USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > History of Berks county in Pennsylvania > Part 152
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Farmers' National Bank of Boyertown was or- ganized March 20, 1883, with the following direc- tors: Dr. Thomas J. B. Rhoads, president ; Wil- liam K. Grim, vice-president; Hiram Burdam, J. William Hillegas, E. G. Fegley, Joseph H. Moyer, Dr. R. B. Rhoads, John Sabold, William H. Schneider and A. Y. Yoder. The capital stock is $50,000, and its total resources March 1, 1886, were $179,361, of which $103,848 were owing ' to depositors. An office is occupied on Philadelphia Avenue, and W. B. Grim is the cashier.
THOMAS J. B. RHOADS was born September 26, 1837, on the Rhoads homestead, now in- cluded in the corporate limits of Boyertown, he being the youngest son of John Rhoads and his wife, Catharine. His progenitors emigrated from the Palatinate early in the eighteenth century, and took up their abode in what is now Amity township, this county. His great-grandfather, Mathias Roth, became a resident of Colebrook- dale township about the year 1760, and twelve years later became the owner by purchase from Rutter and Potts of several hundred acres of land, with improvements, in what is now Morys- ville, near Boyertown. His grandfather, Jonathan Roth, became the owner of the mill property and farm at Morysville by inheritance. To this he added by purchase several tracts, which became the property of John Rhoads upon the death of Jonathan Roth. The orthography of the name was changed from Roth to Rhoads through the instrumentality of the instructors of the children of that period, in the beginning of the nineteenth century.
Before the adoption of the public school sys- tem in Berks County he was chiefly under the
instructions of that precise, veteran school-teacher, Henry G. Stetler, who is still living. Later he became a student in Mount Pleasant Seminary, of Boyertown, when that institution was in the height of its success; and later he was for a time a pupil of Hon. Augustus S. Sassaman, under whose instructions he acquired a knowledge of the higher branches of English literature and mathe- matics.
At the age of eighteen he was selected by the school directors of Colebrookdale township to take charge of the Wise School, and during the three succeeding school terms he was teacher of the Gabeltown School, and closed his experience as a teacher of public schools in the spring of 1859. In his leisure hours, during 1857 and 1858, he commenced the study of medicine, of which he acquired considerable knowledge, until the spring of 1859, when he entered the office of his brother, Dr. R. B. Rhoads, then a physician in successful practice at Zieglersville, Montgomery County. He prosecuted his studies with diligence until October, 1859, when he became a matriculate of Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia ; from this institution he was graduated in March, 1861, and on May 23d following he opened an office at Gilbertsville, Montgomery County, where he soon gained the confidence and esteem of the commu- nity, and acquired a good paying practice.
On May 10, 1862, he was married to Theresa F., only daughter of Captain Henry S. Leidy, which union was blessed with two sons and two daughters, of whom one son and one daughter only are living.
In September of the same year, responding to the call of his country for assistant surgeons of volunteers, he proceeded to Harrisburg, and after having passed a creditable examination by the State Board of Medical Examiners, he was commis- sioned as assistant surgeon, with the rank of first lieutenant, and assigned to the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, then stationed at Gloucester Point, opposite York - town, Virginia. During the winter of 1862 he and his brother, Dr. R. B. Rhoads, had medi- cal charge of all the forces then stationed at Gloucester Point, Fort Keyes, and a large settle- ment of "Contrabands," as well as the brigade hospital connected therewith, his brother being
910
HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
the senior officer. The onerous duties connected with his calling, in conjunction with the unavoid- able exposures incident thereto, brought on an attack of typho-malarial fever, which laid him up for several weeks, and came nigh putting an end to his career, but an iron constitution and an in- domitable will at last triumphed, and he became convalescent, although the disease left him a sub- ject to rheumatic attacks thereafter.
Upon the opening of the campaign of 1863 he shared the trials, dangers and vicissitudes of his regiment until it was mustered out of service, on July 28th of that year. Upon returning from the army he settled down in Boyertown to continue the practice of his profession. His varied experi- ence in medical and surgical practice whilst in the army gave him a leading position among the medical fraternity of his section, and he was soon overrun with practice.
He has been in continuous practice for a period of twenty-five years, with the exception of about six months during 1882, when he was laid up with a compound fracture of the right leg, the result of a runaway horse and several attacks of inflamma- tory rheumatism previously.
He was one of the projectors of the National Bank of Boyertown, when it was organized in 1874, and became its first president, which position he held until January, 1883, when he peremptorily declined a re-election. In March, 1883, he was one of the projectors of the Farmers' National Bank of Boyertown, which was organized on March 20th, becoming its president, which posi- tion he is holding at the present time.
On January 2, 1886, he became treasurer of the Boyertown Mutual Fire Insurance Company, upon organization of that corporation. He has held various offices of trust and honor, indicating the high estimation in which he is held. Besides carrying on his practice, in which he is still actively engaged, he is interested in real estate, principally in Boyertown.
OTHER COMPANIES .- Boyertown Mutual Fire Insurance Company was projected at an informal meeting, held December 5, 1885, by L. P. G. Fegley, Dr. Thomas J. B. Rhoads, William K. Grim and William D. Kehl, and it was then de- cided to open subscription books and solicit in- surance. At another meeting, held December 28th,
it was ascertained that a pledge of $216,500 of in- surance had been secured. A charter was obtained January 2, 1886.
The first policy was issued on February 20, 1886, for three thousand dollars insurance, in favor of Jacob W. Leaver, of New Berlinville. On the 1st of March, 1886, the policies numbered eighty, all of which are perpetual and limited to safe risks, none exceeding five thousand dollars.
Boyertown Water Company was incorporated under an act of the Assembly, approved April 8, 1856, on the petition of George Mull, Samuel Shaner, Daniel B. Boyer, William Binder, Fred. H. Stauffer, Dr. Charles Keeley, William K. Stauffer, Lewis S. Worman, Benjamin Riegner, Jeremiah Sweinhart, Aaron K. Strunk, Henry Borneman and David H. Fox. The company supplies the borough with pure water, from springs in the neighborhood. The direct supply is from a reservoir of large capacity, in the rear of the Mount Pleasant Seminary, on an elevation 'which will afford a flow higher than the tallest building in the borough. An additional supply of water can be pumped into the reservoir from springs at the Ironstone Creek, distant one-fourth of a mile, by means of a steam-engine located there. The town is supplied with water-mains and eight fire-plugs.
Fairview Cemetery .- A company was organized March 2, 1859, with the following trustees : Jacob Merkel (president), William K. Stauffer (secre- tary), Samuel Shaner (treasurer), Samuel Witman, Thos. Shaner, Fred. H. Stauffer and Peter Fryer.
Five acres of land adjoining Boyertown were first purchased, and afterward five acres more- the present area being ten acres. One thousand lots, each fourteen by sixteen feet, have been laid out and many sold. A number of substantial and attractive improvements have been made, includ- ing a sexton's residence. The association has a fund of three thousand dollars unexpended:
Union Cemetery is southwest of the borough and has an attractive location on an elevated tract of land. It embraces several acres, much of which was donated by the iron-mining firm of Gabel, Jones & Gabel.
SECRET SOCIETIES .- Freedom Council, No. 25, American Mechanics, was instituted January 5, 1854, at Boyertown.
The meetings were held with interest until 1862
911
BOROUGHS OF COUNTY.
when they were discontinued for the time being, and soon wholly given up. The last trustees were H. B. Rhoads, L. S. Worman and B. Riegner.
Some years later a lodge of the Brotherhood Society was established, which had a flourishing ex- istence for a few years.
Washington Camp, No. 104, P. O. S. of A., was instituted in the fall of 1869, and flourished until a determined local opposition caused the meetings to be discontinued. There were at one time eighty
causes led to the dissolution of the society. It was purely beneficial and entirely local.
Miners' Beneficial Society was organized Feb- ruary 18, 1882, for the purpose of affording the miners of Boyertown mutual assistance, in case of sickness or death. It has some sixty members in good standing.
Salah Castle, No. 46, A. O. K. of M. C., was in- stituted February 15, 1873. It has a membership of sixty-seven, and a fund approximating $700.
RESIDENCE OF FRANK G. BINDER, BOYERTOWN, PA.
members in good standing, some of whom remained faithful to their obligations, and still retain posses- sion of the camp property, hoping some day to revive the meetings.
Oley Lodge, No. 218, I.O.O. F., was organized at Pleasantville, in Oley township, but removed to Boyertown in 1874. Its meetings were continued three years ; then the lodge was transferred to Reading, where it still exists.
Boyertown Beneficial Association was instituted in 1847. At one time there were one hundred members, and the meetings were kept up with ben- eficial results until 1857, when removals and other
BIOGRAPHICAL.
FRANK G. BINDER was born January 29, 1860, in Boyertown. William Binder, his father, was born in New Hanover township, Montgomery County, November 18, 1820, and had four brothers -Samuel, born October 19, 1822; Jesse, born September 2, 1824-Benjamin, born July 13, 1831; and Franklin ; and three sisters,-Esther, Magdalena, born December 23, 1827 ; Emma, born May 6, 1834; and Maria Ann, born June 23, 1837. Benjamin died from wounds received in the army and Franklin died when but seven years old.
912
HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
William Binder died February 25, 1880. He had three children,-Henry M., with first wife and Clara G. and Frank G., with second wife. Clara was married to Frank Hartman, and died February 13, 1885.
Jonathan Binder, father of William, was born in Montgomery County, June 14, 1789, and was married to Joanna Bickel, born June 9, 1794. Jonathan Binder, father of Jonathan, was born in Germany, came to this country early in the eigh- teenth century and settled in Montgomery County. He and his son Jonathan were fullers by trade.
In 1854 William Binder came to Boyertown and moved into the old log hotel, then located on the corner of Philadelphia and Reading Avenues, upon which site, in 1857, he erected the three-story brick hotel, and remained there eight years, and for sixteen years dealt extensively in horses.
In 1859 he purchased fourteen acres of land from James Ellis. March 6, 1872, he leased a part thereof to H. and J. Gabel, Griffith Jones and Jacob and Isaac Fegley for twenty years. June 6, 1874, the lease was extended to fifty years. Rich ore was discovered. Since 1878 this " Binder mine " is extensively operated by Fegley & Co., and is called the " Warwick Mines," superintended by Jacob Shupp. This property was inherited by Frank, Henry and Clara, and is still owned by them.
William Binder was one of the first Councilmen of the borough, treasurer of Fire Company, build- ing-master of St. John's Church and director of the Boyertown Building and Loan Association. His good council was often sought.
Frank G. Binder, in early youth, attended the common public school and in early years com- menced going to Mount Pleasant Seminary and Kallynean Academy of his native town. In the fall of 1877 he entered Muhlenberg College, Allen- town, Pa., and took one session in that institution ; returning, he remained with his father until the latter died.
In the spring of 1883 he entered into co-partner- ship with his brother Henry, engaging in the trade of their father- dealing in horses - under the firm- name of H. M Binder & Bro., doing an extensive business, and commanding the esteem and confi- dence of their customers, and, like their father, true in their dealings. December 23, 1884, Frank
married a daughter of Hon. Isaac F. Yost, ex- associate judge of the Montgomery County Courts. Mr. Binder is very popular and a young, influen- tial citizen. He is president of the Keystone Fire Company of Boyertown, and was a director of the Boyertown Building and Loan Association at its close, in 1884.
JOHN SCHEAFFER, of Boyertown, Pa., was born August 26, 1859, in Earl township, Berks County, Pa., at the place known then as "Scheaffer's Tannery," now " Rapp's."
His father, Jeremiah Scheaffer, was born on the "Scheaffer farm," at Boyertown, November 12, 1818, and died on the same farm April 27, 1880, leaving an only son. John Scheaffer, father of Jeremiah, was born in Philadelphia, February 28, 1788. Christian Scheaffer, grandfather of Jeremiah and great-grandfather of John Scheaffer, Jr., was a Hessian ; came to this country when but fifteen years old and served in the Revolutionary War. He first settled in Exeter township, and by economy became possessed of three farms,-one in Exeter township, still known as the " Captain Scheaffer Farm," one in Oley, and the Scheaffer farm at Boyertown.
The accession of this Boyertown farm records an exceedingly important history. A pile of old deeds, written on parchment, are in possession of the present owner of the farm, Johu Scheaffer. The tract first consisted of two hundred and forty- five acres, and comprised then also the Landis farm adjoining, at New Berlinville. The oldest records show that by a claim of right of proprietary, Thomas Baylie, of the city of Bristol, England, obtained it September 26 and 27, 1601. March 4, 1707, the commissioners of property, by war- rant, granted the same to Edward Roberts in right of said Thomas Baylie, who, May 8, 1713, sold it to Edward Roberts, Jr., for four hundred and sixty-five pounds, who had a part patented in 1717, and November 31, 1725, sold the whole farm to Nicholas Scull, who the same day, sold it to Thomas Rutter, of Philadelphia, who sold it, December 14, 1727, unto Henry Keyler, who died intestate, and his heirs afterward sold it to George Keyler. George Keyler, December 4, 1754, sold it to Matthias Holsbough, who sold it, August .19, 1762, to Stephen Crumrein (Krumrein), for " seventeen hundred pounds in
913
BOROUGHS OF COUNTY.
good gold and silver." (At this period the Landis farm was sold off, leaving in the Scheaffer tract the present number of acres-one hundred and forty-two.) In 1785 Krumrein sold the one hun- dred and forty-two acres to Jacob Latshaw, who sold it, March 19, 1801, to Abraham Latshaw, who, April 2, 1810, sold it to Christian Scheaffer, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, for three thousand seven hundred and fifty pounds, and from this it was inherited from father to son |
borough, and for nine years Councilman, holding that office at the time of his death.
John Scheaffer's early years were spent on his father's farm. He attended the borough schools and in 1875 and 1876, Kallynean Academy, at Boyertown. In 1885 he was elected a member of the Borough Council. Mr. Scheaffer is an enter- prising young man, and is highly respected. He is married and has one child.
. 1
John Schaffer
down to John Scheaffer, Jr. In 1874 fear arose as 1 to the patent, and in that year it was patented to George Landis, P. Y. Brendlinger, James Focht and the trustees of the St. John's Lutheran congre- gation, of Boyertown, Pa. A part thereof is with- in the borough limits, and fine building lots have been sold, the St. John's Church being erected on one of the lots in 1872. The old log farm- house still stands and was the first in the vicinity.
Jeremiah Scheaffer was the third burgess in the
BERNVILLE.
THE borough of Bernville is situated in the western part of Penn township, on the North- Kill, near its confluence with the Tulpehocken Creek, and about ten miles from the nearest railway station, Mohrville, on the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad. Many substantial im- provements have been made lately and the bus- iness men are 'enterprising ; but there has been no increase in the population. In 1885 the in-
914
HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA.
habitants numbered about five hundred. Bern- ville was laid out in 1819 by Thomas Umben- hauer, who owned the farm on which it is located. On the 24th of August of the same year Peter Bennethum bought the first lots, six in all. The old tannery occupied this ground, and near by he built the first house.
The place was named January 22, 1820 by Thomas Umbenhauer, after the native place of his father, Stephanus Umbenhauer, which was Bern, in Switzerland. Number of lots laid out was sixty-two.
On March 7, 1820, sales of lots were made to the following persons :
Philip Filbert. .No. 10
John Umbenhauer. Nos. 12 and 14
Mathias Stoudt. No. 15
Henry Waters. .No. 16
Peter Filbert.
.Nos. 18 and 20
Philip A. Good. No. 21
Samuel Umbenhauer. Nos. 22 and 24
Catharine Stoudt. No. 51
Joseph Seybert
No. 29
Samuel Sey bert.
.No. 31
Nicholas Haas.
.No. 35
Samuel Filbert
No. 37
John Heck, Jr No. 41
John Miesse. Nos. 8 and 46
Jacob Wagner .No. 50
John Wagner.
No. 52
Daniel Strause.
No. 53
John Allenbach, Jr.
No. 57
John Heck, Sr.
No. 49
All of the lots mentioned were not im- mediately improved.
The first houses were occupied by
Henry Witman tinsmith
William Runkle. .merchant
Abraham Reber.
.merchant
Andrew Greth .blacksmith
John Haag.
wheelwright
Joseph Burkhart.
.chair-maker
Jacob Allenbach .hatter
Rev. Boyer. minister
Peter Bennethum. .tanner
Michael Parst.
.paper-box maker
Jacob Wagner butcher Joseph Kauffman .hatter
Catherine Stoudt.
.cake-baker
Lewis Perr.
tailor
1862
D. D. Deppen.
H. Harner.
John Umbenhauer. .weaver 1863 John F. Burkhart. H. Harner.
William Umbenhauer. tavern-keeper
Daniel Klopp. tåvern-keeper
John Daniel tinsmith
INCORPORATION .- Bernville was incorpo- rated as a borough in 1851 in order to secure better schools and roads. The latter at that time were in a very poor condition, and measures were taken, as soon as the power was vested with the Council, to improve them. To more fully encourage the authorities in this matter, the following persons, on the 17th day of August, 1852, agreed to sustain the Council in the expenses necessary to improve the streets and gutters :
A. R. Koenig.
Joseph B. Conrad.
Jacob Riegel. John F. Burkhart.
Wm. E. Huber. John Runkle.
Adam Snyder. Joseph Wolfinger.
John Miller.
Jacob Strauss.
Elijah Richardson.
Jonathan Miller.
Joseph Renner.
John Yeager.
Adam Bohn.
Benj. Lins.
·A. B. Kerschner. Jacob Werner.
Henry Witman. John Herback.
Albert Hine.
John Haag.
Henry Kline. Wm. B. Noll.
S. W. Miller. A. A. McDonough.
Daniel Bentz.
Jonathan Kline.
John S. Rick.
Henry Beyerle.
John Spengler. Wm. Grime.
David R. Faust.
Benj. Himmelberger.
Abraham Andrews.
John Hetrick.
Jacob Rieser.
Daniel Umbenhauer.
Joseph Burkhart. Wm. Runkle.
John Hix.
John Daniel.
E. B. Filbert.
John Wenrich.
These objects were secured in the course of a few years, and Bernville has since been noted for its well-paved and neatly-kept streets. The burgesses and clerks since the incorpor- ation have been the following :
Term. Burgess.
Clerk.
1851
E. B. Filbert
A. R. Koenig.
1852.
A. R. Koenig.
John S. Rick.
1853.
William Runkle.
John S. Rick.
1854.
Henry Witman
John S. Rick.
1855
Abraham Andrews
Harrison Harner.
1856
.Joseph B. Conrad.
Harrison Harner.
1857
H. Harner
Wm. H. Kintzle.
1858.
Adam Stoudt.
H. Harner.
1859.
Paul Wenrich
H. Harner.
1860-61
Levi M. Gerhart.
H. Harner.
1864
A. M. Bright.
C. W. Hetrich.
1865
David R. Koenig
Peter Sands.
1866 Adam M. Dundore. C. W. Hetrich.
Samuel Hix.
John Greiner.
Benj. L. Kerschner. coach-maker
915
BOROUGHS OF COUNTY.
1867 Jefferson Haag. L. W. Rentschler.
1868 D. D. Deppen.
C. W. Hetrich.
1869. Abraham Witman C. W. Hetrich.
1870 F. M. Harbaugh. .C. W. Hetrich.
1871. Adam M. Dundore John H. Riegel.
1872. Joseph B. Conrad. John H. Riegel.
1873. Ephraim Witman. John H. Riegel.
1874 Jacob S. Werner. C. W. Hetrich.
1875. Charles F. Rentschler ... C. W. Hetrich.
1876. John A. Hiester .C. W. Hetrich.
1877. Lewis Kerschner. H. S. Machmer.
1878-80 Levi Ludwig.
H. S. Machmer.
1881. Levi Berger. .C. H. Hetrich.
1882-84. John S. Wenrich .C. H. Hetrich.
In 1885 the officers of the borough were as follows :
Burgess, John S. Wenrich ; Clerk, C. H. Hetrich ; Councilmen, Benjamin Pleise, Ephraim Bentz, Exeriel Lengel, F. R. Schroeder ; School Directors, W. George Beyerle, Charles F. Rentschler, D. D. Deppen, Benj. Klahr, Levi Berger, Christ. Schweikert; Assessors, J. M. Bordner, Joseph B. Conrad, J. B. Miller ; Au- ditors, C. W. Hetrich, N. P. Stoudt, Edwin Umhen- haner; Constable, William Fidler; Justices, Benj. Klahr and C. W. Hetrich.
In 1880 the borough contained 86 dwelling- houses,-45 brick, 28 frame, 12 log and 1 stone; also 6 frame shops, 1 bending-works and 1 foundry.
STORES .- After the Union Canal was com- pleted to this point the place became a trading centre for grain and lumber, and then a ware- house was erected by Henry Witman and Wil- liam Runkle for this business. David Renno built the second warehouse about 1839, about ten years later than the first. Philip Filbert had one of the first stores in this locality at his tavern-stand, just outside of the borough. In Bernville proper a man named Uhlman first traded, near the present Miller store. Reber & Penrose came next, closely followed by Wm. Runkle, Michael Boyer and Charles Heine. In 1885 there were six stores in the place, representing all branches of trade. Of these, several are noteworthy. The hardware busi- ness has been carried on by John F. Burkhart since 1848; the drug trade by Dr. H. H. Snavely since 1877. The mercantile business of the Millers was established at Bernville in 1847 by S. W. Miller, the father of the present proprietor. In 1864 the firm became S. W. Miller & Son, and so continued until 1878,
when the father retired, leaving the son, Jona- than B. Miller, in charge of the business. In 1849 this stand was established in a store-room, twenty by thirty feet. A new room was found necessary in 1867 and accordingly supplied, twenty by fifty-five feet. In 1884 an addition of thirty-five by fifty-one feet was made, giving a room one hundred aud six feet in depth. The main building is fifty-five feet square and three stories high. The extension has well arranged sky-lights and the entire building is heated by steam and lit by gas, generated on the premises. In its arrangement and general appearance this store is regarded as one of the finest in Eastern Pennsylvania, and the volume of business is not excelled by stores outside of large cities.
JONATHAN B. MILLER traces his ancestry to an early member of the family who emigrated from Germany. His great-grandfather was Johannes Miller, who resided in Tulpehocken township, where he conducted a tannery. His children were John, Samuel, Henry, Matthew and four daughters. John was a native of the same township, and suc- ceeded his father as a tanner. He married Eliza- beth Wagner, and had one son, Samuel W., who was born in the same township, January 15, 1816. After receiving a rudimentary education he entered his father's tannery, and became familiar with the business, in which he continued until 1847, when, on removing to Bernville, he engaged in mercantile pursuits with such limited capital as it was possible to command. He continued in busi- ness alone until 1864, when his son was admitted to an interest, under the firm-name of S. W. Miller & Son, and the enterprise thus managed until the retirement of the senior partner, on the 1st of March, 1878. Mr. Miller married Sarah Brossman, of the same township, born December 4, 1821, whose children are Monroe (deceased), Isabella B. (wife of Dr. D. D. Deppen) and Jona- than B. The death of Samuel W. Miller occurred November 23, 1885. The only surviving son, Jonathan B., was born on the 21st of November, 1841, at Bernville, where his life has been spent in mercantile pursuits. After some attention given to the English branches at the public schools, he entered his father's store as a clerk, having before this time become familiar with the business .by
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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
occasional assistance rendered when a lad. In 1868 the trade had reached such proportions as to make larger quarters necessary, and a new store was erected on the present site. This also in a few years proved inadequate to the demands of customers, and a very spacious and attractive ex- tension was added, the total length of the building being one hundred and six feet. It is now one of has not been an active worker in the party ranks.
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