Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

KENNEDY,
EDWIN

p. 1242

Surnames: KENNEDY, LYKENS, BROOKE, CROSDALE, BITLER, KEINARD, HAWS,
HARTZ, O’NEIL

Edwin Kennedy, of Robeson township, Berks county, who has practiced
veterinary surgery for the past half century, was born July 29,
1836, in Robeson township, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Lykens)
Kennedy.

Mr. Kennedy was reared on his father’s farm in
Robeson township, where he has spent his entire life. At the age of
seventeen years he entered the E. & G. Brooke furnace at
Birdsboro, working there during the winter months and farming
during the summer seasons. On Aug. 10, 1862, he enlisted in Company
A, 128th Pa. V. I., Col. Samuel Crosdale’s regiment, First Brigade,
First Division 12th Army Corps, and received his honorable
discharge May 17, 1863, having participated in a number of hard
engagements, including Antietam.

After his return home he engaged in the practice
of veterinary surgery, which he has followed to the present time,
gaining an enviable reputation in this line. Mr. Kennedy is very
highly esteemed in his community, where he is known as a man of
integrity and honor. He owns a residence property at Birdsboro, but
makes him home with his children.

Mr. Kennedy married (first) when a young man,
Miss Hannah Bitler, who bore him three children: one who died in
infancy; Annie, deceased; and Margaret E., m. to David Keinard, of
Robeson township. Mr. Kennedy m. (second) Rebecca Haws, who bore
him children as follows: Emma m. Eli Hartz; Flora Irene is single;
Irwin and Sarah are deceased; Edwin; Morris m. Myrtle O’ Neil, and
resides at Birdsboro; Charles H., Brooke and William.

In politics Mr. Kennedy is a Republican, and has
served as supervisor and treasurer. He and Mrs. Kennedy attend the
Lutheran Church. His war record entitles him to membership in
McLean Post No. 16, G. A. R., Reading.

KENNEDY, WILLIAM H.

p. 918

Surnames: KENNEDY, LYKENS, MOYER, SNYDER, CLOUSER, LLOYD, BITLER,
GRUBB, KIRBY, WICKLEIN, LYKENS, GLASS, HAHN, BECHTEL, FAGAN

William H. Kennedy, who has been identified with the agricultural
interests of Berks county, for a number of years, and who now
resides in Robeson township, was born in that township, Oct. 14,
1840, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Lykens) Kennedy.

Thomas Kennedy, it is believed, was born in the
lower part of Chester county, was reared upon a farm, and early in
life was engaged in work around the old Hampden furnaces, hauling
and cutting wood. He also did boating on the Schuylkill Canal, and
in 1840 he purchased the farm now owned by his son, William H. Here
Mr. Kennedy engaged in agricultural pursuits until his retirement,
eighteen years prior to his death, in 1891, when he was aged ninety
years, and twelve days. Mrs. Kennedy died in 1878, when
seventy-four years old. The children born to Thomas Kennedy and his
wife were: Sarah m. Joel Moyer; Elizabeth m. Abram Snyder; Mary m.
John Clouser; Hannah m. William Lloyd; Lucinda m. William H.
Bitler; Lucetta died in infancy; Edwin is mentioned elsewhere; and
William H. The family attended the M. E. Church, although not
members. In politics, Mr. Kennedy was a Republican.

William H. Kennedy was educated in the common
schools of Robeson township, and when a boy worked about his
father’s farm. At the age of eighteen years he left home and
enlisted in Reading, Nov. 28, 1861, in Battery M, 5th United States
Light Field Artillery, serving for two years and three months. He
re-enlisted at Brandywine Station, Va., in the same battery, and
his service covered five years, two months, fourteen days, he
having been promoted to sergeant and corporal, being discharged as
such at the close of the war. He was assigned to the Army of the
Potomac, and served in all in twenty-seven battles, his experiences
being many and varied. Mr. Kennedy’s record is that of a brave and
faithful soldier and a capable officer.

After his discharge at Fort Jefferson, Dry
Tortugas, Florida, Mr. Kennedy returned home, and for one year
worked on the farm, at the end of this time engaging with Benjamin
Grubb, at whose stone quarry he was employed for two seasons. In
company with his brother Edwin, Mr. Kennedy then rented the Kirby
farm, which they operated six years, afterward moving to a farm
near White Bear, on which they remained for four years. Mr. Kennedy
next spent one year on Edwin Kennedy’s farm, and in 1881 he
purchased the old homestead, a tract of about fifty-nine acres,
which he devotes to general farming and trucking.

Mr. Kennedy married Mary M. Wicklein, daughter
of Daniel Wicklein, and eight of the thirteen children born to this
union are living, namely: Annie m. Alvin Lykens; Hannah m. Heber
Glass; Laura m. William Hahn; Grant m. Jennie Bechtel; Daisy m.
Charles Fagan; Luther; Elwood; and Elmer. Those deceased are
Maggie, William, Harriet, and two others. In religious belief the
family are members of the German Reformed Church. Mr. Kennedy is a
Republican in politics, and has held a number of minor township
offices. He is an elder of the church and was formerly connected
officially with the Sunday school.

KEPNER, CHARLES E.

p.
831

Surnames: KEPNER, GOODHART, KERSCHNER

Charles E. Kepner, assistant manager in the office of the Adams
Express Company at Reading, is one of the stirring young business
men of the city. Though not a native son, he is a product of
Reading, having come to the city at four years of age.

His grandfather, Bernard Kepner, was prominent
in the manufacturing world, having during a long lifetime been
proprietor of a shoe factory at Orwigsburg, where he died at the
advanced age of eighty-six years.

Samuel Kepner, son of Bernard and father of
Charles E., was during his life a hotel-keeper at different points.
During the Civil war he served in Company E, 194th Pa. V. I. He
died at Reading in 1895, in his fifty-third year. His wife was
Elmira Goodhart, daughter of George Goodhart, of Reading, now
deceased. There were but two children born to this marriage:
Ivanora, now deceased: and Charles E.

Charles E. Kepner was born in Catawissa, Pa.,
Aug. 16, 1874. His parents removed to Reading in 1878, so that he
passed his school life in the public schools of this city. He later
took a course at Brunner’s business college, and then began his
business career as a clerk in a drug store. After two years he
secured a position with the Adams Express Company, where he has
since continued, the high character of his services being
recognized by his advancement to the position of assistant manager.

Mr. Kepner married Nov. 30, 1893, Miss Anna M.
Kerschner, daughter of Franklin P. Kerschner, of Reading, now
deceased. In the Kepner home there are six children: Edward LeRoy,
Samuel Franklin, James George, Charles Percival, Elmira Ivanora and
Leah Mildred.

The political preference of Mr. Kepner lies with
the Republican party, though the part he takes in politics consists
largely in the casting of his ballot. He is a consistent member of
Trinity Lutheran Church. Owing to the fact that Mr. Kepner’s father
was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, he takes more than a
passing interest in patriotic organizations, and is an ardent
member of the Sons of Veterans, belonging to Company D of the First
Regiment, Sons of Veterans Reserves. He is a man of sterling
integrity, and his mind is keenly alert to the possibilities of
life.

KEPPEL,
SAMUEL B.

p. 1449

Surnames: KEPPEL, GORDON, WEAVER, PECK, GUINEY, REBER, LEINBACH,
BITNER, HERBEIN, RUTH, LERCH, DELP, MULL, STELTZ

Samuel B. Keppel, late of Sinking Spring, was prominent alike in
business and legislative affairs, and one of the most genuinely
respected men of his district; he was born in Honeybrook, Chester
county Pa., Dec. 10, 1846, son of John Keppel.

John Keppel, the father, was born and reared in
Chester county Pa. He was raised by a family of the name of Gordon.
His death occurred at Honeybrook July 15, 1894, when he was aged
seventy years. He married Barbara Weaver, who bore him the
following family: George; Samuel B.; Clara, wife of James Peck;
Elizabeth, who for a period of seventeen years taught the Boyertown
school, and is now teaching at Honeybrook; Sallie, wife of Lewis
Guiney, of Coatesville, Pa.; and Alice, who died at the age of
eighteen years.

Samuel B. Keppel received a good education,
studying in the district schools, Waynesboro Academy, and
Millersville State Normal. For six years he engaged in teaching in
Lancaster and Berks counties, and was quite popular with his pupils
as well as with the other members of the profession. He next spent
two years as a telegrapher for the Philadelphia & Reading
Railway Company, leaving that Company to become clerk in the office
and telegraph operator (special line) for the Moselem Iron Company,
where he continued from 1872 to 1877. On April 1, 1877, he moved to
Sinking Spring, and entered the coal, lumber and grain business,
and to this he devoted twenty years with great success. In April,
1881, he opened a similar business at Robesonia, under the firm
names of Keppel & Reber, and it was so carried on until April
1, 1886, when Mr. C. D. Reber retired. Mr. Keppel continued the
business for some time alone, finally selling it to Mr. Leinbach.
From that time until 1899 he gave his undivided attention to the
business at Sinking Spring, but he was of too energetic a nature to
be content with but one iron in the fire, and in April 1892, he
formed a stock company under the name of the Birdsboro Milling
Company (Limited) of Birdsboro, PA., and leased the mill of the
Brooke Milling Company. This mill had a capacity of 150 barrels of
flour per day. Mr. Keppel became secretary and treasurer of this
company.

In spite of his extensive personal interests,
Mr. Keppel took an active part in public affairs, as a
representative of the Democratic party, and proved his popularity
as a candidate by repeated elections to public office. In 1891 he
was elected to the House of Representatives, receiving a majority
of 7,034, and in 1893 was re-elected by a majority of 7,556, his
increased plurality showing well the satisfaction his services had
given in his district. He served on the following committees:
Banks, Insurance and Manufacturing. At different times he was a
delegate to State conventions, and he showed his interest in the
cause of education by effective work as a school director. He was
also engaged largely in the fire insurance business in connection
with his other work, and was a director in the Manatawny Mutual
Fire and Storm Insurance Company, organized in February, 1893. He
also served as agent for the Mutual and Stock Fire Insurance
Company. He was one of the best known men in the county–in fact he
was widely known throughout the State, Mr. Keppel was public
spirited and progressive, and was ever at the front in any
enterprise that tended toward the advancement and development of
his town. He was one of the organizers of the Sinking Spring
Foundry Company, capitalized at $10,000. The Water Company had for
its founders, Mr. Keppel, Daniel Bitner, D. J. Herbein and James
Ruth, and Mr. Keppel became its secretary and treasurer. He was a
director of the Citizens National Bank of Reading, from its
organization in May, 1888, and when it consolidated with the Second
National Bank, he became a director of that bank. He was one of the
largest stockholders and a director in the Colonial Trust Company,
of Reading; and was president of the Reading & Womelsdorf
Electric Railway Company. In all these concerns he had more than a
nominal interest, and he kept fully posted on the work and
conditions of each.

Mr. Keppel was twice married. His first wife
Susan Lerch, died leaving one daughter, Leah, now the wife of Prof.
W. S. Delp, of Philadelphia. On June 27, 1889, Mr. Keppel married
(second) Eva Mull, daughter of Henry and Theresa Steltz, of
Montgomery county, Pa. On April 18, 1903, Samuel B. Keppel entered
into rest, after an active and useful life, leaving many friends to
mourn his loss. He was a Mason of high degree, belonging to
Chandler Lodge, No. 227, F. & A. M.; Reading Chapter, No. 152,
R. A. M.; Reading Commandery No. 42, K. T.; Philadelphia Consistory
32 degree; and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading.

Upon the death of Mr. Keppel the board of
directors of the Reading & Womelsdorf Electric Railway Company,
of which he was president from its beginning until his death,
passed a resolution, signed by all the officers, as follows:

“Resolved, That the Company sustained a loss that cannot be
repaired. The Reading & Womelsdorf Electric Railway Company
stands an enduring monument to his memory. He was one of the
founders, and to his courage and perseverance the success of the
undertaking was largely due.”

Mr. Keppel was a member of St. John’s Reformed Church, and was
serving as a member of the consistory at the time of his death,
taking an active part.

KEPPELMAN, ALBERT

p. 1441

Surnames: KEPPELMAN, MEYER, SCHRADER

Albert Keppelman, a well-known resident of Reading, Pa., who is
serving as assistant superintendent of P. Barbey & Son’s
Brewery, was born in this city Feb. 19, 1865, son of John and
Christiana (Meyer) Keppelman.

Albert Keppelman received his education in the
common schools of Reading, and when a young man entered his
father’s employ, the elder Keppelman operating a foundry and
machine shop at that time. Learning the machinist’s trade, young
Keppelman followed it for some years, but in 1886 accepted a
position with the firm by which he is now employed, as shipping
clerk, a position which he held for some years, then being advanced
to his present capacity. Besides attending to his regular business
duties, Mr. Keppelman has found time to devote to music, of which
he is a great lover, he being an exceptionally talented violin
player. He assisted in the organization of the Germania Band and
Orchestra, of which he is still a member, and when a boy he
traveled for two years as musical director of Col. Hall’s Pavilion
Show. Mr. Keppelman is very fond of, and takes a great interest in,
the children, and was the founder of the Juvenile Parade for the
amusement of children on the Fourth of July. The older people as
well as the children attend this parade largely, the former seeming
to find as much amusement in the proceedings as the little ones.
The children are all served ice cream and pretzels after the
ceremonies are over, and cash prizes are given those who make a
special effort at costuming.

Mr. Keppelman was married in 1889, to Miss
Catherine F. Schrader of Reading, daughter of Henry 0. Schrader.
and three children have been born to this union: Henry S., with the
P. & R. Co.’s drafting department; Margaret H.; and Catherine
C. Mr. Keppelman and his family are members of St. James Lutheran
church. In political matters he is a Democrat, and he is connected
fraternally with the Royal Arcanum and the American Order of Steam
Engineers.

KEPPELMAN, JOHN H.

p. 507

Surnames: ARTHUR, BAUER, BEACHER, BELTZ, BROWN, ERMANTROUT, FREES,
KEPPELMAN, MOYER, ROWE, SCHROEDER, SEIDERS, STERNBERGH, VEASEY,
WOLF

John H. Keppelman, superintendent of the Gas Company at Reading
since 1887, was born at Reading, Feb. 16, 1853, and educated in the
local schools, graduating from the high school in 1870. He then
learned the trade of molder in his father’s iron foundry and worked
at it for nine years; after; which he served as city clerk from
1879 to 1884. In 1887 the Consumers’ Gas Company elected him
superintendent to manage its extensive operations, and he has
filled that responsible position in a most efficient manner to the
present time.

Mr. Keppelman represented the Sixth ward in the
city councils from 1885 to 1897, four years in the common branch
and eight years in the select; during which time many public
improvements were ably advocated by him and established by a vote
of electors, more especially the sewer system and paved highways.
Since his early manhood he has been an earnest adherent of the
Democratic party. He became a Freemason in 1881, in Teutonia Lodge,
No. 367, which was mainly organized by his father in 1865; and he
is a member of the Harrisburg Consistory, and of the Shrine at
Reading. He was chiefly instrumental in having established at
Reading the Reading Council of the Royal Arcanum, a mutual life
insurance association, which has secured a large membership. Mr.
Keppelman is president of the Board of Trade (1909). He is a member
of the board of managers of the Reading Public Library, and a
director of the First National Bank.

In 1876 Mr. Keppelman was married to Mary E.
Arthur, daughter of Col. John E. Arthur, and Rebecca Moyer, his
wife, of Reading, by whom he had three children: Mamie, who died in
infancy; Robert, who died in youth; and Arthur, an attorney at
Reading, m. to May Sternbergh.

John Joseph Conrad Keppelman, father of John H.,
was born in 1827, in Baden-Baden, Germany, where he learned the
trade of locksmith. He emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1848, and
located at Pottsville, but he remained there only a short while
when he moved to Reading and engaged in the foundry business which
he carried on quite extensively for many years, having established
and operated very successfully three plants, the first on North
Sixth street, the second on North Fifth street and the third in
Riverside. He died in 1907. He married Christina Bauer, daughter of
John and Wilhelmina (Beltz) Bauer, of Reading, by whom he had ten
children: William m. Ella Brown; John H. (above); Emma m. Dr.
Samuel Ermentrout; Edward m. Ella Beacher; Howard m. Ida Seiders;
Ida m. Joseph Veasey; Katharine m. Dr. F. X. Wolf; Albert m.
Catharine Schroeder; Theodore m. Sallie Rowe; and Florence m.
Howard Frees.

John Keppelman, the grandfather, was a
distinguished soldier under Napoleon, and for valorous conduct at
the battle of Wagram was awarded two medals of honor, which have
come into the possession of his grandson, and are highly prized by
him. He died at the age of forty-six years, and his wife lived to
be ninety years old. They had four children, but their son John was
the only one to come to America.