Transcribed and submitted by Bonnie Blau.
The following information is taken from Morton Montgomery's History of Berks County, Pennsylvania, (1909)pages 168-169.
As near as can be ascertained, Reading in 1847 contained 37 different kinds of industrial establishments; also 130 mercantile houses for which county licenses were issued. The following statement includes the names of the more prominent persons who carried on business here at that time:
Bakeries: Henry Drum, John G. Eben, David Mitchell, Daniel Moyer.
Blacksmith shops: John Drenkel, Aaron Getz, Peter D. Getz, Jacob Jones, Daniel Miller, Thomas Rambo, William Stoltz.
Boat-yards: William Krick, Samuel & Adam Krauser, William Hiester, Savage & Call, Corbett & Stratton.
Breweries: Frederick Lauer, Nicholas Felix, John Borrell.
Brick-yards: John Darrah, Adam Diehm, Thomas Diehm, John Hoff, Benjamin Fink, Jacob Geiger, Henry Graul, George S. Levan, William Yeager, Jacob Young.
Brush Factories: Benjamin Witman, Helms & German, William Sage.
Cabinet Factories: John Bertolet, Henry Haberacker, Josiah Hearing, Henry Rhein, Daniel Spang.
Candy Factories: P. K. & H. L. Miller, G. W. & A. M. Souders, Amos B. Yeager.
Carriage Factories: Ephraim Booth, Samuel Filbert, Jacob Hessler, Godfrey Simon, Isaiah Thomas.
Chain Factory: Nicholas Rapp.
Chair Factory: Owen Bitting, John Brown, Frederick Fox, James M. Lewis, Gustavus Leslie.
Cigar Factories: John Beadencup, Charles Breneiser, J. & E. Eyrich, Franklin Frantz, J. M. & G. W. Hantsch, John Maltzberger.
Clothing Shops: James Jameson, William McFarlan, George Newkirk.
Comb Factory: Vivien & Behm.
Cooper Shops: Peter Barbey, Daniel Engel, Morton Righter, William Sands, Henry B. Shearer, Thomas Willson.
Distilleries: Philip Bushong, Riah Gillson.
Farming Implement Works: Adam Waid, Montgomery & Armstrong.
Fire-Brick Works: William Wells.
Glue Factories: Daniel Levan, Samuel Levan.
Greenhouse: Michael Hauser.
Grist Mills: Frees & Kissinger (steam), George Smith (water).
Hat Factories: Henry Brown, George Drenkel, Levi Hildebrand, Henry Henritze, John Kutz, John Lotz, Isaac W. Levan, Jacob Maurer, Adam Rightmeier, Charles W. Ringgold, Jacob Sauerbier, M. & J. Siegel, John Yerger, William Yerger.
Iron Works: Bertolette's Rolling Mill [Enterprise], Darling, Dotterer & Co.'s Machine Shop, Eckert Furnace [Henry Clay], Johnston's Foundry [Franklin], Philadelphia & Reading R. R. Co. Shops, Sabbatin's Forge, Seyfert, McManus & Co.'s Rolling Mill.
Locksmith Shops: John Mellert, John Miller, George Heilman.
Marble Works: John F. Moers, John T. Craig, Ferdinand H. Strecker.
Nail-makers: George Heilman, Frederick Heilman.
Organ Factories: Daniel Bohler, John Schoener.
Potteries: Asaph Shenfelder, William Wells.
Rope Walks: Thomas Jackson, Stephen Orth.
Saddleries: George Frees, Jacob H. Hain, Andrew Fichthorn, Henry Hahs, Gideon Weiser.
Sawmills: Boas & Spangler, J. V. Craig, Foos & Bingaman.
Shoe Factories: H. F. Felix & Co., Henry Fry, Jacob Goodhart, O'Brien & Foster.
Silversmith Shops: Frederick Grotevent, Charles L. Heizmann, George Heller, Levan Mannerback, Otto Ralle.
Soap and Candle Factories: John R. Klein, Albert Fischer.
Tanneries: Henry Connard, Andrew, Charles & William Fichthorn, Abraham Kerper, George Winters.
Tin- and Copper-smith Shops: F. & W. Bright, Jacob Long, Morris Pauli, Charles K. Snell, Daniel Smith.
Turner Shops: Joseph Bittling, Charles Young.
Wheelwright Shops: Jacob Goodman, Henry Goodman, Reuben Goodman.
Weaving Shops: George Goodman, George Price, Philip Rush.
The following must also be mentioned because they contributed a great deal toward the prosperity of Reading:
Banks: Farmers' Bank: Branch of Pennsylvania.
Builders: William Call, N. M. Eisenhower, George Foos, Benjamin Fink, John Fink, Jacob Fritz, William and Joseph Henry, William B. Hertzel, John and Frederick Printz, Solomon Spohn.
Hotels: Herman Beard, Wm. Behm, John W. Burkhart, John Darrah, Andrew Davis, Wm. L. deBourbon, Isaac Denis, Jacob Frill, George Gernant, Samuel Graul, Daniel Herr, John Mellon, John Messersmith, John Moyer, Michael Nunnemacher, Philip Orth, Peter Phillippi, Wm. Rapp, Solomon Spohn, Harry Weldy.
Merchants: Philip Albright, John Allgaier, Marks John Biddle, Boas, Lott & Co., D. R. Clymer, William and Peter Coleman, Lewis Briner, Baum & Sands, Samuel Ermentrout, Fasig & Henry, Wm. S. Fisher, Fricker & Stout, John Green, Hoff & Bro., George Feather, Hart & Mayer, Johnson & Templin, Keely & Kerper, Wm. & John Keim, Michael Keffer, Frank Miller, J. & C. M. Pearson, Alexander Peacock, Wm. Rhoads & Son, Francis Roland, Stichter & McKnight, John Ritter & Co., Seyfert & Miner, Frank B. Shalters, David R. Schultz, E. D. Smith, Weitzel & Bro., Philip Zeiber.
The following women were in business then, all conducting millinery establishments, and several including trimmings and notions: Mrs. Catherine Andrews (Barbara), Babb & (Catherine) Wanner, Mrs. Rachel Boyer, Helen Dwight, Mrs. Amanda Heller, Mrs. Mary Marsh, Mrs. Hanna Phillippi, Catharine Price, Deborah Potts, Mrs. Elizabeth Reamer (Norton), Ellen Richards, Mrs. Red, Mrs. Runyeon, (Mrs. Susan) Rapp & (Mrs. Catharine) Harvey, Mrs. Harriet Smith (Kutz).
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