Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery
p.
761
Surnames: HASSLER, SNYDER, KOHLER, EBNER
Augustus B. Hassler, proprietor of the "Germania Hotel", at Ninth
and Penn streets, Reading, is of German parentage, but is of
American birth. His father, also named Augustus, left Germany for
the United States in 1852, and settled in Reading where he died.
Augustus B. Hassler was born in Reading in 1854,
and received his education in the public schools of that place. He
first went to work as a bar clerk at the corner of Fifth and Penn
streets, and afterward bought out the Washington Library Cafe,
continuing there until 1881, when he bought out Harry Snyder, who
had succeeded Major Ebner as proprietor of the place he first
worked in, now known as the "Colonial Hotel". He ran that very
successfully for twelve years, and then retired from business. But
he was soon eager for the harness and before long was once more in
the hotel business, and in 1894 was running what was known as the
"Klapperthal Pavilion" at Klapperthal. He remained there from 1894
until 1895, when he became manager of the Penn Hotel Cafe. In 1901
he became proprietor of the "Germania Hotel", which occupies a
building four stories in height, 26 x 100 feet in dimensions. A
portion of the structure is finished off as flats of a high class,
while the rest is devoted to the hotel proper, which is one of the
most up-to-date places in the city, and is very handsome in its
appointments and finishings. The entrance and office are laid with
tile flooring. Mr. Hassler gives his whole attention to the
management of the place and being very popular his hotel ranks
high.
Mrs. Hassler was a Miss Annie Kohler, and her
marriage to Mr. Hassler occurred in 1878. They have had a large
family of children, of whom four died young. The others are: Harry,
Rosa, Joseph, Cecelia, Bernard and Anthony. The family are members
of the Catholic Church. Mr. Hassler is a member of several
fraternal organizations, including the Knights of St. John,
Columbus Commandery, Eagles, Reading Turn Verein, Bonifacius
Society, Reading Liederkranz, Bavarian Society, Quaker Society, Mt.
Penn Family Circle, Mountain Spring Association, Rainbow Fire
Company, Veteran Fireman's Association, and Encampment No. 43,
Union Veteran Legion.
p 494
Surnames: HASSLER, SEIDEL, SHOFER/SHAFFER, ROEMER, SARIG, FOX,
SCHADEL, HARTMAN, LUKENS, THOMPSON, RAUENZAHN, McDONOUGH, HERBINE,
MERKEL, HASLER, SCHANTZ, EVANS, MENTZER, BUCKS, HAIN
Ezra S. Hassler a prominent merchant and influential citizen of
Wernersville Pa., where he has resided for fifteen years, was born
June 27, 1854, in Ruscombmanor township. Berks county, son of
Philip and Sarah Ann (Seidel) Hassler.
Philip Hassler, great-grandfather of Ezra S.,
lived in the vicinity of Friedensburg. His wife was a Miss Shofer
or Shaffer, and their children were: William, of Friedensburg; Mrs.
Sally Roemer, of Kutztown district; Mrs. Moses Sarig, who moved
West; and Jacob.
Jacob Hassler, grandfather of Ezra S., was born
in Berks county in 1801, and died in 1875. He attended school in
Reading, when the only school building was a log house, and in
early life lived near the Oley line, where he owned a small farm.
He was also a cabinet maker by trade, and this he followed at his
house, which was situated on the Reading road two miles from
Friedensburg, working until his retirement, when he removed to
Reading and there died. He is buried at Spies's Church, of which he
was a Lutheran member. He married (first) Elizabeth Fox, by whom he
had children as follows: Eliza, Benjamin and Isaac, all of whom
died young; Philip; Jonas died at Milton, Pa.; Sarah m. Adam
Schadel, and died of small-pox; Susan m. Daniel Hartman, and died
in May, 1905; William lived at Yellow House; Amos died at a
Soldiers' Home; and two died in infancy. Mr. Hassler m. (second)
Mrs. Judith (Lukens) Thompson, and there were two daughters born to
this union: Mary Ann, of Reading, m. (first) Israel Rauenzahn, and
(second) William A. McDonough; and Louisa m. (first) Albert
Herbine, by whom she had one son, Harry, and (second) William
Merkel, now also deceased.
Philip Hasler (Hassler), father of Ezra- S., was
born Aug. 6, 1829, in Oley township, and died in Ruscombmanor
township, March 11, 1860. He was a cabinet maker by trade, and also
engaged in farming, owning a tract of about thirty acres of land.
For a number of years Mr. Hassler was a constable of his district.
He is buried at Pricetown. Mr. Hassler's wife, Sarah Ann Seidel,
was born at Hamburg, Pa., Nov. 2, 1828, and died in Ruscombmanor
township. May 18, 1895, being also buried at Pricetown. They had
these children: Ezra S.; Wellington S. resides at Akron, Ohio &
and Emma A. m. Albert J. Evans, of Lancaster county.
Ezra S. Hassler attended the common schools of
his native locality until reaching the age of seventeen years, and
in 1872 was licensed to teach school by the late Prof. D. B.
Brunner, subsequently teaching in Pike and Richmond townships,
Berks county, for two years. He then learned telegraphy from
William Schantz, of Blandon, Pa., and was appointed station agent
at Reinholds Station, Lancaster county, where he remained for a
period of thirteen years. During the latter year of his service
with this company he was also engaged in the mercantile business at
Reinholds, but in 1887 removed his business to Spring Grove,
Lancaster county, where he continued with much success for five
years, being also the postmaster at this point during President
Cleveland's administration. He came to Wernersville in 1892, and
erected his present store building, 31 x 86 feet, two stories high,
with a frontage of fifty-three feet on the main street. He has the
leading mercantile establishment of the town, and carries a
complete, up-to-date line of goods, doing a strictly cash business
and enjoying the confidence of the community. Mr. Hassler is a
Democrat in politics, and has been greatly interested in public
matters in Wernersville, and has served as postmaster thereof for
four years, during Cleveland's second administration. Fraternally
he is connected with Lodge No. 62, F. & A. M., which he joined
in 1876; Royal Arch Chapter, No. 152, R. A. M., which he joined in
1886; and DeMolay Commandery, No. 9, K. T. which he joined in 1892.
He joined Terre Hill Lodge, No. 454, I. 0. 0. F., in 1887, and in
1892 was admitted by card to Wernersville Lodge, No. 835.
Mr. Hassler married (first) Oct. 13, 1876,
Adaline K. Mentzer, of Stevens, Pa., born Nov. 27, 1855, who died
Aug. 31, 1878, leaving one daughter, Bertha May, born July 29,
1877, who died. April 26, 1882. Mr. Hassler m. (second) Catharine
E. Bucks, daughter of David and Ellen (Hain) Bucks, and they have
two children: Ralph B., born at Reinholds Station, Jan. 6, 1887, is
assisting his father in the mercantile business and on his own
account is conducting the musical department in the same
establishment. He is a graduate of Wernersville high school, class
of 1903. Mr. Hassler's daughter, Ruth Irene, was born Aug. 9, 1897.
p. 948
Surnames mentioned: BEHM, BOHMER, GRILL, HAIN, HATH, HATT,
HEVERLING, HOFFMAN, KEGERISE, KLEINGINNA, MATZ, MILLER, RUTH,
SAUDER, STIELY, WENRICH, WERTZ
Jacob Grill Hatt, a representative citizen of Lower Heidelberg
township, Berks county, where he owns much land, is now living
retired at his home near Fritztown, after many years spent at hard
work. Mr. Hatt was born Dec. 15, 1835, on his father's farm in
Spring township, Berks county, son of Jacob and Catherine (Grill)
Hatt.
Conrath Hath (Hatt), Sr., the great-grandfather
of Jacob G., and the ancestor of this family in America, came from
Switzerland about the middle of the 18th century, and soon after
arriving in this country settled in Cumru township, Berks county,
where he purchased land, a property which he continued to operate
until his death in 1789. His will, which was probated in that year,
mentions these children: Henry, who had a son Henry; Philip;
Conrath, Jr.; Margaretha, who bore her mother's name; Maria
Elizabeth; Anna Maria; Juliana; and Catherine, who was the wife of
John Kleinginna, of Cumru township.
Philip Hatt, grandfather of Jacob G., was born
in Cumru township, where his death occurred in 1824. He owned his
own farm, which he operated all of his life, and in his will, which
was probated Sept. 3, 1824, the following children were mentioned:
Philip (1788-1856) m. Magdalena Bohmer (1796-1847) and died
intestate; Daniel m. Susan Heverling, and had these
children--Richard, Elizabeth (m. Adam Behm), John (1814-1882),
Daniel (1815-1893), Catherine (m. A. Kegerise) and Polly (m. a
Hoffman); Susanna; Catherine; John; Conrad; Jacob, the father of
Jacob G.; William, born April 17, 1802, died June 26, 1868; and
Elizabeth.
Jacob Hatt, father of Jacob G., was born May 12,
1800, and died Aug. 5, 1876. He was a lifelong farmer in Spring
township, where he owned a fine property of 130 acres, now in the
possession of his grandson, Jacob Hatt, and was also a stave-maker
and cooper. Genial and affable in manner, Mr. Hatt was very popular
in his community, and was esteemed by all who knew him. Mr. Hatt
married Catherine Grill, born Oct. 29, 1802, who died Nov. 26,
1866, and to them were born these children: Louisa (m. Abraham
Matz; Samuel, a farmer of Spring township; Kitty (m. Henry Wertz;
John, a farmer, who died in Lower Heidelberg township; Jacob G.;
Catherine (m. Daniel Ruth); Sally (m. Henry Matz); Betz (m. Fred
Hain); Polly (m. William Ruth; and Levi, who died unmarried.
Jacob G. Hatt attended the old pay schools of
his day, which were in charge of German teachers, and was reared
upon his father's farm in Spring township, where he began farming
for himself at the age of 24 years. In 1864 he purchased a farm of
30 acres in the Blue Marsh, where he lived for six years, and this
he then sold to remove to the old Sauder farm in Lower Heidelberg
township, which he tenanted for ten years. In the spring of 1882 he
purchased a tract of 120 acres near Fritztown, where his son,
William Hatt, now lives, and he also purchased a small property of
18 acres on which he lives engaged in truck farming, attending the
Reading market from one to three times a week. In addition Mr. Hatt
owns about 37 acres of woodland. In political matters Mr. Hatt is a
stanch Democrat. He and his wife are members of St. John's Reformed
Church of which he was elder for two years. Mr. Hatt is a
successful man, and his success has been won honestly, his
reputation as a business man of integrity and fair dealing being an
enviable one. He is well known to the people of his vicinity as a
public-spirited citizen and Christian gentleman.
In 1858 Mr. Hatt married Rebecca Miller, born
Jan. 23, 1836, daughter of Peter and Sarah (Stiely) Miller, of
Cumru township, and to this union there were born eight children,
of whom the only survivor is William G., who is married to Annie
Wenrich and has five children: Elsie, Jacob, Leah, William and
Elmer. Three of Mr. Hatt's other children died within three weeks,
of diphtheria, his eldest son, Adam also succumbing to that
disease, when 19 years old.
p. 1042
Surnames: BEHM, FREES, FRITTERICH, GRILL, HAIN, HATH, HATT,
HUTTISON, HUYETT, KLEINGINNA, MATZ, MILLER, MOSSER, RUTH, SPATZ,
WEITZEL, WERTZ
Samuel Grill Hatt (deceased), a successful agriculturist and
leading citizen of Spring township, Berks Co., Pa., whose death
occurred March 15, 1887, was born Sept. 15, 1830, in Brecknock
township, Berks county, son of Jacob and Catherine (Grill) Hatt and
died March 15, 1887.
Conrath (Conrad) Hath, the great-grandfather of
Samuel G. Hath, was a farmer of Cumru township, where he owned
considerable property at the time of his death, in 1789. His will
is on record in the Berks County Court House, written in German and
signed by himself, and after he makes ample provision for his aged
wife, Margaretha, he in equal shares divides the estate among the
following children: Henry; Philip, who died Sept. 3, 1824, the
father of the following children--Philip (who died intestate in
1856), Daniel (who died in 1864, leaving two sons, Jacob and
William), Susanna, Catherine, John, Conrad, Jacob, William and
Elizabeth (then under age); Conrad, Jr., grandfather of Samuel G.;
Margaretha; Maria Elizabeth; Anna Maria; Juliana, and Catherine,
who married John Kleinginna.
Conrad Hatt, Jr. was a farmer living between
Fritztown and Gouglersville, and owned the old homestead. He
married and became the father of six children: Jacob, the father of
Samuel G.; William; Daniel; Betsey, who married a Behm; Catherine;
and Mary, who married Isaac Weitzel.
Jacob Hatt, son of Conrad, Jr., was born May 12,
1800, and after a long life spent in agricultural pursuits passed
away Aug. 5, 1876, being buried at Sinking Spring Church, of which
he had been a member. Mr. Hatt married Catherine Grill, and to them
there were born twelve children: Samuel G.; Louisa m. Abraham Matz;
Catherine m. Daniel Ruth; Jacob m. Beckie Miller; Catherine m.
Henry Wertz; Sallie m. Henry Matz; John m. Magdalena Fritterich;
Levi died single, aged 34 years; Polly m. William Ruth; Betsy m.
Fred Hain; and two died young.
Samuel Grill Hatt was educated in the schools of
his native locality, and from early youth engaged in agricultural
pursuits. At the time of his death he was the owner of a fine farm
of 145 acres in Spring township, and left a large estate to his
widow and children. Mr. Hatt was a Democrat in politics and was
very active in the ranks of his party, being on a number of
occasions elected school director. He was a consistent member of
Gouglersville Reformed Church, of which he was secretary and
treasurer for many years.
On Sept. 24, 1864, Mr. Hatt was married to
Caroline Spatz, born Sept. 26, 1840, daughter of Benjamin and
Elizabeth (Huttison) Spatz, and to them were born five children:
Jacob S., who resides in Reading, m. Martha Huyett; Lizzie S. m.
May 2, 1908, Henry B. Frees, an employee of the Reading Iron
Company, and lives at Brookside; M. Agnes m. Henry Mosser, of
Reading; Eva A. died in infancy; James H. m. Cora Hatt. Mrs. Lizzie
S. (Hatt) Frees, who has devoted her life to the care of her
mother, built a fine brick residence in the spring of 1901 at
Hemmmig's corner in the borough of Shillington, Pa., and in this
home, which is one of the finest residences of the town, mother and
daughter lived until the latter's marriage, the mother now residing
with Mrs. Frees in Brookside.
p. 919
Surnames: HAUDER, RUTH, POTTEICHER, GERNAND, BEIDLER, MULL, STELTZ,
HILL, GOOD
William R. Hauder. In the death of William R. Hauder, which
occurred at the old Mull residence on Main street, Sinking Spring,
March 15, 1905, Spring township lost one of its highly esteemed
citizens and a prominent member of the Reformed Church. Mr. Hauder
was born March 14, 1833, son of Daniel and Catherine (Ruth) Hauder.
Solomon Hauder, the grandfather of William R.,
was born on the old homestead in Heidelberg township, Dec. 25,
1785, son of Ulrich Hauder, the first of the name to settle in
Heidelberg township, from whom he received the property which he
operated all of his life. He died May 13, 1869, and was buried at
Sinking Spring graveyard, immediately back of the church. Solomon
Hauder was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was married to
Catherine Potteicher, of Strausstown, born Nov. 3, 1788, who died
June 5, 1855, and they had only one child, Daniel.
Daniel Hauder, father of William R., was born
Sept. 22, 1806, on the old homestead in Heidelberg township, and
died Feb.1, 1880, being buried at the graveyard at Sinking Spring.
He was a lifelong farmer, became very successful, and was a leading
member of Sinking Spring Church. Mr. Hauder married Catherine Ruth,
born Oct. 28, 1808, who died April 14, 1887, daughter of George and
Catherine (Gernand) Ruth. To this union there were born three
children: Catherine m. Isaac Y. Beidler, whose record appears
elsewhere in this volume; William R.; and Eliza m. Cyrus Ruth, an
agriculturist of Spring township.
William R. Hauder was reared to manhood at the
old Hauder homestead, which has been in the family name since the
days of the American Revolution, and commenced farming when about
twenty-six years old on this property, which he continued to
operate for many years. He then removed to a farm which his wife
had acquired, a property of twenty-eight acres of good land in
Lower Heidelberg township, which has been tenanted since Mr. and
Mrs. Hauders retirement to Sinking Spring.
In 1859 Mr. Hauder married Catherine E. Mull,
born May 2, 1839, daughter of Henry and Theresa (Steltz) Mull,
formerly of Montgomery county and later of Sinking Spring, and to
this union there were born four children, namely: Solomon died when
seventeen years of age; William H. died in infancy; Carrie m. James
Hill, of near Wernersville, Pa.; and George, unmarried, resides
with his mother.
Mrs. Hauder obtained her education in the public
schools, and a private school at Reading, in charge of Prof.
William Good, a former county superintendent, and is a lady of
culture and refinement. She is in prosperous circumstances, and is
a liberal contributor to St. Johns Church of Sinking Springs, of
which she is a Reformed member, and of which Mr. Hauder was a
deacon for two years.
p.
1217
Surnames: HAUEISEN, WERNER, HOLZHAUSER
Charles A. Haueisen, a well-to-do business man Reading, Pa., who
is the proprietor of a sandstone yard on Buttonwood street above
Sixth, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, son of William and Pauline
(Werner) Haueisen, the former of whom died in 1904, the latter ten
years previously.
Charles A. Haueisen received his education in
the schools of his native country, and there learned the
stone-cutting trade, becoming a skilled mechanic in that line. When
twenty-seven years of age he came to America, landing at New York
City, where he remained three months. After a short time spent in
Philadelphia, Mr. Haueisen located in Reading, being engaged in
working on public buildings at his trade until he established his
present business in a small way, and in this he has continued to
the present time, the business having grown steadily, until he is
now the employer of from twenty to thirty skilled workmen. Mr.
Haueisen not only finds work in Reading, but he is well known
throughout the surrounding counties. Building work of all
descriptions is executed in a superior manner at short notice, and
Mr. Haueisen pays prompt attention to jobbing and repairs. He and
his wife reside at No. 419 North Sixth street, Reading.
Mr. Haueisen married Annie Holzhauser, and to
them were born: Mary, Helen, Caroline, George, Carl, Charles, Harry
and Emma, the latter three of whom are deceased.
In political matters Mr. Haueisen is a
Republican. He is connected with St. Pauls Catholic Church. He is
a member of the Knights of St. John and the Liberty Fire Company.
p. 1044
Surnames: HAUSER, KEIM, CHRIST, MAYER, VOGEL, CULLEN, STECKLER
Michael Hauser was a native of Baden, Germany, and he served an
apprenticeship as a florist and gardener in the old country. After
coming to America he traveled through a number of States, in 1834
locating in Reading, where he took charge of a large garden
belonging to the late Gen. George M. Keim. Here he laid the
foundation of his success, winning a good reputation among the
leading people of the day. Later he purchased a small property on
North Ninth street and started a truck garden of his own, and by
energy and close attention to business secured a competency. In
1861 he purchased nearly one hundred acres on Centre avenue, and
established there a large nursery, which he carried on as long as
he lived. He began the cultivation and sale of flowers as early as
1840, and each year brought increasing demands in this branch of
the business. He became one of the best practical botanists in the
State. He was a prominent member of St. Pauls Roman Catholic
Church, and was exceedingly generous in his contributions to
religious and charitable causes. He was very anxious that Reading
should be made a See city, and he presented several acres of ground
to the church on which to erect a cathedral. He sold on very
liberal terms some of his valuable land to the management of the
Reading Dispensary, for hospital purposes. He married Barbara
Christ, and their children were: Barbara married Matthias Mayer;
Francis (deceased) married Mary Vogel; Mary married Peter Cullen;
Theresa married David H. Steckler; Theodore resides at South
Bethlehem, PA. Mr. Hauser died Oct. 23, 1873, and was laid to rest
in the Catholic cemetery.
p. 1091
Surnames: HAWK, KELLER, BALL, CRAMP, WHITMAN, MILLER, RINK, LANDIS,
FICK, LICHTENWALNER.
Charles A. Hawk, who has been connected with that great industry,
the Reading Iron Company, for the past thirty-seven years and
enjoys the distinction of being the third oldest employe in his
department, is a self-made man who has acquired property and gained
the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens entirely through his
own efforts.
Mr. Hawk was born Sept. 9, 1848, in the Third
ward of Reading, son of Charles and Alice (Keller) Hawk, the former
of whom was born at Nazareth. By trade he was a machinist, and he
came to Reading after marriage, working in the Philadelphia &
Reading shops until he enlisted in 1864 for service in the Civil
war. He was a member of Company G, 88th Pa. V.I., and died in the
army at Alexandria, Va. He is one of the great army of dead that
sleep at Arlington. To him and his wife, Alice Sabrina Keller, were
born six children: Albert, who served in the Civil war, and died
being taken prisoner; Rebecca, m. to Edwin Ball, both deceased;
William, who served through the Civil war, and is now employed as
an engineer at the Cramp shipyards, Philadelphia; Julius, who
served during the Civil war, and died in 1900; Charles A.; Alice,
m. to Absalom Whitman, and living at No. 1129 Spring street,
Reading. The father was a well known citizen, a prominent member of
the Lutheran Church, and in his political views he was a
Republican.
Charles A Hawk attended the public schools of
Reading, and began when but a boy to provide for his own needs. He
worked first on the construction of the Lebanon Valley Railroad,
then for a short time was employed by the Reading Iron Company, in
their pipe mill, and then began to learn the molder's trade in the
Philadelphia & Reading shops where he remained five years. From
there he went to Cumberland, Md., for about a year, and then
returned to Reading and worked at the Scott foundry, but since Feb.
4, 1872, he has been connected with the Reading Iron Company, and
as mentioned above is the third oldest in his department, in this
immense plant. He began work under Mr. Lewis Miller.
In 1872 Mr. Hawk married Susan Rink, daughter of
David and Esther (Landis) Rink, and their children are: Mary E., m.
to Harry T. Fink, a cigar maker; Alice, m. to Dr. Milton
Lichtenwalner; Estella N., a graduate of the Girls' high school,
Reading; and Florence R., also a graduate of the Reading High
school, class of 1908. The parents of Mrs. Hawk were both born in
Longswamp township, Berks county, where they were among the
prominent people.
Mr. Hawk is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
In politics he is a Republican, and is now serving as school
controller of the Eleventh ward, his term expiring in 1912, a
period of sixteen years service. Fraternally he belongs to Chandler
Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 227, and Camp No. 89, P. O. S. of A. As
long as it was in existence he was a member of Montgomery Lodge,
No. 59, I. O. O. F. He is also a member and president of the Scott
Foundry Beneficial Association, which has a membership of 146 men,
and of the N. E. Republican Association. In 1883 he erected his
attractive residence at No. 513 Cedar street, Reading, and he is
one of the well known and universally respected citizens of that
city.
p. 370
Surnames: HAWK, SEIDEL, FRITZ, BAUER, WEIDNER
George W, Hawk, a well-known business man of Reading, Pa., engaged
in the manufacture of hosiery, was born Jan. 16, 1866. in that
city, son of Nathan and Lydia (Seidel) Hawk, natives of this State.
Nathan Hawk was a prominent manufacturer of wool
hats for many years in Reading, on South Eleventh street, under the
style of DeHart. Hawk & Co., and was one of the best known
business men of his day, retiring in 1880 to enjoy the fruits of a
long and active business life. He passed away in 1905, aged
seventy-six years, while his wife still survives him. The children
born to this worthy couple were George W.; Ida m. Sylvester Fritz,
a dairyman; Anna m. John Bauer, a barber of Reading, Pa.; and Miss
Laura. In politics Nathan Hawk was a stanch Republican. When the
war broke out he was one of the first to enlist, and he was a
member of one of the first companies to leave Reading for the
front.
George W. Hawk attended public school at
Reading, as well as the pay schools, and his first employment was
in his father's factory. He learned the trade of dyeing, which he
followed for thirteen years, and in 1897 engaged in the manufacture
of hosiery on Court street, with four machines. In this industry
Mr. Hawk has been immensely successful, now owning two factories,
employing 400 hands. Besides, he is a member of the firm of the
Hawk Knitting Company, organized by him in 1901, which also
manufactures hosiery. Mr. Hawk manufactures high and medium grades
of goods, which find a ready market in the Western States, also
having a large Eastern trade. He employs two traveling salesmen to
represent his interests throughout the United States.
In political matters Mr. Hawk is a Republican,
and he is fraternally connected with the P. 0. S. of A. Mr. Hawk
was married, in 1887, to Miss Emma Weidner, and two children have
been born to this union: Estella and Warren. Mr. and Mrs. Hawk are
members of the Reformed Church, and are very highly esteemed in the
community.
p. 472
Surnames: HAWLEY, TRIMBLE, MEREDITH, GAUSE, YOUNG, KESSLER, RITTER,
SEYFERT, QUIER
Jesse G. Hawley, lawyer, journalist and public-spirited citizen,
was for over forty years a leading resident of Reading. He was born
at Pughtown, Chester county, Aug. 8, 1839, and died April 19, 1903,
aged sixty-three years, eight months, eleven days.
His parents were Jesse and Esther Trimble
(Meredith) Hawley, and his ancestors were among the earliest
settlers of eastern Pennsylvania. He first attended the South
Coventry public schools, of which his uncle, James M. Meredith, was
the teacher. Next he was sent to the Greenwood Dell Boarding
School, in West Bradford township, taught by Jonathan Gause. Later
he went to the Millersville State Normal School, and having chosen
law for his profession he entered the National Law School at
Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
His studies there were interrupted for a time, and
he engaged in teaching school ? a vocation which has been the
stepping-stone for so many successful men. After this he taught in
Amity township, Berks county, in the meanwhile reading law. In
September 1859, he came to Reading, and completed his legal
preparation in the office of the late Major Samuel L. Young. He was
admitted to the practice of his profession in September 1860, and
at the Berks Bar took his place as a speaker of force, and he won
some notable victories before juries. He practiced law about four
years, but it was toward journalism that the natural bent of his
inclination led him. On April 1, 1864, he with the late William S.
Ritter, purchased of Charles Kessler the Readinger Adler, the
oldest German weekly in the United States, and the Democratic organ
of the county. Mr. Hawley soon sought a wider field for his
talents, and on Jan. 28, 1868, Messrs. Ritter and Hawley founded
the Reading Daily Eagle. This marked the transition period in Berks
county, between the day of the German newspaper and the rapidly
rising tide of its successor ? the English daily. The Eagle was
started as a four-page paper of six columns to a page. In the
meantime they secured by purchase the Gazette and Democrat, a
weekly founded about 1830, changing its name to the Weekly Eagle.
Mr. Hawley brought to the field of daily newspaper work a fine
physique and mature mind. He was an able writer and possessed the
unerring instinct for knowing the needs of the people and supplying
them. He had ideas and put them into practice. They were new, but
they proved to be the foundation on which the success of the paper
was built. Life, energy and enthusiasm were put into the work, and
the Eagle soon began to attract attention. Mr. Hawley recognized
from the start that there were two sides to every question: that
each had a right to a hearing, and he readily granted it upon all
occasions. He believed in printing facts and allowing the reading
to draw his own conclusions. He was probably the first American
newspaper publisher to establish a complete system of rural
correspondence, but since then he has had a host of imitators among
those who realize that local news is the prime source of a paper's
success. The Eagle was a Democratic paper until 1875, when it
became independent. In the meantime Mr. Hawley became sole
proprietor; and having next launched the Sunday Eagle he imbued the
papers as never before with his own personality. He realized at
this period that the independent newspaper could perform a higher
type of public service by standing aloof from all partisanship. He
gave his readers all the information possible on every important
subject. He believed that the people were intelligent enough to
draw their own conclusions and gradually, except upon important
occasions, he abandoned the editorial column. But when the
situation called for an expression of opinion from the Eagle he was
prompt to respond to this public duty, and he did it with vigor and
without fear or favor. His newspaper is published today according
to the policy laid down by him years ago, and that this has been
fully justified is apparent, when it is shown that the Daily Eagle
of today has a circulation of over twenty thousand, while in size
it is eight columns to a page, with ten or twelve pages, according
to the pressure of news and advertisements. Mr. Hawley was a strong
friend of the public school system. In his earlier years he was a
member of Reading's board of control, and took a prominent part in
the proceedings. For years he offered prizes to the Reading high
school boys for the best essay in literature, and prizes for
meritorious work by pupils in the county schools. He realized that
the school was the foundation of the true greatness of the State,
and he did much to advance the cause of education. He was a
contributor to every worthy object, though in many cases his name
was not connected with the giving. He was ever enterprising and
progressive in his ideas. He devoted his newspaper to building up
and advancing the interests of his community and never for the
purpose of striking down either an organization or an individual.
Though he wielded power, he never used it to advance his own
interests but remained until the end a splendid example of the
independent editor. He left a lasting impression on the community
in which he lived.
Mr. Hawley married, Dec. 15, 1863, Kate E.
Ritter, daughter of the late Louis Ritter. When the Reading Eagle
Company was formed in 1904, Mrs. Hawley became president in which
capacity she served until her death, June 1, 1906. Two daughters
remain: Edith, wife of William Seyfert; and Helen, wife of Edwin A.
Quier. Mr. Seyfert is now president of the corporation, and Mr.
Quier vice-president.
p. 1276
Surnames: HAWMAN, ESSER, HENRY, HIESTER, STREAKER, MOYER,
GOODFELLOW, LIGHTCAP, TOMLINSON, NEWLIN, EMMEL, GYLES, CAVINDER
Penrose W. Hawman, member of the firm of Hawman Brothers, general
contractors at Reading, and one of the best known and most
enterprising business men and citizens of that city, was born there
Jan. 22, 1858, son of Henry Reigard and Emma Esser (Henry) Hawman,
the former a native of Lancaster and a son of Peter and Catherine
Susanna (Hiester) Hawman.
Peter Hawman, grandfather of Penrose W., was
born in the city of Lancaster, a son of the emigrant ancestor of
the family in America. He was well known in the business world of
Lancaster, where he died, and was at one time sheriff of the
county. He was also a veteran of the war of 1812, in which he
rendered distinguished service. He married Catherine Susanna
Hiester, daughter of Isaac Hiester, and member of one of the early
Lancaster county families. Their children were: Annie C., who died
unmarried; Elizabeth C., m. to Benjamin Streaker, and killed on the
Pennsylvania railroad, leaving children ? Frank, Harry, Charles,
Edward, Mary, Susan and Emma; Henry Reigard, father of Penrose W.;
Mary H., m. to Levi Moyer, of Reading; William H., a chairmaker,
who died in Lancaster county; and Peter, who died young.
Henry Reigard Hawman, father of Penrose W., was
born March 11, 1822, at Lancaster, PA., and learned the molders
trade. He moved to Reading when eighteen years of age and entered
the foundry of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company,
where he became foreman. After remaining there ten years he became
a co-partner in the Reading Industrial Works and in the Bertolette
Foundry at the foot of Court street until the latter was destroyed
by fire in 1856. He then conducted a restaurant in the Old State
House building, and besides catering to the public he relieved many
distressed families who applied for aid, and was the originator of
the public relief society. In 1861 he began contracting and
continued until his last illness. He was identified with the
construction of a number of railroads, among which were the Reading
& Columbia, Philadelphia & Erie, and the New York Division
of the Pennsylvania Railroad. He was also engaged on the Berks
County Prison extension and the Philadelphia & Reading round
houses, car shops and passenger station. For many years he took an
active part in politics, and from 1862 to 1865 was county
commissioner, from 1867 to 1869 represented the Seventh ward in the
common council, and from 1872 to 1875 in the select council. He was
bank assessor for Berks and Lebanon counties by appointment from
the auditor general of Pennsylvania, and he was a delegate to
county, State and National democratic conventions. On Aug. 12,
1846, he was raised a Mason in Lodge No. 62, F. & A. M., and in
1853 and 1854 served as worshipful master and in 1856 and 1857 as
treasurer; he also belongs to Reading Chapter No. 152, R. A. M.,
and was past eminent commander of DeMolay Commandery, No. 9, K. T.
He died at Reading May 4, 1879, and was buried with Masonic honors
in the Charles Evans cemetery. He married Emma Esser Henry, and
their children were: William H., P. Frank, Albert H., Penrose W.,
George K., Harry E., Charles H., and two others ? Charles Edward
Howard and Charles Howard ? both of whom died very young.
Albert H. Hawman, brother of Penrose W. and
senior member of the contracting firm of Hawman Brothers, was born
in Reading Sept. 22, 1853, and was educated in the public schools
of the city, leaving in the last year of high school, when his
father, a large contractor, needed his services. At the age of
eighteen he became an assistant to his father, and in 1883 he and
his brother Penrose W. formed a partnership under the firm name of
Hawman Brothers. This firm as described below is most active and
successful. Mr. Albert H. Hawman has general supervision of all
work the company undertakes.
On June 27, 1877, Mr. Hawman married Miss
Lillian Goodfellow, daughter of Isaiah and Rebecca (Lightcap)
Goodfellow, of Reading. To this union have been born two children:
(1) Dr. Erle G., born in Reading Sept. 1, 1881. He was graduated
from the Reading high school June 29, 1899, and from the medical
department of the University of Pennsylvania June 15, 1904. He was
resident physician at St. Josephs Hospital, Reading, from June,
1904, to July, 1905, and at the Berks County Hospital from April,
1906, to November, 1907, when he resigned and went to Philadelphia,
and did post-graduate work until Sept., 1908, when he returned to
Reading and located at No. 131 North Fifth street, where he is
engaged as a specialist in diseases of the Eye, Ear, Nose and
Throat. He is a member of the Reading, Berks County, and State
Medical Societies and of the American Medical Association.
Fraternally he belongs to Lodge No. 549, F. & A. M.; Reading
Lodge of Perfection, 14th degree; Philadelphia Consistory, 32nd
degree; and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. (2) Vera L. graduated
from the Reading high school June 23, 1904, and from Ossining
School, Ossining-on-the-Hudson, June 6, 1905. She is at home. The
family residence is at No. 13 South Tenth street, Reading. Mr.
Albert H. Hawman is connected with Reading Lodge, No. 549, F. &
A. M.; Excelsior Chapter, No. 237, R. A. M.; Reading Commandery,
No. 42, K. T.; Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.; and the Royal
Arcanum. He and his family are members of Grace Lutheran church, of
which for a number of years he was an official.
David Goodfellow, paternal grandfather of Mrs.
Hawman, was originally from Lycoming county, Pa., but later located
in Reading. He was of Scotch descent. Isaiah Goodfellow, son of
David, and father of Mrs. Hawman, was born in 1810, and died March
21, 1888. He married Rebecca Lightcap, born in 1815, daughter of
John Lightcap (a member of an old Quaker family of Pennsylvania,
who lived in Montgomery county). She died Jan. 9, 1894, and both
she and her husband are buried in the Charles Evans cemetery.
Penrose W. Hawman received his education in the
public schools of his native city, graduating from the high school
in the class of 1876, and in the same year was confirmed in the
Lutheran church, becoming a member of St. James parish. In 1877 he
began to learn the trade of machinist with the Philadelphia &
Reading Railway Company, in the old shops on Seventh and Chestnut
streets. He was possessed of mechanical ability of a high order,
and was soon advanced out of the apprentice class, continuing to
rise and to give satisfaction during the entire eleven years he
remained in the employ of the company. In 1889 he made his first
venture in the contracting business, and his first work was the
construction of a sewer from Second and Washington streets to Court
and Canal, and under the paper mills of the city. With his brother
as his partner, Mr. Hawman has gradually extended the scope of his
operations and the firm of Hawman Brothers has become known far
beyond the confines of its own city. Among the important contracts
intrusted to them and successfully carried out may be mentioned the
following: Two additional tracks for the Philadelphia & Reading
Railway Company, between Reading and Tuckertown, and in this they
did all the work incidental to it, including grading and bridges; a
number of railroads, trolley roads and sewers all over the country;
twenty miles of railroad for the Long Island Railroad Company; many
bridges for the Philadelphia & Reading road on different parts
of the system; the first concrete sewer ever constructed in Reading
? this was in the early nineties ? and since then many others for
the city; several sewers and trolley lines in Trenton, N. J., and
the trolley line from Trenton to Trenton Junction, a distance of
four miles; an addition to the Phoenixville Water Supply; and in
1900-01 all the buildings and Pipe line of the Lebanon water supply
for the city of Lebanon, Pa., in which they installed everything
needed. On April 5, 1909, they completed the Spring street subway
for the city of Reading. The number of men in their employ varies
according to the magnitude of the work engaged upon ? sometimes
requiring sixty men, while at others they have a pay-roll of 2,000.
That success has attended their efforts speaks well for the
business ability of the brothers, as well as for their mechanical
ability. They are strictly honest and fair in their dealings, and
their workmanship is always of the best possible. They take just
pride in turning over to the corporations employing them, work that
will stand the test of years, and they have a reputation equaled by
few, excelled by none. Mr. Penrose W. Hawman is a man of large
business capacity, and with the ability to see and understand
almost intuitively the needs of construction in a work vast enough
to make most men stand aghast at its daring conception.
In his political faith Mr. Hawman is a stanch
Democrat. He is a Mason of high degree, belonging to Reading Lodge
No. 549, F. & A. M.; Reading Lodge of Perfection; Harrisburg
Consistory; and Rajah Temple, Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of
Reading Lodge, No. 155, B. P. O. E.; and the Royal Arcanum.
In 1896 Mr. Hawman married Miss Laura Edna
Tomlinson, daughter of Lewis Kendall and Emily Jane (Newlin)
Tomlinson. They have one daughter, Claire Dorothy.
The Tomlinson family was founded in America by
the great-grandfather of Mrs. Hawman, who came from England in
young manhood, and settled in New Jersey, where he reared a family.
One of his sons, David, born in New Jersey in 1798, became a
produce dealer in Philadelphia market, and died at the age of
fifty-two years; he married Nancy Ann Emmel, of Cumberland, N. J.,
and had three children, Henry E., Lewis Kendall and a daughter that
died in infancy. Lewis Kendall Tomlinson was born in Camden, N. J.,
Oct. 13, 1848, and in his youth learned the potters trade, which
he carried on until 1890, when he moved to Reading, and was
variously employed until April 1, 1898, then moving to Vaughan, N.
C., and farming one summer. Returning to Reading he remained until
1894, when he purchased a small place in Mt. Penn, and there has
since resided. He married Dec. 25, 1871, Emily Jane Newlin,
daughter of William K. and Ann Eliza (Gyles) Newlin, and
granddaughter of John and Elizabeth (Cavinder) Newlin. Mr. and Mrs.
Tomlinson have had eight children: N. Robert, Laura Edna, Lewis B.
(deceased), Maggie E., Josephine, Ross K., Blanche T. and Lewis V.
(deceased)
p. 1576
Surnames: HAWS, WESTLEY, HENRY, BROWN, HUYETT, REISER, KENN, HUBER,
DETEMPLE, SEIFERT, MARCH
John W. Haws, late of Robeson township, Berks county, was born Oct.
12, 1838, on the farm which he owned and lived upon, and where he
died Oct. 27, 1908. He was a son of Samuel and Mary A. (Westley)
Haws, and grandson of George Haws.
George Haws, the grandfather, was a wheelwright
by trade, and followed that occupation all his life, in connection
also tilling a small piece of land now owned by L. R. Henry, in
Robeson township. He and his wife had these children: Margaret
(married John Brown), Samuel (father of John W.), John and Mrs.
Huyett (who died when a young woman). In religious belief the
family were Lutherans. Mr. Haws was a Democrat in his political
opinion.
Samuel Haws was born April 18, 1792, on the old
homestead in Robeson township, and learned the wheelwright's trade
from his father, engaging in that business and in farming until his
death, in 1868, at the age of seventy-six years. His wife died in
1862. Their children were: Maria, John W., Rebecca, George, Mary
Ann and Ruth, the two last named dying young.
John W. Haws was educated
in the schools of Robeson township, and from his youth engaged in
agricultural pursuits. He was enterprising and thrifty, and
accumulated considerable property, becoming the owner of two farms
in Robeson township, of 169 and 128 acres, respectively, and
another on in Chester county, of thirty-four acres.
Mr. Haws married Mary Ann Reiser, daughter of
George Reiser, of Cumru township, Berks county, and five children
were born to this union: Mary Ellen m. Owen Kenn, and has had one
child, John Harold; Margaret R. m. Myers N. Huber, and has had
three children, Paul F., Oscar M. and Sarah M.; Emma May m. Edward
Detemple, and has had Irene, Esther and Elsie; George R. m.
Gertrude May Seifert, and has had two children, George Ellsorth and
Mary Ethel; John R. m. Mary F. March, and has a son, John March.
In politics Mr. Haws was a Democrat, and he held
a number of township offices. During the war he was drafted, but
sent a substitute. He was a Lutheran in religion, and is buried at
St. John's Union Church in Robeson township. His death was a marked
loss to his county, for he was a good citizen and a kind neighbor.