Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery
p.
675
Surnames: BRIDENBAUGH, BOWMAN, BAER, SNYDER, ZIEBER
John H. Bridenbauch, lawyer, of reading, with offices at No. 529
Court street, is a native of Martinsburg, Blair Co., Pa., born Jan.
5, 1877. He has been in the active practice of his profession since
the year 1902.
Henry Bridenbaugh, his grandfather, was a farmer
of Martinsburg, Blair county. Rev. Samuel R. Bridenbaugh, D. D.,
his father, is pastor of the Second Reformed Church of Reading. Dr.
Bridenbaugh married Lydia A. Bowman, daughter of John Bowman, a
merchant and niece of Dr. J. C. Bowman, of the Reformed theological
Seminary at Lancaster. There were three children in their family,
of whom Paul died Aug. 31, 1904, when just entering upon his career
in the ministry of the Reformed Church; he was twenty-four years of
age, and a graduate of Harvard Theological Seminary. George B. is a
student at the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston.
John H. Bridenbaugh received his early
educational training at Berlin, Somerset county, and at Carroll
Institute, Reading. Having been thoroughly prepared for college at
these institutions he matriculated at Franklin and Marshall
College, Lancaster, where he graduated in 1899. In carrying out his
decision to enter upon a career at the Bar he then went to Harvard
Law School, where he graduated in the class of 1902, in which year
he was admitted to the Berks county Bar. He has since been admitted
to practice in the Supreme court. At Reading, he read law in the
office of Baer, Snyder & Zicher. He engages in general
practice.
While at college, Mr. Bridenbaugh became a
member of the Phi Kappa Psi chapter at Franklin and Marshall. He
was also connected with the Diagnothian Literary Society at that
school, is a member of the Harvard Club of Reading, and is a member
and chairman of the executive committee of the Reading Canoe Club.
He belongs to the Second Reformed Church, in the work of which he
takes an active part, being at the present time superintendent of
the Sunday-school.
p. 1157
Surnames: BREINER, BRIGHT, GOODHART, GRAUL, GREEN, REHR, SCULL,
SIMONE, THOMPSON, YOCUM
Harry L. BRIGHT, assistant foreman of the job department of the
Reading Eagle, was born July 13, 1863, at Philadelphia, Pa., son of
John R. and Elizabeth (Scull) Bright.
Tracing the Bright or Brecht family to its
founding in Berks County, Pa., it is found that Michael Brecht,
1706-1794, was married in 1728, to Margareta Simone, 1708-1778.
They had the following children: Jacob, born April 13, 1729;
George, Feb. 9, 1731; Michael, March 24, 1732; Katherine, April 6,
1734; John, Feb. 20, 1736; Peter, May 13, 1738; David, Aug. 9,
1740; Maria, Aug. 1, 1742; Sarah, Jan. 19, 1745, and Christina,
Aug. 12, 1747. The late A. G. Green, Esq., prepared a genealogical
sketch of this Bright family, which, in pamphlet form, may be found
among the archives of the Berks County Historical Society.
John Bright, great-grandson of Michael and
grandfather of Harry L., was a native of Berks County and a
descendant of one of its pioneer families. He was engaged in a hat
business at Reading, where he died after the close of the Civil
War, and his remains were interred in the Charles Evans cemetery.
He married a member of the Rehr family and they had four children,
namely: Henry lived and died at Reading; Catherine m. James
Thompson; Sarah m. George Graul; and John R.
John R. Bright, son of John, was born March 2,
1829, at Reading, and died Nov. 2, 1867, in the thirty-ninth year
of his age. By trade he was a hatter. He lived at Reading until
1859, when he moved to Philadelphia, and there lived until his
death, when his remains were brought to Reading and interred in the
Charles Evans cemetery. On Dec. 26, 1859, he married Elizabeth
Scull, born June 7, 1836, daughter of Marks B. and Barbara
(Breiner) Scull, of Reading. They had two sons: Edward S. and Harry
L., both of Reading.
Harry L. Bright was educated in the public
schools of Reading. He became a clerk in a grocery store, where he
remained for one and one-half years, and then served a four years
apprenticeship to the printer's trade in the office of the News, at
that time located on the corner of Sixth and Court Streets. In
August 1882, he entered the employ of the Reading Eagle, and now,
as assistant foreman of its job department, has under his
supervision from fifteen to twenty-two men.
In 1888, Mr. Bright married Sue M. Yocum,
daughter of the late Jacob A. and Joanna (Goodhart) Yocum, and they
have one son, J. Herbert, who was born May 8, 1889. The latter is a
graduate of the Reading High School, class of 1908. Mr. Bright and
family occupy their own pleasant home which is located at No. 105
Oley Street, in the Fifteenth ward. Mr. And Mrs. Bright belong to
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, while their son, J. Herbert, sings
in the choir of the Memorial Church of the Holy Cross, of which he
is a member. Mr. Bright is a member of the following organizations:
Camp. No. 89, P. O. S. of A.; Emblematic Order of Odd Fellows, No.
163; Juniata Tribe, No. 74,I. O. R. M., of which he has been
treasurer since 1892; Jr., O. U. A. M., No. 163; and Printers'
Union, No. 86.
p. 867
Surnames: BLATT, BRIGHT, DUNDORE, GEISS
Henry M. Bright, who lives on the road leading from Reading to
Bernville, Pa., is one of the prominent men and successful
agriculturists of Penn township. Mr. Bright was born Dec. 15, 1847,
in Penn township, where he attended the public schools, and later
he became a student at Freeland Seminary. After completing his
education he took up farming as his life work, and in 1870 located
on his father-in-law's farm, which he has since increased to 415
acres, consisting of three adjoining farms. In 1891 he erected a
substantial residence, and his other buildings and well-kept
premises testify to his thrift and enterprise.
In 1869 Mr. Bright married to Emma Geiss,
daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Dundore) Geiss, and to this union
there have been born the following children: Charles H. is engaged
in clerking in Philadelphia; Elizabeth E. is a graduate of the
Keystone State Normal School, class of 1897, and has taught school
in Berks, Chester and Bucks counties; Sallie I. married Alvin
Blatt, of North Heidelberg township; Adam S. is a mining prospector
of Montana; Emma I., a graduate of the Keystone State Normal
School, is, like her sister, a teacher in the public schools, and
has followed her vocation in Berks, Bucks, and Montgomery counties
and in New Jersey; Thomas, a graduate of Franklin and Marshall
College, class of 1903, is now assistant paymaster in the U. S.
Navy, located at the Samoan Islands; Anna, a graduate of the
Keystone State Normal School, class of 1902, taught six terms in
Penn township, and is now teaching in Bernville; J. Calvin, a
graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, class of 1908, is now
teaching in Center county; and Flora L. and Raymond M. are
students.
Mr. Bright has always been a stanch advocate of
education, and has given his children every advantage, fitting them
to care for themselves in any station of life. A Democrat in
politics, he has served many times as school director, and at
present is township supervisor. He has served as deacon and elder
in the Reformed Church at Bernville, of which he is a consistent
member. Mr. Bright is one of Penn township's good citizens, and has
the respect and esteem of his fellow men.
p. 1697
Surnames: BRIGHT, BRECHT, ARNOLD, FETTERS, HAIN, BORDNER, SCHAFFER,
GRUBER, KALBACH, BROSSMAN
John H. Bright, a resident of the borough of Bernville, Berks
county, who follows the carpenter's trade, was born Aug. 10, 1865,
in Penn township, on the old homestead. His father, Amandon Bright,
was for many years one of the leading citizens of his section of
the county. The family has been located here for many years.
(I) Stephen Brecht, the ancestor of the Brecht or Bright family,
was a native of Germany, born Feb. 17, 1692. He was one of the
emigrants from the Palatinate who landed at New York between 1709
and 1712. These emigrants first settled at Schoharie, N. Y., but
because of the unbearable treatment they received at the hands of
Governor Hunter, of the Province of New York, they sought refuge in
homes elsewhere. Hearing of the fair treatment accorded by the
proprietors of Penn's Province, and of the fertility of the soil,
excellent water and other advantages there, many of them came to
Pennsylvania, among them Stephen Brecht. The land was, granted him
by John, Thomas and Richard Penn, lawful heirs of William Penn, on
Nov. 27, 1745 (recorded in Patent Book A. Vol. 12, p. 340). On this
he made his home, and here he died Sept. 24, 1747. His remains were
interred in the North Heidelberg cemetery among the Moravians. His
gravestone lies flat upon the ground and the inscription is still
in good condition. His will was made Jan. 6, 1746, and his land was
divided among his three sons: David, Hans Wendel and George Adam.
To George Adam was given the homestead (now owned by Adam Dundore),
and the division of land between David and Hans Wendel was recorded
at Reading April 17, 1754, in Book A. Vol. I, p. 68.
(II) David Brecht, son of Stephen, was born Sept. 8, 1719. He was a
resident of Bern township long before the organization of the
county in 1752. He was the owner of valuable lands near Bernville,
and exercised no small influence among the people of his
neighborhood. In 1771 he was elected county commissioner, and
served as such until 1774. By his will on file in the registers
office, after providing for his wife Sarah, he devises to his only
son John his large plantation of 500 acres, and gives to each of
his seven daughters the sum of 900 pounds, almost a fortune in that
early day. His wife Sarah was born Jan. 8, 1727, and died Jan. 22,
1786. They were the parents of eleven children, three of whom died
in infancy or childhood. The names of those reaching mature years
were: John, Margaret, Elizabeth, Magdalena, Catharine, Susanna,
Sarah and Barbara. On David Brecht's tombstone appears the
following inscription: Hier Ruhet Der Leib von David Brecht er ist
geboren D 8 Sep. 1719 er x x x x x x x x x x x x x x an sain 11
Kinder Annach 8 bei Leben 1 Sohn U 7 Tochtern U Starb D 22 Sept.
1783.
(III) John Brecht, only son of David that grew to manhood, passed
his entire life in farming on the homestead. He is buried in a
private burial ground on his own farm, and his tombstone bears the
following inscription: Hier ruhet die Gebeine von Johannes Brecht
Er wurde geboren den 2 Junius im Yahr 1747 und ist gestorben den 9
Februar im Yahr 1834 brachte sein Alter auf 86 Yahre 8 Monate und 7
Tage.
Over the grave of his wife, Anna Maria, appears
the following: Hier ruhet Anna Maria Brecht Ehrgattin fon Joh.
Brecht Sie war geboren Den 15ten Januar 1757 Und ist gestorben den
24sten. Mai 1842 im altern fon 85 Yahren 4 Monate und 9 Tagen.
Eleven children were born to John and Anna Maria
Brecht, four sons and seven daughters, namely: Peter, whose
children were: Adam, William, Levi, Mary and Catharine; Jacob;
David and John who both settled near Lancaster, Ohio, and the
latter's children were: Henry, Benton, Edward, Jacob, Mary, Clara,
George and Emma; Mary, who married David Arnold; Sarah, who married
Thomas Fetters; Susanna; and four daughters whose names are not
recorded.
(IV) Jacob Brecht, son of John and Anna Maria, was born in 1792,
and to him came the possession of the homestead. The name of his
wife is unknown. His death occurred in 1875. His children. were:
John; Amandon; Aaron, whose children were: Darius, Emma, Lehman,
Albert and Lizzie; Anna Maria; Sarah; Harietta; Elizabeth;
Catharine; Rachel; Isabella, and Rebecca.
(V) Amandon Bright, son of Jacob, was born Jan. 15, 1830. His
entire active life was devoted to farming and he became an
extensive land owner, having 220 acres of the most fertile section
of Penn township. He was very prominent in public affairs, and took
an active interest in the success of the Democratic party. He was
school director of his township, for many years committeeman of his
district, and for three years was a prison inspector in Berks
county. In 1894 he was elected treasurer of the county, and he gave
most satisfactory service in this office for three years. He
married Clara Hain, and their children were: Ellen, who married
Jacob Bordner, of Bernville, Pa.; William, a small farmer in Penn
township; Sallie, who married Frank Schaffer, of Reading, Pa.; John
H.; Harry, who died aged twenty-seven years; Annie, who married
Jacob Gruber, of Mount Pleasant; Albert H., a prosperous young
plumber and gas fitter at West Reading; Rev. Edwin D., pastor of
the Reformed Church at Derry, Pa., who is also engaged as a
genealogist and historian; and three that died young. Amandon
Bright passed away in May, 1898, respected by all who knew him.
(VI) John H. Bright attended the Bright school in Penn township
until 1884, later studying at the Keystone State Normal School, at
Kutztown. He spent most of the time on the farm with his father
until he reached the age of twenty-five years and then continued
farming for six years on his own account, after which he was
engaged for four years in the management of his sawmill, cutting
timber in Berks county. He has ever since been occupied at the
carpenter's trade, at which he has done well, finding plenty of
work in that line in his locality. He is an industrious man and a
wide awake citizen, having served as school director and as
councilman, of the borough. He is a Democrat, and has been delegate
to various county conventions. He is a member of the Reformed
Church.
Mr. Bright married Anna M. Kalbach, daughter of
the late Levi Kalbach and his wife Isabella Brossman, and to this
union have been born three children: Lehman K., Naomi K., and
Howard.
p. 1166
Surnames: BRIGHT, LOOSE, KOENIG, GEISS, EPLER, FRIELING, GRIME,
WAGNER, KERSHNER, STIELY, SCHOCK, GREENAWALT
Among the younger generation of business men of Penn township,
Berks county, one who has forged his way rapidly to the front is
Willis L. Bright, who is successfully conducting a general store
business at Bernville. Mr. Bright was born Dec. 30, 1879, at
Bernville, son of Edwin K. and Amelia (Loose) Bright, grandson of
John M. Bright, great-grandson of Jacob Bright and
great-great-grandson of John Bright.
John M. Bright, grandfather of Willis L., was
born Sept. 28, 1824, and died July 19, 1897, at Bernville borough,
whence he had moved from his farm in Penn township. His first wife
was Lydia Koenig, born July 26, 1825, and died Oct. 10, 1853. To
this union were born four children, namely: Henry M., born Dec. 15,
1847, m. Emma E. Geiss; Benton K., born Sept. 25, 1849, m. Deborah
Epler; Edwin K.; Jacob K., born June 28, 1853, m. Lizzie Frieling.
The second wife of John M. Bright was Lydia Ann Grime, born May 6,
1833, and to this marriage there were also four children: Mary A.,
born Dec. 7, 1856, m. Charles F. Wagner; Clara, born Oct. 27, 1864,
m. Monroe Kershner; Georgie, born Feb. 13, 1867, m. Minerva Stiely;
and Emma, born Jan. 17, 1869.
Edwin K. Bright, father of Willis L., was born
in Penn township, Aug. 25, 1851. He attended the local public
schools and the Normal school at Kutztown, and learned the
butchering business at Bernville. In 1880 he removed to Reading,
where for five years he worked at his trade, then engaging in
business on his own account, a line which he has since followed.
Mr. Bright married Amelia Loose, daughter of Jonathan and Mary
(Schock) Loose, and they had two children: Willis L., and Herbert
L., who attended Lehigh University and is now a draughtsman in New
York City.
Willis L. Bright attended the schools of his
native township and as a young man began clerking for A. F. Schock,
later being put in charge of the store, which he purchased March 1,
1907. This is one of the leading business stands of Bernville, an
old and well established business, and the main building, located
on Main street, at the upper end of the town, is 30 x 100 feet in
dimensions. Mr. Bright has proved himself an excellent business
man, and the success which he has attained has been well-merited.
Mr. Bright married Dora A. Greenawalt, daughter
of A. S. Greenawalt, of Bernville, and they have a daughter, Helen
A. Mr. and Mrs. Bright are members of St. Thomas Reformed Church.
p. 1529
Surnames: BRIGLE, FOLTZ, BRUGLE, WEINHOLD, KEPLEY, FOREMAN,
HOSSLER, WENRICH, HOOVER
Benjamin Brigle, a well known citizen of Heidelberg township, Berks
county, who owns an excellent farm of fifty-five acres three miles
south of Robesonia, in the South Mountain, was born May 18, 1840,
in Heidelberg township, above, Robesonia, son of Adam and Sarah
(Foltz) Brigle.
Adam Brugle (as the name was spelled in German),
the grandfather of Benjamin, was a native of Germany, and came to
this country from Germany via Rotterdam on the ship "Commerce,"
landing at Philadelphia Oct. 9, 1803. Soon thereafter he located in
Heidelberg township, Berks county, above Robesonia, in the South
Mountain, and died well advanced in years, being buried in the
Corner Church, of which he was a Lutheran member. Mr. Brigle
married Barbara Weinhold, and to them were born these children:
Isaac, born Dec. 12, 1824, died unmarried March 23, 1882; Daniel;
Adam; George lived and died at Hokendauqua, Pa.; William died in
Lebanon, where he lived with his children; Ann died unmarried;
Ellen also died unmarried; Polly married Charles Kepley; Elizabeth
married Fred Foreman; Sarah married and remove to the West.
Adam Brigle, father of Benjamin, was born in
Heidelberg township, Berks county, Oct. 17, 1817, and died at
Womelsdorf Station, in May 1890. For a number of years he owned and
cultivated a tract in the South Mountain, consisting of fourteen
acres. After his wife's death he sold this land and removed to
Womelsdorf Station, where he lived until his death. He was a good
and useful citizen, and was buried in St. Daniel's (Corner) Church,
of which he was deacon, elder and trustee for several years. Mr.
Brigle married Sarah Foltz, born in Heidelberg township, June 13,
1817, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Hossler) Foltz. They were
married Aug. 12, 1838, by Rev. William Hendel, and had eleven
children as follows: Benjamin, born May 18, 1840; Amelia, born Jan.
27, 1842, died in May 1843; Amanda, born May 14, 1844; Isaac, born
Dec. 12, 1845; Barbara, born Oct. 20, 1847, lives at Robesonia;
Elinda E., born May 5, 1850, died in July 1855; Adam, born in April
1852, died in November 1854; Sarah, born July 20, 1853; Angelina,
born Oct. 26, 1855; Lemontina Louise, born July 3, 1858, married
James Wenrich, of Robesonia; and Hannah, born in July 1861, died in
September, 1864.
Benjamin Brigle attended the schools of his
district, and at the outbreak of the Civil war went to the front as
a private in his country's defense. Mr. Brigle is tall, erect and
of commanding appearance, and made a brave and faithful soldier.
After his return from the war, he worked in the Robesonia furnace
working there for a period of nineteen years. Later he purchased a
good farm of fifty-five acres, three miles south of Robesonia, in
the South Mountain, where he has resided to the present time. Mr.
Brigle has specialized to some extent in fruit growing, has brought
his property to a high state of cultivation, and through hard and
earnest effort has cleared it of all encumbrances. In politics he
is a Republican. He and his family are Lutheran members of the
Corner Church.
Mr. Brigle was married to Mary Hoover, daughter
of William Hoover, of Heidelberg township, and to this union there
have been born five children, all of whom are single: Fannie E.;
Adam; William E.; Mamie M.; and Isaac, who died in childhood.
p. 1163
Surnames: ASTRIGHT, BARR, BRINER, FLEER, FRILL, GIFT, HEIST, KOCH,
RUTH, SCULL, WERNER
Edward A. Briner, now in the employ of the Philadelphia &
Reading Railroad Company at Reading, Pa., was born April 4, 1853,
son of Henry and Sarah (Frill) Briner.
Peter Briner, the founder of the Briner family
in this country, was born in Germany, and came to America at an
early date, settling in Reading, Pa. He was a shoemaker by trade,
and he followed that occupation all of his active period. He and
his wife, whose name is not known, were the parents of five sons,
all of whom were shoemakers, and all born in Reading; Peter,
Samuel, and three whose names are not known.
Samuel Briner, grandfather of Edward A., carried
on the shoemaker's trade, operating a shop, and attended to the old
Penn Street Toll House, across from the Pennsylvania Depot. He
later removed to Chestnut Street, and there plied his trade until
his death, some time during the Civil War. He was a soldier in the
war of 1812, and was buried under the auspices of the veterans of
that war. In religious faith he was a Lutheran, and in political
principle a Democrat. Mr. Briner married Elizabeth Koch, a native
of Berks County, and they were the parents of eight children: Mary,
m. to Henry Astright; Barbara, m. to Marcus B. Scull; Esther, m. to
Daniel Werner; Emma, who died single; Daniel; Henry; Lewis and
Margaret, m. to Joseph Barr.
Henry Briner received his literary training in
the common schools of Reading, and learned the shoemaker's trade
with his father. This occupation he followed all of his life, his
death occurring in his forty-third year. He and his wife, Sarah
Frill, daughter of John Frill, were the parents of seven children,
as follows: Elizabeth m. Frank Fleer, had four children -Mary F.,
Otto, John A. and Minnie - and died in Philadelphia Feb. 13, 1907;
Charles; Samuel; George; John; Edward A., and one who died in
infancy. Of these, Edward A. is the only survivor. Mr. Henry Briner
was a member of the Universalist Church, and in politics was a
Democrat.
Edward A. Briner's education was secured in the
common schools of his native city, and at the age of seventeen
years he apprenticed himself to the tinsmith's trade with Daniel H.
Ruth, remaining in the employ of that gentleman for four years as a
journeyman. On July 3, 1873, he accepted a position with the
Philadelphia & Reading Company, and has been a
trusted219-employee of that company to the present time in the
tinsmith department. He has only been late once in all these years,
and that was on account of sickness.
Mr. Briner was married June 12, 1875 to Annie
Gift, daughter of Peter Gift, and to this union there have been
born two children: Sarah is deceased; and Claude, employed in the
sheet iron department of the Philadelphia & Reading Company, m.
Sallie Heist, and has one son, Edward.
Mr. Briner and his wife are members of the
Universalist Church. He is fraternally connected with Vigilance
Lodge No. 194, I. O. O. F.; Camp No. 89, P. O. S. of A.; the
Philadelphia and Reading Relief Association; the Veteran Employees
Association; Neversink Fire Company, No. 3; and the Veteran
Firemen's Association. In politics he is a Republican.
p. 1386
Surnames: BRINTZENHOFF, FRY, NEWCOMET
J. K. Brintzenhoff, secretary and treasurer of the Penn Cigar
Company, manufacturers of high grade cigars, at No. 1138 Franklin
street, Reading, was born in Washington Township, Berks County.
After attending the schools of Rockland
township, and the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, Mr.
Brintzenhoff in 1891 engaged in teaching at Womelsdorf for two
years, when he was appointed principal and held that position one
year. He then accepted the position of bookkeeper for the Relay
Manufacturing Company, when after a period he engaged in his
present business with Keyser Fry, at No. 838 Chestnut street. There
they engaged in the manufacture of cigars until they removed to No.
723 Franklin street. They purchased the Newcomet factory and the
business was combined with that of the cigar company, and in 1905
the Penn Cigar Co. was incorporated under the laws of the State of
Pennsylvania with Mr. Fry as president and Mr. Brintzenhoff as
secretary and treasurer, the latter also having the general
management of the business. The Penn Cigar Co. does a very heavy
business, and probably ships more cigars than any other firm in the
city by express. They manufacture a high grade of five and ten cent
cigars, among them the "Chief Rabban," "Wyoming Elk," "Lady Mar,"
"Ortho," and "American Securities," besides many private brands.
They employ an average of thirty hands the year round and the
business is steadily increasing in volume.
Mr. Brintzenhoff is a member of Lodge No. 549,
F. and A. M., Reading Chapter, R. A. M., No. 152, DeMolay
Commandery, K. T., No. 9, and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is
also a member of Mt. Penn Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of which he is
past chancellor commander. Mr. Brintzenhoff is politically
independent.
p. 1033
Surnames: BRISSEL, ENGLEMAN, WENTZEL, KILPATRICK, HEFFELFINGER,
LUDWIG, MILES, MILLER, ALLEN, SCOTT, TILDEN, GREINER, MARTIN
Charles F. Brissel, one of Reading's well know residents, who has
been school controller of the Tenth ward for the past ten years,
was born July 12, 1856, in Reading, son of John and Catherine
(Egleman) Brissel.
John Brissel was born in Jun 1817, in Hessen,
Germany, and was a boiler maker during all of his active life, he
retiring ten years prior to his death, Aug. 12, 1888. He emigrated
to American about 1840, and two years thereafter was married to
Catherine Egelman, daughter of Charles F. Egleman, eight children
being born to this union: Emma A. m. Alfred Wentzel, a printer of
Philadelphia; Mary m. James Kilpatrick, a machinist of Reading;
Charles F.; Kate died single in 1901, aged forty-three years;
Minnie m. Harry Heffelfinger, a moulder of Reading; John E. m.
Clara Ludwig; and is a machinist of Reading; Frederick died in
infancy; and Charlotte m. Charles Miles, a machinist of Reading.
Charles F. Brissel attended the local schools,
and when seventeen years of age learned the machinist's trade with
Miller & Allen (at the Scott foundry), in whose employ he
continued for eight years. He then worked as a journeyman in the
socket department of the Reading Iron Works for six years, and
since 1901 has been working at his trade for the Birdsboro Steel,
Foundry & Machine Company. In political matters Mr. Brissel has
always been a staunch Democrat, casting his first Presidential vote
for Samuel J. Tilden (in the Ninth ward), and in the spring
election of 1808 was elected school controller of the Tenth ward, a
position he has efficiently held to the present time, his present
term brining his service to twelve years. He has been a resident of
the ward since 1885, having prior to that time been a resident of
the Second. He is a member of the Heptasophs, Berks Conclave No.
133, of Reading; and the Veteran Firemen's Association, of which he
was president for two years. Mr. Brissel and his family are members
of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Reading, of which he
was one of the organizers, deacon for several years and member of
the first vestry.
On July 7, 1877, Mr. Brissel married Caroline S.
Greiner, born Jan. 26, 1856, daughter of Matthias and Louisa
(Martin) Greiner, and to this union there were born four sons,
three of whom died in infancy, the survivor, John Matthias, born
June 19, 1883, being at present a clerk in the city assessor's
office, Reading. He is a member of Chandler Lodge, No. 227, F.
& A. M; a charter member of Reading Lodge of Perfection; Camp
No. 89, P. O. S. of A.; and Aerie No. 66, F. O. E., all of Reading.
p. 506
Surnames: BRITTON, BORKERT, BRINER MISHLER, LEWIS, RUTH, WHITNER
John A. Britton, a substantial citizen of Reading Pa., as a member
of the well-known dry-goods firm of C. K. Whitner & Co. is
prominently identified with the business interests of the city. He
was born in Reading in 1853, son of John A. and Leah (Borkert)
Britton.
John A. Britton was educated in the public
schools of Reading, and at the age of fourteen years started in to
work as an errand boy for Lewis Briner, at the corner of Penn and
Third streets. After four years with Mr. Briner, he entered the
employ of John D. Mishler, proprietor of the original Globe Store,
and here learned the business in all of its details, finally
resigning to become salesman for Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart, at
the time that firm occupied the quarters now held by C. K. Whitner
& Co. Later he engaged in a mercantile business for one year
with John E. Lewis, at Lebanon, Pa., but disposing of his interests
he returned to Reading and engaged with C. K. Whitner as salesman,
later becoming manager, and in 1898 he was admitted a member of the
firm.
In 1891 Mr. Britton married Sally A. Ruth, and
to them have been born two children, namely, Calvin A. and Ruth A.
By a former marriage Mr. Britton had one son, Harry A. Mr. Britton
is fraternally connected with several societies, in which he is
very popular. He is a member of the St. Paul's Reformed Church. His
business interests connect him with the Board of Trade and also the
Merchants Association.
p. 453
Surnames: BROBST, MILLER, PROBST, BROBTS, FETHEROLFF, HILL, SNYDER,
GORTNER, STINE, STAUMBOG, KISTLER, KREIDER, KURR, MILLER, BOSSLER,
BUCH, SCHOENER, DANA, ZACHARIAS, FILBERT, GROFF, LENHART, STUMP,
PHILLIPS
Dr. Edward Brobst, of West Leesport, died Dec. 31, 1907, aged
seventy-four years, three months and sixteen days. He was one of
the best known physicians in the county, and one of the last of
that noble class of men known as "family doctors" - a firm friend
and counselor of every member of the family, sometimes through two
or three generations, in health as well as in sickness. He was born
at Rehrersburg Sept. 15, 1833, son of Valentine and Mary (Miller)
Brobst, and a descendant of Philip Brobst and wife Cerine, who came
to this country from Germany or Switzerland in search of home and
fortune.
Philip Brobst and his wife Cerine made their
home in Albany township, Berks county. His will, made in 1747, and
probated March 21, 1760, made provision for his children as
follows: Michael, one hundred acres of land and a good grist mill
belonging thereto; Martin, a tract of fifty acres and a good new
grist mill; Valentine, his just portion of the estate; Eva
Catharine, fifty pounds in money; and Dorothy (wife of Johannes
Fetherolff), fifty pounds in money.
From the Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. XVII, pp.
75-77-81, is learned that one Hans Michael Brobst (or Probst) and
his family emigrated from Switzerland or Germany on the ship
"Samuel," which qualified at Philadelphia Aug. 17, 1733. This
family was listed as follows: Michael Bropts, aged fifty-four;
Johan Michael, aged twenty-one; Barbara Brospts, aged fifty-three;
and Barbara Brospts, aged eight.
In 1759, in Albany township, Michael Brobst was
tax collector, and on the list of taxes paid were: Michael Brobst,
fourteen pounds (or $37.24); Martin Brobst, fourteen pounds (or
$37.24); and Valentine Brobst, sixteen pounds (or $42.56). These
amounts were reckoned by allowing $2.66 United States money for a
Pennsylvania pound.
The will of Martin Brobst, of Albany township,
was probated June 9, 1766, and Anna Elizabeth Brobst was named as
executrix. This document is in German script, and mentions several
children.
Valentine Brobst, mentioned above as son of
Philip and Cerine, emigrated with his brothers from the Old World.
He lived in Reading for some years, and tradition says for a time
in Albany township, where his brothers, Michael and Martin, were
also large land owners, as indicated by the amount of taxes paid.
The Christian name of Valentine's wife was Catharine. He died prior
to 1775, and his wife in 1775. The executors of the will of
Valentine Brobst were Frederick Hill, a brother-in-law, and Henry
Brobst, a brother's son. Among the items were: Cath. Snyder, my
aforesaid wife's sister's daughter, shall have fifty pounds; Jacob
Brobst shall have the plantation I bought from Jacob Gortner (Jacob
was a son of Michael, the latter a brother of Valentine); Catharine
Stine (daughter of Martin, another brother of Valentine) shall have
fifty pounds; my sister Dorothy married to Johannes Fetherolff
shall have fifty pounds." The witnesses to the will were: Philip
Staumbog, Georg Kistler and Matthias Brobst. The will of Catharine,
widow of Valentine Brobst, is on record in Will Book 2, p. 236.
Christian Brobst, another son of Valentine,
lived at Rehrersburg, where he kept a tavern known to this day as
the "Brobst Hotel." He died there at the age of forty-one, and was
succeeded in business by his son Valentine, then unmarried. He was
buried in the old Lutheran Church yard at Rehrersburg. His wife,
whose maiden name was Kreider, bore him children as follows:
Valentine; Michael, who had a son Henry born in 1821 (and his son
Frank, born in 1847, was high sheriff of Berks county 1899-1901);
Henry; William; and a daughter who married a Kurr.
Valentine Brobst, son of Christian, was born in
Albany township, and after acquiring a good education in a private
school, learned the hatter's trade, which he followed in
Rehrersburg. At his father's death he succeeded to the hotel, as
stated above. His death occurred in the spring of 1897, when he was
in his eighty-ninth year, and he was laid to rest in the cemetery
at Rehrersburg. He married Mary Miller, and they became the parents
of children as follows: Dr. Edward; John A., a physician of
Bernville; Sarah, deceased, who married John Bossler, of Myerstown;
Mary, who married Frank Buch, of Lititz; and James C., a physician
at Lititz.
Dr. Edward Brobst received his literary training
in the day schools, which he attended until he was twelve years of
age, and in the Academy at Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county, which he
attended for four years. Determining to enter the medical
profession he became a student in the office of Dr. Adam Schoener,
of Rehrersburg, long since deceased, and under that sturdy
physician of the old school acquired not only a good foundation for
his medical studies but also a conception of the dignity and
obligations of the profession he was about to enter. He was
graduated from the Medical Department of the University of
Pennsylvania in 1853, and in the spring of 1854 began the active
practice of his profession at Danville, Luzerne county. There he
remained, however, only until 1865, when on account of the
continued urging of friends, he settled at West Leesport, where he
quickly attained a high standing. In his younger days, many of his
visits were made on horseback. The roads were never in too bad a
condition, nor the weather too severe, for him to venture out to
relieve suffering or distress, and the demands made upon his time
and strength would have long before worn out a less robust man. He
was always keenly alive to the advance of medical science, and
spent much time in study, and his reputation spread throughout the
neighboring counties, he being often called in consultation to
distant places. His regular practice covered territory within a
radius of seven miles from West Leesport. In 1863 he enlisted as
surgeon in the United States Army, but contracted typhoid fever
while at Hagerstown, Md., and was given sick leave. In December,
1864, he enlisted as surgeon, being assigned to the 143d Pa. V.I.,
under Colonel Dana, and continued in service until the close of the
war, when he was mustered out at Hart Island, in June, 1865. He was
pension examiner during the administration of President Harrison.
In spite of the cares of his large practice Dr.
Brobst did not neglect his duty as a citizen. He was greatly
interested in all public questions, especially those pertaining to
his home town and county. He was in favor of the incorporation of
West Leesport. For some years he served in the office of auditor.
His home was built in 1866, and from that time until his death he
delighted in welcoming his friends there. He was a tall, well-built
man with a kindly benevolent face, ever winning affection from the
many with whom he was brought into such close contact. On Saturday,
Dec. 21st, he was stricken with apoplexy, and while his great
vitality enabled him to rally from the first shock, others
followed, and his spirit winged its flight but a few hours before
the passing of the old year. He was buried at Trinity Union Church.
Like all the Brobsts, as well as the members of his own immediate
family, he was a Lutheran in religious faith.
Dr. Brobst was twice married. In 1854, he
married Louisa, daughter of George Zacharias, of Bern township, who
bore him two children: Henrietta, wife of George Filbert; and John,
who died aged one year. In 1866, he married Sarah Groff, daughter
of Samuel Groff, of Groffdale, Lancaster county. To this union came
one daughter, Carrie, now the wife of Henry G. Lenhart, member of
the firm of S.H. Lenhart & Sons, merchants of West Leesport.
Dr. Brobst was a life long member of Leesport Lodge, No. 141,
I.O.O.F.; Huguenot Lodge, No. 377, F. & A.M., of Kutztown. He
also was a consistent member of the Berks county Medical Society
from the date of its organization.
Dr. Francis H. Brobst, of Reading, is a son of
Willoughby and a grandson of Daniel Brobst. Daniel Brobst was a
grandson of Michael or Martin Brobst, of Albany township.
"Brobst heirs Association" is the name of an
organization founded by the descendants for the original settlers
for mutual aid in securing possession of certain coal lands
originally belonging to the family. At the meeting of the board of
directors Dec. 18, 1907, held at the home of theTreasurer, Charles
H. Brobst, No. 1128 Franklin street, Reading, Rev. Howard B. Jones
presiding, steps were taken to have the case reopened. Among those
present were: Dr. James C. Brobst, Lititz; Dr. John A. Brobst,
Bernville; Henry Stump, Friedensburg; John K. Stump, Kutztown;
Harry A. Brobst, Reading; and Charles H. Brobst, Reading. Mrs.
Elmira A. Phillips, of Pottsville, a member of the Board, was
unable to be there.
p. 1319
Surnames: BROBST, KUTZ, HECHLER, FETTEROFF, MUHLENBERG, ALBRIGHT,
LEAVY, RUPPERT, STUMP, INGHMAN, REITMEYER, JOHNSTON, CHRISTIAN,
GRANT, KREIDER, KURR, FISTER, MILLER, BASSLER, BUCH, BEYERLE,
GERHART, HARRISON, GRENWILL
Dr. John A. Brobst, late of Bernville, one of the oldest practicing
physicians of Berks county, was born in that town, Oct. 26, 1835,
and died Oct. 18, 1908. He was a representative of one of the
oldest families in Berks county, a family that has borne an
honorable record for upright living and sturdy independent
citizenship.
The early home of the family was in Wurtemberg
(some accounts say Lower Saxony), Germany. whence, in 1720, came
(I) Philip Brobst to America. He settled in what is now Albany
township, Berks county, Pa., and there followed his trade of potter
in connection with farming, the latter of necessity engrossing most
of his time. He was the father of three sons: Martin, Michael and
Valentine and three daughters, who married, respectively, N. Kutz,
C. Hechler and J. Fetteroff. Michael and Martin each built for
himself a mill in the same neighborhood. They were all devout
believers in the Lutheran faith.
"In 1740 Parson Muhlenberg gave them a small
tract of land on which the three brothers, with the assistance of
some new settlers, built a church and school-house which is
occupied from that day to this for the worship of God, by the name
of 'Allimingle Church.'" Michael Brobst's wife was Elizabeth
Albright.
(II) Valentine Brobst, son of Philip, remained at the old home, and
like his brothers, engaged in farming and milling. Among his
children were Valentine (2) and Martin, of whom the latter moved to
Catawissa, Pa.
(III) Valentine Brobst (2), son of Valentine, was born in Albany
township. For several years he was engaged in farming, and then
went to Reading, where he became proprietor of a hotel. He was one
of the largest land owners in the county, and possessed valuable
coal land in Schuylkill and Northumberland counties, where many of
the family still reside. He died in Reading, and was buried in the
cemetery of Trinity Lutheran Church, of which church he was a
member. The maiden name of his wife was Leavy. Their children were:
Christian; Elizabeth (Ruppert); Mary (Stump); Catharine (Inghman);
Margaret (Reitmeyer); Diana (Johnston); Sophia (Christian); and
Magdalena (Grant).
(IV) Christian Brobst , only son of Valentine (2), was born Nov.
29, 1787, in Albany township, where he engaged in farming until
1814 when he went to Rehrersburg to enter the hotel business,
becoming the proprietor of the "Brobst House." He died Dec. 14,
1828, and is buried in the Lutheran church yard at Rehrersburg. His
wife, whose maiden name was Kreider, bore him children as follows:
Valentine. Michael, Henry, William, John and Eliza (who married
Jacob Kurr, of Millersburg), all now deceased.
(V) Valentine Brobst , son of Christian, was born Jan. 31, 1809,
and was given superior educational advantages, completing his
studies in the Reading Academy, a leading school in eastern
Pennsylvania, located at Seventh and Chestnut streets. It was while
attending this school that he saw the first stage coach ever run
between Philadelphia and Reading in one day. He was also in Reading
when the first canal was built. In 1826 he went to Hamburg, and
there served an apprenticeship at the hat maker's trade under Henry
Fister, the leading hat manufacturer in Pennsylvania. Returning at
the end of his term of service to Rehrersburg, he engaged in the
manufacture of hats on his own account, employing a number of
hands. He turned out the finest grade of fur, silk and finished fur
hats, the material being conveyed by team from Philadelphia. Mr.
Brobst managed the factory, and acted as his own salesman, selling
extensively in Northumberland, Columbia, Schuylkill and Carbon
counties, and he continued in this business for thirty-five years.
In 1831 he took charge of the "Brobst House," and carried it on for
twenty-five years. He was also postmaster twelve years, and justice
of the peace twenty-five years - at one and the same time being
hatter, traveling salesman, landlord, postmaster and justice of the
peace. In politics he was a Democrat, and he cast his first vote
for General Jackson. In 1832 he married Mary Miller, daughter of
Peter Miller, of Hamburg, and she died June 9, 1895, after
sixty-three years of happy wedded life. Their children were: Dr.
Edward, of West Leesport, who died in 1908; Dr. John A. (deceased);
Dr. James C., of Lititz; Sarah, who married Capt. John Bassler, of
Myerstown, and died in California; and Mary, wife of J. Frank Buch,
publisher of Lititz.
(VI) Dr. John A. Brobst, (deceased), son of Valentine, attended the
old pay schools and then spent four years in Gettysburg College,
afterward entering Pennsylvania College at Philadelphia. He
graduated from the latter institution in 1857, and at once located
in Bernville for the practice of his profession. This marked the
beginning of a successful career, and the Doctor's long life of
usefulness to his fellowman endeared him to the people. No night
was too dark, too cold or too stormy for him to respond to a call,
and rich or poor, the patient found him the same helpful physician
and kindly cheery friend.
Dr. Brobst took a great interest in medical
societies, belonging to the Berks County Medical Society and the
Pennsylvania State Medical Society.
Dr. Brobst married Sabilla Beyerle, daughter of
Dr. George and Anna Maria (Gerhart) Beyerle. To this union were
born children as follows: Laura, who married John N. Harrison, a
merchant at Sunbury, and has children - Edward, Raymond, Russell,
Robert and Laura; Mary and Jennie, at home; and Dr. William B., of
the State of Washington, who married Victoria Grenwill, and has
three children - Russell, Robert and Edward.
p. 482
Surnames: BRODEN, BAER
Albert Broden, superintendent of blast furnaces of the Reading Iron
Company, and one of Reading's prominent and influential citizens,
was born in Sweden April 22, 1851, and was educated at Skara
College, in his native country.
Mr. Broden came to America in 1873, and located
in Reading, where he has ever since been connected with railroad
and iron work, with the exception of one year spent in the United
States of Colombia, building blast furnaces. He also spent six
months at Ogden, Utah, for Richmond L. Jones, making an
experimental blast to determine the value of iron ores in the Rocky
Mountains. Since 1887 he has been connected with the Hon. George F.
Baer, in the iron interests, and since that time he has been
superintendent of the Reading Iron Company's furnaces, and is also
manager of the Temple Iron Company's furnaces.
Mr. Broden is a member of the Wyomissing and
Berkshire Clubs. He is connected with St. Matthew's Lutheran
Church. In politics he is a Republican.
Mr. Broden through the storm and stress of
American business life, for the past eighteen years, has been a
notable example of the success of well-directed energy. Cool,
careful, thorough, he has mastered details and brought about
results which could only have been completed by one well equipped
by Nature, and molded by experience.
p. 338
Surnames: BROOKE, CLYMER, LEE
Edward Brooke was until his death the senior partner of the firm of
E. & G. Brooke, mentioned at length in the sketch of George
Brooke. He was born Feb. 28, 1816, at Birdsboro, son of Matthew
Brooke, and like other members of his family was all his life
identified with the advancement of its best interests.
Highly educated, his scientific attainments
played a large part in the success of the various enterprises with
which he was connected, and his ability and ambition rounded out a
nature unusually complete in intellectual force and practical
knowledge. Industry, perseverance and faith in his ventures made
his energetic course one of remarkable success. His progressive
mind and farseeing judgment enabled him to enter confidently into
many fields where men of less strength would have hesitated to
venture, yet his prudence in management and care in looking after
details kept his undertakings always within conservative bounds and
made him trusted among all his business associates.
Incidental to his own interests, and beyond them,
Mr. Brooke was always active in promoting the welfare of his home
town, and many of the most efficient measures for its prosperity in
his day were originated or supported by him. The Wilmington &
Reading railroad, which passes through Birdsboro, was constructed
through his efforts, and he was the first president of that road.
He was one of the original projectors of the First National Bank of
Reading, and served as a director until his death. By nature kindly
and genial, honorable and upright in all his dealings, he was a man
not only respected but beloved by all with whom he came in contact.
His death, at Birdsboro, Dec. 25, 1878, was the occasion for
general mourning throughout the community in which his entire life
had been spent.
Mr. Brooke married Annie M. Clymer, daughter of
Daniel R. Clymer, of Reading, and four children survived him: Annie
Clymer (who married Blair Lee, of Washington, D. C., and died in
1903), Robert Edward, George Clymer and Frederick Hiester.
p. 336
Surnames: BROOKE, BUCKLEY, BIRD, BARDE, FARMAR, CLYMER, IRWIN,
BALDWIN, MUHLENBERG, GRISCOM, HARRISON, LEAF
George Brooke bears a name so intimately connected
with the development of Birdsboro that a history of the recent
generations of the Brooke family would be a nearly complete history
of that borough. And no account of that borough, in the last
hundred and more years, could be written without frequent reference
to the achievements and efforts of the Brookes in every phase of
its evolution from a settlement of a few houses to one of the
finest boroughs in Berks county. The Brookes have ever been noted
for intelligence and general excellence of character, proved in the
wise administration of large interests, whose prosperity has had a
direct bearing upon the public moral and material welfare as well
as upon their own fortunes. They have also been noted for their
unselfish public spirit, their means and influence having always
been given liberally to the promotion of all projects tending
toward progress, enlightenment and the general improvement of the
conditions affecting the daily life, comfort and happiness of the
mass of humanity. To the brothers, Edward and George Brooke,
especially, is the borough indebted for many of its best
advantages.
The Brookes are of English descent, the founders
of the family in this country having come hither from Yorkshire,
England, in 1698. John and Frances Brooke, with their two sons,
James and Matthew, arrived in the Delaware river that year, but
because of a contagious disease aboard their vessel the passengers
were not allowed to come to Philadelphia, disembarking lower down
the river. The parents died there soon afterward, and were buried
in the graveyard at Haddonfield, N. J, They belonged to the Society
of Friends, and before leaving England John Brooke had purchased of
William Penn 2,500 acres of land, to be taken up anywhere where
vacant land might be found between the Delaware and Susquehanna
rivers. Accordingly the sons James and Matthew took up the land in
what is now Limerick township, Montgomery county, Pa., where they
settled.
Matthew Brooke, grandson of the Matthew who came
over with his father in 1698, was the third in direct line to bear
the name. He was the father of Edward and George Brooke, and was
reared near Limerick. In 1796 he purchased a farm at Birdsboro,
Berks county, and in 1800, in partnership with his brother, Thomas
Brooke, and their brother-in-law, Daniel Buckley, purchased the
Hopewell Furnace. From that time to the present the family has been
prominently identified with the locality. Matthew Brooke occupied
the old mansion house built by William Bird, the original
proprietor of this property, in 1751, a beautifully located
residence facing the Schuylkill river, to whose banks the lawn
stretched. On the side of the estate which lay along the shores of
Hay creek, just where it emptied into the Schuylkill, was a grove
of beautiful old trees, which one of the Birds fenced in and used
as a deer park. When the canal was built in front of the house the
place was no longer desirable for residential purposes, and the
family moved to a house down near the lower forge, which was torn
down in 1879 to make room for the enlargement of the rolling-mill.
Matthew Brooke continued to operate the iron industries
successfully until his death, in advanced age. He had led an active
life in many ways, having served the Colonial forces during the
Revolution when a mere boy, and while in the army was captured and
held prisoner, but finally exchanged. His business energies, while
devoted chiefly to the iron works, were not confined to any one
channel, and he was one of the first stockholders of the Farmers
National Bank of Reading, one of the most important financial
institutions of that city at the present day. He was an
Episcopalian in religious connection. He married Elizabeth Barde,
like himself a native of Pennsylvania, daughter of Captain John
Louis Barde, who came to Birdsboro in 1788, and for several years
ran the old forges under a lease, in 1796 purchasing them with two
thousand acres of land from James Wilson (a son-in-law of Mark
Bird), one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. This
land formed a part of the original Bird properties of Birdsboro,
and Captain Barde lived on it until his death in 1799. Captain
Barde had an interesting career. Born in Geneva, Switzerland, be
was educated in the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, England,
entered the English army, and accompanied the expedition to America
to operate against the Spaniards in their attack on Pensacola in
about 1779. He married the daughter of Maj. Robert Farmar, the
English governor of West Florida, came north in 1782, and selling
his commission, became a citizen of the United States. His property
came into the hand of his son-in-law, Matthew Brooke. Matthew and
Elizabeth (Barde) Brooke had a family of five children, two
daughters dying young. The others were: Elizabeth, who became the
wife of the Hon. Hiester Clymer of Reading; Edward, deceased; and
George.
George Brooke was born July 26, 1818, at
Birdsboro and has passed all his life in that place. He also has a
residence in Philadelphia, where he sometimes passes a few winter
months. He was educated in the schools of Reading, Lititz and West
Chester, Pa., and afterward attended at Burlington, N. J.,
finishing his education at a private school in Philadelphia. He
ranked well in English, Latin and French but showed a marked
proficiency in mathematics, drawing, mineralogy and mechanics. The
close of his school days marked his return to Birdsboro, and he at
once plunged into the iron business, learning every detail of the
immense concern ruled over by his father. On April 1, 1837, he and
his brother Edward succeeded to their father's interests in the
iron industry at that point, the works at that time comprising two
forges --one the "refinery," where the pig-iron was converted into
"anchovies" (blooms hammered down into a bar at one end for
convenience in handling), and the "chafery," where they were heated
and hammered into various kinds of bar-iron. At that time the
entire out put amounted to only two hundred tons annually. Under
the firm name of E. & G. Brooke, the brothers developed the
property, continuing to do business together until the death of
Edward Brooke, Dec. 25, 1878. They built the Edward Brooke
residence and a large flour mill, the latter begun in 1844 and
completed in 1845. In the fall of 1844, while it was in course of
construction, a Henry Clay meeting was held in the mill, there
being no hall here at the time large enough for the purpose. In
1879 and again in 1882 the mill was remodeled, being supplied with
modern machinery and steam-power, and meantime had been greatly
enlarged, the present structure being the third to occupy the site.
Following the erection of the mill the brothers extended the iron
business, in 1846 putting up a charcoal furnace on the site of the
old Hampton forge, in order to use their wood in the manufacture of
pig-iron instead of operating the forges. In 1848 they commenced to
build the rolling-mill and nail factory, which were completed and
put in operation the following year. In 1852, No. 1 Anthracite
Furnace was built, and two more furnaces were erected in 1870 and
1873, respectively, the capacity of the plant being increased
steadily until the annual product now amounts to more than one
hundred thousand tons of pig-iron and two hundred and fifty
thousand kegs of nails, besides muck-bar and skelp iron. In the
latter eighties a steel plant was erected at No. 2 Blast Furnace,
to convert the molten iron directly into steel for the manufacture
of nails. A new train of rolls was also put into the rolling-mill,
as well as other devices for the working of steel.
In alliance with their furnaces the firm of E.
& G. Brooke acquired a half interest in the French Creek,
Warwick and Jones mines, which lie between ten and fifteen miles
south of Birdsboro, and whence the greater part of the raw product
comes, the Wilmington & Northern road connecting the two
properties. In 1864 E. & G. Brooke, associated with Seyfert,
McManus & Co. and Samuel E. Griscom, opened the William Penn
Colliery, near Shenandoah, in Schuylkill county, E. & G. Brooke
subsequently becoming sole owners of the colliery, which was and
still is one of the best mines in the coal region. In 1887 they
sold the colliery to interests identified with the Pennsylvania
Railroad. These iron works and mines form one of the most valuable
industrial factors in this section of Pennsylvania, affording
profitable employment to thousands of hands. Many of the houses
occupied by the employees are owned by them, and about two hundred
and fifty houses occupied by the men are owned by the company.
After the death of Edward Brooke the concern was organized into two
companies, the E. & G. Brooke Iron Company and the E. & G.
Brooke Land Company, none of the property, however, changing hands.
George Brooke became president of both companies, with George W.
Harrison as treasurer and Richard T. Leaf as secretary.
Mr. Brooke has been identified with numerous
other interests in Berks county and also in other localities, his
business affairs covering a wide range, and he has likewise found
time for active participation in the public and social life of his
section. He and his brother were among the original projectors of
the First National Bank of Reading, of which he has been president
these many years; he was one of the founders of the Pennsylvania
Trust Company, another substantial financial institution of
Reading, of which he is president; is a director of the Wilmington
& Northern Railway Company and the Schuylkill Navigation
Company, treasurer of the Keystone Coal Company of West Virginia,
and president of the Birdsboro Steel Foundry & Machine Company.
The last named company in 1885, then known as the Diamond Drill and
Machine Company, was moved to Birdsboro from Pottsville, being
located in the old plant of the Birdsboro Iron Foundry Company,
whose buildings were sold to E. & G. Brooke in 1871, standing
idle from that time until their occupation by the present company.
From a small concern whose business was the manufacture of diamond
drills it has grown to its present size. It is now one of the
largest machine shops in eastern Pennsylvania, comprising machine
shops and iron and steel foundries. The steel foundry was added in
1903 and is one of the largest and most modern of steel casting
plants. All manner of steel casting, for both private and
government work, is turned out. The company manufactures all kinds
of machinery, taking contracts for the building of rolling-mills of
the largest sizes, besides building a number of special machines.
They also still make the celebrated diamond drills, which are sold
in all parts of the world. When these works are running full they
employ about eight hundred men.
Mr. Brooke also was the originator of the
borough water supply. Through the E. & G. Brooke Iron Company
large reservoirs were built about two miles south of the town up in
the hills and an abundant water supply of the purest kind was
obtained from the mountain streams and brought to the borough in
two large water mains. For the better conducting of its business
this water department of the Iron Company was in 1900 turned into a
separate company, known as the Birdsboro Water Company. The town of
Birdsboro is surely most fortunate in having such a pure and
abundant supply of water. The pressure is so great that a stream of
water can be thrown over the tallest buildings.
Thus it will be seen that Mr. Brooke's
interests, though covering so wide a range, are all more or less
closely allied, his connection and familiarity with the various
side industries concerned in the successful operation of his main
business facilitating its conduct greatly.
In 1837 the Brookes opened a store in the old
mansion, soon afterward removing to a regular store-room which they
erected at the canal lock, and in 1875 they erected a fine store
property, which was burned out when nearly ready for business. It
was immediately rebuilt, and not only affords spacious store room
but also contains the large auditorium known as Brooke Hall,
located in the third story of the building. George Brooke was also
one of the founders of the First National Bank of Birdsboro, of
which he served as president for a time, being succeeded by his son
Edward. Mr. Brooke is a member of the Manufacturers Club, and also
of the Union League, the Sons of the Revolution and the Society of
Colonial Wars. He is also affiliated with the Masonic fraternity.
When the borough of Birdsboro was incorporated
Edward Brooke was elected burgess, and George Brooke has served
repeatedly in the town council, of which he was president for many
years. He has also given efficient service on the borough school
board, taking especial interest in the question of public
education, and in this connection may also be mentioned his
services on the board of directors of the library opened and
conducted under the auspices of St. Michael's Episcopal Church. He
was influential in the establishment of that church, which grew out
of a mission established at Birdsboro by St. Gabriel's Church,
Douglassville, and was one of its first vestrymen, still serving as
such. In politics he is an ardent Republican.
Mr. Brooke is a courteous, affable gentleman, a
type of the highest American citizenship, active and useful in
every enterprise with which he has been connected, and serving his
fellow-men while forwarding his own interests. He has traveled
extensively in Europe, and has visited every State in the Union. He
has always been fond of outdoor life, and in his early days was
proficient in all kinds of sport. Though over ninety years of age
he "virtually oversees all of his vast business interests, finds
time to assist in the advising of other operations and maintains
complete control of the details incident to the management of his
large private fortune."
In 1862 Mr. Brooke married Mary Baldwin Irwin,
daughter of John H. Irwin, and granddaughter of Capt. Stephen
Baldwin, a ship owner and merchant of Philadelphia. Mrs. Brooke's
father was a grandson of Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, first
Speaker of the House of Representatives. Two sons were born to Mr.
and Mrs. Brooke, Edward and George. The family are all identified
with the Episcopal Church. They occupy one of the most magnificent
homes in this beautiful section of Berks county, Mr. Brooke having
erected suitable residences for himself and the members of his
family at a spot overlooking Birdsboro and the surrounding country,
which has been beautified as well as developed principally through
his enterprise and that of other members of the Brooke family. Mr.
Brooke's ninety years "have been filled with varying experiences,
but withal have been favored with a due measure of sunshine, the
brightest ray of which to him must be the reverence and affection
of his townspeople, which is almost filial."