Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery
p. 771
Surnames: SCHAEFER, HERBST, HACKEY, VOGEL, NEILAND, SISTER MARCUS
J. George Schaefer, who was for many years engaged in tailoring in
the city of Reading, Pa., was born in the Province of Hesse,
Germany, Feb. 19, 1826, son of J. George and Elizabeth (Herbst)
Schaefer.
Mr. Schaefer was the youngest of his father's
family, and he received his education in his native country, there
learning the tailor trade from his father. He came to America in
May, 1847, and finished his trade with his brother, Peter C., at
Reading. My Schaefer came direct to Reading, where he spent the
remainder of his life engaged in tailoring, thirty years being
spent with William Hackey, who had a place of business at Seventh
and Penn streets. A short period before his death Mr. Schaefer
lived retired, and he died Dec. 3, 1889, and is buried at St.
Paul's Catholic cemetery, which is located at the foot of Neversink
Mountain Mr. Schaefer was married to Fredericka Vogel, born July
17, 1834, six miles from Mr. Schaefer's birthplace in Germany,
daughter of Frederick and Ottillia (Neiland) Vogel, and to this
union there have been born children as follows: Mary A., resides
with her mother; Clara is known in the church as Sister Marcus, and
a teacher in a parochial school; Father Joseph A., born in Reading,
attended the St. Paul's parochial school of Reading until his
thirteenth year, Vincent College (Latrobe) , Beatty P. O.
Westmoreland county, and St. Charles Seminary at Overbrook,
Montgomery county, was located at Pottsville, and for five years
has been at Manayunk; Theresa, born Oct. 10, 1860, died June 23,
1867; John F. , born Feb. 1 , 1865, died Feb. 28, 1870; Mary E. ,
born July 30, 1868, died Jan. 18 , 1869; and George A. born Aug.
12, 1870, met his death while at the Philadelphia & Reading
shops in the cyclone of Jan. 9, 1889.
Mr. J. George Schaefer was a faithful member of
St. Paul's Catholic Church. He was a Democrat in his political
views, but never took an active part in public matters. His widow,
who survives him, still lives at the old home, No. 224 North Ninth
street.
p.
368
Surnames: SCHAEFFER, ERMENTROUT, MCKNIGHT
Charles H. Schaeffer, one of the most prominent and influential
citizens of Reading, is well known in the financial circles of that
city as president of the National Union Bank. Mr. Schaeffer was
born in Columbus, Ohio, in the year 1840. His father and
grandfather were clergymen, distinguished in the Lutheran Church,
his father having been for many years professor in the Lutheran
Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, and later having been the
founder, first professor and president of the Lutheran Theological
Seminary at Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, where he remained until his
death in 1879.
Charles H. Schaeffer received his collegiate
education at Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, from which he
graduated with honor in 1860, and thereafter he conducted a
classical academy at Reading for several years. During this period
he also read law in the office of the late Congressman Daniel
Ermentrout. In 1863 he enlisted in the service of the United States
and was a the front until his regiment disbanded in the fall of
that year. On Aug. 9, 1864, he was admitted to the Bar and since
that time has been in continuous practice, being concerned in much
of the most important litigation that has been before the courts of
Berks county, the Supreme court of Pennsylvania and the United
States courts, and during his professional career has been attorney
for many of the most important corporate interests of the
community.
Mr. Schaeffer has been prominently identified
with the Democratic party from the first, and in his earlier years
was a prominent speaker and worker in his party, representing it in
county, State and national conventions. In 1873 he served a term as
a member of the city council, but was never a candidate for any
other office. He long served the public as a member of the board of
health until his resignation in 1902, nineteen years, during which
time the most valuable improvements and reforms in the work of the
board were inaugurated and established.
Mr. Schaeffer has always been prominently
identified with the public interests and institutions of the city
and county. In 1873 he drew the charter of the first passenger
railway built in the city of Reading, organized the company, and
has been connected with the city railway interests as attorney and
director during all the subsequent developments of the system.
Since 1869 he has been the counsel for the National Union Bank of
Reading, one of the leading financial institutions of the city,
became a director in 1874, and vice-president in 1898. Since March,
1900, Mr. Schaeffer has been president of this institution.
During all his legal and business career Mr.
Schaeffer has at various times contributed articles to the
educational and legal magazines, and other publications of the
city, county and State, which gave him reputation as a writer, and
in the years when the Reading Eagle was laying the foundations of
its future prosperity, his contributions to its columns were highly
appreciated. In connection with his banking interests, Mr.
Schaeffer is also a director of the Reading Trust Company, the
Reading Gas Company, the Reading City Passenger Railway Company,
and also of many other corporations. He is also president of the
West Reading Water Company. He is an active member of the
well-known Berks County Historical Society, while his war record
entitles him to his connection with Keim Post. No. 76, G. A. R.
Since 1860 Mr. Schaeffer has been a member of Trinity Lutheran
Church, in the vestry of which he served a number of years as
elder, and to which his family also adhere.
In 1867 Charles H. Schaeffer and Amelia M.
McKnight were united in marriage. Mrs. Schaeffer is a member of one
of the old and prominent families of the county. Four sons were
born to Mr. and Mrs. Schaeffer, all of whom are engaged in business
in Reading and Philadelphia, the youngest, E. Carroll, being a
member of the Berks county Bar.
In every walk of life, indeed, Mr. Schaeffer has
made an impress for good. Of profound legal mind, scholarly and
liberal-minded, his influence has been felt not only in the
material upbuilding of Reading, but in the development of the
moral, religious and educational movements in the community in
which he has for so long been so prominent a figure.
p. 1298 Surnames: SCHAEFFER, DELONG, STRAUSE, KLINE, BERIE, ROW,
KISTLER, STEIN
Charles P. Schaeffer, a prominent citizen of Womelsdorf, Berks
county, cashier of the Womelsdorf Union Bank, was born Aug. 3,
1874, in Snyder County, Pa., son of George K. and Elizabeth
(DeLong) Schaeffer.
Jacob Schaeffer, his grandfather, was a native
of Berks county, and was a young man when he removed with his
parents to Snyder county, where he engaged in farming near
Freeburg. Later the family removed to Shamokin Dam, Pa., and there
Jacob Schaeffer died at the age of sixty-two years, his wife living
to the remarkable age of ninety-four. They had six children:
Benjamin, a resident of Freeburg; John, of Shamokin Dam; Sarah, who
married Elias Strause; Lydia, who married Peter Berie; George K.,
father of Charles P.; and Susan who married George Kline.
George K. Schaeffer was born Oct. 26, 1852, and
has spent all his life in agricultural pursuits, now residing on
his farm at Shamokin Dam. He married Elizabeth DeLong, born Sept.
24, 1852, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Row) DeLong, the latter
descendants of old French Huguenot families of Lancaster county.
Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Schaffer, namely; Charles
P.; Bert H., a farmer of Union county; Jacob P., M.D., of East
Greenville, Montgomery county; Allen J., assistant principal of the
schools at Nazareth; and George and Helen, at home.
Charles P. Schaeffer was educated in the public
schools and the Keystone State Normal School, at Kutztown, from
which institution he graduated. He had had five years experience as
a teacher before his graduation. In 1898 he came to Womelsdorf as
principal, and continued in that capacity for five years. On the
incorporation of the Womelsdorf Union Bank Mr. Schaeffer was
elected cashier thereof, a position he has ably filled to the
present time. He is a member of Golden Rule Lodge, No. 159, I. O.
O. F., and Williamson Lodge, No. 307, F. & A. M. He and his
family attend the Reformed Church.
On July 22, 1898, Mr. Schaeffer was married to
Miss Annie Stein, daughter of William B. and Emma (Kistler) Stein,
and three children have been born to this union: Orpha, Helen and
Max.
p. 816
Surnames: SCHAEFFER, PETER, REIB, FETEROLF, ROTHERMEL, FETERHOLF,
DELONG, YODER, MERKEL, SELL, BARNDT, STEIN, STEINMETZ, BROWN,
KIEFFER
Rev. Daniel E. Schaeffer, a minister of the Reformed faith,
residing at West Leesport, Pa., who in addition to his ministerial
relations has been prominently identified with the educational and
public life of the borough, is a member of one of the oldest
families of Berks county, and was born Oct. 26, 1872, near
Fleetwood, Richmond township, son of John S. and Magdalena (Peter)
Schaeffer.
George Schaeffer, a native of the Rhine Valley,
Germany, was the progenitor of this old and honored family. He
crossed the ocean on the ship "Edinburgh" which qualified at
Philadelphia Aug. 13, 1750, and it appears that soon after coming
to this country he settled in Richmond township, Berks county,
where he obtained a warrant for a tract of land. When the
Revolutionary war broke out this pioneer became a captain of a
company that fought for the freedom of the Colonies, and he died at
an advanced age in 1791. His wife was a born Reib, and they had
five children: Elizabeth, Margaret, Maria, Peter and Philip. The
last named, Philip, remained on the homestead in Richmond township,
which tract is still in the family name, being one of the best
farms in Berks county.
Philip Schaeffer, great-grandfather of Rev.
Daniel E., was born on the homestead in 1770, and became an
agriculturist. He was also an inventor of ability and manufactured
the first threshing machine in Berks county, this proving so
successful that he continued to make these machines throughout the
remainder of his life. His wife was Elizabeth Feterolf, who was a
granddaughter of Peter and Anna Maria (Rothermel) Feterholf of
Wachbach, Germany, and they had these children: George, Peter,
Isaac, Jonathan, Daniel, William, Philip, David, Sarah (m. Jacob
DeLong), Elizabeth (m. Solomon Yoder), Anna M. (m. Isaac Merkel),
and Esther (m. Francis DeLong).
Daniel Schaeffer, grandfather of Rev. Daniel E.,
was born and reared on the old Schaeffer stand in Richmond
township, and was a farmer throughout his active period. Some years
before his death he retired to Fleetwood, where his wife died. She
was Margaret Sell, of Maxatawny township, and they had these nine
children: John S., George, William, Philip, David, Daniel, Mary,
Caroline and Nathan.
John S. Schaeffer, father of Rev. Daniel E., was
born Sept. 7, 1838, on the homestead farm, and worked for his
parents until after his marriage, at which time he took charge of
his present farm, reputed to be one of the best in Berks county,
having handsome, substantial buildings, good water and fine stock
and farm machinery, and being well located and convenient to
railroads. On Nov. 15, 1863, Mr. Schaeffer was married to Magdalena
Peter, born April 30, 1842, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Barndt)
Peter, and they have these three children: Mary Emma; Rev. Charles
E., pastor of St. Mark's Reformed Church, of Reading; and Rev.
Daniel E.
Rev. Daniel E. Schaeffer was reared on his
father's farm and his early educational training was secured in the
public schools of his district. He then entered the Keystone Sate
Normal School and prepared for college, entering Franklin and
Marshall in the fall of 1892 and being graduated therefrom in June,
1895. He then entered the Theological Seminary of the Reformed
Church of the United States at Lancaster, and was graduated in
1898. On July 24th of the same year he was ordained at Gernant's
Church in Ontelaunee township, by Dr. J. P. Stein, D. D., Dr. J. W.
Steinmetz, D. D., and Rev. James R. Brown, and was assigned to the
Leesport charge, which consists of Gernant's Church, Leesport,
Mohrsville and Shoemakersville. Rev. Schaeffer is very popular with
his congregations, and is one of the best known divines in Berks
county. He is greatly interested in educational work, and at
present serves as secretary of the board of education of West
Leesport, also having been one of the first directors of West
Leesport, whose separate government he assisted in securing in
1902. In political matters he is a Democrat. He has been a member
of the Reformed Ministerial Association of Reading since his
ordination.
In 1895 the Rev. Mr. Schaeffer married Miss
Annie Schaeffer, daughter of Frank and Andora (Kieffer) Schaeffer,
of Fleetwood, Pa. To this union there have been born five children
namely: Mabel F., Helen M., Charles R., Frank E., and Emily M.
p.
1447
Surnames: SCHAEFFER, YODER, DOTTERER
David Y. Schaeffer, now engaged in the cultivation of his
fifty-acre tract in Engelsville, Colebrookdale township, Berks
county, was born on his grandfather Yoder's homestead near
Pleasantville, in Oley township, June 10, 1870, son of Nathan and
Catherine (Yoder) Schaeffer. He was a lad of ten years when his
father died, and he grew to manhood on the farm, assisting his
mother until he was twenty-one years of age. He attended the public
schools of Oley township, and later Friedensburg Seminary. For
eight years after his marriage he farmed for his mother, and in the
spring of 1901 he located at his present place, where he has made
many improvements, including a fine addition to the house in 1905.
Besides farming, Mr. Schaeffer goes out threshing in his district.
On Nov. 15, 1893, Mr. Schaeffer was married to
Katie Dotterer, daughter of William Dotterer, and they have seven
children Namely: Mabel, Ella, William, Edna, Minnie, Oscar and
Florence.
p. 537
Surnames: SCHAEFFER, CHRIST, DELONG, YODER, MERKLE, BAER, GRIM
D. Nicholas Schaeffer, one of the leading representatives of the
legal fraternity in Berks county, Pa., and a resident of the city
of Reading, was born Sept. 10, 1853, in Maxatawny township, Berks
county, son of David and Esther (Christ) Schaeffer.
His paternal great-grandfather was George
Schaeffer, a native of Southern Germany, north of the Rhine, who,
in 1750, with 30,000 other inhabitants of that county located in
Pennsylvania. He settled upon a tract of land in Richmond township,
which is now owned by his descendants, and there reared a family of
five children, two sons and three daughters. This sturdy old
pioneer passed to his eternal reward in 1792, after a long and
useful life.
Philip Schaeffer, grandfather of D. Nicholas,
was born on the old homestead farm in 1770, and became an
agriculturist. He manufactured the first threshing machine in Berks
county, and met with such success as to warrant him to continue in
that line of work the remainder of his life. He was the progenitor
of a family of twelve children: George; Peter; Isaac; Jonathan;
Daniel; Philip; William; David; Sarah m. Jacob De Long; Elizabeth
m. Solomon Yoder; Anna M. m. Isaac Merkle; and Esther m. Francis De
Long. In politics he was a Democrat, while in religious attachments
he was a member of the Reformed Church. He was a soldier in the war
of 1812, our second great conflict with Great Britain, and
acquitted himself with credit. Mrs. Schaeffer died in 1849, and her
husband, in January 1853, at the advanced age of eighty-three
years.
David Schaeffer, the father of D. Nicholas, was
born in Berks county, Oct. 3, 1820, and engaged in tilling the
soil, after obtaining a good education in the common schools. He
was deeply interested in the educational advancement of his
community, and was one of the charter members of the Keystone State
Normal School of Kutztown, of which he is still a trustee. In May
1848, he married Esther Christ, who was born in Greenwich township,
Berks county, in l825. Five children blessed this union, and each
was given the best educational advantages, and is now a credit to
the community in which he lives. The record is as follows: Nathan
is Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State of
Pennsylvania; William D. is a Professor in the Theological Seminary
of the Reformed Church at Lancaster, Pa.; D. Nicholas; James is
engaged in farming; and Charles is a physician of Allentown.
D. Nicholas Schaeffer, after completing the
required course in the common schools, attended Franklin &
Marshall College, at Lancaster, graduating there from in the class
of 1876. Immediately thereafter he began reading law under the
tutelage of George F. Baer of Reading, and was admitted to the Bar
in 1878. He then opened a law office in the city of Reading, and
soon acquired a large and lucrative practice, which is still his in
a much augmented state. He is a man of great determination and
shrewdness, and having once entered upon a case he works with might
and main, and usually with good results. He is a dutiful citizen
and a good neighbor, being held in high esteem by a large number of
friends and fellow citizens.
Mr. Schaeffer married, Nov. 11, 1880, Katherine
Grim, daughter of Jonathan K Grim, and three bright and interesting
children blessed their union, namely: Forest G., Paul N. and Harry
H. In politics he is a stanch supporter of the principles of the
Democratic party, and in religious affiliation a member of the
Reformed Church of Reading, of which he is an elder.
p.
404
Surnames: SCHAEFFER, KEMP, DRY, WANNER, KELCHNER, BLEILER, DUMN.
KUTZ
Harry Dry Schaeffer, district attorney of Berks county, was born
Nov. 14, 1873, on the old Dry homestead in Rockland township, Berks
county, and belongs to a family which has been identified with the
affairs of that county for several generations. His grandfather,
Jonathan Schaeffer, was a well-to-do farmer of Richmond township.
George B. Schaeffer, father of Harry Dry
Schaeffer, was long engaged in the coal, lumber and iron ore
business in Fleetwood, this county. After serving some time as
deputy sheriff, under Sheriff Kemp, he was elected to the office of
sheriff, in which he served with fidelity some three years, from
1887 until 1890. He is now living retired in Reading. He married
Mary A. Dry, daughter of Benjamin E. Dry, formerly of Rockland
township, this county. Mr. Dry died about two years ago, at the age
of eighty-seven, while living in the City of Reading. The Drys are
remarkable for their longevity, and Mr. Drys sister, who was buried
in September, 1905, reached the advanced age of ninety-six years.
Mr. Dry was a merchant at Dryville, Rockland township, which was
named after him, and lived a most useful and active life, having
served his country in the Legislature and as register of wills, and
was justice of the peace of Rockland township for over twenty-five
years. Mr. and Mrs. George B. Schaeffer had a family of eight
children as follows: Wester and Llewellyn, coal and lumber dealers
at Fleetwood, doing business under the firm name of Schaeffer,
Wanner & Co. ; Warren, at school ; Kate and Sue, at home ;
Minnie, m. to Dr. Fred Kelchner, of Philadelphia ; Rosa, wife of
Dr. George S. Bleiler ; and Harry Dry.
Harry D. Schaeffer attended the public schools
of Fleetwood and later the Keystone State Normal School, at
Kutztown, where he was graduated in 1891. He then took a course at
Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., and was graduated in
1895. Mr. Shaeffer matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania
as a law student, and after a year at that institution began
reading law in the office of D. Nicholas Schaeffer. He was admitted
to the Bar in 1899, since which time he has been engaged in the
active practice of his profession in Reading. Under the firm name
of Dumn & Schaeffer, he formed a partnership with Harry J.
Dumn, former clerk of Quarter Sessions. Mr. Schaeffer was appointed
assistant district attorney in January, 1905, and served in that
capacity for three years under District Attorney Kutz. In 1907 he
was elected as district attorney and is filling that office at
present.
On April 17, 1901, Mr. Schaeffer was married to
Miss Annie R. Wanner, daughter of the late Louis A. Wanner, who was
a member of the firm Schaeffer, Wanner & Co., of Fleetwood. One
son, George Wanner Schaeffer, has come to cheer their home. Mr.
Schaeffer is a member of the Masons fraternity, belonging to
Kutztown Lodge, No. 377. He also belongs to the Reformed Church.
p. 1558 Surnames: SCHAEFFER, LEVAN, FOCHT,
KNAPP, HARTMAN, SAYLOR, KNABB, MOYER
Jacob Schaeffer, who died Aug. 16, 1871, aged thirty years, eight
months, twenty-eight days, was for some time a prominent
agriculturist of Exeter township, Berks county. He was born on the
old Schaeffer homestead Nov. 18, 1840, son of Brig.-Gen. Henry and
Anna (Levan) Schaeffer.
The founder of this family in America was
Christian Schaeffer, grandfather of Jacob, who came to America at
the age of fifteen with the Hessian troops during the Revolution.
He located in Exeter township, and by enterprise and economy became
the owner of three farms- one in Exeter (still known as the "Capt.
Schaeffer farm"), one in Oley, and one at Boyertown, the last named
being largely cut up into building lots. To Christian Schaeffer and
his wife, Anna, were born many children, among whom were: John,
born at Philadelphia Feb. 28, 1788, had a son Jeremiah (born Nov.
12, 1818, died April 27, 1880, leaving an only son) ; Christian
(born Dec. 6, 1799, died Jan. 31, 1863) m. Mary Focht (born Jan.
18, 1809, died July 31, 1884) and both are buried at Schwartzwald
Church ; Henry ; Hannah, Mrs. Knapp ; and Mrs. Hartman.
Henry Schaeffer, father of Jacob, was born April
12, 1802, near Boyertown, Pa., and was educated in the common
schools of his native township. In early life he engaged in
agricultural pursuits, and was also an extensive dealer in cattle,
becoming one of the substantial men of his day. Although a stanch
Democrat, and a leader in the ranks of his party, he was a very
strong Union man, and helped to organize troops in the State
Militia, being a captain of Berks and Lehigh county troops, and was
promoted to the rank of brigadier general. He was an able military
officer, strict disciplinarian and of commanding appearance. He had
a loud, authoritative voice which could be heard a half a mile
away. He died Dec. 15, 1860, and was buried in Schwartzwald
cemetery. Harry Schaeffer married Anna Levan, born April 15, 1814,
died Feb. 10, 1870, and of the children born to them, five grew to
maturity: Catherine, m. to Samuel Saylor ; Mary, (1838-1864) m. to
Levi Hartman ; Elizabeth, m. to Franklin Saylor ; Henry L.
(1846-1861) ; and Jacob. In religious belief the family were
members of the Reformed Church.
Jacob Schaeffer was educated in the schools of
Exeter township, and until within two years of his death was
engaged in farming. He married Emeline W. Knabb, and to this union
were born three children : Anna, Sarah and Elizabeth. Misses Anna
and Sarah Schaeffer reside at No. 225 South Sixteenth street,
Reading. They are prominent members of St. Andrew's Reformed
Church, and are leaders in the work of that denomination.
Christian Schaeffer, son of Christian the
emigrant, born 1799, died 1863. To him and his wife, Mary Focht
(1809-1884) were born : Samuel (1828-1890) m. Sarah E. Levan
(1834-1893), and among their children were John, Mary, Hannah,
Malinda, Jacob, Henry, George, Nathan and Samuel ; George C. F.
(1831-1868) m. Maria Moyer (daughter of Gottlieb and Maria Moyer),
and had two children, William and Emma.
p. 801
Surnames: SCHAEFFER, CHRIST, BIEBER, BORTZ, WETZEL, RUPPERT,
WELDER, HERTZ, MERKEL
James Schaeffer, trustee of the Normal School, is a well-known
citizen and prosperous farmer of Maxatawny township, residing on
the old Schaeffer homestead where he was born June 26, 1856. He is
one of a family of unusual note born to his parents, the late David
and Esther Ann (Christ) Schaeffer.
The late David Schaeffer was one of the foremost
men of upper Berks county. He was born in Richmond township, in
1820, and died in 1902, aged eighty-one years. He was one of the
organizers of the Keystone State Normal School, and was an honored
trustee from then on until the time of his death. He was a man of
progress, and was a firm believer in education, not only giving his
own children the best of opportunities but largely advancing the
educational advantages of his whole section. Each of his five sons
became men of culture, and four of them are graduates of Franklin
and Marshall College, namely: Rev. Dr. Nathan C. since 1893 has
been State Superintendent of Public Instruction for Pennsylvania;
Rev. Dr. William C. is teacher of Theology at the Reformed
Seminary, Lancaster; D. Nicholas is a leading attorney at Reading;
Dr. Charles D. is a prominent physician and an ex-mayor of
Allentown, Pa.; while James is the agriculturist of the family.
David Schaeffer followed farming all his life,
and he purchased the farm now owned by his son James, in 1849,
during his lifetime greatly improving it, and the improving has
been continued until it ranks with the best in upper Berks county.
David Schaeffer, on account of his excellent judgment, was a
successful man in all his undertakings and he acquired a large
estate. At the time of his death he owned the property at No. 526
Washington street, Reading, the farm of his son James, and a farm
of 120 acres situated in Bern township, which is the property of
Dr. Nathan C. Schaeffer. He was a consistent member of the Reformed
faith and was an official of St. John's Reformed Church at
Kutztown, which he liberally supported. His burial was in the
cemetery connected with this church. In May, 1848, he married
Esther Ann Christ, daughter of Solomon and Elizabeth (Bieber)
Christ. She died in February, 1903, aged seventy-seven years,
surviving her husband but eight months. They left many mourning
friends who had been attached to them for many years, and they were
honored and respected by all who knew them.
James Schaeffer secured a district school
education and later entered the Keystone State Normal School which
he left in his senior year in order to engage in agricultural
pursuits. His tastes lay in this direction, and he preferred the
free and independent life of a farmer rather than a professional
one as did his brothers. He has followed farming since 1880, and
has owned the Schaeffer homestead of 160 acres of some of the
finest land in Berks county since the death of his father. It is
favorably located in the center of the large and fertile area of
Maxatawny township. Mr. Schaeffer keeps eight head of horses and
twenty head of cattle. He is an enterprising and progressive
farmer, and makes use of all kinds of improved machinery. This
beautifully situated farm is very level and from the homestead its
whole extent, with the exception of one field, can be brought under
the eye at one time. Its fertile soil makes it excellent wheat
land.
On Dec. 15, 1878, Mr. Schaeffer married Rosa
Bortz, daughter of Jonas and Thelena (Wetzel) Bortz, farming people
of this township, and they have the following children: Rev. David
I., stationed at Dayton, Pa., who is the historian of the Schaeffer
family at the triennial reunions, married Anna Ruppert and they
have one daughter, Ethel; Hettie m. George Welder, of Maxatawny
township, and has one daughter, Rosa; Annie, a trained nurse, who
had her home with her uncle, Dr. C. D. Schaeffer, at Allentown, m.
Dr. William J. Hertz of Allentown; Katie m. Daniel Merkel of
Richmond township; William H., who is a graduate of the dental
department of the University of Pennsylvania, is engaged in
practice in Allentown; Ella I., resides at home; and George J. is a
student in the Normal School. All of the children of Mr. and Mrs.
Schaeffer have been liberally educated and William and Annie are
graduates of the Keystone State Normal School and David of Franklin
and Marshall College.
In his political views, Mr. Schaeffer is a
Democrat. Since the death of his father, he has been a trustee of
the State Normal School, the former having officiated in that
office since the organization of the school. With his family Mr.
Schaeffer belongs to St. John's Reformed Church at Kutztown, in
which he has been a deacon for many years, and since 1900 one of
the elders. He has always been an active church worker, and in his
younger years took much interest in the Sunday-school. He is one of
the representative men of this section.
p.
1173
Surnames: SCHAEFFER, BIEBER, CHRISTMAN, FETHEROLF, DELONG, YODER,
MERKEL, DONMOYER, RICHSTEIN, SCHLEGEL, ANGSTADT, ADAM, BOYER
James D. Schaeffer, the well known veterinary surgeon, has been a
resident of Fleetwood since 1868, and resides in a large brick
residence on Main street. Mr. Schaeffer was born Sept. 7, 1835, in
Richmond township, near Fleetwood.
George Schaeffer, great-grandfather of James D.,
was the American ancestor of this family, emigrating from Southern
Germany, and in 1750 was a landowner, his tract in Richmond
township still being in the possession of the family. It is evident
that he made a wise selection as to his location, as the Schaeffer
farms are of the best in the county. Mr. Schaeffer reared five
children: Elizabeth, m. to John Bieber; Margaret, m. to Dewalt
Bieber; Maria, m. to Michael Christman; Peter and Philip.
Philip Schaeffer was an extensive landowner and
early settler of Richmond township, where he later presented each
of his children with a farm. He married Elizabeth Fetherolf, and
they were the parents of these children: George, the father of
James D.; Peter; Isaac; Philip; Daniel; Jonathan; William; David;
Sally, m. to Joseph DeLong; Elizabeth, m. to Solomon Yoder; Hettie,
m. to Frank DeLong; and Annie, m. to Isaac Merkel.
George Schaeffer, was a prosperous farmer of
Richmond township, and owned a most fertile tract, consisting of
152 acres, now owned by his grandson, Franklin M. George Schaeffer
m. (first) Hettie Merkel, deceased, daughter of Daniel Merkel, and
to this union were born: Nathan, Catherine, Elizabeth, Levi and
Daniel. He m. (second) Hannah Donmoyer, daughter of Benjamin and
Marguerite (Richstein) Donmoyer of Longswamp township, and these
children were born to them: James D.; Hettie, who died at the age
of five years; and George D., who served as deputy sheriff of Berks
county for fifteen years.
James D. Schaeffer resided on the farm on which
he was born until thirty years of age, when he located in
Fleetwood. His early education was obtained in the schools of his
native place, later attending the Boyertown high school, and in
1855-56 he attended a school of advanced learning at the Trappe,
Montgomery county. Upon leaving school he returned to his father's
farm, where he worked until his marriage, Dec. 25, 1866, to Miss
Emma Schlegel, daughter of Jacob and Esther (Angstadt) Schlegel, of
Richmond township, and the children born to this union were: Milton
S., a carpenter of Fleetwood; Levi S., a machinist; Katie, m. to
Edwin M. Adam, a carpenter of Reading, Pa.; Harriet, m. to Howard
H. Boyer, a carpenter of Fleetwood; Miss Maria S., who graduated
from the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown with the class of
1902, and is now teaching the advanced primary school at Southeast
Allentown, Pa.; Sallie S., who is single and resides with her
parents; and Franklin B., a machinist of Reading.
After marriage James D. Schaeffer located in
Fleetwood, and engaged in a butcher business, which he followed for
a number of years. Retiring from that business he formed a
partnership with Adam B. Schaeffer, under the name of A. B. &
J. D. Schaeffer, and for twelve years the firm engaged successfully
in dealing in live stock, handling thousands of horses and cattle.
The records show that in one year they bought and sold more than
3,000 horses and cattle. Mr. James D. Schaeffer did the buying for
the firm, making many trips for that purpose into Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois, Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin, and shipping them to
Fleetwood, where his partner disposed of them. The firm had many
customers in Pennsylvania, as well as a large trade in New York.
After a thorough preparation, in 1889 Mr. James D. Schaeffer was
licensed a Doctor of Veterinary Surgery, and this profession he has
followed to the present time.
In political matters Mr. Schaeffer is a stanch
Democrat. On numerous occasions he has been honored by his fellow
citizens by election to public office, having served the town as
school director for two terms, and councilman for a period of ten
years. He is well and prominently known in business circles, having
been a member and treasurer of the Board of Trade for the past ten
years. He and his family attend St. Paul's Reformed Church of
Fleetwood, of which Mr. Schaeffer is an official member and stanch
supporter. Although past seventy-four years of age, Mr. Schaeffer
is still very alert and active; time has touched him lightly.
Possessed of a sufficient competency, of many friends, and of a
loving family, Mr. Schaeffer, in the sunset of his life, is
enjoying the fruit of his early labors. He is a representative man
of Fleetwood.
p. 893
Surnames: SHAEFFER, SHAPPELL, MERKEL, KELCHNER
Joel B. Schaeffer, the well-known creamery man of Moselem Springs,
Richmond township, is a son of Henry S. Schaeffer of Moselem. He
was born March 20, 1864, and worked on the farm from his youth
until his seventeenth year, when he learned the trade of shoemaker,
which he followed for two and one-half years, serving an
apprenticeship of two years. In 1884 Mr. Schaeffer was engaged as
clerk for Librant & McDowell, iron manufacturers at Moselem,
Richmond township. Two years later this firm changed hands, Sheble
& Stillwagon being the new proprietors, with whom Mr. Schaeffer
continued for another year, when he connected himself with Melot
& Schaeffer, in whose employ he remained one year, his next
employers being Kelchner & Co. With this firm he spent two
years. He then went to Wernersville, being employed as clerk in the
store of H. Shappell. Here he continued five years. At the end of
this time Mr. Schaeffer purchased twenty-six acres of some of the
best soil in Richmond township, near Moselem Springs, and here he
has since resided. In connection with his farm work, he has
conducted the creamery at Moselem Springs for three years. His farm
is in an excellent state of cultivation.
Mr. Schaeffer is a strong Democrat, and for
seven years served the township as supervisor; he is now serving a
three-year term as township assessor.
In 1885 Mr. Schaeffer married Miss Emma L.
Merkel, the respected daughter of James and Mary (Kelchner) Merkel
of Richmond township, and their family consists of children as
follows: Lloyd M. and Henry M., graduates of the Keystone State
Normal School at Kutztown; Solon, who died aged two years; Mary F.;
Flora M.; Ella M.; Mabel M.; Emily M., and Elmer M. Mr. Schaeffer
is a member of the Lutheran congregation of the Moselem Church, in
Richmond township. Mr. Schaeffer is domestic in his tastes, and
finds his greatest joy and contentment at home with his family. He
is conservative, reliable and a good and useful citizen, his
reputation being the best. He is now in the prime of life, having
started right, and being possessed of those qualities which insure
success in life.
p. 707
Surnames: SCHAEFFER, FETHEROLF, DELONG, YODER, MERKEL, DE LONG,
SHERADIN, KELCHNER, DEBURK, HEIBINE, RAHN, WANNER, KAUFFMAN,
SHEIRER
Joel M. Schaeffer, a retired business man of Fleetwood, residing in
a handsome home on Richmond street, was born March 8, 1846, in
Richmond township, and has all his life been identified with that
section of Berks county.
When the good ship "Edinburgh" arrived at
Philadelphia, on Aug. 13, 1750, it had among its passengers one
Georg Schaeffer, who came from the Rhine valley, in Germany, and
was the first of his family to settle in America. Proceeding to
Berks county, he established himself on a farm in Richmond
township, and there spent the rest of his life. His children were:
Elizabeth, Margaret, Maria, Peter and Philip.
Philip Schaeffer, son of Georg, was born in
1770, on the old homestead in Richmond township. He was a very
successful farmer and remained on the old homestead. He made the
first threshing machine in Berks county. This proved a great labor
saver, and he continued in the manufacture of threshing machines
during the remaining years of his life. He married Elizabeth
Fetherolf, who bore him eight sons and four daughters, namely:
George; Peter; Isaac; Jonathan; Daniel; Philip; William; David;
Sarah (m. Jacob DeLong); Elizabeth (m. Solomon Yoder); Anna Maria
(m. Isaac Merkel); and Esther (m. Francis De Long). As each child
became of age he or she was presented with a farm. The children
were all of unusually fine physique, tall and strong, and finely
proportioned.
Philip Schaeffer, Jr., son of Philip and father
of Joel M., was a life-long farmer in Richmond township, and one
whose efforts were richly rewarded. A man of unassuming demeanor
and upright character, his most vital interest was his family, to
whom he was devoted. He was a member of the Reformed Church of
Fleetwood, and in politics was, like all of his name, a Democrat.
He married Esther, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Sheradin)
Merkel. The Merkels are a family of German origin founded in
Pennsylvania by Georg, whose son Caspar was the father of Jacob.
Philip and Esther Schaeffer became the parents of seven children,
viz.: Levina, Mrs. Samuel Kelchner, of Fleetwood; Hettie, Mrs.
Isaac Deburk, of Kutztown; Elizabeth, who died aged seven; James,
who married Susan Heibine, of Moselem Springs, Pa.; Joel M.; Maria,
Mrs. Martin Kelchner, of Fleetwood; and Martin, who married Susanna
Rahn of Fleetwood.
Joel M. Schaeffer spent his boyhood and youth on
his father's farm attending the local schools. This was
supplemented by a course in a school at Collegeville, Montgomery
county. At the age of twenty-four he married and his father gave
him a farm near his own and for five years the young man followed
agricultural pursuits. But in the spring of 1876 he sold out his
farm stock and entered upon a partnership with Lewis Wanner that
lasted until 1903. This firm, Schaeffer, Wanner & Co., dealt in
grain, coal and lumber, and built up an extensive business. In 1885
they reorganized with one new member in the firm, and built a
rolling mill with a capacity of seventy-five barrels a day. They
manufactured the White Rose and Silver Cloud flour, which are more
generally used in eastern Pennsylvania than the product of any
other mill in that section, while there is also an active demand in
the western part of New Jersey. In 1903 Mr. Schaeffer sold out his
interest in the firm to his son-in-law John N. Kauffman. In 1909
Mr. Schaeffer bought the old Dumn mill property at the west end of
the borough of Fleetwood, and formed a partnership with his
son-in-law, John N. Kauffman, and his son, Walter P. Schaeffer, the
firm being known as Kauffman & Schaeffer.
In political views, Mr. Schaeffer has somewhat
departed from family tradition and maintains an independent stand,
but he has always been decidedly active in local affairs, while for
six years he served in the town council. He is also prominent in
the Emmanuel United Evangelical Church, in which both he and his
wife do much work. When the present building was erected in 1884 he
was a member of the building committee and his plans and
suggestions were heartily approved by the others of the committee.
For nine years he has been treasurer of the Sunday-school and is
now class leader and teacher of the German class. His wife is
equally prominent in the women's departments, belonging to the
Ladies' Aid and Missionary societies, and to the W. C. T. U. Both
are highly esteemed for their upright and Christian lives.
Mrs. Schaeffer was Miss Caroline Catherine
Kelchner, and was married to Mr. Schaeffer Nov. 17, 1870. She was a
daughter of Jacob and Ann (Sheirer) Kelchner, and granddaughter of
Jacob Kelchner, Sr. To her husband she has borne one daughter and
one son, namely: Anna Vanilla, who was educated at Schuylkill
Seminary, Frederick, Md., m. in 1894, John N. Kauffman, and has two
children, Joel Schaeffer and Kathryn Willi; and Walter Philip, who
was educated in the local schools and in Albright College,
Myerstown, Pa., where he took the English-Scientific course, and
who has also done much in voice culture and is a vocalist and
musician of note. He is now a member of the firm of Kauffman &
Schaeffer, miller and coal dealers, at Fleetwood.
p. 1456
Surnames: SCHAEFFER, SELL, LEIBELSPERGER, KIEFFER, RAHN
John E. Schaeffer, on the Easton road in Maxatawny township, was
born in Richmond township, Berks county, Aug. 2, 1867, son of
George S. Schaeffer, and grandson of Daniel Schaeffer.
Daniel Schaeffer was a farmer on the original
Schaeffer homestead until his retirement. He prospered in his
endeavors, and became very well-to-do. His wife was a member of the
Sell family. Their children were: John, George S., Daniel, Philip,
Nathan, David, Mary and Caroline, the three last named all being
deceased.
George S. Schaeffer, son of Daniel, was born on
his father's farm in February, 1840. In his earlier life for
several years he was a merchant in Fleetwood, and then began
farming on the homestead, which he now owns. It consists of 102
acres of the best land in the county. In 1902 he retired from
active work and located in Fleetwood, his son David L. now
cultivating the farm. Mr. Schaeffer was school director for a
number of years, and is much interested in educational affairs. He
married Catharine Leibelsperger, sister of Joel Leibelsperger
(mentioned elsewhere), and they had children as follows: Emma, who
died aged twenty-one years; John E.; Hannah, who died young; Kate,
m. to William Kieffer, of Richmond township; Hettie, m. to Charles
Rahn, of Richmond township; Amanda, who died young; David, who
farms the homestead; and Robert, a student in the medical
department of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia.
John E. Schaeffer received his preliminary
education in the common schools of his native township, and then
attended the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown for four
terms. Under his father he learned all the duties pertaining to
farming, and worked for him until he attained his majority. In 1888
he entered the general store of Joel Leibelsperger, at Moselem
Springs, where he clerked for fourteen months, applying himself to
learn the principles of commercialism. He then clerked for Kutz
brothers at Fleetwood for two years. He was next associated with N.
S. Schaeffer under the firm name of N. S. Schaeffer & Co., and
this partnership continued successfully for two years. John
Schaeffer then retired and returned to farming, being induced to
seek open air employment by ill health. He cultivated the homestead
farm for two years. In the spring in 1896 he purchased the Charles
Rahn estate, the farm consisting of 102 acres of valuable land, and
to this he has since devoted all his attention. He has five head of
horses, and averages about eleven cows. His farm machinery is all
of the latest and most approved style, and the entire place shows
the owner to be industrious and progressive. In politics he is a
Democrat, and has held a number of local offices. He and his family
attend St. Paul's Reformed Church at Kutztown.
On June 4, 1892, Mr. Schaeffer was married to
Maria Rahn, daughter of Charles. Three children came to bless this
union: George and Charles, twins; and Irwin, who died aged six
months. Mr. Schaeffer is very highly respected, and has many
friends in the county.
p. 1023
Surnames: SCHAEFFER, MERCKEL, YODER, NEIN, HAFER, GRIESEMER
Nathan Schaeffer, for many years one of the substantial men of Oley
township, was born July 19, 1829, son of Georg and Esther (Merckel)
Schaeffer, of Richmond, and died upon his farm near Pleasantville,
Sept. 17, 1880, aged fifty-one years, one month and twenty-eight
days, and his remains are interred at Oley churches.
Residing in Maxatawny township on the farm where
he was born until he attained his majority, Mr. Schaeffer later
removed to Fleetwood, and thence, in 1865, to Oley township, where
for eight years he farmed for his father-in-law, David Yoder. He
then bought the George Yoder farm near Pleasantville, consisting of
100 acres, as good as can be found in the township. The house on
this property antedates the Revolution, and was erected by a Yoder,
being a very fine sample of the excellent work of those days. The
barn was built by Mrs. Schaeffer in 1890, and is a commodious and
modern one.
In 1860 Mr. Schaeffer married Catharine Yoder,
daughter of David Yoder, of Oley township, and four children were
born to them: Hannah m. David Nein, of Mount Penn; Mary m. James
Hafer, a farmer of Oley township; David is a farmer residing near
Engelsville; Annie m. Casper C. K. Griesemer, who farms Mrs.
Schaeffer's property, and they have had five children, Leroy,
Nathan (who died at the age of two years, five months and seven
days), Clarence, and two infants.
Mrs. Schaeffer is a charming woman, well
educated in both English and German, and speaking both languages
fluently. She is an excellent business woman and since her
husband's death has managed he own affairs. Pleasant in manner,
intelligent and possessed of a delightful personality, Mrs.
Schaeffer has many warm personal friends and is much beloved in her
own family. The Schaeffer family is an old one and is counted among
the representative names of Berks county.
p. 356
Surnames: SCHAEFFER, BRUMBAUGH, CHRIST, BIEBER, AHLUM, HUFF
Dr. Nathan C. Schaeffer, State Superintendent of Public
Instruction, was born Feb. 3, 1849, in Maxatawny township, Berks
county. He was educated in Maxatawny Seminary (now Keystone State
Normal School) , Franklin and Marshall College at Lancaster,
Theological Seminary at Mercersburg, and in the Universities of
Berlin, Tubingen and Leipsic. He then taught in Mercersburg
College, and Franklin and Marshall College, and for sixteen years
was principal of the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown. In
1905 he was elected President of the National Educational
Association at Asbury Park, N. J. He has served the following
prominent positions: President of the Pennsylvania State Teacher's
Association : secretary of the National Council of Education ;
president of the Department of Superintendence of the National
Association ; president of the Pennsylvania German Society ;
Chancellor of the Pennsylvania Chautauqua at Mt. Gretna from 1901
to 1905 ; member of the Pennsylvania Commission on Industrial
Education ; and editor of the Pennsylvania School Journal, since
1893. He is editor of a volume of bible Readings for schools;
author of "Thinking and Learning to Think," and of "History of
Education in Pennsylvania," contained in three volumes of "History
of the State," published by the Mason Publishing Company at
Syracuse, N. y. He was commissioned State Superintendent of Public
Instruction on June 1, 1893, and re-commissioned in 1897, 1901, and
1905. He served as lecturer on Pedagogy in the Graduate Department
of the University of Pennsylvania during the absence of Dr.
Brumbaugh, while serving as Commissioner of Education in Porto Rico
(1900-1901).
Dr. Schaeffer is a son of David Schaeffer, of
Maxatawny township, and Esther Ann Christ, his wife (daughter of
Solomon Christ and Elizabeth Bieber, his wife, of the same
township). He married Annie Ahlum, of Quakertown, Pa., and they
have seven children : Clarabelle, Helen (m. Prof. Huff) , John,
Frederick (teaching at Mercersburg) , Grace, Annie and Mary.