Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

BORKERT,
ALBERT G.

p. 673

Surnames: BORKERT, GANTZ, SHEELER, BROWN, GOODMAN, WENTZEL

Albert G. Borkert, well known in Reading, Pa., as a contractor and
builder, was born in that city in 1835, son of Daniel Borkert, a
native of Oley Valley, and one of the first large contractors of
Reading. He had formerly been a brick layer, but took up
contracting in middle life, and many of the fine residences of the
city are evidences of his skill. He also built the city hall, and a
new part of the county jail, and several public school houses and
factories. Mr. Borkert followed his business until seventy years of
age, and then retired from active work, dying at the advanced age
of eighty years. He married Catherine Gantz, who died when
fifty-eight years of age. Their children were: William G.,
deceased; Mary, who m. a Mr. Sheeler, of Reading; Daniel, deceased;
Augustus, m to Amanda Brown, and engaged in the contracting
business with his brother, Richard; Richard, of Reading; Albert G.;
Susan, who died aged thirty-four years; Amanda m. to a Mr. Goodman,
of Wyomissing, Berks county; and John, a brick layer, m. to a Miss
Goodman.

Albert G. Borkert attended the schools of the
Third ward until fourteen years of age, when be learned the brick
laying trade with his father with whom he was employed until the
senior Borkert retired from business. The six sons then engaged in
the contracting business under the name of W. G. Borkert &
Bros., and continued under that name until the death of Daniel and
William. Our subject then took his son into partnership with him,
and the firm has been since known as Albert G. Borkert & Son,
they having a fine office at No. 936 Penn street, and residing in
the rear. They also carry a fine line of tobacco in connection with
the contracting business. The firm built the old Boys’ high school,
the Girls’ high school, the Sixth Church, the first stove foundry
on North Third street, and others.

Mr. Borkert married Melinda Wentzel, daughter of
Jesse Wentzel, and the following children were born to this union:
Thomas, with his father; Harry, a partner of his father; Sarah;
Annie; Bessie; Maggie; Katie; and Lillie. Mr. Borkert is a member
of the Lutheran Church.

BORKERT,
AUGUSTUS

p. 686

Surnames: BORKERT, BROWN, BADY, LONG, ZELL, RAPP, HILL, HUEY,
HOUCK, SCOTT, DIEBERT, MOHN

Augustus Borkert, who died Dec. 12, 1908, aged seventy years, was
one of Reading’s leading business men, having been engaged in
contracting and building for a number of years. He was a native of
this city, born Feb. 20, 1838, son of Daniel Borkert.

Augustus Borkert’s school days were spent at the
Franklin street school, in Third ward, and there he attended until
about fourteen years of age, when he started his business career as
an errand boy in a department store. He remained there for about
one and one-half years, at the end of which time he went to the hat
factory to learn the hat business. His father desired him to learn
the building business, and when nineteen years of age he engaged
with his father in business and continued with him until the
latter’s retirement from active life. At this time the six Borkert
brothers engaged in business together, and remained connected for
some time; but later Augustus Borkert, under the firm name of
Augustus Borkert & Bro., engaged in contracting and building,
with his brother, and they erected a number of large business
houses and residences, among the former being the Scott foundry and
the Deibert building and part of Mohn’s Hat factory. They also
built the Polish school house, and others too numerous to mention.
They employed from fifteen to eighteen hands. Mr. Borkert resided
at No. 938 A, Penn street, where his death occurred.

Mr. Borkert married Mary Amanda Brown, daughter
of John Brown, a Berks county blacksmith, and the following
children were born to this union: Katy m. James Bady, and lives at
Mt. Penn; George, employed with his father, m. Mary A. Long;
Daniel, also employed with his father, m. Ida M. Zell; Clara m.
Harry Rapp, of Reading; Howard J., a clerk for the firm of Gatley
& Brenner, m. Katie Hill; Ida m. Marshall Huey, who engaged in
the coal business on South Tenth street, and they reside on West
Oley street; Walter m. to Rosa Houck, and they have two sons, Carl
and Lester; Walter is employed with his father; Edward was clerking
at the tube works, and met his death one day while going home from
work at noon time, falling and breaking his neck while running; and
Elizabeth is deceased.

Mr. Borkert was a Democrat and served on the
common council, representing the Third ward. The family attended
Grace Lutheran Church. In April, 1861, at the call for troops, Mr.
Borkert enlisted in Company G, 7th Pa. V. I., for three months
service, was mustered in at Harrisburg, and went with his regiment
to Chambersburg, Greensburg, Williamsport, Millersburg and
Charleston, and was there discharged, returning to Harrisburg,
where he was mustered out of service and returned to Reading. Mr.
Borkert was laid to rest in Aulenbach cemetery. His widow resides
at the Penn street home.

BORKERT,
RICHARD G.

p. 768

Surnames: BORKERT, BINK, LEININGER, YOUNG, BISHOP, BISHOFF, BOND,
SCHEAFFER, LEASE

Richard G. Borkert, of Reading, Pa., one of the well known
contracting Borkert Brothers, and a leading business man, was born
in that city, Sept. 1, 1840, son of Daniel Borkert, a complete
sketch of whom will be found elsewhere.

Richard G. Borkert attended the Franklin street
school, of the Third ward, until he was eighteen years old, and
then learned the hatter’s trade, which he followed for about five
years, after which he engaged with his father in the brick laying
business. When his father died, Mr. Borkert engaged in the
contracting business with his brothers, and under the firm name of
Augustus Borkert & Bro., was in business with his brother,
Augustus, until the latter’s death in December, 1908. Mr. Borkert
resides at No. 926 Penn street. He married (first) Sarah Bink, who
died in 1898. They had two children, both deceased. Mr. Borkert’s
second marriage was to Elnora, widow of John Leininger, and one
child has been born to this union: Richard, now attending high
school. Mr. Borkert is a Democrat in politics, but has never taken
an active part in party work. He is a Lutheran in religious belief.
Mr. Borkert served one hundred days in the Civil war, being a
private of Company A, 48th Pa. V. I., and was assigned to guard
duty. He was mustered into service at Reading, and received his
honorable discharge in the same city.

William Young, the father of Mrs. Borkert, was
born in Reading, and received a common school education. He learned
the cigar making business, but did not follow that occupation for
any length of time, engaging in the confectionery business at
Seventh and Penn streets, where he became well known in that line,
and also as a fruit dealer. Mr. Young had a large vineyard at what
is now Twelfth and Walnut streets, and was very prosperous. He died
at the age of seventy-four years. He married Sarah Bishop, who died
at the age of sixty-three years, and both are buried in the Charles
Evans cemetery. Their children were: Fredericka E.; Elnora, the
wife of our subject; Wilhelmina, widow of Emil Bishoff; William of
Lock Haven; John; Theophilus; Annie C., wife of William M. Bond;
Sarah, wife of Ed. H. Scheaffer, of Reading; Isaac B., (twin to
Sarah), m. to Katie Lease, of Reading; and Ida Rebecca, of
California.

BORKERT, WILLIAM D. A.

p.
1139

Surnames: BORKERT, GANTZ, MILLER, KUTZ, HIGH, GRIESEMER, STOUT,
HIGH, OSWALD

William D. A. Borkert, for many years well known as a bricklaying
contractor of Reading, Pa., who has been recently appointed to the
position of City Park policeman, was born April 20, 1860, at No.
1024 Penn street, Reading, son of the late William G. Borkert.

Daniel Borkert, grandfather of William D. A.,
was one of the earliest contractors in Reading. He married Mary
Gantz, and their children were: William G., Daniel, Mary, Albert,
Augustus, Amanda, Richard, John, Frank and Susan.

William G. Borkert, son of Daniel, was a
brick-layer by trade. He married Catharine Miller, daughter of John
and Catharine (Kutz) Miller, and their children were: John J.,
Emma, Katie A., William D. A., Susan A., Mary E. and Cora R., of
whom Susan A. and Cora R. died young.

William D. A. Borkert received his education in
the public schools and at high school. After leaving school he
learned the hatting trade, which he followed for a few years and at
the age of nineteen engaged with his father to learn bricklaying
continuing with him until the latter’s death, July 29, 1901, and
then for two years with his uncle, Albert Borkert. Mr. Borkert
continued bricklaying for twenty-five years, and in 1894 received
an appointment as inspector of the big sewer building contract.
After its completion he was employed in 1899, as the first
inspector on the asphalt paving contract in Reading. Mr. Borkert
spent three years in work at City Park, and when William High was
elected park superintendent, Mr. Borkert was put on the police
force to succeed Ammon Griesemer. Mr. Borkert is active in Eighth
ward Democratic politics and has acted as judge, inspector and
clerk, and was a delegate to city conventions. He is a member of
the Bricklayers’ Union No. 21; Knights of Friendship, and Grace
Lutheran Church. Mr. Borkert has held the offices of president,
vice-president and secretary of the Union.

Mr. Borkert married Ellen S., daughter of Peter
L. Stout, the only left-handed violin player in the county. Mr. and
Mrs. Borkert have had children, as follows: William is deceased;
Katie mar. Robert I. Oswald, and has two children, Stanley C. and
Harold W.; Mabel mar. David Stout, and has one daughter, Dorothy;
Esther mar. Oscar A. High, and has one daughter, Edna E.; and Mary,
Cora, Lery, Elwood, Marguerite, Ruth, Charles D., Joice L., Edna,
Warren R., George L., Miriam W., Dorothy L. and Hazel E., the last
six named being deceased. The family lives at No. 113 North Tenth
street.

BORKERT,
WILLIAM G.

p. 699

Surnames: BORKERT, MILLER, KUTZ, SEIDERS, STOUT, FISHER,
PENNYPACKER

Willam G. Borkert (deceased) was born Dec. 29, 1825, on Penn
street, Reading. He received a common school education and then
learned the hatter’s trade, which he followed in the winter, while
he worked at the trade of a brick-layer in the summer months. He
spent his time in that manner for a number of years, and then gave
up the hatting business, devoting his entire time and attention to
brick laying and contracting, in which he engaged with five other
brothers, the firm being known as the Borkert Brothers, and he
remained therein until his death, July 29, 1901, when he was
seventy-five years and seven months old. He had been in the
business about thirty-one years, and few business men were better
known.

Mr. Borkert married Catherine M. Miller, born
Feb. 8, 1828, daughter of John and Catherine (Kutz) Miller, the
former of Lancaster county and the latter of Reading. Mrs. Borkert
had two brothers, John W. and Jacob, and one sister, Susan. Mrs.
Borkert died Jan. 27, 1906. She and her husband were consistent
members of Grace Lutheran Church, of Reading, and were much
esteemed as good, kindly, Christian people. They had these
children: John J., a brick-layer of Reading, who married Rosa A.
Seiders: Misses Emma A. and Kate A., who reside at home; William D.
A., a bricklayer at Reading, who married Ellen Stout; Mary E., who
married (first) Charles Fisher, and (second) John Pennypacker, of
Reading; and Susan and Cora, both deceased.

The Misses Emma A. and, Katie A. Borkert reside
at No. 1024 Penn street, Reading, in the old home in which their
parents lived and died. They are very estimable ladies, refined and
cultured, and are well known for their hospitality.

BORKEY,
WILLIAM B.

p. 1355

Surnames;BORKEY, BENTZ, SCHOCK, STROUSE, BACKENSTOSE, FAUST,
LENHART, YODER, CHRIST, MILLER

William B. Borkey, a resident of Centreport for over fifty years,
formerly a merchant at that place and at one time postmaster, was
born Oct. 1, 1825, in Centre township, and has passed all his life
in Berks county. His grandfather was a farmer in Bern township,
Berks county, where he died.

Michael Borkey, father of William B. Borkey,
was born in Bern township, May 24, 1794, was a farmer by
occupation, and died March 4, 1875, aged eighty years, nine months,
ten days. He is buried at Belleman’s Church, in Centre township. He
married Anna Maria Bentz, born Feb. 23, 1808, died Dec. 2, 1872,
aged sixty-four years, nine months, nine days. Their children were:
William B., John, who is a resident of Centre township; Mary,
married to Frank Schock; Elvina, deceased; Sydenham, who married
Leah Strouse and lives in Centre township; Nathaniel, living in
Scull Hill; Samuel, of Jefferson township; Eliza, married to Albert
Backenstose; Sarah, deceased, and Isaac, deceased.

William B. Borkey attended the schools of his
district, and after he began work became a clerk in Samuel Miller’s
store at Bernville, where he remained until 850. He then went to
Leesport, where he clerked until 1854, after which he engaged in
business on his own account at West Leesport, where Samuel Lenhart
is now located. There he continued for three years, at the end of
that period coming to Centreport, in 1858. He was the second
merchant at this point, succeeding John Faust, who was the first,
and he continued general merchandising at Centreport for fifteen
years, meeting with gratifying success. He then retired from that
line, and he has since devoted his attention principally to his
property, being an extensive owner of real estate in both the
borough and the township. Among other borough property he owns
eight houses, and he has two fine farms in Centre township, one
being the old Christ place, of 120 acres, and the other a tract of
sixty acres near Belleman’s Church. He is a man who has accumulated
his means by honorable methods, and he is accordingly highly
esteemed, no citizen commanding greater respect among his fellow
townsmen. He has been quite active in the Sybil administration of
the borough, for several years served as councilman, and also as
assessor, and in 1889 he was appointed postmaster, serving one term
in that office. He is a Republican in political sentiment.

Mr. Borkey married Miss Anna Christ, daughter
of Daniel and Sarah (Yoder) Christ, and three children blessed
their union: Lillie A. and Emma L. are at home; Mahlon D., died
when twelve years old.

BORNEMANN,
GEORGE (REV.)

p. 564

Surnames: BORNEMANN, ROLFS, WOOD

Rev. George Bornemann, the only priest of St. Paul’s Roman Catholic
Church for a continuous period of forty-two years, and most
affectionately recognized and spoken of in the community as “Father
Bornemann,” was born at Lingen, in the province of Hanover,
Germany, Oct. 5, 1838.
He is the son of William Bornemann, a ropemaker, who died at
Reading in 1884, aged eighty-two years, and Louisa Rolfs, his wife,
who died while he was still a young boy. He emigrated to the United
States when fifteen years of age, his father following some years
afterward. He was specially educated for the priesthood in Germany
and the United States, graduating from St. Vincent’s College at
Latrobe, Pa., in 1862, and then extended his ecclesiastical studies
at St. Charles Seminary, in Philadelphia. He was regularly ordained
as a priest in 1865 by Bishop(afterward Archbishop) Wood. After
serving as assistant priest at Philadelphia for a year, and as
priest at Newcastle, Del., for the same period, he became pastor at
St. Paul’s Church in Reading in 1867, and this large and growing
parish he has served most devotedly and successfully for forty-two
continuous years, a truly remarkable period. His communicant
members have come to number three thousand. During his
ministrations the church property at Ninth and Walnut streets, for
religious, educational and charitable purposes, has become the
largest at Reading, evidencing in a high degree his superior
judgment and executive ability.

Besides being directly interested in the success
of his own parish, Father Bornemann has been very active in the
establishment of other institutions immediately connected with the
Roman Catholic denomination. St. Joseph’s Hospital; House of the
Good Shepherd; St, Catharine’s Orphan Asylum for Girls; St. Paul’s
Orphan Asylum for Boys; the Polish, Italian and Slavic Roman
Catholic Churches; St. Bernardino’s Convent and Asylum, Oak Brook;
and Gethsemane Roman Catholic Cemetery; all of which are
successfully administered.

BORRY,
ADDISON W.

p. 1198

Surnames: BORRY, WOLF, HICKMAN, DEMPMAN, HECK

Addison W. Borry, an enterprising young business man of No. 826.
Elm street, Reading, Pa., engaged in carpentering and contracting,
was born July 24, 1877, in Clay township, Lancaster county, son of
Adam and Harriet (Wolf) Borry.

Henry Borry, grandfather of Addison W., was a
resident of Lancaster county, and there spent a long and useful
life. To him and his wife were born the following children: Jacob,
Henry, Rebecca, Adam, Samuel, Fienna, Hiram, John and Eli.

Adam Borry attended the schools of his native
township and when a boy learned the shoemaker’s trade, which be
followed several years. He then was employed in a planing mill for
a few years, after which he engaged in agricultural pursuits, in
which he has continued to the present time, owning a farm in Clay
township. Adam Borry was united in marriage with Harriet Wolf, and
they became the parents of these children: Lillie, Rebecca,
Angeline, Emily (deceased), Moses, Addison W., Samuel (of Reading),
Henry, Lydia, and one child that died in infancy.

Addison W. Borry attained his education in the
public schools of Clay township, and when a young man learned the
carpenter’s trade. He came to Reading in 1900, and was employed at
the car shops for three months, was then employed by the roadway
department of the Philadelphia & Reading Company, was with
Beard & Co., E. Dempman and H. Hickman, and finally engaged in
busi-ness on his own account, July 27, 1903, his first piece of
work being done on a residence on Fourth street. Since that time
Mr. Borry’s work has been in demand, and he employs five skilled
workmen as assistants.

Mr. Borry was married to Lillian Heck, of
Reading, and to them have been born the following children:
Clarence, deceased; Grace; Catherine; Mary; Norman and Ruth. In
politics Mr. Borry is a Republican, but he has never engaged
actively in public matters. He is a member of the Evangelical
Church. Mr. and Mrs. Borry are very popular in their community,
having made many warm friends.

BORST, JOHN
W.

p. 1116

Surnames: BORST, FELIX, FLEER, SCHECK, HERBST, NEVIN

John W. Borst, machinist, at Reading, Pa., and a well-known and
respected citizen, was born in the house in which he still resides
at No. 112 North Ninth street, Reading, Feb. 25, 1854, son of Jacob
and Catherine (Felix) Borst.

Jacob Borst, was born in Bavaria, Germany Aug.
20, 1820, and came to America in childhood. He learned the trade of
machinist in the Philadelphia & Reading Rail-road shops at
Reading, and continued in the employ of this corporation until his
death Dec. 12, 1890, at the age of seventy years. He married
Catherine Felix, who died March 13, 1878, aged fifty-five years.
Both were buried in the Catholic cemetery at Reading. They have
three surviving children: Emma C., who resides with her brother. J.
W.; John W.; and Jacob A. The last named is also a machinist, and
is employed in the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad shops. He
married Mary Fleer, and they have these children: Nellie, Francis,
Charles, Joseph and John.

John W. Borst attended the public schools of
Reading un-til the age of fifteen years. In 1870 he entered upon an
apprenticeship in the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad shops and
worked until it was completed and continued with the company for
twenty-five years. In 1902 he accepted his present position with
the Birdsboro Foundry and Machine Company, and is considered one of
the most expert machinists in their employ.

Mr. Borst married Mary Scheck, daughter of
Andrew and Mary Scheck, of Leesport, Pa. Mrs. Borst died March 5,
1888, at the age of thirty-three years, leaving a family, viz.:
Charles J., a graduate of Brunner’s Business College, who is now
employed as bookkeeper at W. W. Essick’s Optical Factory, at
Reading, m. Thanksgiving, Nov. 26, 1908, Mayme E. Herbst; George
A., a salesman in the Home Store, at Reading, m. June 25, 1908,
Elizabeth Nevin, and lives at his wife’s home No. 922 North Eighth
street; and two children are deceased. Mr. Borst is a member of the
St. Paul Catholic Church at Reading.

BORTZ, GEORGE
B.

p. 1534

Surnames: BORTZ, BOLTZ, HECK, SNYDER, SCHLENGER, ADAMS, KESLING,
WERTZ,

George B. Bortz, a well known business man of Temple, Pa., who
conducts a grocery and general merchandise store, was born in 1868,
in Muhlenberg township, Berks county, son of Gideon and Priscilla
(Boltz) Bortz, and a grandson of Daniel Bortz.

Daniel Bortz was a farmer in Muhlenberg
township, an earnest supporter of Democratic principles and a
pillar of the Reformed Church. He married a Miss Heck, and to them
were born these children: Gideon; Charles; Amos; John; William;
Elias; Sally, who married Daniel Snyder; and Mrs. Daniel Schlenger.

Gideon Bortz was a carpenter by trade, but later
in life engaged in agricultural pursuits, and operated a farm for
twenty-five years in Muhlenberg township, his death occurring at
Temple, Feb. 21, 1902. His widow still survives him. Twelve
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bortz, six of whom are still
living; Landis, Clara, Emma, William, George B. and Daniel. During
the Civil war Gideon Bortz was drafted for service in the Union
army, but was able to procure a substitute. He was a Democrat in
politics, and held a number of township offices, and in religious
belief was of the Reformed faith.

George B. Bortz was educated in the schools of
Muhlenberg township, after leaving which he clerked for M. S. Adams
for five years, at Rothermel’s store at Blandon for a period, and
at a store in Reading for two years. He then returned to Temple,
where for one and one-half years he served in the capacity of clerk
for Charles Kesling, and at the end of this time engaged with his
brother Daniel Bortz in a general merchandise business at Temple.
This partnership continued until Aug. 1, 1904, when George B.
purchased his brother’s interest, and since that time has
successfully conducted the business alone, carrying a complete and
up-to-date line of groceries and general merchandise. Mr. Bortz has
a reputation for honesty and integrity, and his goods are always as
represented, consequently he has a large steady trade among the
citizens of his community.

Mr. Bortz was married to Katie Wertz, daughter
of Franklin Wertz, and one child, Helen, has been born to this
union. Fraternally Mr. Bortz is connected with the I. O. R. M.;
Washington Camp No. 107, P. O. S. of A.; and I. O. O. F. Lodge No.
470, of Reading. He is also a member of the Intermediate Relief
Association of Reading, and the Temple Relief Association. In
political matters he is a Democrat, and is now serving as township
auditor.