Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

FINK, ALLEN
J. (D.R.)

p. 714

Surnames: FINCK, FINK, GIFT, HEFFNER, HOFFMAN, KALBACH, RAUBENHOLD,
STEIN, WITHERS

Dr. Allen J. Fink, formerly a druggist at Hamburg, Pa., and a very
highly esteemed citizen of that borough, was born in Hamburg, Berks
county, Nov. 13, 1860, son of David H. and Jane E. (Gift) Fink and
grandson of Peter Finck.

Peter Finck was born in Greenwich township in
1783, and carried on farming near Virginville until his decease in
1853. He married Magdalena Heffner, born 1790, died 1852, daughter
of George and Mary Heffner. They had nine children: Kate, Mary Ann,
Betsey, Abraham, Malara, Joel, Harriet and David H.

David H. Fink was born in Perry township in
1833, and there carried on farming for a number of years, later
removing to Hamburg, where he was engaged in the hotel business in
the “American House” for thirty-five years. After living retired
for several years he died in 1893, at the age of sixty years. He
was married to Jane E. Gift, daughter of William Gift, and their
only child was Dr. Allen J.

Dr. Allen J. Fink fitted himself to become a
competent pharmacist by studying and practising in the drug store
of Dr. J. H. Stein, at Reading, for two years, and taking a course
of lectures in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, from which he
was graduated in 1888. He located in Hamburg in 1887, for the
purpose of carrying on the drug business and manufacturing
specialties, and he conducted his store in a very successful
manner. In 1895 Dr. Fink associated with Thomas Raubenhold and
Solomon K. Hoffman, Esq., for the manufacture of underwear at
Hamburg. For this enterprise they erected a two-story brick
building, and they have carried on the business ever since trading
under the name of the Hamburg Knitting Mills. In 1906, Dr. Fink
gave up the drug business and has since devoted himself wholly to
his interests in the mills.

In 1903, Dr. Fink was selected by the citizens
of the place as one of the building committee of the new Public
Library, this being erected and opened to the public in 1904. At
the expiration of the Doctor’s term he was re-elected. When St.
John’s Lutheran Church was rebuilt, in 1898, after its complete
destruction by fire, Dr. Fink presented in the name of himself and
wife a solid brass lectern, and also one of the three large windows
in the west end of the building, both of which present a
magnificent appearance, and are highly appreciated.

Dr. Fink married Amy Withers, daughter of George
and Joanna (Kalbach) Withers, and they have one child, a son,
Langhorn.

FINK, ANDREW
J., JR.

p. 455 Surnames:
BAER, BEARD, BIEHL, BOAS, FINK, FOCHT, GILBERT, GOODENOUGH, GRIST,
HANOLD, HANSEN, HELDER, HENDEL, JACOBS, KERST, KUTZ, LEINBACH,
MOHN, NOLAN, SHADE, SMITH

Andrew Jackson Fink, president of the firm of George W. Beard &
Co., Inc., contractors and builders, Colonial Trust building, and
one of the most prominent young business men of Reading, was born
in that city in 1872, son of Andrew Jackson and Catherine (Helder)
Fink.

Andrew Jackson Fink, Sr., was born in Reading
July 6,1840, son of Benjamin Franklin Fink, a well-known carpenter
in the early part of the nineteenth century. He attended the public
schools and later learned the carpenter’s trade under the careful
guidance of his father. He took a keen interest in public affairs,
and in 1879 was elected a member of the school board, serving
several terms. He was next elected superintendent of repairs, an
office he held about three years, and then engaged in a general
contracting and building business, erecting many in the city,
especially in the northwestern part. In political sentiment he was
a Democrat, and he was a familiar figure at ward meetings and
conventions. He was a good logical speaker, his keen wit scoring
many a point against his opponents. With the exception of the
offices previously mentioned, he held no political position. He was
a charter member and first president of the Schuylkill Fire
Company, and member of the Eighth Ward Democratic Club. His church
membership was with St. James Lutheran Church. He married Catherine
Helder, who preceded him in death some years. Of the children, the
following survived the parents: Clara (m. to Samuel Jacobs); Kate
(m. to James Gilbert); Ella (m. to James Grist); Florence and Annie
(unmarried); and Andrew Jackson. Mr. Fink was survived by his
brother, John, of Reading; and his, sister, Rebecca, wife of James
Kerst.

Andrew J. Fink, son of Andrew Jackson, Sr., was
born in 1872, and attended the public schools of the city, and then
began the study of architecture with A. F. Smith, with whom he
remained two years. He then became connected with Cofrode &
Saylor, remaining one year, and next spent two years at civil
engineering with the Reading Railroad Company, and for three years
was with L. H. Focht, builder. In 1892, with George W. Beard, the
present firm was formed by Mr. Fink, who became president after the
latter’s retirement. The firm has done over $2,000,000 worth of
business, being the leading contractors and builders in eastern
Pennsylvania. They maintain suitable offices in the Colonial Trust
Building, Reading, Pa., and a branch office at Easton, Pa., and
employ on an average from 300 to 400 men. They have done building
at Wilkes-Barre, Easton, Harrisburg and Hazleton, although their
business comes principally from Reading. Following is a list, with
the value, of some of the buildings constructed by this company:
Girls’ high school, Reading, $125,000; First National Bank, Easton,
$125,000; Dairy Building, State College, $90,000; Montello Brick
Company, works at Perkiomen, $110,000, and at Wyomissing, $80,000;
P. & R. Round House, Rutherford, $50,000, and Power House, Ash
Conveyor, etc., Reading, $136,000; St. Stephen’s Church, Reading,
$30,000; Second Reformed, Reading, $27,000; Grace United, Reading,
$22,000; St. Mark’s, Reading, $42,000, and at Lebanon, $32,000;
Masonic Temple, Reading, $60,000; Acme Bicycle Works, $52,000; J.
G. Mohn & Bros., factory, $30,000; Hendel Hat Company, Reading,
$29,000, and factory, $22,000; C. W. Hendel factory, Reading,
$15,000; St. Thomas’ church, finishing, $11,000; Trinity United
Evangelical church, Reading, $10,000; Addition to Widows’ Home,
Reading, $25,000; Coaling Station, Harrisburg, for Reading Railway
Company, $35,000; Keystone Cold Storage, Reading, $40,000; Hershey
building, large store, $32,000; car barn, United Traction Company,
Reading, $40,000; John S. Shade & Sons, Reading, $15,000;
Woodward street Market House, $14,000; Gately & Britton,
$18,000; Wertz & Co., warehouse, $12,000; Reading Car Wheel
Company, foundry and other buildings, $15,500; Bright & Co.,
warehouse, $16,800; Pennsylvania Knitting Mills, $14,000;
Auditorium, $25,000; school at Moss and Elm streets, $25,000;
Miller & Sons warehouse, $24,500; Reading Railway for coaling
station, $26,000; Nolde & Horst stocking factory, $24,600;
Curtis & Jones shoe factory, $47,000; J. G. Leinbach pants
factory, $22,000; freight station for Reading railroad at Lansdale,
$12,000 alterations to County court house, Reading, $21,000; C. W.
Hendel residence, $26,000; for J. W. Kutz, $25,000; for Frank W.
Hanold, $20,000; for Howard L. Boas, $21,000; Prospect Dye Works,
$15,000; J. G. Hansen cigar factory, $12,000; addition for George
F. Baer, $10,000; Nurses Home, Reading Hospital, $12,000; store
buildings for James Nolan, $11,000; for Mrs. Bishop, $10,000; Hope
Lutheran Church, $25,000; Rajah Temple, $28,000; George. W. Biehl’s
apartment house, $10,000; City Pumping Station, $20,000; Boys’ high
school, Reading, $250,000; and many small buildings which cost less
than $10,000 each, and are too numerous to mention.

Mr. Fink was married to Laura G. Goodenough, and
to this union were born: Dorothy and Donald. In religious belief
the family were Lutherans, and members of St. Luke’s Lutheran
Church. Mr. Fink is a Republican in politics, and has served on the
school board two terms, and as a member of the board of public
works, of which latter he is now president. He is a member of Lodge
No. 62, F. & A. M., Reading Chapter; DeMolay Commandery No. 9,
K. T.; Allen Council, No. 23; Harrisburg Consistory, 32 º,
and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He also belongs to the Knights
of Malta, Reading Lodge of Elks, Wyomissing Club, the I. O. U. A.,
the Union Fire Company, No. 13, and the Reading Board of Trade. Mr.
Fink has always taken deep interest in all the affairs of the city,
and has devoted a great deal of time in the interest of progressive
movements.

FINK, HENRY
J.

p. 1012

Surnames: FINK, EISENHOWER, GRAEFF

Henry J. Fink, now living retired at Reading, Pa., residing in a
pleasant home at No. 425 Chestnut street, was born in the city of
Reading, April 22, 1844, son of John and Angelina (Eisenhower)
Fink.

John Fink, father of Henry J., was born in 1820,
in Lancaster county, Pa., and still survives, one of the venerable
but still most active of Reading’s citizens. For many years he was
engaged in the planing mill business here, and was an extensive
builder and contractor. He married Angelina Eisenhower, and their
children were: Sarah A.; William A., an architect; Ellen F.; and
Henry J. The family has always been Lutheran in its religious
belief. Mr. Fink is a Republican, and takes a very active interest
in general as well as local affairs.

Henry J. Fink learned the carpenter’s trade
after he left school, and for many years was associated with his
father, whose manager at the planing mill he was for a long period.
In 1890 he gave up that business and engaged in the manufacture of
cigars, a business he conducted for fourteen years, from which he
retired in 1904.

During the Civil war, Mr. Fink enlisted, Aug. 9,
1862, in Company B, 128th Pa. V. I., and served nine months, and
then re-enlisted in Company B., 195th Pa. V. I., for the 100-day
service. His record is that of a loyal citizen and brave soldier.

On Sept. 21, 1869, Mr. Fink married Rebecca B.
Graeff, and they have two sons, John W., a master mechanic in the
employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad, with headquarters at Mt.
Carbon, Pa.; and George H., of Reading. Mr. Fink is quartermaster
of Keim Post, G. A. R., and office he has filled since its
organization. He belongs also to Castle No. 49, K. G. E.; St.
John’s Lodge, F. & A. M.; and Liberty Fire Company, No. 6, of
Reading. In politics he is an ardent Republican. He served two
terms as a member of the Reading school board, elected from the
First ward, in which he resided twenty-eight years. At present Mr.
Fink is living retired, attending only to his own real estate.

FINK,
JOHN

p. 155

Surnames: FINK, KUTZ, HAAS, HOTTENSTEIN, SNYDER, OBOLD, KERST,
EISENHOWER, HUYETT, DRENKLE

John Fink, who for many years was engaged as a carpenter and
builder in Reading, was an old and honored resident of that city.
He was born Dec. 26, 1819, in Ephrata, Lancaster county, Pa., son
of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Kutz) Fink, natives of that county.

Benjamin Fink was a carpenter by trade, and that
occupation he followed practically all his life, also carrying on a
blacksmith shop at Ephrata, as well as a hotel. About 1826 he
located in Reading, becoming proprietor of a hotel on Fourth street
and one in the west part of town. Mr. Fink was twice married, his
first wife being Elizabeth Kutz, who died in 1851, aged fifty-four
years. She was the mother of Andrew J., Reuben, John, Daniel,
Catherine (m. James Haas); Mary (m. James Hottenstein); and Emma
(m. a Snyder). Mr. Fink was married (second) to Miss Rebecca Obold,
and to this union was born one child, Rebecca, who married James
Kerst. In religious belief the family was Lutheran. Mr. Fink
politically was a Democrat.

John Fink received his education in the schools
in Reading and later learned the carpenter trade with his father,
working thereat as journeyman for some years, when he started in
business on his own account. In 1842 he opened a shop which is now
used as a storeroom in the rear of his residence No 208 South Fifth
street, where he resided until his death, Dec. 12, 1908. He was in
partnership with Nathan Eisenhower, until 1884, when Amos Huyett
was admitted to the firm, this continuing until 1894, when Mr. Fink
retired from the company. Fink & Company were the most
extensive builders and contractors in the city of Reading, where
they erected many handsome and substantial structures, among them
the Court House building, the Reading Cotton Factory in 1850, the
Hotel Penn in the same year, Stichter Block, the Bausman Church and
St. Paul’s Church of Reading, as well as many residences in and
around Reading. Mr. Fink had a widespread reputation for building,
and at one time employed as many as seventy-eight men. He was very
active in his later years, and attended to many duties besides
taking care of eleven properties.

Mr. Fink was first married to Angeline
Eisenhower, and to them were born children as follows: Henry J.,
William A., Sarah A. E. and Ellen F., the last named having been a
teacher for twenty-one years. Mr. Finks’ second marriage was to
Mary E. Drenkel. There were no children of the second marriage. Mr.
Fink was a member of St. James Lutheran Church. He was a Republican
in politics, and in 1844 was a member of the Militia, later
belonging to Ann Ross Post. Among the many handsome church
structures erected by Mr. Fink were those at Allegheny and
Schwartzwald, as well as St. James Lutheran Church at Reading. Mr.
Fink’s death occurred Dec. 12, 1908. He is buried in the Charles
Evans cemetery.

FISHER, ADAM MILLER

p.
1156

Surnames: FISHER, MILLER, FISCHER, HEMMIG, STUMP, BOYER, EBERLY,
STEFFY, MILLER, KLINE, LONG, WHITE, KLOPP, HUFFORT, WERTZ, SHEARER,
HEISTER

Adam Miller Fisher, foreman of the coremaking department of Orr
& Sembower’s plant, and a citizen of Oakbrook, Berks Co., Pa.,
was born Nov. 9, 1870, in Marion township, son of Abraham and
Catherine (Miller) Fisher. He is a descendant of Wilhelm Fischer, a
native of Germany, who was the founder of a very large and prolific
Berks county family. He settled in a section of the country now
embracing Spring (formerly Cumru) and Lower Heidelberg (then a part
of Heidelberg) townships and owned about one thousand acres of
land. He was a farmer by occupation, exceedingly industrious, and
was known as a man of sterling qualities. During his lifetime there
was little clear land in Lower Heidelberg and Spring townships, and
he often heard the howl of wolves in the forest around his
primitive home, a typical log cabin dwelling. Frequently he stood
in fear of the Indians who still roamed the forests after the date
of his settlement and whose attacks endangered the lives and
property of the hardy settlers. He adhered to the German Reformed
Church, and Hains’s Church in Lower Heidelberg township was his
spiritual home. His mortal remains were laid to rest in the
graveyard of that old established house of worship, and there, too,
sleep scores of descendants of this noble pioneer. Among his
children were: Frederick, Wilhelm, George, Michael and Daniel.

Michael Fischer, son of Wilhelm the emigrant,
was born on the old homestead Nov. 19, 1769, and died on his farm
near Wernersville, Pa., Dec. 16, 1845, aged seventy-six years,
twenty-seven days. He owned a farm of 127 acres located one and a
half miles south of Wernersville, which his family cultivated. He
was a weaver and made all kinds of cloth and linen goods in demand
in his day. He was a prominence in local affairs serving as
overseer of the poor in his district for many years; this office
was abolished by Act of Assembly on March 29, 1824, after which
directors of the poor were elected. Michael Fischer was much
esteemed, and he was widely known for his uncompromising honesty.
Like his father, he is buried in the graveyard at Hain’s Church of
which he is a member. He married Elizabeth Hemmig (born Aug. 29,
1774, died July 22, 1845, aged seventy years, ten months,
twenty-three days). The children born to them were as follows:
Christian, born July, 1, 1793; Michael, Jan. 4, 1795; Daniel, Sept.
27, 1796; Catharine, Aug. 15, 1798; Philip, Jan. 25, 1800; Wilhelm,
Jan. 15, 1803; Sarah (m. John Stump); Elizabeth (m. (first) Daniel
Fisher and (second) Isaac Boyer).

Wilhelm Fisher, son of Michael Fischer, and
grandfather of Adam M., was born Jan. 15, 1803. He was a well known
man in his community, having passed all his life in the district
where he was born, and furthermore he was enterprising and thrifty.
Under his father he learned plain weaving, but he also acquired the
art of fine weaving, and did well at his trade. He lived upon a
tract adjacent to his father’s farm, consisting originally of 6 A,
131 rd., to which he later added thirty-one acres. Here in 1837 he
built a log house which is still standing. He married Ellenora
Boyer, and to them were born children as follows: Peter, born May
13, 1826, who was a soldier in the Civil war; Abraham, born Nov.
17, 1831, a carpenter by trade; Jeremiah B., born May 20, 1837;
Polly, wife of Emanuel Eberly, residing near Fritztown, where he
followed carriage-making for many years, but is now living retired
upon his farm; and Lavina, born Jan. 21, 1842, who married John H.
Steffy, and died May 17, 1898, aged fifty-seven years (they had no
children). Mr. and Mrs. Fisher worshipped at Hain’s Church, and
there they are buried.

Abraham Fisher, father of Adam M., was born Nov.
17, 1831, in Berks county, and in early life learned the trades of
blacksmith, wheelwright and carpenter, which he followed until his
retirement, since which time he has resided at Bernville. He
married Catherine Miller, daughter of Jacob Miller, of Montgomery
county, and she died March 12, 1896. Their children were: Emma, m.
to Elmer H. Kline; Jacob, m. to Alva Long; Katie, who died when
eighteen years of age; Mary, m. to Frank White; John; Sallie, who
died at the age of nineteen years; Caroline, m. to Charles Klopp;
Adam M.; Clara, who died at the age of fifteen years; and Amelia,
m. to Jeremiah Huffort.

Adam M. Fisher spent his school days at
Womelsdorf, and at an early age secured employment in a brick yard
at that place. At the age of eighteen years he began to learn the
trade of blacksmith at Shillington, with John W. Wertz, with whom
he continued for nine years. He then engaged at coremaking,
entering Orr & Sembower’s plant in 1898, and he is still
employed with that company, being foreman of his department. Mr.
Fisher is a skilled mechanic, and his services are highly valued by
his employers.

In 1893, Mr. Fisher was married to Catherine H.
Shearer, daughter of Aaron and Emma (Heister) Shearer, a sketch of
which family appears elsewhere in these annals, being one of the
oldest of the county. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Fisher: Earle S., born Oct. 6, 1893; Ralph S., born July 4, 1896;
and Norman, born Aug. 26, 1902. Politically Mr. Fisher is a
Republican, and he and his wife are Lutherans in their religious
belief. He is connected with the Iron Molder’s Union.

FISHER, A.
W.

p. 626

Surnames: ADAMS, EPPLING, FISHER, FOCHT, HAUER, LEADER, LICHTY,
LINCOLN, MARKLEY, MILLER, QUINTER, WEITZEL, ZIEGLER

A. W. Fisher, a prominent wholesale wine and liquor dealer, of
Reading, Pa., whose place of business is situated at the corner of
Second and Penn streets, was born in West Reading, Spring township,
May, 27, 1851, son of William L. and Mary (Weitzel) Fisher, and a
grandson of John and Barbara (Lichty) Fisher.

John Fisher was born in Windsor township, Berks
county, in 1800, and lived near Monterey, where he was engaged in
the building and furniture business, and where all his children
were born. He also had stone quarries and a lime kiln on the
Allentown road east of Monterey church. It is thought that he built
the old stone church and school house at Monterey. In 1842 he gave
up the building business and moved to Oley township. About a year
later a freshet in Monocacy Creek carried away fences and washed
out the grain fields, and he moved to Cumru township, and about
1846-47 he located on the farm at the junction of Wyomissing creek
and the Schuylkill river, where he died in 1849. In 1821 he married
Barbara Lichty, and they had the following children: Charles;
Hettie, m. to Joseph Markley; Gideon; William L., the father of A.
W.; John; Daniel L., of Philadelphia, Pa.; Sarah; Amelia, m. to
Frank Adams, of Reading (they have a daughter, Miss Mary, a
supervisor of schools in Reading, since 1906); and one child who
died in infancy. The family were members of the Lutheran Church.
Mr. Fisher was a Democrat in politics. His first wife died while
yet a young woman, and he m. (second) Polly Leader, by whom one
son, Glancey, was born. John Fisher had two brothers and a sister:
George; Solomon; and Mary, who married Philip Ziegler, a farmer
near Rothrocksville, in Lehigh county, near the Berks county line,
and had thirteen children, of whom five, all over seventy years of
age, are still living – Daniel (aged ninety-seven years), William
(of Allentown), David (on the homestead), Mary (aged seventy-six
years, widow of Joseph Miller, of near Topton) and Gideon (of
Allentown). The maiden name of Mr. Fisher’s mother was Hauer, and
her brother, the late George Hauer, was a prominent merchant in
Windsor township.

William L. Fisher, son of John, was born in
Berks county and was educated in the public schools. He was reared
to the life of a farmer, and this he followed in connection with
trucking, owning a small tract of land near the Cacoosing, where he
also conducted a country hotel. It is said that none of this family
used malt or spirituous liquors. Mr. Fisher conducted his hotel for
several years, but later sold out and removed to Reading, where he
opened a cafe on the site of the present Schuylkill Valley Bank.
This was in 1876 and he remained in business with his son, A. W.,
until his death, in 1892, aged fifty-five years. He was considered
a very good citizen. Mr. Fisher was a very powerfully built man,
his weight being 265 pounds. He and his wife were the parents of
seven children, four sons of whom died in infancy, A. W. being the
only son to survive. The daughters were: Emma, deceased, m. to
Ephraim Miller; and Agnes, m. to Jeremiah Eppling. Both Mr. and
Mrs. William Fisher were members of the Lutheran Church. He was a
Democrat up to the time of Abraham Lincoln’s campaign, when he cast
his lot with the Republican party. Mrs. Fisher died in 1874, aged
fifty-three years.

A. W. Fisher was educated in the common schools
of West Reading, and until 1876 worked upon a farm, when, with his
father, he came to Reading and engaged in the cafe business. Like
his father, Mr. Fisher is a very large man. At the age of fourteen
years his weight was 263 pounds, and today his average weight is
340 pounds. He enjoys the very best of health, and is as supple and
active as many a man of half his weight. Since 1895 Mr. Fisher has
devoted his time solely to the wholesale business, and built his
present place of business in 1901, the structure being three
stories high, and 20 x 98 feet in dimensions. He also owns the
store property at No. 114 Penn street, and handles a choice line of
domestic and imported liquors, having the reputation of conducting
one of the best kept places in the city of Reading. He commands the
best trade in Reading and the surrounding country. Although giving
his business the closest attention, Mr. Fisher finds time for
recreation, being very fond of fishing, and many of the finny tribe
have yielded to his rod and line. Mr. Fisher spends his vacations
at Anglesea, New Jersey.

Mr. Fisher has been twice married, his first
wife being Miss Emma Quinter, who died in 1895, leaving these
children: William, deceased; George L.; Adam S.; Edgar R.; and
Helen M. Mr. Fisher’s second marriage occurred in 1897, to Agnes
Focht, daughter of Solomon Focht. Politically Mr. Fisher is a
Republican. He is a member of Chandler Lodge, No. 227, F. &
A.M., Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the I.O.R.M., being also a
member of the Maennerchor and the Reading Fishing Club.

FISHER, CHARLES M.

p. 837

Surnames: FISHER, RITTER, MARSTELLER, ROWE, FEGLEY, WALTER, MILLER,
MOHR, ROTHENBERGER, CHRISTMAN, WENDLING, BERKEY, REINHARD, FRITCH,
BOGH, GRESINGER, BERKEY

Charles M. Fisher, a prominent business man of the city of
Kutztown, Pa., who is junior member of the well-known furniture and
house-furnishing establishment of Ritter & Fisher, on Main
street, was born April 9, 1854, in Hereford township, in Berks
county, son of David R. and Maria (Marsteller) Fisher.

It is traditional in the Fisher family that
Jacob Fisher, who lived in Hereford township prior to 1758, is the
American progenitor of Charles M. He was a tax-payer of Hereford in
1758, and he could well have been a resident of that township prior
to this time, as it was fairly well settled as early as 1745.

John Fisher, grandfather of Charles M., was a
farmer of Shimerville, Lehigh county, and there married Royal Rowe,
by whom he had these children: David R.; Daniel (m. Caroline
Fegley); Anna (m. Levi Walter); Sarah (m. William Miller); Mary (m.
David Mohr); Dianna (m. Reuben Rothenberger); and Jonathan.

David R. Fisher, father of Charles M., was a
gunsmith the greater part of his life, and made his home in
Hereford township, this county. Fr. Fisher married Maria
Marsteller, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Christman) Marsteller,
and to this union there were born children as follows: John died in
infancy; Henry died at the age of fifty-eight years; Elizabeth m.
Wilson Wendling; Charles M.; Sallie m. Jonathan G. Berkey; Caroline
died in infancy; and Mary A., m. John L. Reinhard. Mr. Fisher was
one of the well-known citizens of his day, and bore a high
reputation for honesty and integrity.

Charles M. Fisher received his education in the
public schools of his district and worked on his father’s farm,
near Shimerville, Lehigh county, until 1876. At this time he
engaged at the milling trade, which he had learned with Fritch
Bros. & Bogh, at Macungie, and continued thereat for a period
of twenty-five years. In April, 1904, Mr. Fisher formed a
partnership with R. J. Ritter, of Macungie, and opened a furniture
store on Main street, Kutztown, which has become the largest and
most popular in this section of the county. Ritter & Fisher do
a large local trade, but their business is not confined to
Kutztown, as they supply firms and families in the surrounding
towns. Mr. Fisher is a consistent Democrat. He is connected with
the Reformed Church. In fraternal organizations he is prominently
connected with Lodge No. 85, I. O. O. F., at Macungie; with the
Knights of Phythias, No. 378, at Emaus; and with Washington Camp
No. 569, P. O. S. of A., Macungie.

On July 24, 1876, Mr. Fisher was married to Emma
E. Berkey, daughter of Mahlon and Sarah (Greisinger) Berkey, and
two children have been born to this union: Herbert E., purchasing
agent and manager for C. Pardee & Co., Hazleton, Pa.; and Alice
C., who lives at home, and is bookkeeper for the firm of Ritter and
Fisher.

FISHER FAMILY

p.
421

Surnames: BAER, BRUMBACH, BUTZ, DAVIDHEISER, FISHER, GERNAND,
GRIESEMER, HERBEIN, HUNTER, MATTHIAS, RUTH, SPANG, SPOHN, STRUNK

The Fisher family is traced as far back as (I) Henry Fisher, the
great-grandfather of Daniel D. Fisher, of Oley township. He was
born in Heidelberg township, Berks county, but came to Oley
township when a young man and took up some 337 acres of fertile
land one mile north of the “Yellow House,” most of which land has
been in the possession of the family ever since. He was a man of
great common sense and when he put up his home in 1801, he built it
so substantially that it still stands as a comfortable shelter for
his great-great-grandchildren. He is buried in Huntingdon county,
his death occurring while on a visit there. His daughter Polly had
married Henry S. Spang, of Huntingdon, and he had gone to pay her a
visit, but he was advanced in years and the trip proved too much
for him. On Jan. 1, 1781, he married Susanna Ruth, also of
Heidelberg township, born Oct. 29, 1761, daughter of Christian
Ruth. After forty years, four months and eleven days of married
life, she died May 12, 1821, aged fifty-nine years, six months and
thirteen days. She was the first to be buried in the then newly
acquired burial plot of the Oley Churches. These children were born
to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fisher: John, of Oley, but later of Hereford
township; Samuel of Oley township; Daniel, of Oley township; Henry,
of Oley, who left home and as his whereabouts could not be traced,
was given up as lost; Sally Ann, married to Jacob V. R. Hunter, of
Reading, who operated Sally Ann Furnace, of Rockland township,
Berks county (named after Mrs. Hunter), which furnace was
discontinued in 1869; and Polly, married to Henry S. Spang, also
one of the pioneer iron-masters of Pennsylvania, who operated the
Etna Works, of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.

(II) Daniel Fisher, grandfather of Daniel D., was a native of Oley
township, born on the Fisher homestead June 22, 1795, and died July
16, 1839. He was a farmer and prospered in his work. He attended
the Philadelphia market twice a week during fall and winter in a
big wagon, and was an excellent teamster. His wife, Mary Gernand,
daughter of George Gernand, of Spring township, was born March 4,
1803, and died Jan. 27, 1878. They are both buried at Oley
Cemetery. Their children were: John G.; E. Matilda m. Abner
Griesemer, of Oley township; Hannah (unmarried); Sarah m. Frank C.
Butz; and Deborah G. and B. Amelia (unmarried). Miss B. Amelia
Fisher was born on the Fisher homestead Sept. 2, 1829, and has
always lived here, now making her home with her nephew, Daniel D.
Fisher. She is an intelligent lady and can speak both English and
German. She is a great reader, preferring historical works; and she
is also very fond of flowers. Possessing bountiful means, she is
very charitable, and has many warm personal friends who admire her
many talents and her pleasant manner.

(III) John G. Fisher, son of Daniel and Mary (Gernand), was born
June 22, 1824, and died July 1, 1887, aged sixty-three years and
nine days. He is buried at Oley cemetery. His wife was Mary Ann
Davidheiser, born Feb. 22, 1835, died Feb. 28, 1893. They were the
parents of the following children: Emma L., deceased Daniel D.;
Henry G., deceased; and Ella, of Philadelphia. John G. Fisher was a
life-long farmer of Oley township, residing upon the homestead. He
was a man of enterprise and intelligence. He possessed a retentive
memory and was a well-read man, sharing many of his sister’s
characteristics.

(IV) Daniel D. Fisher was born on his great-grandfather’s homestead
one mile north of the “Yellow House,” Aug. 2, 1860. He was brought
up on the farm and was educated in the public schools and the Oley
Academy. When only sixteen years of age he was licensed to teach,
by Prof. Samuel A. Baer, then county superintendent, and taught his
first term in Earl township, and the following six terms in Oley
township. In 1883 he engaged in the huckster-produce, butter and
egg-business. Six years later he bought the Fisher homestead,
consisting of 150 acres of some of the best land in the Oley
valley. Since then he has added to his number of acres, and now has
156 acres. The house on the farm, as before mentioned, was built by
his great-grandfather Henry Fisher. The masonry of this house is
beautiful, the stones nearly all being rectangular shaped, and the
plaster is of the very best. The present barn was built by John G.
Fisher in 1862.

Mr. Fisher is a Democrat, and has served his
township as school director for the past fifteen years. He was
auditor of Oley township, when but twenty-three years old, and held
the position for three years. He was committeeman of Oley township
many years, has served as delegate to many conventions, town,
county, and also State, was secretary of the County Standing
Committee for three years, and has been in every way prominent and
public-spirited. Mr. Fisher and family are members of Salem
Reformed Church in Oley, of which he was deacon for four years, and
he has been trustee for many years of this congregation. In
addition to his other interests Mr. Fisher is a director of the
Farmers’ National Bank of Boyertown, holding that office since
1897. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of
Oley, and became its first treasurer and is a stockholder of the
Yellow House Creamery Association, as well as its treasurer. He is
a member of the Berks County Historical Society, and is a man well
posted on national and local history.

In 1880, Mr. Fisher married Olivia B. Herbein.
daughter of Abraham and Eliza (Brumbach) Herbein, of Oley township.
The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fisher: John,
a graduate of the Keystone State Normal School, class of 1902,
married Verna Spohn, and has two children, Otto and Marjorie; James
H., a farmer of Oley, married Hannah Strunk, and has a daughter,
Erma; Ella married Lawrence Matthias, of Earl township, and has a
son, Russel (they reside with Mr. Fisher); Nevin D. and Daniel W.
are unmarried and residing at home; Mary Eliza died in 1885; Henry
Wayne died in 1890; and twins died in infancy.

Mr. Fisher is one of the most prominent men of
Oley township, and his public spirit and progressiveness have
placed him before the people of his locality upon many occasions.

FISHER
FAMILY

p. 880

Surnames: FISHER, HAIN, SOHL, LOUCKS, KLOPP, SHOUER, MARSHALL,
FILBERT, MADEIRA, REBER, BRIGHT, WENRICH, RUTH, WEINHOLD, HECKMAN,
BEIDLER, YOST, HOWDEN, SHARMAN, KINTZER

The Fishers are a numerous family in Berks county, where they have
been settled since the middle of the eighteenth century. The first
known ancestor,

(I) Peter A. A. Fisher, settled in Heidelberg township, Berks
county, prior to 1756, in which year he paid a federal tax of 4.
He resided in what is now Spring township. His wife’s name was
Appolino.

(II) John Fisher, son of Peter and Appolino, born in Lower
Heidelberg township, established a paper-mill (since converted into
a woolen mill) there and engaged in the manufacture of paper. He
married March 20, 1796, Rosina Hain, born in Heidelberg township,
daughter of John and Anna Margrathe Hain, and they had children as
follows: Elenora, born June 2, 1797, married John Sohl March 5,
1816; Samuel, born Oct. 28, 1799, married Elizabeth Loucks Dec. 28,
1821; Peter, born Dec. 13, 1801, married Mary Klopp Aug. 24, 1823;
Anna Catharine was born Sept. 12, 1804; Elizabeth, born Oct. 6,
1803, died in youth; John, born March 15, 1808, died in early life;
Anna was born

March 17, 1810; Elijah, born Aug. 28, 1812, married Callinus
Shouer, Sept. 7, 1834; Daniel was born Oct. 10, 1815; Sarah, March
28, 1818; Jeremiah, Jan. 9, 1821.

(III) Samuel Fisher, born Oct. 28, 1799, on the old homestead, died
Jan. 16, 1875. He spent his life as a farmer in his native
township, held several township offices, and was a useful citizen.
In politics he was a Democrat, in religion a member of the German
Reformed Church, in which he was an active worker. On Dec. 28,
1821, he married Elizabeth Loucks, born in 1800 (daughter of Peter
Loucks, of the same township), died Jan. 12, 1883. To them were
born six children, as follows: Reily L., born Nov. 12, 1822, is
mentioned farther on; Mary, born March 27, 1824, married Peter
Marshall, who died in 1887; Adam, born March 25, 1825, married
Amelia Filbert, and the lived in Marion township, this county,
where he was engaged in farming; David, born April 7, 1829, died in
1867, married March 15, 1853, Catharine K. Loucks, who lived near
Robesonia; Elizabeth, born May 14, 1834, died when four years old;
Benjamin, born Dec. 19, 1854, died young.

(IV) Reily L. Fisher was born Nov. 12, 1822, in Heidelberg
township, and in that locality passed all his long life, dying Jan.
28, 1903, aged eighty years, two months, sixteen days. He received
his education in the pay schools which were in vogue during his
boyhood, and at Collegeville, Montgomery county, and then for a
short time assisted his father with the work on the home farm.
Farming was always his principal vocation, but he was engaged in
merchandising for a time, in his young manhood leaving the farm to
become a clerk at Sinking Spring. Except as his work called him
elsewhere, he lived at home until his marriage. After his marriage
he was on the farm again for a year, and then embarked in
mercantile business on his own account, at Sinking Spring, carrying
on a general store for six years. Returning to the home farm, he
engaged in its cultivation for sixteen years and then bought
another place near by upon which he lived for fifteen years.
Retiring from farming, Mr. Fisher lived at Wernersville for two
years, and in 1889 he purchased the Madeira residence at Robesonia,
in Heidelberg township, known at “Maple Villa,” which has since
been the family home. It is now owned and occupied by his
daughters, Amelia and Rosa.

Being successful in the management of his own
affairs, and well known for his probity of character, Mr. Fisher
was often called upon to act as guardian, trustee and administrator
of estates, and his scrupulous regard for the duties of such trusts
showed that the confidence of his fellowmen was not misplaced. He
deservedly enjoyed the high esteem of all who knew him. He was a
stanch Democrat in political sentiment. In his earlier years he was
a member of the Reformed Church, to which his wife and family
belonged.

On Jan. 23, 1851, Mr. Fisher married Matilda B.
Reber, born Feb. 24, 1827 (daughter of Conrad and Magdalene
(Bright) Reber, of Bern township), died Oct. 5, 1889. Seven
children were born to them, viz.: Mary Magdalena, born March 13,
1852, married Albert D. Wenrich, a cattle dealer and farmer of
Robesonia, Heidelberg township, and they had four children, Annie,
Reily, Esther and Tillie; Samuel R,, born Jan. 10, 1854, is
mentioned below; Annie Elizabeth, born Sept. 21, 1856, died June 7,
1864; Sarah Rebecca, born March 8, 1859, married Dr. David H. Hain,
of Wernersville, and had three children, Edna, Estella and Raymond;
Amelia Catherine was born June 9, 1861; Rosa Ellen, Jan 2, 1865;
Matilda Lucetta, born March 21, 1872, died March 9, 1873.

(V) Samuel R. Fisher, son of Reily L. Fisher, born Jan. 10, 1854,
at Sinking Spring, resides at Wernersville, Berks county, and is
engaged in farming the old Fisher homestead in Heidelberg township.
He has spent the greater part of his life in agricultural work, to
which he was reared, working for his father until he was past
twenty-five. In 1876 he went West for a short time. In 1880 he
commenced farming on his own account, taking the management of the
old homestead, which he cultivated until 1891, when he moved to
Robesonia, living with his father at “Maple Villa” for two years.
He purchased his present home at Wernersville in 1894, and lived
there from that time until 1899, when he moved back to the
homestead for a while, returning to Wernersville in 1904. Mr.
Fisher has been engaged in the cultivation of the homestead ever
since his return to the place, as above mentioned, in 1899. He is
now the owner of this homestead. He is a director of the
Wernersville Water Company, which he helped to organize in 1895. He
is devoted to his private interests and has never taken any part in
public affairs or politics, though an earnest Democrat in political
opinion.

On Dec. 25, 1879, Mr. Fisher was married at
Myerstown, Pa., to Ellen C. Ruth, daughter of Michael and Catherine
(Hain) Ruth, and granddaughter of Leonard and Elizabeth (Weinhold)
Ruth. Both her father and grandfather were farmers in Lower
Heidelberg township and members of the Hain’s Church, where they
are buried. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher also belong to the Hain’s Church.
One son, Riley M., was born to them Feb. 18, 1893.

(III) Jeremiah Fisher, son of John, born Jan. 9, 1821, in Lower
Heidelberg township, died July 7, 1876. He is buried in the Charles
Evans cemetery, at Reading. For a number of years he was in
business in Reading, conducting a clothing store in the Eagle
building, at Sixth and Penn streets (where the Eagle shoe store is
now located), in partnership with George Heckman of Reading. They
were associated for over ten years, Mr. Fisher eventually selling
his interest to Mr. Heckman. Two years later he engaged in the shoe
business, which he followed for a period of four years, when, his
wife’s stepmother — Mrs. Elizabeth (Hain) Beidler — dying, he
moved with his family upon the farm of his father-in-law, in Lower
Heidelberg township, where he passed the rest of his life. He had
been living there for five years, engaged in farming, at the time
of his death. He was a member of the Hain’s Reformed Church.

In 1846 Mr. Fisher married Leah Beidler, who was
born Oct. 9, 1825, in Robeson township, daughter of William and
Susanna (Yost) Beidler. Her father was a farmer of Lower
Heidelberg, formerly of Robeson township, this county. The mother,
born Aug. 20, 1795, died Aug. 5, 1838. William and Susanna (Yost)
Beidler were married July 19, 1818, and two sons and two daughters
were born to them. After the death of his wife Susanna, Mr. Beidler
married Elizabeth Hain.

To Mr. and Mrs. Fisher were born children as
follows: Amanda married John K. Howden, of Reading, and has
children-Edward, Rosa and Howard; Valeria died young; Rosa died
young; Walter B., who resides at Robesonia, where he is employed at
the furnace, married Sarah Sharman, and they have two children,
Lillie and Edna; William H. married Annie Kintzer, and their
children are Charles A., Frederick M., Harvey W. and Leah E.
William H. Fisher and his family live with his mother at
Wernersville.

Since Mr. Fisher’s death his widow has resided
in the large brick residence in Wernersville which she owns,
situated on the main street in the western end of town. Though past
eighty-two years of age she is active and passes her days in serene
contentment, esteemed and respected by the many who know her. She
is intelligent and interested in the life of the community, and is
an earnest member of Hain’s Reformed Church. she speaks both
English and German fluently.

FISHER-FISCHER FAMILY

p.
1285
Surnames; FISHER, FISCHER, FAUST, FRY, BECK, LASH, BAUM, KRICK,
MOHN, RUTH, BENSING, ROLLMAN, FISHER, POTTEIGER, HENDEL, SPATZ,
HAIN, SEITZINGER, LEID, SHEIDY, WENRICH, HEMMIG, STUMP, BOYER,
MILLER, EBERLY, STEFFY, LIPPY, LUDEN, STOLTZ

(I) Wilhelm Fischer, an alien by birth and native of Germany, was
founder of a very large and prolific Berks county family. He
settled in a section of the country now embracing Spring (formally
Cumru) and Lower Heidelberg (then a part of Heidelberg) townships
and owned about one thousand acres of land. He was a farmer by
occupation, exceedingly industrious, and was known as a man of
sterling qualities. During his lifetime there was little clear land
in Lower Heidelberg and Spring townships, and he often heard the
howling of wolves in the forest around his primitive home, a
typical log cabin dwelling. Frequently he stood in fear of the
Indians who still roamed the forests after the date of his
settlement and whose attacks endangered the lives and property of
the hardy settlers. He adhered to the German Reformed faith, and
the Hain’s Church in Lower Heidelberg township was his spiritual
home. His mortal remains were laid to rest in the graveyard of that
old established house of worship, and there, too, sleep scores of
descendants of this noble pioneer. Among his children were:
Frederick, Wilhelm, George, Michael and Daniel.

(II) Frederick Fischer, son of Wilhelm, the emigrant ancestor, born
March 5, 1750, died Oct. 17, 1828. He lived in what is now Spring
township, where he originally took up a tract of seventy-three
acres, upon which they raised maize, and there Frederick Fischer
put up a primitive house and barn. He was a farmer, but also
followed his trade, that of blacksmith. His wife, whose maiden name
was Gertraut Faust, was born Feb. 5, 1751, and died Oct. 31, 1827.
She bore him nine children, four daughters and five sons, namely:
Peter, John, William, Jonathan, Catharine (who married Jonas Fry,
of Lancaster county), Barbara (who married a Beck and a Lash) and
one son and two daughters who died young. When Mrs. Fischer died
there were forty grandchildren.

(III) Jonathan Fischer, son of Frederick and grandson of Wilhelm,
born March 31, 1794, died Oct. 14, 1854, aged sixty years, six
months, fourteen days. He was a farmer and made much fine wine, his
vineyard covering one acre. He was well known in Reading and in his
surrounding district, was the founder of Kissinger’s Church, and
contributed largely to the erection of the church edifice in 1852.
He is buried at that church. In 1820 he married Maria Magdalena
Baum, who was born in 1801 and survived him, dying in 1869, and
their children were: Elijah, born in 1821, who died in 1853; Henry
B., living at the homestead in Spring township, who has children,
Franklin and Mary E.; Lovina; Amelia, and Elizabeth. The home of
Jonathan Fischer was three miles from Reading, and he always walked
back and forth.

(II) William Fischer, son of Wilhelm, the first ancestor in
America, was born Oct. 23, 1766, at the old homestead in Spring
township, and died there March 4, 1842, in which his sons
cultivated, he himself following the blacksmith’s trade during the
greater part of his life. He was a skilled mechanic, and made the
different kinds of hardware used in building in his day, such as
nails, hinges, locks, etc., as well as farm implements, such as hay
and manure forks, hooks, harrows, plows, etc. He owned and lived on
the place now known as the “Wheatfield Ore Farm,” in Spring
township. On June 27, 1790, he married Margaretha Krick, who was
born Aug. 29, 1773, and died Feb. 23, 1852, in her seventy-ninth
year. They sleep their last sleep in the graveyard adjoining the
Sinking Spring church. Their children were as follows: William, who
lived and died in Butler county, Pa.; Jacob, who settled in
Lebanon, Pa.; John, who was never married; Peter F.; Margaret, who
married William Mohn; Ann, who married Absalom Ruth; Susanna, who
married Joseph Ruth; Mrs. Daniel Bensing; and Mrs Peter Rollman.

(III) Peter F. Fisher, son of Wilhelm and grandson of Wilhelm, was
born Sept. 14, 1808, in Cumru (now Spring) township. He died Feb.
7, 1889, in Lower Heidelberg township, aged eighty years, four
months, twenty-four days. He was a carpenter, and followed that
trade five years, when he commenced farming, which he continued
until he was seventy-five years old, owning a farm of over 100
acres in Spring township. The remainder of his days were passed in
retirement. He was a short man, but well-set and strong. His wife,
Ann Maria Bensing, was born in Heidelberg May 12, 1814, daughter of
Peter Bensing, and died Feb. 21, 1894, in her eightieth year, at
Fritztown. Seven sons and five daughters were born to Peter F. and
Ann Maria Fisher, namely: John, Mary, Michael, Abraham, Peter,
Isaac, Catharine, Hannah, William B., Rebecca, Adam and Annie. The
father of this family was a Reformed member of the Sinking Spring
Church, where he is buried.

(IV) William B. Fisher, a farmer of Lower Heidelberg township,
residing on the Charles W. Potteiger farm, was born July 28, 1855,
in Spring township. He was reared to farming, which has been his
life work, and until twenty-three years old remained with his
father, after that engaging as a servant for two years, near
Lancaster county, Pa. For one year he lived on a farm near
Wernersville, in the spring of 1880 commencing agricultural
pursuits on his own account. He was on his father’s farm the first
four years, and during the next four years lived on the old George
Krick farm in Spring township, thence moving to Hendelton, in Cumru
township. There he lived for six years on George Hendel’s farm and
for six years on Isaac Spatz’s farm, in 1899 moving to Lower
Heidelberg township, upon the old original Hain farm, at that time
owned by Calvin Seitzinger. He remained upon that place three
years, and then lived in Maiden-creek a year before settling at his
present home, in Lower Heidelberg. Mr. Fisher has always been
successful in his farm work, and is thoroughly enterprising and
up-to-date in his methods, which have produced satisfactory
results. His stoke is particularly fine, his cattle and horses
being worthy of especial note.

In 1881 Mr. Fisher was married to Amanda Leid, a
daughter of Edward and Mary (Spatz) Leid, of Lancaster county, who
was a well-known cattle dealer of Lancaster county for many years;
he died at the age of eighty-one. A family of twelve children has
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fisher, eight sons and four daughters,
namely: Edward, born Oct. 9, 1881, died when two months old; Mary,
born July 10, 1882, is the wife of Adam Sheidy, of Wernersville,
Pa.; Adam, born Sept. 24, 1883, is a resident of Chicago, Ill.;
John, born Sept. 24, 1883, is unmarried, and works with his father;
Martin, born Oct. 19, 1885, is on a cattle range at Lee, Mont.;
Samuel, born April 6, 1887, is married and living in Spring
township; George, born Aug. 28, 1888, married Lizzie Wenrich, and
they reside on the old Fisher homestead in Spring township-the
property settled by a Fisher who emigrated from Germany; Clinton
was born Feb. 11, 1891; Levi, Aug. 11, 1892; Katie, May 2, 1895;
Lillie, Sept. 21, 1896; Carrie, Aug. 7, 1900. Mr. William B. Fisher
and his family are Lutheran members of the Wyomissing
(Gouglersville) Union Church. He is a Democrat in political
sentiment.

(II) Michael Fischer, son of Wilhelm, the emigrant ancestor, was
born on the old homestead Nov. 19, 1769, and died on his farm near
Wernersville, Pa., Dec. 16, 1845, aged seventy-six years,
twenty-seven days. He owned a farm of 127 acres located one and a
half miles south of Wernersville, which his family cultivated. He
was a weaver, and made all kinds of cloth and

linen goods in demand in his day. He was a man
of prominence in local affairs, serving as overseer of the poor in
his district for many years; this office was abolished by Act of
Assembly on March 29, 1824, after which directors of the poor were
elected. Michael Fischer was much esteemed, and he was widely known
for his uncompromising honesty. Like his father, he is buried in
the graveyard at Hain’s Church, of which he was a member. He
married Elizabeth Hemmig, born Aug. 29, 1774, died July 22, 1845,
aged seventy years, ten months, twenty-three days. the children
born to them were as follows: Christian, born July 1, 1793;
Michael, born Jan. 4, 1795; Daniel, born Sept. 27, 1796; Catharine,
born Aug. 15, 1798; Philip, born Jan. 35, 1800; Wilhelm, born Jan.
15, 1803; Sarah, who married John Stump; and Elizabeth, who first
married Daniel Fisher and later Isaac Boyer.

(III) Wilhelm Fisher, the sixth of the family of Michael Fischer,
and a grandson of Wilhelm, the ancestor, was born Jan. 15, 1803,
and died upon his tract of land near Wernersville. He was a
well-known man in his community, having passed all his life in the
district where he was born, and, furthermore, he was enterprising
and thrifty. Under his father he learned plain weaving, but he also
acquired the art of fine weaving, and did well at his trade. He
lived upon a tract adjacent to his father’s farm, consisting
originally of six acres and 131 rods, to which he later added
thirty-one acres. Here in 1837 he built a log house which is still
standing. He married Ellenora Boyer, and to them were born children
as follows: Peter, born May 13, 1826, who was a soldier in the
Civil war; Abraham, born Nov. 17, 1831, a carpenter by trade and
also a farmer, who married Catharine Miller; Jeremiah B., born May
20, 1838; Polly, the wife of Emanuel Eberly, residing near
Fritztown, where he followed carriage-making for many years, now
living retired upon his farm; and Lavina, born Jan. 21, 1842, who
married John H. Steffy, and died May 17, 1898, in her fifty-seventh
year (they had no children). Mr. and Mrs. Fisher worshipped at the
Hain’s Church, and there they are buried.

(IV) Jeremiah B. Fisher, third son of Wilhelm, grandson of Michael,
Sr., and great-grandson of Wilhelm, the emigrant ancestor, was born
May 20, 1838, upon his father’s farm south of Wernersville. He
attended the local district schools until he was eighteen years
old, after which he took up fence making, a business he was engaged
in many years, and in which he became very skillful. He next
entered the employ of Jacob Lippy, at that time of Lancaster, later
of Reading, where his sons are now successful business men; Mr.
Lippy had a portable sawmill, at which Mr. Fisher worked for many
years. A number of years ago Mr. Fisher commenced the manufacture
of birch oil from birchwood, which is plentiful in the South
mountains where he lives. The oil is of good quality, and markets
readily in Philadelphia, New York, Lebanon and Reading, and he
sells considerable to the Grand View Sanitarium. One of Mr.
Fisher’s best customers is William H. Luden, the confectioner, of
Reading. Mr. Fisher has a valuable tract of land, upon which he
raises an abundance of fruit and considerable truck. As may be
judged from the various interests he has, he is very industrious,
and by good management has attained success in his various
ventures. He is a man of the highest honor and scrupulous in all
his transactions, being respected wherever he is known.

On Nov. 9, 1863, Mr. Fisher was married to
Melinda Stoltz, daughter of John Stoltz, of Upper Tulpehocken
township, and seventeen children have been born to the union,
namely: Catharine, Ellen I., William, Charles, Sallie, Mary, Eve,
Alice, George, Jacob S., and seven who died young. Mr. Fisher and
his family are Reformed members of the old Hain’s Church, where
members of his family have worshipped for so many years.

FISHER,
HENRY G.

p. 1016

Surnames: FISHER, GILBERT, MAURER, STELTZ, GRUBER, FRAME, GUMBERT,
KEEN, ENDY, MERGOTT, GILLINGS

Henry G. Fisher, a well-known contractor and builder of Reading,
Pa., residing at No. 149 West Buttonwood street, was born in 1849,
in Boyertown, Pa., son of Aaron W. and Rebecca (Gilbert) Fisher.

Aaron W. Fisher was born in Berks county, and
early in life engaged in farming, at which occupation in connection
with droving he worked for many years. He also operated a general
store. In politics a Democrat, he was active in the ranks of his
party in his day, serving as assessor, tax collector and constable
for many years. Mr. Fisher and his wife Rebecca Gilbert, became the
parents of nine children: Tamzon married Mahlon Maurer; John;
Jacob; Mary A. m. Frederick Steltz; Levi; Emma m. Andrew Gruber;
Annie died at the age of seven years; Henry G; and Sarah is
deceased. In religious belief the family were Lutherans Henry G.
Fisher was educated in the schools of Boyertown, and at the age of
eleven years began stripping tobacco, later learning the
cigar-making trade, at which he became an expert, taking the prize
in the Berks district with a record of sixty cigars made in an
hour. He averaged forty cigars in a hour, this being long filler,
hand work. Mr. fisher continued at cigar-making until twenty-one
years age, when engaged in packing cigars, but one year later left
to engage in the iron ore mining business. He helped to sink the
famous Warwick shaft, at Boyertown, 600 feet deep, where he worked
until 1886, in this year again taking up the cigar business as a
packer for Glaser & Frame. He remained in their employ until
they dissolved partnership, when George Frame started in business
alone, and for him Mr. Fisher worked until the fall of 1890. In
this year Mr. Fisher took charge of the factory of Gumpert Bros.,
Seventy and Washington streets, where he continued until the fall
of 1899. Mr. Fisher then started in the building business with
Morris R. Keen, with whom he continued to the present time, the
firm name being Keen & Fisher. This firm has been successful
from the start, and they now own valuable property, including lots
in Miami, Florida.

Mr. Fisher married Hannah L. Endy, daughter of
Benjamin Endy, and five children have been born to this union:
Benjamin, a cigar packer; William, M. D.; John, a mail clerk; Lulu,
m. to Erwin Mergott; and Sarah, m. to Howard Gillings. Mr. Fisher
is liberal in his religious views, believing the Bible to be the
inspired work of God.

FISHER, JOHN
W.

p. 508

Surnames: FISHER, BROSSMAN, BROWN, BOYER, CHRISTMAN, FOX, GRIME,
GRUBER, KLOPP, KREICHER, LAMM, LEININGER, MINNICH, MOYER, RUTH,
SCHELL, STUMP, WOTRING

John W. Fisher, one of Berks county’s representative citizens and
substantial men, who served as director of the poor of Berks
county, and as justice of the peace of North Heidelberg township,
was born Nov. 9, 1844, in Marion township, son of Daniel and Sarah
(Gruber) Fisher. It is traditional that this branch of the Fisher
family had its origin in America in one Sebastian Fischer, who in
1723 was a member of a party of thirty-three families to come from
the Schoharie Valley, N.Y., and settle in Tulpehocken and
Heidelberg townships, Berks county. In 1759 these Fishers were
taxables of Heidelberg township: Jacob who paid twenty pounds tax;
Ulrich, who paid five pounds tax; and Adam and Ludwig, who paid one
pound each; and from one of these ancestors descended John Fisher,
the grandfather of John W.

John Fisher came to Berks county from Schuylkill
county, and settled one mile west of Womelsdorf, where he engaged
in farming. He married Elizabeth Leininger, and to them were born
these children: Elizabeth m. Henry Grime, of Penn township; John
settled in Logan county, Ohio; Daniel; Henry lived in Marion
township, m. Molly Kreicher, and had one son, Edwin; Jeremiah
settled in Logan county, Ohio.

Daniel Fisher was born in Schuylkill county, in
August, 1814, and when a boy was brought to Berks county, where his
early days were spent in farm laboring. By economy and industry he
managed to save enough from his earnings with which to purchase a
thirty-acre tract in North Heidelberg township, and there he spent
the rest of his active life, engaged in truck farming. His last
years were spent with his son John W. at whose residence he died.
Mr. Fisher was a man of high moral character, and was an active
member of the Lutheran Church, in which he served as deacon. In
politics he was a Democrat. To Mr. and Mrs. Fisher were born two
children: John W.; and Albert Adam, a resident of Lower Heidelberg
township.

John W. Fisher received his education in the
public schools of North Heidelberg township, and also spent one
year in Freeland Seminary, now Ursinus College. When but seventeen
years of age he began teaching school, his first term being in
Centre township, and in all was an educator for twenty-five terms,
sixteen of which were taught in the home district. In addition to
school teaching, Mr. Fisher spent the summer months in work on his
thirty-acre tract, and was also performing the duties of justice of
the peace, a position to which he had been elected when he was but
twenty-one years old. In 1877 he leased a larger farm, belonging to
Jonathan E. Stump, a tract of ninety-one acres, which was still
later increased to 110 acres, and cultivated this property for
twenty-six years on shares or one-half.

Mr. Fisher subsequently purchased the farm
adjoining, known as the William L. Klopp farm, which consists of
133 acres, and he also owned the eighty-acre tract purchased by him
some sixteen years prior.

Mr. Fisher always took a great interest in
educational matters and held a permanent State certificate. When
but twenty-one years of age he was elected to the office of justice
of the peace, in which he served for forty-one years and so
impartial were his judgments that he never had a decision reversed.
He was elected director of the poor in 1902, and served in that
office for three years. He was always an active Democrat. In March,
1907, Mr. Fisher removed from the farm to Robesonia, and in the
same year he erected a handsome double brick residence, in which he
resided until his death. He was a director of the Farmers’ Mutual
Assistance and Fire Insurance Company, of Berks county, and served
as treasurer of this organization for nine years. Mr. Fisher was a
member of the Lutheran Church, while his widow is of the Reformed
faith, and both have been active in church work.

In 1864 Mr. Fisher married Ellen M. Lamm,
daughter of the late Benjamin and Lydia (Ruth) Lamm, of North
Heidelberg township, and twelve children were born to this union,
the survivors all being of Berks county: Adelaide E. died at the
age of sixteen years; Lillie A. m. Nelson L. Brossman, of North
Heidelberg township; Emma V. m. Henry G. Stump, of North Heidelberg
township; Sallie L. m. Michael A. Fox, of Jefferson township; Heela
M. died at the age of six years; E. Nora is at home; Diana R. m. W.
Alvin Christman, of Womelsdorf; William E., an attorney and builder
of Reading, m. Minnie E. Boyer, of Heidelberg township; John C., a
minister of the Lutheran faith, ordained by the Ministerium of
Pennsylvania in May, 1907, and now in charge of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church of The Advocate in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa.,
m. Kathryn Wotring, of Allentown; Cora C. m. Lloyd K. Minnich, of
North Heidelberg township; Anna G. m. Howard E. Brown, of
Robesonia; F. May m. Herbert C. Schell, of Friedensburg, Oley
township.

Mr. Fisher died Feb. 12, 1909, and his remains
were interred in the family plot in Heidelberg cemetery, of which
Association he was one of the organizers and secretary from the
date of its organization, 1880, up to the time of his death.

FISHER,
JOHN W.

p. 1236

Surnames: AMMONS, BREIDENBACH, FISHER, GAUGER, JONES, MELLS,
MESSERCHET, PENNICK, POTTS, QUAY, SHENKEL, SHERADIN, WEISER,
WESSNER, WILLANER

John W. Fisher, a resident of Douglassville and one of its
representative men, was born in Chester county, North Coventry
township, Oct. 19, 1849, a son of Evans Fisher, grandson of Jacob
Fisher and great-grandson of Henry Fisher.

(I) Henry Fisher was a carpenter and lived near Port Union, in
Chester county, where he died. He is buried at Shenkels church. The
following were his children: Nicholas, John Henry, Levi, Jacob,
Samuel and Sarah, m. John Ammons. The Fishers nearly all were
carpenters and lived in the vicinity of Port Union. The early
generations were Episcopalians, but the later ones became Baptists
and Methodists.

(II) Jacob Fisher, son of Henry, lived nearly all his life in the
vicinity of Douglassville, in Union township, Berks county, where
he worked as a laborer. He died at the age of 73, and is buried at
Shenkels church, in North Coventry township, Chester county. His
wife was Rebecca Shenkel, who died at the age of 90, and came of a
large and influential family of Upper Chester county. These
children were born to Jacob Fisher and wife: Susanna Willaner, who
still lives at Linfield, Montgomery county, with her son-in-law
Jacob Gauger, and is over 90; Elizabeth, widow of Thomas Sheradin;
Mary Ann m. Mahlon Wessner, both deceased; Rebecca, deceased, m.
Mr. Jones; Ann; Evans; Isabella, who married (first) George Potts,
and (second) David W. Pennick, and who is still living in Reading,
82 years old and blind; Jacob, who died at Fricks Locks in Chester
county; John, who died unmarried.

(III) Evans Fisher, son of Jacob, was a native of North Coventry
township, where he was born in 1824, and he died in August, 1904,
in the 80th year of his life. He was a farmer and owned a small
farm in the district where he was born. This property is now owned
by his son John W. Fisher. He was a Methodist, and in early life
was prominent in church work. He, too, is buried at Shenkels
Church. His wife was Sophia Mells, who died in 1903, aged 77 years.
They had issue as follows: John W.; Mary, m. Franklin Breidenbach
of Pottstown; Solomon, of Douglassville; and Warren, who at the age
of 6 years was drowned in the canal at Laurel Hill Locks.

(IV) John W. Fisher was reared on the homestead, and attended the
public school, and when 18 began to learn the carpenter trade from
Jacob Haas of Douglassville. This occupation Mr. Fisher has always
followed. He served an apprenticeship of 2-1/2 years, and in 1879
engaged in contracting and building at Douglassville, and he has
had the contract for all the work done on the Messerchet’s estate
for the past 25 years. He has built many very fine residences in
the lower end of the county. He gives employment to from ten to
twelve men. Mr. Fisher lives at Douglassville in his own home,
which he built in 1885.

In politics Mr. Fisher is a Republican, and is
active in local matters. He and his family are Methodists, and very
popular in their church.

In 1873 Mr. Fisher was married to Bessie Weiser
of Pottstown, a descendant of the great Indian interpreter, Conrad
Weiser. They have had children: Stella, who died at the age of six;
Amy, who died at the age of 10 years; Daniel, of Kenilworth,
Chester county, a pattern maker, who married Lucretia QUAY, a
distant relative of U.S. Senator M.S. Quay, and has two children,
John and Mary; Lillie, who died in infancy.