Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery
pg. 722
Surnames: HIRNER, STERL, SCHEIFFLY, GOELZ, HEBERLE
Among the self-made men of this section of Pennsylvania, who won a
prominent position for themselves in the business world, was Henry
Christian Hirner, who died Sept. 30, 1898, at Reading, in which
city he had lived retired from 1880. Mr. Hirner was born in April,
1833, at Stuttgart, Germany. In his native country he learned the
trade of stone cutter, and on coming to America in 1855 he located
at Wilkes-Barre, where he soon became an extensive marble and
granite monument and tombstone manufacturer, employing on an
average of fifteen men. He made some of the finest monuments in the
eastern part of the State, including the Dr. Sterl monument, which
he erected at Wilkes-Barre, and which cost $3,000. Owing to ill
health Mr. Hirner was compelled to retire from business in 1879,
and during that and the following year he sold his valuable real
estate holdings, and went on a trip for his health to California,
which, however, did not benefit him much. He returned to
Pennsylvania, and located at Reading, where he built a large brick
residence at the corner of Seventeenth and Haak streets, and this
was his home at the time of his death. His widow resided here until
her own death. Mr. Hirner was a member of the Masonic fraternity
and the Odd Fellows at Wilkes-Barre, and was buried at that place,
where a large monument marks his last resting place.
Mr. Hirner was twice married, his first wife
dying young. In 1877 he m. (second) Christiana Goelz, who was born
Sept. 26, 1842, daughter of Philip and Dora (Scheiffly) Goelz,
natives of Weilheim, near Stuttgart, Germany, who came to America
in 1851. They located in Reading, where Philip Goelz kept a hotel
at the corner of Fourth and Bingaman streets, and later one at
Chestnut, below Third street, where his death occurred. He and his
family were members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. and Mrs. Hirner had
no children. Mrs. Hirner died Feb. 24, 1909, aged sixty-eight
years. She was survived by her sister, Mr. William Heberle, No. 309
North Second street, Reading.
p. 1202
Surnames: HIRSHLAND, MAYER, SAMUELS, BRUMBACH, LEVY
Solomon Hirshland, proprietor of the Reading Pants Manufacturing
Company. and one of the city's well-known and representative
business men, was born in 1848, in Germany, son of Isaac and
Lena(Mayer) Hirshland.
Isaac Hirshland brought his family to America
when Soloman was but seven months old, and for a short time resided
in New York, where he was engaged in butchering, in which business
he was also engaged in connection with huckstering, after coming to
Reading in 1857. He died June 1, 1896, at the age of seventy-six
years. Mr. and Mrs. Hirshland had these children: Solomon; Fannie,
m. to Isaac Samuels; Lee, and Harry. Isaac Hirshland was a Whig and
Republican in politics.
Solomon Hirshland received his education in the
schools of Reading, after leaving which he apprenticed himself to
the boilermaker's trade, and worked at that occupation until the
strike in 1876, when he accepted a position with a Pottsville firm,
in whose employ he continued until 1879. In this year he became
traveling salesman for the A.J. Brumbach Woolen Co., continuing
with that concern until 1882, when the Reading Pants Manufacturing
Company was formed by him, his first location being the second
floor of the Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart building. In 1896 he came
to his present location, No. 533 Penn street , and here, in
addition to manufacturing on an average 400 pairs of trousers
weekly, makes a specialty of custom tailoring, in which he does an
extensive business. Mr. Hirshland is an enterprising, up-to-date
business man, of more than ordinary ability, and has always made a
success of anything undertaken by him. Fraternally he is connected
with Chandler Lodge No. 227, F.& A. M. ; Caldwell Consistory,
and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.
Mr. Hirshland was married to Miss Fannie P.
Levy, of Lawrence, Kans., and to them have been born three
children: Lawrence, of the Reading high school, class of 1907;
Charles Roy; and Carrie, deceased.
p. 351
Surnames: HOBART, SMITH, KEIM, ADAMS, HOLLAND
Nathaniel Potts Hobart was born in Philadelphia, Oct. 3, 1790, read
law in the office of John C. Smith, and was admitted to the Bar of
his native city; removed to Pottstown, where he was appointed
justice of the peace by Gov. Simon Snyder; joined Capt. Daniel De
B. Keim's company of Washington Blues in August, 1814; marched it
to Camp Depont, and there joined the 1st Regiment of Pennsylvania
Volunteers Oct. 7, 1814, and served as fourth sergeant of the
company until Dec. 5th of the same year, when they returned to
Reading; admitted an attorney of the Berks County bar Jan. 3, 1818;
was clerk in the prothonotary's office, under John Adams, for
several years; was assistant clerk in the House of Representatives
at Harrisburg, under chief clerk Francis R. Shunk. In 1827 Governor
Shulze appointed him clerk of the Orphan's court and court of
Quarter Sessions of Berks county, which positions he held until
1830, when he removed to Pottstown. In 1826 he was appointed
auditor-general of Pennsylvania by Governor Ritner, and held the
office for three years. He resided at Pottstown from 1830 until his
death July 3, 1860. He married April 18, 1813, Joanna Holland, and
their children were: John Potts (who became an attorney in
Pottsville), Sarah P., Eliza R., Anna Sophia, Robert H., Nathaniel
B., William R. and Ellen G. Hobart.
p. 1582
Surnames: HOCH, HIGH, HOY, DeTURCK, HOCHEN, RANBERRY, HERBEIN,
LEVAN, WEISER, FISHER, BEIDLER, SCHNEIDER, KECK, GEISS, DIEROLF,
KEEHM, ARROWSMITH, WEIDNER, PETER, YODER, BRUMBAUGH, TEE, FEGLEY,
GROSS, CHRISTMAN, LEVINGOOD, SNASHOLD, BOACH, WARDER, LATCHER,
STEELE, REMBERRY, HOV, REICHARD, MOYER, BERTOLET, GRIESMER, KNABB,
RIEFF, YOUNG, STITZEL, RAPP, SHOEMAKER, GULDEN, GULDIN, SCHAEFFER,
LEINBACH, BECHTEL, WASSERMANN/WATERMAN, SCHUTZ, ANGSTADT, BUTZ,
SMITH HERTZOG, BURKEY, BREIDIGAM, KERSCHNER, VAN REED, SHENKEL,
STRUNK, KAUFFMAN, BOWER, ZIEGEL, DUNKEL, GLASE, MULHART, FISHBURN,
HUNTER, KIEFER, WEIDENHAMMER, YEAGER, SCHWOYER, LONG, KINDT,
SCHARADIN, DRAMLICH, DREIBELBIS, KLINE
(I) Early in 1717 Rudolph and Melchior Hoch, Moravians, left their
home in Switzerland for America on account of religious
persecution. Tradition says they were without much money when they
landed. These two were the ancestors of all of the name in Berks
and surrounding territory. The first spelling of the name was "Hoy"
the final "h" being added later; some members of the family
preferred the spelling "High" to "Hoch," and as early as 1744
Samuel, a grandson of Rudolph, spelled his name High. After
wandering about for some time, Rudolph Hoch settled near what is
now Pottsgrove, Montgomery county, Pa., while Melchior settled in
Bucks county, same State, all of the Hochs or Highs now in Bucks
county being descended from his two sons, Philip and Jacob. In 1725
Rudolph Hoch removed from near Pottsgrove, then known as Swedeland,
to Oley, and became the owner of a farm of 300 acres two miles
northeast of Friedensburg, the land being still in the possession
of the Hochs. In 1728 he laid out a burial place, about eighty feet
square, and here he and seven generations are buried. Several
interesting relics of the two emigrants are still preserved by the
family. The large German Bible is owned by Gideon A. D. Hoch. Books
brought from over the sea are still at the Hoch farm, the elder
Hochs making this provision in their wills. There is also a very
ornamental, small open-face watch, which though 266 years old is in
excellent condition and keeps perfect time. Philip D. Hoch has a
piece of petrified wood brought over by Rudolph Hoch, and used as a
whet stone, one of its principal uses being to sharpen razors.
Rudolph Hoch was married when he came to America, and his son John
was born in Switzerland. His wife died in 1728, and was the first
to be buried in the family cemetery. He died in 1748. His sons
numbered five, among them being John and Samuel.
In Prof. Daniel Rupp's "History of Berks
County," published in 1844, is a letter written by Maria De
Turck (born Hochen), of Oley township, which bears date May 14,
1718. It was addressed to her brother, sisters and friends in her
native country, and it reflects her profound piety.
(II) John Hoch, son of Rudolph, established the family homestead,
purchasing it from William Ranberry. He was the father of eleven
children: (1) Deborah was born 1721. (2) Samuel, born 1723, moved
to Poplar Neck. He married a daughter of Jonathan Herbein, of Oley,
and they had three sons and one daughter, two of the sons dying
quite young. (3) Rudolph born 1725, lived in Maiden-creek, where he
reared six sons-John, Daniel, Jacob, Isaac, Abraham and Samuel-and
four daughters. (4) Daniel, born 1728, had nine sons-Samuel, Jacob,
John, Daniel, Abraham, Isaac, David, Joseph and Philip-and four
daughters. (5) Maria and (6) Magdalena, twins, were born in 1730.
(7) John, born 1733, married Susanah Levan, had one daughter, and
died in 1763. (8) Susan was born in 1735. (9) Jacob, born 1738,
married (first) Miss Weiser, and (second) Miss Fisher, and had five
sons-David, Abraham, Solomon, William and Daniel-and three
daughters, all born and reared in Maiden-creek. (10) Esther was
born in 1742. (11) Abraham, born 1745, married Susannah Weiser, and
lived on the old Hoch farm, where one son, Abraham, and two
daughters were born.
(III) Samuel High, son of Samuel, born 1723, married a daughter of
Jonathan Herbein, of Oley and of their four children-three sons and
one daughter-two sons died in infancy. The surviving son was Isaac.
They lived in Poplar Neck.
(IV) Isaac High, son of Samuel, was born July 3, 1753. He died May
18, 1795.
(V) William High, son of Isaac, was born in 1786,and his death
occurred in 1851.
(VI) Ezra High, son of William, born in 1816, married and became
the father of one son, William, and five daughters.
(VII) William High, son of Ezra, married Sallie Beidler, daughter
of Conrad Beidler, and they had four sons-Count, William, Charles
and Isaac.
(III) Abraham Hoch, son of Samuel, born 1745, married Susanna
Weiser, and they had three children: Abraham, born 1771; and two
daughters.
(IV) Abraham Hoch, son of Abraham and Susanna, born 1771,
inherited the old Hoch farm at his father's death. He married
Susannah Schneider, and they had six children: Sarah, born 1795,
died 1816; Gideon S., born 1796; Joshua, born 1799; Hannah, born
1805, died 1806; Rachel, born 1807, married David Keck, of
Montgomery county, Pa; and Susannah, born 1811, married Henry
Geiss, of Oley Line.
(V) Joshua Hoch, son of Abraham, born 1799, married Lydia Dierolf,
and had ten children, five of whom died in infancy. The survivors
were: William, a well-known shoe dealer at Reading; Joshua, a
successful business man in Reading; Gideon S.; Susannah; and
Catherine.
(VI) William High, son of Joshua and Lydia (Dierolf), was born in
Oley township, and in 1857 he came to Reading, where from that time
until his death, in April, 1904, he was engaged in the shoe
business. He was buried at Aulenbach cemetery, of which he had been
a trustee for twenty-five years. Fraternally he was a member of the
Odd Fellows and the Good Fellows. He married Ellen Keehn, daughter
of John Keehn, and she survives her husband and resides at No. 147
North Tenth street, Reading. Their children were: Ezra K., of
Reading; Peter K.; Mary Ella; Sarah S., wife of Arthur Arrowsmith;
John L.; Katie E., a teacher in the high school in Hammonton, N.
J.; and Emma L., Alice, Martha and William H., all four deceased.
(VII) Peter K. High, son of William an Ellen (Keehn), was born in
Reading in 1857 and his education was obtained in the public
schools of that city. After completing his education he was engaged
in business with his father for a number of years, then becoming a
messenger of the Penn National Bank of Reading, a position he
continued to fill for seven and one-half years. On July 1, 1899,
Mr. High was appointed janitor of the postoffice under Mr. A. M.
High, the present postmaster, where he continued seven years. On
Oct. 1, 1906, he was appointed custodian of the administration
building of the Reading school board, a position he now fills. Mr.
High is single, and lives with his mother at the home on Tenth
street.
(V) Gideon S. Hoch, son of Abraham, born 1796, became the owner of
the Hoch farm by inheritance. He married Susannah Weidner, born
1797, died 1881, and they became the parents of six children:
Sarah, born in 1819, was the first wife of Daniel Y. Peter, and
died in 1854: Catharine, born in 1821, was the wife of Martin
Yoder, a well-known farmer of Clay township, who died at advanced
age, and she died in 1879; Rachel, born in 1825, was the first wife
of Isaac Brumbaugh, of Friedensburg, and died in 1872; Israel, born
in 1829, died in 1833; Hannah, born in 1832, married James N. Tee,
of Delaware, and is the only survivor of the family; and Gideon W.
(VI) Gideon W. Hoch, son of Gideon S., and to whom the farm
descended on the death of the father, was born May 1, 1835, and he
died Dec. 29, 1893. He married Naomi L. De Turck, and they had
eight children, as follows: Thermuthis A. D., born Sept 25, 1858,
married John H. Fegley, a huckster at Boyertown, and their one
child died some years ago; Willi, born in 1860, died in 1862; Seth
E., born in 1862, died in 1863; Mahlon S., born in 1864, died the
same year; Gideon A. D., born Dec. 15, 1865; Walton Morris, born
April 5, 1868, Philip D., born Aug. 11, 1869, married Ida Gross;
Naomi, born in 1872, died the same year.
(VII) Gideon A. D Hoch, son of Gideon W., was born on the old home
farm Dec. 15, 1865. His education was obtained in the public
schools of Oley township, and the Oley Academy, attending school
until he was seventeen years old. Out of school hours he had become
familiar with the science of agriculture, and when twenty-five
years old he began farming for himself on the home farm, and here
he has since continued. He has 150 acres of the best land in Oley
Valley. The present house, built of stone, was erected by Abraham
and Susanna (Weiser) Hoch in 1788, and is in good condition,
bidding fair to be a comfortable home for another century. The
western part of the house was built by Abraham and Susannah
(Schneider), in 1811. The large Swiss barn was built in 1830. Mr.
Gideon A. D. Hoch is a Democrat in politics. He was twice married.
In 1890 he married Lydia H. Christman, born April 20, 1867, died
Dec. 31, 1901, daughter of Nathan H. Christman. Six children were
born of this union: Gideon C. (a fine musician now connected with
the Oley Valley Band), Maud, D. Webster, Thermuthis, Edna and
Abraham E. Mr. Hoch Married (second) Lottie , daughter of Jacob
Levingood, of Oley township. Two children were born of the second
marriage: John L. and Jacob L. Mr. Hoch, as well as his father,
were musicians and were members of bands.
The following is a short Abstract of the Title
of the Original Hoch Homestead in America: "On May 12th, 1682,
William Penn, then of England, gave a Deed to John Snashold, also
of England, for Five hundred acres of land in Oley Township, then
Philadelphia County, Pa.
"John Snashold died intestate, only heir being Joan Boach, daughter
of his brother Richard Snashold, and whereas Joan Boach widow on
January the 4th, 1702, did give power of attorney to John Warder,
and John Latcher recorded in and for the County of Philadelphia, in
book D 3 Vol. 5 page 230.
"(Deed) And whereas the said John Warder, and John Latcher did for
the consideration there in mentioned did grant and confirm unto
James Steele, dated March the 29th, 1726-not recorded.
"(Deed) James Steel to William Remberry, dated November the 15th ,
1728, for Four hundred and ninety-two acres, recorded at Reading,
Pa., in Book A. Vol. 8, page 271, &c.
"(Deed) William Remberry to John Hov. Dated January the 30th,
1728, recorded at Reading, Pa., Book A, Vol. 2, page 275, recorded
July the 11th, 1761.
"John Hoch by his last Will and Testament, dated August the 14th,
1769, did grant and devise unto Abraham Hoch, Sr., Two hundred and
twenty acres.
"(Deed) Abraham Hoch, Sr., to Abraham Hoch, Jr., Dated August 20th,
1821, for Two hundred and Nineteen acres, said Deed is not
recorded.
"(Deed) Abraham Hoch, Jr., to Gideon Hoch, Dated February the 7th,
1827, for One hundred and Fifty acres, Recorded at Reading,
February 8th, 1827, and whereas the said Gideon Hoch died Intestate
in 1865, the Orphans' Court of Berks County did adjudicate the same
above mentioned tract unto Gideon W. Hoch.
"And whereas the said Gideon W. Hoch died, and by his last will and
Testament, Dated April 17th, 1893, did grant and devise the above
mentioned tract of land unto Gideon A. D. Hoch, the present
owner."
(VII) Philip D. Hoch, son of Gideon W., was born Aug. 11, 1869,
and now resides at Manatawny, in Oley township, successful in
business and prominent and influential in the financial world. He
grew to manhood on the home farm, becoming familiar with the duties
there, and he has never entirely given up agricultural pursuits.
Since 1898 he had dealt extensively in hides and tallow, his first
location being in Reading, but he is now in Allentown, employing
six men all the time. His business has run as high as $38,000 in
one week. Mr. Hoch owns the old Tychicus Weidner homestead in Oley,
now consisting of 109 acres of very valuable land. On it is the old
Weidner burying ground. He lives in a comfortable brick house
situated at the cross road of Friedensburg and Lobachsville, and
Pleasantville and Kutztown. He had been a director of the Kutztown
Bank since its organization, Sept. 27, 1897, missing but three
meetings of the board in all these years. This bank opened it doors
for business Jan. 3, 1898. Mr. Hoch is an antiquarian of some note,
and has a valuable collection of coins, pewter ware, china and
books. Probably his most prized possession is a clock that belonged
to his great grandfather, Philip De Turck. He has also a copy of
deed of land dated May 26, 1682, given by William Penn to John
Snashold.
Philip D. Hoch was married Nov. 22, 1891, to Ida
Gross, daughter of William and Mary (Reichard) Gross, of Pike
township, and granddaughter of Henry Gross, of the same township.
Six children have been born of this union: Gross, John, Robert,
Ira, Frances and Mary.
(II) Samuel Hoch, second son of Rudolph, married
and started a farm in the western part of Oley, near the site of
the so-called Moravian School, one and one-half miles southwest of
Friedensburg. The land on which this building stands, together with
thirty-eight acres additional, was donated by the Hochs. At first
the building was used for the double purpose of holding religious
services and keeping school, but when no more Moravian services
were held, it was used for school purposes only, and now is a
dwelling occupied by Daniel Moyer, though still the property of
Oley township, including the land.
(III) Daniel Hoch, son of Samuel, was born Jan. 18, 1731, and he
died Aug. 27, 1789. He married Mary or Maria Bertolet, born Sept.
18, 1736, died July 17, 1802. They had children: Samuel B., born
March 7, 1757, died June 18, 1826; Esther, born June 25, 1758,
married Peter Griesmer, and died Jan. 20, 1840; Susanna, born July
8, 1759, married John Nicholas Knabb, and died March 15,1848; Mary,
born Dec. 29, 1761, was the second wife of Philip De Turck, and
died Dec. 27, 1821; John B., born Dec. 21, 1763, died Dec. 7, 1835;
Elizabeth, born Jan. 12, 1766, married Conrad Rieff, and died Oct.
10, 1843; Daniel, born Jan. 22, 1768, died March 10, 1829; Joseph,
born Sept. 24, 1770, died Sept 6, 1835; Catherine, born Sept. 25,
1772, married Adam Young, and died April 13, 1828; Sarah became the
first wife of John George Stitzel, Sr.; Hannah, born Jan 27, 1777,
married (first) Peter Rapp, (second) Anthony Shoemaker, (third)
Daniel G. Gulden, Sr. and died Oct. 14, 1842; and Abraham, born
June 27, 1779, died April 1, 1854.
(IV) John B. Hoch, son of Daniel, born Dec. 21, 1763, married in
1789, Elizabeth Guldin, born April 16, 1773. She died Aug. 20,
1848, and he passed away Dec. 7, 1835. Their children were: Mary
G., born Oct. 24, 1790, married John S. Bechtel, and died Aug. 30,
1863; Catharine, born Feb. 20, 1792, married John F. Bechtel, and
died March 30, 1836; Esther born Oct. 4, 1793, married John
Schaeffer, and died Jan. 8, 1849; Sarah, born May 24, 1798, married
Jacob H. Rieff, and died Jan. 20, 1852; Daniel G., born Jan.
18,1800, died March 1, 1880; John G., born Oct. 19, 1802; died June
10, 1884; Elizabeth G., born Jan. 11, 1805, was the first wife of
Samuel H. Leinbach, and died June 17, 1827; Abraham G., born Dec.
10, 1808, married Lydia L. Bechtel, and died May 26, 1844; Hannah
G., born April 7, 1814, died Oct. 25, 1823.
(IV) Daniel Hoch, son of Daniel, born Jan 22, 1768, died March 10,
1829, and is buried in a private cemetery on the homestead, not,
however, in the original Hoch family burying ground. He was a
prosperous farmer, and was the owner of many acres of valuable
land. On Nov. 3, 1789, Mr. Hoch married (first) Sarah Yoder, born
April 10, 1769, who died April 14, 1800, aged thirty-one years,
four days, the mother of five children: Esther, born in Wassermann
(Waterman) April 26, 1791, died Sept. 17, 1793; Eva, born in
Wassermann March 10, 1793; Maria, born in Wog Nov. 8, 1795, died
Feb. 21, 1817; Jacob Y., born in Krebs March 26, 1798; Peter, born
in Schutz April 13, 1800. Mr. Hoch married (second) July 26, 1801,
Sarah Angstadt, and their children were: Solomon, born May 25,
1802; Jeremiah, Dec. 31, 1803; Lea, April 7, 1805; Sophia, May 30,
1806; Sarah, June 13, 1807; Rachel, June 29, 1809; Anna, July 30,
1810; Daniel, Nov. 21, 1811; Susanna, Nov. 13, 1813; Rudolph, Sept.
28, 1815 (died July 31, 1883); and Wilhelmina and Moses, Sept. 25,
1817 (the latter died Feb. 20, 1843).
(V) Jacob Y. Hoch, son of Daniel by his first marriage, was born
March 26, 1798, and he died May 2, 1878, and was buried at
Friedensburg. He was successful in farming, his chosen calling, and
he was honored and respected in his district. He made the brick
used in the construction of his own house and barn in 1860. For
some time he served as school director of Oley. He married
Catharine De Turck, daughter of George DeTurck (1777-1847), and
she, too, is buried at Friedensburg. Eight children were born to
them: George, who died young; Daniel D.; Susan, who married Daniel
Butz, of Oley township; Miss Mary Ann, Catharine, who married Rev.
Lewis Smith; De Turck and Sarah Amanda, who both died young; and
Jacob, who lives at Friedensburg.
(VI) Daniel D. Hoch, son of Jacob Y., was born in Oley township
Sept 27, 1838. His early education was obtained in the old Moravian
school in his native township, and later in the newly established
public schools. When nineteen years old he was licensed to teach in
the public schools by Prof. D. B. Brunner, then county
superintendent. He taught six terms in his own district. The first
term he taught in Friedensburg, and the other five in the Reiff
school. In 1863 he began farming the home farm, which is the
original homestead of one branch of the Hoch family. The tract
originally consisted of 500 acres of land, but Mr. Hoch now has but
126 acres. This is very fertile and is highly cultivated. Mr. Hoch
was actively engaged in the operation of this place from 1863 to
1901, and since 1882 has been the owner. The old spring house built
in 1806 by Daniel Hoch is still standing and is well preserved. The
original house was built in 1749, and was a stone building attached
to a log house, which latter, old settlers have said, was one of
the very early buildings in the valley, being erected in the early
years of the eighteenth century. It was covered with a tile roof.
This stone and log house was torn down in 1880 by Jacob Hoch, the
present brick house being erected then. The brick for this place
were manufactured by Mr. Hoch on his own farm. The barn was built
in 1755, and this Jacob Hoch tore down in 1862, and in its stead
built the present structure, the walls of which are of brick. Mr.
Hoch is now engaged in the manufacture of brick, having had a plant
on his farm since 1883. He averages about 100,000 a year.
In politics Mr. Hoch is a Democrat, and he has
served his township as school director for six years. For three
years he was auditor and for twenty-one years treasurer of Oley
Academy. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, while his wife is
Reformed, belonging to Friedens Church. Mr. Hoch was a deacon and
elder for many years, and for fifteen years was superintendent of
Friedensburg Union Sunday-school, and he is very active in church
and Sunday-school work, though of late his work has been made more
difficult for him because of the loss of hearing.
Mr. Hoch has been twice married. In 1863, he
married Henrietta Knabb, daughter of Daniel Knabb, and they had
five children: (1) Clara A. married Jacob B. Hertzog, a school
teacher of Oley township, residing at Friedensburg, and former
member of the State Legislature. (2) Daniel K., a prominent and
respected citizen of Reading, represented that city in the State
Legislature two terms, was delegate to the National Democratic
Convention in Denver in 1908, and for a number of years has been
connected with the Reading Eagle. He is a member of a number of
secret societies. (3) Charles K., who has farmed on the homestead
since 1902, married Mary Burkey, and has children, Daniel, Samuel,
Anna H. and Sallie. (4) George died when eighteen months old. (5)
Katie lives at home. Mr. Hoch married (second) Oct. 7, 1880, Mary
B. Kerschner, daughter of George and Catharine (Breidigam)
Kerschner. Mr. Hoch is a worthy representative of a family
prominent in this section of Berks county since 1725, and he holds
a high place in the esteem of his fellow citizens
(V) Susanna Hoch, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Angstadt), was born
Nov. 13, 1813 and died Nov. 21, 1846. On Sept. 4, 1838, she married
Martin Van Reed High, who was born Nov. 9, 1811, and who died March
4,1 1852, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Van Reed) High, and grandson
of Samuel and wife (nee Shenkel) High, and grandson of Samuel and
wife (nee Shenkel) High, farming people of Oley, where they are
buried. Martin V. R. High was a lifelong farmer, and owned a farm
of 135 acres in Oley township, now owned by Jacob S. Strunk. He was
buried on the farm now owned by Ephraim K. Kauffman in a private
burying ground belonging to the DeTurck family. To Martin V. R. and
Susanna High were born the following children: Wilhelmina, m. to
Daniel Bower, of Friedensburg; Samuel H.; Sarah M., who died young;
Mary, m. to Alexander Ziegel, of Reading; Susan, m. to the late Dr.
Thomas Dunkel, of Reading.
Samuel High (or Hoch), father of Martin V. R.
was born Oct 10, 1784, son of Samuel High, (or Hoch) and wife (nee
Shenkel), and he died March 21, 1844, aged fifty-nine years, five
months, eleven days. He was a farmer, owning three large farms, one
of which contains the private burying ground, and is now the
property of Ephraim K. Kauffman, of Oley. Mr. High was well known
in his district. In 1808 he built the large stone house, and in
1823 the present barn on the farm now owned by Jacob S. Strunk, of
Oley township. On Dec. 11, 1806, he married Elizabeth Van Reed,
born Oct. 21, 1789, and died Feb. 10, 1847. This union was blessed
with seven sons and four daughters, those who reached mature years
being: Samuel, went South, his last letter starting he was going to
Jamaica, and since then nothing more has been heard of him; Martin
V. R.; Jacob V. R.: Rebecca m. D. A. Glase; Maria m. Joseph
Muthart; Reuben resides in Reading; Eliza Ann m. Ephraim Fishburn,
of Reading.
(VI) Samuel H. High, son of Martin V. R., was born in Oley
township, Dec. 28, 1841, and was brought up on the farm. He
enlisted in Company C, 167th P. V. I., at Reading, in the fall of
1862 for nine months, but his service lasted over ten months, and
he was mustered out in July, 1863, at Reading. After the war he
engaged in farming, in Oley township, on the farm now owned by
James Fisher, living there for three years. The next year he farmed
a tract near Griesemersville, and in 1874 he bought his present
place, containing twenty-six acres. It is located between
Griesemersville and Yellowhouse, on the King's Highway, also called
the Church road. On this farm is a house built in 1768 by I.
Hunter, and his wife, E. Hunter. The barn was built in 1793. These
two buildings are very substantial, the walls being eighteen inches
thick. The house was used as a hotel until in the fifties. Mr. High
attends the Reading markets and devotes considerable time to truck
raising. He has a fine dairy also. With his family he attends the
Reformed Church of Oley, in which he was deacon and trustee for a
number of years. In 1867 he married Mary E. Griesemer, daughter of
Wellington B. and Sarah (Kiefer) Griesemer. Four children were born
to the: (1) Miss Sarah A. lives at home. (2) Dr. Warren E., born
July 1, 1870, died Feb. 5, 1907, and is buried at Oley Church. He
graduated from the university of Pennsylvania in 1893, and was then
appointed physician in the United States Navy, and visited all
parts of the globe. On leaving the Navy he settled at Butler, Pa.,
and built up a large practice. He married Mary L. Knabb, daughter
of Alfred Knabb, and they had one son, Edward Lewis. (3) Martin
Wellington died aged eleven months. (4) Florence died aged seven
years.
(V) Jacob V. R. Hoch (or High), son of Samuel and brother of Martin
V. R., was born in Oley Oct. 9, 1825. He attended the old pay
schools in the winter, and later for one winter the Trappe school
in Montgomery county. He was reared to farming, and worked for his
parents until he was thirty-five years old. He then began farming
in Oley township, where he now lives, although since 1872 he has
been retired from active work. That year he built a big brick house
on the road leading from Yellowhouse to Friedensburg, in which he
resided until his death, April 26, 1909. He added a number of
out-buildings, but the barn was built in 1844, and the old house in
1842 by Samuel Hoch. Altogether he had 120 acres of good land in
Oley Valley. He was a deacon and elder some years in the Reformed
Church at Friedensburg, to which his family belong. There he was
buried. In 1850 he married Lydia Hoch, daughter of Solomon and
Hannah (Weidenhammer) Hoch, of Richmond township. They have had
five children: Irwin, a farmer on the homestead; Charles, who died
aged six years; Hannah, who married Capt. Frederick Yeager, of
Reading; Ella, who died aged twelve years; and Prof. Alfred, a
teacher in the public schools in Philadelphia.
Mayberry S. Hoch, a well-known farmer of
Maxatawny township, was born at Moselem, Richmond township, May 25,
1839, son of Abraham and grandson of John Hoch.
John Hoch was a lifelong farmer in Maiden-creek
township, where he owned a large farm, and he is buried in a
private ground on the farm he owned. He married Elizabeth Kindt,
and their children were: John, Heinrich, Solomon, Rudolph, Jacob,
Abraham, Mary (who married Simon Moyer) and Samuel.
John Hoch was a lifelong farmer in Maiden-creek
township, where he owned a large farm, and he is buried in a
private ground on the farm he owned. He married Elizabeth Kindt,
and their children were: John, Heinrich, Solomon, Rudolph, Jacob,
Abraham, Mary (who married Simon Moyer) and Samuel.
Abraham Hoch, son of John, was a farmer at
Moselem Springs, In Richmond township, where he owned a farm of
some ninety acres. Some years before his death he retired and went
to Kirbyville, and there died at the age of sixty-six. He is buried
at St. Peter's Church. He married Elizabeth Schwoyer, who bore him
ten children, five sons and five daughters: John, deceased, of
Richmond township; Benneville, deceased, of Fleetwood; Aaron , of
Reading; Solomon, in Richmond; Maberry S.; Maria, who married Jesse
Long; Anna, who died unmarried; Jane, who died at New York; Miss
Sarah, of Reading; and Florenda, who married Ephraim Scharadin, of
Kutztown.
Maberry S. Hoch, son of Abraham, was reared to
farming, giving his time to his parents until he was thirty years
old. In 1866 he began farming in Richmond township, on the home
farm, and continued eleven years, moving at the end of that time to
Longswamp township. He remained there two years, and then located
in Moselem, where he farmed four years. He next farmed eleven years
for Rev. B. E. Kramlich, at Kutztown. In 1897 he bought his present
farm near Kemp's Hotel, in Maxatawny township, between Kutztown and
Allentown, along the Easton road. It contains 110 acres of level
land, good wheat soil, all in good condition, well improved with
cement walks. He keeps nine horses and fifteen cows. With his
family he attends the Lutheran Church, and there they have their
family burial plot at St. Peter's. On Sept 26, 1868, Mr. Hoch
married Lucy Ann Kline, daughter of Daniel and Esther (Dreibelbis)
Kline, of Richmond township. Four children blessed this union,
namely: William H., born May 25, 1869; Franklin, born July 24,
1871; Lizzie and Daniel (twins), born May 20, 1875, Lizzie dying at
the age of fourteen years, four months and twenty-eight days.
p. 1415
Surnames: HOCH, ROTHERMEL, SCHLEGEL, KUTZ, DIEHL
Henry R. Hoch, an enterprising business man of Reading, Pa., where
he has been engaged in slate cutting since January, 1905, was born
March 19, 1872, in Richmond township, Berks county, Pa., son of
Bennewell and Susan (Rothermel) Hoch, and grandson of Samuel Hoch.
Mr. Hoch received his education in the schools
of his native township, after leaving which he spent nine years at
harness making at Fleetwood, Pa. He then engaged in slate cutting
with his brother M. R. Hoch, a sketch of whom will be found
elsewhere in this volume, and the brothers have continued together
to the present time.
The marriage of Mr. Hoch occurred Feb. 18, 1905,
to Clara Schlegel, daughter of Reuben and Katie (Kutz) Schlegel,
and they reside at no. 626 Moss street, being well known in their
community. They have two children, Ida and Anna. Mr. Hoch is a
member of the Fleetwood Camp, No. 103, P. O. S. of A., and the
Knights of Malta, No. 277, Reading. In religious belief Mr. and
Mrs. Hoch are Reformed. In their pleasant home is an interesting
curio which belonged to Mr. Hoch's grandfather, a "grandfather's
clock" bearing the name of Jacob Diehl as maker, and showing the
moon's phases and date. This old and valued time-piece is greatly
prized by Mr. Hoch, and would make a valued addition to any
historical collection.
p. 1341
Surnames: HOCH, ROTHERMEL, HERBINE, SCHMOYER, SCHEAFFER, HOYER,
MERTZ, RICHARD, SCHLEGEL, REIDER, CONRAD, DELP, HEFNER, KELLER,
SICHER
Martin R Hoch, a well known slater of Reading, Pa., whose place of
business is located at No. 718 North Eighth street, was born Jan.
12, 1868, in Richmond township, Berks county, son of Benneville and
Susan (Rothermel) Hoch.
Samuel Hoch, grandfather of Martin R., who was a
prominent agriculturist of Richmond township, and whose death was
caused by a fall from a load of hay, married a Miss Herbine, who
also died in that township. Their children were: Benneville;
Philip; Maria, who married for her third husband Mr. Schmoyer and
resides in Fleetwood; John; Joel; and Samuel.
Benneville Hoch was born in Richmond township,
and at the time of his father's death took charge of the old
homestead on which he resided all his life, farming there for a
period of thirty-four years. His death occurred in his sixtieth
year, his wife passing away when seventy-seven years old. Their
farm is now occupied by Jacob Scheaffer. Mr. Hoch and his wife were
faithful members of the Reformed Church. In political matters he
was a Democrat, and for some years served as a member of the school
board, taking an active interest in educational and public matters.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hoch there were born sixteen children, ten of whom
now survive: Susan, who married Isaiah Hoyer of Reading;
Benneville, who married Mary Mertz of Richmond township; Cyrus, who
married Diana Richard of Friedensburg, Oley township; Harriet, who
married August Schlegel of Fleetwood; Joel, who married Catherine
Reider; William, who married Fianna Conrad of Boyertown; Amanda,
who married William T. Delp, of Bowers, Pa.; Martin R.; Henry, who
married Clara Schlegel, of Reading; and Katie, single; and Ezra
(died Aug. 5, 1909, m. Sally Hefner), Annie, Peter, Samuel, Lydia
and Sarah, deceased.
Martin R. Hoch (or High) attended the public
schools of his native township until nineteen years of age, working
on the farm during the summer months. He then learned the trade of
marble cutting, a business which he followed for six years, but
since 1894 has been engaged in his present line, having a large and
profitable trade in slate and sink tops. He employs three skilled
mechanics, and does work not only in the city, but in the
surrounding country and adjoining counties.
Mr. Hoch married Miss Emma Keller, daughter of
Jacob and Mary (Sicher) Keller, and their two sons, Charles K. and
Claude H., are attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Hoch reside in their
pleasant home at No. 930 Greenwich street, Reading, and have many
friends in their community. They are members of St. Stephen's
Reformed church. Politically Mr. Hoch is a Democrat and fraternally
he is connected with Camp 103, P. O. S. of A. Fleetwood; and
Friendship Council, A. & I. O. K. & M. No. 247, of Reading.
p. 1006
Surnames: HOFFA, HAFFA, NEFF, BOYER, BRIGHT, FIDLER, NEFF, KINTZER,
MYERS, SMITH, STRAUSE, IRWIN, ALTHOUSE, BEIDLER, DEININGER
Isaac Hoffa, for several years a prosperous farmer of Cumru
township, whose valuable property lies along the Wyomissing road,
is now living on South Third street, Reading. He was born Jan. 4,
1851, on the Harrisburg pike, in Marion township, son of Isaac and
Lydia (Neff) Hoffa.
Melchoir Haffa (as the name was then spelled),
the progenitor of this family in America, was a native of Germany,
from which country he emigrated in 1723, settling in the Falkner
Swamp, in Montgomery county, Pa. He died Dec. 7, 1768, and is
buried at the Falkner Swamp Lutheran Church. He had a son Henry,
who was high sheriff of Berks county from 1780 to 1781, and the
latter's son, also named Henry, is mentioned in the Berks county
court records as the administrator of the estate of his father, the
Sheriff, in 1809.
Henry Hoffa, grandfather of Isaac, Jr., was born
in Berks county, where he spent his entire life, becoming the
possessor of much valuable property. He died in Reading in 1817.
Mr. Hoffa married Sarah Ann Boyer, daughter of Henry Boyer, of
Reading, and they had the following children: Melchoir; Jacob, born
in Reading, May 20, 1800, settled at Milton, and was the father of
John, Samuel, Sarah, Cyrus and Reuben (who was born Nov. 9, 1841);
Henry settled at Mexico, Northampton county; Rebecca married a Mr.
Bright of Mexico, Pa.; John died on a ship of war; Daniel lived in
Exeter township; Isaac is mentioned below.
Isaac Hoffa, father of Isaac, was born Jan. 4,
1810, in Reading, and died March 31, 1896, on a farm about one mile
north of Womelsdorf, which he had cultivated for forty-nine years
for Elias Fidler. Mr. Hoffa was a miller by trade, and for some
years in his earlier life had worked at Hertzog's mill. He then
engaged in farming on a property of his own near Womelsdorf, where
he continued for about one year, before removing to the farm on
which he died. Mr. Hoff married Lydia Neff (1814-1885) of Kutztown,
and to them were born nine children, as follows: William A., of
Womelsdorf; Henry, who married Selecta Kintzer, and died at the age
of thirty-three years; Mary, who married Samuel B. Myers, of
Philadelphia; Sallie, who married Charles Smith of Reading; John;
Isaac; Emma, who married Franklin Strause, of Reading; Jacob, who
lives on the old homestead; and Samuel, who lives at Womelsdorf.
Both father and mother are buried at Womelsdorf.
Isaac Hoffa obtained his early education in the
township schools, later attending the Womelsdorf Academy and the
Stouchsburg Academy, continuing school off and on until his
twenty-third year. In 1872 he began teaching public school in his
native township, at the Charming Forge schoolhouse, spent the
following year at Wintersville, and one year at the Leiss School in
Heidelberg township. In 1874 he engaged in farming near
Stouchsburg, an occupation which he has followed continuously.
Later, in 1890, he went West to Illinois, where he was engaged in
cattle business, and in the fall of the same year he returned home,
and the following spring went to Remsen, Iowa, where there was a
German-settlement. After remaining in that locality one year, he
located in Cumru township, Berks county, and for one year was
employed on a farm by W. J. Irwin. Mr. Hoffa at this time embarked
in the dairy business, which he has followed successfully ever
since. At the start he purchased his milk, but after purchasing a
farm of fifty-two acres near West Reading, in 1896, he kept his own
cows. This farm he sold at a large profit, after which he spent six
years on the old Kurtz homestead, conducting his milk rout daily to
Reading. In the spring of 1904 he settled on his excellent property
along the Wyomissing creek. This property, which Mr. Hoffa
purchased from the Harrison Althouse estate, consists of ninety
acres, and is one of the finest farms in Berks county, being
supplied with the best water, and improved with large, substantial
buildings, and the best and most modern farm machinery. He has a
herd of twenty-two cows, and furnished about 150 customers daily
with milk. In 1908 Mr. Hoffa moved to Reading, where he now resides
on South Third street. In politics he is a Democrat. He and his
family are members of St. Stephen's Reformed Church of Reading. Mr.
Hoffa was treasurer of the Reading Milk Exchange as long as that
body was in existence, as well as treasurer of the Reading
Dairymen's Association, which was in existence for about three
years.
Mr. Hoffa married (first) March 14, 1874, Clara
Catharine Beidler, who was born in 1849, and who died Aug. 31,
1889. He married (second) on March 14, 1896, Loretta Deininger, who
was born in 1853, daughter of George Frantz Deininger, of Palmyra,
Pa. No children have been born to either union. Mrs. Hoffa, by a
former marriage, has two children, Florence C. and Edith M.
p. 1128
Surnames: HOFFEDITZ, REIFSNYDER, SCHNECK, SCHAFF, ROTH, REIFSNYDER,
GODSHALL, BOYER, CLOUSER, YERGER
John Calvin Hoffeditz, one of the victims of the wreck of the
Mystic Shriners excursion train at Honda, Cal., May 11, 1907, had
long been collector for the Barbey Brewing Company, of Reading. He
was born in Reading Feb. 24, 1854, and was the last survivor of the
four children born to Capt. John C. A. and Emma (Reifsnyder)
Hoffeditz.
Theodore Ludwig Hoffeditz, grandfather of John
Calvin, was born in Germany, and came to America when eighteen
years of age. He had learned the trade of piano maker in his native
land, and he followed it in this country for a few years. Being a
man of scholarly attainments he turned his attention to teaching
school in the northern part of Berks county, after which he took up
the study of theology in Philadelphia under a minister of the
Reformed Church. He was engaged in Biblical instruction the
remainder of his life, a period of forty-six years, and was one of
the most active ministers of the Reformed Church at that time,
being president of the Synod a number of times. He was one of a
committee, composed of Rev. Benjamin Schneck and himself, sent
abroad to secure a German professor for the Mercersburg College,
which resulted in their returning home with Rev. Dr. Philip Schaff,
who later won distinction as a writer in America. The Rev. Mr.
Hoffeditz was an earnest and eloquent advocate of the church, and
while residing in Upper Mount Bethel township, Northampton country,
he traveled as far as sixty miles to and from his charges, always
making the journey on horseback. He was united in the holy bonds of
wedlock with Julia Roth, who was born in Saucon township,
Northampton county, in 1793. They had children as follows: Louisa,
who is unmarried; Theodore C. W., a minister of the Reformed
Church, now deceased; Matilda, deceased, who married and moved
West; Maria W., deceased; Charles W. L., now living retired in
Philadelphia; Pauline C., unmarried; Capt. John C. A., mentioned
below; William B., deceased, a printer, who lived in Anaconda,
Mont.; and Emma Julia, who resides in Lehigh county, Pa. The Rev.
Mr. Hoffeditz died in 1858, and his wife survived him one year,
passing away at the age of sixty-six years.
Capt. John C. A. Hoffeditz was born in Upper
Mount Bethel township, Northampton county, April 5, 1829. His
education was acquired in Nazareth Hall Academy, in Northampton
county, and when he started out for himself he began to learn the
trade of tanner and currier, which he followed for a few years. He
came to the city of Reading in May, 1852, and embarked in the
dry-goods business, at which he continued for three years, when he
went into the wholesale liquor business, continuing at that for a
period of twenty years. During that time he was also connected with
oil development, and in 1865 was engaged in boring two wells in
Canada, from which he realized handsome profits. In 1867 he became
superintendent of the construction of the Grand Boulevard west of
Central Park in New York City, being thus employed for about one
year. In 1868 he became connected with the East Penn railroad,
continuing until it came under the management of the Philadelphia
& Reading Company, one year later. After closing out the liquor
business, he, in partnership with his son, built a large factory in
Reading, where they engaged in the manufacture of carriages for
three or four years, since which he has lived a retired life. Prior
to the Civil war he was connected with a cavalry company, and when
the war broke out he organized in 1861 a company of cavalrymen, of
which he was captain, and it was the first to be accepted by
General Cameron, then Secretary of War, after the first battle of
Bull Run. The organization left Reading as an independent company
Aug. 3, 1861, but was soon attached to the 1st Pennsylvania
Cavalry, and it served throughout the war. Captain Hoffeditz served
faithfully eleven months, when he was incapacitated for further
service by a disease of the throat. He was obliged to leave camp
much against his will, and returned to his home. About half of this
brave and patriotic company who left happy homes, and sacrificed
the business in which they were engaged, gave up their lives in the
defense of their country.
Captain Hoffeditz married Emma Reifsnyder, a
native of Reading, and they became the parents of four children, of
whom John Calvin was the last survivor. In politics Captain
Hoffeditz was originally a Whig, but upon the organization of the
Republican party he became a follower of Fremont and Lincoln. He
has always taken an active part in the affairs of his party, and is
a present assessor of the Seventh ward of Reading, the wealthiest
ward in the city, and he has performed his duties in a manner
satisfactory to all concerned. He also served twelve years, as a
member of the school board from the Seventh ward. Socially he is a
very prominent in the work of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to
Chandler Lodge No. 227, F. & A. M (of which he is the third
oldest past officer living); Reading Chapter, No. 152, R. A. M.;
and DeMolay Commandery, No. 9, K. T. He is a consistent member of
the Reformed Church, to which his ancestors belonged.
John Calvin Hoffeditz received his education in the
public schools of reading, graduating from the high school in the
class of 1873. His earlier education had been obtained in the
Moravian school at Nazareth, in Northampton county, but on the
removal of his parents to Reading he entered the public schools. He
began life as a clerk and later became teller in the Farmers
National Bank of Reading. Later he and Frank Godshall formed a
partnership under the firm name of Hoffeditz & Godshall, for
the Barbey Brewing Company, and this position he filled until the
time of his tragic death. He survived the terrible wreck some few
days, and passed away May 23, 1907. He was a man highly respected
by all, and his untimely death brought great sorrow to his many
friends.
Mr. Hoffeditz became a member of Reading Lodge,
No. 549, F. & A. M., of which he was master and treasurer;
Reading Chapter, R. A. M., No. 152, of which he was high priest; De
Molay Commandery, No. 9, K. T., in which he served as eminent
commander and as trustee; and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He
was also a member of Progressive Lodge, I. O. O. F.; Meade Camp,
Sons of Veterans; Royal Arcanum; Loyal Association; and Reading
Lodge, B. P. O. E. He was a member of St. Paul's Memorial Church of
Reading, and was on official in the church. In his earlier years he
had been superintendent of the Sunday School.
On Sept. 28, 1886, Mr. Hoffeditz married Miss
Clara C. Boyer, daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Clouser) Boyer,
the former born in Bernville, son of Michael K. Boyer, and the
latter a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Yerger) Clouser, of
Reading. They resided at No. 106 North Eleventh street, where they
had made their home after October, 1898.
p. 1472
Surnames: HOFFERT, MOSSER, HARTZ, ECKENROTH, HYMEN, BRENDEL,
SHOWALTER, KOHL, FRITZ, MILLER, MOYER
Moses M. Hoffert, proprietor of the "Green Tree Hotel" in Cumru
township, son of Moses and Sarah (Mosser) Hoffert.
David Hoffert, the grandfather of Moses M., was
a life-long farmer of Brecknock Township, where he owned a tract of
sixty-seven acres of excellent land. He married Elizabeth Hartz,
who bore him the following children: John; Isaac, who died June 6,
1902, aged ninety-three years, three months, eleven days, married
Elizabeth Eckenroth, and they had these children. Ephraim, who
married Catherine Hymen, David, Rudley, Henry, Elizabeth, Augustus,
Mary, Sarah, David and Isaac; William; Moses; Sarah, who married
Isaac Brendel; Jesty, who married Henry Brendel; Lydia, who married
John Showalter; Cyrus, born in 1824, died in 1893; Susan, who
married Levi Kohl; and Elizabeth, who married Joseph Kohl.
Moses Hoffert was born and reared in Brecknock
township, and there he was spent his whole life engaged in
agricultural pursuits, his tract now consisting of 150 acres. He is
a Democrat in his political belief and was township supervisor for
five years. He attends Allegheny Union church, being a member of
the Reformed congregation. Mr. Hoffert married Sarah Mosser, who
bore him these children: Amanda, who married James Fritz; Nathan;
Albert; Phoebe, who married Fred Miller; Herman; Moses M.; Hebner
and Harvey.
Moses M. Hoffert was reared on his fathers farm
in Brecknock township, and as a young man learned the stonemasons
trade, which he followed for fourteen years, then engaging in the
restaurant business at Mohnton, where he continued for four years.
In the spring of 1906 Mr. Hoffert became proprietor of the Green
Tree Hotel, a popular resort of Cumru township, and since taking
charge he has made many improvements, being thoroughly capable of
conducting such an establishment. Fraternally Mr. Hoffert is
connected with the Independent Order of American, and the P.O.S. of
A., of Mohnton.
On Oct. 27, 1893, Mr. Hoffert was united in
marriage with Miss Kate Moyer, daughter of John Moyer. Mr. and Mrs.
Hoffert have no children.
p. 1549
Surnames: HOFFERT, BRENDEL, GRIFFITH, TROSTLE, BEALER, KRICK,
HOSCHAUR, STEFFY, ZERBY, ZERBE, REMP, MESSNER, KRAMER, GRING
Nelson Hoffert, who is carrying on agricultural pursuits in the
Allegheny valley, near Allegheny Church, in Brecknock twp., Berks
county, was born near the Plow Church, June 21, 1851, son of John
and Sarah (Brendel) Hoffert.
John Hoffert, father of Nelson, was born march
15, 1806, son of David Hoffert, and was a lifelong farmer in
Brecknock township, on a farm of one hundred and four acres, now
owned by his son, Nelson. Throughout life he was a member of the
Allegheny Church, where he was buried. Mr. Hoffert's death occurred
Sept. 5, 1879. He married Sarah Brendel, born in Brecknock
township. She was the daughter of Abraham Brendel, who was born
Dec. 21, 1776, and died April 1, 1851. To the union of John and
Sarah Hoffert were born nine children: Elizabeth m. Isaac Griffith;
Julia m. John Trostle; Catherine m. Benjamin Bealer; Mary m. John
Krick; Susan m. Jeremiah Hoschour; John, residing near Mohnton, m.
Sarah Steffy; Nelson; Jestina m. John Zerby, of Adamstown; and
Sarah died young.
Nelson Hoffert was reared on the farm on which
he has lived all his life, with the exception of two years spent at
the carpenter's trade. He began farming for himself in 1875 on the
property occupied by his father, to which he has added till he now
owns one hundred and forty-five acres of good, fertile soil,
producing fine crops. Mr. Hoffert attends the Reading markets,
having stands Nos. 223 and 224 at the Bingaman street market, where
he disposes of all of his produce and truck. In politics Mr.
Hoffert is a Democrat, and he has served as a delegate to county
conventions. He and his family attend the Allegheny Union Church.
In 1872 Mr. Hoffert was married to Elizabeth
Zerbe, born March 3, 1854, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Remp)
Zerbe, of Cumru township, and to this union there were born nine
children: three who died young; Alice C., m . to Rhine Messner, of
Bowmansville; Louisa m. to Isaac Kramer, of Brecknock; Elizabeth m.
to Howard Remp, of Brecknock; Debbie A., m. to Henry Gring, of
Lancaster; John J., who assists his father on the farm; and Susie,
who assists her mother at home.