Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

KISSINGER,
A. N.

p. 503

Surnames: KISSINGER, YOST, DICK, DUBSON, BIRCH, BRINER, SPOHN,
WARREN

A. N. Kissinger, manager and owner of the extensive storage,
auction and flour house at Nos. 31-35 South Eighth street, as well
as president and general manager of the well-known Farmers’ Market
House, at Reading, Berks Co., Pa., is rated as one of the most
substantial and progressive business men of the Keystone State. He
is a son of Washington S. and Elizabeth (Yost) Kissinger, born Dec.
5, 1850.

Washington S. Kissinger was accounted a man of
unusual natural force and broad business capacity. After receiving
but an imperfect common school education, at Reading, he became
employed, while still quite young, on the canal near that city.
Later he located in Reading, and in time became prominent in the
lime and sand business, building also the famous Farmers’ Market
House. At the time of his death in November, 1873, he was not only
an acknowledged business leader and a progressive citizen, but the
owner and operator of several valuable farms in Berks county. His
wife, Elizabeth Yost, died in Reading at the age of seventy-three.
Their children, besides A. N., were: Harry A., a wholesale grain
dealer at Birdsboro, Berks county; George W., formerly a sign
painter and skilled mechanic; Mrs. Mary A. Dick, widow of the late
Henry D. Dick, of No. 106 South Ninth street, Reading; and Mrs.
Susan Dubson, living near Blandon, Berks county.

A. N. Kissinger received a common school
education in the schools of Berks county, locating at Reading,
April 1, 1870, and entering the employ of C. S. Birch & Co. In
the following year he established a clothing and shoe business,
later he and his father also associating themselves at the same
location, No. 929 Penn street, in the flour and feed business,
continuing together until the death of the latter in 1873. The
Market House business was founded May 10, 1871, and July 16, 1871,
A. N. Kissinger assumed its active management. He has continued in
that capacity ever since, has been one of the owners, and the
manager and treasurer of the Farmers’ Market House. Under Mr.
Kissinger’s management extensive and important improvements have
been made in the original house erected by his father, so that he
now as president, general manager and one of the largest
stockholders controls the largest and most complete market in the
city. This was incorporated in January, 1907, as the Farmers’
Market House Company. For the accommodation of out-of-town patrons
he has erected a three-story stable, with sleeping apartments
attached.

Kissinger’s Storage House is a four-story
structure, 60×120 feet in dimensions, weekly and semi-weekly sales
being held therein. On March 1, 1885, C. Carroll Briner was
admitted to partnership in the feed, flour and storage business
under the firm name of Kissinger & Briner, the location of the
house being as at present. This continued till Mr. Briner’s
retirement in February, 1897, after which the firm of Kissinger
& Son was formed. This continued four years, since which time
Mr. Kissinger has been sole proprietor. Under Mr. Kissinger’s
energetic and able management, the business has developed to large
proportions. On Jan. 17, 1907, in company with others he formed the
Kissinger Market House Company, embracing the following markets:
Nos. 2, 3 and 4, located at Ninth and Cherry street, Peach and
Cherry streets, and Nos. 834-836 Penn street. They have recently
inaugurated the successful Saturday afternoon and evening market,
in addition to their tri-weekly markets.

Personally Mr. Kissinger has reached a
leadership in the business field in a time of life which makes it
probable that his future will bring him into even more than State
prominence. Mr. Kissinger is connected with no secret
organizations, although socially he is very genial and popular. For
his standing he has depended upon no extraneous efforts, solely
upon his individual honesty, assiduity and ability. He is a member
of Trinity Lutheran Church, and has served as a vestryman of that
organization at different times for nine years.

On April 16, 1874, Mr. Kissinger was married to
Miss Sallie R. Spohn, of Reading. She died March 11, 1903, leaving
three children: Clifford W., Sarah E. and Anita M. On Oct. 19,
1904, he married (second) Miss Mary L. Warren, of Ohio, and to this
union has been born a son, Warren Nicholas. Mr. and Mrs. Kissinger
reside at their comfortable home, No. 1030 Penn street, Reading,
enjoying the comfort and culture attendant upon the prosperity and
intelligence of the modern business man.

KISSINGER, HARVEY D.

p.
1443

Surnames: KISSINGER, LENGEL, SCHMALTZ, GAUL, RUTH, HINNERSHITZ,
KRICK

Harvey D. Kissinger, proprietor of the “Krick House,” situated at
No. 670 Schuylkill avenue, Reading, Pa., was born Jan. 13, 1868, in
Bern township, Berks county, son of Adam and Sarah (Lengel)
Kissinger.

Johan Kissinger, great-great-grandfather of
Harvey D., was a native of Germany. He owned a farm in Alsace
township, Berks county, Pa., above what was known as “Close’s
Hotel,” the property now being owned by the Ebling estate. His two
children were: John and Betsy. The latter did not like her adopted
country, and suddenly disappeared, nothing being heard from her
until after the death of her father, when she returned, after the
estate had already been settled. Her share was paid her, however,
although it almost caused the financial embarrassment of her only
brother, John. Johan Kissinger was buried in the private burial
ground in what is now Muhlenberg township, near Brooks Locks, or
the Carpenter Steel Works.

John Kissinger, great-grandfather of Harvey D.,
lived in Alsace township, where he carried on agricultural
pursuits, owning a tract of thirty acres of land. He was buried in
the family burial ground. His children were: Abraham, Lydia, John,
Jacob, Samuel, Solomon and David.

Abraham Kissinger, grandfather of Harvey D., was
born in 1800, in Alsace township (now Muhlenberg), and died aged
thirty-seven years, being buried in the private burial ground on
his farm. He married Hannah Schmaltz, daughter of Christopher
Schmaltz, and they had four children, as follows: Daniel and Henry,
who both died aged one year; Hannah, m. to Amos Gaul; and Adam.

Adam Kissinger, father of Harvey D., was born
July 31, 1833, in Alsace township, and was reared to farming, an
occupation which he followed until twenty-one years of age, at
which time he went to work in the brick yards and there continued
for three years. For twelve summers he was employed in work on the
Schuylkill canal, and from 1870 until 1904 tended the Kissinger
Locks on the canal, coming to Reading in the latter year, since
which time he has been living at No. 800 Schuylkill avenue, with
his nephew, Morris Ruth, whom he reared from infancy. In 1854 Mr.
Kissinger was married to Sarah Lengel, who died June 21, 1890, aged
fifty-seven years. They had the following children: Emma, Rebecca,
Henry, Harvey D., Jacob and Hannah (m. to William Hinnershitz).

Harvey D. Kissinger accompanied his parents to
the Kissinger Locks when two years of age, and lived at home until
his marriage in September, 1887. For seven years he was employed at
the American Iron & Steel Company’s plant, then known as
Sternbergh’s, and for five years he was in the employ of the
Keystone Rolling Mills, after which he worked at brick-making until
being engaged as bar clerk with P. Monroe Krick, his
brother-in-law. In the spring of 1905, Mr. Kissinger succeeded Mr.
Krick, who retired, and he has continued to conduct the “Krick
House” to the present time with much success. In addition to his
hotel, Mr. Kissinger owns several houses in the Fifteenth ward. He
is a popular member of the Schuylkill Fire Company and the Bar
Tenders’ Association.

Mr. Kissinger was married to Mary A. H. Krick,
born Dec. 18, 1870, daughter of Levi J. R. and Mary (Hinnershitz)
Krick, and she died April 27, 1904, aged thirty-three years, four
months, nine days. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Kissinger, namely: Arthur L., born April 1, 1888; William H., July
28, 1901; and Mamie Catharine, May 3, 1898.

KISSINGER, HENRY G.

p.
1229

Surnames: KISSINGER, GRUBER, BRICKER, MORRIS, EGGLY, FIDLER,
GRIESS, ROTH, MOYER, GRETH, STAMM, LOSCH, MAURER, ALLBRIGHT, BAER,
BRUNNER, SCHOEDLER, EYRICH, SHIRK

Henry G. Kissinger, a prominent agriculturist of Bern township,
Berks county, where he was for a number of years well known as an
educator, was born on the Kissinger homestead in Bern township,
July 6, 1861, son of Henry G. and Angeline (Gruber) Kissinger.

Michael Kissinger, the great-grandfather of
Henry G., was the ancestor of this family in Berks county. He owned
a large tract of land in Bern township, between the Schuylkill
river and the Tulpehocken creek, the land from Kissinger’s bridge
(also called Schuylkill Avenue bridge) to the Tulpehocken and all
the land now embraced in Glenside being included in his property.
At the time of his death, which occurred in the early part of 1791,
he left a large estate, which he distributed equitably by will
among his nine children, four of whom were sons and five daughters.
Their names were: Michael, John, Abraham, Woolrich (Ulrich),
Barbara Bricker, Mary, Catherine, Susanna, and Eva Elizabeth. This
pioneer’s will is on record in Will Book 3, p. 160, and is a
lengthy document, disposing of considerable land, bonds, money and
personal property. It was made May 8, 1782, and was probated Feb.
12, 1791. He called himself a yeoman. His wife, Mary Catherine, was
amply provided for, and the land was distributed among the sons,
the bonds being bequeathed to the daughters. He had made a draught
of his lands, divided into four parts, known as A, B, C, and D.
Michael was given land in draught A, which included the dwelling of
the ancestor; John was given land in draught B, according to its
lines and boundaries; Abraham obtained the land in draught C, and
Woolrich (Ulrich) received that part situated across the
Tulpehocken in Cumru (now Spring) township, contained in the lines
and boundaries of draught D. This land, a tract of 105 acres,
Michael Kissinger bought from Anthony Morris. The testator bought
two separate tracts of land in March, 1781, from Casper Eggly
containing 260 acres, and this was included in his division to his
sons. A document dated Jan. 16, 1769, relating to a court
proceeding about damages sustained my Michael Kissinger, is on
record in Deed Book, Vol. 13, p. 96. It appears that one Henry
Fidler constructed a breast dam, which forced the water on
Kissinger’s land, for which he was awarded damages to the sum of
forty pounds, which were paid by the aforesaid Henry Fidler.
Michael Kissinger, Jr., made his will April 7, 1780, and it was
entered for probate June 11, 1811, the executors being Jacob and
Michael Kissinger. It is contained in Will Book A, p. 594. Abraham
Kissinger, son of Michael the ancestor, died in 1833. His will is
on record in Will Book 7, p. 162.

John Kissinger, the grandfather of Henry G. was
born in Bern township in 1785, and died July 7, 1850, aged
sixty-five years, three months, seventeen days. He cultivated his
small tract in Bern township, and followed the butcher trade for
many years, being familiarly known as “Butcher” Kissinger. He was
married to Elizabeth Griess, born Dec. 25, 1785, who died Dec. 20,
1857, aged seventy-two years, less five days, and they had eleven
children, as follows: Isaac, who died in Ohio; Daniel, who was
unmarried; Gregorius, of Bern; John, of Reading; Solomon, of
Epler’s Church, Bern township; Henry G., Sr.; Esther, who died
unmarried; Rebecca m. Bernhart Roth; Elizabeth, m. William Roth,
brother of Bernhart; Jestine, m. Adam Moyer; and Catherine, m.
William Greth.

Henry G. Kissinger, father of Henry G., was born
Feb, 11, 1825, and died on his farm along the Tulpehocken in Bern
township, Sept. 24, 1904, being buried at Alsace. He was born and
reared on one of the old Kissinger homesteads, which originally
comprised twenty-four acres, and there he later followed the trade
of blacksmith in addition to farming, In politics he was a
Democrat. A Lutheran in faith, he was a deacon and elder in
Kissinger’s Church. Feb. 12, 1857, Henry G. Kissinger was married
to Angeline Gruber, who was born April 2 1831, in Millcreek,
Lebanon county, daughter of William and Lydia (Stamm) Gruber, and
granddaughter of John and Anna M. (Losch) Gruber of Heidelberg
township. Mr. and Mrs. Kissinger had four children: Frank, born in
the year 1857, married Elmira Maurer, who was born in 1858 and died
in 1896; Rosa, born April 14, 1859, died June 9, 1859; Henry G.;
William, of Reading, born June 9, 1864, married Annie Allbright, by
whom he has two children, Lizzie and Harry.

Henry G. Kissinger was reared to agricultural
pursuits, and worked for his parents until after passing his
thirtieth year. His early education was secured in Kissinger’s
school in Spring township, and after his parents removed to the
homestead in Bern, he attended the public schools there until
sixteen years old, being licensed to teach in 1877, by Prof. S. A.
Baer, superintendent of schools of Berks county. He taught his
first term in Alsace township, and later attended Reading Academy,
where he received instruction from the late Prof. D. B. Brunner.
Still later, he attended Oley Academy, which was in charge of Rev.
D. E. Schoedler, after which he taught for nineteen consecutive
terms in Bern and Spring townships. During this long period Prof.
Kissinger became well known throughout this section of the State,
and his reputation as an educator was an enviable one. For some
time he was also a teacher at the Reading Night school, and
displayed much tact and discipline in the handling of the pupils
there. Mr. Kissinger is now devoting all of his time to
agricultural pursuits, and since 1905 he has been located at
Glenside. He is a prominent man of his community, and is a leading
Democrat, having been a member of the school board of Bern township
since 1898 and at present is secretary of that body, a position he
has held since 1901. He has also been a delegate to numerous county
conventions. Fraternally, he is connected with Washington Camp, P.
O. S. of A. He and his family are members of Kissinger’s Church,
being connected with the Lutheran congregation, and Mr. Kissinger
is superintendent of the Sunday-school. He resides on the
homestead, and is the executor of the Henry G. Kissinger estate. He
owns a residence in Reading, and several houses at Glenside,
besides a number of building lots.

In Jan. 3, 1900, Prof. Kissinger was married to
Eva A. Eyrich, daughter of the late Joshua and Sarah (Shirk)
Eyrich, and to this union there has been born one daughter,
Angeline Ruth.

KISSINGER,
ISAAC

p. 1043

Surnames: BURKHOLTZ, FRANK, KISSINGER, KLOOP, NEFF, RAMBO, WAGNER

Isaac Kissinger, who until recently conducted the successful
grocery business at No. 606 North Ninth street, Reading, was born
May 26, 1848, in Tulpehocken township, Berks county, son of Amos
and Mary A. (Wagner) Kissinger. His grandfather, Abraham Kissinger,
was a lifelong farmer of Berks county.

Amos Kissinger, father of Isaac, was a farmer
and miller of Berks county, where he spent his entire life. He died
in Reading in 1882, in his 65th year. His first wife died in 1861,
leaving him these children: Elam; Isaac; Franklin; Amelia (married
Richard Burkholtz); Amos; Emma (married Jacob Neff; John W.; and
Elizabeth (married Howard Frank). Mr. Kissinger’s second marriage
was to Rebecca Kloop, who died in 1909, leaving two children,
Howard and Maggie. Amos Kissinger was a Lutheran in religious
belief, and in political matters was a Democrat.

Isaac Kissinger was educated in the schools of
Reading, and his first work was in a brickyard, after leaving which
he engaged in boating on the canal, at which he continued for
twelve years. He was then appointed police sergeant, an office in
which he served for ten years under Mayors Evans and Rowe, and the
next four years he spent as watchman at the Reading Iron Works. Mr.
Kissinger then spent two years at the Philadelphia & Reading
railway roundhouse, and in 1891 engaged in the grocery business,
carrying a complete and up-to- date line of staple and fancy
groceries, and commanding a good trade. He retired from business
March 30, 1908.

In 1880 Mr. Kissinger married Miss Agnes E.
Rambo, daughter of Thomas Rambo. Mr. and Mrs. Kissinger have no
children. They are members of the Lutheran Church. Politically Mr.
Kissinger is a Republican, and fraternally he is connected with the
K. G.E.

KISSINGER,
JACOB

p. 844

Surnames: KISSINGER, HILL, GARNER MESSINGER, TROSTLE, MOYER,
POWELL, KOCH, DUNKELBERGER, HILL, TROUT, MEE, GRING, HUFF,
FRYMOYER, WANNER, SCHUDER, WEILER, YOST, ALBRIGHT, MILLER, LANIGAN,
FINKFROCK, RAEMER, FOREMAN, FRITZ, FRY

Jacob Kissinger, an honored veteran of the Civil war, who resides
on the old Kissinger homestead, at Kissinger’s Church, in Spring
township, Berks county, was born on his present farm Dec. 18, 1839,
son of Abraham M. and Abolonia (Hill) Kissinger.

Michael Kissinger, the American ancestor of this
well-known family, was a native of the Fatherland. He owned a large
estate in Bern township in 1782, on May 8th of which year he made
his last will and testament, which was probated in 1791, the year
of his death. The will provides amply for his beloved wife, Mary
Catharine. Their children were: Michael; John, who had a son John
and three daughters; Abraham; Ulrich; Barbara Bricker; Mary;
Catharine; Susanna; and Eva Elizabeth John Kissinger, grandson of
Michael the ancestor, lived at Mohn’s Hill in Spring township, and
owned a small farm, on which he died in 1851, and where he is
buried in a small burying-ground. He married Catharine Garner, and
they had these children: Polly, Sallie, Lizzie, Kate, John, Elijah
and Henry. Of this family, Elijah Kissinger was a farmer and
trucker. He was born in 1811, died in 1885 and is buried at
Gouglersville. His wife was Louise Messinger (1822-1875), and they
had eight children: Rebecca, Sarah, John, Samuel M., Mary, Elijah,
Louise and Henry. Samuel M. Kissinger, son of Elijah and grandson
of John, was born Dec. 4, 1851, and is a truck farmer near Knauer’s
in Brecknock township. In 1874 he married Amanda Trostle, and they
have a family of sixteen children as follows: Albert, Sallie,
Katie, Mary, Lizzie, Samuel, Julia, John, Mamie, Charles, Harry,
Grover, Carrie, Maud, Jennie and Amanda.

Abraham Kissinger, grandfather of Jacob, was
born Sept. 17, 1778 in Bern township, and died in Spring township
May 16, 1860, aged eighty-one years, seven months, twenty-nine
days. He was a miller, and for many years worked for his father,
Ulrich Kissinger, who owned and operated a gristmill which stood
immediately above the Schuylkill avenue bridge. Abraham Kissinger
in later years purchased a farm of 112 acres in Spring township,
which was divided into four parts among his children at the time of
his death. He married Elizabeth Moyer, daughter of Johannes Moyer,
and their children were: Daniel, born Dec. 17, 1801, died Nov. 25,
1850, and was buried in Kissinger’s cemetery; Susanna, born Oct. 1,
1805, died Jan. 10, 1856; Benjamin, born June 4, 1807, died Oct.
16, 1888; Eliza m. Charles Powell; Abraham M. is mentioned below;
Jacob, born June 16, 1815, died Feb. 19, 1898, m. (first) Sarah
Koch (1826-1853) and (second) Matilda Dunkelberger (1831-1901).
Kissinger’s Church along the Tulpehocken was named after Abraham
Kissinger and his brother John, the former donating the half-acre
upon which stands the cemetery, and the latter the land upon which
the church was built in 1852. The Kissinger schoolhouse was erected
near the church some years later.

Abraham M. Kissinger, father of Jacob, born
April 19, 1811, near the Schuylkill bridge in Bern township, died
Nov. 14, 1882. In 1854 he obtained the Kissinger farm, which he
operated the remainder of his life. Mr. Kissinger m. Abolonia Hill,
born June 1, 1807, who died Aug. 30, 1892, daughter of Jacob Hill,
of Alsace township. To this union were born eleven children, all of
whom survive but two: Jonathan, of Reading, m. Catherine Trout;
Elizabeth m. William Moyer, of Lyons, Pa.; Susan m. Francis Mee, of
Riverside, Pa.; Catharine m. William Gring of West Reading, Pa.;
Amos m. Clementine Huff, and resided at Dauberville, Pa., where he
died in August, 1905, aged seventy years; Jacob; Sarah m. Daniel
Frymoyer, of Reading; Abbie m. Daniel Wanner, of Riverside; Dr.
Abraham, deceased, m. (first) a Miss Schuder and (second) Sue
Weiler, and lived at Terre Hill, Pa.; Louisa m. William Wanner, of
Reading; and Henry m. Maggie Yost, of Reading.

Jacob Kissinger was reared to agricultural
pursuits, and when seventeen years of age learned the blacksmith’s
trade with Amos Albright, of Bern township. He worked for his
parents until attaining his majority, at which time he commenced
farming the homestead for himself, and in the spring of 1874 went
to North Reading, now called Riverside, where he built two brick
houses, into one of which he moved. For the following eight years
he was car inspector for the Philadelphia & Reading Railway
Company, but in 1882 he again engaged in farming, purchasing the
thirty-nine-acre tract after his father’s death. Mr. Kissinger has
been very successful in his operations, and for thirteen years was
a well-known figure at the Reading markets. He and his family are
Lutheran members of Kissinger’s Union Church, of which he was a
deacon.

On Oct. 27, 1862, Mr. Kissinger became a member
for nine months’ service of Company E. 167th Regiment, Pennsylvania
Drafted Militia, Capt. Hiram H. Miller, and was discharged Aug. 12,
1863, at Reading, where he enlisted March 3, 1865, this time
entering Capt. Andrew L. Lanigan’s Company F, 6th Regiment,
Pennsylvania Calvary; he was discharged Aug. 17, 1865 at
Louisville, Ky. Among various engagements Mr. Kissinger
participated in the battles of Suffolk, Va., Blackwater (Deserted
Farm), and Cartsville. His service was characterized by bravery and
faithfulness, and his war record is one to be proud of.

After his return from the war Mr. Kissinger was
employed in the stone quarry of Peter Finkfrock for three years. He
then went to Deep Creek Valley, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and was
employed as a teamster by Joseph Raemer, hauling timber to coal
mines, after which he went to Chillicothe, Mo., where he farmed for
one year. Selling his farm stock he returned East.

In 1874 Mr. Kissinger married Lizzie F. Foreman,
born Nov. 9, 1845, daughter of Henry and Mary (Fritz) Foreman, of
Reading. She died March 13, 1900. To this union were born three
children: Nora, born April 24, 1878, died Nov. 14, 1884; Harry A.,
who is unmarried, is at present located at Grand Junction, Colo.,
working in the department store of William J. Moyer; Laura D.
married Percival Fry, a clerk in a department store at
Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and by this union there is one daughter,
Florence Elizabeth, born Nov. 30, 1907, on the old Kissinger
homestead.

John Kissinger, grandson of Michael the ancestor, lived at Mohn’s
Hill in Spring township, and owned a small farm, on which he died in
1851, and where he is buried in a small burying-ground. He married
Catharine Garner, and they had these children: Polly, Sallie,
Lizzie, Kate, John, Elijah and Henry. Of this family, Elijah
Kissinger was a farmer and trucker. He was born in 1811, died in
1885, and is buried at Gouglersville. His wife was Louise Messinger
(1822-1875), and they had eight children: Rebecca, Sarah, John,
Samuel M. Mary, Elijah, Louise and Henry. Samuel M. Kissinger, son
of Elijah, and grandson of John, was born Dec. 4, 1851, and is a
truck farmer near Knauer’s, in Brecknock township. In 1874 he
married Amanda Trostle and they have a family of sixteen children, as
follows: Albert, Sallie, Katie, Mary, Lizzie, Samuel, Julia, John,
Mamie, Charles, Harry, Grover, Carrie, Maud, Jennie and Amanda.

KISSINGER,
JOHN

p. 1399

Surnames: KISSINGER, TOBIAS, GEHRET, LEADER, SPENGLER, ROBERTS,
JONES, ZERR, ECKERT, AHRENS, WRIGHT, FINK, LEWIS, DUNNEGAN,
SPANGLER, SCHAEFFER, BASCONE, FILBERT

There have been three John Kissingers in Berks county in direct
line, father, son and grandson, and the early home of the family
was in Alsace township.

John Kissinger, the first of the name, was a
farmer in Alsace township, where he owned a valuable farm. This he
lost through the machinations of the husband of his sister Betzy, a
Hessian soldier with whom she became acquainted while the Hessians
were in camp at Mount Penn, Reading, during the Revolutionary war.
John Kissinger was born about 1761, and he died in 1837, in Alsace
township, at the home of his son, Jacob. He married Elizabeth
Tobias, daughter of Jonathan Tobias, of Bern township, and they had
nine sons and one daughter, namely: Jacob, John, Samuel, Andrew,
Christian, Abraham, Solomon, William, David and Lydia (married
(first) David Gehret, and (second) John Leader).

John Kissinger, son of John and second of the
name, was born in Alsace, now Muhlenberg, township July 4, 1794,
and he died on Pine street, Reading, in 1859, at the age of
sixty-five years. By occupation he was a carpenter. He married
Catharine Spengler, daughter of Christian Spengler, of Heidelberg
township, and they had three sons and five daughters, as follow:
Elizabeth died unmarried aged twenty-one years; John, born March
11, 1816; Mary m. Daniel Roberts; Reuben m. Kate Jones; Susan m.
Samuel Zerr, and is still living; Sarah m. James Eckert; and Adam,
a cripple, who died unmarried; and another daughter.

John Kissinger, the third of the name and the
subject proper of this sketch, was born in Alsace (now Muhlenberg)
township, March 11, 1816. He attended pay schools, where only the
German language was taught, and at the age of fourteen he was
apprenticed to learn the carpenter’s trade under Jacob Ahrens, then
a prominent builder. In 1836 he came to Reading, seeing in this
then rapidly growing town great opportunity for success, and he
located at Front and Washington streets, at the canal locks–long
since removed. He secured work with Adam Wright, a manufacturer of
threshing machines, and at the end of a year entered the employ of
Benjamin Fink, a builder with whom he remained many years. In 1852
he went to Philadelphia, but at the end of eight months returned to
Reading, and engaged in carpentering. He built a number of the
homes on the north side of Chestnut street, between Fourth and
Fifth streets, and on the east side of Court street, between Church
and Sixth streets. He himself built his own home in 1897, when past
four score years, and it was nearly a decade later before he
retired from active work. To the last he worked in his little shop
in the rear of his home, making chests and household articles on a
small scale. His death, April 24, 1908, in his ninety-third year,
was due to a fractured hip, sustained in a fall down stairs.

At the age of nineteen Mr. Kissinger married
Catherine Lewis, daughter of William Lewis, and she died about half
a century ago; she had eight children, of whom is living (1908)
Reuben C. L., whose golden wedding anniversary was attended by his
father, four generations being present. Two years after the death
of his first wife, Mr. Kissinger married (second) Hannah Dunnegan,
daughter of James Dunnegan. She died in 1907. Five of the eleven
children of this union survive: Susan, wife of Charles Spangler;
Miss Clara; Morris; Lucy, wife of Earl Schaeffer, of Reading; and
Anna, wife of Joseph Bascone, of Philadelphia.

In politics he had been a Democrat all his life
casting his first vote in 1836. He recalled the administration of
Reading’s first mayor, Peter Filbert, a time when a great part of
the present city was farm land. He was very intelligent and could
tell in most interesting manner the tales of those early days. He
was a member of the Reformed Church, and fraternally he belonged to
Chandler Lodge, No. 227, F. & A.M. and Seminole Council, No. 88
O. U. A. M. Mr. Kissinger attributed his long life to nothing more
than temperate habits. He never used tobacco and very little
liquor; his hearing was excellent, as was also his eyesight, and
his health was perfect.

KISSINGER, JOHN M.

p. 1224

Surnames: KISSINGER, RILAND, MADEIRA, MAICKS, HIMMILWRIGHT,
KAUFFMAN, GEIGER, FREIS, RUTH, ZACHARIAS, SEIDEL, DAVIS, BROBST

John M. Kissinger (deceased), for many years president of the
Schuylkill Valley Bank, had been actively engaged in Reading in
business from 1847 up to his death, in 1905, and his name had
become symbolic of success, in what ever field he engaged. He came
from ancestors prominent in the early history of Berks county, who
left names that will long survive in the affections of the people.

The paternal grandfather, Ulrich Kissinger, was
a native of Alsace-Lorraine. In company with four brothers and two
sisters he came to America in 1770, and located in Berks county on
the Schuylkill river, at what is now known as Kissinger’s Bridge.
There he purchased a flour-mill and made milling his calling for
the rest of his life. In 1811 he constructed at his mill the first
bridge across the Schuylkill in the county, the famous Kissinger
chain bridge, which was torn down in 1833 by the Schuylkill
Navigation Company and replaced by a wooden bridge with roof and
sides. The founder of the family died in 1826.

John Kissinger, son of Ulrich, was born at the
American homestead Feb. 8, 1790. He learned his father’s trade of
milling and followed it until 1833, when the mill as well as the
bridge was destroyed to put in the canal. Removing to Reading he
opened a wood and coal office and continued in that business at the
foot of Penn street for eight years–five with a partner and three
by himself. In 1844 he once more took up his residence in the
country and operated a farm in Spring township, for six years, but
in 1850 he moved back to Reading and lived in retirement there for
the remaining sixteen years of his life. He died in April, 1866,
after a long life of usefulness and honor.

When the question of slavery was made a
political issue, Mr. Kissinger deserted the ranks of the Democratic
party and instead of voting for Douglas supported Lincoln,
remaining ever afterward a loyal Republican. In matters of
religious belief, he was a devout and consistent Lutheran and was
one of the most earnest laborers among the members of Trinity
Church.

Mr. Kissinger was twice married, first to Miss
Riland, and second to Miss Margaret Madeira. His children were all
born to the second marriage, and were as follows: Amelia married
(first) John Maicks, and (second) William Himmilwright; John M.;
Louisa married the late Jacob Kauffman, and now resides in Reading;
Catherine married C. D. Geiger (both now deceased).

John M. Kissinger was born at Kissinger’s
Bridge, Feb. 14, 1824, and received his education in the select
schools, when tuition was paid. When twenty-three years old he
entered upon his business career in Reading, where in 1847, in
partnership with Samuel Freis, he opened a wood and coal office at
the foot of Penn street. Eleven years later they added milling to
their other lines, but two years after thus enlarging their scope,
in 1860, Mr. Kissinger sold out his interest and with Jacob
Kauffman as a partner established a general mercantile store at the
corner of Penn and Third streets. This connection lasted but three
years, and Mr. Kissinger then engaged in the scrap iron business,
continuing thus until 1890. On July 21st of that year the
Schuylkill Valley Bank was organized and Mr. Kissinger, who had
been one of the principal promoters, was made president, a position
he held until his death. That sad event occurred April 10, 1905,
when he was eighty-one years old, and was felt to be a great loss
to Reading.

Mr. Kissinger was twice married. His first wife
was Miss Catherine Ruth, who died without issue. His second wife,
who survived him, was Henrietta, daughter of George Zacharias, of
Union township. She was born Aug. 17, 1827, and died July 6, 1908.
Three sons were born to them, but none survived childhood, one
dying when a year and a half old, another when two and a half, and
the third when three and a half years old. In early life Mr.
Kissinger was a Lutheran, having been confirmed in that church, but
later he united with the second Reformed Church, and was one of its
most active workers and generous contributors. His life was filled
with deeds of kindness and of helpfulness to others, while in
business he was upright and honorable, winning the highest praise
and esteem from his fellow citizens. Every one felt confidence in
his judgment and his advice was often sought. Essentially of a
domestic nature, Mr. Kissinger’s happiest hours were spent in his
home. In politics he was a Republican.

Mrs. Henrietta Z. Kissinger came from families
prominent in the early history of Berks county, whose members are
today numbered among its best citizens. Her father, George
Zacharias, was born in Muhlenberg township and was educated in the
schools there. Early in life he learned the milling business and
carried it on for a number of years until he purchased a farm in
Union township and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits.
He next built the Six Penny Creek Forge, but in 1840 again took up
farming on a tract of 217 acres which his father-in-law purchased,
and remained there until 1846. The following year was spent in
Reading, but he then bought another farm located in Bern township,
and remained there until his death. He passed away in 1862, aged
sixty-three while his wife, Mary, daughter of Nicholas Seidel, died
in 1877, aged seventy-seven. They had ten children, five daughters
and five sons, as follows: Daniel, George, Mahlon, Henrietta (Mrs.
Kissinger), Mary A., Elizabeth (wife of Juda Davis), Samuel, John,
Louisa (wife of Dr. Brobst), and Caroline. George Zacharias was a
member of the Reformed Church, while his wife was a Lutheran.

KISTLER, CHARLES E. (REV)

p. 1144

Surnames: KISTLER, SCHUMACHER, BROBST, MOSSER, REINHART, KELLER,
LADICH, SUNDAY, SNYDER, WEIDA, BAUSCH, BUCK, HERMANY, WERTMAN,
LONG, LENHART, STINE, SEIDEL, GRIM, WANNER, BAVER, FEGLEY, FISHER,
ROTHENBERGER

Rev. Charles E. Kistler. On the records of Jerusalem church, known
in the 18th Century as the Allemangel church, there are recorded
hundreds of baptisms of Kistler children, while in the cemetery
under the shadow of the church are many graves marked with the same
name. Near the center of the oldest part of the cemetery lies a
slate stone (which is now being replaced by the descendants with a
marble slab) bearing the inscription “I. G. K. 1767.” This is
supposed to be the stone that marked the burial place of the
progenitor of the American Kistlers, who was legally known as
Johannes, but was called Joerg or George by Pastor Schumacher in
his record, and Hanjoerg or John George, by his neighbors.

(I) Johannes Kistler was a native of the Palatinate, in Germany. On
Oct. 5, 1737, he came in the ship “Townshead” from Amsterdam to
Philadelphia, and soon after to Falkner Swamp, or Goshenhoppen, in
what is now Montgomery county, Pa. It is supposed he was
accompanied by his wife, Anna Dorothea, and his oldest children. In
1747 he took out a warrant for land and moved to Albany township,
Berks county, then wild and barren, where he made his permanent
residence. The vicinity was named “Allemangel” or “All Wants.”
Johannes Kistler was taxed in Albany in 1756, and was naturalized
in 1761, on Sept. 10th of which year he and his neighbor, Michael
Brobst, appeared before the Supreme Court in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. He was a Lutheran and served as elder of the
Allemangel church for a number of years, where his children were
baptized and confirmed. His children were: (1) Jacob, who left
seven children – Philip, Jacob, Michael, Solomon, Daniel, Catharine
and Magdalene. Samuel Kistler Brobst, a teacher of James A.
Garfield, was a grandson of Philip; and so was Michael Kistler, the
tanner, whose son Stephen was at one time the most extensive tanner
in eastern Pennsylvania. (2) John remained on the homestead after
his father’s death. The name John runs through at least five
generations, and the trade of blacksmith follows it. John’s
children were: John William, born May 29, 1757; and Abraham, born
Dec. 20, 1761, who is the ancestor of the Perry county Kistlers for
whom Kistler post-office has been named. A descendant, Rev. Dr.
John Kistler, has for many years been professor at the oldest
Lutheran Theological Seminary in America, located at Hartwick, N.
Y. (3) George remained in Berks county. In 1779 he was the owner of
248 acres of land and a grist mill. In 1778 he was elected elder of
the Allemangel Church, and as he was referred to as George Kistler,
Sr., he doubtless had a son George. The archives of Pennsylvania
show that a George Kistler served in the Continental army during
the Revolution. (4) Philip, born Oct. 19, 1745, died Aug. 28, 1809.
He had nine children: Jacob, John, Ferdinand, Philip, Jonathan,
Barbara, Maria, Catharine, and Elizabeth. Of these Jacob was a
lieutenant in the War of 1812. (5) Michael moved to Ohio, and is
the ancestor of the large Kistler settlements in Indiana. His
family consisted of John, Michael, Joseph, Nathan, Monroe, Salome
and Judith. (6) Samuel was the youngest son of his father. (7)
Barbara m. (first) a Brobst, and (second) Michael Mosser of
Lowhill. (8) Dorothea m. Michael Reinhart. (9) Elizabeth m. a Mr.
Keller, near Hamburg, Pennsylvania.

(II) Samuel Kistler, son of John George, was born Sept. 20, 1754,
and died April 24, 1822. He was an extensive land owner. In 1803 he
built a very substantial stone mansion in Kistler’s Valley, which
remained his home to the time of his death, and which has until
recently been the property of his descendants. He built the Kistler
mill near Tripoli. For many years he has been an elder of the
Jerusalem church, and it was while he held that office that the
present house of worship was erected, 1812-14. All these buildings
erected about a century ago, stand as firmly today as though they
had been built in recent years. Samuel Kistler was twice married.
His first wife, Elizabeth Ladich, bore him three children, and his
second, Catharine Brobst, twelve. These were: Barbara m. Henry
Sunday, and is buried at Dunkel’s church; Jacob S., father of
Samuel J. (who was a delegate to the National Convention which
nominated Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency), is buried at the
Jerusalem church; Samuel is buried at Tripoli church; John S. is
buried at Jerusalem church; Michael died in Ohio; Christian is
buried at Tripoli; Daniel and David both died in West Penn,
Schuylkill county; Jesse died in Ohio; Levi is buried at Jacob’s
church, Jacksonville, Pa.; Charles is buried at Newton Falls,
Trumbull county, Ohio; Maria Elizabeth m. Jacob Snyder, and died in
Ohio; Catharine m. George Weida, and died in Lowhill; Salome m.
Jacob Mosser, the tanner, and died in Allentown; and Magdalene m.
Solomon Mosser, and is probably buried at Lynnville. The
descendants of Samuel Kistler are scattered all over the United
States. Many of them have become successful business and
professional men. An unusually large number are physicians and
ministers of the Gospel.

(II) Jacob S. Kistler, son of Samuel and grandson of John George,
was born Oct. 5, 1781, was justice of the peace, and held other
offices, and died Oct. 7, 1845. He married Anna Barbara Bausch, who
died Nov. 19, 1867. He left sixteen children: John, Jacob, Nathan,
Stephen S., David, Jonas, Charles and Catherine (m. to Reuben Buck)
are all buried at the Jerusalem church; Reuben died in Louisville,
Ky.; Salome, m. to John Hermany, is buried at Jacksonville, Pa.;
Mary, m. to Elias Wertman, died at Peoria, Ill.; Lydia, m. to
Daniel Long, is buried at New Ringgold, Pa.; Elizabeth lives at
Saegersville, Pa.; Anna Fena, m. to Charles Lenhart, is buried at
Bethel church in Albany township; Helena, second wife of Daniel
Long, died in Atchinson, Kans.; and Samuel J., Associate Judge of
Lehigh county, member of the State Legislature, justice of the
peace for many years, and family historian, is buried at the
Heidelberg church, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania.

(III) Stephen S. Kistler, son of Jacob S., was born in Kistler’s
Valley, Dec. 16, 1817, and died March 13, 1874. He was married to
Abigail Brobst. They had eight children: Philip, William S., Mary,
Albert and Jacob are buried at the Jerusalem church; Sarah, m. to
Harry Stine, lives at Fogelsville; Fianna, m. to Emanuel Seidel, is
buried at Hamburg; and Samuel died at Seipstown.

(IV) William S. Kistler, son of Stephen S. and great-great-grandson
of the emigrant John George, was born Nov. 15, 1840, and died Sept.
10, 1887. He served nine months in the Civil War. He was married to
Maria Grim, daughter of Reuben Grim and his wife Sarah Wanner. They
bought the old Kistler homestead where their eight children were
brought up. These are: Jesse, a physician at Allentown; Elmer, who
was for many years a school teacher of Lynn Township, and is now a
justice of the peace; William U., pastor of St. Mark’s Lutheran
Church, Pennsburg, and St. John’s, Spinnertown, Pa.; Charles E.,
pastor of Alsace Lutheran Church, Reading, Pa.; Stephen O., who
remained on the old homestead; Mary, married to Dr. A. F. Baver,
Stony Run, Pa.; and Sallie and Kathryn, who live with the mother at
Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pa. It may seem remarkable that so
many out of the family have entered professions. This is, however,
nothing unusual with the Kistlers. Four sons of William B. Kistler
have entered the medical profession, and three sons of Jacob
Kistler have done the same.

(V) Charles Edward Kistler, son of William S. and Maria (Grim)
Kistler, was born in Kistler’s Valley, near Lynnville, Pa., Aug.
23, 1870. He is the fifth of a family of eight children, all of
whom are still living and enjoying good health. His father had
resolved to educate all his sons to become school teachers, which
he realized in the three oldest. Before Charles’ turn came, the
well-meaning father died, leaving the mother with the large family.
With rare tact the mother took upon herself the care of the family
to whom was left a large farm and much hard work, but very little
opportunity for intellectual improvement. Charles E. was, however,
not dismayed. Every evening, no matter how hard the work of the
day, he could be found at his books, sometimes long after the rest
of the family had retired. Within a year after his father’s death
he had charge of a public school in his home district. The next
three years of his life were spent working on the farm during the
summer, and teaching school during the winter months. He had
mastered the common branches so thoroughly that during the course
of a teacher’s examination the county superintendent asked him what
school he had attended that he was able to answer all the questions
more accurately than any of the other applicants he had examined up
to that time. He was afraid to say that for more than two years he
had not attended any school. So successful was he as a teacher that
he earned a State Teacher’s Permanent Certificate. When quite young
he felt a strong desire to become a minister of the Gospel. He was
convinced that the ministry would afford him the greatest
opportunity of doing good. In view of this he took private lessons
during the last winter he taught school, and with the additional
instruction of a few weeks in a select school, he prepared for
Muhlenberg College, to which he was admitted without conditions in
the fall of 1891. With very little means, and with no prospect of
receiving adequate support from any source, he began his career as
a student. Although often pressed by want, he was never
discouraged. In the spring of 1895 he was granted a leave of
absence by his professors to open a summer normal at Lynnville.
Here he met with remarkable success. In spite of strong opposition
he was so richly patronized that the succeeding part of his course
became pleasant and agreeable. In June, 1895, he graduated from
Muhlenberg College with credit; and in May, 1898, from the Lutheran
Theological Seminary, Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, Pa. His class at the
seminary was the largest that was ever graduated from that
institution, and a number of his classmates expressed their fears
that there might be no place for them. To such Mr. Kistler would
say: “If the Lord wants us to work in His kingdom, He will have a
field of labor ready for us at the proper time.” Mr. Kistler does
not believe that the man should hunt the place; if he is worth
having, the place will seek him. Without any effort on his part he
received a unanimous call to become the Lutheran pastor of the
Alsace Lutheran congregation, then worshiping with the Reformed in
the union building erected in 1850 and removed in 1908. After his
ordination, June 6, 1898, he accepted the call to Alsace church,
and was installed as pastor in July, 1898. His pastor, Rev. H. S.
Fegley, who had baptized and confirmed him, was one of the
officiating clergymen.

When the Rev. Mr. Kistler came to Alsace the
Lutheran congregation had been without a pastor for some time,
services were conducted only once a month, and the prospects were
so discouraging that a number of the members united with
neighboring churches. With Rev. Kistler came new life. The
congregation, although 160 years old, at once began to grow
rapidly. The advisability of separating from the Reformed
congregation, worshiping on alternate Sundays in the old building,
soon became evident to him. The sentiment on both sides seemed
almost unanimous against separation. With no one willing to help
take a prominent part in the movement, Rev. Mr. Kistler started it
single-handed. With such courage and fairness did he handle the
matter that many firm supporters were soon won, and in three years
the separation was effected. That it was peaceable and heartily
received on both sides, is proved by the twin churches now standing
on Alsace hill, costing nearly $100,000.

Under the Rev. Mr. Kistler’s pastorate of eleven
years 700 members have been added to the Alsace Lutheran
congregation now numbering 826 communicants; the evening services
have been introduced, so that there are two services on every
Lord’s Day, or eight times as many services, as there were when he
came and all of them more than twice as well attended; the liturgy
has been introduced at all the services; the Sunday-school has
quadrupled its membership; a very active Mite Society and a Luther
League have been organized; and the activity and income of the
congregation have increased fully tenfold. Rev. Mr. Kistler
preaches English and German with equal fluency. For the last two
years he has served as secretary and treasurer of the Reading
Conference of the Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania. He has for
many years been chairman and historian of the large Kistler family
reunions held annually in Lehigh county. He supplied the pulpit of
Friedens church, Bernville, 1901-02, and was pastor of the Blandon
Lutheran congregation, 1903-08. He had a number of offers which
would have made his work easier and more lucrative, but he prefers
to remain where his work will count most. He resides at No. 344
North Ninth street, Reading.

On Aug. 23, 1899, the Rev. Mr. Kistler was
united in marriage with Effie Fisher, daughter of the late Henry D.
Fisher, and his wife Elizabeth (Rothenberger) Fisher.

KITCHIN, ELIAS CAREY
(DR.)

p. 453

Surnames: KITCHIN, CAREY, PAXSON, KING, FILBERT, KLINE, BLAND, LE
MOYN

Dr. Elias Carey Kitchin, of Amity township, one of the most
distinguished and best known citizens of Berks county, was born in
Solebury, Bucks Co., Pa., Nov. 27, 1827, son of William and Ellenor
(Carey) Kitchin, and grandson of William Kitchin, and died at this
home in Brumbieldsville, March 13, 1909.

William Kitchin, the grandfather, was a farmer
in Bucks county. He was a man of much learning, devoted to
scientific pursuits, and he was prominent among the old orthodox
Quakers. His wife was Ann Paxson, a member of an old Quaker family.

William Kitchin, the doctor’s father, was born
in Solebury township, Bucks county, Feb. 12, 1789, and died Oct.
16, 1873; he was buried at Solebury Quaker meetinghouse. Like his
father he was a strict orthodox Quaker. For seventeen years he was
president of the Bucks County Fire Insurance Company. In 1812 he
married Ellenor Carey (1794-1877), daughter of Elias and Hannah
Carey, and eight children were born of this union; Elias (died
small), John, Ann, Thomas, William (a retired merchant of Bucks
county), Dr. Elias C., Paxson (of Northampton county) and Samuel
(deceased).

Elias C. Kitchin gave evidence of an unusually
brilliant mind as a very small child, being to read before he was
three years old. His father was superintendent for the contractor
making the Delaware division of the Pennsylvania canal that was
finished in 1830, and the Doctor is still able to sing songs he
heard the workmen sing there. In 1833 he was sent to a Quaker
school, where he spelled in a class with girls fifteen and sixteen
years old. In 1844 he went to work on the Bucks County
Intelligencer, published at Doylestown, but this work proved too
hard for him, and it was four years before he recovered his health.
During these years of ill health he became interested in medicine,
and Dr. Livezey, a graduate of Princeton, who afterward became a
professor in the Female Medical College, Philadelphia, took him in
charge and in 1850 he graduated in medicine. In January, 1851, he
located in Berks county, and entered upon the practice of his
profession at Yellow House. In 1857 he erected there his late home,
one of the most beautiful places in that part of the country. Here
he was living, caring for a large number of patients, being friend
and adviser to almost everybody in his township, active in public
affairs-altogether a very busy and useful man-when the Civil war
broke out.

Dr. Kitchin was a stanch Protectionist, and when
he moved to Berks county, he warned that to be popular there he
would be obliged to become a Democrat, but he was true to his
principles, and for eighteen months he presided over the
Know-Nothing Council, during his administration greatly changing
the political complexion of his township by one hundred votes. He
was a Republican committee of twenty for the first Republican
convention at Reading, and was the last survivor of the twenty men
who signed. Of the seventy-two soldiers furnished by Amity township
for the Civil War, sixty-five were Republicans.

At the outbreak of the Civil war, Dr. Kitchin
did not enlist, thinking it his duty to care for his patients, but
when he learned the Confederates were marching into Pennsylvania he
started for Harrisburg with his rifle. There he chanced to meet
Surgeon-General King who made him assistant surgeon, and he was
assigned to the 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry, remaining with that
regiment until its term of service had expired. He was then ordered
to Reading to recruit, and after much difficulty succeeded in
recruiting Company H, 21st P. V. C. They proceeded to Washington,
where they were dismounted, and they saw hard service as infantry.
They participated in the following engagements: Bethesda Church
(when sixty men, killed and wounded, were lost in fifteen minutes),
Petersburg, Jerusalem Plank Road, Peeble’s Farm, Stony Creek,
Boydton Plank road. In the last named battle Assistant Surgeon
Kitchin so distinguished himself for his active service in caring
for the wounded on the firing line, being the only surgeon that
remained with Surgeon Le Moyn, that he was recommended for
promotion, and was made surgeon of the 155th P. V. I., with which
regiment he served until the close of the war, taking part in the
fights at Hatcher’s Run, Five Forks and Appomattox. At Appomattox
he dressed the wounds of the last soldier injured in Lee’s army,
and gave a Confederate who made himself known as a Mason $50 to
enable him to get home, to Shelbyville. Dr. Kitchin was mustered
into service Feb. 21, 1864, promoted from assistant surgeon to
surgeon Jan. 30, 1864, and was mustered out June 2, 1865. He proved
himself an able and fearless soldier, cheerfully and effectively
doing his duty in whatever capacity he was ordered. When the war
was over he returned to his home and resumed his professional work.

In 1856 Dr. Kitchin married Ellen Filbert,
daughter of Samuel and Charlotte (Kline) Filbert, the former for
some years proprietor of “Yellow House”. Mrs. Kitchin died Oct. 23,
1900, aged sixty-six years, ten days. Two children were born of
this union: William F. and Charlotte. The Doctor was prominent
socially, belonging to McLean Post, No. 16, G. A. R., Reading; to
the F. & A. M.; to Phoenixville Commandery, K. T., of which he
was the last surviving charter member; to the Knights of the Red
Cross, and the Knights of Malta.

One of the Doctor’s lasts requests was that the
address at his funeral be made by Judge H. Willis Bland, of
Reading; that members of the Masonic Lodge act as his pall bearers,
and that comrades of the G. A. R. conduct the services at the
grave. This was done, and a large number of friends came to pay
their last respects to one whom they knew so well.