Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery
p. 1602
Surnames: POTTS, POTT, ELLIS, BAIRD, LEAWREN, SCHRACK, REED,
GEISENHEINER, MILLER, REIFSNYDER, SPIES, HERMAN, POULTON,
STAPLETON, KAUFFMAN, KESSEL, EVANS, KEPHART, SMITH, FLINT
Andrew J. Potts, residing on a farm near Douglassville, is a native
of Union township, Berks Co., Pa., born March 27, 1841.
The Potts family is a very old one in Berks
county. The towns of Pottstown and Pottsville in Montgomery and
Schuylkill counties, respectively, perpetuate the name. The early
history of the family is most difficult to trace. One David Potts,
Jr., lived in Douglass township and he had daughters, Ruth, Martha
and Anna (m. John Ellis). He also had a sister, Rebecca (m. John
Baird). A Pott or Potts family in Berks county had its origin in a
Hessian soldier, who after the American Revolution lived in
Heidelberg township, in the mountains.
Edward Potts, Jr., grandfather of Andrew J., was
born in Berks county, Oct. 8, 1776, and died at the home of his
daughter Julian in Union township Aug. 27, 1856. He was a farmer
and made frequent trips by team to Philadelphia with grain,
produce, etc., bringing back on his return trip all sorts of
merchandise. He married Maria Magdalena Leawren, born July 17,
1781, daughter of Jacob and Margareta Leawren. She died Jan. 9,
1849, and both she and her husband are buried at Amityville on the
south side, second row from west wall (Tablets). They had nine
children: Julian m. David Schrack; Maria born March 25, 1805. m.
William Reed, and died Aug: 1, 1882; Charlotte, born July 22, 1812,
died unmarried April, 29, 1853; Eliza died unmarried; William, born
Oct. 13, 1811, lived at Monocacy and was killed Oct. 14, 1870, on
the railroad: Lewis, born June 21, 1814, died Feb. 28, 1889, lived
at Monocacy; Jacob, born April 4, 1818, lived at Monocacy Hill, and
died July 29, 1851; David, born Oct. 13, 1820, died July 19, 1843;
and Amos. Maria, Charlotte, Jacob and David are buried on the same
lot with their parents (Tablets). Edward Potts. Jr., made his last
will and testament Aug. 23, 1853, and it is recorded in Will Book
10, page 344. The executor was his son-in-law David Schrack. At the
time of making the will he lived in Amity township, where He owned
a farm.
Amos Potts, son of Edward, Jr., and father of
Andrew J., was born at 8:00 A. M., July 4, 1808, in the sign of the
Scorpion, in Pottstown township, Montgomery county, and was
baptized at the same place Sept. 16, 1808, by the Rev. Frederick
William Geisenheiner. He was a farmer in Amity township, where he
owned and operated the farm until lately the property of his son
Andrew J. This farm He purchased in 1843, later selling it to his
son, who on Dec. 28, 1901, presented it to his daughter, Emma J.
Mr. Amos Potts built the present set of buildings on this farm. He
was confirmed a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church at
Amityville April 28, 1827, by Rev. Conrad Miller, pastor, and held
the offices of deacon and elder. He was a school director and
interested in the public affairs of his township. About the year
1833 he married Sarah Reifsnyder, born May 12, 1810, daughter of
Samuel and Mary Reifsnyder. She died Aug. 26, 1846, and is buried
on the south side of the Amityville church, near the gate (Tablet).
To this union were born : Henry F., born March 27, 1836; Mary Ann,
born July 16, 1838; William H. and Andrew J., twins; and James K.
P. The twins were born March 27, 1841, the fifth birthday
anniversary of their elder brother Henry F. Amos Potts married,
(second) Nov. 18, 1848, Maria Spies, daughter of Ludwig Spies, born
April 2, 1813, in North America, and baptized the same day by the
Rev. Mr. Herman. Amos Potts died suddenly Sunday morning, May 19,
1895, and was buried at Amityville Cemetery, Row four, on Ascension
Day. He left three children, twelve grandchildren, and fourteen
great-grandchildren, all of whom were present at the funeral. Mrs.
Maria (Spies) Potts died at the home of her brother Daniel Spies,
on Monocacy Hill, Jan. 9, 1899, and was buried beside her husband
in Amityville cemetery, Jan. 14th following.
Andrew J. Potts, son of Amos, was born March 27,
1841, and grew to manhood on his father's farm in Amity township,
two miles from Douglassville. He made farming his work until 1902
when he retired, and was succeeded by his daughter Emma J. The farm
consists of sixty acres. Mr. Potts was one of the organizers of the
Mission Manufacturing Company, at No. 74 North Charlotte street,
Pottstown. They manufacture paper boxes and do fine printing,
employing altogether thirty-five persons, four in the printing
department and the others in the box factory. The firm enjoys a
large local trade. The company was incorporated under the laws of
Pennsylvania Sept. 24, 1907, and is capitalized at $25,000. Mr.
Potts is a stockholder and vice president of the company. In
politics he is a Republican. He and his wife are members of
Baltzell United Brethren Church of Pottstown, and while a member of
Amityville he was trustee of the same denomination for twenty-five
years, and for twenty successive years an exhorter. He gave
liberally toward the church at Amityville, and is one of the loyal
supporters of the church at Pottstown.
On May 20, 1869, Mr. Potts was married by the
Rev. C. T. Poulton, to Willemine Spies, born in Amity township July
20, 1849, baptized Nov. 18, 1849, by Rev. George Miller. She is a
daughter of Daniel and Mary (Stapleton) Spies, of Amity township,
and granddaughter of Ludwig and Mary (Reifsnyder) Spies, the former
a merchant at Weaverstown.
Emma J. Potts, daughter of Andrew J. and
Willemine (Spies) Potts, was born at Douglassville, Pa., Feb. 25,
1870, and was baptized in August, 1874, by the Rev. A. H. Kauffman.
On March 21, 1905 (the twenty-seventh birthday anniversary of her
brother Wilmer S.), she married George W. Kessel, son of Ferdinand
Kessel (of Wurtemberg, Germany), the ceremony being performed at
Pottstown, Pa., by Rev. L. K. Evans, D. D., pastor of Trinity
Reformed Church. Mr. Kessel was born at the foot of Monocacy Hill
in Amity township Sept. 6, 1880. They have a son Herbert, born
April 20, 1906.
Wilmer S. Potts, son of Andrew J. and Willemine
(Spies) Potts, was born at Douglassville, Pa., March 21, 1878, and
was baptized July 21, 1878. by Rev. A. H. Kauffman. He acquired a
common school education in the township schools. On Jan. 22, 1895,
he began the study of telegraphy in the Philadelphia & Reading
Station at Douglassville, and in July of the following year
qualified as an efficient operator and is at present a commercial
telegrapher in Pottstown, Pa. Mr. Potts was one of the original
members of the Citizens Band of Douglassville, which was organized
Oct. 18, 1903, and had a successful career of several years. Mr.
Potts played the bass drum. On Wednesday, May 23, 1906, at 12
o'clock noon, Mr. Potts was united in marriage to Miss Ruth
Kephart, daughter of Jonathan and Martha Kephart, at her home No.
74 South Charlotte street, Pottstown, by Rev. O. P. Smith, D. D.,
pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Transfiguration. On Sunday
morning Sept. 8, 1907, Mr. and Mrs. Potts were admitted into full
membership of the Temple M. E. Church in North Coventry township,
Chester Co., Pa., by Rev. John Flint, pastor. Mr. Potts is the
historian of the Potts and Spies families.
p.
797
Surnames: POTTS, ECKERT, MAPLES, GRIFFITH, TYLER, VAN SCIVER
Howard Jewell Potts, secretary and treasurer of the General
Advertising Company at Reading (manufacturers of enameloid art
signs), was born March 18, 1864, at Philadelphia, Pa., and received
his education in the local schools until he reached the age of
seventeen years. He then entered the service of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company as a clerk, and he continued to fill that position
at Philadelphia until 1885, when his proficiency won his promotion
to chief clerk to the Superintendent of the Pennsylvania-Schuylkill
Valley Railroad at Reading, shortly after the railroad was opened
to that point for traffic. He then removed to Reading and filled
this important position to the great satisfaction of his superior
officers until August, 1903, when he resigned for the purpose of
engaging in the manufacturing business. He had assisted in
organizing the General Advertising Company in 1901, and had served
as one of its directors. Upon resigning the chief-clerkship
mentioned, he was elected secretary and treasurer of the company,
and for the past six years has devoted all his time to the
development of its increasing business, with trading relations
extending to all parts of the United States.
In appreciation of his superior business
character, Mr. Potts was selected as one of the directors of the
Farmers' National Bank of Reading. He was one of the original
members of the Wyomissing Club, and also of the Berkshire Country
Club, continuing an active member of both of these prominent social
organizations until the present time.
In 1896 Mr. Potts was married to Sarah Hunter
Eckert, daughter of George B. Eckert, a prominent iron manufacturer
and banker at Reading for nearly thirty years until his decease in
1899. They have three children: Mary, George and Amelia.
His father was Howard Jewell Potts, of
Germantown, Pa., where he was brought up and educated. He was a
member of the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1872. He died in 1890,
aged fifty-one years. He was married to Amelia Maples, daughter of
Thomas Maples, of London, England, where she was born in 1840. They
had five children: Matilda, Howard Jewell, Hiram (m. to Sallie
Crozer Griffith), William (who died in 1895, aged twenty-three
years), and Allan.
Mr. Potts's grandfather was William Potts, of
Burlington, N. J., where he was born July 13, 1792. He died in
1857. In 1827 he married Elizabeth Tyler, who was born at
Philadelphia in 1804, and who died in 1851.
His great-grandfather was Thomas Potts, born in
1761, at Burlington, N. J., and died in 1824. He was married to
Sarah Van Sciver in 1786.
p. 845
Surnames: POTTS, REIFSNYDER, BISBING, SPIES, BOWER, LIVINGOOD
William Harrison R. Potts (deceased), who was for many years a
well-known and prosperous agriculturist and influential citizen of
Amity township, Berks county, was born in Union township, Berks
county, in 1841, son of Amos and Sarah (Reifsnyder) Potts.
Amos Potts, father of William H. R. was also a
farmer of Amity township, where his death occurred in 1895, at the
age of eighty-seven years, and that of his wife, Sarah Reifsnyder,
in 1846. To Mr. and Mrs. Potts the following children were born;
Henry F.; Mary A., married to John Bisbing; Andrew J. and William
Harrison R., twins; and James, who is deceased. Amos Potts married
(second) Mary Spies, but there were no children born to this union.
In religious belief Mr. Potts adhered to the faith of the United
Brethren Church. In politics he was a Republican, but it is not
known whether he ever held office.
William Harrison R. Potts was reared upon the
home farm in Amity township, and he made farming his life work,
continuing in agricultural pursuits until his death in 1888. In
1869 he was married to Susan M. Bower, daughter of Daniel Bower, of
Amity township. And there were two children born to this union,
namely: Tillie B., who died at the age of three years; and Minnie,
who married Howard m. Livingood, and has three children: William
P., Howard L. and Catherine M. In religious believe Mr. Potts was
of the United Brethren Church and his political principles were
those of the Republican party. During the Civil war Mr. Potts
enlisted in the Union army, in Company G, 175th Pennsylvania
Volunteer Infantry, in which regiment he served nine months.
p.
1028
Surnames: PRICE, MASSER, DANTRICH, HARTMAN, DeHART, FIES, SPOHN,
WERTZ, RICHARDS, OBERT, PALM, BLOCH
Edward Curtis Price, foreman at the plant of Orr & Sembower, at
Millmont, Pa., was born Sept. 24, 1855, at Pottsville, son of
Richard M. Price.
Joseph Price, grandfather of Edward C., was born
May 8, 1797, and he died April 16, 1873. He married Catherine
(Kate) Masser (born Feb. 15, 1806, died Feb. 22, 1884). Abraham
Masser, her father, was born April 2, 1779, and his wife,
Catherine, Dec. 26, 1781. Their children were: Hannah (Dantrich),
Catherine (Price), William, Daniel, Mary (Hartman), David,
Magdalena (DeHart), Elizabeth (Fies), Sallie and Benjamin. To
Joseph and Catherine (Masser) Price were born the following
children: James M., born Sept. 1 1827, died May 8, 1888; Wilhelmina
M., born Feb. 2, 1830, died Feb. 22, 1903; Richard M.; Annie E.,
born Oct. 28, 1834, m. William Spohn, and died April 20, 1894;
Amos, born Oct. 15, 1835, m. Louisa Wertz, and lives in Cumru
township; Catherine, born June 29, 1837, lives with her daughter in
Reading; Israel M., born March 4, 1839, lives retired at Mohnton;
and Moses M., born March 1, 1847, died Aug. 24, 1890.
Richard M. Price, son of Joseph, was born Sept.
12, 1832, and died April 3, 1903. He married Lucinda Richards, and
they had three children, namely: Edward Curtis; Joseph M., born
Aug. 24, 1857; and Charles W., born Aug. 6, 1859.
Edward Curtis Price attended school in
Pottsville and Reading, and was only a boy when he began work at
the truck business in Bergen, now a part of Jersey City, New
Jersey. After a short time there he became a newsboy for the
Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company, and remained in that
Company's employ for three years. He then learned the business of
boiler-making at Reading with F. J. Obert. After finishing his
apprenticeship he continued work there until he had been in that
place six years, when he went to Allentown. At the end of two years
he went to Grand Rapids, Mich., where he was employed seven years
as foreman. The next two years he was in Lansing, Mich., in the
same capacity. The firm at the latter place sent him to Usal,
Mendocino Co., Cal., to put up large boilers for a sawmill.
Returning to Lansing he remained but a short time. In 1883 and 1884
he was at Sunbury, Pa. He was badly burned about the face and hands
in a gas explosion, March 3, 1888, at Grand Rapids, Mich. In 1892
he came back to Reading, and for about three years was in the
employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Company. In 1899 he became
foreman of the boiler department for Orr & Sembower, with
thirty-five men under him, and he is still giving great
satisfaction to his employers, showing marked executive ability and
a thorough knowledge of the work.
Mr. Price married Elmira Palm, daughter of
Lucien Palm, of Reading. They have had children as follows: Charles
E., who died aged five years; Richard W., who died aged two years;
Edward C. J. R., living at No. 1246 Muhlenberg street, Reading; and
Ellen L., who married William Bloch, of Reading. Mr. Price is a
Republican, and for four years has been a member of the school
board from the Second ward and re-elected for a second term of four
years. His fraternal connections are with Aerie No. 66, F. O. E.,
in which he has passed all the chairs and is now a member of the
house committee, and since 1907 has been president of the Mountain
Home Association; the Twentieth Century Quakers; Veteran Firemen's
Relief Association; Washington Fire Company, and Washington
Firemen's Relief Association; the Lincoln Republican Club and
Northeastern Republican Club. He has his home at No. 632 Bingaman
street, Reading.
p. 698
Surnames: PRICE, SCHOEFIELD, LINCOLN, WETZEL, RUPP, KIEFFER,
ANTHONY, HECHT, HOLTZMAN, KREIDER, MOSER, FULMER, KRAMER, OTTO,
BRENEISER, SEIDEL, FISHER, MILLER
Henry Price, a well-known contractor and builder of Reading, Pa.,
residing at No. 810 Franklin street, has been engaged in these
lines in this city since 1888. Mr. Price was born Oct. 13, 1846, in
Myerstown, Lebanon, Co., Pa., son of William Price, also a native
of that county.
William Price was a carpenter by trade, an
occupation which he followed throughout a useful life. In 1863 he
went to Shelby county, Ill., taking his family with him, and there
he continued to ply his trade up to the time of his death, when
forty-eight years of age. While there he built one of the finest
flour mills in the State for a Mr. Schoefield. He was acquainted
with President Abraham Lincoln when the latter was still a law
student, and was a witness to the President's assassination. Mr.
Price married (first) Lydia Wetzel, who died in her twenty-sixth
year. The children of this marriage were: Jonathan, who died when
twenty-one years of age; Emma, m. to John Rupp, of Indiana; Henry,
our subject; Reuben A., who is engaged in contracting at Reading,
and m. to Fannie Kieffer; William, who died when twenty years of
age; and one child which died in infancy. William Price m. (second)
Leah Anthony, who is still living and makes her home at Myerstown,
Lebanon county. She is the mother of three children, namely: Seal,
m. to Edward Hecht, of Chicago, Ill.; George, of Myerstown, m. to
Annie Holtzman; and Mary, m. to Morris Kreider, of Annville,
Lebanon county.
Henry Price attended the schools of Myerstown
until fifteen years of age, and then was taught the carpenter's
trade by his father. In the early days the work of a carpenter was
anything but easy, and Mr. Price and his father often had to travel
long distances to reach their work. On one occasion they walked
five miles to work and five miles home at night every day, and at
this time were working fifteen hours per day. At the time they
built the hotel at Tremont, Pa., they had a distance of twenty-one
miles to walk twice a week, carrying their tools on their back. Mr.
Price secured work at Pottsville, a distance of thirty-eight miles,
and this they also walked. Henry Price went with his father to
Illinois in 1863, and there remained three years, or until after
his father's death, when his step-mother asked him to accompany her
to Myerstown. This Mr. Price did, and from Myerstown came direct to
Reading, only expecting, however, to remain a short time. After
being employed here for a time, Mr. Price decided to make Reading
his home, and here he has continued ever since, engaging in
business on his own account in 1888, his first job being four fine
residences at Tenth and Franklin streets. Among the many buildings
erected by Mr. Price may be mentioned the following: the residences
of C. D. Moser and S. H. Fulmer; the Schuylkill Valley Bank;
Kissinger's Farmers' Market House; Hotel Brighter; the warehouse
for the Penn Hardware Company, A. F. Kramer's residence; the James
Otto store on Penn street, and the cigar store of Charles
Breneiser, at the corner of Seventh and Penn streets, one of the
finest in Reading.
In 1871 Mr. Price married Miss Amanda Seidel,
daughter of Francis and Catherine (Fisher) Seidel, they have one
daughter, Mary, who married Aaron Miller, an employe of the
Alexander firm, in the hat business, and has a daughter, Helen,
attending school.
Mr. Price is a Republican in politics. He is a
Mason of high standing, being a member of Chandler Lodge, No. 227,
Excelsior Chapter, No. 237, Reading Commandery No. 42, and the
Mystic Shrine. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias No.
65, the Elks No. 115, and the Royal Arcanum, and is exceedingly
popular in all of these societies. Mr. and Mrs. Price are members
of the Trinity Lutheran Church, which they attend consistently and
support liberally. He is well known in Reading as a man of many
sterling qualities, and bears an enviable reputation for honesty
and integrity.
p. 1608
Surnames: PRICE, DEPPEN, NICOLLS, WHITAKER, DERR, SCHAB, JAMISON,
SHEARER, HOTTENSTEIN, BAUSHER, DeHART, RUDISILL
Josiah E. Price, son of John and Mary (Deppen) Price, was born at
Womelsdorf, in Berks county, Dec. 4, 1843, and educated at that
place and at Reading, to which city his parents removed when he was
a lad. After filling positions as district school teacher, and
working in the art studios of Maurer and Devlan until 1864, he
secured a position with the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad
Company, at Reading, in the office of Gustavus Anthony Nicolls,
Esq., who was then the general superintendent of the company. By
his devotion to duty and efficiency in its performance, he was
promoted gradually, and in 1877 transferred to the accounting
department in the general office at Philadelphia, removing then to
that city with his family. In 1892 he was appointed auditor of
disbursements of the Reading System, and he has been at the head of
this important department ever since. He has been in the continuous
employment of the company forty-five years (1864-1909).
On account of his great proficiency, Mr. Price
was selected as a member of the Association of American Railway
Accounting Officers. He served on the standing committee on
disbursements at the time this committee prepared a tentative text
of the Classification of Operating Expenses, which was submitted
Dec. 15, 1906, and after modification by the Association was
promulgated by the Interstate Commerce Commission and made
effective July 1,1907.
Mr. Price was married in 1866 to Mary Ann
Whitaker, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Derr) Whitaker. They have
four children: Samuel W. m. Letitia H. Price of Middletown, Del.;
Frederick W. m. Adeline W. L. Schab, of Bethlehem, Pa.; Edmund
James m. Mary Strawn Jamison, of Elkins Park, Pa., Sept. 22, 1909;
Irene m. Herbert B. Shearer, of Lancaster, Pa. They are members of
the Tioga Methodist Episcopal Church, having resided in this
section of Philadelphia since their removal from Reading. Besides
taking an active part in the Sunday-school work for a number of
years, Mr. Price was also prominently identified with the Y. M. C.
A., and the Culture Extension League of Philadelphia.
John Price, the father, was born at Womelsdorf,
in 1809, and his wife, Mary Deppen, in Heidelberg township in 1814.
He was a custom tailor by trade, and removed to Reading with his
family in 1852. He died at Reading at the age of sixty-nine years,
and his wife at the age of eighty-five years. They had five sons
and three daughters: Elkanah, who died in infancy; Franklin, who m.
Annie Hottenstein; John A., who enlisted in the Civil war and was
mortally wounded while in active service in the seven days' fight
in front of Richmond, Va.; Josiah E.; William H., m. to Christie
Bausher; Matilda, unmarried; Rebecca, m. to John C. DeHart; and
Mary E., m. to John S. Rudisill.
Mr. Price's ancestors emigrated to America
before the Revolution. His great-grandfather, William Price, was
born in England in 1750. The Deppens were descendants of the French
Huguenots, this being attested by an interesting heirloom of the
family in the form of a gold signet ring, which bears the initials
of a grand-uncle, Christian Deppen, with the "Fleur de lis" on the
seal.
p. 640
Surnames: PRINTZ, FULMER, REHR, FRICKER, ORR, BECKER, LEWIS, RUSH,
ROSCH, HOMAN
Daniel F. Printz illustrates in a remarkable degree the power of
natural endowments to overcome adverse circumstances, for though he
started in youth without promise of any kind he nevertheless
reached a position of commanding influence in manufactures,
building operations and finance almost at the threshold of his
business career, which he has maintained in this community for
twenty years with increasing success.
Mr. Printz was born at Reading shortly after the
close of the Civil war, on Oct. 26, 1865, and his mother 
having died when he was but
a year old he was allowed to drift along without parental care as
to his future destiny. Quite naturally he received a limited
education in the elementary branches in the local schools which he
attended until he became twelve years of age, and then secured his
first regular employment for wages in the Reading Hardware Works.
While he was working there a spirit of ambition to become a skilled
mechanic asserted itself and accordingly within a year he applied
for an apprenticeship in the machine shop of the Philadelphia &
Reading Railway Company, which had a recognized fame for developing
finished workmen. His application was granted and for the next four
years, until the end of his apprenticeship, he exerted himself
toward acquiring a practical knowledge of the trade in all its
branches; and he remained with the company afterward for five years
for the purpose of increasing his proficiency.
With this experience in turning out and running
machinery, he, at the age of twenty-five years, felt qualified to
start in business for himself; and associating himself as partner
with Mr. Samuel H. Fulmer, banker of Reading, he purchased a
nickel-plating works. Within one year his genius for organizing and
directing an enterprise was displayed in the development of the
works into an establishment for the manufacture of bicycle saddles
and accessories. This was in 1891, when the bicycle craze in the
country was at its highest point. The firm was known as the P.
& F. manufacturing Co., and in a few years its productions came
to be forwarded to all parts of the world, and its plant to be
known as the largest of its kind operated anywhere, with a volume
of business exceeding that of any other similar enterprise in the
country.
The spirit of organization, co-operation and
concentration was formulating and developing rapidly in the United
States during this period, and in the next ten years the P. &
F. Manufacturing Company had come to possess so much influence in
the line of bicycle accessories that it was purchased by the
American Saddle Company, with Mr. Printz included as one of the
directors of the company; and this company afterward came to be
absorbed by the American Bicycle Company when he retired from
management.
In 1893 the Reading Wood Pulley Company was
incorporated with Mr. Printz as one of the directors, and he was
chosen as president of the corporation, which position he has
filled to the present time, successfully directing its affairs.
During this period building operations were going on extensively at
Reading, and Mr. Printz became interested in them; and co-operating
with Mr. Fulmer and later with Lambert Rehr and Jacob B. Fricker,
he assisted in erecting and disposing of several hundred dwelling-
houses, mostly in east Reading on and in the vicinity of Perkiomen
avenue.
In 1902 the Reading Stove Works was found to
require re-organization, and the stockholders, appreciating the
ability of Mr. Printz in managing various enterprises successfully,
selected him to become its president. He has filled this position
to the present, maintaining its trading relations throughout the
country, even throughout the world, in an admirable manner, and
keeping up the reputation of Orr, Painter & Co., for superior
stoves and heaters, which had been established by his predecessor,
Jesse Orr.
In 1904 Mr. Printz became interested in
establishing a furniture business at Pittston, Pa.; in 1905 he
organized the Reading Saddle Manufacturing Company, for the purpose
of manufacturing bicycle saddles and hardware specialties which
have since been sold extensively throughout the country, and he has
officiated at the head of these enterprises to the present time. In
1906, upon the reorganization of the Reading Standard Manufacturing
Company, for the increased manufacture of motor cycles, he was
selected to act as president of the company. Over two thousand
employes are required in the numerous industrial establishments
under his control and supervision; and daily reports are submitted
or forwarded to him for his inspection and approval, which
evidences the extensive and important character of his duties and
responsibilities.
Mr. Printz represented the ward in which he
resides (the Sixteenth) on the school board as one of the
controllers from that district for two terms from 1898 to 1906; he
has served as a director of the Penn National Bank since 1903,
acting as chairman of the building committee; and since 1904 he has
filled the position of treasurer of the Pennsylvania Stove
Manufacturers Association.
In 1881 Mr. Printz married Matilda Becker,
daughter of Nicholas Becker, of Reading, and granddaughter of
Samuel Lewis, a descendant of one of the earliest settlers in Cumru
township, at "Lewis' Neck" along the Schuylkill river, and
great-granddaughter of Philip Rush, a descendant of Michael Rosch,
Sr., who emigrated from Remmingsheim, in Wurtemberg, Germany, and
settled at Reading in 1751. By her he has a son, Harold Ellsworth,
who was educated in the local schools and Kenyon Military Academy,
Gambler, Ohio.
James Printz, the father of Daniel F., is a
machinist of Reading; he married Susan Homan, daughter of Daniel
Homan, of Reading, and they had two children: Charles (deceased)
and Daniel F. Printz.
p. 651
Surnames: PRINTZ, ESPENSHADE, LEAMAN, GANTZ, YEAGER, DIETRICH,
ROMIG, ABRAHAM
John C. Printz, who for many years was a pattern-maker and member
of the firm of Davis & Printz, on Ninth, below Bingaman street,
was born in 1839, in Bradford county, Pa., son of Rev. George
Printz, a minister of the Presbyterian Church.
John C. Printz was married in 1867 to Lavinia
Espenshade, daughter of Henry F. and Louisa (Leaman) Espenshade, an
old and honorable Pennsylvania Mennonite family. Mr. Espenshade was
for many years a tanner on Cherry, below Fifth street, Reading, and
was well and favorably known in that part of the city. He and his
wife had these children: Lemuel, a soldier in the Civil war, was
wounded in battle and died at a hospital; Daniel F. is deceased;
and Lavinia C. m. Mr. Printz.
Mrs. Printz survives her husband, and lives in
the home built by him. To Mr. and Mrs. Printz were born the
following children: Henry G., who is a pattern-maker, m. a Miss
Gantz; Etta L. m. Edward Yeager; Ella m. Frank G. Dietrich, a
teacher; Mabel m. Jeremiah Romig, a conductor in the employ of the
United Traction Company's System; Paul is a molder; Martha m.
Gustavus Abraham, a hatter; Fred, unmarried, is in the United
States Navy; and Charles died at the age of nine years.
John C. Printz was known to be a man of honor
and integrity, and was much esteemed by his acquaintances for his
many sterling characteristics. He was patriotic and
public-spirited, and was considered a representative citizen of
Reading. His fraternal connections were with Montgomery Lodge of
the Odd Fellows, of Reading; Knights of Pythias; Knights of Malta;
and Friendship Fire Company.
p. 435
Surnames: PRINTZENHOFF, FISHER, CAREY, BERKENSTOCK, RANCK, SMITH,
KOCH, SPIECE, SIMPLER, ARMSTRONG
Henry F. Printzenhoff, a retired contractor and one of the leading
citizens of Hamburg, Berks Co., Pa., who has been prominently
identified with all public measures calculated to be of benefit to
the community, was born July 7, 1847, in Rockland township, this
county, son of Charles and grandson of Frederick Printzenhoff. The
name of Printzenhoff signifies "Prince's Court."
Frederick Printzenhoff emigrated to America from
Germany in his young manhood, and, locating in Philadelphia,
followed coach-making until his removal to Friedensburg, Berks
county, where he continued the same business until his decease, in
1863. He was married to an Englishwoman, and became the father of
five children: Charles, William, Jerome, Caroline and Amanda.
Charles Printzenhoff, eldest son of Frederick,
was born in Philadelphia in 1812, and while a boy accompanied a
tailor, following same for several years. He then engaged in the
hotel business at different places for varying periods of time. In
1866 he removed to White Deer Mills, in Union county, where he died
in 1901. His wife, Sarah Fisher, daughter of John Fisher, of Oley
township, was born in 1818, and died in 1893. Their children were:
Mary Ann, who married John Carey; Jonathon; Caroline, who married
David Berkenstock; Henry F., James, who died young; Adeline, who
married Adolph Ranck; Ellen, who married Henry Smith; Franklin, who
married Amanda Koch; Mahlon, who married Ellen Fisher; Catherine,
who married Lewis Spiece; Hannah, who married Charles S?ler; and
Sarah, who died young.
Henry F. Printzenhoff was educated in the
schools of Kutztown, and learned the trade of carpenter, which he
followed until 1869, when he went to Philadelphia, engaging in
bridge-building in the employ of the Philadelphia Bridge Company
until 1890. He then entered into partnership with William J.
Armstrong, and did business under the name of Armstrong &
Printzenhoff, for the construction of bridges and other contract
work.
His firm put up bridges on numerous railroads,
including the Jersey Southern & Pine Creek, the Wilmington
& Northern, and the Shenandoah Valley; and immediately after
the Johnstown flood this firm had the first construction party
there, with 372 men, for the purpose of re-constructing bridges,
large buildings, etc. They also constructed the wharves at
Philadelphia, along the Delaware avenue front, from Race street to
South street, for which they received high praise. During his work
in the vicinity of Hamburg Mr. Printzenhoff was attracted by the
beauty of the village and decided to make it his home. He erected a
superior dwelling-house and purchased several farms he is operating
successfully, making a specialty of poultry. When the citizens of
Hamburg were discussing the question of introducing improved
lighting for the public streets and private dwellings he encouraged
the matter greatly, and assisted materially in establishing the
Hamburg Gas Company, of which he has officiated as president since
its organization, in 1904.
p. 808
Surnames: PRUTZMAN, FURSHEL, GROFF, BURNS, MENGEL, HIGH, LEINBACH,
SNYDER, NOLAN, BUNTING, ECKEL
Asaph Prutzman (deceased), who for many years was at the head of
one of the most successful business enterprises in Reading, Pa.,
had been a lifelong resident of that city, where he was born July
19, 1829.
Andrew Prutzman, his father, was likewise born
in Reading, and received his education in the public schools there.
Early in life he learned the trade of a tin and copper smith, and
during his lifetime carried on a tinware and stove business. In
May, 1813, he married Anna Sibilla Furshel, born July 25, 1795, in
Wurtemberg, Germany, daughter of Nicholas and Maria Ann Furshel,
the former of whom was a member of the Reformed Church, being
chorister and schoolmaster, while his wife was a Catholic in
religious faith. Andrew Prutzman died while his wife survived until
Jan. 28, 1868, dying at the age of seventy-three. They were members
of the Lutheran Church, and in politics Mr. Prutzman was a
Democrat. The children of Andrew and Anna Sibilla Prutzman were:
Jacob, born Sept. 14, 1814; Mary Ann, born June 20, 1817; Henry,
born May 23, 1819; Nicholas, born Aug. 1, 1821; Hannah, born Aug.
1, 1824; Rebecca, born April 24, 1828; and Asaph, born July 19,
1829. Three of this family are still living.
Asaph Prutzman was educated like his father in
Reading, and after completing his schooling commenced to learn the
trade of blacksmith. He spent three years at this trade with
Valentine Groff, whose shop was then located opposite the Church of
Our Father (Universalist), but he found the work so heavy and
injurious to his health that he gave it up and learned tinsmithing
instead. He spent four years in making himself thoroughly familiar
with the details of that trade. He then went into business for
himself in that line, building up an extensive trade, for a long
period being one of Reading's prominent men. When he retired he
left to his sons one of the best known and best managed enterprises
in the city. Highly successful himself, he was very philanthropic
and always ready to help others, many a young man receiving
substantial assistance from him in making his way in the world. Mr.
Prutzman's benefactors in other ways were also liberal and the full
extent of his philanthropy will never be known.
On May 31, 1853, Asaph Prutzman married Miss
Margaretta Burns Mengel, daughter of Soloman and Catherine (Burns)
Mengel, six children are still living. Both Mr. and Mrs. Prutzman
were members of the M. E. Church, the latter now having belonged to
that denomination for fifty years. Mr. Prutzman was a very active
church worker until he became afflicted with heart disease, which
obliged him to relax his activities. A man devoted to his home and
family, he spent the greater part of his leisure time by his
fireside. A great reader, he was well posted on all general topics,
and was a conversationalist of unusual powers. An indulgent husband
and father, his death on June 12, 1905, was a great loss to his
family, all of whom survived him. He was laid to rest in the
Charles Evans cemetery.
To Asaph Prutzman and his wife were born eight
children, three sons and five daughters, as follows: (1) Walter M.
is in the stove and roofing business at No. 304 Penn street. He
first married Miss Rosie High, who died leaving two children---Paul
Burns and Maud M. (deceased). He married (second) Mrs. Rebecca
(Leinbach) Snyder. (2) Catharine Amelia is deceased. (3) Jacob
Mengel married Eva Nolan, of Columbia, and they have three
children---William Asaph, Florence G. and Raymond J. (4) Emily
Clarinda is deceased. (5) Mary Emily married Joseph Bunting, and
has one child, Helen M. (6) Asaph Edgar is deceased. (7) Margaretta
Burns is deceased. (8) Alice Annie May married John H. Eckel, and
they have three children---Madeline M., Asaph Burns and Anna
Sibilla, the last named of whom was named after her
great-grandmother, Anna Sibilla Prutzman.
p.1138
Surnames: PRUTZMAN, MENGEL, BITTING, HIGH, LEMBACH, ROWE
Walter Prutzman, engaged in business at No. 304 Penn street,
Reading, Pa., as a dealer in stoves, heaters and ranges, and as a
tin and sheet-iron worker, was born in Reading in 1854, son of
Asaph and Margaret (Mengel) Prutzman.
Walter Prutzman was educated in the schools of
Reading, and as a boy learned the trade of tin and sheet-iron
worker at his father's place of business. Later he connected
himself with W. H. Bitting, under the firm style of Bitting &
Prutzman, this partnership continuing for twelve years. Since this
time Mr. Prutzman has conducted the business alone. The stand,
which is at No. 304 Penn Street, a 21 X 90 foot building, is one of
the oldest in the city, the business having been founded by Asaph
Prutzman in 1860, his son now employing on an average six clerks,
selling stoves and furnaces from catalogue, and repairing the same.
He has a well-managed, flourishing business which is increasing
daily, his fair dealings having won the confidence of the people of
the community. In 1880 Mr. Prutzman was married to Miss Rosie High,
daughter of Joseph High, and to this union there were born two
children: Maude M., who died aged five years; and Paul B., engineer
at the Reading Heat & Power Company. Mrs. Prutzman died in
1898, and Mr. Prutzman was married (second) to Miss Rebecca
Lembach, daughter of Lewis Lembach. There have been no children to
this union.
Mr. Prutzman served eight consecutive years
(1891-1899) as school controller of the Sixth ward, and again in
1904, and 1908. He was a delegate to the city convention that
nominated William H. Rowe for mayor. He and his wife are members of
St. Paul's Reformed Church and have been active workers in the
church for years.
p 1699
Surnames: PURDY, WHITMAN, PATTEN
W. A. Purdy, president of the National Shoe and Corset Lace Co.,
was born in Rockland county, New York, in 1873.
Mr. Purdy's education was secured in the schools
of Rockland Co., N. Y., and after graduating from Packer's Business
College, he removed to New York City, where he engaged with the
brokerage firm of Halle & Steiglitz, of Wall street, and later
with Clarence Whitman & Co. He remained with the latter firm
for nine years, leaving their employ to engage in his present live
of business. In 1902 Mr. Purdy came to Reading and equipped his
factory with the latest and most improved machinery, here employing
from ten to twelve men. The output, which annually amounts to
$50,000, is supplied only to the first-class trade, and Mr. Purdy's
goods are known all over the country for their uniform quality and
superior grade.
Mr. Purdy was married to Miss Jessie W. Patten,
and they attend the Methodist Church. In politics Mr. Purdy is a
Republican, but he has devoted all of his time to his business
interests and therefore had had no aspirations for public office.
p. 733
Surnames: PUTT, BRIGEL, DEPPEN, HASSLER, LENINGER, HECKLER,
WEINHOLD, MAYER, ACHENBACH, FLICKINGER, SPEARS, YONSON
George Putt, foreman of the ore roasters at the Robesonia Iron
Company's plant, was born near Robesonia, in Heidelberg township,
Berks Co., Pa., Aug. 7, 1862, son of Joseph and Catherine (Brigel)
Putt.
Jacob Putt his grandfather, was a native of
Germany, and came to Berks county when he was fifteen years of age.
He worked as a teamster, hauling charcoal and iron ore for many
years, and all of his sons followed the same business. He lies
buried at St. Daniel's (Corner) Church. His sons were: Joseph,
George, Thomas, Jacob, Henry, Franklin, Levi and Frederick. His
daughters were Sophia married Adam Deppen; Susan married (first)
Elijah Hassler and (second) John Leninger; Peggy married a Mr.
Heckler; Sarah died unmarried.
Joseph Putt, father of George, resided in the
house in which the latter was born, in Heidelberg township, for
nearly fifty years. He followed teaming as a business. He married
Catherine Brigel, daughter of Adam and Barbara (Weinhold) Brigel.
Mr. and Mrs. Putt have long since passed away and are interred at
Womelsdorf. They had the following children: Frank, who was killed
at the battle of Cold Harbor, while fighting in defense of his
country; Charles, who lives at Garrett, Ind.; Joseph, who is
assistant foreman at the Robesonia Iron Company; Jacob, a farmer
residing near Garrett, Ind.; William, who is in the employ of the
Robesonia Iron Company; Sarah, who was accidentally burned to death
in childhood; Ellen I., married to Charles P. Mayer, who is stove
tender for the Robesonia Iron Company; and George.
George Putt left school at a very early age in
order to commence work at the furnace, beginning to be
self-supporting in 1878, and has continued with the Robesonia Iron
Company. He has proved himself such a reliable, steady and
efficient employe that he has had substantial recognition of his
usefulness at various times, and in 1887 he was appointed foreman
of the ore roasters, having a gang of twenty-six men under his
charge. In politics he is a Republican, and although he lives in a
strong Democratic district he was elected school director in the
spring of 1902, in which office he served for three years. He has
filled other positions, having been township committeeman for two
years, and on different occasions has been chosen a delegate to
county conventions. He is a member of Washington Camp, No. 67, P.
O. S. of A., of Womelsdorf, and of Lodge No. 119, Knights of
Pythias, of Robesonia.
In 1886 Mr. Putt was married to Fianna
Achenbach, born April 6, 1864, a daughter of Levi and Mary (Putt)
Achenbach, the former of whom is a stone-mason in Mill Creek
township. Mr. and Mrs. Putt have three children. Jennie M.; Maggie
M., who married Howard Flickinger, a clerk at Robesonia; and Irwin.
Mr. Putt and his family reside in their own home on Main street,
Robesonia, which he bought in 1900. With his family he belongs to
St. Paul's Reformed Church, in which he is a deacon. He was a
liberal contributor to the erection of this handsome church edifice
in 1903.
Joseph Putt, foreman of the laborers at the
Robesonia Iron Company's plant at Robesonia, was born Oct. 25,
1852, in his father's house in Heidelberg township. He is a son of
Joseph Putt. He obtained his education at the Furnace school-house
in his native township, but was only ten years old when he began
work at the Robesonia Furnace, and he has been working regularly in
the same employ ever since, being one o the company's oldest and
most reliable employes. He has charge of the labor force of fifty
men, a position he has filled since 1904. He is a Republican in
politics, and on different occasions has been a delegate to county
conventions.
On Aug. 13, 1887, he was married to Leah Spears,
a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Yonson) Spears, and they have
one son, James H. S., who is a young man of fine educational
attainments. He was educated in the township schools, graduated
from the Robesonia high school, later attended two spring sessions
at the West Chester Normal School and still later graduated from
the Inter-State Commercial College, Reading. Mr. putt resides in
his own home on Elm street, Robesonia, which he purchased in the
spring of 1902. Fraternally he belongs to Washington Camp, No. 37,
P. O. S. of A., of Robesonia, of which he has been a trustee since
1899; and to the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 119, of which he is
past chancellor commander. He is a Reformed member of Zion's Church
of Womelsdorf. Mrs. Putt was reared in the Presbyterian faith, her
parents belonging to the First Presbyterian Church. She is
connected with St. Daniel's (Corner) Church.