Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

WERLEY, CHARLES DANIEL (M.
D.)

p. 1179

Surnames: WERLEY, BROBST, BILLMAN, SNYDER, KRESSLEY, WEISS, SMITH,
FRITZ, HOTTENSTEIN, WALLACE, DELONG

Charles Daniel Werley, M. D., one of the leading members of the
medical profession in Berks county, located at Topton, where he has
also been prominent in public, fraternal and social circles, was
born April 10, 1863, in Weisenburg township, Lehigh county, son of
Levi and Louisa (Brobst) Werley, and a member of one of that
county’s oldest and most honored families.

Sebastian Werley, great-great-great-grandfather
of Dr. Charles D., was originally of the Rhine country, but before
emigrating to America, had settled in France. He made his way to
the United States, and settled in the neighborhood of what is now
known as Werley’s Corner, in Weisenburg township, Lehigh county,
and there reared his seven children, who were as follows: John
Nicholas (or “Honnickle”), Michael, Catherine (m. a Billman),
Dewald, Valentine, Maria (m. a Snyder) and Rosina (m. a Kressley).

John Nicholas Werley, son of Sebastian, was
evidently born and reared on the old homestead in Weisenburg
township. As far as is known he was a farmer, and made that
occupation his life work. He was married and nine children were
born to him, as follows: Michael, who died young; Andreas,
great-grandfather of Dr. Charles D.; Sebastian; Dewald; Catherine;
Maria; Sarah; Rosina and Leah.

Andreas Werley, son of John Nicholas, was also a
farmer, and owned a property in Weisenburg township in the vicinity
of his grandfather’s home (possibly it was the same farm). Andreas
Werley married and became the father of the following children:
Jacob, Elias, Gideon, John, Jonas, Maria, Sarah and Lydia.

Jacob Werley, son of Andreas and grandfather of
Dr. Charles D., was born on the old homestead in 1813, and at the
age of twenty years was married to Leah Weiss, of the same
neighborhood. Shortly thereafter he moved to a farm near New
Smithville, Weisenburg township, where he died aged sixty-seven
years. To him and his wife Leah were born: Levi; Penrose; Edwin;
Feilena, m. to Benneville Smith; and Julia, m. to Samuel Fritz.

Levi Werley, son of Jacob and Leah, was born in
Weisenburg township in 1831. He had learned the trade of
blacksmith, and, after following this for some time, turned his
attention to farming. He married Louisa Brobst, daughter of Daniel
Brobst, and died in 1897, aged sixty-six years, the father of two
children: Clinton, who died in infancy; and Charles Daniel.

Charles Daniel Werley was reared in his native
locality, where he attended the public schools, later entering the
Keystone State Normal School, at Kutztown, from which he was
graduated with the class of 1883. During his attendance at the last
named institution, he was for two years engaged in school teaching.
After graduation he taught four terms in the public schools, and
then turned his attention to the study of medicine with Dr. A. C.
L. Hottenstein, of Kutztown. In the fall of 1887 he entered
Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, where he graduated in
1889, and then engaged in practice at Topton, where he has since
been successfully located.

In 1889 Dr. Werley married Mary A. Wallace, of
Atchison, Kans., and they have had two children: Raymond Wallace,
who died at the age of four years; and Walter William, attending
the Keystone State Normal School. Dr. Werley and his family are
members of the Lutheran Church. In political matters he is a
Republican, has served as State delegate and as member of the State
Central Committee, and was a presidential elector in 1904 for
Roosevelt and Fairbanks. He is a member of the Topton school board,
of which he has been the secretary for the past nineteen years.
Fraternally, the Doctor is connected with Huguenot Lodge, No. 377,
F. & A. M., at Kutztown; Excelsior Chapter, No. 237, R. A. M.;
Reading Commandery, K. T., No. 42; Williamsport Consistory; Rajah
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., Reading; Washington Camp No. 172, P. O.
S. of A., Topton; Orion Castle, No. 501, K. G. E., Topton;
Mertztown Council, No. 444, O. of I. A.; and the Royal Arcanum, of
Kutztown. Dr. Werley is a director of the Topton National Bank, and
of the Topton Building and Loan Association, the Crown Knitting
Company, and the T. DeLong Furniture Company, all of which he
assisted in organizing. He interested himself very largely in the
erection of the Lutheran Orphans’ Home, of which he has been the
physician, and is an active member of the Berks County Medical
Society.

WERLEY,
CYRUS E.

p. 938

Surnames: WERLEY, ZIMMERMAN, MILLER, BERG, OBOLD, KLINE, HATT,
REED, BITTING, FICHTHORN, HINNERSHITZ, LONACKER, KAUFFMAN

Cyrus E. Werley, a well-known citizen of Oakbrook, whose pleasant
residence is situated near Noble street, is a skilled mechanic in
the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Company, where he has
charge of a department. Mr. Werley was born Feb. 4, 1866, in
Oakbrook, Cumru township, son of Obediah and Kate (Zimmerman)
Werley.

Obediah Werley was born in Cumru township March
9, 1839, and now resides at Oakbrook, after a long and useful life
spent at the carpenter’s trade. He married Kate Zimmerman, born May
16, 1845, daughter of Anthony Zimmerman, and to this union there
were born five children, as follows: Cyrus E. is mentioned below;
James, who married Kate Miller, by whom he had one daughter, Edna,
died in his twenty-fourth year; Emma married Irwin Berg, of
Oakbrook, who is mentioned elsewhere; Howard, an iron worker, who
resides at Oakbrook, married Kate Obold; Maggie married Walter
Kline, also an iron worker at Oakbrook.

Cyrus E. Werley was reared on the home farm, and
began working for the Reading Iron Company when eighteen years of
age, continuing with that concern for nine years. In 1892 he
learned the boiler-maker’s trade with Orr & Sembower, Millmont,
where he worked until 1903, since which time he has been in the
employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Company, being now in
charge of a gang of boiler-makers. He is an excellent mechanic and
an industrious and faithful workman, and his services are valued
highly by his employers. Fraternally he is connected with the K. O.
T. M. and the Reading Relief Association. He and his family are
Lutheran members of the Redeemer Church of Oakbrook, of which he is
treasurer. Mr. Werley built his brick residence on Fern near Noble
street, Oakbrook, in 1896, and there he has since made his home.

In 1888 Mr. Werley was married to Emma Hatt,
born June 2, 1868, daughter of Philip and Emma (Reed) Hatt,
lifelong farming people of Spring township.

Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hatt,
as follows: John, who died young; Maria, who married John Bitting,
deceased; Lewis, who is unmarried and lives at home; Emma, wife of
Mr. Werley; Susan, who married John H. Fichthorn, of Mohnton, Pa.;
Daniel, who died young; George, who married Alice Hinnershitz, and
lives in Mohnton; Kate, who married David Lonacker, of Mohnton;
Mary, who died young; James, who married Fianna Kauffman, and two
who died small. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Werley: Maud A., Ellis W., Ammon E., George W. and James D.

WERLEY,
THOMAS G.

p. 852

Surnames: WERLEY, GREENAWALT, HAMM, MILLER, HILBERT, KUNKEL,
TREXLER, HEIN

Thomas G. Werley, an extensive dealer in livestock, is well known
throughout Berks and Schuylkill counties as an expert judge of
horses and cattle. He is a resident of Virginville, Richmond
township, where he owns a large brick residence, with a fine
terrace surrounding it. Mr. Werley was born March 1, 1863, in
Albany township, Berks county, son of Daniel and Harriet
(Greenawalt) Werley, the former of Weisenburg township, Lehigh
county, and the latter of Albany township, Berks county.

Daniel Werley was a tanner by trade, following
that occupation in Lehigh county. Later he removed to Albany
township, Berks county, where he followed farming until he retired
from active work. He married Harriet Greenawalt, and their children
were: Susan m. James Hamm, a resident of Weatherly, Pa.; Helen m.
Joel W. Miller, of Klinesville, Pa.; Louisa m. Levi Hilbert, of
Kutztown; Janetta m. John Greenawalt, of Windsor Castle, Pa.;
Thomas G.; Lydia m. Alfred Greenawalt, Lyon Valley, Pa.; Dr. Daniel
lives at Jordan, Pa.; and James and Harrison are deceased.

Thomas G. Werley attended the common schools of
his native township, and later studied for three terms at the
Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown. He then engaged in
teaching for three terms, after which he took up farming in
Greenwich township. In 1888 he removed to Richmond township, where
he followed the vocation of farming for six years longer but by
this time his business of dealing in live stock has become so
extensive that he sold his farm stock, purchased his present
property in Virginville, and, moving there, has since devoted all
of his time to the buying and selling of horses and cattle. Mr.
Werley goes West every few weeks, where he buys carloads of mules,
horses and cattle, these being shipped to Virginville, where he has
a large sale and exchange stable. He also goes through the country
buying and selling stock.

On Jan. 3, 1885, Thomas G. Werley was married to
Amelia Kunkel, a native of Lynn township, Lehigh county, daughter
of Peter and Fianna (Trexler) Kunkel. The following children were
born to this union: one that died in infancy; Kirby D.; Daisy,
deceased; Clara; Irvin Peter, deceased; and Florence. Mrs. Werley
died March 1, 1901, on Mr. Werley’s thirty-eighth birthday
anniversary. In the great loss that befell this happy family, Mr.
Werley had the heartfelt sympathy of his community. His fervent
love for his children caused him not to lose heart, but to battle
more resolutely than before. In May, 1905, Miss Cora Hein, daughter
of Francis Hein, became Mr. Werley’s second wife. This union has
been blessed by one daughter, Mabel. Mr. Werley is deeply
interested in educational matters, which is best shown by the
education which he is giving his children. His son, Kirby D., took
a full course in veterinary surgery in the McKillip Veterinary
College of Chicago, from which he graduated with honors, and won
first prize in the examination of his class, making a general
average of ninety-six per cent. Miss Clara is a graduate of the
Keystone State Normal School of Kutztown, graduating with honors
and serving her class on the Anniversary program of the
Philomathian Literary Society, and she is now teaching her third
term at Sanderton, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Werley very reluctantly consented to become
a candidate for school director, and was elected, serving
faithfully. During his term a dispute arose concerning the closing
of a school because of only very few pupils, and the contestants
finally took the matter into the courts, which sustained the action
of the directors. Mr. Werley in the face of this trouble was
persuaded to become a candidate for re-election, and this he did,
being re-elected by an overwhelming vote.

Mr. Werley twice attended the St. Louis
Exposition, and the Pan-American Exposition of Buffalo, N. Y. He is
a faithful member of Dunkel’s Lutheran Church of Greenwich
township, and has been an official member of New Bethel Church in
Albany township. In politics he is a strong and uncompromising
Democrat. He was delegate to a number of county conventions, and is
popular with leading party workers. He is a man of strong
personality, has hosts of friends, and was urged by strong party
men to announce himself as a candidate for sheriff of Berks county.
This he did in 1907, and made an active canvass. He had nine
competitors, some of them old experienced politicians, but he came
out second highest, and will prove a formidable candidate next
time. Mr. Werley’s reputation for honesty, sobriety and fair
dealing with his fellow-men is of the best. He is held in high
esteem by his fellow-citizens and neighbors, who are best able to
judge him correctly.

WERNER, EPHRAIM G.

p.
647

Surnames: WERNER, O’NEILL, HETRICH

Ephraim G. Werner, senior member of the well-known firm of E. G.
Werner & Sons, manufacturers of paper boxes, shipping cases and
dealers in merchandise, at Mohnton, Pa., established this great
business at the corner of Wyomissing avenue and Chestnut street in
1890.

The business was begun in a very humble way,
only one hand being employed, and the first product of the company
was hat boxes. The demand for Mr. Werner’s goods soon became so
heavy that in May, 1901, the firm began the manufacture of square
boxes, the daily output being from 300 to 400. The firm now employ
seventy hands in both factories, and turn out 10,000 boxes daily,
their goods finding a ready sale at Reading and in the surrounding
counties. The Mohnton factory, a fine two-story structure, 50×60
feet, is fitted with the latest and most highly improved machinery.
Their Reading factory, at No. 313 Bingaman street, was opened in
1907, with Mr. J. C. Werner in charge, making a specialty of fancy
goods, and turning out some of the best work in the State. The firm
also carry on a general merchandise business, and in this line have
also been very successful. In politics Mr. Werner is independent.
He is a faithful and devoted member of the Salem U. E. Church,
where he has served for many years as trustee, being now president
of the board, Sunday-school superintendent of class No. 1, and
leader of the English Bible class. He is one of the pillars of the
Church, and is greatly honored by all who know him. Mr. Werner’s
fraternal connections are with the K. of P., No. 485, and the O. U.
A. M.

To Mr. and Mrs. Werner there were born six
children: (1) John C., was admitted a member of the firm of E. G.
Werner & Sons in January, 1907. He m. Sadie M. O’Neill, and
they have had four children, Alithea and Norman, living, and Paul
and John, deceased. John C. is a member of Camp No. 211, P. O. S.
of A., and of the M. W. A. For several years he has been a
chorister of the Salem Evangelical Church. (2) Jeremiah died in
infancy. (3) Margaret, a musician of ability, who was for many
years organist of the church, is now a trained nurse, located at
No. 1380 Wallace street, Philadelphia. (4) Irwing died in
childhood. (5) Walter S., is also a member of the firm, admitted in
January, 1907; he is a member of Reading Lodge, No. 549, F. &
A. M., Reading; Reading Lodge of Perfection, Fourteenth Degree, and
the M. W. A. He m. Mildred Hetrich, and they reside at Reading.
They have one daughter, Dorothy M. (6) Anna M. died in infancy. Mr.
Ephraim G. Werner was one of the organizers of the Mohnton National
Bank, and one of its first directors, in which office he is still
serving. He also served as chairman of the building committee when
the present bank building was erected. He is chairman of the
Mohnton Cemetery Committee.

WERNER, JOHN GOODHART

p.
989

Surnames: WERNER, GOODHART, HENDEL, MOHN, HAGY, HOYER, WOLF, FISHER

John Goodhart Werner, a well known citizen of the borough of
Mohnton, Pa., who is engaged in the printing business, was born
Dec. 9, 1867, in Lower Heidelberg township, Berks county, son of
Jeremiah and Catherine (Goodhart) Werner.

Mr. Werner attended the schools of his native
township, as well as the Schuylkill Seminary of Reading, after
leaving which he learned the trade of millwright with his father.
He then took up the hat finishing trade with George Hendel, of
Edison, Pa., but in 1885 engaged with J. G. Mohn & Co., with
whom he is still employed. In 1886 Mr. Werner built his home in
Mohnton, later adding two additions, one of which he uses as a job
printing shop, which his son, Ellis H., manages. Since 1889 Mr.
Werner has been interested in the poultry business, having a fine
line of Plymouth Rock chickens.

Mr. Werner married (first), in 1886, Catherine
Hagy, daughter of Obediah and Catherine (Hoyer) Hagy, and to this
union there were born these children: Ellis H.; Homer H.; Goldie;
and Della M. Mr. Werner m. (second) Sallie Wolf, daughter of Samuel
K. and Fannie (Fisher) Wolf, and one child was born to this union:
Samuel Jeremiah. In political matters Mr. Werner is a Republican,
and he has served his township on the election board and as
register assessor for two terms. He is a member of the United
Evangelical Church of Mohnton, and teacher of the German Bible
class of the Sunday-school. Fraternally Mr. Werner is connected
with the Knights of Pythias, which he represented at the Grand
Lodge for two years, being deputy of Berks county for eight years
and master of the degree team for ten years. He is also a member of
the K. G. E., of Mohnton, the O. K. of F., the I. O. O. F., of
Sinking Spring, and the Hatters’ Union.

WERNER, WILLIAM G.

p.
963

Surnames: WERNER, GOODHART, LAMB, KNERR, HETRICH, BARD, MOYER,
KRICK, VAN REED, HAAS, STERNER, COLEMAN, WALFINGER, SMITH, TROSTLE,
BOYER, GERMAN, HAY, WOLF, HENDEL, SPATZ, MOHN, FRANCE, FAUSNACHT,
WHITE, ANGSTADT, HEFT, GRIM

William G. Werner, one of the well known citizens of Cumru
township, Berks county, who is engaged in shirt manufacturing at
Mohnton, Pa., was born Sept. 11, 1860, at Fritztown, in Spring
township, son of Jeremiah and Catherine (Goodhart) Werner.

Frederick Wilhelm Werner, the progenitor of the
Werner family in America, was a native of Germany, born Jan. 22,
1762. When a young man he came to America, settling in Heidelberg
township, Berks county, where he died June 15, 1849, and is buried
at the Eck Church in North Heidelberg township. His wife died in
1801. Their children were: Wilhelm, a weaver and farmer of
Heidelberg township, m. Elizabeth Lamb and had twelve children;
John lived and died at Stauffertown, Pa.; Samuel, who lived near
Eck Church, where he was a chorister for many years, m. Elizabeth
Knerr, and they had children – Sarah, Mary, Jonas and Samuel; a
daughter m. John Hetrich; Jacob, who moved out West, had a son
Jacob who became an Evangelical minister and in later years resided
in Reading; and Joseph was the grandfather of William G.

Joseph Werner was born in Heidelberg township,
May 29, 1806, and died Aug. 18, 1854. He was engaged in carpenter
work all of his life. He married Elizabeth Bard, born Jan. 15,
1807, daughter of Jonas Bard, and she died in her eighty-fifth
year. To them were born the following children: Ellen, born in
1828, m. August Moyer, and later removed from Tulpehocken to
Kansas; Jeremiah is mentioned below; Josiah, born July 8, 1832,
died young; Mary, born June 22, 1834, m. George Krick, of Spring
township; Sarah, born in 1836, died Sept. 18, 1854; Elizabeth, born
June 19, 1837, m. Peter Moyer, of Spring township; Kate, born in
1839, m. Charles Van Reed, of Spring township; Joseph (of whom
there is no record); Susan m. Charles Haas, of Reading; and John m.
Susanna Sterner, of Mohnton, and had fifteen children, of whom two
are deceased.

Jeremiah Werner, who from 1881 up to the time of
his death, April 13, 1907, was living at Mohnton, was born Aug. 16,
1830, in Lower Heidelberg township, Berks county. He attended the
pay school for a short time, and when fifteen years of age learned
the carpenter’s and wheelwright’s trades, which he followed with
much success until 1900, when he retired. He was a well known
tradesman of his day, and did much work in Berks and the adjoining
counties, employing at times as many as fourteen men. In 1882, one
year after coming to Mohnton from Heidelberg township, he purchased
a small farm upon which he lived for fifteen years, but this
property has since been divided into building lots. In 1897 he
erected the home in which he spent the remainder of his life. He
also owned several other houses and real estate properties in and
about Mohnton, and was considered one of the substantial men of the
place. He and his family were members of Zion’s U. E. Church, of
which he was trustee for many years. At one time he was class
leader of the Mohn’s Hill Church as well as superintendent of the
Sunday-school. Mr. Werner was one of the highly esteemed citizens
of Mohnton, where he was known as a good neighbor, a kind husband
and father and a public-spirited citizen. Mr. Werner died suddenly
of apoplexy at the home of his daughter, Mrs. James Coleman, where
he had stopped to rest, while on his way home.

In the year 1849 Mr. Werner married Catherine
Goodhart, daughter of Frederick and Catherine (Walfinger) Goodhart,
the former a stone mason of Lower Heidelberg township. Mr. and Mrs.
Werner had children: Ellen, born May 19, 1850, m. John Smith, of
Adamstown; Ephraim; Sarah, born Sept. 18, 1854, m. Isaac Trostle,
of Mohnton; Amelia, born Oct. 26, 1856, m. William Boyer, of
Leesport; Jeremiah, born Nov. 29, 1858, died in January, 1880;
William G.; Catherine, born May 19, 1863, m. James Coleman, of
Edison; Charles, born Sept. 10, 1865, m. Annie German, and has
children – Katie, Laura, Alice, Paul and Elsie; John G., of
Mohnton, born Dec. 9, 1867, m. (first) Katie Hay, had five children
– Harry, Ellis, Homer, Goldie and Della – and m. (second) Sallie
Wolf, and had one son, Samuel; and Maggie, born Aug. 9, 1870, and
Elizabeth, born Dec. 12, 1872, died in childhood.

William G. Werner attended the local schools
until the age of seventeen years, having begun three years prior to
this to learn the wheelwright’s trade with his father, with whom he
worked until twenty-one years old. He then learned hat finishing
with George Hendel & Co., of Hendleton, remaining in their
employ three years, the next two years being with Isaac S. Spatz.
He then spent fifteen years at the same trade for J. G. Mohn &
Co., at Reading. On Jan. 1, 1899, Mr. Werner began manufacturing
gentlemen’s shirts, in 1902 erecting his present factory, which he
has enlarged several times to meet the demands of his growing
business. It is now 28×48 feet, two stories high, and is located at
the corner of Main and Walnut streets. Here forty to fifty people
are employed, and the factory is fitted with the latest improved
machinery, the product amounting to 350 dozen per week. His goods
bear the union label, and are all shipped to D. C. France &
Co., of Philadelphia, who have taken all of his product for the
past eleven years. His principal makes are the “Universal,” “Custom
Made” and “Bull-dog,” these having the reputation of being some of
the strongest and most serviceable shirts on the market to-day. In
1885 Mr. Werner built his present residence, situated at the
opposite corner of the street from his factory, and in 1903 built
two other dwellings on Walnut street, which he rents. He also owns
thirty acres of valuable land within the borough limits of Mohnton.
Mr. Werner is independent in politics, voting rather for the man
than the party. He is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle
and the P. O. S. of A., at Mohnton, and the Maccabees at Reading.
Mr. Werner and his family are members of Zion’s United Evangelical
Church of Mohnton. Mr. Werner is exceedingly kind of heart and an
honest appeal is never without result. In business and social
circles he is very popular, and a number of friends enjoy his
business prominence and continued prosperity.

On Oct. 15, 1876, Mr. Werner married Maria
Fausnacht, daughter of Jonas and Elizabeth (White) Fausnacht, and
granddaughter of Daniel Fausnacht, and to this union there have
been born: Lillie M. m. Howard M. Angstadt, of Reading, and has one
daughter, Marguerite; Miss Lizzie resides at home; William m.
Lizzie Heft, and has three children – Bessie, Edith and Mervin;
Jeremiah m. Lizzie Grim, and has three children – Edna, Gertie and
Emma; and Ella, Harvey, Winfield, Charles and Leroy are all at
home.

WERNER, WILLIAM W.

p.
747

Surnames: WERNER, MOSER, SEABOLD, ZERBE, GANTER, PEIFER, ETTER

William W. Werner, business agent for Carpenter’s Union, No. 492,
of Reading, Pa., was born in Garfield, Tilden township, Berks
county, April 16, 1851, son of Frederick H. and Lovina (Moser)
Werner.

Jacob S. Werner, grandfather of William W., was
one of Berks county’s old carpenters, and he followed that
occupation until his death, at the remarkable age of ninety-seven
years, two days, erecting many substantial buildings in this
section, some of which are still standing,

among them being a number of churches in the
rural districts of the county. Mr. Werner also worked upon the
Farmers’ National Bank, Fifth and Penn streets, Reading. He married
Mary Seabold, of Montgomery county, Pa., and to them were born four
children: Frederick, Jacob, Henry and Charlotte. In religious
belief the family were Lutherans. Politically Mr. Werner was a
Democrat.

Frederick H. Werner was born in Heidelberg
township, Berks county, and with his father learned the carpenter’s
trade, which he followed all his life, dying Oct. 7, 1905, aged
eighty-two years, nine months and twenty-two days. Mr. Werner had
never had a day’s sickness until the one which proved fatal,
although he had served through the Civil war, in which he gained an
honorable record as a brave and faithful soldier. He was a
prominent member of the Masonic fraternity. After the war Mr.
Werner went to Schuylkill county, and after building many of the
coal breakers around Pottsville, Tamaqua, Tremont, Mahanoy City,
Shamokin and Pine Grove, etc., located in Reading in 1855,
following house building up to 1879, when he retired. He was a
stanch Democrat, but was never an officer seeker. Mr. Werner was a
trustee of the Lutheran Church, and a valued member thereof, giving
liberally to its support. His widow, who survives him, resides in
Reading, at the age of eighty-two years, the mother of these
children: Amelia, m. to Levi M. Zerbe, superintendent at the
Philadelphia & Reading Car Shops; Ellen, m. to Francis Ganter,
a farmer of near Carsonia Park; Ida, m. to John S. Peifer, highway
commissioner of Reading; May, who died in 1862, aged twelve years;
and William W.

William W. Werner was educated in the Reading
common schools and the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown,
after leaving which he learned the carpenter’s trade with his
father. Upon completing the prescribed time as journeyman he
established himself in the contracting and building business,
employing at one time as many as thirty-five to forty skilled
mechanics. Mr. Werner always aimed to give his patrons the best of
satisfaction, paying the best of wages and hiring the most skilled
workmen long before the Union was established in this part of the
State. He has always been a friend of the workingman, and has given
much of his time to advancing their interests. He takes a great
pride in demonstrating to those less skilled in his craft that
nothing stands so much in the way of their ultimate success as the
want of education, and he is constantly advocating the use of
standard books which will increase their ability and widen their
opportunities. In order to further this laudable work, he has
provided a complete set of many standard works on general subjects
which are open to the use of the members in the Union rooms. This
indicates the manner of man that Mr. Werner is, and explains,
partly, the fact that since he has become business manager of No.
492 the working conditions of it have been greatly improved. On
every side can be heard words of commendation which are deserved.

Mr. Werner was greatly instrumental in
organizing the Union in Reading and has been a most zealous worker,
serving as president for one term and in his present capacity since
1902. He is connected with Chandler Lodge, No. 227; Excelsior
Chapter, R. A. M.; Reading Commandery, K. T.; Rajah Temple, A. A.
O. N. M. S.; Neversink Castle, K. G. E.; has organized three camps
of the P. O. S. of A. in Reading, belonging to No. 678 of that
Order; is a charter member of the Knights of Friendship, and a
member of the Sons of Veterans, No. 16. When but twelve years and
nine months old, Mr. Werner enlisted in the 93rd. Pa. V. I., and
served for fifteen months. He has been active in the ranks of the
Democratic party, and served as City assessor for three years, his
majority, which was 1599, being the largest in the history of
Reading.

Mr. Werner was married in 1868, to Miss Angelina
Etter, born in Lancaster county, daughter of Alexander Etter. No
children have been born to this union.

WERT, DANIEL
R.

p. 1632

Surnames: WERT, RUBRIGHT, DIETRICH, SMITH, HOAK, HOLLENBACH,
BERKEY, WEISSNER, GOOD, SHEARER, HEISTER, YERGY, KECH

Daniel R. Wert, a general farmer in Bern township, was born in
Centre township, Berks Co., Pa., June 21, 1860, a son of Daniel S.
and Kate (Rubright) Wert.

The first of the Wert family on record in Berks
county was Jacob Wert. In 1774, when his will was registered in the
general office at Reading, Pa., in Will Book No. 2, page 164, he
was described as a yeoman in Albany township. His wife’s name was
Anna Margaretha. The names of his children are not given in the
will. In 1879, in Bethel, one John Wert died and his will is on
record in Will Book No. 13, page 702. He had no issue. He had a
brother Daniel and one named Joseph. Provision in the will was made
for John and Daniel, children of Joseph Wert. Another item in the
will states: “If Daniel (my brother) shall die before I, then his
share shall go to his two sons, Henry and Daniel, they being sons
of his second wife.”

Wilhelm Wert, grandfather of Daniel R., was born
at Blue Mountain Church, in upper Berks county. In 1829 he moved
with his family to Centre township, and settled on the farm now
owned by Levi Dietrich, which his wife had inherited from her
father, Heinrich Smith. There the Wert family lived until they
died. The wife, Susanna (Smith) Wert, lived to the age of
ninety-six years. After her death the farm was sold to Levi F.
Dietrich and it is still considered one of the best farms in Centre
township. The children of William Wert and wife were: Elizabeth m.
Daniel Hoak; Adam, who died young; Lizzie m. Daniel Hollenbach; and
Daniel S.

Daniel S. Wert, father of Daniel R., was born in
Tulpehocken township, Berks county, Dec. 30, 1822, and died Dec.
18, 1899, aged seventy-six years, eleven months and nineteen days.
During the final three years of his life he lived with his son. By
trade he was a carpenter and this he followed for some years and
then turned his efforts to farming and continued for twenty years
on the home farm in Centre township. After the sale of that farm he
came to Bern township, where he owned his house with six acres of
land, and lived there retired until he went to the home of his son,
when the infirmities of age overcame him. He was a member of
Belleman’s Church, of the Lutheran faith, and his remains rest
there. He married Kate Rubright, daughter of Jonathan Rubright. She
was born June 24, 1824, and died in Bern township, Apr. 30, 1891,
aged sixty-four years; she was also buried at Belleman’s Church.
They had five children, namely: Sarah, who died unmarried; John,
who died young; Susanna, who married Henry Berkey, of Centre
township; Rebecca, who married Henry Weissner, deceased; and Daniel
R.

Daniel R. Wert has been engaged in farming ever
since he was old enough to manage farm utensils. He attended the
district schools and assisted his father until he had reached his
majority, after which he worked for neighboring farmers through
Centre and Bern townships and worked one year in Oley township for
Ammon Good. In 1900 he began farming for himself on a tract of
twenty-three acres which he bought in that year, already owning six
acres which he had bought in 1895. In 1903 he built a substantial
barn, in 1905 a comfortable residence, and new outbuildings in
1907. All his buildings are in excellent condition and of modern
construction. His farm is productive and he takes produce to the
Reading market every week.

On Sept. 17, 1887, he married Lillie Shearer,
daughter of Aaron Y. and Emma (Heister) Shearer and a granddaughter
of Samuel T. and Catherine (Yergy) Shearer. Mr. and Mrs. Wert have
two children: Howard S. and Ella K. The former married Stella M.
Kech and they have one daughter, Lillie H. The latter resides at
Reading, where she is employed as a seamstress. In politics, Mr.
Wert is a Democrat. With his family he belongs to Epler’s Lutheran
Church, in which he served six years as a deacon and since 1907 has
been an elder.

WERT, GEORGE

p. 742

Surnames: WERT, RIDGE, SMITH, BROOKE, HOFFMAN, MOCK, SIEGFRIED,
ROBERTS, BUCHTER, JONES, KEAGY

George Wert, late a prosperous farmer in the employ of E. & G.
Brooke, and a man of many fine friends, was a native son of
Pennsylvania, born near Churchtown , in Lancaster county, Jan. 7,
1827, son of Samuel and Catherine (Ridge) Wert.

Mr. Wert received his education in the common
schools of his native county, and in his young manhood came to
Berks county, where he entered the employ of Levi Smith, and later
of Col. Heber Smith at Joanna Furnace. There he continued for the
next fourteen years, proving himself a faithful and conscientious
workman. On Nov. 1, 1864, he came to Birdsboro, and from that time
until his death he was employed by E. & G.. Brooke in the
operation of their farm and dairy. He thoroughly understood his
work, and took great pride in doing it well, winning thereby the
high esteem and confidence of his employers. He was honest and
upright in all his dealings, and attended very strictly to his won
business. It has been said of him that his word was a good as
another’s bond. He died Aug. 29, 1895, mourned by all who knew him.

On Jan 14, 1850, Mr. Wert married Amelia
Hoffman, daughter of Peter and Margaret (Mock) Hoffman, and of the
nine children that blessed their union, seven are still living.
These were: Margaret m. William Seigfried, and has three children,
George E., Hannah A. and Lula I.; Kate m. Harry Roberts, and has
six children, Anna, Elmer, Maggie, Millie, Katie and Harvey;
Elizabeth m. Morris Jones (no issue); Peter, of East Chatham, N.
Y., has two children, Carro9ll and Amelia; George m. Edith Hoffman,
and has two sons, G. Howard and Warren; Nettie M. A. Watson Keagy,
and has five children, Edith, Alma, Harold, Alice and Marie; and
Emma and Amelia died in infancy.

Mr. Wert was a member of St. Michael’s Episcopal
Church. In his political faith he was a Democrat, and cast his
ballot in support of the men and measures of that party. He was an
active member of the Junior O. U.. A. M., to which, at the time of
his death, he had belonged for more than thirty years. Mrs. Wert
still makes her home in Birdsboro, where she is highly respected by
all who know her.

WERTZ,
EDWARD S.

p. 378

Surnames: WERTZ, SWEIGERT, PRICE, STROHECKER, WALDENMYER, KERCHER,
GERHART, MALBURN, FOCHT

Edward S. Wertz, who conducts the Wertz Milling Company at Reading,
one of the best known establishments of its kind in Berks county,
was born in Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., Pa., Feb. 23, 1850, son of
Samuel and Maria (Sweigert) Wertz.

Samuel Wertz, his father, was born March 2,
1809, in the Canton of Aargau, Switzerland, and in his native
country learned the trade of wool fulling. In 1827 he came to
America, settling first at Frankford, Philadelphia, where he
manufactured cotton laps and wadding. He subsequently removed to
Harrisburg, where he operated a flouring and woolen-mill and
remained until 1856, at which time he engaged in business at the
old Ritter Hotel stand, in Exeter township. The following year he
removed to Spring township, Berks county, where he purchased the
old Althouse Mill property, which he rebuilt, making vast
improvement in the establishment, and he successfully operated it
as a flour and feed mill until 1870. That year he settled in
Reading and opened the flour and feed store which he conducted
until his retirement, in 1880. His death occurred in 1884, when he
was seventy-five years old.

Mr. Wertz was twice married. His first wife,
Maria Sweigert, a native of Lancaster county, Pa., died in 1852,
leaving six children, namely: Louisa M. m. Amos Price; Elizabeth,
deceased, m. Herman Strohecker; George W.; Samuel; Edward S., and
Jacob Henry. On April 28, 1853, Mr. Wertz m. (second) Catherine
Waldenmyer, daughter of John Waldenmyer, and to this union two
children were born, Augustus and Frank. Mr. Wertz was a member of
the Reformed Church, while his wife held to the faith of the
Lutheran denomination. In politics he was a stanch Democrat.

Edward S. Wertz was quite young when his father
came to Berks county, and here he received his education in the
public schools. From boyhood he was employed around his father’s
milling establishment, and when sixteen he left home to complete
his apprenticeship at the miller’s trade. He went to Huyett’s Mill
at Shillington, in Cumru township, remaining there about a year,
after which he took a responsible position at Womelsdorf, having
charge of a flouring mill owned by a Mr. Fisher. There he also
spent a year, and then accepted a similar position at the old
Hiester Mill, in Bern township, later going to Reed’s Mill, in
Robeson township. Going to Chicago, Ill., in 1871, Mr. Wertz spent
one year there in the storage warehouse business, at the end of
that time returning to Reading, where he was employed by Heilman
& Co., hardware merchants, who were then located on the present
site of the Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart store. After two years’
service with this firm he went to the old Wertz Mill property in
Spring township, and for twenty-five years carried on the mill
there. It was one of the old-style burr mills, and was one of the
first to be adapted to the modern roller process, the necessary
changes being made by Mr. Wertz, who during his occupancy of the
property rebuilt the establishment four times. He enlarged as well
as modernized it, increasing the capacity as trade demanded from a
fifteen-barrel mill to a seventy-five barrel mill. It was there he
first manufactured the now celebrated Wertz Roller Cream Flour,
which has gained an enviable reputation throughout this section of
Pennsylvania. Mr. Wertz still continues the manufacture of this
brand, which has lost none of its popularity, for he has sustained
its high quality to the present time.

In 1898 Mr. Wertz removed to Reading, where he
established his present plant, his mill and office being at Nos.
135-141 Buttonwood street and conducted under the name of the Wertz
Milling Company. His mill is one of the best equipped in the State
of Pennsylvania, no device of approved pattern known to flour
manufacturers having been omitted in fitting it up, and the conduct
of the plant and standard of products are accordingly high. All the
product is disposed of to the local trade. The brands manufactured
by the Wertz Milling Company are Roller Cream, Gold Dust, White
Rose and Minnehaha, all of which are in popular use throughout this
section. Besides his milling business Mr. Wertz is interested in
other lines, being an extensive dealer in farm products and having
the largest hay storage plant in the city of Reading. During the
year 1905 he handled 185 carloads of grain, hay, etc., and his
business is steadily on the increase. In this line he gives
employment to eight men. He is one of the directors of the
Pennsylvania State Millers’ Association.

Mr. Wertz was married Sept. 11, 1873, to Miss
Sarah Kercher, daughter of William Kercher, of Bern township. They
have had no children of their own, but have reared two: Emma
Gerhart, who is now married and resides in Schuylkill county; and
Hannah Malburn, wife of Harry Focht, Mr. Wertz’s able assistant in
his milling operations.

With all his extensive business cares Mr. Wertz
finds time to take a public-spirited interest in local affairs, and
to devote to benevolent and charitable objects. He is secretary and
treasurer of Kissinger’s Church, of which he has been a member for
many years, and in September, 1908, he was elected an elder. He
served as superintendent of the Sunday school for a period of
thirty-eight years. He is a member of the board of trustees of the
Topton Orphans’ Home, and a member of the school board of Reading.
Fraternally he is a Mason, holding membership in Lodge No. 62, F.
& A. M.; Excelsior Chapter, R. A. M.; Reading Commandery, K.
T.; and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.

WERTZ,
GEORGE W.

p. 839

Surnames: WERTZ, SWEIGERT, MAERZ, PRICE, STROHECKER, KERSCHNER,
WALDENMAIER, SCHAEFFER, HAIN, KRICK, FROELICH

George W. Wertz, for over thirty years one of the most prominent
millers of Berks county, and president of the Wernersville National
Bank, was born at Harrisburg, Pa., Feb. 26, 1846, son of Samuel and
Maria (Sweigert) Wertz.

Frederick Wertz, grandfather of George W., was a
native of Switzerland, where he married Elizabeth Maerz. So far as
is known they had but two children, Rudolph and Samuel.

Samuel Wertz, son of Frederick, was born in
1809, in Switzerland, and in 1834 he emigrated to America. In 1838
he married Maria Sweigert, daughter of Peter Sweigert, of
Reinholdsville, Lancaster county, where he was engaged in farming.
They had seven children: Louisa died young; Louisa (2) m. Amos
Price; Elizabeth m. Herman Strohecker; George W.; Samuel was
accidentally killed on the railroad (he was unmarried); Edward S.
m. Sarah Kerschner; and Jacob H. moved West in 1870. All these
children were born in Harrisburg. The mother died in 1850, and Mr.
Wertz m. (second) Katarina Waldenmaier, daughter of John and
Magdalena Waldenmaier, of Stuttgart, Wurtemberg, Germany. To this
marriage were born two children: Augustus C. and Franklin.

George W. Wertz attended the public schools of
Harrisburg until he was nine years old. He then accompanied his
parents to Exeter township, Berks county, and after a year there
the father purchased a large stone gristmill along the Tulpehocken
creek in Spring township, and that he operated. This mill was
located just two miles from the outlet of the Tulpehocken into the
Schuylkill. Here Mr. Wertz attended the township schools, and also
the preparatory school of C. H. Schaeffer, Esq., at Reading. During
this time, however, he worked in his father’s mill and learned the
trade of miller, later going to Montgomery county, where he learned
the business of millwright. Upon completing his apprenticeship he
continued with his father until 1872, when he married and leased
the mill, carrying it on for himself for three years. He then sold
out to his younger brother, Edward, and moved to Reading, where he
lived for a year. In 1876, he purchased the Frederick Hain
gristmill in Lower Heidelberg township (now included in the
Wernersville Asylum property), and for sixteen years carried it on
successfully. Removing to Wernersville he erected a large two-story
gristmill, equipped it with the roller process, and made it one of
the best in the State. This he has operated to the present time,
his trade reaching out to all parts of the State, and even into New
Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. He has made a specialty of whole
wheat flour and buckwheat flour, both of which have a superior
reputation. At the time he built the mill, he erected on a large
adjoining lot, the most imposing brick residence in Wernersville.
In 1906 he established an electric plant adjoining the mill for
supplying the residents of the village and vicinity with electric
light, and also put up service lines along the public highways.
This action reflects his enterprise, and the community appreciates
it very highly.

Mr. Wertz has taken a great interest in the
Lower Heidelberg Live Stock Insurance Company for the past twenty
years, having officiated as president and treasurer of the company
for a considerable part of that time. He served as school director
for the township for three terms, and from 1890 to 1895 was justice
of the peace. In the erection of the new Trinity Lutheran Church at
Wernersville, he acted as chairman of the building committee. In
1894 he co-operated in establishing the local water company, and
has acted as president of the company since 1900. He also helped to
establish the Wernersville National Bank in 1906, with a capital
stock of $25,000, now increased to $50,000, and he has since served
as its president.

Mr. Wertz was married to Amanda Krick, daughter
of Levi Krick, of Spring township. Two children were born to this
union: Robert and Mary (m. David Froelich).