmund Schlegel ; Rebecca Cath- erine, January 24, 1861, married to William M. Fulton ; Simon Sidenham, March 8, 1863 ; Elias, August 20, 1865 (deceased); George Oscar, July 19, 1866 and David Milton, August 25, 1868. Mr. Kline, during the two years suc- ceeding his marriage, was employed in the pur- chase of wood-lands, which he cleared, a ready market being found for the wood in the county. He then removed to Reading and en- gaged in contracting, as also in the manufacture of bricks. Removing from Reading to Fleet- wood, he devoted five years to the manufacture of bricks at this point, and returning again to Reading, continued the business combined with building and contracting in which he is still engaged, and has met with marked success as the result of honesty and thrift. He is a Den- ocrat in politics. He has been connected by membership with various building organiza- tions, but is now identified only with the Hampton Building Association. He is a mem- ber of Mt. Penn Lodge, No. 65 of Knights of Pythias and of Freedom Circle.

He is a member, and was formerly an Elder of the First Reformed Church of Reading, of which his wife and children are also members.

THE FIRE-BRICK KILNS of George J. Eck- ert, at 458 Canal Street, were built by Miller & Eckert in 1863. Two years later Mr. Miller retired from the business and Mr. Eckert as- sumed entire control. There are now three large kilns, the manufacturing capacity of which is one hundred thousand bricks per month. Twenty men are employed. The works cover a large area and a prosperous business is done.

GEORGE J. ECKERT is the grandson of Philip Eckert, who was born June 18, 1756, and died September 10, 1828. He was married to Lydia Beck, born June 17, 1762. Their children were George, born September 9, 1782; Mary, born 1784; Susanna, born 1785; Catherine, born 1788; Peter, born 1790; Sarah, born

1792 ; Margaret, born 1794; Elizabeth, born 1795 ; Catherine (2d), born 1799; and Hannah, born 1803. George, the eldest of these chil- dren, was born near Shaefferstown, Lebanon County, and died on the 19th of January, 1854. He was married, January 26, 1809, to Sarah, daughter of Rudolph Resley, of South Lebanon township, Lebanon County, Pa., who was born December 16, 1787, and died January 12, 1879. Their children were Catherine, born 1809 ; Elizabeth, born 1811 ; Mary, born 1813 ; George, born 1815 ; Cyrus, born 1817 ; Philip, born 1820; William, born 1822; Rudolph, born 1825 ; George John, born February 14, 1827, and Aaron T., born in 1830; of whom the survivors are Catherine, William, Rudolplı and George J.

The last-named was born in North Lebanon township, Lebanon County, and obtained his preparatory education at Lebanon, Pa., after which he entered Marshall College, Mercers- burg, Pa., and was graduated on the 6th of Sep- tember, 1852. The same fall, on becoming a citizen of Reading, he entered the law-office of Hou. William Strong as a student, and was admitted to practice in the several courts of Berks County April 28, 1855. He pursued his professiou successfully until 1865, when it was abandoned for less sedentary employ- ment. Having, in 1863, established a fire- brick factory, he devoted his time mainly to this enterprise, which has been enlarged and extended, and is still conducted by him. Mr. Eckert was, on the 26th of November, 1857, married to Rebecca, daughter of Isaac M. Ger- hard, of Sheridan, Lebanon County, Pa. Their children are Isaac Gerhard, Rudolph Resley, Mintie S., Emma Rebecca, George, William (deceased) and Ellen. Isaac G. is married to Elizabeth Smith, of Luzerne County, Pa., his present residence.

Mr. Eckert was one of Reading's most patriotic citizens during the late war. He was then ac- tive in the raising of recruits and in the equip- ment of the soldiery. He was in the military service for ninety days, during the invasion of Pennsylvania, and on July 6, 1863, was com- missioned second lieutenant of Company C of the Forty-second Regiment Pennsylvania Vol-

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unteers. He is an active and influential mem- ber of the Republican party in this county ; he was a delegate to the State Republican Convention held at Pittsburg in 1863, and also a delegate to the National Conven- tion of 1868, held at Chicago, which nomi- nated General Grant for the Presidency ; he was a member of the Select Council of Reading from 1866 to 1869, and of the Common Coun-

man of the building committee on the occasion of the remodeling of the church in 1874-75.

READING TERRA-COTTA WORKS began operations in 1867, under the proprietorship of Sharff, Hagy & Co., who were succeeded in the ownership of it, in 1873, by E. S. Fox & Co., who now manufacture sewer-pipes, water-pipes, chimney-tops, heat-pipes, flues, garden, rustic and hanging vases, etc. The works are located at

cil from 1876 to 1878. During this time he was instrumental in defeating the bill author- izing the making of loans by the city, which measure has materially reduced her debt. He participated in the organization of the Union Bank of Reading, and was for three years a mem- ber of its board of directors. He is a member, and was for years one of the trustees, of the First Reformed Congregation of Reading, and chair- 65

the foot of Franklin Street, and cover an area of two hundred and thirty by two hundred and forty feet. There are two down-draft kilns for burning the products of their 'manufacture. A thirty horse-power engine, with a fifty horse- power boiler, are used to produce a motive force to drive the machinery. A steam pipe- press, capable of making three hundred feet of drain-pipe per hour, is in operation.

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

THE READING POTTERY .- The manufac- ture of stone-ware, earthen-ware and glazed ware has been extensively carried on since 1864, on Schuylkill Avenue, by Daniel P. Shenfelder. He makes large quantities of fruit-jars, crocks and stone-ware for farmers' use. Two large kilns are in operation and ten hands employed. The machinery is run by a large engine. . Twenty thousand dollars are in- vested in this business.

BREWERIES, MALT-HOUSES AND DISTILLERIES.

FREDERICK LAUER was born in the pro- vince of Palatine (now Rhenish Bavaria) Oc- tober 14, 1810, and was the son of George and Katrina Lauer. He attended school until twelve years of age, and during that time be- came familiar with the French language. His fa- ther had been one of the largest property-owners in the country and raised the first liberty pole on the French borders. He suffered a penalty for liis liberal and patriotic views, and for nine years was unable to gather any crops, owing to the presence of the army. He emigrated to America, with his family, and landed in Balti- more in August, 1823, and immediately there- after came to Reading, where his married daughter was then living. Here, for a short time, his son Frederick became a butcher-boy, assisting his brother-in-law. He left this em- ployment when his father began the brewing business at Womelsdorf, Berks County, and assisted him there until his removal to Reading, where he continued his calling. During this time the lad received four months' schooling (three of them at a night-school), but many of his leisure hours were devoted to study. In the spring of 1826 his father returned to Read- ing and established a small brewery in an old log house, built many years before by one of the founders of the town. Frederick, who was then but sixteen years of age, was made foreman and clerk, and, with one assistant, did all the brew- ing. He built up his first kettle with a capa- city of five barrels, which, in two months, was increased to ten. He rose at two A.M., finished the brewing by daylight, and after breakfast would deliver the beer to customers in town. In 1835 he became proprietor of the brewery,

enlarged it, and, with the aid of more assist- ants, extended the business. During the first five years nothing was made but what was known as " strong beer." The brewing of ale and porter was begun in 1831, and of lager beer in 1844. The site of the brewery in 1826 was in the midst of a swamp. The improve- ments which have resulted from Mr. Lauer's industry and tact are truly wonderful. In 1849 he began to buy up vacant lots, and therein quarried extensive vaults in the solid lime-stone rock for the storage of lager beer. In 1866 he erected a large brewery on this lo- cality, containing all the latest improvements and in every respect complete. In connection with this brewery was a fine park, with shade- trees and other adornments.

The civic virtues and public spirit of Fred- erick Lauer were justly appreciated by his fel- low-citizens. He represented his ward in the Town Council, and he was greatly instrumental in securing the incorporation of Reading as a city, in 1847. In 1867 he was chosen presi- dent of the Select Council. He was one of the organizers of the Berks County Agricultural Society, was its president for several years, and, to the time of his death, one of its most ac- tive members ; was for many years in the board of directors of the Reading and Columbia Rail- road Company, a member of the Reading Dis- pensary Board, Reading Benevolent Society, Reading Relief Society and Reading Board of Trade, and one of the trustees of the Keystone State Normal School.

Frederick Lauer was a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, a companion of De Molay Com- mandery of Knights Templar, and a Past Master of Lodge No. 62, of Free and Accepted Masons. He was a sincere Christian, Lutheran by denomination, and for many years a vestry- man and trustee of Trinity Church of Reading.

His business interests forbidding the accept- ance of political office, he declined offered Con- gressional nomination. As a delegate to the National Convention at Charleston, S. C., in 1860, le determinedly opposed secession, and earnestly endeavored to secure the adoption of a platform and the nomination of a candidate for the Presidency that would guarantee the

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preservation of the Union. True to his loyal principles, when the struggle for the mainteu- auce of the Union came, he equipped, at his own expense, a whole company of men, which served throughout the war in the One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania Regiment.

He was an intimate friend of the celebrated Dr. Hebbe, the Swedish revolutionist, who was driven from his native land. He was also in regular correspondence with the United

lishment one of the most successful in the United States.

Mr. Lauer was married, May 9, 1838, to Mary, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Guldin. The children of the union are George Fred- erick, born November 2, 1850; Franklin Pierce, born November 2, 1852; and one who died an infant.

Mr. Lauer died September 5, 1883, in the seventy-third year of his age. On the occasion

Peter Barley

States consuls abroad, interchanging views and keeping well informed on foreign affairs and in advance of the movements which afterward took place. His efforts in connection with the in- ternal revenue tax on fermented liquors were invariably crowned with success, and, as presi- dent of the Brewers' Congress, he was indefati- gable in the service of his trade. Shrewd, far-seeing and industrious, he made his estab-

of his decease suitable resolutions were passed by the Lager Bier Brauer Verein, the Ale and Porter Brewers' Association of Pennsylvania and the United States Brewers' Association. The latter association erected, in Reading, an imposing monument to his memory, which was unveiled on the 23d of May, 1885.

BARBEY'S BREWERY was built in 1860 by Peter Barbey, who admitted his son, John Bar-

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

bey, as a partner, in 1880. The extensive es- tablishment which they now own is located on the corner of River and Hockley Streets, and was erected in 1869. The buildings are a three-story brewery, a six-story brick malt- house, two refrigerators and two ice-houses. They cover a tract of three acres.

In the malt-house are five germinating-floors, one storage-floor and two large drying-kilns. Two engines, producing sixty horse-power, and two large duplex boilers, of seventy-five horse- power, are used. Thirty hands are employed. During the year 1885 twenty thousand barrels of beer and porter were manufactured and sold by Peter Barbey & Son. The full brewing ca- pacity of this establishment is thirty-five thou- sand barrels, and the full malting capacity seventy-five thousand bushels of barley malt.

PETER BARBEY, the originator of this brew- ery, was born November 9, 1825, in Dierbach, Canton of Borgzabern Rhinepfaltz, Bavaria, and is a son of Christopher and Katrina Bar- bey. He attended the schools of his native country until the age of fourteen, when he en- tered the brewing establishment of Peter Bar- bey, his uncle, for the purpose of learning the business of a brewer, remaining three years, at the expiration of which time he became thor- onghly familar with the art of brewing. He sought employment in France and Switzerland, in which countries he spent four years, adding, meanwhile, largely to his knowledge of brew- ing by practical experience. Returning home at the age of twenty-one years, he was drafted, and served four years in the army as a member of a cavalry regiment, at the end of which time he emigrated to America, and, proceeding at once to Philadelphia, he engaged for two and a half years in the pursuit of his trade. Re- moving to Reading, he entered the employ of Frederick Lauer for one year, and soon after opened a saloon. In 1860 he began his pros- perous career as a brewer in the city of Read- ing, which business he has conducted with gratifying success, and is now the senior pro- prietor of the above described establishment.

Mr. Barbey was married to Rosina, daughter of Philip Kuntz, of Rhenish Bavaria. They had two children,-Katrina, a daughter, now de-

ceased, and John, at present associated with his father in business. In politics Mr. Barbey is a Democrat but has never been an aspirant for office ; he is a director of the Keystone National Bank, and a member of Teutonia Lodge, No. 368, of Free and Accepted Masons, and of Ger- mania Lodge, Independent Order of Odd-Fel- lows.

DEPPEN'S BREWERY, on Chestnut Street, was established in 1845, by N. A. Felix, who, until 1874, a period of twenty-nine years, made lager beer, porter and ale in large quantities, and during that time added various improve- ments. Mr. Felix died in 1874 and the mana- gers of his estate conducted the business until 1879, when Dr. William P. Deppen bought the brewery and has since had an increasing demand for the product of his manufacture. The build- ings, which cover a large area, include the brewery proper, a malt-house and two ice- houses. The establishment is furnished with a large engine, a boiler and all necessary appli- ances for making beer.

KELLER'S BREWERY is located on Ash Street and is owned and operated by Samuel C. Kel- ler and Otto Eyring. The brewery was erected in 1850 by a Mr. Hoyer. In 1877 Samuel C. Keller purchased it and in 1884 admitted his present partner. They now brew what is widely known as the " Reading Lager Beer and Por- ter." The grounds are an acre in extent and five buildings are occupied. Two engines, with a combined power of eighty horses, are used. Twelve men are employed. The amount of yearly business is sixty thousand dollars and the interests are prospering.

THE CITY BREWERY is situated at 38 and 40 South Seventh Street, and was built in 1874 by Abraham Peltzer, who then began the brewing of lager and Weiss beer. The building is thirty by two hundred and fifty feet, and includes a brewery, ice-house and storage-rooms. Nearly all of his beer is consumed in the city.

THE MALT-HOUSE between Laurel and Muhlenberg Streets, on the line of Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, was built in 1863 by Frederick Shouldt and Moses K. Graeff, who continued as partners in the manufacture of malt from barley, to the amount of thirty-two

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thousand bushels annually, until 1867, when Mr. Shouldt sold his interest to his partner, who is the present owner. The large buildings now used cover an area of an acre and are three and four stories high. The capacity of the establish- ment is seventy-five thousand bushels of malted grain per year.

THE MALT-HOUSE of Hagy & Pott, on Third Street, north of Buttonwood, was built in 1882, by the present proprietors, who then owned a malt-house on Orange Street, near Chestnut, which they purchased from Frederick Shouldt, who started it in 1876. The Third Street malt- house has eighty feet front and two hundred and fifty feet depth. Sixty thousand bushels of barley are malted annually. An eighteen horse- power engine and a twenty-five horse-power up- right boiler are used. The entire apartments are two large drying-rooms, three storage-rooms and one large double kiln. Two elevators are used. This firm, composed of Walton K. Hagy and Benjamin Pott, show evidences of prosper- ity.

NEVERSINK DISTILLERY was built on north- east corner of Eleventh and Muhlenberg Streets, in 1857, by Hill & Wolfkill, and the business was begun the same year and conducted by them until 1862, when Samuel Buch purchased the entire interest and has since manufactured whiskies in large quantities. The original ca- pacity of this distillery was one hundred and fifty gallons per day. When it came under the ownership of Samuel Buch, the main building was greatly enlarged and five additional ones were erected, one of which is a bonded ware- honse, capable of holding three thousand barrels. Improved machinery is used and now eight hundred gallons of whiskey are made every twenty-four hours. A forty horse-power engine and a sixty horse-power boiler are used as a motive-power. Eight hands are employed.

TANNERIES.

THE KERPER TANNERY, now the oldest man- ufactory of its kind in Reading, was built on a lot originally conveyed by the heirs of Penn to Courad Bower in 1753. Isaac Levan pur- chased the property, in 1761, of the original grantee, and the same year began to manufact-

ure the first leather in the town. He followed his chosen occupation for many years, and sup- plied the early cordwainers of the olden time in the new town of Reading and its vicinity with the necessary leather to make the boots and shoes for the industrious populace. John Dieffenbach became the successor of Isaac Le- vau and conducted the business until 1825, when Abraham Kerper purchased the tannery and worked it with great success until 1856. The year last named Henry Kerper, the present owner, purchased it, made extensive improve- ments of various kinds, extended the tanning facilities and increased the number of vats to one hundred and twenty-five. In 1884, owing to its position near the heart of the city, Mr. Ker- per discontinued the tannery and is the proprietor of a leather and shoe-finding establishment at 124 South Sixth Street.

WINTER & GOETZ conducted an extensive business in the manufacture of glove kid leather at their tannery on Canal Street, at the foot of Pine Street. The business was begun in 1869 on Jefferson Street, at the River road crossing, by Blatz & Winter. Upon the retirement of Mr. Blatz, in 1875, Ferdinand Goetz purchased his interest and the present firm was formed. Owing to an increasing business, the old tannery and site were sold. The firm then purchased the present site, and on it, in 1883, erected a tannery building, two hundred and twenty-five feet front on Canal Street and one hundred and forty feet in depth to the canal. The firm have forty-four employees. The amount of business done yearly is one hundred and ten thousand dollars, and the amount of investment is sixty thousand dollars. Through a branch establishment at No. 180 William Street, New York City, the manufactured goods of this tannery are sold to the general trade.

DE LONG BROTHERS, tanners and curriers, own an establishment on the corner of Ninth and Muhlenberg Streets. This industry was founded by Stroup & Co., in 1860, on the same site. In 1865 Merkle & Co. became the owners. Ma- nasses and Michael De Long bought the tan- nery and land adjoining in 1868 and made many important improvements and extended the business. One acre is now occupied by this

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

tannery. In 1870 John De Long was admitted an active partner, and in 1872 Jacob B. Fricker became a silent partner. On January 1, 1886, Michael De Long retired and since then Ma- nasses and John De Long, with J. B. Fricker, have continued the business under the name of De Long Brothers. A twenty horse-power engine, with a forty horse-power tubular boiler, furnish the motive-power for this establishment. One hundred vats are used in tanning, having a capacity of five thousand sides of hides and four thousand calf-skins per year. The firm eni- ploys twenty-five workmen. The amount of yearly business done is eighty thousand dollars. Since 1868 the business has been more than doubled. In connection with tannery, this firm has a commission house at No. 301 North Third Street, Philadelphia, through which most of the products of the tannery are sold.

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History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 122

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards Number of Pages: 1418

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards
Number of Pages: 1418