History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 88

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > History of Berks county in Pennsylvania > Part 88

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. Keim took an active interest in the de- velopment of Reading. In this behalf he en-

couraged enterprises of various kinds. He aided in the erection of the pioneer rolling-mill and nail-works by Keims, Whitaker & Co. He was a member of the firm of Jones, Keim & Co., who carried on the Windsor Furnace, in Windsor township. This firm became celebra- brated for its fine castings made directly from the iron-ore. Among other distinguished rep- resentations, it cast "The Last Supper," after Leonardo da Vinci, which was highly compli- mented.

Military matters in the county won his atten- tion, and he was identified with them actively for many years. In 1830 he was elected cap- tain of the Reading Artillerists, succeeding his uncle, Captain Daniel de B. Keim. Shortly afterward he was chosen colonel of the Fifty- third Regiment of Pennsylvania Militia; and, in 1835, he was elevated to the office of major- general of the Sixth Division of Pennsylvania Militia, which included the companies of Berks, Schuylkill, Dauphin and Lebanon Counties, succeeding his father in that position.

He represented the county at the convention called to amend the State Constitution, held during 1837-38. His speech on banking elicited general approval. He was one of the committee of nine (including such distinguished statesmen as John Sergeant, Charles Chauncey, Thaddeus Stevens and George W. Woodward) who issued a forcible address relative to the ways and means to provide for the cause of com- mon-school education and the general diffusion of useful knowledge, together with the industry and pecuniary prosperity of Pennsylvania.

Upon the vacancy in the office of Represen- tative in Congress from this district by the res- ignation of Hon. H. A. Muhlenberg in accepting the mission to Austria, General Keim was elected to fill the unexpired term. This was in 1838, and he was then re-elected for two terms, occupying this position till March, 1843, and filling it with honor. At the election for Speaker of the House in the Twenty-sixtlı Congress he received a complimentary vote, not- withstanding the caucus nomination by the Democrats. During the Twenty-seventh Con- gress he distinguished himself by a patriotic speech against a petition whichi prayed for a

509

POLITICS AND CIVIL LIST.

dissolution of the Union. In 1842 he declined a renomination for a fourth term.

Charles Dickens, who visited this country in 1842, whilst at Washington in March, was given a Congressional dinner, and upon this occasion General Keim presided, with many prominent men in politics and letters present to give a welcome to the great author.

After his retirement from Congress, General Keim was offered by President Tyler his choice of three positions-minister to Brazil, Governor of Wisconsin Territory, or United States marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylva- nia. He selected the latter, so that he could remain at home; and in 1844 he was reap- pointed to this position by President Polk.

He had popularized himself throughout Pennsylvania to such a marked degree by his political course till 1848, that earnest and strong movements were instituted in different sections of the State to nominate him as the Democratic candidate for Governor, bnt he de- clined to entertain the matter.

In 1852 he was elected to the office of mayor of Reading, by City Councils, to fill the unexpired term of Major George Getz, who died whilst occupying that position. He accepted this high compliment by Councils to him as a citizen, it having been given en- tirely unsolicited. In 1860 the Democratic State Convention was held at Reading, and then General Keim was elected as a Presidential elector-at-large.

General Keim always took a great interest in everything connected with agriculture. He introduced imported thoroughbred cattle in the county. He aided in establishing the Berks County Agricultural Society, and delivered the address at their first annual meeting, held on October 28, 1852. He was the second president of the society, holding that position for several years, and giving largely of his efforts towards the success of the society. During his administration of its affairs (May 13, 1854)' the county commissioners leased to the society for ninety-nine years the " Commons," for the purpose of holding its annual exhibitions. At different times he, by request, made agricultural addresses in dif-

ferent sections of the State, which were received with marked favor. He was also interested in the geology and mineralogy of Pennyslvania, having begun in early life investigating these subjects with earnestness. A large and choice collection of minerals, which included valuable specimens from different parts of the earth, was the result of his devotion to these branches of knowledge; and he also suc- ceeded in gathering a fine collection of Indian relics, principally from Central Penn- sylvania. After his decease the former was presented by his children to the Lehigh Uni- versity, and the latter to the Smithsonian In- stitution.

When the Civil War broke ont, his patri- otic impulses led him to express himself boldly in behalf of the Union. When the divisions in the Democratic party were having their worst effects, during the Presidential campaign of 1860, in distracting its organization and hasten- ing its defeat, he stood steadfast, coming out from his retirement in order to encourage his Democratic friends. His public influence at this critical period aided greatly in holding together the Democratic party of the county.

In the spring of 1861, when this community was intensely excited over military prepara- tions for war, General Keim raised a company of volunteers for home defense, and he was active and enthusiastic in drilling and prepar- ing them for actual duty ; and one of the last acts of his life was to head a paper with his name, offering the services of his company to the government. Owing to this excitement and unusual exertion, whilst preparing to drill his company in the armory at Odd-Fellows' Hall, he was stricken with paralysis, from which death ensued shortly afterward. He died on June 10, 1861, in the fifty-sixth year of his age. He was buried at sunset, on June 12th, with military and Masonic honors, in. Charles Evans' Cemetery, minute guns having been fired from an elevated position south of the cemetery as the procession approached. The whole community mourned his loss. His funeral was one of the largest ever witnessed at Reading.

The personal character of this distinguished citizen of the county is so accurately por-

510

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

trayed by an editorial obituary notice, pub- lished in the Reading Gazette and Democrat, upon the occasion of his decease, that I intro- duce an extract from it as an appropriate con- clusion to this biographical sketch :

" Although General Keim was, during the greater part of his life, eminently a public man, it was in his private and social relations that his best traits of character were displayed. Genial in his manners, kindly in his sympathies, generons in his disposition and warm in his attachments, he attracted around him many friends who learned to know and appre- ciate him, as those who had but a superficial acquaint- ance with him could not do. His house was the abode of hospitality ; his door always open to the rich and poor, friend and stranger alike, and no one ever crossed his threshold who did not meet a hearty wel- come. His charities were liberal and even munificent, and never withheld from any worthy object, whether individual or associative. The poor of our city always found in him a friend and benefactor. Our churches, our schools, onr fire companies, our military organi- zations and all our institutions of benevolence and philanthropy were the recipients of his bounty, which was freely and largely bestowed. He was a liberal patron of the fine arts, and not a few young artists, struggling in poverty and obscurity, experienced the benefit of his counsel and encouragement. Tbe col- lection of paintings and statuary which embellished his homestead was large and valuable, and embraced many pieces of rare merit that attested his fine taste and the discriminating liberality with which he culti- vated it. His knowledge of men and books was extensive, and made him as a conversationalist an entertaining and instructive companion.

"The people of his native county always had in him a faithful advocate and true representative. He was devoted to their interests and funnd pleasure in all efforts that were calculated to advance them in prosperity and usefulness. He was among the first to arouse the spirit of home industry in his fellow- citizens ; and many of the earlier business enterprises undertaken here after 1835 received his hearty co- operation."

In 1827 General Keim was married to Julia C. Mayer, yonngest daughter of Hon. Christo- pher Mayer, of Lancaster, who for a number of .years represented that county in the State Sen- ate. She died on May 12, 1857. He left six surviving children,-George de Benneville, Charles Wetherill, Henry May, Julia Mayer, Susan Douglass and Mary May.

WILLIAM H. KEIM, a Congressman from 1858 to 1859. (For sketch, see chapter on Civil War.)

JOHN SCHWARTZ was born at Sunbury, in Northumberland County, Pa., on October 27, 1793. His father was a native Saxon, emi- grating to this country when quite young, and subsequently serving in the Continental army during the whole of the Revolution ; and re- moved to Reading when the subject of this sketch was ten years old. The son was placed in a town store and brought up to the business of a merchant, which he carried on successfully at Reading for many years. Subsequently lie became interested in the iron business, and with a co-partner (Simon Seyfert) erected the Mount Penn Furnace, in Cumru township. He was successfully engaged in that business till 1858, when he retired.

For many years previous to his retirement

MAJOR JOHN SCHWARTZ.

from business he took an active interest in the political affairs of the county as a Democrat ; and in all that time he never held nor sought an office. But in 1858 an influential part of the Democratic party of the county became dissatis- fied with the political course pursned by the then representative in Congress, Hou. J. Glancy Jones, and they, objecting to his renomination, started an independent movement which resulted in the nomination of Mr. Schwartz. The cam- paigu during the fall was bitter and earnest, and ended in his election by a majority of nine- teen votes. This was a great victory for him and caused much rejoicing by a large body of citizens. The disappointment to the regular

511

POLITICS AND CIVIL LIST.

Democrats was inexpressible; and the most disappointed of all was.the defeated candidate, who found that all his laborious efforts through- out the county, by public addresses to the people, had been spent in vain. But this defeat was, as it were, a blessing in disguise, for it led President Buchanan to tender to Mr. Jones, on the day of his defeat, the mission to Austria ; so that this departure from the rule of the Demo- cratic party gave the people of the county not only a new representative in Congress, but an honorable position at a foreign court. Mr. Schwartz took his seat in March, 1859. He was a man of large ability, fine appearance and pleasing address. These qualities enabled him to make a very favorable impression at Wash- ington. On May 7, 1860, he delivered a speech on the tariff, favoring high duties on imports as a means of protecting home industries and of developing a balance of trade in our behalf. This speech was distinguished for its plain and concise style and for its facts and arguments on the subject under discussion. Whilst attending to the duties of his position he was attacked with jaundice, from which he died at Wash- ington in June, 1860. It was said that his persistent determination to attend the daily ses- sions of the House, in the faithful performance of his duties, against the remonstrances of his physician and the entreaties of certain relatives who were with him, hastened his death. His decease was announced in the House and Senate, both of which bodies adjourned as a mark of respect to his memory ; Messrs. Campbell, Mc- Pherson, Maynard, Grow, Stevens and Florence in the former, and Messrs. Cameron, Sumner and Seward in the latter having paid highly complimentary tributes to his many exemplary qualities as a man and his uprightness and zeal as a legislator, in discussing the usual resolu- tions of condolence and respect. His remains were brought to Reading by the sergeant-at- arms of the House and the Congressional com- mittee, which consisted of Messrs. Covode, Train, Winslow, Hickman, Nixon and Graham. The funeral took place at his residence, on South Fifth Street, near Chestnut, on June 23, 1860, and the interment was made in the Charles Evans Cemetery, after appropriate and

largely attended religious services in Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a prominent Mason, which body attended the funeral and performed the customary honors at the grave. The whole community mourned his loss. His social qual- ities were of the most genial kind. In his daily intercourse he was generous and honorable. During his long career as a man of extensive business transactions at Reading he ever main- tained an honest name and an upright character, and in all the private relations of his life he bore an unblemished reputation.

During the War of 1812-15 Governor Simon Snyder gave him the appointment of quarter- master of the brigade which was raised in this and the adjoining counties, with the rank of major. He marched with the brigade to Balti- inore and remained on duty at Camp Dupont till the danger that threatened Maryland from the invasion of the British army was over. From that time till his decease he was famil- iarly known to the people of Berks County as Major Schwartz.

JACOB KERLIN MCKENTY, the only son of Henry McKenty, was born at Douglassville, Berks County, in 1827. He was graduated from Yale College with the class of 1848, afterwards spent one term in the Law Depart- ment of that institution, then completed his legal studies under the direction of Hon. William Strong, of Reading, and was admitted to the bar April 7, 1851. He soon became promi- nently identified with the Democratic party, and in the fall of 1856 was elected district attorney and served one term. In 1860 he was elected to Congress to fill the unexpired term of Hon. John Schwartz, who died while in office. He died unmarried at the residence of his parents January 3, 1866. He was a well-read and highly-esteemed lawyer.

SYDENHAM E. ANCONA was born in War- wick, Lancaster County, Pa., November 20, . 1824, and removing to Berks County, was for several years connected with the Reading Rail- road Company. He was elected in 1860 to represent Berks County in Congress, and was twice re-elected, serving until 1867. In 1866 he was one of the representatives desig- nated by the House to attend the funeral of

512

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

General Scott. He has filled the offices of secretary and treasurer of the Reading Fire In- surance and Trust Company since its organiza- tion.

J. LAWRENCE GETZ, a Congressman from 1867 to 1873. (For sketch, see chapter on Newspapers).

HIESTER CLYMER was a descendant of Richard Clymer, who emigrated to America from Bristol, England, in 1705, and became a shipping merchant and ship-builder in Phila- delphia. Richard Clymer had two sons, Wil- liam and Christopher. The latter was the father of George Clymer, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. William became a captain in the English navy ; was married to Anna Rober- deau, a sister of Gen. Roberdeau, by whom he had one child, Daniel C. Clymer, born in 1747 at Philadelphia, and entered the legal pro- fession first in his native city and later came to Reading.1 He had one daughter and two sons, William and Edward T. The latter was mar- ried to Maria Catharine, daughter of William Hiester, of Bern township, and resided near Morgantown,in Carnarvon township, at the time of his death, in 1831.

Hon. Hiester Clymer, one of the sons of Ed- ward T. Clymer, was born in Carnarvon town- ship, Berks County, November 3, 1827. After receiving a preparatory education at Reading he entered the College of New Jersey, at Princeton, and was graduated therefrom in 1847. His father and grandfather were educated at the same institution. He entered upon the study of the law, and was admitted to practice at the bar of Berks County, April 6, 1849. He went to Pottsville in 1851, where he remained five years successfully engaged in his profession, and in 1856 returned to Reading. In 1860 he served as a member of the Board of Revenue Com- missioners and during the same year was a dele- gate to the National Democratic Convention held at Charleston. In October. 1860, he was elected to the State Senate to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Benjamin Nunemacher, and was re-elected in October, 1861 and 1864, and served until 1866. His ca eer in the Senate

of Pennsylvania was distinguished for dignity and courtesy of demeanor, readiness, force and eloquence in debate and steadfast devotion to the best interests of the commonwealth. He was nominated as the Democratic candidate for Gov- ernor of Pennsylvania in March, 1866, and im- mediately thereafter resigned his seat in the Senate. He made an energetic canvass of the State and spoke to large assemblages of people in nearly every county. Although he received a larger vote than had ever been previously given to any Democratic candidate for the same office, his competitor, General Geary, was elected. In 1868 he was a delegate to the National Demo- cratic Convention that nominated Horatio Sey. mour for President. In 1870 he was appointed by Governor Geary a member of the Board of Public Charities of Pennsylvania, and held the position for several years. In the year 1871 he made a tour of Europe. In October, 1872, he was elected a Representative in Con- gress from Berks County and served with dis- tinguished ability until 1883.

Mr. Clymer was married, in 1856, to Elizabeth Mary, daughter of Matthew Brooke, of Birds- boro', Berks County. They had two children, both of whom are dead. Mrs. Clymer died in October, 1870. Mr. Clymer was married a second time to Mrs. Clemens, of St. Louis, Mo., who survives him.

DANIEL ERMENTROUT, son of William and Justina Silvis Ermentrout, was born at Reading, in Berks County, Jannary 24, 1837. He was educated in the public and classical schools of his native place, and also at Franklin and Mar- sliall College, Lancaster, Pa., and Elwood In- stitute, Norristown, Pa. Upon returning to Reading he began the study of law in the office of Hon. David F. Gordon, (then a practicing at. torney at Reading, and at one time president judge of the Berks District,) and after pursuing a regular course of study under his direction, was admitted to the bar on August 3, 1859. Whilst pursuing his studies and also previously for a time he taught school at Norristown, Consho- hocken and Reading, and in Muhlenberg town- ship. He has been in active practice at Read- ing since his admission to the bar, and has en- joyed a large and lucrative business, having

1 See chapter on Bench and Bar.

Daniel Sementrant

513

POLITICS AND CIVIL LIST.

been connected with many important trials in the local courts and with arguments before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Soon after his admission to the bar he became an active par- tisan in the Democratic party, and his ability and energy were soon recognized by the promi- nent political leaders. In 1862 he was elected to the office of district attorney of Berks County, and officiated for a term of three years. This was during the trying times of the Civil War, and besides numerous general criminal affairs, he conducted several prominent trials which at- tracted considerable public attention. He filled the office of city solicitor for three terms, from 1867 to 1870. After serving these two local offices successfully, he was chosen, in 1873, to represent this district in the State Senate for a term of three years, and in 1876 he was re elected for a term of four years. During the Centennial Exhibition of 1876 he was a promi- nent representative from Pennsylvania in the official proceedings. Whilst filling the office of State Senator the Governor of the State ap- pointed him, in October, 1877, to serve as a member of the Pennsylvania Statuary Com- mission, which was authorized by the Legislature to select two representative Pennsylvanians as appropriate subjects for statues to be contribu- ted by Pennsylvania to Statuary Hall of the Capitol at Washington, D. C.

As a member of this commission, he was par- ticularly interested in the selection of General Peter Muhlenberg as one of the subjects for a statue, because in him the county of Berks would be prominently represented (he having been a grandson of the distinguished Conrad Weiser), as well as the Germans, who have done so much toward the welfare and progress of Pennsylvania. Upon the conclusion of his second term in the State Senate he was elected to represent this district in Congress for the term of two years from 1881 to 1883, and has since been twice re-elected, serving his third term at this time.

Mr. Ermentrout represented the Seventh Ward of Reading in the Board of School Con- trollers for a number of years, and took an ac- tive part in the educational matters of the city. He also served several years as chairman of the

Democratic Committee of Berks County. He was a delegate to various Democratic State Con- ventions; and in 1880 he was a delegate from this district to the Democratic National Con- vention which was held at Cincinnati, and nominated Gen. Winfield S. Hancock for Presi- dent-Mr. Ermentrout voting for Tilden as long as his name was mentioned as a candi- date.

The history of Berks County has interested Mr. Ermentrout for many years, and his earnest researches have thoroughly familiarized him with the early settlements, social progress and political government of the county. He has delivered a number of addresses npon various public occasions which were particularly noted for their historical information. As a speaker he is forcible, commanding a high degree of power over his audience, and as a writer his language is perspicuous and fluent. Though prominently identified with the legal profession and the political government of the county for twenty years, he has nevertheless been a close and very successful student in general and classical literature. He has also traveled ex- tensively through the United States and Europe.

Mr. Ermentrout was married to Adelaide Louise Metzger, a daughter of John Metzger, of Lancaster, and a lady of high culture and fine personal appearance, eminently qualified to fill the prominent social positions to which the representative character of her husband neces- sarily introduces her. In 1878, Mrs. Ermen- trout acted as vice-regent of the Centennial Association of Valley Forge, in the district of Berks County in aid of the Valley Forge Fund and as such conducted with great success a "Grand Ball " at Reading on the evening of April 22, 1879. It was the most distinguished en- tertainment of the kind ever afforded to the citizens of the county, and netted a considerable sum to the association. Many prominent officials and representative men of the State were in attendance, including the Governor, his family and his staff. Mrs. Ermentrout during her husband's presence at Washington in the performance of his representative duties, has taken an active and prominent part in the re-

514

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

ceptions given by the President and high officials. Mr. and Mrs. Ermentrout have two children,-a son, Fitz Daniel, and a daughter, Adelaide Louise.

Genealogy. - John Ermentrout, who emi- grated from the Palatinate, Germany, to Penn- sylvania in 1739, was the great-great-grand- father of the subject of the foregoing sketch. The son of John was Christopher, born Feb. 8, 1754 ; the son of Christopher was John, born April 27, 1777. Amongst the children of the second John was William, the father of John S., Daniel and James N., whose sketches ap- pear in this history. William Ermentrout, their father, was born December 12, 1799, and died Jan. 21, 1880. For many years he was engaged in the mercantile business at Reading and served as a member of the board of control of its public schools, as school treasurer, and as treasurer of the county of Berks.

The sons of William Ermentrout, in addition to the three named, are William C., Benjamin F. (deceased), Philip M., Joseph C. and Dr. Samuel C.

FOREIGN MINISTERS.

HON. HENRY AUGUSTUS MUHLENBERG, clergyman and Congressman, was born at Lan- caster, Pa., May 13, 1782. He was the eldest son of Rev. Henry E. and grandson of Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, the American ancestor of the family, who emigrated from Saxony in 1741 as a missionary of the Lutheran Church to the German population of Pennsyl- vania. Rev. Henry E. was an erudite and pro- found scholar and theologian, a celebrated min- eralogist and botanist, and an author of so great repute in the latter science as to be characterized as the " Linnaeus of our country." So learned a man was he, and so happy in his instructions to his son, that the latter was most thoroughly and liberally educated, and it was deemed un- necessary to send him to college, as before the period of life at which young men most com- monly are matriculated at such an institution he had completed the usual collegiate course. In those days party spirit in the land was run- ning high, and his father's family and con- nections were all imbued with "Republican," or, as they were afterward termed, "Demo-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 88

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