Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery
p. 947
Surnames: BECKER, HAIN, MILLER, STUMP, HOLSTEIN, SPOHN, HECKER,
ECKERT, GAUL, FIDLER, KLOPP, HAIN, LEISS, BINKLEY, TICE, MOYER,
BENNETCH, ZIMMERMAN, BOLLINGER, SEIBERT, ZELLER, KAHL, STEWERT,
MILLBACH, BECHTEL, LIVINGOOD.
Mrs. Anna Eliza Becker, of Womelsdorf, widow of Willoughby Becker,
is a daughter of John and Amelia (Hain) Miller, born in Heidelberg
township, Berks Co., Pa., on the same farm where the pioneer, John
Miller, settled and where all of her ancestry in America were born
and raised. She lived with her parents on this farm for some time,
until they moved to Wernersville, Pa. She was married to Willoughby
Becker, son of John and Carolina (Stump) Becker, and moved to
Millbach, Lebanon Co., Pa., on what was known as the Holstein farm,
which Mr. Becker then purchased. They resided peacefully together
on this farm until Mr. Becker's death. Mrs. Becker has always been
highly esteemed and respected by her friends and neighbors. In the
spring of 1904 she and her two step-daughters, Mary C. and Sallie
A. Becker, purchased a fine residence on High street in Womelsdorf,
Berks Co., Pa., in which they moved together and are now
residing.
Mrs. Becker's ancestry is as follows: John Miller
emigrated from Metz, Germany, sometime between 1732 and 1734. He
settled in Heidelberg township, Berks Co., Pa., on a farm now
(1908) owned by Lewis Spohn. He had one son, John Michael, born in
Metz, Germany, A.D. 1731.
John Michael Miller was married to Susanna
Hecker, and they lived together for forty-four years and were the
parents of one son and two daughters. Susanna Miller died Feb. 6,
1804, aged seventy-six years. John Michael Miller died Jan. 6,
1807, aged seventy-six years.
John Miller, son of John Michael Miller, was
born in Heidelberg township, Berks Co., Pa., March 18 1757, and
married Elizabeth Eckert Jan. 16, 1781. He died March 13, 1824,
aged sixty-six years, eleven months, twenty six days. Elizabeth
Miller, born April 26, 1764, died May 15, 1842. They had two sons,
named Michael and Jonas. Michael Miller, son of John Miller, born
in Heidelberg township, Berks Co., Pa., Jan. 16, 1782, died Dec.
26, 1843. He was married to Anna Maria Gaul, of Spring township,
Berks Co., Pa., born in Spring township Nov. 2, 1777, died Feb. 4,
1858, aged eighty years, three months, two days. They had three
children, one son and two daughters, namely: John; Eliza, married
to Daniel Fidler; and Maria, married to David Klopp.
John Miller, son of Michael Miller, was born in
Heidelberg township, Berks Co., Pa., Jan 22, 1815, and died in
1888. He was married to Amelia Hain, (daughter of Benjamin and
Elizabeth (Hain) Hain), born Oct. 4, 1814, died Jan. 22, 1872, aged
fifty-seven years, three months, eighteen days. They were the
parents of six children, two sons and four daughter, namely: Levi,
Anna Eliza, Adam H., Sarah, Mary H., and Ellen. Adam H. Miller, son
of John Miller, was born Feb. 3, 1845, in Heidelberg township,
Berks Co., Pa. and was married to Mary Anna Leiss, Oct. 8, 1868.
They are the parents of three children, one son and two daughters:
John Harry, Anna Helen, and Millie Elizabeth. Levi Miller died in
his youth. Sarah Miller died in infancy. Mary H. Miller is residing
in Womelsdorf. Ellen Miller was married to William Binkley and they
lived a happy life together in Wernersville, Pa., until her death.
Anna Eliza Miller was married to Willoughby Becker.
All of the Miller ancestry were members of the
Reformed Church and all the dead are buried at the Hain's Church
burial grounds.
Willoughby Becker, who died at Millbach, Lebanon
Co., Pa., April 29, 1903, was a retired agriculturalist and for
more than forty years had been one of the prominent men of his
locality. The Beckers for many generations had been successful
tillers of the soil.
Jacob Becker, the founder of the American branch
of the family, came from Germany before 1734 and settled in Lebanon
county, Pa., where in 1734 he was granted land by John, Thomas and
Richard Penn. The deed, written on parchment, is still in the
family. Jacob Becker's sons were John, George, and others.
John Becker became the father of seven children,
Michael, John Adam, Catherine, Elizabeth, Barbara, Anna, Amelia and
Margaret.
John Adam Becker, son of John, was born in Mill
Creek township, and there grew to manhood, engaging in agriculture,
the pursuit for which his early training had best prepared him.
Success attended his efforts and he made a good home for his
family. His four children were John, Michael, Sarah (who married
Captain Tice, a soldier of the Civil War) and Elizabeth (who
married George Moyer).
John Becker, son of John Adam, was born in Mill
Creek township in 1813 and early showed his inherent industry and
self-reliance. He, too, became a farmer in Mill Creek township,
Lebanon Co., Pa., making many improvements on his place, and there
in 1884 he died. He was a Democrat in politics and was independent
in religious views. He became quite wealthy and was a large
stockholder in the Lebanon National Bank, in which for a quarter of
a century he had been a director.
About 1833 he married Carolina Stump, daughter
of Leonard Stump, and a member of a pioneer family. To this union
were born children as follows: Willoughby; John Adam, of South
Lebanon township; Mary, deceased wife of Henry J. Bennetch, a
farmer in Mill Creek township; Elizabeth, wife of J. M. Zimmerman,
of Mill Creek township; Emma, who married Aaron Bollinger, both
deceased; Amanda, who married the late George U. Seibert, of
Richland; Thomas L., of Millbach; Ida, deceased; and Agnes,
deceased, who was married to Levi Bollinger, of Richland.
Willoughby Becker was born on the old Mill Creek
township homestead, March 10, 1836. After reaching manhood he
followed farming a while on the home farm. In 1863 he came to Berks
county, and for twenty-four years engaged in farming here. In 1887
he returned to Mill Creek township, Lebanon county, and purchased
the Holstein farm of 195 acres. He directed the work of this
valuable farm with great ability and then purchased the old Zeller
farm of 152 acres at Newmanstown. On the latter farm was an old
stone house erected as a fort in 1745. Mr. Becker added other
valuable real estate to his possessions. He was a man of marked
integrity. He was a good manager and was uniformly successful in
his undertakings. He was an ideal husband and father. He was a
member of St. Daniel's (Corner) Lutheran Church at Robesonia where
he is buried.
In 1860 Mr. Becker married Sarah Kahl, daughter
of David and Maria (Moyer) Kahl and granddaughter of Leonard Kahl,
father and grandfather in turn being owners of the Livingood farm
in Heidelberg township.
The ancestor of the Kahl family was Jacob Kahl,
who died in 1767 and was buried at the St. Daniel's (Corner)
Church, Robesonia, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Sarah (Kahl) Becker died in
1878, the mother of six children: Monroe K., John D., Henry S.,
George K., Mary C., and Sallie A. John, Henry and George are all
deceased. Sarah (Kahl) Becker had the following sisters: Maria,
deceased, who was married to Uriah Stewert, Millbach, Pa.,; Eliza,
married to Jacob Bechtel, Reading, Pa.,; and Ellen, deceased. Mr.
Becker married second, Anna Eliza Miller, daughter of John and
Amelia (Hain) Miller.
p. 679
Surnames: BECKER, FREY, BROWN, GABEL, LUTRO, EVANS, LANDIS, De
TURCK, ROWE, WAGNER
Joseph S. Becker, of Reading, is a scion of a family whose long
residence in the State of Pennsylvania is indicated by the fact
that the name has been perpetuated in the town of Beckersville, in
Berks county.
Jacob Becker, grandfather of Joseph S.,
established the post office in the community and the place was
named for him. He was for many years engaged in hotel keeping, and
both the old hotel and the "Sorrel Horse Hotel" were built and
managed by him. Each place had farming land attached to it, and Mr.
Becker operated the farms as well as the hotels. He died at the age
of eighty, leaving a large family, viz.: Eli; Mrs. Samuel Frey;
Mrs. Daniel Brown; Mrs. Lizzie Gabel; Mrs. G. N. Frey, deceased;
Jacob, deceased; Frank, of Doe Run, Chester county; Samuel,
deceased; and Mrs. John Lutro.
Eli Becker, father of Joseph S., was born in
Berks county, and received a common school education. He learned
the trade of a butcher and followed that for a few years in Chester
county. From there he removed to Maiden-creek township, Berks
county, and went into the business so long followed by his father,
hotel keeping, continuing there eight years. Both there and in
Chester county he also acted as auctioneer, and was well known in
that capacity for a long time. After leaving the hotel Mr. Becker
came to Reading and established himself here in the nursery
business, which engrossed his attention up to the time of his
death. He is buried in the Charles Evans cemetery. Mr. Becker
married B. A. Landis, born March 21, 1824, daughter of E. W.
Landis, and a family of eight children was born to them: Catherine
m. Henry M. De Turck, of Temple, Berks county; Jacob H. is a
blacksmith; William H. is in the West; Joseph S.; Samuel H. is a
resident and ex-mayor of Cheyenne, Wyo.; E. H. is editor of the
Billings Gazette in Billings, Mont.; Franklin is a painter in
Reading; and Clara died aged twenty-eight years. The mother died at
the age of sixty-five years.
Joseph S. Becker was born in Chester county,
Pa., June 11, 1852. He was sent to the public schools there and in
Berks county, and until he was nineteen was employed at farming. He
then learned the trade of a carriage blacksmith, and for eight
years followed it in and near Kutztown. He removed next to Reading
and there took up horseshoeing instead of his carriage work,
learning it under ex-mayor Rowe with whom he remained eleven years.
At the end of that time, in 1878, he established a shop of his own
at No. 418 Court street, and remained there till May 19, 1904, when
he changed to his present location, Nos. 116-118 Madison avenue.
There he has built a shop that will compare favorably with any in
the State. It is 30x70 feet and has a three-horse power motor to
run his drill, etc. There is also a gas pipe running along the side
of the shop which with the aid of a reflector enables him to do
shoeing by night as well as by day. He uses only special hand made
shoes and has a reputation for good work that has brought him the
largest trade in the city. He is also district agent for the well
known Harrold's Hoof Ointment, and has introduced that very widely.
Mr. Becker married Miss Caroline Wagner,
daughter of Henry B. Wagner, of Schuylkill county. She and her
husband both belong to the First Reformed Church. Mr. Becker is a
very prominent Mason, belonging to Chandler lodge, No. 227, F.
& A. M.; Excelsior Chapter No. 237, R. A. M.; Reading
Commandery, No. 42, K. T.; and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He
is also a member of Vigilance Lodge, I. O. O. F.
p. 1012
Surnames: BECKER, SCHMEHL, MESSERSMITH, COOK, HILLEGAS, GLASS,
PICKER, WERTZ, WEIDNER, ROTHERMEL, SEIDEL, BECHTEL, MARKS,
BENNETHAM, CURRAN, SHADLER, PARKER, BRUNNER, HAWKINS, RICKENBACH,
SNYDER, KELLER.
Simson Becker, one of the most prominent business men of Muhlenberg
township, Berks county, whose name has been closely associated for
a number of years with large and important business enterprises, is
president of the Temple Lime & Fertilizer Company and of the
Muhlenberg Brewing Company. Mr. Becker was born in 1835, in Alsace
township, Berks county, son of Daniel and Magdaline (Schmehl)
Becker.
The paternal grandfather of Simson Becker was a
son of the German progenitor of his family. He was a farmer in
Alsace township, where he became very prosperous. He married a Miss
Messersmith, and to them there were born the following children:
Daniel, Jacob, David, John, Caroline (m. John Cook), and Fietta (m.
John Hillegas). The family were Lutherans in their religious
belief.
Daniel Becker, the father of Simson, was a
farmer all of his active period in Alsace township, where he died
in 1862, at the age of sixty-two years. He and his wife were the
parents of the following children: Amos, Henry, Simson, Daniel,
John, David, Elizabeth (m. Isaac Glass), Hannah (m. Frederick
Picker), Magdalena (m. Franklin Wertz), Amelia (died single) and
Catherine (m. Peter Weidner). In religious belief the family were
Lutherans. Mr. Becker was a Democrat in politics.
Simson Becker was educated in the schools of
Alsace and Ontelaunee townships, and until nineteen years of age
worked on a farm. He then learned the carpenter's trade, which he
followed for a quarter of a century. In 1891-92-93 he served as
recorder of Berks county, and in 1895, with Nicholas Rothermel,
Samuel Schmehl, William M. Becker and Henry J. Seidel, built the
Muhlenberg Brewery, of which he served as a manager and collector
in 1896, manager in 1897, and collector in 1899-1900-01-02, since
which time he has been president of the company. From 1899 until
1904 he worked at his trade, and in 1905, with Irvin and Daniel
Bechtel, established the Temple Lime & Fertilizer Company, at
Moselem, of which he is president.
Mr. Becker married Amelia Marks and to this
union there were born fourteen children, of whom ten survive: Emma
m. (first) David Bennetham and (second) Jeremiah Rothermel; Sallie
m. Charles Curran, deceased; Annie m. William Shadler; Lillie m.
Edward Parker; Minnie m. William Brunner; Morris m. Alice Hawkins;
William M. is single; Edwin m. Katie Rickenbach; Wellington m.
Maggie Snyder; Harry married a Keller; and four others died young.
The family are Lutherans. Mr. Becker is a Democrat in politics, and
fraternally is connected with Washington Camp No. 107, P.O.S. of A.
p. 1070
Surnames: BECKER, DUNKLEBERGER, HAFER, GROMIS, KAMP, WILLIAMS,
YODER, CHRIST, PHILLIPS, ZIMMERMAN
Walter Yoder Becker, deputy-warden of the Berks county jail since
1895, was born in Centre township, Berks county, in September,
1850. He was educated in the township school and at Brunner's
Business College, after which he taught public school for
twenty-three terms until 1895 (nineteen in Centre township, three
in Ontelaunee, and one in Exeter), when he received the appointment
of deputy-warden at the county prison, and he has continued to fill
this position in a very satisfactory manner by re-appointment by
the board of inspectors. He has been prominently identified with
the P. O. S. of A. and the K. G. E. for many years. He is a
Democrat in politics and has filled the local offices of assessor
and auditor of Centre township. He continues to reside in Centre
township though employed in Reading. He owns the mill property
which was owned by his father, and also a farm in the township
which he is cultivating.
Mr. Becker married Emeline Dunkelberger,
daughter of Samuel and Mary (Hafer) Dunkelberger, of Bern township,
and they have three children: Howard (m. Katie Gromis); Adam (m.
Mamie Kamp; and Charles (m. Katie Williams).
Mr. Becker's father, John Becker, was born in
Albany township, in 1820. He learned the trade of carpenter which
he carried on for some years, then purchased a grist-mill in Centre
township near Centreport, which he operated until his decease in
1900. He married Mary Yoder (daughter of John Yoder, of Centre
township), by whom he had nine children: Walter, Elmira, John (who
lives on the homestead, m. Katie Christ), Amanda (m. Howard
Phillips), and five who died young.
His grandfather was also named John. He was born
in Maiden-creek township and learned the trade of shoemaker which
he followed for some years, then directed his attention to the
hotel business at Wessnersville for six years and at Tripoli, in
Lehigh county, for one year. In 1834 he bought a plantation in
Centre township, near Centreport, and this he then cultivated until
his decease in 1873, aged seventy-nine years. He also bought the
Yoder grist-mill which is now the property of his grandson Walter.
He married Rebecca Zimmerman, daughter of John Zimmerman, of Centre
township, and they had fourteen children, eleven sons and three
daughters, twelve reaching maturity. The eldest son, William Z., is
still living aged over eighty-one years.
And his great-grandfather was also named John,
born in Richmond township, and brought up to farming, which he
carried on for some years and then located in Northumberland
county, where he was engaged in the same vocation.
p. 1053
Surnames: BECKER, ZIMMERMAN, GOTSHALL, NUNNEMACHER
William Zimmerman Becker, a highly esteemed
retired citizen of Reading, Pa., whose pleasant home is situated at
No. 1657 North Tenth street, was for many years engaged in various
business enterprises in the city. He was born March 8, 1828, in
Centre (then Upper Bern) township, son of John and Rebecca
(Zimmerman) Becker.
John Becker, grandfather of William Z., was born
in Maiden-creek township. He followed agricultural pursuits
throughout his active life in Muncy Valley, in Union county, Pa.
The name of his second wife was Gottshall.
John Becker, son of John and father if William
Z., was a hotel keeper and shoemaker in early life, but in later
years engaged in farming, at which the rest of his life was spent,
his death occurring in his seventy-ninth year. He and his wife,
Rebecca Zimmerman, had twelve children, of whom five survive:
William Z., Augustus, Henry, Joseph and Nathan.
William Z. Becker was educated in the common
schools of his native locality, and also spent one year at Fremont
Academy, after leaving which he taught school for one winter. At
the age of sixteen years he apprenticed himself to the tailor's
trade, which he followed for nine years, and then engaged in
farming in Maiden-creek township. After eight years spent in
agricultural pursuits, Mr. Becker sold out and removed to Reading,
where in 1864 he started carpentering in the Philadelphia &
Reading shops, where he remained two years leaving when he was
elected tax collector and assessor of the Second Ward. After
serving five years in this official position, Mr. Becker engaged in
the manufacture of cigars, in which he continued for seven years,
and then returned to the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading
Company. After eleven more years in the company's employ Mr. Becker
engaged in building, in which he continued until his retirement.
Mr. Becker owns three valuable properties in the vicinity of his
home, in which community he is well known and highly respected.
Mr. Becker married Rebecca Nunnemacher in 1855,
and to this union there were born three children, one of whom
survives: John N. Becker, M.D. In politics Mr. Becker is a
Democrat, and in 1878-79 he was a member of the city council. He
and Mrs. Becker attend the Lutheran church.
p. 853
Surnames: BEECHER, REIFSNYDER, LAKE, DUNDOR, LUCKENBILL, MOYER.
William L. Beecher, who is the incumbent of an important position
in the United States Custom House at Philadelphia, Pa., is a
descendant of the well-known Beecher family in America, and traces
his ancestors to the Beechers in England. They were noted as
"blacksmith-preachers", and Nathaniel Beecher, the first of the
family in America, had his anvil set on the stump of a
wide-spreading elm under which the famous John Davenport preached
his first sermon before the New Haven Colony in Connecticut; and in
a direct line the trade was followed by each succeeding generation
in this family until 1903, when William L. Beecher's father retired
in Berks county.
William Beecher, the grandfather of William L.,
who was a son of George Beecher who settled in Berks county about
1800, was a blacksmith by trade, and married Sarah Reifsnyder, by
whom he had four children, the only survivor of whom is Levi R.
Beecher, the father of William L.
Levi R. Beecher, who was for many years a
blacksmith of Heidelberg township, where he is now living retired,
married Ellen Louise Lake, a native of London, England, where her
father carried on the business of a contractor for a time and
whence he emigrated to America when she was a young girl. Mr. and
Mrs. Beecher became the parents of four children: William L.; John
A. m. Elsie Dundor; Katie E. m. Isaac Luckenbill; Howard died
young.
William L. Beecher was born Oct. 1, 1870, in
Lower Heidelberg township, Berks Co., Pa., about three miles north
of Wernersville. He received his early education in the township
schools, and then attended the Keystone State Normal School at
Kutztown, Pott's Shorthand College at Williamsport, and the Reading
Business College. When fifteen years old, he entered the Reading
Hardware Works to learn the trade of molder, and while following
this trade was licensed to teach public school. This was in 1889,
and he taught for twelve terms, in West Reading, and Perry and
Cumru townships, nine terms being in the last named, and during the
summer months he worked at his trade.
In the summer of 1900, Mr. Beecher passed a very
creditable examination for a position in the Philadelphia Custom
House, and May 1, 1901, received an appointment as messenger. After
serving in this position several months he was promoted to a
clerkship and detailed for duty in the Custodian's office, where he
has continued to the present time. His spare time is devoted to
photography, entomology and painting. During the past five years,
he has visited many battle-fields of the Army of the Potomac in the
Civil war, photographing prominent places for the purpose of
illustrating a book entitled "From Bull Run to Appomattox," of
which he is to be the compiler. He has a fine collection of
butterflies at his home, which he secured in his travels and
mounted. Mr. Beecher took an active part in the Pennsylvania
National Guard for a number of years, having been a sergeant of the
Reading Artillerists, and serving as company clerk. He participated
in the suppression of the labor troubles in the coal regions in
1900, having been summoned from his school in Cumru township, and
was engaged in this service for forty days.
In 1891 Mr. Beecher married Clara S. Moyer,
daughter of the late Elias Moyer of Robesonia. One child has been
born to this union: Lew Wallace, who is now attending the high
school in Philadelphia, preparatory to taking up the study of
medicine. He is quite an athlete, has participated in a number of
cross-country runs, and at one time, in company with his father,
walked from Philadelphia to Reading in less than twelve hours. The
father and son have a great fondness for music, both playing the
cornet very efficiently, and the son assisting in the orchestras
attached to the high school, and Palatinate Reformed Church.
p. 1036
Surnames: BEGGS, SCOTT, BRECKENRIDGE, LINTON.
George Beggs, superintendent of the machine shop of the Scott
foundry in Reading, Pa., is a Scotchman, and spent the earlier
years of his life in his native land. He was born in Ayrshire, June
15, 1849, son of William and Margaret (Breckenridge) Beggs, farming
people, who lived and died in Scotland.
As a boy George Beggs was engaged in farm work
until he was fourteen years old, but at that age he entered upon a
five years' apprenticeship as a machinist. When this preparatory
period was over, he was employed for some years as a journeyman,
and had become the head of a large machine shop at the time he
finally left Scotland for America. Going directly to Reading he
arrived there July 22, 1873, and he has ever since been in the
employ of the Scott foundry. Beginning as an erective engineer, he
spent twenty years traveling through the South and Southwest,
engaged for the most part in putting up cotton mills. About 1893
her gave up traveling and returned to the shops until 1903, when he
was made general foreman of the machine department, a position he
still holds, with about sixty men under him. Mr. Beggs has
established a reputation as a skilled mechanic of the highest
order, and all his work is of a character that speaks fir itself.
In 1870 Mr. Beggs married, in Scotland, Miss
Martha Linton, daughter of William Linton, and a native of Glasgow.
Mrs. Beggs is a member of the Methodist Church, while her husband
belongs to the Presbyterian denomination. Fraternally he is a
member of the Red Men. To the union of George and Martha Beggs, six
sons have been born, three of whom died at early ages; the
survivors are all young men of marked ability. The oldest, William,
who was born in Glasgow, is foreman of a machine shop in Auburn,
Schuylkill county. George, after graduation from the Reading high
school, went to Lehigh University, and there was prominent in
athletics, playing on the first team in base-ball. From 1900 to
1903 he was assistant city engineer at Reading, and between 1903 to
present head of Department of Mathematics in the Boys' High School,
of Reading. Harry, the youngest son, was graduated from the high
school, attended Lehigh University for a year and then went to
Ursinus College, Collegeville. He was also prominent as an athlete
both at Lehigh and Ursinus, playing base-ball, basket-ball and
foot-ball.
p 943
Surnames: BEHM, WEIDNER, FULMER, WALB, ENDY, ANGSTED, BARCKLE,
BOYER, MOYER, KISSINGER, SHEETZ, IBACH, BECK, SCHWAMBACH, LONG
Reuben F. Behm, proprietor of the St. Lawrence, Berks Co., Pa.,
meat market, and dealer in fresh and smoked meats, who in 1902
became the successor of Darius Weidner, is a business man of
ability and enterprise. Mr. Behm was born in Oley township, Berks
county, Oct. 3, 1853, son of Jacob and Lydia (Fulmer) Behm.
George Behm, grandfather of Reuben F., was a
native of Rockland township, where he spent his entire life in
agricultural pursuits. He was a large powerfully built man of fine
appearance, and lived to the advanced age of seventy-eight years,
dying in the faith of the Lutheran Church. He married Mary Walb,
also of Rockland township, and they were the parents of these
children: Reuben; William; Benjamin; Polly and Susan, who died
single; Sarah, who married Samuel Endy, and Jacob.
Jacob Behm, father of Reuben F., who has reached
the age of eighty-one years, is still strong and hearty, and
continues to work at butchering and post fence making in
Friedensburg, Oley township. His wife died Dec. 20, 1906, when
seventy-six years of age. In politics he is a Democrat, and has
held the offices of supervisor and constable. He and his wife were
members of the Lutheran Church. They had sixteen children, of whom
eight grew to maturity: Reuben F.; George, a butcher of Reading;
Jacob, a cook at Norristown, Pa.;. Sarah, who married Elmer
Angsted, of Friedensburg,Pa.; Rebecca, who married Arthur Barckle
of Reading, Pa.; Emma, who married (first) Isaac Boyer, deceased;
Kate, who married John Moyer, of Rockland township; and Miss Mary,
who resides at home.
Reuben F. Behm was reared in Oley township,
where he attended the public schools. When twenty-one years of age
he started to learn the trade of butcher, having previously learned
the house painter's trade, and these two occupations he followed as
a journeyman until 1902. In this year, seeing an opportunity for
establishing a good business, Mr. Behm purchased the meat market of
Darius Weidner, at St. Lawrence, who was then doing but an
indifferent business. He rebuilt and remodeled the entire plant,
installing modern and up-to-date machinery, making this
establishment one of the leading shops of Berks county. He
slaughters all of his own cattle, hogs and sheep, which are
selected stock fattened in Berks and Lancaster counties, and he
prepares and smokes all of his own meats, consequently controlling
one of the best trades in this section. Enterprising and energetic,
Mr. Behm has always been thrifty, and as a consequence is rapidly
amassing a competence. He may be found at No. 36 Kissinger Market,
Reading. Since coming to St. Lawrence he has erected a fine
residence property.
In politics Mr. Behm is a Republican. He is a
member of the K. P., and the K. G., in both of which he is a member
of the Grand Lodge, and Mystic Star Commandery, Knights of Malta.
In September, 1872, Mr. Behm was married to Miss
Susan Sheetz, daughter of John Sheetz, and she died June 10, 1889,
the mother of seven children: Edwin, a partner of his father in the
meat business, who married Laura Ibach, and has two children,
Arthur and Stewart; Charles, a machinist, who entered the army for
service in the Spanish-American war, serving one year in the South
and two years in the Philippines, as a member of Company M, 12th
U.S. Regular Infantry, and was mustered out as corporal; William, a
bar tender of Reading; John, a butcher; Walter, a weaver in the
woolen mills; Vesta, who married Morris Beck, an employee of the
Philadelphia & Reading Railway; and Beulah, who married John
Schwambach, of Reading. Mr. Behm married (second) April 12, 1890,
Rosie Long, daughter of Daniel and Rachel Long, of Exeter township.
Mr. and Mrs. Behm are members of Schwartzwald Lutheran Church.
p. 712
Surnames: BEHNE, HAHNEMANN, ZABEL, SULLY, KEIM, MAYER, HOUSTON,
BURNETT
Gustavus Augustus Behn?a distinguished artist, whose widow has made
her home in her native city of Reading since his death, was himself
well known there, both because of his own attainments and as a son
of the beloved Dr. John Henry Behn?
Dr. John Henry Behn?as born in Nordhausen,
Prussia, in the year 1800, and attended different German
universities, graduating in medicine at Wurzburg, Bavaria. Coming
to America in 1840, he located in Reading the same year, and
continued to practise his profession there from that time until his
death, Aug. 1, 1876. Dr. Behn?egan his medical career as an
allopath in Nordhausen, Prussia. In studying the works of
Hahnemann, the pioneer of homeopathy, he changed to the new school.
He met with opposition and this opposition was the cause of his
coming to America. He settled in Reading and was one of the first
practitioners of that school in the city. Dr. Behn?as not only a
skilled physician, but a cultured gentleman, and his fine personal
appearance and courteous manners clothed gracefully a character
fine and strong, which won him numerous friends aside from the
professional popularity he attained. He was particularly well liked
among those of his own nationality, but the circle of his
friendship and patronage was not by any means confined to the
German residents of Reading, and he enjoyed an extensive practice,
numbering among his regular patients many of the most influential
and well-to-do families of the city. People often came to him from
different parts of the State for medical treatment. The Doctor
became an enthusiastic American citizen, taking a deep and
intelligent interest in the progress of his adopted country. He was
an Odd Fellow, for many years an active member and secretary of
Germania Lodge, No. 53. He was twice married, the first time in
Germany, to the daughter of a Prussian officer, a lady of much
ability. She died in Reading soon after they settled here, the
mother of one child, Gustavus Augustus. Rather late in life the
Doctor married for his second wife a Miss Zabel, of New York, and
by that marriage there are two sons, Albert and Paul Behn?who
reside in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Gustavus
Augustus Behn?as born in 1828 in Nordhausen, Prussia. Like his
father he was a man of fine personal appearance, and he was
remarkably gifted in many ways, his natural endowments being
supplemented by training in the best universities in Europe. His
mind was highly cultivated, and he was a fine linguist and talented
musician. But his artistic nature showed itself most strongly in
his painting, and he was thoroughly prepared for his artistic
career in the Dusseldorf school, and later in the Munich galleries.
He took a special course in portrait painting under Sully at
Philadelphia.
In 1856 Mr. Behn?arried Julia Mayer Keim, who
was born in Reading, daughter of Gen. George May and Julia C.
(Mayer) Keim. She was thoroughly educated in the Reading Academy,
which was located on the present site of the Girls' high school,
and was also taught by a private tutor at Philadelphia, while her
father was officiating there as United States marshal for the
Eastern district of Pennsylvania. In 1857 Mr. and Mrs. Behn?ent to
Texas, Mr. Behn?aving received a commission to paint the portrait
of General Sam Houston, for which the State paid him $1, 200 in
gold. They spent some time there, Mr. Behn?ainting afterward the
portraits of Governor Burnett and other distinguished men. On
account of the Rebellion they went to Havana, remaining there until
1867, when they went to Munich. While there Mr. Behn?roduced a
number of superior paintings, for which he received high praise
from German critics, and Mrs. Behn?ook up the study of foreign
languages and music, becoming proficient in Continental literature,
and learning to speak fluently the German, French, Spanish and
Italian tongues. She gave special attention to music, both vocal
and instrumental, in which line her accomplishments are
particularly noteworthy, a source of the deepest pleasure to
herself and her friends through many years.
Mr. and Mrs. Behn?emained abroad until 1874,
when they returned to Reading because of Mr. Behn? illness, staying
there until his death in 1876. In that same year, while at Bar
Harbor, Maine, where they went to procure marine views (for which
he had orders), Mr. Behn?ell from the rocks and injured his back so
severely that he never recovered from the effects of the accident.
He was obliged to abandon all idea of carrying on his work there,
and he and his wife returned to Germany, and made their home in the
village of Furstenfeld Bruck, near Munich, where Mr. Behn?as
finally released from suffering in 1895. He was the last of his
family for a long time, until his father's second marriage.
Mrs. Behn?ook up her residence at Reading after
her husband's death, and has been residing there ever since. From
her girlhood she has been a member of the Protestant Episcopal
Church. Having always appreciated history and literature, she quite
naturally became interested in the welfare of the Reading Free
Library and the Berks County Historical Society, and besides giving
them financial assistance, presented to each of these worthy
institutions a number of her husband's valuable paintings, which
are highly prized for their artistic merit. Many of his productions
have an honored place in Reading homes.
p. 369
Surnames: BEHNEY, BASHORE, BENI, BANEY, BEHNE, BEANY, BREWER,
FISHER, SNAVELY, BOHR, LONG, FAUBER, WISE, WENRICH, DONDOR,
HILLEGASS
Alpheus S. Behney, a director of the Penn National Bank, of
Reading, and one of the most substantial citizens of Womelsdorf,
Berks county, was born Nov. 17, 1843 at Fredericksburg, Lebanon
Co., Pa., son of Samuel and Sarah Jane (Bashore) Behney.
This family is one of the oldest in
Pennsylvania, and the name has been variously spelled Beni, Baney,
Behne and Behney. The founder of the family in the Lebanon Valley
was Peter Beany, of Heidelberg township, who died in January, 1784,
leaving a wife, Catherine, and children: George Peter, Jr., Jacob,
Melchior, Eva, Elizabeth, Christina, Barbara, Magdalena, John and
Anna Elizabeth. It is also shown in the Pennsylvania Archives that
in 1723 a family of Beni emigrated to this country and located in
Lebanon county. Prior to 1750 the ancestor of this numerous family
located near Fredericksburg, Lebanon county, where he took up about
1,000 acres of land, and there spent the rest of his life, dying at
an advanced age. Up to the time of his death, Peter Beany (or
Behney) wore no garb other than in Continental style. Several of
his sons, including Melchior, served in the Revolutionary war.
Melchior Behney, son of the ancestor, and
great-grandfather of Alpheus S., was born in Lebanon county, and
spent his life there, being buried at Fredericksburg. He was a
farmer by occupation, and one of the early horse dealers of this
part of Pennsylvania, the first of the family to follow that line,
in which so many of the name have become famous, in fact, one Jacob
Behne, of Myerstown, was the largest horse dealer of the United
States in his day. He always had on hand from 200 to 500 head, sold
horses to Barnum & Bailey, the showmen, to the Brewers, and to
horse dealers all over the country.
Melchior Behney was twice married, his first
wife bearing him two children, sons, and his second wife, a Miss
Fisher, bearing him one son and two daughters. Mr. Behney's second
wife was the sister of the wives of his sons by his first marriage.
He was a leading citizen of his day, and did much toward promoting
movements for the public good.
Martin Behney, grandfather of Alpheus S., was a
farmer, and spent his life in the vicinity of his birthplace, was a
public-spirited and influential citizen, and died at an advanced
age. He married a Miss Fisher, a sister of his step-mother, and she
bore him seven children: John; Jacob; David lost his life in the
Civil war; Samuel (father of Alpheus S.); Kate m. a Snavely; Sallie
m. William Bohr; and Rebekah died unmarried.
Samuel Behney, father of Alpheus S., was born on
the old homestead in 1806, and died at Myerstown, in 1885, at the
age of seventy-nine years. He learned distilling in his youth with
his father-in-law, an occupation which he followed for several
years, and then engaged in the manufacture of brick, at
Fredericksburg and later in Myerstown, continuing in this line of
business for some fifty years, and furnishing the material for
hundreds of houses and buildings in the vicinity of these places.
He was a captain of the militia at Jonestown in the days of the old
battalions, and upon his removal to Myerstown was succeeded by a
Mr. Long. He was one of the public-spirited and progressive men of
his day and locality, and was a pillar of the Reformed Church.
Samuel Behney was married to Sarah Jane Bashore, daughter of John
and Catherine (Fauber) Bashore, and to this union there were born
nine children: (1) Edward, who died in Denver, Colo., in the fall
of 1905, aged seventy-two years, was a veteran of the Civil war,
serving three years, during part of which time he was a prisoner at
Andersonville. He was a brickmaker and builder by trade. (2)
William, of Pittsburg, was also in the three-years' service during
the Civil war, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. (3)
Milton, deceased, one of the first cigar makers, and later a brick
manufacturer at Womelsdorf. (4) Melchior, an extensive contractor
and builder and one of the most prominent citizens of Kansas City,
was in the three-years' service, and was wounded in battle. (5)
Alpheus S. (6) Sarah J. married Harry Wise, formerly of Harrisburg,
but now of Philadelphia. (7) Samuel is engaged in real estate
dealings in Womelsdorf, where he is treasurer of the Y. M. C. A.,
and is a man of importance. (8) Levi is deceased. (9) One died in
infancy.
Alpheus S. Behney was educated in the Myerstown
public schools, obtaining a fair education, which was supplemented
by years of practical business experience. He began working as a
youth in the brick factory of his father, where he continued until
sixteen years old, and when but seventeen enlisted in Company I,
7th P. V. I., being sworn in the U. S. army July 21, 1861, and was
in service in that regiment for upward of a year. He then enlisted
for a year on the transports, assisting the sick and wounded until
the transports went out of commission, when he enlisted a third
time, becoming a private in Company H, 186th P. V. I., in which he
served until the close of the war. He was in the Great Army of the
Potomac, participating in some of its fiercest engagements, and was
mustered out of service at Philadelphia, in 1865. After his
discharge Mr. Behney came to Womelsdorf, where he was engaged in
the brick business until 1895, supplying all the brick for houses
built in Womelsdorf during that thirty years. His brick was
considered the best in the market, and he shipped to Robesonia, and
into Lebanon and the surrounding counties. Since 1895 Mr. Behney
has lived a semi-retired life. In 1907 he erected two large double
brick dwelling houses on Second street, Womelsdorf, although his
own home is located on High street, and was erected in 1867. In
politics Mr. Behney is a Democrat, and was a councilman for nine
consecutive years, rendering valuable service to his fellow
citizens and receiving a renomination which he refused. He has
various large business interests, owning eight other residences and
a large building in which a hosiery factory is conducted; is a
director of the Penn National Bank of Reading, being also on the
auditing committee; and he helped to organize the Union Bank of
Womelsdorf in 1903, being one of its first directors. Fraternally
he is connected with Williamson Lodge, No. 307, F. & A. M., of
Womelsdorf; Excelsior Chapter No. 237, R. A. M., of Reading;
Reading Commandery, No. 42, K. T., and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M.
S., being formerly a child of the Lu Lu, of Philadelphia, the
mother of Rajah. He made a tour with the Knights Templars to
California in 1883. Mr. Behney is also a member of the P. O. S. of
A., No. 670, Womelsdorf, having been treasurer of this camp ever
since holding membership, more than twenty years. He is a Lutheran
member of Zion's Union Church of Womelsdorf, Pa., while his wife
adheres to the Reformed belief.
Mr. Behney was married (first) in 1865 to Lizzie
Wenrich, born in 1841, who died in 1879, aged thirty-eight years,
daughter of Isaac Wenrich. His second marriage was to Permelia
Dondor, widow of Horace Hillegass.
The seven Behney brothers closely resembled each
other in size, weight and height, could wear the same size of coat
and shoes, and have often been mistaken for one another. They are
all reliable business men, and worthy representatives of one of
Berks' county's oldest and most honored families.
p.1438
Surnames: BEHNEY, BASHORE, HOCH, BELLEMAN, WEIDMAN, ANSPACH,
LEININGER, MILEY, BAILEY, GONDER.
John A. Behney, foreman of the gas furnaces and
gas processes of the Carpenter Steel Company at Reading, was born
Oct. 15, 1858, at Monroe, Lebanon Co., Pa., a son of John and
grandson of Michael.
(I) Michael Behney was a cooper by trade and owned a fine farm
which he cultivated. On it were two houses. His death occurred
about 1868, and was occasioned by his falling from the barn, when
he was nearly eighty years old. He is buried at Fredericksburg, in
Lebanon county. His wife was Sarah Bashore, who died after the
Civil war, an old lady. Their children were: John; Lydia who
married John Hoch; Sallie who married Augustus Belleman; Ephraim of
Lebanon; Emanuel of Elwood; Lewis of Johnstown; Jeremiah who was a
soldier in the Civil war, and met his death through starvation in
Libby prison three days before the wretched prisoners were
released.
(II) John Behney, son of Michael and father of John A., died Aug.
13, 1894, aged sixty-five years, his birth having occurred in
Lebanon county about 1829. He was an iron worker and was employed
in a forge owned by the Weidman family for about forty years. He
resided in the neighborhood of Orion, now Lickdale, in Lebanon
county. Religiously he was a Lutheran and is buried at Pottstown,
where he spent the last dozen years of his life, and where he died.
His wife was Kate Anspach, born June 7, 1835, daughter of the late
Henry and Sallie (Leininger) Anspach of Monroe, and granddaughter
of Leonard Anspach. Mrs. John Behney has a family picture of
herself surrounded by her nine grown sons, which is prized very
highly by them all. She now resides at No. 332 Hollenbach street,
Reading, and is much beloved.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. John Behney
were: Henry, an iron worker of Reading; Mary, who married Samuel
Simon Hoch of Jonestown; Sallie married Dr. Harry Miley of Mount
Nebo; John A.; George of Pottstown; Richard of Reading, an iron
heater; Charles of Reading who lives with his mother; William of
No. 335 Hollenbach street, Reading; Harper L. of Norristown; Joseph
at Norristown; and James A. G. at Pottstown.
(III) John A. Behney was reared at Lickdale and Monroe and learned
iron working. When he was sixteen he commenced working in the iron
works, and has never changed his occupation. In 1895 he came to
Reading from Harrisburg and after working at the Carpenter Steel
Plant for five years he was made superintendent of the department.
At Harrisburg he was in the employ of Charles L. Bailey as a heater
in his iron industry. In April, 1903, Mr. Behney purchased his
present cozy and pleasant home at No. 636 Schuylkill avenue, where
he resides. In politics he is a Republican; fraternally he is a
member of the Modern Woodmen and P.O.S. of A. Camp No. 212 of
Reading. He and his family are members of St. Mark's Reformed
church of Reading.
In 1879 Mr. Behney married Mary Ellen Gonder, of
Dauphin county, a daughter of John and Mary Gonder, also of Dauphin
county. Mr. and Mrs. Behney had one daughter, Minnie, who died at
the age of sixteen years.
p. 856
Surnames: BEIDLER, YOST, SPOHN, BIEHL, HERSHEY, BROBST, HIGH,
KNODERER. MCKNIGHT, JONES, MIDDLEMISS, FELIX, SCHEARER, BRUCKMAN,
FREDERICKS, BREINER, HERBEIN, HECKMAN, HOUDER, RUTH, POTTEIGER.
Isaac Y. Beidler, one of the venerable citizens of
Sinking Spring, Berks county, and a veteran of the Civil war, was
born Jan. 21, 1826, in Cumru township, son of John and Magdalena
(Yost) Beidler.
Conrad Beidler, his great-grandfather, was an
extensive landowner and farmer of Cumru township, where he died in
1800, at a ripe old age. Two children are mentioned in his will:
John and Peter, the latter the grandfather of Isaac Y.
Peter Beidler was born in Cumru township Oct. 3,
1768, and died June 12, 1805; he was buried at Hain's Church. On
March 6, 1792, he married Barbara Spohn, and to them were born five
sons and one daughter: (1) Wilhelm, born Dec. 12, 1792, died Nov.
20, 1795. (2) John was a farmer in Cumru township. (3) Henry, born
May 13, 1798, died Feb. 22, 1869. He lived near Sinking Spring,
where he is buried. On June 2, 1817, he married Maria Biehl (born
May 16, 1799, died Oct. 13, 1859) and they had seven sons and three
daughters, John Christian (1822-1871) being one of them. (4) Conrad
was the owner of land at Poplar Neck, in Cumru township. (5)
Rebecca was the wife of Jacob Biehl, of Kutztown, Pa. (6)
Christian.
John Beidler, father of Isaac Y., was born in
Cumru township May 18, 1794, and died Aug. 18, 1870. He was a
farmer for about forty years in his native township, but in later
life removed to Reading, where he died. He was a man of
considerable means and was well known and very influential in his
day. He married Magdalena Yost, who died in 1888, in her
ninety-sixth year, daughter of Abraham and Mary (Hershey) Yost, of
Cumru township. Mr. and Mrs. Beidler had these children: Jeremiah;
Conrad Y., born June 17, 1820, died June 14, 1883, who married in
1844 Catherine Spohn, and they had one daughter, Sarah Ann, who
married William P. High; Isaac Y., Mary Ann, who married Samuel
Brobst of Hamburg, Pa., and Abraham, who in early life was a farmer
and like his father removed to Reading where he died.
Isaac Y. Beidler attended school in the old
academy at Seventh and Chestnut streets, Reading, and among those
who studied with him under Professor Middlemiss may be mentioned
Henry Felix, Peter Schearer, the late Judge George Bruckman and
John Fredericks. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, working on
his father's farm until eighteen years of age, at which time he
engaged in driving a cart in Reading, whither his parents had
moved. In 1848, with George Breiner, Mr. Beidler formed a
partnership under the firm name of Breiner & Beidler, engaging
in the shoe business at the present site of Whitner's large
department store for a period of five years. At the end of that
time Mr. Beidler resumed farming, taking up a tract of ninety acres
at the Cacoosing Mill, which he cultivated for five years. He then
removed to Sinking Spring, where he conducted a shoe store until
1862, when he was drafted into the Union army.
Mr. Beidler was a sergeant in the 167th Pa.
V.I., Colonel Knoderer, and served nine months and two weeks,
during which time he participated in the siege of Richmond, and the
various engagements of the Army of the Potomac, being mustered out
of the service Aug. 12, 1863. He has an excellent army record, and
was always known as a faithful and willing soldier.
Since his return from the war Mr. Beidler has
led a partly retired life, occasionally doing contract work. He has
a little over two acres of ground, which he cultivates and which
serves to keep him busy and give him exercise. During a long life
of thrift and usefulness he has accumulated a handsome competence,
and is considered one of the substantial men of Spring township. He
owns considerable real estate, including two houses in Reading and
nine residences in addition to the old homestead in Sinking Spring,
the latter being his home; he purchased the house in which he lives
from David Mc Knight and Nicholas Jones, men well known in the
early history of Berks county. He and his estimable wife have seen
many changes during their long residence in Berks county, the
latter often remarking on the great changes time will bring,
especially when she remembers making linen from flax which was
brought in from the field, and which she broke and dried herself.
Mr. Beidler is a man of fine presence and careful of his personal
appearance, and is very well preserved for his age. He has traveled
to quite an extent, one of his many trips being to Florida. He and
Mrs. Beidler are well known in their community, where they are
respected and esteemed by all. They are Reformed members of St.
John's Church, of Sinking Spring, which Mr. Beidler joined in 1845,
and of which he had been a deacon. In politics he is a stanch
Democrat, was assessor of Spring township in 1866, and from 1875 to
1878 was a poor director of the county, his associates in office
being Jonathan Herbein and George Heckman. He holds membership in
Lodge No. 660, I.O.O.F., at Sinking Spring, having been formerly a
member of Salome Lodge, No. 105, I.O.O.F., at Reading, which he
joined in 1850.
On Aug. 31, 1847, Mr. Beidler was married to
Katie Ann Houder, born Sept. 11, 1830, daughter of Daniel and
Catherine (Ruth) Houder, of Heidelberg township, and granddaughter
of Solomon and Catherine (Potteiger) Houder.
p. 1011
Surnames: BEILER, ESH, RANCK, STOLTZFUS, HARTZ, KING, YODER.
Levi Beiler, who has prospered in agricultural pursuits in the
Conestoga Valley, having his home in Caernarvon township, Berks
county, was born Jan. 15, 1868, at Intercourse, Lancaster county,
son of David S. and Rebecca (Esh) Beiler.
Jacob Beiler, the emigrant ancestor of this
family, and the only Beiler known to have come to America, was born
in Switzerland, and emigrated to this country to find freedom from
religious persecution, making the voyage on the ship "Charming
Polly", which landed at Philadelphia Oct. 8, 1737. With his family
he located at Myerstown, Lebanon county. Among his children were
sons Christian and Christopher S.
Christian Beiler, son of Jacob, was nine years
old when the family located at Myerstown. He became the father of a
son, Christian. Christian Beiler, son of Christian, was born in
1752, in Lebanon county.
In 1800 he moved to near Strasburg, Lancaster
county. He died in 1804. He was the father of three sons: Jacob,
who settled in Berks county, near Elverson, Chester county, and
whose descendants live in Berks and Chester counties; John, who
settled in Mifflin county, and whose descendants live in Mifflin
and Lawrence counties, Pa., and in Western States; and David.
David Beiler, son of Christian, was born in
Lebanon county in 1786, and he died in Lancaster county in 1871,
and is buried at Rancks burying ground in East Lampeter township,
that county. He was an able bishop of the Amish Church. His five
sons were: Christian, David, John, Samuel and Benjamin.
Christian Beiler, son of David and grandfather
of Levi was born Sept. 21, 1811, and died March 15, 1888. He
married Rebecca Stoltzfus. born in 1816, died April 28, 1902, a
direct descendant of Nicholas Stoltzfus, who in 1766 came from
Zweibrucken, Germany, to America, with his children, settling on a
farm near Reading. To Christian Beiler and wife were born twelve
children, all but one reaching mature years. The descendants live
chiefly in Lancaster, Berks, and Chester counties.
David S. Beiler, eldest son of Christian, was
born Dec. 25, 1834, and now lives near Morgantown, Berks county. He
married Rebecca Esh, of Juniata county, Pa., born May 25, 1838,
died Jan. 28, 1904. Their children were: Malinda. born Oct. 26,
1861, m. Jacob Hartz; Emma, born Oct. 7, 1863, lives with her
father; Christian, born Dec. 21, 1865, m. Fannie King, and died
Dec. 21, 1897; Levi, born Jan. 15, 1868; Mary, born May 9, 1870, m.
Mast Stoltzfus; Jacob, born Dec. 17, 1872, died 1875; Katie, born
June 17, 1875, m. Elam M. Stoltzfus; and Susie, born July 3, 1879,
m. Jacob Z. Yoder.
Levi Beiler was sixteen at the time he removed
from Lancaster to Berks county. He was reared to farming, and in
1899 he purchased his present farm, one of the finest in the
locality, consisting of 136 acres of limestone land in Caernarvon
township.
On Jan. 17, 1892, Mr. Beiler married Sarah
Stoltzfus, of Lancaster county, daughter of Isaac K. Stoltzfus, a
descendant of the German emigrant Nicholas Stoltzfus. The following
children have been born of this union; Rebecca, born Dec. 10, 1892;
Mary S., July 4, 1894; Carrie S., July 8, 1896; Lydia, Nov. 27,
1897 (died Sept. 23, 1898); Martha S., July 16, 1899; Fannie S.,
Aug. 11, 1900; Levi S., Sept. 9, 1902; David S., Oct. 21, 1903;
Isaac K., Oct. 31,1904; Amos R., Jan. 3, 1906; Christian E., July
3, 1907; and Stephen M., Aug 25, 1908. Mr. Beiler is a member of
the Amish Church, as are nearly all of the name in America. He is a
thoroughly upright and industrious man, and his success in life is
well merited.
p. 704
Surnames: BELL, MOULD, BRYSON
George H. Bell (son of Dr. William P. Bell), partner of Jonathan
Mould since 1887, was born in 1862 at Fishkill-on-the-Hudson, N.
Y., and was educated in the local schools. He entered the
department store of Mr. Mould, his brother-in-law, at Reading in
1877, as a salesman, and in several years showed so much
proficiency that he was placed in charge of one of the departments.
In 1887 he became a partner, and since then the business has been
conducted under the name of J. Mould & Co.
In 1894 Mr. Bell married Alice Bryson (daughter
of Allen Bryson, of Orange county, N. Y., and Emma F. Mould, his
wife, a sister of Mr. Mould). They have three children: Jonathan
Mould, Helen, and George Allen. They are members of Trinity
Lutheran Church; and Mrs. Bell is a member of the D. A. R. at
Reading, Conrad Weiser Chapter.
p. 349
Surnames: BELL, KNIGHT, LINCOLN, McKENNA, BOWMAN, GREER
Samuel Bell, clerk of the United States Circuit court at
Philadelphia, for thirty-seven years, was born at Reading, Berks
county, April 25, 1827. He was educated in private schools and at
Yale College until his eighteenth year, when he went to
Philadelphia to engage in the wholesale dry goods business. He
served as a salesman until 1851, and then became a partner of
Knight & Bell, for a number of years.
When the Civil war broke out, Mr. Bell enlisted
and served three months. Afterward he acted as one of the
commissioners to conduct the draft at Philadelphia; and he served
as paymaster in the United States Regular Army by the appointment
of President Lincoln. In February, 1865, he was elected a member of
the Union League and he has been prominently identified with this
influential organization until the present time. He became a member
of the Meade Post, G. A. R., at Philadelphia, in 1868, and of the
Loyal Legion in 1874, retaining his membership until now. He was
elected as a member of the First City Troop of Cavalry at
Philadelphia in 1851, and he is now the oldest surviving member of
this popular and historic military society.
In 1870 Mr. Bell was appointed by Judge McKenna
as the clerk of the United States Circuit court for the Eastern
District of Pennsylvania, and he filled this important office with
great success for thirty-seven years, resigning Jan. 1, 1907, on
account of his age. He was appointed United States Commissioner at
Philadelphia in 1874, and is still serving in this office,
notwithstanding his advanced years. He was elected a member of the
board of school controllers, and filled the position by re-election
for twenty-seven years, officiating as president of the board for
twenty-two years.
His father was the Hon. Samuel Bell, merchant at
Reading and associate judge of the courts of Berks county. He was
born at Reading in 1797. For many years until his decease in 1863
he was a prominent member of the First Presbyterian Church. He
married Louisa Bowman, daughter of Jacob Bowman, of Brownsville,
Pa., and their children were: Mary Greer, Jacob B., Samuel (above),
Sterling, Goodloe B., Arthur G., James Lowrie, Mary Louisa and
William Arthur.
His grandfather was William Bell, born in
Ireland in 1763. He emigrated in 1791, and settled at Reading, Pa.,
where he was successfully engaged in the dry goods business and the
manufacture of flour in several gristmills for many years, until
his decease in 1838. He married Mary Greer, also born in Ireland,
daughter of Arthur Greer, and they had an only child, Samuel.
p. 1015
Surnames: HIMMELREICH, DUNKELBERGER, BOHN, PHILLIPS, RITTER,
LEIBEL, BENNETHUM, MOYER, KIRBY, LANDIS, DIETRICH, STUBBS, LEBO,
KERSHNER,
Samuel H. Bell, druggist, located at No. 817 Penn street, Reading,
Pa., was born at West Leesport, Berks county, in 1867, son of
Samuel and Emma (Himmelreich) Bell, and a descendant of James Bell,
who emigrated from Belfast, Ireland.
James Bell was one of three brothers who came to
America from Belfast in their young manhood. One of the brothers
was a miller, and built a grist mill which afterward became
Bushong's paper mill, but was for a long time known as Bell's mill.
Samuel, one of the three brothers, settled in Schuylkill county,
and had a son Samuel, and among his descendants is the Hon. James
M. Bell, of Philadelphia.
James Bell, son of James, the emigrant, was born
in Reading in 1812, and there he died Feb. 3, 1879. He was a clerk
in the court house for eighteen years, though in his earlier life
worked at the tailor's trade. He was a member of the First Reformed
Church of Reading, and was its treasurer at the time the church was
rebuilt. His remains rest in the Charles Evans cemetery. He married
Sarah Dunkelberger, daughter of Peter and Magdalena (Bohn)
Dunkelberger, and their children were: Thomas J. and William both
died in infancy; Mary Jane m. the late James Phillips, and resides
in Philadelphia; James, a soldier in the 93d P. V. I., was killed
in the second battle of Chancellorsville at Salem Heights, in the
Civil War; Samuel; Sarah Ann m. Isaac Ritter, and died in
Philadelphia; Volney is buried in the Charles Evans cemetery;
Robert Bruce is also buried in the Charles Evans cemetery; Rebecca
died unmarried; Emma m. Conneberd Leibel of Reading; and Charles is
a stationary engineer for the Philadelphia & Reading Railway
Company, at Reading.
Samuel Bell, son of James, and now a successful
stove and tinware merchant at West Leesport, was born Sept. 2,
1841, in Maiden-creek, (now Ontelaunee) township. His first work
was in a brick yard at Leesport, where he remained one season, and
then he drove mules on the towpath on the Schuylkill canal during
the seasons of 1857, 1858 and 1859. In 1860 he went to Reading and
learned the tinsmith's trade with Henry Bennethum, then located at
the corner of Fifth and Court streets, and this trade he has
followed ever since, still doing repairing, tin-roofing and
spouting. In 1863 he opened his present shop at West Leesport, and
this he has carried on continuously. He has a full line of tinware,
ranges, heaters, etc. In September, 1862, he enlisted at Reading in
Co. G, Capt. Charles Bickel's Company, and saw active service at
Hagerstown, Md., where they were shelled by Gen. Imboden, who was
stationed on the opposite side of the Potomac river. He enlisted
again in June, 1863, in Company G, 42d Pennsylvania regiment, for
the three months' service. He was at the old Walnut school-house in
1863, and stood at Sixth and Walnut streets, when the soldiers were
receiving their pay. Mr. Bell is a member of the United Evangelical
Church, which he joined in 1873. He is one of the most active
workers of Bethany congregation at West Leesport, where for many
years he was class leader, and has been exhorter and trustee. For a
quarter of a century he has been superintendent of the
Sunday-school, and is present at his post every Sunday. Mr. Bell's
residence is on Main street. On Feb. 2, 1862, he married Emma
Himmelreich, daughter of Amos D. and Elizabeth (Moyer) Himmelreich,
and they have become the parents of seven sons and five daughters,
as follows: William H., of West Leesport; Carrie, m. to Jacob
Kirby, of Paulsboro, N. J.; Samuel H.; James R., of No. 1005 Oley
street, Reading; Rebecca L., unmarried; George, who died in 1907;
Emma, m. to Edward Landis, of Reading; Amos H., m. to Ida M.
Dietrich, daughter of Charles Dietrich, of Kutztown, and they have
a son, Lincoln; Mary, deceased; Laura M. and Edward A., unmarried;
and Robert, deceased.
Samuel H. Bell was educated in the West Leesport
schools and in Stoner's Business College, Reading, graduating in
1887. He learned telegraphy at the age of fourteen, and followed
that profession as an operator and special agent for the
Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, for eleven years, doing
duty at different points. In 1892 he went to New Jersey and
accepted a position with the South Amboy Division of the
Pennsylvania Railroad, where he remained more than a year. From
this position he entered the store of the great merchant John
Wanamaker at Philadelphia, with whom he continued for three years
in the capacity of bookkeeper. From there he entered the employ of
the Adams Express Company as bill clerk, in their offices at
Seventeenth and Market streets, but failing health caused him to
resign and in February, 1894, he came to Reading. Here Mr. Bell
became floor walker with the large firm of Dives, Pomeroy &
Stewart, where he remained two years.
Mr. Bell then entered the drug business, and was
associated with Clarence T. Stubbs, No. 751 Penn street, for eight
years, during this time having full charge of the store. On Dec.
13, 1902, he engaged in the drug business on his own account,
establishing his drug and prescription store at its present
location, No. 817 Penn street.
Mr. Bell is one of Reading's promising business
men, having the largest exclusive retail drug store in the City,
and in connection has one of the most complete prescription
departments, Mr. Charles S. Lebo, a graduate in pharmacy, with
first honors in his class at Medico-Chirurgical College,
Philadelphia, being the manager of this department.
Mr. Bell married Lillie M. Kershner, daughter of
John S. Kershner, of Shoemakersville, Berks county. They are
members of St. Paul's United Evangelical Church, O. U. A. M.;
Fraternity Castle, No 302, I. G. E.; Mystic Star Commandery, No.
47, A. and I. O. Knights of Malta; Lodge No. 115, B. P. O. Elks,
Reading, and the Modern Woodmen of America.