History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. II, Part 30

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 948

USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. II > Part 30

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. Breinig is a director of the Citizens' De- posit & Trust Company since 1911, and a mem- ber of the Chamber of Commerce. He is a Re- publican in politics and from 1908 until the commission form of government was instituted in 1913, served as a member of the city coun- cil from the Seventh ward. He is active in re- ligious affairs and since 1885 is the esteemed superintendent of the Zion's United Brethren church Sunday school, located on Linden street. He has now held this office for more than a quarter century. He takes a deep interest in the administrative affairs of the church and served as a member of the trustees and official board for many years. He also serves as a trustee of Leb- anon Valley College, at Annville, Pa., since 1900.

In 1882 he was married to Celia E. Weber, a daughter of Solomon Weber, who died on July 12, 1899. They had no children. He was mar- ried (second) to Alice, nee Weber, a sister of his first wife, then the widow of Rev. Charles S. Seaman, who died in 1890, survived by three children, viz: Mary, Edna, and Charles.

Jonathan Breinig, second son of Jacob, was born Jan. 31, 1802, and died in April, 1880. He was a farmer and cultivated the farm now owned by his son, Charles. He was a Republican in politics and in religion a Lutheran. He served as deacon and elder at Lehigh church, where he is buried. He married, March 29, 1825, Eliza- beth, daughter of Peter and Maria B. (Mosser) Schmoyer, who was born March 31, 1805. They had nine children: Sarah, born Jan. 22, 1826; Charles ; James, born Jan. 8, 1831 ; Anna Maria, born 1833, died 1854; Eliza, born Sept. 3, 1836, married Daniel Bittenbender ; Rebecca, born Aug. 17, 1839, married Francis Yeager ; Hettie, born 1842, died 1844; Caroline, born 1845, died 1848, and Catharine, wife of John Geissinger.

Charles Breinig, son of Jonathan, was born

I 49

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.

at Breinigsville, Nov. 10, 1828. He attended the pay schools and later the public schools of the vicinity, and in 1861 began farming the homestead, which came into his possession in 1881. This tract, containing 105 acres, is still cultivated under his direction. Mr. Breinig is a member of the Lutheran congregation at Le- high church, where he has been deacon, elder, and trustee. He married, in 1861, Eliza, daugh- ter of Charles and Maria (Fegley) Ruth, and had ten children, three of whom, Charles, Annie P., and Warren R., died in childhood. His children who attained maturity are: M. Louisa, who married Victor Bower; Ellen J., wife of Morris Larash ; Maria; Emma, wife of George Schwartz; Addie, who married (1) Uriah Schmoyer, and (2) Aaron Lobach; George and Harry, who reside with their father.

Jacob Breinig, third son of Jacob, was born July 22, 1804, and died Jan. 9, 1885. He mar- ried Catharine Trexler, who was born Oct. 16, 1807, and died Nov. 27, 1883, and had chil- dren: William, of Breinigsvile; Elvina; An- gelina, born April 12, 1834, died Aug. 9, 1884, married Abiel H. Trexler; Jane, married Aaron Mosser.

Peter Breinig, youngest son of Col. George Ludwig Breinig, was born Feb. 22, 1771, and died Dec. 8, 1827. He became the owner of a 120-acre farm and was the founder of the village of Breinigsville, where he built the tav- ern, which he conducted some years. He mar- ried May 20, 1792, Magdalena Egner, who was born Sept. 3, 1772, and died Nov. 28, 1841. They had eight children, namely:

Maria, born 1794, died 1874, married Ben- jamin Heist.

Peter, born 1796, died 1875, married May Ann Cope, born 1801, died 1872, and had two sons, Thomas C. and Dr. P. B., of Bethlehem.

Elizabeth, born 1800, died 1873, married Jo- seph H. Weidner.

Isaac, born 1803, died 1874, married Mary Meitzler, born 1810, died 1888, and removed to Allentown.

Rebecca, born 1808, died 1877, married a Mr. Jennings.

Ann, born 1809, died 1844, married Aaron Erdman.

Jacob, born 1811, died 1896.

Dr. David E., of New York, born 1818, died 1882, who married Anna Sophia Miller.

Jacob Breinig, third son of Peter, was born in Breinigsville, June 14, 1811. He was edu- cated in the local schools and at a school in Nor- ristown, N. Y. He engaged in business at Brein- igsville, but in 1845, removed to Philadelphia,

where he was the junior member of the wholesale grocery firm of Miller, Eninger & Breinig, which did a prosperous business until the panic of 1857. In 1858 Mr. Breinig removed to Allentown, and engaged in the business of manufacturing paints and fertilizers, which has been conducted since 1867 under the name of the Allentown Manufac- turing Company. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran church, of Allentown. He died on Jan. 4, 1896, aged 84 years. His wife, Mary Rebecca Miller, a daughter of Peter Miller, of Montgomery county, died in 1888. They had three sons: Milton and Edmond, who died in early manhood; Alfred J., whose history fol- lows :

ALFRED J. BREINIG, who died at Allentown on Nov. 22, 1912, was born at Breinigsville, Aug. 6, 1838, and with his parents removed to Phila- delphia in 1845. He was educated in the pub- lic schools of Philadelphia, and was graduated from the Central high school with the Degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1858, at the agte of seven- teen years. He taught school at Trexlertown, Lehigh county, during the winter of 1867-68, and in 1867 he came to Allentown, and the fol- lowing year entered his father's business, which he conducted successfully until his death, on Nov. 22, 1912. Mr. Breinig managed the busi- ness of the Allentown Manufacturing Company from its early beginning until it became a most prosperous concern, whose reputation extends throughout the Middle Atlantic States, where the name of Breinig is most favorably known. During his early residence, in Allentown, he was an active member of St. John's Lutheran church, serving the offices of elder and deacon; later he associated himself with the Presbyterian church, of Allentown, in which he was a teacher of the young men's Bible class, but later be- came the superintendent of the Sunday school and a ruling elder in the church. He was one of the organizers of the Lehigh County Sunday School Association, and was the honored president of this noble association for fifteen consecutive years. About 1875 he organized what was then known as the Allentown Christian Association out of which grew the Allentown Y. M. C. A. He also introduced gospel services in the Le- high county jail, as early as 1867, and later at the county almshouse. The religious work in the jail under the able leadership of Mr. Breinig was continued successfully up to his decease and his associates still continue the work inaugurated by him.

The forty-second annual report of the board of prison inspectors of the Lehigh county prison under the caption of "religious work," prints the following: "We should have to consider this

150

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

annual report incomplete without referring to the very valuable and conscientious labors of the Christian commission, under the inspiration and able direction of Messrs. Alfred J. Breinig and Thomas Weightman, in behalf of the spiritual upbuilding of the inmates. Of the very helpful and highly appreciated features of the jail work, were the inspired sermons, the Bible readings, and the spiritual songs. In many of these serv- ices the inmates manifested the greatest interest. To all these Christian workers the Board hereby extends its best thanks for their valuable serv- ices, together with the assurance that untold good was accomplished in a quiet, but very ear- nest way."

Mr. Breinig was one of the organizers of the first Allentown Board of Trade, becoming its secretary and holding that office some years. While acting as secretary, the Adelaide silk mill was organized through the financial efforts of the Board, and other large industries were brought to Allentown which materially benefited the city and community. The exemplary life of Mr. Al- fred J. Breinig has been an inspiration to many of his fellow men and the permanent good he has accomplished can only be told by Him who keepeth all records. He believed the true meas- ure of a man's life was faithfulness, rather than success, and kindly helpful words and deeds. It is related that one of Mr. Breinig's associate workers in the jail, told an inmate of his (Mr. Breinig's) death, whereupon the inmate replied : "Oh, no, Mr. Breinig did not die, he was only taken home to God."

In 1862 Mr. Breinig was united in marriage to Miss Naamah Erdman, a daughter of Isare Erdman, formerly a business man and an exem- plary Christian gentleman and temperance work- er. Mr. and Mrs. Breinig had two children: Paul E., who is the vice-president of the Allen- town Manufacturing Co., Harriet M., who mar- ried George R. Witte, formerly a missionary of Brazil, now a resident of Northfield, Mass.

Mr. Alfred Breinig died at his late residence at 1103 Walnut street, Allentown, Pa., on No- vember 22, 1912, and is buried on the fine burial plot of the family on Fairview cemetery, at Al- lentown.

BRENSINGER FAMILY.

Christian Brensinger (Brentzinger) the head of a family, lived in Longswamp township, Berks county, in 1790. Among his sons were William and Casper, the latter was a farmer in Weisenberg township. His wife was Eliza Lentz and they had a son, William, born in Weisenberg in 1841. He was a farmer near Al- burtis for many years, but now lives retired in

Upper Milford township. He is a member of the Reformed church, which he served as a dea- con and elder.

He married Catharine Adams of Weisen- berg township. Their children follow: (1) Oscar William of whom below; (2) Rev. Mor- ris H., born Sept. 10, 1864. He is a minister of the Reformed church, residing at Fleetwood. He married Ella J. Butz, and they have Ger- trude, Ruth, and Naomi; (3) Lizzie, married George Kocher, a painter, of Allentown; (4) Howard of Allentown; (5) Ella, wife of Oswin Bittenbender, of Lower Milford.

OSCAR WILLIAM BRENSINGER, a painter and decorator of Allentown, was born Sept. 24, 1862, in Weisenberg township. He was reared upon the farm, and afterward was employed in Macungie township up to the age of 25 years. At this time he became a salesman for the Mc- Cormick Harvester Machine Company, selling the implements for this company for 5 years, throughout Pennsylvania.

He afterward established himself in the lum- ber business at Fleetwood, being associated with his brother, Howard, under the name of Bren- singer Brothers. Three years later he sold out his business, and removed to Allentown in 1896, and worked at the painting and decorating trade as a journeyman eight years. In 1904 he en- gaged in that business for himself. He resides at 1135 Oak street.

Mr. Brensinger and his wife are members of the First Mennonite church since 1909, and he has served the church as trustee for three years. He is also active in the Sunday School, and is a teacher of a Bible Class.

He is a member of the Progressive party; of the Friendly Lodge, No. 85, I. O. O. F., and is a Past Grand and was the Representative of the lodge to State Conventions; of the Knights of Malta, and of the P. O. S. of A.

He was married in Sept., 1855, to Elmira Nuss, a daughter of Jacob Nuss.

William Brensinger, son of Christian, was a teamster at the Lehigh Furnace, along the mountain in Washington township. He is bur- ied at the Heidelberg church. His wife, Sallie, nee Smith, bore him the following children : Julia (m. Henry Fritz. They lived at Mertz- town ) ; Thomas; Marcus lived near Pinegrove, Pa .; James; Edwin was a candy maker and at one time lived in Allentown, but died at Slate- dale; and Maria (m. Levi Shirey. They lived at Reading).

Thomas Brensinger, the oldest son of Wil- liam, was born in Washington township, this county, in December, 1827, and died in Oc- tober, 1912, in his eighty-sixth year. He fol-

15I

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.

lowed the carpenter trade for many years, after which he became the foreman of a school slate factory, serving this position almost twenty years, and during these years he lived with his family at Slatedale. Later he engaged in the mercantile business at Steinsville and several years later he removed to Slatington where he continued about four years, then moved to Ber- linsville and conducted a store there nearly twenty years.

When he was about forty years old he became a member of the Evangelical church to which he remained loyal and steadfast unto his death, having served the church at Slatedale in various official positions.

He was married to Sallie, a daughter of Henry Geiger. She died in November, 1877, at the age of 43 years and is buried at Slatington. Their children were: Mary (m. W. Snyder, of Berlinsville) ; Lewis F .; James, who died aged 23 years; Jeremiah died aged 22 years; and El- len, who died aged 23 years.

LEWIS F. BRENSINGER, a merchant of Allen- town, was born at Slatedale, May 15, 1854. He began clerking. in the general store of the late Francis Shenton, at Slatedale, at the age of four- teen years and continued in his employ for five years. He then took a commercial course in the Kingston Seminary, at Kingston, Pa., graduating in 1874. Afterwards he accepted a position with the "Old Corner Store," located at Seventh and Hamilton Streets, Allentown, A. M. Springer & Company being the proprietors of the above store. The site is now occupied by Koch and Person. About one year later, Mr. Brensinger associated himself with L. Williams, of Slating- ton, and there they conducted a general store for five years. He was then married and became the manager of his father-in-law's (David Wil- liams') general store in Slatington. About two years later the senior Williams gave the store to his two sons and to Mr. Brensinger. The three conducted the store under the name of Williams, Brensinger & Co., until the death of David Williams, after which Mr. Brensinger bought the interests of his two associates. In the year 1895 he moved to Allentown and continued in the mercantile business. Since Feb., 1912, he conducts a store at the corner of Sixth and Green Streets, and this store and building was built by Mr. Brensinger in 1900. He had lived on that corner before and carried on the store business there for three and one-half years.

He and family are members of the Trinity U. E. church, which he served as exhorter for many years, and he was an assistant superintendent of the Sunday School, but since 1911 he is the es- teemed teacher of the German Bible Class.

On May 25, 1879 he was married to Ala- vesta Williams, a daughter of David Williams, a pioneer slate operator of Slatington. Their children are: Florence M .; Raymond D .; Wal- ter L .; and Eleanor.

Raymond D. Brensinger of the firm of Ritter & Brensinger, wholesale milliners, at Allen- town, was born at Slatington, Aug. 28, 1882. He was clerk in his father's general store located at Eighth and Gordon streets for two years. Aft- erward he accepted a position as clerk with the Lehigh Portland Cement Company and after serving them for three and one-half years he re- signed the position to become assistant manager of the Enterprise Millinery Company, and three years later he entered a partnership with G. J. Ritter and they are located at 42 North Eighth street. They employ eight people. Mr. B-on- singer is a member of Constantine Lodge No. III3, I. O. O. F.

REV. SAMUEL KISTLER BROBST

was born November 16, 1822, in Kistler's Val- ley, Lehigh county, Pa. His parents were faith- ful Bible-loving members of the Lutheran Church. The Brobsts and Kistlers belong to the oldest German settlers in Pennsylvania; they emigrated from Western Germany early in the eighteenth century. Samuel Kistler Brobst was baptized by Father Knosky in the Jerusalem Church, in Lynn township. He was a great grandson of Philip Brobst, whose sons, Valentine, Martin and Michael, as well as George Kistler, his maternal great-grandfather, were among the founders of this early Lutheran congregation The children of these two pioneer families were among the first to be baptized and confirmed by the Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlen- berg. He attended the parochial school connect- ed with the church, where he became acquainted with the elements of Christian knowledge. He was confirmed by Pastor Isaac Roeller in 1837, and then changed his abode to Washington, Western Penna., where he learned the trade of a tinsmith with a relative. Being of studious habits, he did not spend his leisure hours on the street, but studied his Bible. His intercourse with Christian people, especially with Dr. Brown, the principal of Jefferson College at Cannonsburg, who had taken an interest in the lonely youth, awakened in him the ever-in- creasing desire of entering the ministry of the gospel. In 1841 he became ill and had to return nome. As soon as he felt stronger he went to Allentown, where he attended the Academy in order to study High German. His poor health compelled him to take another rest under the roof of his widowed mother; but he could not

152

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

remain idle; weak as he was, he taught school in Kistler's Valley and organized a number of Sunday schools institutions yet unknown in the rural districts. As soon as he felt a little stronger he went to Kutztown, afterwards to Mercersburg, and at last to Washington, West- ern Penna., where he, whilst a student, became instructor of German. One of his pupils was James A. Garfield, the lamented president of the United States. The faculty of Washington College wanted to retain him as German pro- fessor, but he declined because he wanted to be- come a preacher of the gospel. Another offer made by the American Sunday school Union to

REV. SAMUEL K. BROBST.

become its German agent in Eastern Pennsyl- vania, at a high salary, was likewise declined for the same reason. His love for the Lutheran Church, which was the ruling passion of his life, moved him to despise all claims for honors and preferment. Having been licensed to preach by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania in 1847, he was ordained at Pottsville in 1850, together with G. F. Krotel who likewise became eminent in the Church for his distinguished services in vari- ous capacities. He had now reached the goal of his holy ambition, but his poor health denied him the privilege of being the pastor of a church;

only during the last nine years of his life he had a congregation of his own, St. Peter's Church at Allentown, Pa., which he served with the utmost devotion. But he did not become dis- couraged; he took temporary charge of vacant churches, and was always ready to act as a sup- ply for his brethren in the ministry. The great work of his life, which made his name a house- hold word in the Lutheran Church, was his re- markable activity as an editor and publisher of church literature for thirty years. He knew and felt the great want of church papers which at that time were almost an unknown quantity in the American Lutheran Church. He devoted him- self to this important and indispensable line of work with an energy and endurance commanding all admiration, and which had most blessed re- sults. Dr. Passavant, that venerable worker of half a century had been the means of making him acquainted with English church papers whilst both were young men in Western Penna. He had not forgotten the impulse received at that time, but put himself to work as soon as he be- came convinced that he was called to be a preach- er by the word of the pen and the paper. His first venture was the Jugenfreund in 1847, the first German Lutheran Sunday-school pape . in the country, which at the time of i s founder's death in 1876, was read by 50,000 people, and is still flourishing. In 1853 the first Lutherische Kalender made its appearance ; in 1858 the Lutherische Zeitschrift was started. All three publications are still doing good work, and are rendering telling service to the Church. Die Theologische Monatshefte and Missions- Blatter were also published by him for a number of years. Pastor Brobst was a familiar figure on the floors of synodical meetings. The sickly, modest man was a strong and courageous cham- pion of genuine Lutheranism, and his influence became a power for good. He was especially strong in his advocacy of Lutheran education and Home Missions. His name is inseparably con- nected with the founding and history of the Evan- gelical Lutheran Theological Seminary of Mt. Airy, Phila., and of Muhlenberg College, Allen- town, Pa., the Emigrants' Mission, New York City, etc. He supported all movements toward the conservation of the Church according to the principles of the Reformation, regardless of the enmity and abuse heaped upon him by many who could not, or would not, keep pace with him. He never thought of himself, he suffered heavy losses, he denied himself all well-earned rest and com- fort, and when he at last was laid upon his death- bed he thought only of his work, prayed for the Church and praised his Lord until his last breath. He was called to his heavenly rest, in the Church

153

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.

triumphant, two days before Christmas, 1876. The Lutheran Church in America is bound to speak of him as a minister of blessed memory, who while dead, yet liveth. He is survived by his widow, Mary E. Brobst and daughter Sarah L., both residents of Allentown,-Miss Brobst being well known for her activity in music; and one son, Samuel J., for many years church or- ganist in Allentown, and presently holding a similar position in Fairmont, W. Va.

BROBST FAMILY.

Philip Brobst emigrated from Wurtemberg, or Lower Saxony, to America in 1720. He settled in what is now Albany township, Berks county, and there followed his trade of potter in connec- tion with farming, the latter engrossing most of his time. "In 1740 Parson Muhlenberg gave them a small tract of land on which Philip's three sons and some new settlers, built a church and school house, which is occupied from that day to this for the worship of God, by the name of 'Allimingle Church.' "

Philip Brobst made his will in 1747 and it was probated March 21, 1760. It made provision for his children as follows: Michael 100 acres of land and a good grist mill belonging thereto; Martin, a tract of 50 acres and a good new grist mill ; Valentine, his just portion of the estate; Eva Catherine, 50 pounds in money, and Dorothy (wife of Johannes Fetherolf), fifty pounds in money.

Philip Brobst and wife Cerine -, had six children: (1) Martin; (2) Michael; (3) Val- entine; (4) Mrs. N. Kutz; (5) Mrs. C. Hech- ler, and Dorothy (Mrs. Jacob Fetherolf).

In 1759, in Albany township, Michael Brobst was tax collector, and on the list of taxes paid were: Michael Brobst, 14 pounds; Martin Brobst, 14 pounds, and Valentine Brobst, 16 pounds.

Martin Brobst, son of Philip and Cerine (or his son), married a Miss Fuss. They had a son, John, who married a Miss Fries; Christian, who married Miss Marks and a daughter who mar- ried a Mr. Brobst and removed to Ohio.

The will of Martin Brobst was probated June 9, 1766, and Anna Elizabeth Brobst was named as executrix. This document mentions several children.

Michael Brobst, son of Philip and Cerine Brobst, married Elizabeth Albright. They had twelve children, all baptized and ordained mem- bers of the Lutheran Church, except two daugh- ters, who died very young. Mr. Brobst died in 1769 and Mrs. Brobst died in 1767.

Christian Brobst, the youngest child of Michael and Elizabeth (Albright) Brobst, was born Sept.

14, 1767, and baptized Oct. 25, 1767. In 1795 he removed to Catawissa, Pa., having nothing but his carpenter's tools and household goods, as he lost his portion from his father's estate, in worth- less Continental money, which he stated "brought him the more to depend altogether on his Heav- enly Father." In 1799 he built a mill and was obliged, thereby, to contract a large debt. Nev- ertheless, "I paid the first debt to Him, whom I owed the most." He devoted the first money the mill brought in, to aid in "building a church, in which with my family and neighbors, we could worship God."

Christian Brobst was married by Rev. Daniel Lehman, in 1789 to Barbara Drum.

Valentine Brobst, son of Philip and Cerine Brobst, remained at the old home, and like his brothers engaged in farming and milling. Among his children were Valentine and Martin, the lat- ter named removed to Catawissa, Pa.

Valentine Brobst, son of Valentine, engaged in farming and then went to Reading, where he be- came proprietor of a hotel. He was one of the largest land owners in the county, possessing valu- able coal land in Schuylkill and Northumberland counties. He died in Reading. He married Leavy. Issue: Christian, and seven daughters.

Christian Brobst, only son of Valentine Brobst, was born Nov. 29, 1787, in Albany township, where he engaged in farming until 1824 when he became a hotel keeper at Rehrersburg. He died Dec. 14, 1828. He married Miss Kreider. Is- sue: Valentine, Michael, Henry, William, John and Eliza.

Matthias Probst, on Dec. 12, 1792, made his will, which was probated Jan. 15, 1793. He was a resident of Lynn township. Northampton county. His wife's name was Anna Elizabeth. They had children: Michael, Samuel, Daniel, Maria, Magdalena and Catherine Barbara Brobst, The son, Daniel, was born after 1771.

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 Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. II, Part 30

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 948

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 948