History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 140

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

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industry. Through his enterprises he became a large land-owner in Berks and Schuylkill Connties.

Mr. Eckert was one of the founders of the Berks County Agricultural and. Horticultural Society and served for many years as president, having been well fitted for this position. He took great interest in the introduction of the best breeds of horned cattle and other live stock and also of standard fruits; and during his ad- ministration superior specimens of such stock, fruits, etc., constituted the chief attraction of the annual fairs of the society.

In 1867 and also in 1873 he made extensive tours through the principal countries of Europe and acquired much practical information upon many subjects. In the latter year he served as one of the commissioners to the Vienna Expo- sition, having been appointed by President Grant, and he also served as one of the two commissioners from the Berks District for the organization of the Board of Finance, under which the Centennial Exposition was success- fully conducted.

Mr. Eckert took a strong interest in the suc- cess of the political principles in which he had been educated and to which he adhered through life, first as a Whig and afterward as a Repub- lican. His influence and wealth were freely used for the benefit of his party. During the Rebellion he contributed liberally of his means to encourage the national administration in successfully prosecuting the war for the preser- vation of the Union, and in this behalf he took an active part with the prominent men of Read- ing at public and private meetings to develop proper sentiments in the community favorable to the great canse. In 1860 he was a delegate to the National Convention at Chicago, when Abraham Lincoln was nominated for President on the Republican ticket, and in 1864 he served as one of the Presidential Electors for the State of Pennsylvania. Politically he was univer- sally respected and personally he was highly esteemed for his many admirable traits of char- acter.

Mr. Eckert was a member of Christ Episco- pal Church at Reading, and a liberal contribu- tor to the endowment fund of the diocese of

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Central Pennsylvania. He was distinguished for cheerfulness of disposition, and he possessed pleasing manners in his social aud business intercourse. He died on December 13, 1873, aged nearly seventy three years. He was mar- ried to Judith, a daughter of Dr. Hahn, of Montgomery County. He left a surviving widow and three children,-Henry S. Eckert, George B. Eckert and Rebecca (intermarried with P. R. Stetson, of New York). A full chime of ten superior bells, weighing over five tons, were presented to Christ Church in his name as a memorial by them and placed in the Gothic spire of that elegant and costly struc- ture. The appropriateness of this tribute to him is increased by the fact that he had, upon various occasions during the latter years of his life, expressed a desire to see the original design of the architect carried out in the construction of a bell-tower over its façade.

HENRY S. ECKERT, banker and iron mann- facturer, was born at Reading, Pa. He is a son of Isaac Eckert, who was also a prominent banker and iron manufacturer. After a careful preparatory education, he attended Marshall College, at Mercersburg, Pa., and was graduated from that institution. Upon his return home from college he became interested with his father in the iron business, and, shortly after, took the active management of the iron-works upon himself. For this position he manifested a high order of ability, and his management of the business interests of his father was very suc- cessful. He continued to serve as manager until July 1, 1873, a few mouths before his father's death, when he and his brother, George B. Eck- ert, formed a co-partnership under the firm - name of Eckert & Bro., for the purpose of car- rying on the same business, and then they be- came the proprietors of the iron-works. Shortly before that time, however, he became interested in a separate enterprise, as a member of the firm of Eckert, McHose & Co., which had been formed for the purpose of carrying on the roll- ing-mill business. The panic of 1873 was at that time disturbing the financial and manufac- turing relations of the country, but the firm of Eckert & Bro. conducted their operations suc- cessfully, and they have continued to do so from

that time till now-a period covering thirteen years-without reducing the number of their workmen or diminishing the amount of their production. The firm own extensive iron-mines and carry on mining operations for the supply of iron-ore, and they employ altogether at the mines and iron-works about two hundred and fifty men.

Mr. Eckert has taken an earnest interest in political matters for many years. His valuable business interests naturally inclined him to ad- vocate the principle of protection to home in- dustries, and he has therefore been an ardent Republican. During the Civil War he was active in sustaining the national government by his personal means and efforts, and enlisted as one of the "Emergency Men " during Lee's first invasion into Pennsylvania, and in 1866 the Republican party of the county gave him the nomination for Congress against J. Lawrence Getz, the Democratic nominee. His popularity was shown by obtaining a majority in the city over Mr. Getz.

The cause of education has received the ac- tive attention of Mr. Eckert for many years, and not only have the tax-payers of his ward (the Eighth) appreciated his devotion to the common-school system as one of their control- lers for many years, but also the school con- trollers have recognized his able services by selecting him repeatedly to be their president, having served in that office with distinction from 1872 continuously till now. As a mark of their . esteem for his services as a controller, the " Eck- ert Public School," erected in 1873, was named after him. This is a superior and commodious two-story brick structure, situated on Tenth Street above Washington, and one of the finest school buildings in the city of Reading. He was the author of the plan for finding the debt, and succeeded in having it carried out, notwith- standing much opposition, had been shown against it.

Art has been patronized by Mr. Eckert, especially the productions of home talent. At- tached to his elegant home he has an art gallery, which contains a choice collection of paintings, including a superior cattle piece by Devlan (considered the best of that artist),

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Shearer's great pieces, known as " Schwartzbach" and " Head-waters of the Maiden Creek," and studies by Benade and Spang.

Internal improvements in this vicinity have also been encouraged by Mr. Eckert. He took a prominent part in projecting the Berks County Railroad from Reading to Slatington, and upon its completion served as a director in the board of managers, and also in Wilming- ton and Northern Railroad. Afterward, when the road became the property of the "Schuyl- kill and Lehigh Railroad Company," he was chosen one of the directors, and he has been serving as such since that time. He was the principal projector of the Penn Street Passenger Railway, and by his enterprise and persever- ance this railway came to be constructed and operated in 1874, and it has been operated since to the great advantage of the citizens and property-holders along the Perkiomen Avenue and the vicinity of that prominent thorough- fare. It has contributed much towards improv- ing East Reading.

His father, Isaac Eckert, served as president of the Farmers' Bank of Reading from 1840 till his decease, in 1873, and then he, the son, was chosen as the successor to this important position. He has acted as president of this bank till now, a period of thirteen years.

In the cause of religion and of advancing the Protestant Episcopal Church, Mr. Eckert has been active, zealous and liberal. He is now . and has been for some time a vestryman of Christ Episcopal Church. Mr. Eckert is now holding and serving various prominent and re- sponsible positions : director of Charles Evans' Cemetery, and also of Reading Hospital; trus- tee of the Union Trust Company, and of the Peun Mutual Life Insurance Company, at Philadelphia ; president of the Eastern Pig- Iron Association (since its organization in 1883); president of the Topton Furnace Company at Topton, and of the Pennsylvania Bolt and Nut- Works at Lebanon. The numerous positions which he fills indicate the high character of the man, and the confidence of the people in his judgment and integrity.

In 1857 Mr. Eckert was married to Carrie Hunter, a daughter of Nicholas Hunter, a

prominent and successful iron-master of Read- ing, with whom he had four children,-Isaac, married to Eliza, daughter of William M. Kaufman ; Helen, intermarried with Herman Meigs; Hunter; and Kate M. His wife was a lady of superior culture, and highly appreciated in this community for her friendship, her charity and her devotion to Christ Church. She died March 28, 1880.

NATIONAL UNION BANK OF READING Was chartered by the State May 5, 1857, as the " Union Bank of Reading," with an authorized capital of one hundred thousand dollars. The first election for directors was held October 8, 1857, when the following-named persons were chosen: John S. Pearson, Henry P. Robeson, M. A. Bertolet, Joseph Mishler, Joseph Shomo, Charles H. Hunter, Joseph Henry, Levi J. Bertolet, David E. Stout, Jacob Bushong, Reese Davies, Jeremiah Hagenman and Peter G. Ber- tolet. The bank was organized October 14, 1857. John S. Pearson was elected president, and Charles B. Mcknight cashier.

The presidents in succession have been John S. Pearson, October 14, 1857, to November 23, 1857 ; David McKnight, November 23, 1857, to August 29, 1873; Horatio Trexler, September 9, 1873 (still serving). The cashiers have been Charles B. McKnight, October 14, 1857, to July 17, 1878 ; Edwin Boone, July 23, 1878 (still serving).

The national charter granted by the United States government was obtained December 27, 1864, good for twenty years, and the institution was then named the " National Union Bank of Reading." This charter was renewed Decem- ber 27, 1884, to extend to December 27, 1904.

The location of the bank building has always been at 448 Penn Street. The cost of the property was fifteen thousand dollars in 1857. The capital stock was increased, in 1865, to two hundred thousand dollars by a stock divi- dend of one hundred per cent., which was made in addition to the regular dividends each six months. This bank made its first dividend November, 1858, and every six months since, and never missed one to this date; its undivid- ed profits are now two hundred thousand dollars, being equal to the capital, making its

David WKnight

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stock sell over one hundred per cent. above par.

DAVID MCKNIGHT was born in Reading May 2, 1814, and died August 29, 1873, in the sixtieth year of his age. His father, John Mc- Knight, was of Scotch-Irish descent. He was a son of Paul McKnight, who lived and died in Chester County. When the Bauk of Penn- sylvania opened a branch at Reading, in 1808, John McKnight,1 who was at that time a clerk in the employ of the bank in Philadelphia, re- moved to Reading for the purpose of taking charge of the institution. The bank was opened in the building now occupied by the National Union Bank of Reading, into which John McKnight moved with his wife, whose maiden-name was Catharine Stahl, and his family, consisting at that time of Elizabeth, born in 1802 ; Sarah, born in 1803; Mary Ann, born in 1805; and Eleanor, born in 1807. Here he lived until his death, in 1855. During his resi- dence in Reading the following children were born : John, in 1809; Catharine, in 1811 ; David, in 1814; Charles, in 1818 ; and James, in 1820. All these children lived to mature years. Eliza- beth married John Kennedy, and after his death, Generino Persico ; Sarah married Dav- enport Orrick ; Mary Ann married Jacob Graeff; Eleanor married Milton Brayton ; and Catharine married Oliver Hause. All of the daughters are now deceased except Mrs. Jacob Graeff, who is a widow, still living (1886) in Cincinnati, Ohio.

John, the oldest son, began a business career in Philadelphia, and died early in life ; Charles lived in Reading, where he died on the 17th of July, 1878. James, the youngest son, is still living at his residence in the suburbs of Reading.

David McKnight, after spending some time at Colonel Roumfort's Military Institute, near Germantown, Pa., completed his education di- rectly under the supervision of his father. At the age of fifteen years he was employed as clerk in the Branch Bank of Pennsylvania, where he acquired the excellent habits and superior business qualifications which afterwards

distinguished him in life. He remained in that institution, rising step by step, until, upon the death of his father, in 1855, he was elected cashier of the Branch Bank of Pennsylvania. This position he held until 1857, when, in the financial panic that swept the country in that disastrous year, the Bank of Pennsylvania, with its numerous branches, was compelled to suc- cumb. In the later years of his life John Mc- Knight, who had never been of a robust consti- tution, was unable to perform all his official duties, though with that tenacity of purpose and inflexible devotion to duty which characterize the Scotch-Irish race, he still gave personal attention to the business when actually unfit physically so to do. In these later years the responsible aud arduous duties incident to the management of the institution fell largely upon David McKnight, and so well did he perform them, that when the Union Bank of Reading was incorporated, in 1858, he was at once elected president of the institution. This office he held until his death. Inheriting the strict principles of integrity that so prominently distinguished his father's character, and enjoying at the same time the blessings of a kindly heart and genial disposition, he soon beame prominent in business and social circles. In addition to his duties as a banker, he was frequently called upon to ac- cept trusts of importance and difficulty, and the public records of the county disclose the fre- quency with which he was called upon so to act, and the fidelity and integrity with which all his trusts were executed. He was a public- spirited citizen, and participated actively in every enterprise, whether of business or social enjoyment or charity, which was calculated to enhance the welfare of our city and her people. In 1862, during the absence of the mayor, Maj. Joel B. Wanner, in the army, he was elected by the City Councils as acting mayor of the city, which office he filled until the expiration of the term. In 1863, during the absence of post- master Knabb in the Pennsylvania militia, he also acted as postmaster pro tem.

He was called upon from time to time to fill many other positions of honor and confidence, his selection to which was evidence of the es- teem in which he was held by his fellow-citizens.

See p. 681.

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Scarcly an organization existed in this city for public or private benevolence with which he was not associated, either as an officer or mem- ber.

While never obtrusive in his political opinions, he was in earlier days an Old-Line Whig. When that party was merged into the Repub- lican party his views and sympathies naturally led him into that political faith, and he remained a stanch Republican until the day of his death. His patriotism was fervid and throughout the whole war he gave his time, his labor and his pecuniary aid generously to his country's canse. The records he left behind bear ample evidence of the great amount of time, labor and money he expended in the early days of the conflict in the maintenance and care of the wives and children left at home by onr devoted soldiers, to become in many cases widows and orphans.

The same rigid integrity which distinguished his business career also characterized his private life.

For many years he was one of the leading members of Christ Episcopal Church, but in the later years of his life he connected himself with Trinity Lutheran Church, which he regularly attended with his family till his death.

In person Mr. Mcknight was a genial, com- panionable man. There was ever a smile upon his frank and open countenance and a kindly word for all. He was a person of warm friend- ships, social disposition, fine conversational abil- ities and of perfect manners. He lived a useful life and left the impression of his character upon his day and generation. He was married, April 13, 1837, to Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Hiester, of Reading, Pa. Their children are John McKnight, who died in 1882; Mary A., wife of John A. McClenegan; Joseph H. ; Amelia M., wife of Charles H. Shaeffer, Esq .; William S .; and Milton B., a member of the bar, all residing in the city of Reading.

At the breaking out of the Rebellion but two of the sons were of sufficient age to do military duty, both of whom served in the army, John having been captain of a company ; Joseph H. served with the Ringgold Battery and afterwards with the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Reg- iment, participating in the battles of Antietam,

Chancellorsville and many of the other most notable engagements of the war.

CHARLES B. MCKNIGHT was born January 18, 1818, in the building occupied as a branch of the State Bank of Pennsylvania, more familiarly known at the time as the Office of Discount and Deposit of the Bank of Pennsyl- vania. His early education was obtained in the schools conducted by Joshua Davies, David Medary and Mr. Haslem.

In 1833 he entered as a clerk the mercantile establisliment of E. T. Lane, at Mercersburg, Franklin County, Pa. The following year a position was offered and accepted in the stock exchange and broker office of B. W. Hewson, Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained until Sep- tember, 1837. Upon his return to Reading he served as a clerk to the late John McManus, contractor on the Reading Railroad. Upon the opening of the railroad between Reading aud Pottstown for business, he entered the office of the railroad company in Reading as freight and ticket clerk.

Upon the reopening of the Branch Bank of the Bank of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, for business, after the financial crisis of 1837, he was appointed receiving and paying teller by his father, who was cashier of the institution. When the bank suspended in 1857, he imme- diately inaugurated a movement for the organ- ization of a new bank, and during that year the Union Bank was organized, and he chosen as cashier. Subsequently, when the bank accepted the provision of the National Banking Act, and became the National Union Bank of Reading, he was elected cashier of the reorganized bank, retaining the position up to the time of his death, July 17, 1878, closing the management of a bauk conducted by the Mcknight family on the site of the present National Union Bank for nearly three-quarters of a century.

EDWIN BOONE, one of the descendants of George Boone, Esq., prominent in the early his- tory of Berks County as a justice of the peace and surveyor, and as the grandfather of Col. Daniel Boone, the famous "Kentucky Pioneer," was born in Exeter township, on the old Boone homestead, January 14, 1846. He is the son of Ellis Hughes Boone (who was also born on the

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homestead in 1818) and Ann Cleaver, his wife (a daughter of Derrick Cleaver, of Oley town- ship, a descendant of one of the early settlers of that section). He was educated in the public schools of Reading, and when a boy fifteen years old came to be employed in the Union Bank of Reading, on March 4, 1861, four years after the bank was organized to take the place of the Branch Bank of Pennsylvania. From that time till now, a period covering twenty-five years, he has continued in the ser- vice of the bank, rising from one position to another till he, in 1878, eventually was chosen its cashier, which position he has since filled with great success and to the entire satisfaction of its board of directors.

Mr. Boone was married in 1868, to Mary Jane Buchanan, of Reading, and has two chil- dren, Mary and Annie. He is a member of the First Baptist Church.

HORATIO TREXLER was born in Longswamp township, Berks County, Pa., in the year 1812. Engaged in the mercantile business in 1830 ; continued in same until 1834, after which he superintended his father's iron-works, consisting of a charcoal blast furnace, located in Long- swamp township, Berks County, known as Mary Ann Furnace; also two forges situated in District township, same county ; the production of the forges was exclusively bar-iron. In the year 1837 he succeeded his father in the furnace business, became the owner of the Mary Ann Furnace, which continued in operation every successive year up to 1869, since which time it has been out of blast; the property remains in his ownership.

Mr. Trexler moved to Reading in 1848. In 1853 he bought one-fourth interest in the Read- ing Iron-Works, and has been interested and actively engaged in said works up to this time ; was elected a director in National Union Bank of Reading in 1864, and president of said bank in 1873, which position he now holds; was elected president of Reading Gas-Works in 1860 and fills that position now. He has been interested and actively engaged in the iron business since 1837 up to present time. Mr. Trexler is a lead- ing Lutheran and a representative citizen and is a descendant of one of the oldest families.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF READING was organized under and according to the require- ments of the act of Congress "to provide a national currency by a pledge of United States stocks and to provide for the circulation and re- demption thereof." This act was approved by President Lincoln, February 25, 1863. An association of individuals of Reading, having complied with the requirements of the act, ob- tained a charter for and organized "The First National Bank of Reading " on November 12, 1863. The original cash capital was one hundred thousand dollars, which in 1879 was increased to two hundred thousand dollars.

The first directors were Levi B. Smith, A. F. Boas, Edward Brooke, Wm. McIlvaine and Wm. Clymer, who, upon organization, elected Levi B. Smith president, and A. F. Boas cashier. At the next election the number of directors was increased to nine. Levi B. Smith continued as president of the institution until his death, in 1876, when Wm. H. Clymer was elected to fill the same position. Upon his death, in 1880, George Brooke, of Birdsboro', was chosen president, and continues as such to date. A. F. Boas, who was chosen the first cashier in 1863, occupied that position until 1878, when the present cashier, John R. Kaucher, was elected.

SECOND NATIONAL BANK OF READING Was chartered August 10, 1881, with capital paid in, one hundred thousand dollars. The following- named directors were chosen at the first election, which was held July 23, 1881 : Isaac Hiester, Thomas D. Stichter, John H. Sell, Israel M. Bertolet, Wm. McIlvaine, J. H. Sternbergh, John R. Miller, L. M. Kaufman and R. T. Leaf. The first meeting of directors was held July 23, 1881, and Wm. Mellvaine was elected president, and Christopher Leoser, cashier.

October 1, 1881, Frederick A. Roland was elected teller, and on April 8, 1882, Isaac Hiester was elected vice-president, since which time there have been no changes in the officers. The bank was opened for business September 3, 1883, at 511 Penn Street, where its business has since been conducted.

PENN NATIONAL BANK OF READING Was organized. March 3, 1833, chartered March

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

12th, and began business March 14th. The authorized capital of the bank was $100,000. The first election was held on the day of organ- ization, when the following-named directors were chosen : I. N. Levan, Adam Bard, F. S. Bernhart, A. J. Brumbach, Geo. F. Baer, Jacob S. Hillegass, Ang. W. Hoff, David Keiser, Jeremiah G. Mohn, Jacob Herbine, Samuel H. Lenhart, George K. Lorah and Samuel B. Knabb. At the organization of the board, on the same day, Mr. Levan was elected president; Calvin D. Moser, cashier ; and Sammuel H. Fulmer, teller. The bank was opened in the room previously occupied by the Commercial National Bank, No. 748 Penn Street. Liberal patronage from the merchants of Reading and the farmers of the county afforded the bank fine prospect for success. The building in which it was started and still is kept was purchased, including a large Corliss burglar-proof safe, which cost $17,000. In January, 1884, the new quarters were first occupied. No change has been made in any of the officers or clerks since the organization.

KEYSTONE NATIONAL BANK .- This bank was organized March, 1883, in a building at 624 Penn Street, with a cash capital of $100,000. Surplus and undivided profits of the year 1886 are $19.500. The officers of this institution are A. Wilhelm, president ; Jacob Holl, cashier; Joseph W. Wanner, teller.

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History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 140

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