Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery
p. 400
Surnames: WILLIS, JACOBS, GREELEY, SCHWARTZ, PATTISON
H. Willis Bland, President
Judge of the Orphans' Court of Berks county, was born August 20,
1845, at Blandon, that county, a village which derives its name
from his paternal ancestors. He attended the public schools of
Birdsboro until he was thirteen years of age. On August 31, 1861,
when he had barely reached the age of sixteen, he enlisted at
Philadelphia as a private in Company H, 82nd Regiment, Pennsylvania
Volunteers, and in the following year was promoted successively to
corporal and first sergeant. He served throughout the three years'
term of his enlistment, being mustered out September 16, 1864. The
regiment was engaged principally in the campaigns in Virginia,
participating in a number of the severest battles of the war,
including those of Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Antietam,
Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. After his army service, being
thrown entirely upon his own resources, he became a clerk in the
office of the Phoenix Iron Company at Phoenixville, Pa. He also
acquired some training as a machinist, and worked for a time as an
apprentice to that trade in Philadelphia, meanwhile studying in the
evenings at a polytechnic school. Feeling himself physically
unfitted for hard manual labor, and choosing a professional
calling, he came to Reading in February, 1867, and commenced the
study of the law in the office of J. Howard Jacobs, Esq., a widely
known and extensive practitioner, and after the necessary two
years' course was admitted to the Bar on April 12, 1869. Energetic
and ambitious, he acquired a substantial practice in both the
criminal and civil courts. Before and after his admission he
participated actively in politics, at first as a Republican, and
subsequently to 1872, when Horace Greeley was the candidate of the
Democratic party for President, as a Democrat.
A separate Orphans' court for the county of
Berks was created by the Act of June 13, 1883, and at the general
election in the fall of that year Hiram H. Schwartz, Esq., who had
been the temporary appointee, was elected judge for the term of ten
years. Judge Schwartz having died on August 25, 1891, Judge Bland
was on the 16th of the following month appointed by Governor
Pattison to fill the vacancy, and in 1892 was elected for the full
term of ten years, beginning on the first Monday of January, 1893.
At the end of that period he was re-elected for the term expiring
in January, 1913
During his practice at the Bar Judge Bland
acquired a reputation as an advocate of unusual eloquence and
marked ability. He was a close student, and his success was due not
alone to forensic talent, but to thorough legal equipment as well.
As a judge he was hot disappointed the promise of his career as a
lawyer. The Orphans' court, though a forum concerned solely with
the estates of decedents, and attracting a less degree of public
attention and spectacular interest than the co-ordinate tribunals
attended with trials by jury, is nevertheless, in the end, of vital
importance to every member of the community. The duties and
responsibilities of its presiding officer are commensurate with the
significance of the trusts committed to his care. The office of
chancellor is on of the highest dignity and consequence. In his
judicial career Judge Bland endeavors to measure up to the high
standard set by the historical shining lights of the Bench whom he
consistently emulates, and has abundantly justified the confidence
which his constituency have reposed in him by repeated elections.
As a citizen he is deservedly held in universal public respect and
esteem.
Outside of his official position he is connected
with various civic organizations for the uplifting of humanity. His
oratorical gifts are frequently called into service upon public
occasions; and on whatever topic he may be designated to speak, his
rhetoric is always scholarly and forceful. In the cause of the
surviving soldiers of the Civil war he naturally takes a deep
personal interest, and in their most notable gatherings is usually
selected as their principal spokesman. He is affiliated with the
Grand Army of the Republic, being a member of McLean Post, No. 16,
of Reading.
p. 1324
Surnames: BLAND, MINKER, GIFT, HUGHES, NOLL, LIGHTFOOT, FOX,
SMUCKER, FIELD, HOFFMAN, MERKEL, SPANG, KAUFFMAN, GRUBB, FRILL,
JONES, PYLE, BROWN
Robert Bland, a highly esteemed, retired citizen of Reading, was
born at Blandon, Berks county, son of Robert and Mary (Minker)
Bland, after the former of whom the town of Blandon was named. It
was first called Blandtown, but after the advent of the East
Pennsylvania Railroad, the name was changed to Blandon Station, and
eventually to Blandon.
Mr. Bland's father was a blacksmith by trade, an
occupation which he followed all of his life. In his younger days
he removed to Blandon, and there, died in April 1836, aged
fifty-three years. His wife, a daughter of Henry Minker, was born
at Glasgow Forge, and bore her husband ten children, as follows:
Henry; William; Robert, our subject; Hannah, married Peter Gift and
has two children, Mary and Catherine; Mary married (first) William
Hughes, by whom she had four children, Sarah, Jane, Hannah and
Samuel L., and married (second) John Noll; Rachel married (first)
Amos Lightfoot, and had one son, Amos, and married (second) Daniel
S. Fox, having four children, Harry, Sarah, Mary and Emma: Hannah,
deceased, married D. R. Smucker and had one child, Wilber B., of
Chicago, Ill.; Elizabeth died single; Jane married Samuel Field and
had two children, Mary and Belle; and Sarah died single.
Robert Bland, our subject, was educated in the
common schools of Blandon, and remained at home until about twenty
years old. He clerked for several years in a general store
conducted by L. D. Hoffman, and was then engaged in the iron
industry of George Merkel, and Hunter & Kauffman. He later
engaged in that business with Jacob K. Spang, George Merkel and
William M. Kauffman for five years, and for six years with the
Grubbs in Dauphin county. Mr. Bland then went into business with J.
K. Spang, conducting the Union Forge, Lebanon county, for one year.
He then served one year as treasurer of the Lerch Hardware Company,
and was also connected with the Allendale Forge, Bland, Kauffman
& Co. The firm then became Spang & Bland, having a furnace
in Franklin county for five years. In 1888 Mr. Bland purchased
George R. Frill's interest in the Angelica Ice Company, and was
treasurer and superintendent for twelve years, and he is still a
stockholder in this concern, which has been merged into the
combine.
Mr. Bland married Nov. 12, 1861, Miss Elizabeth
A. Jones, daughter of Alderman Ezekiel and Sarah B. (Pyle) Jones.
and one child was born to this union, Laura, who married Charles A.
Brown, a confectioner of No. 607 Penn street, and has one child,
Elizabeth, at school. Mr. Bland is a member of the Masonic
fraternity. In politics he is a Republican.
p. 1320
Surnames: BLAND, FIELDS, NOLL, DICKINSON, GOODHART, BECHTEL
William Bland, deceased, for many years, a prominent citizen of
Reading, was born Dec. 16, 1825, at Blandon, Pa. (a town named in
honor of the family), a son of Robert and Polly Bland.
Robert Bland was at one time a large landowner,
in the vicinity of Blandon. By trade he was a blacksmith and was
well and favorably known in all the surrounding country. His
children were: Jane, widow of Samuel Fields, of Pittston, Pa.:
Robert, of Reading; Rachel, died in Iowa; Mary, deceased, wife of
John Noll; and William. Others died in infancy. In their earlier
life, Mr. Bland's parents were Quakers, but later they united with
the M. E. Church.
The late William Bland learned the blacksmith
trade under the direction of his father and worked at the same form
many years and then came to Reading and established himself in the
mercantile line. He was first at Third and Franklin streets and
later at Ninth and Penn, and carried on business there until within
a few years of his death. He stood at the head of the city's
reliable, honorable business men and when he died, in 1894, there
were many outside the circle of his family and personal friends to
regret that so useful and upright a life had closed.
William Bland was married (first) to Mary
Dickinson, who died July 7, 1877, aged fifty-nine years. They had
one child who died in infancy. His second union was to Esther
(Goodhart) Bechtel, widow of James B. Bechtel, the latter of whom
was once a very prominent attorney of Reading. Mrs. Bechtel had
three children, namely: Walter G., deceased: William B., an
attorney at Reading; and Howard L., who died in 1869, aged six
years. No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bland.
Politically he was a Republican. He was a
leading member of St. Peter's M. E. Church and held a number of
church offices.
p. 1603
& 1604
Surnames: BLANKENBILLER, BLANCKENBILLER, BRUNNER, SMITH,
FITTERLING, RATHMAN, HEITZMAN, REMP, WEIDMAN, ARTZ, MOSSER, MOYER
HINNERSHITZ, MILLER, VON NEIDA, KISSINGER, BURLEY, DAVIS, SPATZ,
KRICK, STAMM, KLINE, LONG, SHUGAR
The firm of Blankenbiller Brothers in West Reading is a most
popular and successful one, and is composed of Daniel B. and Harry
B. Blankenbiller, sons of Elias W. and Amanda (Brunner)
Blankenbiller.
The progenitor of this old and honored family in
America was Johan Georg Blanckenbiller, whose date of emigration is
given in the Pennsylvania Archives as Oct. 7, 1755, when he landed
at Philadelphia and took the oath of allegiance. He made the
journey to the New World on the good ship "Neptune," George Smith,
captain.
Jacob Blankenbiller, son of Johan Georg, was a
farmer in Cumru township, Berks county and belonged to the Lutheran
congregation of the Allegheny Church, of which his wife, Dolley
(Fitterling) Blankenbiller, was also a member. They had these
children: George, who died unmarried; Jacob; David, who had sons,
William, Samuel and Joseph; Dolly, m. to John Rathman; Elizabeth,
m. to Dietrich Heitzman; Peter, the father of John R., deceased;
Catherine, m. to William Remp; Polly, m. to Solomon Weidman; Isaac,
who settled at Flat Rock, Ohio; and Susan, m. to Jacob Artz.
Jacob Blankenbiller, son of Jacob and
grandfather of Daniel B., was born in Cumru township, April 23,
1803, and died, March 19, 1895, aged ninety-one years, ten months,
twenty-six days. He was a lifelong farmer, and owned a 225-acre
farm in Spring township, which is now divided into three tracts. He
was a member of the United Brethren Church of Sinking Spring (where
he is buried), and was a church official and a good man of his
community. He married Anna Maria Weidman, born Jan. 18, 1805, who
died March 3, 1888, aged eighty-three years, one month, fifteen
days, and they had the following children: Elias W.; Maria, born
Oct. 24, 1835, m. Henry Mosser, of Reading; Katharine, born in
1838, died unmarried in 1870; Elizabeth m. Isaac Moyer, of Reading;
and Jacob, a farmer of Mohn's Hill, m. Emma Hinnershitz, and has
three children, Eulalia, Cordelia and Pruella.
Elias W. Blankenbiller, father of Daniel B., was
born in Cumru township, Sept. 23, 1833, and died April 12, 1898. He
was a lifelong farmer, but two years prior to his death retired and
spent the rest of his days in his residence at Mohnton. He was a
faithful member of the United Brethren Church of Sinking Spring,
where he was an exhorter for many years, and later became connected
with Salem Evangelical Church of Mohnton, of which he was a liberal
supporter until his death.
Mr. Blankenbiller was married to Amanda Brunner,
born Aug. 11, 1840, daughter of Henry Brunner, of Reinhold's
Station, Lancaster county, and to them were born seven children,
namely: Harry B.; Emma, m. to Levi Miller, of Mohnton; Ezra; Daniel
B. ; Edwin; Ella, who is unmarried and lives with her mother; and
William B., who m. Martha Von Neida, has three children, Carrie,
Stella and William, and resides at West Reading, being in the
employ, of Blankenbiller Brothers.
Harry B. Blankenbiller, eldest son of Elias W.
Blankenbiller, was born at Sinking Spring, Berks county, Jan. 30,
1864. He spent his boyhood days there and at Reinhold's Station,
Lancaster county, where his parents lived for some time, and
attended public school at both places, beginning his education in
his native place. When eighteen years old he commenced to learn the
cigar maker's trade, which he followed for sixteen years at what
was formerly Mohnsville, now Mohnton. In November, 1901, Mr.
Blankenbiller formed a partnership with his brother Daniel B.,
under the firm name of Blankenbiller Brothers, and settling in West
Reading they have since carried on a general merchandise business
there, at the corner of Penn avenue and Fifth street. They carry
staple and fancy groceries, dry goods, shoes, notions; etc. The
brothers enjoy an extensive patronage in West Reading, Reading and
Mohnton, making a specialty of groceries. In 1908 they enlarged
their store, equipped it with Walker bins and made it strictly
up-to-date in every respect. They have stands at the Kissinger
market-house and at the Crystal Palace market-house, both in
Reading, which they attend every market day. The business has
prospered from the start and five people are employed in the store.
Since May 20, 1904, Mr. Harry B. Blankenbiller has been postmaster
at West Reading, and his brother Daniel serves as assistant
post-master.
On Feb. 9, 1901, Mr. Blankenbiller married
Sallie Burley, daughter of the late Daniel and Emma (Davis) Burley,
of Reading, and they reside in a comfortable home at No. 444 Penn
avenue, West Reading, which Mr. Blankenbiller owns. He is a member
of Camp No. 211, P. 0. S. of A., of Mohnton, and he is a Republican
in political connection.
Daniel B. Blankenbiller was born at Sinking
Spring June 1, 1871, son of Elias W., and spent his boyhood days
under the parental roof and worked for his father until twenty-one
years of age. When sixteen years old he learned the cigar making
business at Reinhold's Station, and this occupation he followed for
about three years, in 1888 learning the hatting trade with J. H.
Spatz & Co., in whose employ he continued for thirteen years,
the last eight years of which he had charge of the packing and
shipping departments. In 1901, with his brother Harry B., he formed
the firm of Blankenbiller Brothers, and engaged in a general
merchandise business in a small way at the corner of Fifth and Penn
Avenue, West Reading, and since that time by strict attention to
business and honest dealing, the firm has increased the business
manifold and become one of the leading establishments of the
borough. Mr. Blankenbiller owns his own residence at No. 508 Penn
avenue, which he purchased in the fall of 1903. In politics lie is
a Republican. He and his family are consistent members of Ebenezer
Evangelical Church, of Reading, he having been formerly an official
member of Salem Evangelical Church, at Mohnton.
On Aug. 17, 1895, Mr. Blankenbiller was married
to Debbie S. Krick, born Aug. 3, 1874, daughter of Harrison and
Elizabeth (Spatz.) Krick, the former a son of Jonathan Krick, of
Kricktown, in Spring township. Three sons have been born to this
union, namely: Paul P., born Nov. 25, 1896; Harold C., Jan. 23,
1901; and Norman H.. Jan. 30, 1906.
Daniel Burley, father of Mrs. Harry B.
Blankenbiller, was born Jan. 26, 1832, in Eastington,
Gloucestershire, England, son of William and Harriet Burley, of
that place. On Oct. 12, 1852, he married Emma Davis, daughter of
Job Davis, of Eastington, England, who died in 1834-35, and four
days later, on Oct. 16th, the young couple embarked for America.
They settled in Berks county, Pa., and there passed the remainder
of their lives. In his native land Daniel Burley had been a woolen
worker in the woolen mills, and his wife followed the same
occupation before her marriage, but for many years Mr. Burley was
the agent and manager at Mertztown, this county, for the Allentown
Iron company. He and his family long made their home at that place,
where Mrs. Burley died Oct. 19, 1891, in her sixty-second year,
after which Mr. Burley moved to Shillington to live with his son
John, who is now, however, a resident of Reading. He died Jan. 19,
1908, when only seven days less than seventy-six years old, and
with his wife is buried at Mertztown. In her native country Mrs.
Burley was a member of the Wesleyan Church, and Mr. Burley belonged
to the Established Church of England, but after settling in Berks
county they became Lutherans.
Mr. and Mrs. Burley had a family of thirteen
children, including two pairs of twins: Joseph is deceased; Eliza
H. m. Dr. A. A. Stamm, of Mohnton; John H.; Sallie m. Harry B.
Blankenbiller; Elizabeth m. Daniel Long; Charles m (first) Alice M.
Kline, and after her death (second) Lizzie Shugar; Alfred and
Albert, twins, make their home with Dr. A. A. Stamm in Mohnton;
Fannie died in infancy; Frank died when young; twins died in
infancy; Wilson died when four years old.
p. 1488
Surnames: BLANKINHORN, BRUMBACH, DICKINSON, HARPER, WATSON, GORDON,
RIDAY, CONWAY, LESHER, BAILEY, MELLINGER
Andrew Blankinhorn, who is now living retired on his fine property
of seventy-one acres in Cumru township, is a survivor of the Civil
war, through which he served as a member of the Army of the
Potomac. Mr. Blankinhorn was born Aug. 19, 1839 in New York City,
N. Y., son of John Blankinhorn, and grandson of Joseph Blankinhorn,
who died in Wurtemberg, Germany, after a life spent in agricultural
pursuits.
John Blankinhorn was born in Wurtemberg,
Germany, and after completing his education learned the blacksmith
trade. In 1839 he came to America, landing at New York City, where
he remained for about one year, then removing to Reading, Pa.,
where he secured employment in the old car shops, working at his
trade until his retirement, seven years prior to his death at the
age of eighty-eight years. John Blankinhorn's wife's first name was
Elizabeth. She died in 1849 at the age of forty-five years, and to
them were born three children: Andrew, John and Augustus.
Andrew Blankinhorn accompanied his father to
Reading when a child, and in this city secured his education. After
leaving school he worked in the cotton factory for one and one-half
years, spent one year at the Brumbach factory, and then went to the
Conestoga valley, Lancaster county, where he engaged in farming for
five years. He enlisted in Co. G, 2d Pa. Vol. Inf., March 13, 1861,
to serve three years or during the war, and was discharged March
13, 1864, re-enlisting the following day as a member of Company B,
191st Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for three years
service, his final honorable discharge coming at the end of the
war, June 28, 1865. His service was with the Army of the Potomac,
and he participated in many bloody engagements, including
Fredericksburg, Antietam, Gettysburg, Petersburg and Weldon
Railroad, at which latter place he was taken prisoner and later
confined in Libby Prison, and Belle Isle. At the battle of
Fredericksburg he was wounded in the fleshy part of the left leg,
and this wound still gives him a great deal of trouble. Faithful
and cheerful, he was ever an efficient and gallant soldier, and won
the respect of his officers and the esteem and friendship of his
comrades.
After the completion of his services to his
country, Mr. Blankinhorn went to Highland township, Chester county,
and was there engaged in farming for a period of thirty-seven
years. In 1903 he purchased his present fine property of
seventy-one acres, at Angelica, and this he has made into one of
the best farms of the township, supplying it with the latest and
most highly improved machinery, and erecting large, substantial
buildings.
On April 27, 1869, Mr. Blankinhorn was married
to Phoebe Harper, daughter of Jacob and Rachel (Dickinson) Harper,
of Lancaster county, Pa., and to them have been born children as
follows: Minnie, who married George Watson, of No. 1045 A North
Tenth street, Reading; John, of Newtown Square, married Addie
Gordon; Howard, of Chester Co., Pa., married Bertha Mellinger;
Harry, of Chester county, married Elsie Mellinger; Levina, married
Robert Riday, of Philadelphia; Roscoe, who operates his father's
farm, married Lillian Conway; Charles, married Annie Lesher, of
Cumru township; and Dora, married Percy Bailey, of Oakbrook.
In politics Mr. Blankinhorn is a Republican, and
be is connected fraternally with G. A. R. Post No. 76, Reading. He
is a member of the Lutheran Church, while Mrs. Blankinhorn is
Presbyterian.
p. 1181
Surnames : BLATT, BOHN, BOLTZ, GAUL, GERHARD, GERHART, GRUBER,
HAFER, HAIN, KEIM, KLEINGINNI, KOCH, RENTSCHLER, SNYDER, STEPP
The Blatt family of Berks county has long been classed among those
whose representatives are useful and substantial citizens. At the
present time, the brothers, Cornelius F. Blatt, a former director
of the poor of Berks county, and an extensive and successful farmer
of Marion township, and Darius M. Blatt, of Reading, jury
commissioner of Berks county, sons of Abraham G. and Elizabeth
(Gerhart) Blatt, are worthily bearing the family name.
Frederick Blatt, the great-grandfather of
Cornelius F. and Darius M., was a pioneer farmer of Bern township,
owning the large farm which is now the property of Levi Rentschler,
and lived in a stone house, which was situated near the present
Philadelphia & Reading railroad depot, near Mohrsville. He was
a soldier in the Revolutionary war, being a member of Captain
Shartle's company, and was a man of adventurous spirit. In 1800,
with his son Matthias, he rode on horseback to Reading to vote for
Thomas Jefferson for President. On one occasion, while he and his
brother were hunting in the Blue Mountains, he entered a cave to
secure a number of bear cubs, but the return of the mother bear
interrupted him, and the warning cry of his brother who was on the
outside enabled him to squeeze past the old bear in the opening of
the cave and to escape with his life. He is buried at either
Belleman's or St. Michael's Church. Mr. Blatt had these children:
Adam, who went to Ohio in either 1836 or 1839, his descendants
living in the vicinity of Sandusky; David and John, who were
residents of Centre; Matthias; and Jeremiah, of Centre, who had
four children--Aaron, Reuben, Caroline (m. Adam Bohn and Malinda
(m. George Snyder).
Matthias Blatt, the grandfather of Cornelius F.,
was born in Bern township in 1777, and died during the winter of
1859, having been a lifelong farmer of Bern (now Centre) township,
where he owned a property of about 100 acres, now the property of
his grandson, John B. Blatt. He was a member of the German Reformed
Church, and is buried at Belleman's Church. He married Rosanna
Gerhard, a native of Germany, who came to this country with her
parents when nine years of age, and they became the parents of the
following children: Adam, who had--Adam, Davilla H., Catherine,
Mary and Harry (who lives in Kansas); John, whose children
were--Jacob, Levi (of Dauphin county), John, William (who was
killed during the Civil war), Sarah, Maria and Catherine; Polly
(Mary), who died unmarried; Rebecca, who m. (first) Nathan Hafer
and (second) Daniel Stepp; George, who had an only daughter,
Hettie, who is the widow of Adam Koch; Abraham G.; and Elizabeth,
who m. Samuel Billman, a prosperous citizen of Stark county, Ohio.
Abraham G. Blatt, father of Cornelius F., was
born in Centre township (then Bern) in 1815, and died on his farm
in the same township in March, 1892. He was reared to farming, and
when a young man learned the milling trade, which he followed for
25 years in Centre and Jefferson townships, the last mill operated
by him being the old Miller Mill, above Bernville, which he
conducted for five years in addition to farming a 200 acre
property. Mr. Blatt was a very robust man, and was never sick a day
in his life, with the exception of his last illness, which was of
short duration, being caused by a stroke of apoplexy, which he
suffered while on a visit to his brother, George, near Robesonia.
His brother passed away eight days later, aged 88 years. Abraham G.
Blatt was buried at Belleman's Church in Centre township, and
George at the Corner Church in North Heidelberg township.
In 1839 Abraham G. Blatt was married to
Elizabeth Gerhart, who was born Oct. 17, 1825, and died in
December, 1893, daughter of a well-known musician and the composer
of a book of hymns long used by the Lutheran and Reformed churches
of Berks county. To Mr. and Mrs. Blatt there were born 13 children,
as follows: Cyrus G., of Bernville; Isabella, who married John L.
Boltz; Cornelius F.; Catherine, the widow of William Hain, of
Williamsport; Joanna, m. to Abner Hain, Jr. of Lower Heidelberg
township; Emanuel, deceased, who is buried at St. Michael's Church,
Tilden township; Sophia, m. to Samuel Keim, of Reading; Seth, a
farmer of Lower Heidelberg township; Darius M.; Wellington, who met
his death in a railroad accident at West Leesport; Charles, a
farmer of North Heidelberg township; Benjamin, of Reading; and one
child that died in infancy.
Cornelius F. Blatt was born in Centre township,
Berks county, May 21, 1847, and was reared to farming. In 1882 he
began operating the Madeira farm in Heidelberg township on his own
account, continuing there for five years. He then became the tenant
upon the Reed farm of 200 acres, located in Marion township, which
he has operated since 1887, in connection with a 56 acre property
adjoining, which he purchased in 1901. He is a progressive,
up-to-date agriculturist, and the fine condition of his property
bears evidence to his ability in this line. He keeps 35 head of
cattle and 22 horses.
Mr. Blatt is prominently known throughout Berks
county. He has been active in the ranks of the Democratic party,
and on different occasions has held positions of honor and trust.
He was first a school director in Heidelberg township, and later
held a like position in Tulpehocken township, where, during his
term of office, the board established the Rehrersburg high school
and in 1889 erected a four-story building, which is a credit to the
community. Mr. Blatt is an able exponent of the cause of education,
and has rendered valuable services in this line to his county. In
1899 he was elected a director of the poor of Berks county, and
while a member of this board displayed ability, sound judgment and
honesty of principle. He and his family are members of St. Paul's
Reformed Church of Robesonia.
Mr. Blatt was married to Amanda Gruber, who was
born in 1848, and died Sept. 29, 1904, aged 56 years. To this union
there were born four children: James, of Millbach, Lebanon county;
Frank, who resides at home and assists his father in farming;
Maggie, who also resides at home; and Charles, a farmer of
Heidelberg township, who married Maggie Gaul.
Darius M. Blatt was born in Jefferson township,
Nov. 4, 1858, and was reared to farming, which he followed until 16
years of age, at which time he commenced teaching public school,
and continued at that profession for 14 consecutive years. He
subsequently became associated with the 'Reading Eagle' as
collector, and continued in that capacity for 16 years, when he
took charge of the livery stable attached to the "United States
Hotel," Reading, and is also engaged in school teaching. In 1909 he
was elected jury commissioner of Berks county, and is a competent
and pleasing official. In 1877 he was married to Sallie A.
Kleinginni, and they have seven children: Julia; Maud; Dallas M.,
who has two children, Clara and Dallas; Anna M.; Wilhelmina;
Bunting; and Darius L.
p. 1329
Surnames: BIEHL, BILLMAN, BLATT, BOHN, BORDNER, CALL, DREIBELBIS,
GERHARD, GRETH, HAFER, HINCY, KEIM, KOCH, MOYER, RENTSCHLER,
SCHELL, SNYDER, STEPP, STOUDT, STRICKER
Isaac C. Blatt, former proprietor of the "Hotel Blatt," on North
Sixth street, Reading, Pa., comes of a family that has lived in
Berks county almost 200 years.
Frederick Blatt, the first of the name in direct
line to Isaac G., of whom we have authentic record, was a pioneer
farmer of Bern township, where he owned the large farm now the
property of Levi Rentschler, and he lived in a stone house which
was situated near the present Philadelphia & Reading depot near
Mohrsville. It is supposed he was the Frederick Blatt who was a
taxable in Maidencreek township in 1757-58-59. He was a soldier in
the Revolution, being a member of Captain Shartle's company, and he
was a man of adventurous spirit. In 1800, with his son Matthias, he
rode on horseback to Reading to vote for Thomas Jefferson for
President. On one occasion, while he and his brother were hunting
in the Blue Mountains, he entered a cave to secure a number of bear
cubs, but the return of the mother bear interrupted him, and the
warning cry of his brother who was on the outside enabled him to
squeeze past the old bear in the opening of the cave and to escape
with his life. As many of the old pioneers of that locality were
Friends, it is supposed that Frederick Blatt also belonged to that
faith, though his service in the Revolution seems on the other hand
to discredit it. He is buried at either Belleman's or St. Michael's
Church. Mr. Blatt had children: Adam, who went to Ohio in either
1838 or 1839, his descendants still living in the vicinity of
Sandusky; David and John, who were residents of Centre; Matthias;
and Jeremiah, of Centre, who had four children--Aaron, Reuben,
Caroline (m. Adam Bohn) and Malinda (m. George Snyder).
Matthias BLATT, son of Frederick, was born in
Bern township in 1777, and died during the winter of 1859. He was a
lifelong farmer of Bern (now Centre) township, where he owned a
farm of 100 acres now the property of his grandson, John B. Blatt.
He was a member of the German Reformed Church, and is buried at
Belleman's Church. He married Rosanna Gerhard, a native of Germany,
who came to this country with her parents when nine years of age.
They became the parents of children as follows: Adam; John; Polly
died unmarried; Rebecca m. (first) Nathan Hafer, and (second)
Daniel Stepp; George (his only daughter, Hettie, is the widow of
Adam Koch); Abraham G. died in March, 1892; and Elizabeth m. Samuel
Billman, a prosperous citizen of Stark county, Ohio.
John Blatt, son of Matthias, was born in Bern
township, and there married. His children were: Jacob; Levi, of
Dauphin county; John; William, who was killed during the Civil war;
Sarah; Maria; and Catharine.
Jacob Blatt son of John, was born on the
homestead in Bern (now Centre) township. He died near Host in July,
1883, aged 67 years, and is buried at Tulpehocken Lutheran Church.
He married Anna Greth who died in 1877. They were the parents of
nine children: Levi, of Logansport, Ind.; Isaac G.; Lovina,
deceased; Moural of Strausstown; Rebecca and Darius, both deceased;
Emma, deceased; Celeca who married Samuel Schell, of North
Heidelberg; and Katie, who married Charles Biehl, of Reading.
Isaac G. Blatt, son of Jacob, was born in Centre
township, Jan. 5, 1857, and worked upon the home farm until he was
16 years of age, when he came to Reading, which city has since been
his abiding place with the exception of two years when he conducted
the "Mt. Pleasant Hotel" at Obold, in Penn township. In 1872 when
he came to Reading he entered the employ of William Call,
contractor for the Berks & Lehigh Railroad Co. One year later
he became hostler and bar clerk at the "North Reading Hotel," now
called "Riverside." A year later he became bar clerk at the
"Farmers & Drovers Hotel" of which George Dreibelbis was
proprietor. He then worked at huckstering and at various other
vocations for some time. In 1876 he became bar clerk at the
"Mishler House," and in 1878 proprietor of the Bernville stage,
which he ran for one year. In this he was succeeded by J. M.
Bordner, the present driver. When he gave up the stage, he entered
the confectionary business on North Fifth street, and in 1881 he
moved to No. 423 Penn street, and in addition also drove a
confectionary wagon for several years. His genial personality
brought him to the atttention of business men, and the Orwigsburg
Shoe Manufacturing Company offered him a position as their
traveling salesman. He accepted and remained with them until he
became associated with Walp & Co., shoe manufacturers. For
eight years he was employed by Isaac Keim, and then he returned to
the hotel business, becoming proprietor of the "Mt. Pleasant
Hotel." Returning to Reading at the end of two years he sold
insurance for the Metropolitan, and in 1897 he became proprietor of
the "Hotel Blatt" at the corner of Locust and Oley streets, which
he conducted until 1900. In the latter year he became proprietor of
the "Berkshire Hotel," which he conducted three years and four
months. He then retired to private life for a year, but at the end
of that time returned to the hotel business, taking charge of the
"Hotel Blatt," at No. 338 North Sixth street. This he conducted
until he again retired to private life.
Mr. Blatt is a member of Bernville Lodge, No.
122, I.O.O.F.; Wyanet Tribe, No. 30, I.O.R.M.; Camp No. 550, P.O.S.
of A.; and Esther Lodge, No. 4, Rebekah degree, I.O.O.F. With his
family he belongs to the First Reformed Church.
On July 8, 1882, Mr. Blatt married Clara
Stricker, daughter of John Stricker, of Heidelberg township. Their
children are: George, who died in infancy; Jennie, m. to Morris
Stoudt, and died July 25, 1906; Irwin, a tailor in Reading, m. to
Lottie Moyer; Minnie, m. to George Hincy, of Lancaster county; and
Miss Eva, at home.
p. 1560
Surnames: BLIMLINE, DEANE, SHELLENHAMMER, LUTZ, MATZ, HARTMAN,
CLARK, PEIFER, STEFFIE, SPATZ, HEINLY, KERSHNER, GABEL, REED, CLAY,
HORNBERGER, WENNER
Sebastian Blimline, deceased, who was for or a number of years
engaged in the carriage and automobile business at Sinking Spring,
was born June 28, 1858, in Brecknock township, Berks county, son of
Frederick D. and grandson of John and Margaret Blimline.
Frederick D. Blimline, born in Batavia, Germany,
in 1829, died in Brecknock township, Berks county, in 1899, aged
seventy years. In his native land he had been brought up to
farming, and that occupation he followed in the New World. He came
over in 1853, landing at Castle Garden, N. Y., and after he had
traveled somewhat, and lived at the Swamp for a short time, he
settled in Brecknock township, near Adamstown, in Berks county.
Here he acquired a tract of about sixty acres of land, which he
cultivated and on which he passed the remainder of his days and
died. This farm is now owned by his son John. Mr. Blimline was a
Republican in politics. He and his family belonged to the United
Evangelical Church at Mohn's Hill and there he and his wife sleep
their last sleep. On June 12, 1853, he married Barbara Deane, who
was born in Germany in 1822, and who accompanied her husband to
seek a new home in the new land. She died in 1884. Their children
were: (1) Lydia (deceased) m. Thomas Shellenhammer, and had two
children, Maria (unmarried) and George. (2) George m. Savilla Lutz,
and had children-Homer, Maggie, Harry, Callia, Ella, Dorphey and
Anna. (3) Maggie m. Henry D. Young, of Mohnton, and died in 1899,
aged forty-three years. They had children as follows: Mamie,
Benjamin, Adam, Fred, Daniel, Bertha, Stephen, Norma and Henry. (4)
Sebastian. (5) John lives on the homestead. He m. Sarah Matz, and
they have had children-Laura, Walter, Mary, Estella, Bessie,
Bunding, Clarence, Edna, Elmer, Charles, Luella May, Alvertia,
Norman and Florence and Keith. (6) Frederick D., born Aug. 13,
1863, learned the hatting trade when sixteen years old, and this he
has followed ever since. During the winters for about ten years he
manufactured brooms at Mohnton. In 1905 he went to Bowmansville,
where for two years he manufactured shirts, and in 1907 he moved to
Reading, where he worked at his trade. He m. Emma Hartman, and has
children- Carrie, Esther, Edwin and Stanley. (7) Annie m. Charles
Clark, of Reading, and has three children, Stella, Jennie and
William.
George Blimline, brother of Frederick D., and
uncle of Sebastian, came to America in 1858, and also settled in
Brecknock township, Berks county, where he owns several farms. He
has reared a large family, and is one of the substantial men of his
locality.
Sebastian Blimline attended the public schools of
his native township and worked upon his father's farm until he was
fourteen years old, when he learned the black smith's trade with
Daniel Peifer, working at same as a journeyman for several years.
He then engaged in business for himself near Adamstown, Berks
county, and later at Slate Hill, subsequently removing to
Brownsville where he continued for thirteen years. In 1890 Mr.
Blimline came to Sinking Spring, erecting the building now owned
and occupied by Mr. Steffie, the well-known cigar manufacturer, but
later built a large factory which he occupied for seven years,
45x90 feet in dimensions, with an annex, at the corner of Main and
Railroad streets. In 1908 Mr. Blimline purchased from Isaac S.
Spatz the oldest blacksmith stand in the vicinity of Sinking
Spring. This includes one-half of the "Spring," which is famous
throughout the county, the other half being owned by Mr. Joel
Heinly. Together with Mr. Heinly he beautified the surroundings of
the spring, and Mr. Blimline erected a two-story frame factory with
cement floor, 24x106 feet in dimensions, on his property. There he
also erected a fine residence complete with all the latest
improvements which tend to make a home comfortable. Mr. Blimline
employed from eight to ten workmen, all skilled mechanics, and he
did a large business, not only in the manufacture of carriages and
wagons, but in all kinds of automobile repairing, trimming and
painting, and also dealt in gasoline engines and automobile tires,
automobile supplies and harness. His establishment was equipped
with the most modern and up-to-date machinery, power and electric
lights. Mr. Blimline built the first automobile in the county,
which he drove through the roads of the county and the streets of
Sinking Spring, and it was the object of much admiration. He was
one of the first automobile men in Pennsylvania.
Mr. Blimline married Mary Kershner, daughter of
George and Elizabeth (Gabel) Kershner, and to them these children
were born: John (m. Cora Clay), Nora (m. Andrew Reed), Albert (m.
Sadie Hornberger), Lillian (m. Thomas Wenner), Frederick and Star,
living, and six others who died young. In politics Mr. Blimline was
a Republican. With his family he attended the United Brethren
Church of Sinking Spring, of which he was steward and trustee, and
for eight years he was tenor in the choir, in which he always took
an active interest. He died at his home in Sinking Spring in May,
1909.
p. 874
Surnames: BLOOM, MOYER, LAUER, BARTELS, HURDICK, SCHETTLER,
CANTNER, SNOWDON
Lew Bloom, who now makes his home in the village of Mount Penn,
Berks county, is a man of versatile talents, having been actor,
musician and artist. He was born in Philadelphia on the site where
Penn made his famous treaty with the Indians, Aug. 8, 1859, son of
Lewis and Louisa (Moyer) Bloom, the latter a sister of George
Moyer, who was a central figure for so many years in Phoenixville,
Pa., and who was the draftsman for the great bridge works at that
place.
Lewis Bloom was born at Umpden, Germany, Oct. 5,
1823, and his wife at Wilheim, and they both came to America in
youth. They were married at the old "Barto Hotel" in Reading, now
the "Penn Hotel". Lewis Bloom had learned the carpenter's and
cooper's trades in his native land, and was brought to Reading from
Philadelphia by Frederick K. Lauer, the brewer of Reading, to make
barrels and casks for the brewery. He was the first cooper in
Reading, and the first in this country to erect the large vats for
breweries, building these at different places all over the country,
including Brooklyn and New York City. Well-buckets and wash-tubs
which he made over fifty years ago are still in use in this
country. He was engaged in business on his own account at different
times, and is now living retired at the age of eighty-five years,
his home being in Reading. Mrs. Bloom died in November 1901. She
was the mother of six children: Susannah, Deborah, unmarried, at
home; Louisa, wife of Fred Bartels, of Mount Penn; Lew; Charles,
deceased, who was a trainer of harness horses and later connected
with the Pittsburg fire department as assistant veterinarian;
Adolph, who died in childhood; and Edward, a member of the
Pittsburg Fire Department, who died Aug. 16, 1906, from the effects
of injuries received at a fire when a falling wall struck him.
Lew Bloom was reared in Reading and was educated
in the public schools and the academy at Williamsport, Pa. At the
age of thirteen years he began riding as a jockey in running races
for Peter Hurdick and "Kentucky" Schettler, of Reading. When still
a youth he had a tendency for all kinds of show business, and was
only a boy when he ran away and joined a circus, but was brought
back home. He again ran away and found employment as a driver on a
canal boat, the "Letitia King," on the old Pennsylvania canal. He
started in the show business as a gymnast, for which he had trained
while working as an oyster opener in a restaurant. He would
practice on the horizontal bar in the back yard, with a neighbor's
boy, Howard Cantner, who aspired to be a juggler, and who became
his "side-partner" in the beginning of his stage career. Mr.
Bloom's first venture which proved a financial success was acting
the "wild man" at country fairs, his cage being an old crockery
crate, and his acting was so perfect that even the most learned
were deceived. The impersonation in which Mr. Bloom has won his
most notable success, however, was that of the tramp, he being the
originator of this "act." He was one of the "headliners" when Keith
presented his first big "star" vaudeville bill in Boston and he has
appeared at nearly every big vaudeville house in the United States
and Canada, being recognized as one of the foremost and most
popular comedians on the vaudeville stage.
In 1886 Mr. Bloom began the breeding of fine
dogs, and since that time has developed one of the finest kennels
in the country. In 1879 he was presented a fine English bull
terrier, a white dog, named facetiously "Bloom's Blackberry" by Mr.
Bloom, the giver being Colonel Snowden, president of the United
States Mint. His kennels are made up of black and tan and Boston
terriers, the head of his stud being "Champion Boney Boy,"
Manchester black and tan, the only champion dog ever owned in Berks
county, which has taken prizes at many bench shows in this country
and Canada. Mr. Bloom's kennels are the leading black and tan
kennels of the world. He is a fraternally connected with the B. P.
O. E., Lodge No. 1, New York City.