Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

KIEFFER, E.
C. (M.D.)

p. 1492

Surnames: KIEFFER, ZENTMYER, MISSLY

E. C. Kieffer, M. D., physician and surgeon at Reading, with
offices at No. 810 North Fifth street, enjoys a large practice, and
has been connected with some of the public medical institutions of
this city. Dr. Kieffer was born Nov. 8, 1873, at Hagerstown, Md.,
son of Samuel and Mary Jane (Zentmyer) Kieffer.

Dr. Kieffer was primarily educated in the common
schools of Maryland, subsequently entered Juniata College, and in
1895 he became a student in the Philadelphia Medico Chirurgical
College, where he took a two years course and graduated in 1899.
Dr. Kieffer than settled at Reading for the practice of his
profession, shortly after being appointed house physician at St.
Josephs hospital. After the termination of his services at this
institution, he located on Tenth street, where he remained some
time and then moved to his present very desirable location. Dr.
Kieffer has been very successful, and numbers among his patients
some of the best people of Reading.

Dr. Kieffer married Ella G. Missly, and they
have one child: Mary Isabel. Fraternally he belongs to Lodge No.
62, F. & A. M., Reading Chapter, R. A. M., De Molay Commandery,
K. T. He is professionally connected with the Reading Medical
Association, and the Berks County Medical Society. In politics the
Doctor is independent.

KIEFFER,
LEWIS M.

p. 915

Surnames: KIEFFER, SELL, BIEBER, MERKEL, SHERIDAN, HOCH, SCHAEFFER,
RHODE, HERBINE, SCHLEGEL, DEYSHER

Lewis M. Kieffer, a prominent auctioneer of Berks county, also
engaged in the farming implement business, is a resident of
Fleetwood, Pa. He was born May 8, 1858, in Richmond township, near
Lyons, on land adjoining the original Kieffer homestead, which is
now in possession of Nicholas Kieffer, a cousin of Lewis M.

Jacob Kieffer, grandfather of Lewis M., lived in
Richmond township, and owned the excellent farm just referred to.
He married Annie Sell, and to him and his wife were born these
children: Peter; Rebecca, the wife of Jonathan Bieber, a prosperous
farmer of Maxatawny; and Valentine.

Valentine Kieffer was a farmer and resident
property owner of Richmond township, owning 150 acres of excellent
farm land near Lyons. In politics he was a Democrat, but never
cared for office. He married Maria Merkel, daughter of Benjamin and
Catherine (Sheridan) Merkel, of Richmond township, and they had
children as follows: Sarah, the wife of Abner Hoch, of Lyons, Pa.;
Andora, the wife of Frank Schaeffer, of Fleetwood; Lewis M.; Alvin
J., of Reading; George A., of Reading; Laura, who died at the age
of ten years; Edward, of Reading; Emma, who married Levi Rhode of
Lyons; Charles D., of Reading; Ella, who married Harry Herbine, a
farmer of Exeter township; and Valentine M., who resides in
Reading.

Lewis M. Kieffer was reared to farm work, living
upon his father’s homestead until twenty-five years of age. His
early intellectual training was secured in the common schools of
his native township, and this was supplemented by a course at the
Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown. Upon leaving the latter
institution Mr. Kieffer engaged in school teaching, which he
followed successfully in Richmond township for eight terms, and
about this time became prominent as an auctioneer, his services
since that time having been sought in every section of Berks county
east of the Schuylkill, as well as across the river in Schuylkill
county. With possibly a few exceptions he has cried more sales than
any other man in Berks county, averaging more than 100 sales per
year for the past quarter century. Mr. Kieffer has also engaged in
selling farming implements, being employed by the Schaeffer, Merkel
Co., of Fleetwood, for more than seventeen years, and is now
selling harvesters and mowers for the Milwaukee Harvester Company.

Mr. Kieffer was married July 9, 1887, to Miss
Mary E. D. Schlegel, daughter of Abraham and Annie (Deysher)
Schlegel, of Richmond township, and to this union were born: Nora
E., Lloyd R., F. Geneva, Paul A., and Oliver E. Mr. Kieffer has
been honored on several occasions by his fellow citizens who have
elected him as councilman, in which capacity he served most
efficiently, acting as secretary of the council for two years, and
as president of that body for one year. In politics he is a stanch
Democrat. He is a member of St. Paul’s Union Church of Fleetwood,
belonging to the Reformed denomination. Mr. Kieffer and his family
live in his fine brick residence in Fleetwood.

KILLIAN, MONROE C.

p. 1149

Surnames: KILLIAN, COLDREN, LESSLEY, STEFFEY, WINEHOLD, SPATZ,
SNADER

Monroe C. Killian, a well-known resident of Mohnton, where he is
employed in the Wyomissing Hosiery factory, was born in Muddy
Creek, Lancaster county, Sept. 8, 1869, son of Rudolph and
Catherine (Coldren) Killian.

Rudolph Killian, Sr., grandfather of Monroe C.,
was a farmer of Lancaster county, being a large land owner in East
End township, where he died. He married Millie Lessley, and their
children were: Samuel, Sophia, Henry, Rudolph, Emanuel and Maggie.

Rudolph Killian, son of Rudolph, Sr., and father
of Monroe C., was born in Lancaster count, near Terre Hill, and for
several years manufactured cigars, also having the stage route
between Lancaster and Terre Hill and Reading for eight years, or
two terms. He also carried on farming, but is now engaged in a
livery and general hauling business, and owns a tract of land at
Terre Hill. Mr. Killian married Catherine Coldren, daughter of
Peter and Catherine (Steffey) Coldren, and to them were born
children as follows: Wayne, of Montgomery, Ill.; Diller, of
Brownstown, Pa.; Kinser, deceased; Monroe C.; Mary, m. to Jacob
Winehold, resides at Bowmanville, Pa.

Monroe C. Killian spent his school days in
Lancaster county, and learned the cigar making trade with his
father, which he followed for two years, then driving an express
train at Terre Hill, during this time attending school in the
winter months. At the age of sixteen years, he began driving a
stage between Terre Hill and Lancaster, Pa., and this he followed
for seven years ? three years to Lancaster, and four years between
Terre Hill and Reading. He then did hauling for three years for his
father, and in 1897 came to Mohnton, where he was engaged in J. H.
Spatz & Co.’s straw hat factory, remaining there three years.
The next two years were spent farming in Spring township, where he
purchased land, after which he engaged in a draying business at
Mohnton, which he followed for three years. After one year spent in
the Spatz planing mill, in 1906 he was employed by the Wyomissing
Hosiery mills, where he has continued to the present time as
general utility man.

On July 21, 1897, Mr. Killian was united in
marriage with Miss Sue E. Spatz, daughter of John H. and Mary
(Snader) Spatz, a complete history of this family being found in
another part of this volume. To this union there were born these
children: M. Phamia and John Randolph. In politics Mr. Killian is
an independent voter, casting his ballot for the man he thinks best
fitted for the office. He is a member of the Woodmen of America.
Mrs. Killian is connected with the Evangelical Association of
Mohnton, and is a teacher in the Sunday-school, and for several
years was teacher of the infant class.

The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Killian was
erected on Wyomissing avenue in 1897, and is one of the most modern
and substantial residences of the section. Mr. and Mrs. Killian are
very popular in their community, where they have a wide social
circle.

KILLIAN, MONROE C.

p. 1149

Surnames: KILLIAN, COLDREN, LESSLEY, STEFFEY, WINEHOLD, SPATZ,
SNADER

KILMER, LEVI
A.

p. 1103

Surnames: KILMER, KILLMER, THIESS, LAUER, KATTERMAN, UHRICH,
MILLER, KLOPP, HOFFMAN, LEISS, FILBERT, LAUCKS, WALBORN, BATDORF,
SELZER, GERHART, WEIGLEY, KINTZEL, PEIFFER, WILHELM, SNYDER, BOLTZ,
PHILIPS, SCHOENER, WESTLEY

Levi A. Kilmer. Among the prominent citizens Marion township, Berks
county, is Levi A. Kilmer, who is now living retired after many
years spent in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Kilmer was born Nov. 4,
1851, on the historic Swatara creek in Marion township, Berks
county, and is a member of one of this section’s oldest and most
honored families.

Nicholas Killmer, the progenitor of this
well-known family, came to the Tulpehocken Valley, in Berks county,
prior to the Revolutionary war, at which time he was in very humble
circumstances, all of his worldly belongings being tied up in a
handkerchief. A German by descent, he was honest and industrious,
and worked so conscientiously at his trade of tailor that he made
many friends, among them a Christian Lauer, one of the pioneers of
the Tulpehocken Valley, who interested himself in young Kilmer’s
behalf. Feeling that the young man would prove himself of the right
caliber if rightly encouraged, Mr. Lauer introduced him to Miss
Elizabeth Thiess (a member of the wealthy Thiess family), and his
belief was justified, Mr. Killmer becoming one of the prominent and
substantial men of the county. His will, made Aug. 6, 1808, is one
record in Will Book D, page 108, and states that “each son shall
receive 400 pounds and each daughter 300 pounds from the heap” soon
after his demise. After making ample provision for his beloved
wife, the residue of his estate was equally distributed among his
seven children. The executors of this document were his son
Nicholas and his trusty friend, Philip Thiess, of Lebanon township,
Dauphin county. Mr. Killmer was assessed in Tulpehocken township in
1779 with 200 acres of land, three horses and five cattle, paying
two pounds, six shillings, and on June 21, 1785, he obtained by
warrant 250 acres in Tulpehocken township from the proprietors of
the Province of Pennsylvania. The children of Nicholas and
Elizabeth (Thiess) Killmer were: Jonathan; Barbara, m. to Benjamin
Lauer; Magdalena, m. to Andrew Katterman; Elizabeth, m. to
Valentine Uhrich; Eve, m. to Michael Uhrich; David; and Nicholas.

Nicholas Killmer, son of the progenitor, was a
man of more than ordinary intelligence, and was one of the
prominent residents of Marion township, where he resided on a farm
of 150 acres, now the property of Amandon M. Miller. He also owned
the farms now operated by Isaac P. Klopp and the Isaac Hoffman
estate, and two farms along the Swatara Creek. He is buried at the
Trinity (Tulpehocken) Reformed Church. Mr. Killmer was married to
Catharine Leiss, who was born June 11, 1777, and died Nov. 16,
1850, aged seventy-three years, five months, five days, daughter of
Christopher Leiss. To this union were born children as follows:
Isaac N. 1800-1875; John W., 1811-1881, m. Catherine
Leiss,1808-1878, and they had a son, Edwin L., 1831-1900 (m.
Rebecca E. Filbert); Thomas W., 1811-1865, m. in 1831, Maria Leiss,
1810-1887, and they had one son, Isaac L., 1843-1867; David W.,
1818-1896, m. Elenora Westley, 1824-1884; and Maria m. a Laucks.

Isaac Nicholas Kilmer, grandfather of Levi A.,
and grandson of the progenitor, was born Sept. 11, 1800, and died
July 20, 1875, when in his seventy-fifth year of age. Mr. Kilmer
was an extensive dealer in land, and became a large property owner,
and at the time of his death resided on the farm on which Isaac N.
Kilmer, his grandson, now lives. He also engaged in conveyancing,
and wrote many wills and deeds, and drew up mortgages and
agreements. His long life was one of usefulness to his township,
and he was known as one of the community’s best citizens. He was
buried in the cemetery of Trinity Reformed Church, in the Kilmer
family plot. Mr. Kilmer was married to Mary Walborn, born March 3,
1804, died Nov. 3, 1864, aged sixty years, eight months, daughter
of John and Elizabeth Walborn, and their children were: Israel;
Amos, who died unmarried at the age of twenty-one years; and
Rebecca, who died while a student at school, she and her brother
Amos being buried in one grave at the Mount Aetna Church.

Israel Kilmer, father of Levi A., was born at
the Swatara creek, Nov. 5, 1825, and died Feb. 16, 1904, in his
seventy-ninth year. He was engaged all of his life in agricultural
pursuits, and during his career became one of the largest property
owners of this section of the county, having three farms in Marion
township. He also owned three valuable properties in Jackson
township, Lebanon county, and at one time made a present of $10,000
to each of his six children. He was an excellent business man, but
never allowed his many interests to interfere with his settled
ideas of right and justice, and he was a leading member of Trinity
Reformed Church, of which he was a deacon and elder for many years.
He hauled stones for the erection of the present church edifice,
where he was buried in the family lot. Israel Kilmer married Lovina
Batdorf, daughter of Michael and Barbara (Selzer) Batdorf, who now
lives with her daughter, Mrs. Darius Gerhart. Mr. and Mrs. Kilmer
had nine children: Emma m. Jonathan Weigley, now deceased and has
one daughter, Lizzie R.; Maria m. John Weigley, and has seven
children, Mary, Ira, Harry, Dawson, Robert, Ray and Katie; Levi A.;
Rebecca m. Darius Gerhart, of Jackson township, Lebanon county, and
has two children, Annie and Paul; Martha m. Franklin Kintzel, and
has two children, Mary and Warren; Isaac N.; and Aaron and twins
died in infancy.

Levi A. Kilmer was reared to agricultural
pursuits, and worked for his parents until reaching his majority,
at which time he engaged in tenant farming for four years, when he
was given a farm of ninety-six acres by his grandfather Isaac N.
Kilmer. He cultivated this fertile tract for eighteen years, and in
1893 purchased the old Samuel Peiffer estate of fifty-one acres, on
which he now lives retired. Mr. Kilmer was a successful
agriculturist, and during his years of active farming erected the
summer house, wagon shed, pig sty and other buildings on his farm,
in addition to making many other improvements.

Mr. Kilmer is a Democrat in politics, and he has
been one of his party’s leaders in Marion township, where he has
served for six years as school director, being secretary of the
board, has been a delegate to a number of county conventions, and
is at present a supervisor, the first under the new road law. He is
a member of the Ancient Order of Good Fellows No. 42 of
Stouchsburg, of which he is a past grand. Mr. Kilmer and his family
are consistent member of Trinity Reformed Church of Tulpehocken,
where he has served as trustee since 1899, and he is also secretary
of the board and secretary and treasurer of the cemetery committee.

In 1872 Mr. Kilmer married Lizzie R. Wilhelm,
daughter of William and Lementia (Snyder) Wilhelm, and
granddaughter of Jacob and Barbara (Boltz) Wilhelm. To Mr. And Mrs.
Kilmer two children have been born: Harry W., who is serving as a
roadmaster of Marion township, married Annie Philips, who died
without issue; and Mary L. H. m. John W. Schoener (son of Tyrus
Schoener), a well-known educator and farmer of Marion township, and
they have one son, Homer Kilmer.

KINDT, CHARLES D. B.

p.
1167

Surnames: KINDT, SEIDEL, REDCAY, HEFT, BAINS, FRANCIS,
SALLENBERGER, LESHER, GEIGLY, PENNYPACKER, LUDWIG, MOHN, MATZ,
FRITZ, WEITZEL, GRUBER, BICKEL, WHITE, WESTLEY, FREESE, SCHUPP,
BITTLER, KNORR, RUTH, WEAVER

Charles D. B. Kindt, a highly esteemed citizen of Mohnton, Pa.,
engaged in funeral directing, embalming and undertaking, was born
Aug. 5, 1877, in Cumru township, Berks county, son of Daniel M.
Kindt.

John Kindt, great-grandfather of Charles D. B.,
came from Maiden-creek township and located near Muddy Creek Church
in Lancaster county, where he owned a fine farm of 200 acres, being
a man of considerable means, worth about $50,000. He was a leading
citizen and a man of considerable influence, and was an excellent
mechanic, doing all of his own carpentering, blacksmithing and
weaving. He married Sarah Seidel, daughter of Heinrich Seidel, and
to them were born children as follows: John; Joel, who was a
forty-niner; Simon, of Lancaster county, m. Mary Redcay; Nicholas,
a drover living on the old stand, m. Katie Heft; Solomon, a hatter
by trade, and later the proprietor of the “St. Cloud Hotel,”
Reading, Pa., m. (first) Lucy Bains and (second) Ellen Francis;
Adam, a soldier in the Civil war, now living in Chicago, married a
lady from that city; Rachel m. Samuel Sallenberger; Sally m.
Solomon Lesher; Betsy m. William Geigly; Kate m. Benjamin
Pennypacker; and Esther m. Peter Ludwig.

John Kindt, grandfather of Charles D. B., was
born in Maiden-creek township. He was a farmer, owning a tract of
seventy-five acres near Vinemont, in Spring township. During the
Civil war, he was a private in Company E., 167th P. V. I. John
Kindt married Mary Mohn, daughter of Daniel Mohn, and to them were
born these children: Daniel M.; Sarah m. (first) Elijah Matz, and
(second) Frank Fritz; Henry, living on the old homestead at
Vinemont, m. Mary Weitzel; John died in childhood; and Mary is an
invalid.

Daniel M. Kindt, father of Charles D. B., was
born March 27, 1845, in Spring township, and is a retired hatter
and laborer of Mohnton. He was reared on his fathers farm, and
attended pay school for a time. He was twice married, (first) Dec.
27, 1867, to Elmira Bickel, daughter of Daniel and Rebecca (Gruber)
Bickel, by whom he had two children: Belle m. James White,
deceased; and Charles D. B. His second marriage was July 19, 1880,
to Mary Westley, daughter of John and Mary (Freese) Westley, and to
this union were born three children: Howard m. Cora Schupp; Jacob
and Mamie.

Charles D. B. Kindt secured his education in the
public schools of Mohnton, and from boyhood has practically taken
care of himself. He first carried papers, and then learned the
cigar making trade with the firm of R. S. Bittler, and this he
followed for four years, at the end of that time turning his
attention to cabinet making, and under C. S. Knorr, at Mohnton, he
became an expert cabinet maker. While with Mr. Knorr he also
learned the undertaking business, and after three years experience
decided to enter into business for himself. His beginning was in a
humble way, he at first utilizing an old stable, 14 x 15 feet, but
later was able to erect several model buildings, well-equipped for
the carrying on of his business. On Feb. 1, 1901, he took a course
in the Massachusetts School of Embalming, where he was graduated.
He is now located at Mohnton, opposite the Mosser & Westley
store, where his building is equipped with all the latest improved
methods demanded in these modern times. In 1904 he purchased a fine
rubber tired hearse, and in January, 1907, he provided himself with
a first-class embalming carriage, and he now commands the bulk of
the business over a large area.

On April 23, 1903, Mr. Kindt was married to Mary
A. Ruth, daughter of Henry K. and Elizabeth (Weaver) Ruth, and they
have two children: Sibella Ruth and Charles Daniel, Jr. With his
family Mr. Kindt belongs to St. Johns Lutheran Church, of which
his accomplished wife is the organist. On Nov. 19, 1899, Mr. Kindt
was elected superintendent of the Sunday-school, which under his
direction has increased in numbers and efficiency. The family
reside in a beautiful home on Church street, which Mr. Kindt
purchased in 1902, and subsequently improved. Fraternally Mr. Kindt
is a member of Camp No. 211, P. O. S. of A.; the K. G. E.; Lodge
No. 186, Jr. O. U. A. M.; and Tent No. 245, Knights of the
Maccabees.

KING,
WILLIAM D.

p. 1677

Surnames: KING, ARTHUR, HINTON, STRENG, GUINTHER, FREY

William D. King, proprietor of the King Machine Works, at Reading,
Pa., and an inventor of faucets, was born March 22, 1851, in
Coatesville, Chester county, son of Isaac King.

Isaac King, who was a native of Dover, Del., for
many years was an iron roller, and also engaged as a teamster,
driving a six-mule team for several years. In 1861 he came to
Reading, and engaged at the Philadelphia & Reading shops, under
Colonel Arthur, being there employed at the time of his death April
15, 1899, in his seventy-eighth year. He married Rebecca S. Hinton,
a native of Pennsylvania, who died from smallpox, Aug. 9, 1872, at
the age of fifty-five years. To this union were born eight
children, three of whom survive: William D.; Anna M. R.; and
Margaret A. The family were members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Mr. King was a Republican in politics, and fraternally
belonged to the Knights of the Mystic Chain.

William D. King was educated in the schools of
Chester county and of Reading, attending the latter about one and
one-half years, after which he spent one year at the rolling mill
of the Reading Iron Works. In 1867 he engaged with Douglass &
Connard, with whom he remained until 1902, and in this year he
engaged in his present business, operating it, however, until 1903
for the firm of Rick & Jones. In the latter year he took up the
business on his own account, having at first two partners, but in
1906 he bought out their interest. He employs from six to eight
skilled mechanics, and his principal work is the manufacturing of
expansion joints for steam pipes. He also repairs steam pumps and
engines, and makes a specialty of steam fitting. The shop is
located at Nos. 511-513 North Third street. In political matters
Mr. King is a Republican, and his fraternal connection is with Camp
No. 89, P. O. S. of A., of Reading, which he joined in 1871.

Mr. King was married to Minnie Streng, an
adopted daughter of Martin Streng, and they have become the parents
of three children: Irene R., m. to Ambrose Guinther, a contractor;
Amy C., and William R.

William R. King, son of William D., was born
Sept. 17, 1887, and is in the employ of his father. On Oct. 28,
1907, he married Anna Mary Frey, and their children are Thelma
Larne and an infant yet unnamed. They reside at No. 1026 Madison
avenue.

KING,
WILLIAM D.

p. 1677

Surnames: KING, ARTHUR, HINTON, STRENG, GUINTHER, FREY

William D. King, proprietor of the King Machine Works, at Reading,
Pa., and an inventor of faucets, was born March 22, 1851, in
Coatesville, Chester county, son of Isaac King.

Mr. King was married to Minnie Streng, an
adopted daughter of Martin Streng, and they have become the parents
of three children: Irene R., m. to Ambrose Guinther, a contractor;
Amy C., and William R.

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