Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery
p. 1671
Surnames: GULDIN, HARTMAN, JACK, RHOADS, DAVIDHEISER, GEIGER,
BERTOLET, LODER, YEAGER, BRUMBACH, STOTT, HAINS, YOST.
Charles R. Guldin, merchant at Philadelphia, was born at yellow
House, in Berks county, on Nov. 9, 1869, and received his education
in the local schools and at Franklin and Marshall College. In 1887
he went to Wilmington, Del., and engaged in the ship chandlery
business for three years, when he located at Reading, Pa., as a
partner in the firm of A. S. Hartman & Co., for the manufacture
of cigars, and he continued with this firm for five years. He then
traveled in the Western States for a year.
Upon his return to Reading, he embarked in the
local express business and in five years succeeded in establishing
a popular line, having several teams, which reached all parts of
the city. An opportunity having been afforded to engage in the
produce and meat business, he sold the express line and removed to
Philadelphia, where he has been operating four stores in a
successful manner until the present time.
Mr. Guldin married Odella Bertolet Jack,
daughter of Dr. John A. Jack, of Friedensburg, in Oley township and
by her he has two children: Carroll Jack and Hannah Josephine.
His father was John Frederick Guldin, brought up
on a farm, who taught public school for several terms, and was
associated with his father in the mule business for many years. He
died in 1872, aged forty-seven years. He was married to Hannah
Rhoads (daughter of Abraham Rhoads of Oley), by whom he had eight
children: Samuel (m. Anna Davidheiser); Ella; Emily (m. J. F. D.
Geiger); Catharine (m. Nelson Bertolet, and after his decease, Dr.
A. Grant Loder); John (m. Susan Rhoads); Charles Rhoads; and two
died in infancy. His wife died in 1872, aged forty years.
His grandfather was Samuel Guldin, of Oley,
engaged in the cattle and mule business for many years near the
Yellow House, more especially during the Civil war, when he
supplied the U. S. Government with thousands of mules for army
purposes, which gave him great prominence and influence. He died in
1872. He married Elizabeth Yeager, by whom he had five children:
Simon Peter; John Frederick (above); Elam Yeager; Mary Ann; and
Sophia Henrietta. He was a lineal descendant of Rev. Samuel K.
Guldin, who emigrated to Pennsylvania from Switzerland in 1710, and
served with great distinction as a minister of the Reformed
denomination in the Schuylkill Valley for over thirty years until
he died, in 1745, at the age of eighty-one years.
Mrs. Guldin's father was Dr. John Andrew Jack, a
practicing physician and surgeon for twenty-five years. He was born
in Montgomery county, near Pottstown, in 1837; attended Hill School
and the University of Pennsylvania, graduating from the medical
department of the latter in 1862. He served in the Civil war as a
surgeon, and upon being mustered out of service, located at
Boyertown, where he practiced his profession for several years and
then removed to Friedensburg where he continued in active and
successful practice until he died, in 1887. He married Emma
Josephine Bertolet (daughter of Levi J., and lineal descendant of
Jean, the emigrant, in 1726), by whom he had five children: Edwina
B. (m. William D. Brumbach); Odella B. (above); Henrietta B. (m.
Henry G. Stott); Sarah B.; and Carroll B. (m. Elizabeth Hains). Dr.
Jack's father was Thomas Jefferson Jack, of Montgomery county, who
married Sarah Yost, and the Doctor was their only child.
p. 692
Surnames: GULDIN, ESHBACH, GRIM, BROWN, MILLER, BRUMBACH, LEINBACH.
RUNYEON, STROHECKER, PRINTZ, BUTZ
Cyrus Q. Guldin, one of the leading business men of Reading, Pa.,
who is president of the Reading Cold Storage & Ice Company, was
born in Colebrookdale township, Berks county, May 25, 1860, son of
Horace N. and Elizabeth M. (Eshbach) Guldin, and grandson of John
and Maria (Grim) Guldin.
John Guldin, also a native of Berks county, was
a farmer and ran a saw mill in his native locality. He was a member
of no church, although he favored the Reformed denomination, and
was a good Christian and excellent neighbor. He and his wife had
these children: Edward, Henry, James, Cyrus, Mary and Horace N.
Horace N. Guldin was educated in the schools of
Boyertown, and in early life engaged in school teaching, later,
however, becoming an agriculturist. He is now living retired at New
Berlinville, where he has many friends. His wife, Elizabeth M.
Eshbach, who died in 1898, aged sixty-two years, bore him these
children: James; Cyrus Q.; Delilah (m. Reuben Brown); and Laura (m.
Levi Miller).
Cyrus Q. Gulden was educated in the schools of
his native township and also in Montgomery county. In 1891, with A.
J. Brumbach, J. G. Leinbach, George O. Runyeon, J. A. Strohecker
and John H. Printz, deceased, he formed the Reading Cold Storage
Company, and was elected president thereof, a position which he has
held continuously to the present time. The plant was consolidated
in 1900, it being at Read and Elm streets. It has a capacity of
sixty tons, and the storage house has 200,000 cubic feet of space.
Mr. Guldin is also superintendent of the Glenside Land Company, and
the Glenside Water Company; director of the Bramcote Land Company;
president of the Exchange Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of
Philadelphia, and superintendent of the Angelica Water & Ice
Company. He is also prominent in fraternal circles, being a member
of Stichtler Lodge, No. 254, F. & A. M., of which he is past
master, and a member of the chapter; Nativity Commandery of
Pottstown, Pa., and the Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. Since 1900
he has made his home in Reading.
In 1882 Mr. Guldin married Lillie Butz, daughter
of George W. Butz, of Pottstown, and to them there has been born
one child: Elizabeth, who is now engaged in the study of music and
art.
p 451
Surnames: GULDIN, PETER, BARTOLET, HILSAWECK, GELTBACK, CRONRATH,
YEAGER, RHOADS, GEIGER, BERTOLET, LODER, LORAH
The early home of the Guldin family was at St. Gall, Switzerland,
where records of it are found as far back as 1529 A.D. The first of
the name found in America was the Rev. Samuel K. Guldin, who left
Hamburg, Germany, July 1, 1710, and landed at Philadelphia Sept.
24, 1710. From him descended all the Guldins in the eastern part of
the State. He was the leader of the church Pietists in Switzerland,
and the spiritual forerunner of the Reformed church in
Pennsylvania. In Switzerland the Guldin family is almost extinct,
there being but six representatives of this once powerful name-one
man, one boy and four women.
(I) The Rev. Samuel K. Guldin spent the first forty-six years of
his life in Switzerland, Holland and Germany. In 1718 he made a
brilliant defense of the Pietists which has been incorporated into
church history. In 1710 he wrote a letter in which he states that
he bought a farm in Oley township, Berks county, Pa. He lived at
Roxboro and there died. In this letter he mentions these children:
Samuel M., seventeen; Maria Catherine, fourteen; Christoffel,
thirteen; and Emanuel Frederick, eleven years of age.
(II) Samuel M. Guldin learned blacksmithing and then together with
Engel Peter and a Mr. Bartolet, all blacksmiths, went to Oley, then
known as "The Land of Great Trees," about the year 1718. Each built
a log house, and began to clear the land. These houses were built
somewhere along what is now the public road from "The Yellow House"
and Friedensburg. On May 22, 1722, Samuel M. Guldin married
Elizabeth Hilsaweck. Their children were: Samuel, born July 12,
1723; Susanna, Oct. 5, 1724; John, Feb 22, 1726; Mary Magdalene,
Aug. 26, 1728; Frederick, Aug. 2, 1729; Daniel H., Johanna Esther
(twins), April 20, 1735; and Clara Elizabeth, Sept. 17, 1738.
Berks county was incorporated in 1752 and Samuel
M. Guldin was one of its first county commissioners. At that time
there were still Indians in the county, and without doubt this
ancestor bore his part in defending the people and exterminating
the dreaded foe. The records show that at least three of his
children married and reared families.
(III) Daniel H. Guldin, son of Samuel M. Guldin and his wife
Elizabeth, was born April 20, 1735, and he died Aug. 17, 1817. In
1762 he married Catherine Elizabeth Geltback, and she died about
1785. Their children were: Samuel G., 1763-1769; Daniel G.,
1764-1845; John Jacob, 1766-1826; Samuel G., 1769-1775; John G.,
1770-1852; Elizabeth G., 1773-1848; George G., 1774-1814; Abraham
G., 1776-1838; Samuel G., 1777-1854; Frederick G., 1779-1838; Peter
G., 1782-1826; David G., 1784-1799.
(IV) John G. Guldin was born Oct. 18, 1770, and died June 13, 1852,
son of Daniel H. Guldin and wife Catherine Elizabeth Geltback. He
was a blacksmith, farmer and justice of the peace. He married Mary
Cronrath, born Jan. 1, 1772, died Dec. 28, 1835. Their children
were: Daniel C., 1792-1856; Samuel C., 1794-1871; Rev. John C., D.
D., 1799-1863; David C., 1804-1858; Charles C., 1808-1864; Abraham
C., 1811-1884; Isaac C., 1812-1874.
(V) Samuel C. Guldin, son of John G. Guldin, was
born 1794, and died 1871. He was an extensive dealer in cattle and
mules, a large owner of real estate and stock and a man widely and
favorably known throughout Berks county. He married Elizabeth
Yeager, of Chester county, who was born June 17, 1797, and died
Feb. 8, 1879. They lived near Yellow House. Their children were;
Simon P., 1823-1873; John F., 1825-1875; Mary Ann; Elam Y.,
1829-1892; Sophia H., 1832-1893; James A., 1834-1864; Jeremiah L.,
1837-1858.
(VI) John Frederick Guldin, son of Samuel C.
Guldin, was born in Oley township, June 9, 1825, and he died at
Yellow House May 13, 1875, aged forty-nine years, eleven months and
four days. He was one of the most extensive dealers in mules in
this part of the county, owning hundreds of the mules along the
Schuylkill canal, and he supplied the whole system with mules. In
addition he kept in stock from 100 to 150 and his business was a
very successful one. He also cultivated his eighty-five acre farm,
now owned by his son John R. Mr. Guldin was a charitable man, and
while in the business to make money, never hesitated to help one
less fortunate than he by lending mules to tide over a difficulty.
For some years he was associated in business with his father,
Samuel Guldin and after the latter's death, he continued with his
brother Simon. After a prosperous life, he died firm in the faith
of the Reformed Church, and is buried at Amityville, in the
cemetery of this church. For years prior to his death he took an
active part in church work, organizing the Reformed denomination at
Amityville, as well as establishing the cemetery.. Fraternally he
was a member of the Masonic order.
On Sept. 21, 1852, John F. Guldin married Hannah
Rhoads, born Oct. 1, 1832, daughter of Abraham Rhoads of Amity; she
died June 2, 1872. They had children: Samuel, born Aug. 26, 1853,
died Oct. 24, 1905; Lizzie, born 1856, died in 1858; Mary, born in
1858, died in 1861; Ella, born in 1860, died in 1893; Emily m. J.
F. D. Geiger, of Philadelphia; Catherine m (first) Nelson Bertolet,
deceased, and (second) Grant Loder, of Philadelphia; John R.; and
Charles R. of Philadelphia, a butcher.
(VII) John R. Guldin, postmaster at Yellow House, and agent of the
National Bank of Boyertown, was born in the house where he now
resides, March 15, 1867. He was educated in the common schools, and
Prof. D. B. Brunner's Business college, at Reading, from which he
was graduated in 1885. Having been reared upon the farm, he
thoroughly understood the work, and at the age of eighteen began
farming for his father on the homestead. The property is a very
fine one consisting of eighty-five acres located at Yellow House,
in Amity township. Mr. Golden supervises the work upon this very
valuable tract, and makes it pay well. Since 1897 he has been
engaged in a butchering business, and gives employment to three men
in this line, and runs three teams delivering to his customers
throughout a wide section. Mr. Golden is one of the owners of
"Yellow House Hotel," having succeeded to his father's interest in
it upon the latter's death. This old landmark is often referred to
by writers of Berks county, and for many years has been a place of
entertainment for the traveling public. Mr. Gelding's residence is
just opposite the hotel, and is a large stone house, well supplied
with all modern conveniences, and surrounded with a magnificent
lawn. At midnight, Aug. 14, 1908, his large barn was burned to the
ground, including its contents, consisting of the year's crops,
three thorough-bred cows, one bull, thirteen trained hounds and
about one-hundred chickens,--a total loss of $6,500. Mr. Guldin
immediately rebuilt on practically the same site, and now has the
only barn in his section that has a complete concrete base, one
staple high. In addition to being the agent for the National Bank
of Boyertown, he is one of its largest stockholders, and since 1893
he has been the postmaster at Yellow House.
Before he was of age, in 1888, Mr. Guldin was
placed upon the Democratic ticket for auditor of Amity township,
and being elected served that and two succeeding terms, nine years
in all. In politics he is a Democrat, and has always taken a lively
interest in township affairs. Fraternally he is a member of Wohling
Tribe No. 179, Order of Red Men, at Yellow House. He and his family
are members of Amityville Reformed Church, of which he was elder
for some years, and is now treasurer.
On Feb. 26, 1891, Mr. Guldin married Sue L.
Rhoads, daughter of Frank and Rebecca (Lorah) Rhoads, of Amity
township. To Mr. and Mrs. Guldin have been born these children:
Paul R., a graduate of Mercersburg Academy, in Franklin county,
Pa., Class of 1908, and now taking a course in Agriculture, at
Cornell University, Class of 1912; and Miss Helena, a member of
Class of 1909, Kutztown State Normal School, and an accomplished
young lady.
Mr. Guldin is a sportsman, and is very fond of
hunting, keeping a large number of hounds for fox hunting. At times
his pack numbers thirty. He also has foxes, opossums, coons and
other wild animals.
The old Guldin family is well represented in Mr.
Guldin, an excellent type of the genial, kind-hearted hospitable
country gentleman. He is wealthy, prominent and a great favorite
throughout all of Berks county, where he and his family occupy so
desirable a place in the confidence and esteem of its people.
p.
1053
Surnames: GULDIN, TRIBOLEB, KOCH, MALCARIDA, HILSAWEEK, LEINBACH,
GELBBACH, LEVAN, YODER, HAAS, YODER, ROBERTS, BOTTS, SMITH, YODER,
WRIGHT, SPECHT, CONRAD
The Guldin family traces its history back to (1) Hans Joachim
Guldin, who was born at St. Gall, Switzerland, and became a citizen
of Berne, Switzerland in 1633. He married Susanna Triboleb and
their children were: Hans Joachim T., born Feb. 4, 1635; Anna, born
Sept. 22, 1836; Samuel, born Sept. 22, 1638.
(II) Hans Joachim T. Guldin, son of Hans Joachim Guldin, was born
at Berne, Switzerland, Feb. 4, 1635. He married Anna Maria Koch,
and their children were: Anna Maria, born Aug. 24, 1660, who died
in infancy; Anna Maria, born March 19, 1662, who died in infancy;
Samuel K. born June 8, 1664; and Anna Magdalena, born June 18,
1667.
(III) Rev. Samuel K. Guldin, born at Berne, Switzerland, June 8,
1664, married Mary Magdalena Malcarida, and came to Philadelphia on
Sept. 24, 1710. He died at Roxborough, Pa., Dec. 31, 1745. His
children were: Samuel M. born Nov. 8, 1693, at Stettlen,
Switzerland; Maria Catherine, born at Stettlen, Jan. 8, 1696;
Christoffel, born at Berne, July 17, 1697; and Eumanuel Frederick,
born at Berne, March 13, 1699.
(IV) Samuel M. Guldin settled in Oley township, Berks Co., Pa., in
1718, and became the founder of the Guldin family there. He married
May 22, 1722, Elizabeth Hilsaweek, and their children were: Samuel;
Susanna; John; Mary Magdalena, who married Frederick Leinbach;
Frederick; Daniel H.; Janna; Ester, and Clara Elizabeth. He was a
farmer and blacksmith.
(V) Daniel H. Guldin, born in Oley township April 20, 1735, married
Catherine Elizabeth Gelbbach and their children were: Samuel, who
died in infancy; Daniel; John Jacob; Samuel, who died in infancy;
John; Elizabeth; George; Abraham; Samuel; Frederick; Peter, and
David. Daniel H. Guldin owned a farm of 260 acres adjoining the
"YellowHouse" property on the north.
(VI) John Guldin was also a resident of Oley township. He and his
wife Catherine had three sons: Daniel, who married Rachel Levan and
had children ? Ezra, Lewis, Joel, Calvin, Mary and John; Abram; and
John D., born in 1846, who died in 1872.
(VII) Abraham Guldin, now deceased, was born in Oley township July
9, 1842, and died Oct. 15, 1877, aged thirty-five years, three
months, six days. He is buried at Oley Churches. By occupation he
was a farmer, and he owned a valuable farm, now the property of his
widow. On July 25, 1862, Mr. Guldin married Sarah B. Yoder, who was
born Aug. 5, 1840, and was a daughter of David Yoder and
granddaughter of Daniel Yoder of Oley township. They had seven
children, as follows: John Y., born Oct. 24, 1863; David Y., May
31, 1866 (died in May 1903); William Y., June 25, 1868; Horace Y.,
Jan. 1, 1871 (resides in Philadelphia; has one son, Arthur); Annie
C., Sept. 6, 1873; Francis Y., April 19, 1875, and George Y., July
4, 1877.
Of the above children, Annie C. Guldin married
William G. Haas, a farmer residing near Pleasantville, in Berks
county. Her farm consists of over seventy acres. They have two
sons, Lawrence and Arthur G.
Mrs. Guldin is a very pleasant and hospitable
woman and one who has many friends in her neighborhood. She speaks
both English and German. She makes her home with Mrs. Haas,
although she owns the Guldin homestead, and is possessed of
considerable means. The homestead is operated by George Y. Guldin,
who makes his home upon it.
The late Abraham Guldin, although cut off in the
very prime of life, has gained the honor and respect of all who
knew him. Possessing as he did fine natural abilities as well as
those qualities, which constitute the true man and valuable
citizen, it was not difficult for him to win the esteem and
admiration of those about him. A hard worker, he amassed a
property, which left his family comfortable. Although he died so
many years ago his memory is tenderly cherished, and his many
excellent qualities remembered to this day. He came of an honored
family, and although his days were few he never failed to uphold
its dignity and to live up to the high standards set by those who
went before him.
John Y. Guldin, son of the late Abraham and
Sarah B. (Yoder) Guldin, is a prominent farmer of Oley township,
born Oct. 24, 1863. He was reared upon the homestead, attending
school in the neighborhood and learning farming under his father's
care. Later he had the advantage of a course at the Oley Academy.
In 1888 he began farming on his own account upon his grandfather's
farm, which then was the property of his mother. Mr. Guldin now
owns the Wright farm, which he purchased in 1898. It is located one
mile north of the "Yellow House" property and consists of 121 acres
of excellent land.
The stone residence upon it, erected by M.
Roberts in 1769, is a large house and so substantially built that
is much to be preferred to a new structure. On this property is a
springhouse, which was built in 1716 by a pioneer of Oley township.
It is 20 x 16 feet and two stories high. The barn is considerably
more than one hundred years old, and like the house is very
substantial. The farm is well stocked, Mr. Guldin keeping seven
horses and seventeen head of cattle. He uses the latest improved
machinery and methods in his farming and is very successful in his
work.
John Y. Guldin married in 1883 Hannah Botts,
daughter of William and Mary (Smith) Botts, of Earl township. Their
children are: Mary, Annie Lucretia, Susan Melissa, Charlotte Agnes,
Abraham, John, Alice Katie, Theodore and Hannah Elda.
Mr. Guldin is a Republican and has held many of
the local offices. He and his family are members of Salem Oley
Reformed Church, of which he has been deacon for four years.
Socially he is a member of Manatawny Castle, K. G. E. Progressive,
public-spirited, a good citizen and conscientious man, Mr. Guldin
inspires fullest confidence and is one of the substantial farmers
of Oley township.
David Y. Guldin, son of the late Abraham and
Sarah B. (Yoder) Guldin, was born May 31, 1866, on the old Guldin
homestead in Oley township, Berks county, and was educated in the
public schools of his native township and the Oley Academy. On
Sept. 26, 1885, he was married to Miss Emma Louisa A. Specht. This
union was blessed with seven children, all daughters: Sallie,
Olivia, Edna, Mabel, Edwina, Minnie, and one that died in infancy.
David Y. Guldin was the owner of a nice farm in Earl township,
where he lived for some time. There his wife died six years ago,
after which he sold out and made his home with his aged mother, and
began working for the Long Distance Telephone Company. He worked
several years for that company, later engaging with the Postal
Telegraph Company, in whose service he was killed. He was working
on a high pole, when accidentally he came in contact with a live
wire which gave him a shock, holding him in mid-air for about five
minutes, after which he fell an a second wire some distance below.
His head struck the curb, crushing his skull, and he died
twenty-four hours later at the Delaware Hospital, Wilmington. He
was a member of Manatawny Castle, No. 461, K. G. E., and of
Minnehaha Lodge, K. P., of Friedensburg, and of the Oley Reformed
Church.
George Y. Guldin, son of the late Abraham
Guldin, and brother of John Y. Guldin, resides upon the farm where
he was born July 4, 1877. He was reared upon this farm and attended
the public schools. His father dying when he was only three months
old, Mr. Guldin was brought up by his mother and has always been
her right-hand man. In 1902 he began farming for himself, and now
cultivates the family homestead of 104 acres, which under his care
is a very fine property. The residence upon it was erected by his
grandfather, John Guldin, in 1867, and the barn was put up in 1855.
This farm has a good spring that has never gone dry, and its water
is recognized as excellent throughout the township. Mrs. Guldin
still uses the old family dinner gong to summon her husband and his
men from the fields. These gongs are becoming very valuable on
account of their scarcity. This particular one is specially good
and strong, and was forged at Sprang's forge a little over one
hundred years ago. It can be heard distinctly for a distance of
three and one-quarter miles. Another much prized heirloom in the
possession of Mr. Guldin is an old grandfather clock which is also
over one hundred years old and came from the Yoder side of the
family.
In 1898 George Y. Guldin was married to Mary
Conrad, of Oley township, and they have one son, Lester C. Mr.
Guldin is a member of the K. of P. lodge at Manatawny, Oley
post-office, and the P. O. S. of A. Camp of Oley township. In
politics he is an independent Republican. He and his family belong
to the Oley Reformed Church.
Like other members of this old and honorable
family Mr. George Y. Guldin is much esteemed in his neighborhood
and is considered one of the representative men of his township.
p. 717
Surnames: GULDIN, HOCH, LUTZ, TRIBOLET, KOCH, MALACRIDA, HILSAWECK,
LEINBACH, GELTBACH, CRONRATH, LUDWIG, WEAVER, VAN BUSKIRK, MILLER,
HEFFNER, LEIBELSBERGER, KERSHNER, SHOMO, FISHER, GRIM, GESCHWINDT
The Guldins were Pietists of Switzerland. The Hochs were Moravians
from the same place. Rev. Samuel K. Guldin and Rev. Christopher
Lutz were classmates at Old University of Berne, Switzerland, from
1679 to 1689. In 1692 Guldin was appointed pastor at Stettlen,
three miles east of Berne. Shortly after entering the university,
Guldin passed through a great spiritual experience and became a
pietist. Prof. Hadorn says that Guldin, Schumacher, Lutz and Dochs
were the fathers of Swiss pietism. These church fathers became so
bitterly prosecuted that Guldin emigrated to Philadelphia in 1710,
and all of the Guldins of America are descended from him.
The Guldins were originally of St. Gall,
Switzerland. Melchior Guldin was born at St. Gall in 1529; was made
guildmaster in 1550; senator in 1583, and died in 1596. Melchior
Guldin, Jr., was born in 1571 and died in 1645. He was a town clerk
in 1604. Paul Guldin was born of Evangelical parents in 1577. In
1597 he joined the Jesuits, became professor of mathematics at
Gratz and Vienna, and died at Gratz, Nov. 3, 1643. He was the
author of five Latin Books.
(I) Hans Joachim Guldin was born at St. Gall, Switzerland, and
became a citizen of Berne in 1633. The maiden name of his wife was
Susanna Tribolet, and their children were: Hans, born Feb. 4, 1635;
Anna, born Sept. 22, 1636; Samuel, born Sept. 22, 1638.
(II) Hans Joachim T. Guldin, born at Berne, Feb. 4, 1635, married
Anna Maria Koch, and their children were Maria, born Aug. 24, 1660,
died in infancy; Anna Maria, born March 19, 1662, died in infancy;
Samuel K., born June 8, 1664, died Dec. 31, 1745; Anna Magdalena,
born June 18, 1667.
(III) Rev. Samuel K. Guldin, born at Berne, June 8, 1664, married
Mary Magdalena Malacrida, and came to Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 24,
1710, and died at Roxboro, Dec. 31, 1745. His children were: Samuel
M., born Nov. 8, 1693, at Stettlen, Switzerland; Maria Catherine,
born at Stettlen, Jan 8, 1696; Christoffel, born at Berne, July 17,
1697; Emanuel Fred, born at Berne, March 13, 1699.
(IV) Samuel M. Guldin settled in Oley township, Berks county, in
1718, and on May 22, 1722, he married Elizabeth Hilsaweck. By
occupation he was a blacksmith and farmer. His children were:
Samuel; Susanna; John; Mary Magdalena m. Frederick Leinbach;
Frederick; Daniel H.; Joanna Esther; and Clara Elizabeth.
(V) Daniel H. Guldin was born in Oley, April 20, 1735, and married
Catherine Elizabeth Geltbach. He acquired a farm of 260 acres,
adjoining the Yellow House property on the north. His children
were: Samuel died in infancy; Daniel; John; Jacob; Samuel (2) died
in infancy; John G.; Elizabeth; George; Abraham; Samuel (3);
Frederick; Peter; David.
(VI) John G. Guldin, born Oct. 18, 1770, married Mary Cronrath, and
died June 13, 1852. His children were: Daniel; Samuel C. m.
Catharine DeHart Ludwig; Rev. John C., D. D.; David; Charles;
Abraham C.; and Isaac.
(VII) Abraham C. Guldin, born Aug. 10, 1811, married Susanna Y.
Weaver, and died April 8, 1884. His wife was born Aug. 23, 1812,
and died May 14, 1876. Their children were: Isaac W.; Jeremiah;
Albert; Hannah and George.
(VIII) Isaac W. Guldin, born in Amity township, Berks county, Dec.
4, 1834, died in the fall of 1907. He was a well-known and highly
respected citizen of his locality, for many years having been a
music teacher of Reading. He was twice married. On Dec. 31, 1857,
he m. Amelia Van Buskirk. On April 24, 1884, h m. (second) Amanda
Hoch Custer. Both of his wives were granddaughters of Eva Rosina
Lutz Ludwig.
(IX) James H. Guldin, a farmer of Maxatawny township, was born in
this township, on the old Guldin farm, March 25, 1867. Reared to
farm life, he has continued in this line of work all his life. At
first he worked for his father, but upon coming of age he started
to farm for himself on the old Charles Miller farm near Monterey.
His education was a limited one because of the many demands made
upon him in his boyhood, but he has added to his knowledge by
observation and experience and is now a very well informed man. In
1892 Mr. Guldin moved to Longswamp township where he lived some
time, and then went to Litzenberg, in Lehigh county, but in 1896 he
settled in Maxatawny township, and has purchased the old homestead
from the other heirs. This consists of 123 acres of excellent land
upon which he made his home until 1901, when he sold the property
to Phaon Heffner, and bought the old Stephen Leibelsberger farm
near Maxatawny Zion Church, consisting of 92 acres of valuable
land. The barn of this property was built in 1828 by Leibelsberger.
The farm is well stocked with eleven head of cattle and ten head of
horses. Fraternally Mr. Guldin is a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M.
of New Smithville, Pa. He has been active in public affairs, and is
serving his third year as school director; and he has also been
delegate to various county conventions, and been judge of
elections, etc. He and his family are members of Zion Union Church
of Maxatawny township, of he has served as deacon.
On Sept. 4, 1885, Mr. Guldin married Nellie C.
Kershner, a daughter of George W. and Ellen (Shomo) Kershner, of
Hamburg. Eight children have been born to them: Charles J.; Solon
R.; Mamie M.; Grover J.; Eva S.; James S.; Lawson W. and Florence
M. Mr. Guldin comes of an old family whose representatives are well
known throughout Pennsylvania and he himself is much respected in
his community.
Mahlon Guldin, son of Reuben W., of Maxatawny
township, was born on his father's homestead, Jan. 25, 1862, and
was there reared and received his early education. Later he
attended the Keystone State Normal School, from which he was
graduated in 1879, and subsequently he took a post-graduate course
at the same institution. He commenced teaching in his native
township when but seventeen years of age, and he has since taught
twenty-two terms in his home district, in addition to one term in
Lehigh county, a rather remarkable record. Mr. Guldin is one of the
active teachers of Berks county. During the summer months he is
engaged in various lines. Since 1896, he has been engaged in the
poultry business, and is much interested in it, he making a
specialty of fancy poultry, especially buff and partridge cochins.
Mr. Guldin is a Democrat, and takes an active
part in public affairs, serving as register and assessor of the
district and he has been sent as delegate to numerous county
conventions. He is a member of Camp 141, P. O. S. of A., of
Rothrocksville, of which he is past president, and he was district
president of District No. 6. During his incumbency a new district
was instituted at Longswamp. Mr. Gulden is a member of the Reformed
Church, and his wife is a member of the Lutheran denomination of
Maxatawny Zion Church.
On Nov. 18, 1893, Mr. Guldin was married to Miss
Stella M. Fisher, a daughter of Charles S. and Emma (Grim) Fisher
of Krumsville, granddaughter of Benjamin Fisher, of Greenwich. Two
children have been born of this marriage, Ira C. R. and Homer F.
Reuben W. Guldin, the father of Mahlon Guldin
was born in Exeter township, Berks county, Feb 18, 1818, and was
reared in this district, coming later to Maxatawny township, and
settling on the State road near Monterey, upon a farm consisting of
123 acres of valuable land. He farmed all his life and lived
retired from active labor six years prior to his death, which
occurred in June, 1894, when he was seventy-six years old. He was a
member of Maxatawny Zion Church, Reformed, where he is buried. For
many years he was a church official and was a good man, held in
great respect. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Geschwindt, and
they had fifteen children: Sarah, Marion; Matilda; Valentine;
Jeremiah; David (died aged seven years); Elias; Ellen; Kate;
Amanda; Alice; Reuben; Mahlon; Senora and James.
Note: the biography on page 717 is incorrect for Isaac W Guldin's first wife. From this death notice she was a Custer, not a Van Buskirk...... George L Custer was married to Maria Van Buskirk. So maybe the bio left out the maiden name - Amelia VanBuskirk Custer. The two wives were cousins. Submitted by Diana.
p.
1602
Surnames: GULDIN, TRIBOLET, KOCH, MALACRIDA, LUTZ, HADORN, PETER,
MARTOLET, HILSAWECK, GELTBACH, REIDNAUER, RITTER, MAURER, RHOADS,
STAUFFER, WEINLAND, GRIM
Jeremiah R. Guldin, county commissioner of Berks county from 1879
to 1881, and a lifelong farmer near New Berlinville, died at his
home there Aug. 9, 1892. He was born in Colebrookdale township Nov.
12, 1822, son of Jacob Guldin.
The Guldins were Pietists in Switzerland. Their
home was originally in St. Gall, where Melchior Guldin was born in
1529, was made guildmaster in 1550, senator in 1583, and where he
died in 1596. Melchior Guldin, Jr., was born in 1571, and died in
1645. He was town clerk in 1604.
(I) Hans Joachim Guldin, born at St. Gall, Switzerland, became a
citizen of Berne in 1633. He married Susanna Tribolet, and their
children were: Hans Joachim (2) born Feb. 4, 1635; Anna, born Sept.
22, 1636; Samuel, Sept. 22, 1638.
(II) Hans Joachim Guldin (2), born at Berne Feb. 4, 1635, married
Anna Maria Koch, and their children were: Maria, born Aug. 24,
1660, died in infancy; Anna Maria, born March 19, 1662, died in
infancy; Samuel K., born June 8, 1664, died Dec. 31, 1745; Anna
Magdalena, born June 18, 1667.
(III) Rev. Samuel K. Guldin, born at Berne, June 8, 1664, married
Mary Magdalena Malacrida, and came to Philadelphia Sept. 24, 1710.
He died at Roxboro Dec. 31, 1745. His children were: Samuel M.,
born Nov. 8, 1693, at Stettlen, Switzerland; Maria Catherine, born
at Stettlen Jan. 8, 1696; Christoffel, born at Berne July 17, 1697;
Emanuel Fred, born at Berne March 13, 1699. Rev. Samuel K. Guldin
and Rev. Christopher Lutz were classmates at Ole University at
Berne, Switzerland, from 1679 to 1689. In 1692 the Rev. Mr. Guldin
was appointed pastor at Stettlen, three miles east of Berne.
Shortly after entering the University he passed through a great
spiritual experience and became a Pietist. Prof. Hadorn says that
Guldin, Schumacher, Lutz and Dochs were the fathers of Swiss
Pietism. These church fathers became so bitterly persecuted that
Guldin emigrated to Philadelphia in 1710, and all of the Guldins of
America are descended from him.
(IV) Samuel M. Guldin, son of the Rev. Samuel K., born Nov, 8,
1693, at Stettlen, accompanied his father to American, and with him
settled in Oley township, Berks county, Pa. He learned
blacksmithing and then together with Engel Peter and a Mr.
Bartolet, all blacksmiths, was in Oley, then known as "The Land of
Great Trees," in 1718. Each built a log house and began to clear
the land. The houses were somewhere along what is now the public
road from Yellowhouse to Friedensburg. On May 22, 1722, Samuel M.
Guldin married Elizabeth Hilsaweck. Their children were: Samuel,
born July 12, 1725; Susanna, Oct. 5, 1724; John. Feb. 22, 1726;
Mary Magdalene, Aug. 26, 1728; Frederic, Aug. 2, 1729; Daniel,
April 20, 1735; Johanna Esther (twin to Daniel); and Clara
Elizabeth, Sept. 17, 1738. Berks county was incorporated in 1752,
and Samuel M. Guldin was one of its first county commissioners. At
that time there were still Indians in the county, and without doubt
he bore his part in defending the people. The records show that at
least three of his children married and reared families.
(V) Daniel Guldin, son of Samuel M., was born April 20, 1735, and
he died Aug. 17, 1817. He married Catherine Elizabeth Geltbach in
1762, and she died about 1785. Their children were: Samuel G.,
1763-1769; Daniel G. 1764-1845; John Jacob, 1766-1829; Samuel G.,
1769-1775; John G., 1770-1862; Elizabeth G., 1773-1848; George G.,
1774-1814; Abraham G., 1776-1838; Samuel G. 1777-1854; Frederick
G., 1779-1838; Peter G., 1782-1826; David G., 1784-1799.
(VI) John Jacob Guldin, son of Daniel, born in 1766 died May 6,
1829. He married Polly Reidnauer.
(VII) Jacob Guldin, born Oct. 13, 1798, was a farmer. He died May
8, 1866. Among his children was Jeremiah R.
(VIII) Jeremiah R. Guldin engaged in the cultivation of his farm of
130 acres near New Berlinville, on the road leading from that town
to Bechtelsville, until about twenty years before his death, when
he retired. He built a substantial brick house on the farm, and
there his widow still resides. The farm has been rented ever since
Mr. Guldin's retirement. With all of his active work on his farm he
took a lively interest in public affairs, and for three years was
county commissioner, being elected on the Republican ticket; and
for three years he was school director. He was a man of good
judgment, and his advice was sought frequently. He was a member and
deacon of St. John's Lutheran Church, in which his widow is still
an active worker. Mr. Guldin was laid to rest in Fairview cemetery.
In. 1851 Jeremiah R. Guldin was married to
Esther (Hettie) Ritter, born April 16, 1830, daughter of John and
Mary (Maurer) Ritter. To this union was born a daughter, Clara, who
married John G. Rhoads, former register of wills, in Berks county,
and died in 1892, leaving a son Clarence, now making his home with
his maternal grandmother, Mr. Guldin.
John Guldin was born July 6, 1796, and was
baptized by the Rev. J. F. Weinland. He died Jan. 2, 1861, aged
sixty-four years, five months, twenty-six days, and is buried at
Boyertown. He resided at the present home of Ambrose Stauffer, in
Colebrookdale township, owning a tract of forty-five acres, and
conducted a sawmill besides engaging in blacksmithing and farming,
becoming well known in his district in these various capacities. He
prospered in all his work.
Mr. Guldin married Maria Grim, daughter of
Heinrich Grim, born Jan. 16, 1791, died Aug. 6, 1865, aged
seventy-four years, six months, twenty-one days. Mr. and Mrs.
Guldin had a family of six children, namely: Edwin, who died in
infancy; Henry, who lives in Indiana county, Pa.; Mary A., who now
lives at New Berlinville; James, born Sept. 21, 1827, who died May
7, 1864; Cyrus, born Oct. 8, 1829, who died Nov. 29, 1856; and
Horace, born Aug. 23, 1833.
Mary A. Guldin, daughter of the late John
Guldin, was born Feb. 9, 1825, and though eighty-four years old is
very well preserved, her only affliction being defective hearing.
She has never married, and for some years has made her home at New
Berlinville, where she is a devout member of the United Evangelical
Church, being deeply interested in the work of that congregation.
She is a highly respected member of the community and is enjoying
her years in comfort and contentment.
p 1480
Surnames: GUNDRY, GRAUL, FLATT, KERN
Prof. G. Harel Gundry, proprietor of Gundry's Dancing Academies,
No. 722 Washington street and Masonic Temple, Reading, Pa., was
born in that city, Feb. 26, 1874, only child of William T. and Lina
(Graul) Gundry.
Professor Gundry was educated in the public
schools, after leaving which he learned the machinist's trade, and
followed that occupation in the Philadelphia & Reading Railway
shops for eighteen years. As a boy he evinced great cleverness in
dancing and received instruction from the leading instructors of
Buffalo, New York City and Pittsburg. He established his first
academy in 1901, in the Auditorium, on Fifth street, later locating
at No. 40 North Sixth street. They are now situated on the entire
second floor of Flatt Brothers' building, No. 722 Washington
street, and the third floor in Masonic Temple, where the dimensions
are 50 x 105 feet; and he also conducts dances Tuesdays and
Saturdays at Rajah Temple, dimensions 60 x 75 feet. Several of the
Professor's dances are becoming great favorites in the city which
is open the whole year round.
Professor Gundry married Miss A. E. Kern,
daughter of Israel R. Kern, of Reading, and one child, Lois
Dorothy, has been born o this union. The Professor and his family
reside at No. 216 Greenwich street. He is a Mason of considerable
prominence, belonging to St. John's Lodge, No. 435, F. & A. M.;
Excelsior Chapter, No. 237, R. A. M.; Reading Commandery, No. 42,
K. T.; Reading Lodge of Perfection; Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M.
S., and the Masonic Temple Club. He is also identified with Camp
No. 212, Patriotic Order Sons of America, being a Past President
thereof, and with Wyomissing Council, Royal Arcanum. Through his
profession he is connected with the Professional Teachers of
Dancing, of America, International Association Masters of Dancing,
and is an honorary member of the United Kingdom Alliance of Great
Britain, and in all these organizations he is very popular.
Professor Gundry's classes are large, and he also gives instruction
by private appointment, his methods in all cases being very
effective and productive of the best results.
p. 1432
Surnames: GUSS, KEITER, SHUNK, KNERR, KEITER, PHILLIPS, SNYDER,
GROVE, HERSHBERGER, KLEIN
Samuel m. Guss, master mechanic of the Oley Street Mills of the
Reading Iron Company, and an inventor of international reputation,
is a well-known man in manufacturing circles in Berks county, Pa.
He was born in 1840, in Chester county, Pa., son of Jacob and Sarah
(Keiter) Guss.
Charles Guss, great-grandfather of Samuel M.
Guss, and a celebrated mathematician of Germany, came to America in
middle life, and settled near Phoenixville, Chester Co., Pa. He
married Mary Shunk, a first cousin of Gov. Francis R. Shunk, of
Pennsylvania, and both died in the faith of the Lutheran Church.
Their sixth child, Simeon Guss, grandfather of Samuel M. Guss,
married Barbara Knerr. The seventh child of this union, Jacob Guss,
was the father of Samuel M.Guss.
Jacob Guss was a shoemaker and farmer all of his
life, also serving as justice of the peace and surveyor. He died in
1883, at the age of seventy-one years, and his wife in 1893, when
eighty-nine years of age. Ten children were born to Jacob and Sarah
(Keiter) Guss, nine of whom lived to maturity: Mary A.; George W.;
Catherine A.; Barbara A.; Frederick R.; Samuel M.; Henry F.;
William E.; Jacob A.; and William, the first-born who died in
infancy.
Samuel M. Guss was educated
in the schools of Chester county, and the Pughtown Academy,
instituted by David Phillips, from which were graduated many
prominent men. His first work was at farming, but later he learned
the machinist's trade at Pottsville, and entered the employ of the
Colliery Iron Works, of which George W. Snyder was at that time
proprietor. He helped in the erection of the Philadelphia &
Reading Railway Company's rolling-mills in October 1868, and for
seventeen years was in the employ of that company. He had charge of
the P. & R. rolling-mill for fourteen years, and in 1895 was
made general foreman in the erection of the Oley street
rolling-mill, then took charge as master mechanic, and is at the
present time foreman of the plate mill and master mechanic of the
entire plant. Mr. Guss has the reputation of being a pioneer in the
universal rolling-mill business, having erected several universal
rolling-mills, including the Central Iron and Steel Company's mill
at Harrisburg; and many of his inventions in this line are used
extensively in America and Europe.
In 1869 Mr. Guss married Florence E. Grove, born
in Franklin county, Pa., daughter of John and Rebecca (Hershberger)
Grove. Nine children were born to this union: William E. C. C.;
Laura R.; Charles S.; Florence E.; Carrie V. N. (m. Rev. William F.
Klein); Lucreitia M.; Herbert S.; Marion H.; and Samuel M., Jr. In
religious belief, the family belongs to the Evangelical
Association. Mr. Guss is a Republican in politics. He was a member
of the International Centennial Association in 1876. In 1891 he
erected his present comfortable home at No. 606 North Tenth street,
Reading.
p. 1024
Surnames: GUTH, HOFFMAN, PENN, KOHLER, MERTZ, DORNEY, NERVER, DERR,
HAMMON, NYCE, MESSINGER, PHILLIPS, KLINE, HOFFMASTER
Amos A. Guth, a highly esteemed, retired citizen of Reading, Pa.,
who has been a deacon of the Baptist Church for more than thirty
years, descends from one of the old and honorable families of
Pennsylvania, descendants of which have attained distinction in all
the noble trades and professions. Mr. Guth was born June 6, 1836,
in South Whitehall, Lehigh county, son of Henry and Catherine
(Hoffman) Guth.
Lorentz Guth, great-grandfather of Amos, with
his wife, Mary, emigrated from the German Rhine provinces to
Pennsylvania, then known as the "Asylum of the Distressed
Pilgrims," crossing the Atlantic in the summer of 1738, on the ship
"Thistle," Capt. John Wilson, of Rotterdam, and on Sept. 19th
landed at Philadelphia. They settled on the banks of the Jordan,
the present site of the old homestead, Mr. Guth having owned 369
acres of land in this county prior to coming over, as the deed is
dated May 11, 1732. Later he bought certain tracts from Thomas and
Richard Penn and Peter Kohler, until he had in his possession 1,000
acres. His children were: Lorentz Jr.; Adam; Peter; Julian (M.
Peter Kohler); Eva Barbara (m. George Henry Mertz); Margarette (m.
Adam Dorney).
Lorentz Guth, Jr., son of Lorentz, also settled
on the old homestead in Lehigh county, and became extensively
engaged in agricultural pursuits. He and his wife had children:
Adam, who moved to Ohio; Daniel; John; Peter; Henry; Susanna, who
married a Mr. Nerver; and Mrs. Christian Derr. The family were
members of the Reformed Church.
Henry Guth, father of Amos, settled in South
Whitehall township, where he learned the stone mason's trade and
later engaged in farming. During the war of 1812-14 he served at
Marcus Hook, and for this service received from the United State
Government a tract of forty acres of land. It is believed that he
served but three months when honorably discharged. He died Jan. 1,
1865, aged about sixty-nine years, his wife, Catherine Hoffman,
July 17, 1849. Their children were: Eliza, Calvin, Flora, Horace
and Amos S. By his first wife, whose maiden name was Hammon, Mr.
Guth had two children, Deborah and Levi.
Amos S. Guth received his education in the
schools of Lehigh county, and Kessler's boarding school, in
Allentown, which he attended one season, and a boarding school in
Easton, Pa. He assisted in the work on the home farm until nineteen
years of age, when he became clerk in Seiple & Erdman's store
at Ruchville, where he remained four years. In 1861 he came to
Reading and engaged in the photograph business, having a gallery at
Fourth and Penn streets, but later sold out to engage in work with
his father-in-law, Samuel Nyce, who was conducting a produce
commission business. When the firm of Nyce Bros. & Co. was
formed he became a partner, but withdrew to engage in the shoe
business, which he carried on two years, then spent two years in
the produce business at Lewisburg. After following the same line
for a time at Wilkes-Barre, he returned to Reading and was employed
by the firm of which he had formerly been a partner. In 1897 Mr.
Guth retired from active life.
Mr. Guth married Catherine Nyce, who was born in
Montgomery county, Feb. 16, 1838, daughter of Samuel Nyce. To this
union there were born children as follows: Elmira died at the age
of six months; Annie m. Allen Messinger and has two daughters,
Lilian (m. Charles Phillips, of Philadelphia, and has a son, C.
Alan, who represents the seventh generation of the Guths in
America) and Madeleine (m. Burton Kline, of Boston, Mass.); Lillie
m. Howard F. Hoffmaster and has two sons, Floyd and Howard Jr.; and
Rosa m. Harry Nyce, a cousin, and lives in Philadelphia.
Mr. Amos S. Guth is a self-made man, and has
always held a high reputation for honesty and integrity, being
regarded as one of Reading's substantial citizens. He is a member
of the Baptist Church, in which he has been a deacon for more than
thirty years, and a teacher in the Sunday-school, a capacity in
which he has served for forty years. He is also a charter member of
the Reading Baptist Association, which is composed of Baptist
Churches in the counties of Berks, Lehigh, Bucks, Montgomery,
Schuylkill, Lancaster, Northampton and Monroe.