Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

p. 1321

Surnames: WILSON, COLEMAN, ROBESON, GRUBB, DAVENPORT, ADAMS, HOFF,
LARPER, DOOLITTLE, BROCKMIER

Wilson Ferguson, treasurer of the Montello Brick Company, one of
the leading industrial concerns of Reading, Pa., belongs to one of
the prominent families of the state. His grandparents, John and
Elizabeth Ferguson emigrated to the United States about the year
1800, from near Dublin, and located in Lancaster county, where they
lived, and where they reared a family of twelve children.

Nathaniel Ferguson, the youngest son in the
above family, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., Nov. 20, 1817. He
left home when eighteen years of age with fifty cents in his pocket
given him by his mother along with her blessings and well wishes
for success. Having graduated from the Moscow Academy in Lancaster,
where he had shown himself a diligent pupil, in 1839 he became
clerk at the Elizabeth Furnace, in Lancaster county, then owned by
the heirs of James Coleman, one of the proprietors of the Cornwall
mines. Two and a half years later he rose to the management of the
business, and he held that position for seven years. He then
removed to Swatara Furnace, Schuylkill county, and became a member
of the firm of Eckert, Gilbert & Company, of which he was the
active manager. The partnership lasted until 1855 when the company
ceased operations as the use of anthracite coal had superseded
charcoal. In 1857 he removed to Robesonia Furnace and assumed the
management.

In 1860, at the death of Henry P. Robeson, he
purchased an interest and became a partner in the firm of White,
Ferguson & Company. In 1863 the firm became White &
Ferguson, and remained so until 1875, although the interest of Mr.
White, who died in 1868, was continued for the benefit of his
heirs. Mr. Ferguson then purchased the interest of one of the heirs
and the firm became Ferguson, White & Co. One of their furnaces
being abandoned in 1874, after the enlargement of “No. 2” stack,
the firm deemed it advisable to manufacture but one brand of
pig-iron, “Robesonia,” made exclusively of Cornwall ore. They
worked under an ore-right used at the Robesonia (formerly the
Reading) Furnace since 1793, which had been purchased from Peter
Grubb, the original owner of the Cornwall ore banks. In 1885 Mr.
Ferguson sold his interests in Robesonia, and, retiring from active
business, removed to Reading, where he passed away in 1891. He was
a prominent man in the city and served as a director of the First
National Bank. As a man of self-reliance, sound education, untiring
energy and great executive ability Mr. Ferguson became a successful
manufacturer and clear-sighted business man with the respect and
regard of all who knew him for his unswerving integrity,
benevolence and liberality toward all. Patriotic and public
spirited, generous and kind, he passed away after a life of great
activity.

Nathaniel Ferguson married in 1856 Miss Amanda
Davenport, daughter of Dr. John Davenport, of Connecticut, and
granddaughter of Judge William Adams, a member of Congress in the
early part of the nineteenth century. They became the parents of
ten children, five of whom still survive: Elizabeth, the wife of
Charles L. Hoff, of Reading; Laura, the wife of Rev. S. H. Larper,
a Presbyterian minister of Media, Pa.; Nathaniel, vice-president of
the First National Bank, of Reading; Wilson; and Grace, wife of O.
S. Doolittle, of New York City.

Wilson Ferguson was born at Robesonia June 30,
1870, and received his early education in private schools,
supplementing this with a course at Princeton University, from
which he was graduated with the class of 1893. He then read law in
the office of Stevens & Stevens, and was called to the Bar in
1896. Later he was admitted to practice in the Supreme Courts of
the State. In 1904 he became connected with the Montello Brick
Company, and in 1905 was elected treasurer, a position which he now
holds.

Mr. Ferguson was married, in November, 1900, to
Miss E. Shirley Brockmier, of Wheeling, W. Va., and two children
have been born to this union, Charles B. and Elizabeth Brady. Mr.
Ferguson belongs to the Wyomissing and the Berkshire Clubs, and is
very popular in both. A Presbyterian in religious belief, he is a
trustee of the First Presbyterian Church of Reading. In politics he
is a Republican.

p. 1597

Surnames: FESSLER, FEEG, HIDE, MANBECK, RUTH, MILLER, WEISER,
FOLTZ, KAFROTH, ZWALLEY, WHITE, HALLIGAN, SLOCUM, FISHER, ANDERSON,
SMITH, BENNETHUN, HOOVER, TREXLER, RANCK, MARSHALL, ROOT, HURBAN,
ALLEM, BARCLAY,WEIDMAN

Irvin P. Fessler, a well known citizen of the borough of West
Reading, where he has resided since 1902, was born Jan. 10, 1875,
at Womelsdorf, Berks county, son of John and Clara S. (Feeg)
Fessler.

John Fessler was born near Strausstown, Berks
county, Aug. 9, 1844, a son of Isaac and Catherine (Hide) Fessler.
He was reared in the vicinity of his birthplace living five years
with Reuben Manbeck, two with Admer Ruth and two with Michael
Miller, when he became eighteen years of age and enlisted as a
private in Company H, 151st Regiment, Pennsylvania volunteer
Infantry. His company became a part of the army of the Potomac and
took an active part in the series of engagements throughout
Virginia which culminated in the battle of Gettysburg where he was
severely wounded in the first day’s fight. Shortly after the battle
he received an honorable discharge and, after his wound was healed,
became an attach?f the Engineer Corps of Hood and Thomas in their
Tennessee campaign and remained until the close of the war, when he
returned to care for his mother at Strausstown.

He learned the trade of carpentry and later
removed to Womelsdorf where he engaged in contracting and building.
Here he married Clara S. Feeg, born Sept. 30, 1848, at the Conrad
Weiser homestead, a daughter of Daniel and Rebecca (Foltz) Feeg, of
Heidelberg township. To this union there were born children as
follows: Elva, who married Geo. B. Kafroth of Ephrata township,
Lancaster County, and to whom two children were born; Minnie, wife
of Harvey G. Zwalley, Philadelphia, and Ida E. (Millersville S. N.
S.); Frederick, of California, who married Bessie White of
Indianapolis, Ind. and to whom three children are born, Glenn,
Alice and Theodore; Minnie who died in infancy; Laura, who died
Feb. 24, 1892 and was buried on her nineteenth birthday; Irvin P.;
Ada B., of Indianapolis, Ind., who married William Halligan, of
Ephrata, Lancaster county, to whom are born Ralph, Lowell Feeg and
Clair William; Arthur J., of Indianapolis, Ind., who married Maud
Miller of that city, a grand niece of Frances Slocum who was
abducted from Wilkesbarre by the Indians, and now lies buried at
Peru, Ind. (To them are born Myron John, Laura Frances and Armen);
and Robert V., a student of the University of Chicago.

In politics John Fessler is a Republican. He and
his family, formerly of the United Brethren faith, are now
connected with the M. E. Church. During the course of his life he
has resided with his family in Canton, Ohio, Indianapolis, Ind.,
Womelsdorf, Berks county, Pennsylvania, Ephrata, Lancaster county,
Pa. and at present is at Indianapolis, Ind. He had several brothers
and sisters.

Daniel Feeg, the father of Mrs. John Fessler,
learned the tanning business at the Miller tannery, near Bernville,
and later removed to the Conrad Weiser homestead at Womelsdorf,
where he also followed tanning. From the latter place he removed to
the Tulpehocken Reformed Church, and engaged in the contracting
business, assisting in the building of the “Old Union Canal.” His
later life was devoted to the pottery business at Womelsdorf, where
he died. He was the son of John and Catherine (Fisher) Feeg, the
former a shoemaker who served in the war of 1812-14 and the Mexican
War, and lived in Heidelberg township, near Charming Forge.

The Feegs are an old Berks county family,
settling here prior to the American Revolution. Daniel had one
brother Joseph and a sister Elizabeth (Anderson), one son, Joseph
deceased, and three daughters, Maranda, wife of Willoughby Smith,
Womelsdorf; Clara S.; and Emma E. wife of David Bennethun, La
Porte, Ind.

Rebecca (Foltz) Feeg, the mother of Mrs. John
Fessler, was a daughter of Isaac and Nancy (Hoover) Foltz. She had
five brothers; Isaac, Schaefferstown, Lebanon county; Joseph,
Schaefferstown, Lebanon county; Frederick, Rehrersberg; Samuel of
Salem, Ohio; and Franklin, Lebanon county.

Irvin P. Fessler was brought from his native
town to Ephrata, Lancaster county, when eight years old, and there
he received a good education in the district schools. In 1896, when
his parents went West, he located in Reading, Pa., and associated
himself as foreman in the assembling department of T. A. Willson
& Company, spectacle manufacturers, Second and Washington
streets, in whose employ he continued until March 29, 1909,
rendering efficient service, when he left them to engage in
contracting and building.

While living at Ephrata, Mr. Fessler worked for
some years in a planing mill, and for two years during the school
terms of 1894 and 1895 he taught school in Clay township. He was
also a night school instructor in the public schools of Reading
during 1901. Politically Mr. Fessler if a Democrat. As a good
citizen he takes a lively interest in public matters, and has
proven himself an honest borough official.

Socially he is connected with Chandler Lodge No.
227 F. & A. M., Reading, and the Sons of Veterans. He is a
prominent member of the People’s Methodist church, of Reading.

On Sept. 4, 1902, Mr. Fessler was married to
Miss Nora Luella Trexler, born Sept. 21, 1872, daughter of E.
Marshall and Anna Margaret (Ranck) Trexler, and granddaughter of
Anthony and Louisa (Marshall) Trexler. Grandfather Trexler, when a
youth, emigrated to this country from Switzerland, with his
parents, and settled in Lancaster county, Pa., where he learned the
saddler’s trade. He died of cholera during the epidemic, leaving
four small children: Elizabeth, wife of B. M. Root, York, Pa.;
Emma, wife of Rev. A. L. Hurban, Royersford, Pa.; E. Marshall; and
Minnie, wife of J. M. Allem, Hiawatha, Kans. Mrs. Fessler has no
brothers, but two sisters, Minnie, deceased, and Gussie Minerva,
wife of Prof. E. R. Barclay, superintendent of the Huntingdon
public schools, Huntingdon, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Barclay have one son
John Marshall, and one daughter Ruth deceased.

Grandfather David Ranck married Mary Weidman.
Both the Ranck and Weidman families are among the oldest and most
respected families of Lancaster and Berks counties. Mr. and Mrs.
Irvin Fessler have one child, John Trexler, born Sept 27th, 1908.

,
p. 1126

Surnames: FESSLER, SAUL

Thomas J. Fessler, of the well known Excelsior Bottling Company,
Nos. 37 and 39 Maple street, Reading, Pa., was born in Sheridan,
Berks county, in 1864, and came to Reading with his father in 1872.
He attended the public schools and received a fair education, and
his first employment was with the Cunningham Bottling company, of
Philadelphia. He was employed at different establishments until
1884, when he engaged in business at his present place. He owns the
latest and most improved machinery for bottling beer, porter, brown
stout, ale and all carbonated drinks. He employs ten skilled
workmen in his fine two-story brick building, and the volume of
work requires six wagons for delivery.

Mr. Fessler was married in 1886, in Reading, to
Miss Carrie Saul, of this city, and they have these children,
Mabel, Candas and William. In politics Mr. Fessler is a Democrat.
He is fraternally connected with the Eagles, the Red Men, the Odd
Fellows, the American Order of Owls, and the Elks. His residence is
at No. 137 South Ninth street, Reading, and he is well known and
highly esteemed in the city. He has been successful financially,
and as a good citizen is greatly respected. He is one of Reading’s
representative men.

FICHTHORN, ANDREW

p.
1292

Surnames: FICHTHORN, HARTMAN, CALL, FASIG, REIFF, EBERLY, BERGNER,
WENTZEL, YOCOM, QUILLMAN, SELIG

Andrew Fichthorn, son of Andrew and Catherine (Hartman) Fichthorn,
the former for many years a gunsmith, was born in Reading Nov. 22,
1822, and died in that city June 25, 1903. He was one of a large
family comprising the following; John, Daniel, George, Charles,
William, Louis, Susan (m. William Call), Catherine (m. Adam Fasig)
and Andrew.

Andrew Fichthorn, of the above family, attended
the public schools of Reading, and when a young man learned the
carpenter’s trade, which however, he did not follow for any length
of time, turning his attention to the saddling trade, at which he
was engaged for several years on Penn street, below Fourth. He then
embarked in the tanning business on Chestnut street, near Third,
under the firm name of Fichthorn & Bro., and in 1865 engaged in
the same business at Sinking Spring, Berks county, continuing there
until 1870, in which year he returned to Reading. He then engaged
in the real estate business, in which he continued actively until
his death. In politics he was a Republican. He was a member of
Trinity Lutheran Church, and was very active therein.

On June 1, 1845, Mr. Fichthorn married Rachel R.
Reiff, daughter of Jacob and Hannah Reiff, of Gratersford,
Montgomery county. She died April 7, 1905, aged seventy-nine years,
the mother of eleven children; Clara C. resides at the old home,
No. 30 South Eighth street; Andrew R. m. Miranda Eberly, and has
two children, Kurtz A. and Luke E.; Anna M. m. Dr. C. F. G.
Bergner, the well-known Penn street druggist; George L. m. Matilda
Wentzel, and has eight children-George A, Harry, William, Florence,
Estella, Edith, John and Ralph; Martha E. m. Samuel Yocom of
Reading, and has two children-Samuel A. and Clara A.; Jacob W.,
engaged in the confectionery business at No. 813 Penn street, m.
Rebecca Quillman, and has two children-Grace V. and Clarence J.; J.
Walter D., a clerk in Reading m. Rosa E. Selig, and has two
children-Emma E. and Mary A.; Hannah E., a graduate of the Reading
high school taught school in the city for twenty-three years, and
died Feb. 1, 1906; and Grace V., Mary M. and Daniel C. died young.

p. 1323

Surnames: FICHTHORN, BOYER, AULENBACH, HUBER, UBELE, BUSH, DeHART

Effenger R. Fichthorn, a box manufacturer and merchant of Reading,
was born in 1840, son of William B., grandson of Daniel H.
Fichthorn and member of a family long resident in Berks county. He
died May 10, 1907.

Daniel H. Fichthorn was born in Berks county
April 26, 1787. A hatter by trade, he did not confine his attention
to that one line, but for a large part of the time he resided in
Reading , was in the hotel business, while he also engaged there in
mercantile operations. He died Feb. 13, 1869, aged eighty-one
years, nine months, and was laid to rest in the Charles Evans
cemetery. He married Miss Margaret Boyer, daughter of George Boyer,
who was a well know hotel man in Reading. A large family was born
to them, of whom only the last two are now living. They were: Frank
B.; Reuben B.; Henry B.; Charles B.; William B,; Daniel B.; George
B.; James and Joseph, who died young; one that died in infancy;
Amos B., a carpenter residing in Reading; and Caroline B., of that
same city.

William B. Fichthorn made tailoring his calling,
and followed that occupation all his life. He was born in January,
1820, and died in Reading in 1847, leaving a widow, Mrs. Mary A.
(Aulenbach) Fichthorn, and three children, Ellen (Mrs Huber, of
Philadelphia), Philip and Effenger R.

Effenger R. Fichthorn began his education in the
public schools of Reading, but was nine years old when the family
removed to Philadelphia, and the boy finished his studies there.
While still in that city he learned the carpenter’s trade and
worked at it there for a time but in 1875 he returned to Reading
and a year later established himself in the manufacture of cigar
boxes. His factory located at 143-45-47-49 Pearl Street, a three
story building, 60 x 75 feet, was formerly a row of dwelling
houses. He built up a large business, not only local but also
extending over the surrounding counties and States, and he employed
twenty-five or thirty hands. Mr. Fichthorn was also the proprietor
of a grocery story, located in a building which he erected in 1882
at Fourth and Buttonwood streets, where his residence also stood.
In this venture also he met with marked success.

In 1897 Mr. Fichthorn was left a widower. His
wife was a Miss Sally A. Ubele of Norristown, and she became the
mother of three children: One died in infancy, Blanche H., and
William B. Mr. Fichthorn was a member of several social or
fraternal organizations, including the Eagles (in which he was
captain of the Mr. Penn Commandery, K. G. E.), the Red Men, and
Reading Consultory, No 3, Knights of Friendship, in which he was a
past officer. During the Civil war Mr. Fichthorn offered his
services to his country, enlisting in Philadelphia in 1863 in
Company B., 20th Pennsylvania Militia, but in his three months’
term he saw no active service as he was kept on the Reserves.

William B. Fichthorn, only son of the above, was
born in Philadelphia in 1872, but received his education in the
schools of Reading. On reaching an age to go to work he began as a
clerk for the Reading Iron Company but in 1893 entered his father’s
establishment and three years later was made superintendent of the
factory. He is an able man and well qualified for his responsible
position. He is married to Miss Alice Bush, daughter of Levi and
Mary (Dehart) Bush of Reading, and they reside at No. 528 North
Ninth street.

p. 995

Surnames: FICHTHORN, REIFF, BERGNER, YEOMAN, SELIG, KERPER,
HAUBNER, WENTZEL, FILLMAN, HILBERT, PEIPER, CUMMINS, BROWN, FISHER,
BELLMAN

George L. Fichthorn, who died at his home in Reading, his native
city, May 26, 1902, was engaged all of his life at the tanning
trade. He was born April 18, 1852, son of Andrew Fichthorn, his
grandfather also being named Andrew.

Andrew Fichthorn, the father, attended the
public schools of Reading, after leaving which he learned the
carpenter’s and later the saddler’s trades, continuing at the
former but a short time, and at the latter for several years on
Penn street, near fourth. Later he engaged in the tanning business
on chestnut street below Third, under the firm name of Fichthorn
& Co., and in 1865 he removed his business to Sinking Spring,
this county. In 1870 Mr. Fichthorn returned to Reading, engaging in
the real estate business, to which he gave his attention until his
death, June 25, 1903. Andrew Fichthorn married Rachel R. Reiff,
daughter of Jacob Reiff, of Montgomery county, and she died in
April, 1905, aged seventy-nine years, the mother of children as
follows: Clara C. resides at the old home, No. 30 south Eighth
street, Reading; Andrew R.; Anna M. m. Dr. C. F. G. Bergner, the
well known druggist of Reading; Martha E. m Samuel Yeoman, of
Reading; Jacob W.; J. Walter D., a clerk of Reading, m. Rosa E.
Selig, and has two children, Emma E. and Mary A.; Hannah E., a
teacher in Reading for twenty-three years, died in February, 1906;
Grace V., Mary M. and Daniel C. died young; and George L.

George L. Fichthorn was educated in the public
schools of Reading, and was then employed in his father’s tannery
and in attending to the repairs of his father’s large estate. The
tannery was later purchased by the Kerpers, and Mr. Fichthorn was
employed by the Haubners, continuing with this firm until his
death.

On Oct. 16, 1873, Mr. Fichthorn married Susan
Matilda Wentzel, daughter of the late George and Mary Ann (Fillman)
Wentzel, and to them were born a family of eight children: George
A. m. Lottie Hilbert, and has two children, George A., Jr. and
Catharine; Harry L., single, resides at home; William, a tinsmith,
resides at home; John, Florence M., Estella M., Edith E. and Ralph.
Mr. Fichthorn was a Lutheran. He was fraternally connected with the
Red Men and the Knights of Friendship. In politics he was a
Republican.

Mrs. Fichthorn’s father, George Wentzel, was a
teamster and did a large draying business. He died in 1895, at the
age of fifty-two years, the father of the following children: Susan
M.; Alice m. Charles Peiper; William m. Katie Cummins; Francis m.
Mary Brown; Ida m. James Fisher; Augustus m. Miss Bellman. the
family were members of the Reformed Church. In politics Mr. Wentzel
was a Democrat.

p. 597

Surnames: FICHTHORN, CALL, FASIG, HAUSER, HELLER, LUTZ, MILLER,
OBOLD, RAPP, ROY, RUTH, WRIGHT

James Fichthorn, a representative business man of Reading, Pa., who
is engaged in general contracting, is also the owner of a fine
129-acre farm in Bern township, Berks county, upon which he does
general farming and stock raising. Mr. Fichthorn was born Nov. 14,
1848, in Reading, son of George and Hannah (Lutz) Fichthorn

The grandfather of James Fichthorn was a native
of Reading, and received his education in the schools of that city.
After acquiring his literary training he chose farming as a
vocation, and was actively engaged at that occupation all of his
life. He married a Miss Rapp, and to them were born: John, Daniel,
William, Lewis, Andrew, George, Charles, Catherine (m. Adam Fasig)
and Susan (m. William Call). The family were Lutherans, and
belonged to old Trinity Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Fichthorn
was a Democrat.

George Fichthorn was born in Reading, where he
received a good common school education, and when a boy learned the
blacksmith’s trade, following that occupation practically all of
his life. He was a powerful man in body, and was known far and wide
for his great strength. He married Hannah Lutz and children were
born to them, viz.: Mary C. m. William Call; Catherine E. m. Jacob
Miller; Susan m. John Obold, Ellen m. Aaron Wright; Ann m. Daniel
Ruth; Lucy is deceased; and James.

James Fichthorn received his education in the
common schools of Reading, and when yet a boy hired out to William
Call, a railroad contractor, driving a horse and cart, and
continued in this capacity for six or seven years, when he himself
engaged in contracting. This occupation he has continued to the
present time with great success, and is at present engaged by the
Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company, on work that is known to coal
operators as “stripping,” i. e. removing the loose soil from the
coal fields. He also constructs breakers and builds railroads, and
for a number of years has been employed in the coal districts of
Pennsylvania, principally in Carbon county, now working at Summit
Hill. Mr. Fichthorn has been very successful in his operations, and
is considered one of Reading’s representative business men.

On July 8, 1871, Mr. Fichthorn married Mary A.
Heller, daughter of Frederick Heller of Boyertown, Pa. and these
children have been born to this union: Ella m. John Roy, and has
one child, Alma; Anna m. Benjamin Hauser, and has three children,
James, Ruth and George; and Charles is at home. In political
matters Mr. Fichthorn is a Republican. He is religiously connected
with St. James Lutheran Church.