USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Kutztown > The centennial history of Kutztown, Pennsylvania : celebrating the centennial of the incorporation of the borough, 1815-1915 > Part 29
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201
NICHOLAS J. KUTZ
of Fleetwood, Pa., was horn on November 18. 1860. His parents were Benneville H. Kutz and his wife ( ner Sarah Fisher). He received his early education in the public schools at Kutztown and later attended the Keystone State Normal School from which institution he graduated in 1879. He taught school for three terms. In the fall of 1882 he accepted a position with the Philadelphia and Reading Railway Company in Philadelphia. During President Cleveland's first administration, he was appointed a registry clerk in the Phila- delphia post office. After the administration was ouce more in the hand- of the other political party. he was again given his position with the railroad company where he con- tinned until the spring of 1894. when he engaged in the general merchandise business at Fleetwood. Politically Mr. Kutz is an influential Democrat. anl a well known factor in local politics. He was a member of the Fleetwood Town Conneil for six years, serving as -errelary of that body. He is now serving the people of Berks as County Commissioner and Is giving efficient services in this office. lle was married to Clara S. Kline. which onion Was blessed with one daughter, Miss Florence M. Kurz, aged 21 years. On June 2. 1914. Mrs. Kutz died.
REV. MILTON JAMES BIEBER
Eastern Field Missionary of the Evangelieal Lutheran Church in America. now stationed at Halifax, Nova Scotia, is one of the leading ministers of the denomination. He was born Dec. 13, 1862. and hronght up on his father's farm. located one and one-half miles east of Kutztown, in Maxatawny township. He attended the publie school at Sehwoyer's, the Model School, and the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown. Rev. Mr. Bieber taught school a number of years, He graduated from the Normal School in 1886. speaking the valedietory. Rey. Bieber was principal of the High School, Bernville. 1886-1889, He
entered the Sophomore class at Muhlenberg College. Allentown, 1888. lle graduated in 1891. receiving the first honor medal and delivering the valedictory. The subject of this sketch entered the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, in 1891. grad- uating in 1894: taught history at the Normal during the spring term of 1893. He was ordained to the ministry by the Pennsylvania Ministerium at Philadelphia in 1894. Rey. Bieber served Trinity Church, Mt. Joy. Pa .. 1894-1897, The Church of the Redeemer, Bing- hamton. N. Y., 1897-1904 ; has been Eastern Field Missionary of the General Council since 1904, his territory embracing New York, New England, and Eastern Canada.
202
JEFFERSON C. HOCH
of Kutztown, was born April 30, 1845. The parents were Jonas Hoch and Margaret B. Hoch (nee Christman). Mr. Hoch's present occupation is fire insurance agent, He was married on Sept. 12, 1867 to Jemima C. J. Christman who died July 3, 1909. The children are: M. Elizabeth C. Hoch and Jacob C. Hoch, their respestive ages being 43 and 40 years, Mr. Hoch attended the common schools, Kutztown High School, Oley Academy and Maxa- tawny Seminary, and taught in the common schools seven terms. He has been a resi- dent of Kutztown for 27 years. Lived and was raised on the Ifoch farm in Maxatawny township up to 1865, then lived in Kutztown up to 1869, when be commenced farming, which occupation he followed for 15 years or up to 1884. He was editor of the Kutztown Patriot in 1893 and 1894, was appointed Notary Public in 1897 by Gov. Ilastings, and re- appointed by Governor Stone. He was a Republican in politics and was twice nominated for the State Legislature, once for Clerk of Quarter Sessions, and once for Recorder of Deeds, and was also twice elected Chairman of the Republican County Convention. He is - a life member of the Geographical Society at Washington, D. C., the American Sunday School Union, the American Tract Society of the American Bible Society, and the Re- formed Church, He attended Sunday School for 50 years as a scholar, teacher, assistant superintendent, and superintendent.
LLEWELLYN ANGSTADT
postmaster, of Kutztown, was born December 25, 1869, in Greenwich township, Berks county. He is a son of Samuel and Esther A. (nee Reinhard) Angstadt. After graduating from the borough schools he entered the employ of R. Miller's Son and learned the carriage painting and trimming trade. Later he put in one and one-half years of study at the Keystone State Normal School, after which he became an employee of the Keystone Shoe Manufacturing Company, He served this firm for nineteen years, up to 1910, when he he- came a clerk in the Recorder's Office at the Court House, Reading, After clerking for over four years he was appointed postmaster of Kutztown on March 20, 1914, and on April 1st. of the same year he began serving the government. Postmaster Angstadt served the borough a number of years as' Assessor. Inspector and Judge of Election. He is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Kutztown, Past Master of Huguenot Lodge, No. 377, F. and A. M., Kutztown ; Lodge of Perfection, Reading; Past Chief of Adonai Castle, No, 70, K. G. E., Charles A. Gerasch Council, No. 1004, Jr. O. U. A. M. ; Kutztown Aerie, No. 839, F. O. E. : Kutztown Park Association, having served on the Board of Directors nine years; director of Kutztown Fair Association five years, and member of several civic organizations. Post- master Angstadt is an active Democrat and was always a faithful worker for his party. It was mainly through his efforts that the post office was located in one of Kutztown's most modern building and in the center of the business section, Mr. Angstadt was married
to Annie Stein. They have one son, Samuel N., aged 21 years'
203
JOHN R. GONSER
was horn on a farm in Exeter township. Berks county. His educational training he re- ceived in the schools of Amityville. Reading and McAllisterville, Juniata county. He taught school for four terms after which he entered the employ of Yocum. Kline and Company. lumhermen, and soon became manager of their extensive operations at Moscow, Luzerne county. Later he associated himself with William Ziegler iu the grain, coal and lumber husiness at Farmington. From there he came to Kutztown and formed a nartnership with The late James S. Heffner in the same line of business. Later we find him in the whole- sale lumber and lee business. At the present time he is one of the chief financiers in the borough : he Is still actively enraged in business. He is the president of the Kiniztown National Bank, a member of the board of trustees of the Normal Sebool and actively con- nected with a number of other industries requiring a large portion of his time. Besides all this, he Is the owner of a half dozen of the finest farms located in various sections of Berks county. To these he devotes a great part of his time. Mr. Gonser bears his years well and is. despite his age, still one of the husiest men of Kutztown.
DR. A. C. ROTHERMEL, A. M., Pd. D., Litt. D.
principal of Keystone State Normal School, Kutztown, Pa., was born Jan. 6, 1864, the son of Lewis W. and Lydia R. (nee Rothermel). at Moselem, in Richmond township. Berks coun- ty, l'a. He received his early education from a special lady teacber, procured by the pro- prietor of the Moselem furnace for the children of that community. Sbe was an excellent teacher and Dr. Rothermel gives her a great deal of credit for his success as an educator. He graduated from Keystone State Normal School in 1886. He taught school for three terms when be prepared for college aud graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1891. After graduation he was elected Professor of Natural Science at the Keystone State Normal School. Ile was elected vice principal in 1893 and in 1899 principal of this insti- tution. U'nder bis guidance and through his fine qualities as an executive, teacher and public orator the Normal School has grown until today it ranks with the best of its class in the country. He was married to Miss Ada L. Spatz. daughter of John and Catharine ( Mover) Spatz, of Reading. A charming young lady, Miss Ruth, has been adopted by them and has received the full measure of parental care and affection. Dr. Rothermel is a mem- ber of St. Paul's Reformed Church, Kutztown. of Huguenot Lodge. No. 377, F. and A. M., and of numerous educational and historical societies.
204
CONRAD GEHRING
although not now from Kutztown. yet he was identified with the borough for so many years that we look upon him as still one of our own. He hails from Switzerland. He had hardly become an inhabitant of our horough when his excellent qualities began to assert them- selves. He was editor of the Kutztown Journal from 1871 and of the Kutztown Patriot from 1895 till 1902. when he resigned to take a position offered him in New York. When Mr. Gehring came to this country in 1867 he knew practically no English hut was fluent in German and French. But so determined was he to he ahle to use the English language and so closely did he apply himself that in a comparatively short time he mastered it to such an extent as to he able to write it and address audiences fluently. While in Kutz- town he soon had the confidence of everyhody and he was four times in succession elected to the highest office of the town -that of Chief Burgess. Everyhody liked him, and it is eminently proper that a fuller sketch should he awarded him, which will he found on another page.
IRA G. KUTZ
of Reading. Pa .. was born in Kutztown, May 14, 1867. the son of Benneville and Sarah, (nee Fisher). His preliminary education was received in public schools of Kutztown, Keystone State Normal School, where he graduated in 1886. He taught for eight years, three years of which he was principal of the Kutztown High School. He graduated from Lafayette College in 1893. He hegan the study of law in the offices of Stevens and Stevens in Reading and in 1897 was admitted to the Bar. He was elected District Attorney of Berks county in 1904 and served to his own credit and the honor of the county. By ability and close application he has won for himself a high place in the legal profession of the county and State. He is one of the Democratic leaders of the county. He was elected state delegate to the State Convention in 1914. lle was married to Clara B. Shepp, daugh- ter of John Shepp, on Oct. 20. 1898. They have one child. Elizabeth. Mr. Kutz is a member of the Blue Lodge. No. 433. F. and A. M .; Oley Lodge. No. 218, 1. O. O. F .; K. G. E. and The Americus Club.
. 205
ZACH. C. HOCH
of Kniztown, was born December 25. 1852. in Maxatawny township. He is descended, on his father's side, from Rudolph Hoch, who came to this conntry in 1717, settling first at Swedeland, this side of Pottsgrove, and later in Olev township. On his mother's side. Mr. Hoch traces descent from Michael Christman who settled in Maxatawny township, and built in 1773 the oldest house now standing in the township. The old house is on the Frank Smeck farm. Mr. Hoch was married to Anna Wanner August 20, 1885. He gradu- aled from the Keystone State Normal School with the class of 1870 and from Lafayette College in 1875. After graduation from college he was engaged as school teacher for a time. In 1880 he was census enumerator. lle was connected with U. S. Pension Bureau from 1882 to 1885 and with the State Department. Harrisburg. Pa .. from 1888 to 1891, Since then he has been a Pension Attorney, lle is a member of lignenot Lodge. No. 377, F. and .A. M., and has been a resident of Kutztown since 1866.
REV. CHARLES C. BOYER, A. M., Ph. D.
vice principal of the Normal School since 1900 : Lutheran clergyman, ordained 1888 : author of Concrete Psychology, 1891: Principles and Methods of Teaching, 1899: Waymarks cf General History, 1902; Modern Methods for Modern Teachers, 1908; American Boyers, 1915. Dr. Boyer is a graduate of Muhlenberg College, 1885 : course of theology in Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia ; course of philosophy in Mooster University, with degree Ph. D. cum laude : course iu theoretic and experimental psychology under Dr, Mun- sterberg. of Harvard University, Personally he hails from Schuylkill county. the son of Joseph and Magdalene Gunsette Boyer, but his American torebear. Andrew Beyer. arrived in 1738. and settled soon afterwards in Berne township, north of Reading, He is married to Margie Wright. of Mt. Carmel, Pa., and there is on child, Karl Wright.
206
REV. JOHN BAER STOUDT
son of John R. and Amanda ( Baer) Stoudt, was born in Maxatawny township, Berks county, Pa., October 17, 1878. He was graduated from the Keystone State Normal School in 1900, from Franklin and Marshall College in 1905 and from the Eastern Theological Seminary of tbe Reformed Church in 1908. During the summer of 1906 he studied theology at the University of Chicago. While at Normal School and at College he took special interest in literary and oratorical work, taking a number of collegiate and inter-collegiate prizes. Upon graduation in theology he accepted the pastorate of the Salisbury Charge. Emaus, Pa., and in 1911 removed to Northampton, Pa., where he serves Grace Reformed congregation. Rev. Stoudt is a member of a number of historical societies, and frequently contributes to their publications. He is the author of the History of the Reformed Congre- gation of Western Salisbury, Fifteen Years of Grace, Life and Times of Colonel Siegfried. The Falklore of the Pennsylvania and co-editor of the Anniversary History of Lehigh County, Pa. He is married to Elizabeth A. DeLong, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Yoder) DeLong ; they have one son, John Joseph.
REV. W. WILBERFORCE DEATRICK. A. M., Sc. D.
a son of the Rev. William Miller Deatrick, D. D., and of his wife Harriet Peyton (Sohn) Deatrick, is a native of Huntingdon, Pa., where, at the time of his birth, August 1, 1853, his fatber was pastor of the Reformed Church. Spending his boyhood years in Bedford Co., Pa., and prepared for college in the rural school and under the tuition of his father, the young man entered Mercersburg College, from which he graduated in 1876. Three years later, 1879, he graduated from the Reformed Theological Seminary at Lancaster. He was soon afterwards
licensed to preach by the Mercersburg Classis of the Reformed Church. Not receiving a call immediately to a charge, he was, for a year, principal of the public schools of Milton, Pa. In the spring of 1880 he became pastor of the New Centerville Charge, Somerset Co. While tbere he married Miss Emma Jane Balliet, of Milton, whose remote ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Lehigh county. Late in 1884 lie went to Rimersburg, Clarion Co., where, until June, 1891, he was principal of the Clarion Collegiate Institute, an academy of the Re- formed Church. In August 1891 he was elected to the chair of psychology and pedagogy in the Keystone State Normal School, in which he has served for the last 24 years. At present he is professor of English-rhetoric, literature and classics. His Sc. D. degree was given, causa honoris, by F. and M. College. Dr. and Mrs. Deatrick have three children.
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- 207
WILLIAM S. RHODE
of Kutztown, president of the Kutztown Publishing Company ; Managing Editor of the Kutztown Patriot ; president of the Berks County Division of the Municipial Home Rule League of Penna .; an ex-president of the Kutztown Board of Trade : member of a number of secret organizations. including the masonic lodge: member of the Historical Society of Berks County; identified with Kutztown civic organizations and movements.
ARTHUR BONNER
Treasurer and Superintendent of the Kutztown Foundry and Machine Company. was born October 8. 1874, at Byberry, Philadelphia. He is a son of James and Rebecca (mee Knight) Bonner. Mr. Bonner received his education at a private school and at the Alington Boarding School at Jenkintown. Pa. In 1893 he entered the office of the purchasing department of the Pennsylvania Railroad which company he served four years. During his spare time he took up shorthand and typewriting. Mr. Bonner hecame identified with the Kutztown Foundry and Machine Company in 1897 as assistant to Mr. Zehm. at that time at the head of this industry. After Mr. Zehm's death. Mr. Bonner was advanced to Mr. Zehm's posi- tion as treasurer and superintendent of this progressive Company. Mr. Bonner is a member of the Society of Friends, Treasurer of the Kutztown Building and Loan Association, the Kutztown Centennial Association and Vice President and Director of the Farmers Bank. Kutztown, On October 18. 1899, Mr. Bonner was married to Irene Shoemaker, of Philadel- phia. They have two daughters, Ruth Eleanor, aged 11 years. and Marion I., aged 8 years.
20S
PROF. HARRY JEROME ZEHM
of Charlotte, N. C .. was born July 30, 1874. His parents were Frederick S. and Mathilda L. (nee Fox) Zehm. He left Kutztown in 1891, returned after six years abroad, and left again in 1897. Prof. Zehm is a noted musical director, organist, composer and teacher. He hegan the study of music under his late father, and later pursued it under Profs. Young and Wilson (in connection with his literary studies) at the Normal School. His talent hecame so pronounced that his father took him ahroad in 1891 for further study. Accordingly he spent over six years ahroad, part at Leipzig, Germany (where he took the Helbig Prize) and part with Alex. Guilmart at Paris. Prof. Zehm gave his first recital in America after his return in St. John's Church, Kutztown, on the same organ he played when he was 13 years old-the only modern pipe organ then in Kutztown. Prof. Zehm at present is the Director of the Conservatory of Music at Elizabeth College, N. C., which position he still fills, having, just completed fourteen years' s service, and also ten years at the Second
Presbyterian Church. as organist and choirmaster. He is also assistant organist and
musical director at the Masonic Temple at Charlotte. Prof. Zehm is considered one of the hest musicians in the South. He owns a beautiful summer cottage in "Little Switzerland" (in the North Carolina Mountains) where he usually spends his summer vacations.
sincerely yours hur G. hewal
CONGRESSMAN ARTHUR G. DEWALT
of 309 North Sixth St., Allentown, was horn in Bath, Northampton county. in 1853. His parents were Reuben and Annie E. (nee Bieber) Dewalt. The subject of this sketch is one of the leading attorneys of the Lehigh County Bar. After a preliminary training in the public schools of his native county. he entered the Keystone State Normal School at Kutz- town, and graduated with the class of 1870. After graduation he taught one term in Lehigh county, and a year later entered the sophomore class at Lafayette College, where he gradu- ated in 1874. After the completion of his college course he assisted Dr. S. A. Baer one year in conducting Oley Academy, and then commenced the study of law. being admitted to the bar of Lehigh county in 1878. Two years later he was elected district attorney of Lehigh and served till 1883. In 1902 he was elected to the Senate of Pennsylvania. in which high office he served eight consecutive years. Congressman Dewalt was delegate to the National convention at St. Louis, from the Berks-Lehigh district, which nominated Parker, and delegate-at-large from Pennsylvania to the National Convention at Denver, that nominated Bryan. During the years of 1909-10 he was State Chairman of the Pennsylva- nia Democracy. In 1914 he was nominated and elected to Congress from the Berks-Lehigh district with large majorities.
209
.
CYRUS J. RHODE
a most prominent citizen of Kutztown, is a son of William Rhode and his wife (nee Zimmer), born on June 11, 1852, near Grimsville. He received his training at the Normal School. Up to his sixteenth year be remained on his father's farm; then learned the bricklaying trade at wbich be worked several years when he turned his attention to the profession of teaching. He taught in all about 15 years. In 1884 he moved to Kutztown and soon became identified with many of the prominent interests of the horough. During bis lifetime he engaged extensively in the lumber business, maniged a bakery business for eleven years, served for over twenty-one years as secretary of the Farmer's Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of Berks and Lehigb counties. For 15 years be engaged in the lightning rod husiness and also served for twelve years on the board of school directors, was Justice of the Peace for a number of years. and faithfully served as a member of the State Legislature for two years. In 1877 be was married to Amanda F. Knerr, of Weisenberg township. The children living are: John W., associated with his father in his office at Kutztown ; Homer J .. a prominent eye specialist. living at Reading, and Solon L., a medical student at Jefferson College.
WILSON B. KUTZ
is the son of William S. Kutz and bis wife (born Kemp). IIe was born May 15, 1871. in the old homestead on Normal Hill. After completing his education at the Normal School he assisted his father on their fine farm. Upon the death of his father he assumed the management of the farm. On October 15, 1904. he was married to Mary Ann, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Deisher. of Ruscombmanor township. Mr. Kutz is a member of the Historical Committee of the Centennial Association and a very valuable one indeed. He is one of the few of the residents of town who is almost continuously consulted on matters pertaining to the early history of people and incidents of the place, and his memory is exceedingly true and reliable.
210
CHARLES H. ESSER
of Kutztown, secretary of the Kutztown Publishing Company; Editor of The Kutztown Patriot; a son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob B. Esser, a graduate of the Keystone State Normal School and of Muhlen- berg College; member of Huguenot Lodge. No. 377. F and A. M .; Excelsior Chapter, No. 237, R. A. C .; Adonai Castle, No. 70, K. G. E., and Delta Theta Fraternity.
REV. J. W. BITTNER
of Kutztown. pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church, Kutztown, was born June 18, 1882, in Lowhill township, Lehigh county, the son of Nathan and wife Hettie Scheidt. He was educated in the public schools of Lowhill township, American Commercial School 1901, fall of 1902 entered Allentown Preparatory, fall of 1903 Muhlenberg College and graduated in 1907, then entered Theological Seminary at Mt. Airy, graduating in 1910 and received the degree A. M. from Muhlenberg. His first charge was Brickerville Church, Lititz, Lan-
caster county, where he remained four and one-half years. Mr. Bittner was then called to St. John's Lutheran Church, Kutztown, Nov, 1, 1914. He is pastor of the oldest church of Kutztown. He is living on Park avenne, He was married to Carrie A. Rauch in 1906.
211
JACOB BIEBER ESSER
was horn in Kutztown. Berks county. Pa., January 5. 1863. and here his life has heen mainly spent. He learned his trade in the printing room of the Kutstown Journal, then edited and published hy A. B. Urick. For two years after completing his trade he worked on a Philadelphia paper. then spent three years in a printing office in New York City. ac- quiring a thorough knowledge of metropolitan printing methods and hecoming master of the printers art. He then returned to Kutztown and in 1887 purchased the Journal and the Kutztown Patriot, two valuable newspaper properties that he owned and published up to July 1. 1913. the Journal printed in German, and the Patriot in English. For nine years he was secretary of the old Kutztown Fair Association, and was one of the leaders and the first president of the new association. In politics he was a Democrat and held many local and county offices, and in 1901 was the successful candidate for the office of Clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions of Berks county. In the Masonic order he is a thirty-second degree mason, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. a master mason of Huguenot Lodge, a com- panion of Excelsior Chapter. Reading : a Sir Knight of Reading Commandery, and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Knights of the Golden Eagle and the Junior Order I'nited American Mechanics. Mr. Esser married October 10. 1887, Mary L. daughter of John G. Hillegas. of Pennsburg. Montgomery county, Pa.
AMANDUS F. DELONG -
was born in Longswamp township. Berks county. Pa. His parents were Henry H. and Adeline (nee Fenstermacher) DeLong. He attended the public schools in the township, and on January 31. 1881. he entered the Journal and Patriot office as an apprentice. In October. 1884. he went to New York City where he was employed by Trow's Printing and Bookbinding Company and in the joh department of the Daily News. After a stay of one and one-half years in New York, he returned to Kutztown and again entered the Patriot office where he is still employed. He served as auditor of the horough for 17 years Fraternally he is a charter member of Adonai Castle, No. 70, K. G. E., and of Washington Camp. No. 677. P. O. S. of A. Of the latter organization he has been financial secretary since its organization. Ile is very much interested in educational matters and especially in the public schools of Kutztown, and has served two years as president of the Parent- Teachers Association and was elected unanimously to the same position for the third time.
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