Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

KRAMLICH, BENJAMIN
ELIAS

p. 1608

Surnames: KRAMLICH, KOCHER, VAN DEVEER, BIEBER

Rev. Benjamin Elias Kramlich was born in Weisenburg township,
Lehigh county, Pa., Oct 7, 1831, son of Christian and Catharine
(Kocher) Kramlich. During his boyhood he attended the common
schools at Fogelsville, after which he was a pupil at an academy
conducted by Rev. Van Deveer at Easton. In that city he was engaged
for several years as a clerk in a dry goods store. In 1851 he
resumed his studies, entering the preparatory department of
Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, and he graduated from that
institution in 1856. The next two years were spent at the
Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, and in the fall of 1858 he was
licensed by the West Pennsylvania Synod, and was admitted into the
Ministerium of Pennsylvania, and was ordained by it at Lebanon,
Pa., in 1859. He first took charge of Trexlertown, Maxatawny
(Siegfried’s), Moselem, Fleetwood, Rockland (Mertz’s) Hereford
(Huff’s) and Mertztown. At various times during the long years of
his ministry he served Mohrsville, Shoemakersville and
Jacksonville, and at the time of his death he was still serving
five of the original congregations, having given up Moselem and
Huff’s years before, and added St. Peters, Topton, which he
organized.

During his entire ministry he was connected with
the Keystone State Normal School, which he helped to establish. He
was a member of the board of trustees from the very beginning, and
its president during the last twenty-three years. From 1885 to 1888
he also served as president of Conference.

On May 23, 1863, the Rev. Mr. Kramlich married
Sophia B. Bieber, daughter of John and Hannah Bieber. He died Jan.
1, 1900, leaving his widow and three sons–Rev. William
Wilberforce, Rev. John Frederick and Prof. George Edgar–and two
daughters–Ella Evangeline and Charlotte Belle. His remains rest in
the cemetery at Kutztown. The board of trustees of the Normal
School placed a tablet in that institution in commemoration of his
excellent services in its behalf.

Rev. William Wilberforce Kramlich, eldest son of
the late Rev. Benjamin Elias, was born in Kutztown, Jan. 22, 1866,
and was educated in the Normal School of that town, and at
Chambersburg, entering Muhlenberg College, 1883, and graduating
therefrom in 1887. In the fall he entered the Theological Seminary,
from which he graduated May 19, 1891, and he was ordained at
Pottstown. During the first years he assisted his father, and was
then called to the Womelsdorf parish–Zion’s, St. Daniel’s near
Robesonia, St. John’s Host and Zion’s at Strausstown. This field he
served until the latter part of November, 1901. He is now located
at Pinegrove, Pa. On June 14, 1894, he married Ida Ahrens, of
Reading.

Rev. John Frederick Kramlich was born at
Kutztown, Aug. 20, 1871, and his early literary training was
received in the Normal School, from which he graduated in 1889. For
three years he taught in the public schools of Lehigh county. He
later entered Muhlenberg College, and graduated in 1896. In 1899 he
graduated from Mt. Airy Seminary, and was ordained May 29th, by the
Ministerium of Pennsylvania. He then took charge of Grace Church at
Royersford. The congregation has built a fine new church during his
ministry.

Prof. George Edgar Kromlich was born at Kutztown
Oct. 3, 1873, and received his elementary training in the Normal
School, graduating in 1891. After teaching several terms in Berks
and Montgomery counties he entered Muhlenberg College, from which
institution he graduated in 1897. He then taught in the classical
department of the Keystone State Normal School for two terms, after
which he became principal of schools in Brookville, Jefferson
county, and later was superintendent of schools at Tarentum,
Allegheny county. After pursuing a post-graduate course in the
University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University, he accepted the
chair of German and Latin in the Ball high school, Galveston,
Texas, where he is now located.

KRAUSS,
CURTIS E.

p. 1124

Surnames: KRAUSS, HOFFMAN, YEAKEL, SCHULTZ, KRIEBLE, EDELMAN,
ACKERMAN, BARTHOLOMEW, DETWEILER, WISSLER, EISENLOHR, HEIST, SOMMER

Curtis E. Krauss, local superintendent of the Otto Eisenlohr &
Bros. cigar manufactory, Reading, was born in Lehigh county, Pa.,
Dec. 13, 1872.

Balthaser Krauss, the ancestor of the American
family of the name, was a son of Widow Anna Krauss, who came to
Pennsylvania in 1733. On Jan. 16, 1736, he married Susanna Hoffman,
and their children were: Rosina, born April 10, 1737; Susanna, Aug.
29, 1738; Barbara, July 22, 1742; Balthaser, Nov. 28, 1743; and
Maria, July 17, 1750. Balthaser Krauss died Feb. 25, 1774, and his
wife April 14, 1791.

Balthaser Krauss, son of Balthaser the emigrant,
was born Nov. 28, 1743. On June 14, 1769, he married Susanna,
daughter of H. Heinrich Yeakel, and their children were: John, born
March 1, 1770; Andrew, June 21, 1771; Balthaser, Nov. 10, 1772
(died Aug. 26, 1779); Regina, 1775 (died 1807); Helena, 1776;
Rosanna, 1780; George, Feb. 23, 1783; and Lydia, July 3, 1786.

John Krauss, son of Balthaser and Susanna
(Yeakel), was born March 1, 1770. On May 11, 1795, he married
Rosina Yeakel, daughter of Michael Yeakel, and their children were:
Sarah, born 1795 (died 1798); Maria, Jan. 7, 1798; a daughter, 1800
(died unnamed); Anthony, May 23, 1803; Daniel, Oct. 16, 1805 (died
April 3, 1808); a daughter, 1811 (died 1811); a son 1813 (died
1813); Joseph, Nov. 14, 1814; and Lydia.

Andrew Krauss, son of Balthaser and Susanna
(Yeakel) born June 21, 1771, married Nov. 30, 1797, Susanna,
daughter of Andrew Schultz. Their children were: Regina, born 1798;
Leah, 1799; Joel, Oct. 11, 1801; George, Dec. 14, 1803; Samuel;
Rebecca, Nov. 20, 1805; John; and David, Jan. 12, 1821.

George Krauss, son of Balthaser and Susanna
(Yeakel) and the next in direct line to Curtis E. Krauss of
Reading, was born Feb. 23, 1783, in Upper Montgomery county.

Jacob Krauss, son of George, was born May 9,
1807, in Kraussdale, Montgomery county, where he engaged in farming
all his life. Like his ancestors he belonged to the Schwenkfelder
religious society. He married Lydia Krieble, and they had these
children: Amos, born March 21, 1833; Amanda, June 19, 1834; Selina,
June 1, 1837; Samuel, Aug. 23, 1839; Jacob, Feb. 1, 1842;
Catharine, March 21, 1844; and Mary, Oct. 23, 1846. Jacob Krauss
died in 1879.

Amos Krauss, son of Jacob and Lydia (Krieble),
was born in Lehigh county, March 21, 1833. His early years were
spent on his fathers farm, and in 1883 he moved to Quakertown,
where he followed farming. For some years he taught school in Upper
Milford township, Lehigh county. He is now living retired in his
own home. He is a man of high repute, and has been a good and
useful citizen. His wife, Sophia Edelman, is a daughter of John
Edelman, of Montgomery county. They had nine children: Amanda, m.
to Frank Ackerman; Ambrose, who died in infancy; Preston, of
Philadelphia; Morris, of Quakertown; Percifur, of Philadelphia;
Puella, m. to L. H. Bartholomew, and died in August, 1906;
Virginia, m. to Francis C. Detweiler, of Philadelphia; Curtis E.;
and Sylvia, m. to Jeremiah Wissler, of Souderton, Pennsylvania.

Curtis E. Krauss was educated in the public
schools of Quakertown, whither his parents had removed when he was
eleven years of age. At the age of seventeen he learned the cigar
makers trade from Henry Sommer & Son, with whom he remained
about two years. He then worked at different factories in
Quakertown, and the surrounding district, after which he connected
himself with the H. Smeal Cigar Manufacturing Company, of
Philadelphia, as general manager, remaining there four years. The
following two years he was in the preparation department of Graham
& Ernst, cigar manufacturers at Quakertown, acquiring a varied
and valuable experience. He then, June 1, 1904, became foreman of
Otto Eisenlohr & Bros. factory at Richlandtown, Bucks county,
remaining there until March 1st of the following year, when he
became the general manager and superintendent of the Otto Eisenlohr
& Bros. factory at Reading, the second largest of its kind in
that city. The plant is located at Seventh and Washington streets,
the main building is 55×100 feet, and the annex is 30×45 feet, all
four stories high. The interior is finished in hard wood, and
everything is arranged on a strictly sanitary basis. There are
about 400 persons employed, and over all Mr. Krauss has entire
charge.

In 1895 Mr. Krauss married Miss Lizzie Heist,
daughter of Henry C. and Leanna Heist, of Quakertown. Two children
have been born to them: Herman Lloyd and Christine Leome. Socially
Mr. Krauss belongs to St. Bernard Commandery, No. 49, Knights of
Malta, of Quakertown; and Chandler Lodge, No. 227, F. & A. M.,
of Reading. He and his family are members of Trinity Lutheran
Church. The family home is at No. 723 North Fourth street, Reading.

KREIDER, MILTON C.

p. 596

Surnames: KREIDER, MISSEMER, SCHOEBERGER, GEIER, REDCAY, HOBERACKER

Milton C. Kreider, alderman of the Fourth ward, Reading, has been
prominently connected with the political affairs of that city for a
number of years. He is descended from a family of German origin,
the founders of which in this country were three brothers, who came
to America many generations ago. One of them settled in Lebanon
county, one in Huntingdon county and the other in Lancaster county,
Pa., Mr. Kreider being descended from the latter.

William Kreider, grandfather of the Alderman,
lived in Lititz, Lancaster county. He went to Florida and took part
in the Seminole Indian war and was never heard from afterward.
Edwin W. Kreider, the Alderman’s father, was then but four years
old. He became a carriage builder and died in Reading May 17, 1904,
aged seventy-four years. He married Angelina Missemer, daughter of
Samuel Missemer, who was in the cigar business at Catasauqua, and
they were the parents of ten children, four of whom are deceased:
E. W., who died in 1876, aged fourteen years; George B., who died
in 1866, aged two years; Mary Ida, who died in infancy in 1860; and
Clarence, a bookkeeper, who died in 1902. The surviving children
are Milton C.; Franklin S., a constable of the Fourth ward,
Reading; Annie, wife of Benjamin Schoenberger, in the clothing
business in Reading; Emma, at home; Roland and Henry, carriage
painters of Reading.

Milton C. Kreider was born March 23, 1854, and
he was educated in the public schools. Leaving home at the age of
seventeen years his first occupation was at herding cattle on the
plains. He spent eight years on the frontier, and then returning to
Reading, went into the carriage business with his father, becoming
general superintendent for the latter. He remained in this position
until 1886, when he went to Schuylkill county, and engaged in
carriage building and hotel keeping on his own account, remaining
there six years. Returning to Reading he entered his father’s
carriage shops again in the position of superintendent. In 1893 Mr.
Kreider was elected superintendent of the Reading Relief Society.
In 1896 he was elected constable of the Fourth ward, and in 1899
was elected to succeed himself in that office. In 1902, although
running on the Democratic ticket in a Republican ward, he was
elected alderman of the Fourth ward, which office he is still
filling.

Mr. Kreider was married April 9, 1881, to Valera
Geier. He and his wife have adopted two children: Tracey Redcay and
Leroy Hoberacker, both of whom are at school. Fraternally Alderman
Kreider is a member of the Red Men; the Fraternal Order of Eagles;
and “The Commercials.” In religion he is a member of the Methodist
Church.

KREMP,
EDWARD S.

p. 208

Surnames: KREMP, LEITHAM, DERR, BOAS, KUPP, MORGAN, HARTMAN

Edward S. Kremp, lawyer, Reading, comes from an ancestry which had
its origin in Alsace-Lorraine, several generations of the family
having resided in Saar-Union, while under the jurisdiction of
France, of which municipality his great-grandfather, John Kremp, a
Chevalier de St. Louis (born Dec. 12, 1747, died Feb. 26, 1836),
was Mayor from 1810 to 1819.

Xavier Kremp, grandfather of Edward S., was born
April 13, 1791, and was a number of years municipal clerk of
Saar-Union.

Dominic Kremp, son of Xavier, born June 18,
1832, came to America in June, 1850, taking up his residence in
Reading, Berks Co., Pa. He dealt for many years in real estate but
is now living retired. His wife was Matilda Leitham, Daughter of
Martin Leitham, a prominent farmer of Bally, Berks country. To them
were born three children: Mary E., Anna A., and Edward S.

Edward S. Kremp is a native of Reading, born
Nov. 16, 1866. His early educational training was gained in the
public schools of the city, and he later attended St. Vincent’s
College, at Latrobe, Pa., where he was graduated with first honors
in 1886. Beginning the study of law in the office of Cyrus G. Derr,
of Reading, he was admitted to the Bar in November, 1889, and has
since continued to practice.

Mr. Kremp married, in 1890, Miss Elsie Boas, who
comes from distinguished ancestry, being the daughter of Capt. E.
P. Boas and Elizabeth Kupp, the latter the daughter of Major Henry
S. Kupp, of Birdsboro, Berks county, who was provost marshal during
the war of the Rebellion. Her mother, Rebecca (Morgan) Kupp, was a
daughter of Colonel Morgan, the founder of Morgantown, Berks
county, and the line here runs back to the Morgans of Revolutionary
fame. To Mr. and Mrs. Kremp has been born one daughter, Augusta.

Mr. Kremp at one time owned the beautiful
country seat known as “Ravenswood” in the suburbs, which was built
by him, and he is the author of “Caws from Ravenswood,” a booklet
of poems which appeared in December, 1895, and which two months
thereafter was translated into German by Professor Wilhelm Hartman.

KREMP,
JOSEPH P.

p. 1241

Surnames: KREMP, PRESTAT, HEIZMANN, MILLER, WAGNER

Joseph P. Kremp, one of the best known and most successful business
men in the city of Reading, son of the late Louis and Caroline
(Prestat) Kremp, was born in 1854, in Berks county, Pennsylvania.

He was educated
in the public and high schools of that city and later finished at
Villa Nova College. After graduation, he entered his father’s
building association office, in which he obtained a thorough,
practical training in the conduct of all branches of real estate,
banking and insurance business. Later, he became interested in the
manufacture of high class ornamental glassware, previously made
only by expert artists and workmen in Europe and exported to this
country. For this purpose he left his father’s office to establish
the Reading Glass Works, the pioneer American company in this line,
and was appointed general manager. A modern plant was erected, but
conditions were not conducive to making the enterprise a commercial
success. It was therefore abandoned; and, in conjunction with his
father, he incorporated the Reading Brewing Company, the plant
being built on the site of the glass works. Mr. Kremp was made
general manager, which position he held for eight years. He was
notary public for the First National Bank and other banks of
Reading (succeeding his father, upon his death, as director), and
represented many of the leading insurance companies in this
district. In 1882 he became interested in the Penn Butt Works as a
partner with C. R. and A. A. Heizmann, with a one-third interest.
Later, upon the consolidation of the Penn Butt Works with the Penn
Hardware Company, his interests were transferred and he became a
director in the latter company.

Mr. Kremp was a director of the Penn National
Bank, the Pennsylvania Trust Company, and a member of the Board of
Trade. He was also interested in a great number of building
associations in Reading.

Mr. Kremp enjoyed an extensive personal
acquaintance through the southeastern section of the State. He had
many stanch friends who admired his social qualities and unswerving
loyalty to his social and business ideals. As a business man, he
was energetic and extremely broadminded. Although through his
active efforts he gained a competency, on a number of occasions he
sacrificed financial interests when in conflict with the high
standard which he had set for himself and on which his business
reputation was based. The city of Reading is not only indebted to
him for the establishment of two important industrial plants which
gave employment to hundreds of men, but also to his public-spirited
citizenship in taking part in most important movements for the
general welfare and advancement of the community.

At the time of his death in Reading, Oct. 31,
1902, besides his extensive professional and business occupations,
he was a member of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, of the
Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia and of St. John’s
Society.

On March 4, 1887, Mr. Kremp was married to Laura
Amelia Miller, daughter of Lewis Miller (mentioned just above), a
former partner in the old Reading Iron Works, and the inventor of
the well-known Miller cotton compress. To this union were born two
children: Lewis, who having prepared at the Cascadella School,
Ithaca, N. Y., became a student in the engineering department of
Columbia University, N. Y.; and Marie Ada, pupil at the Academy of
Madame of the Sacred Heart, Manhattanville, New York.

Mrs. Kremp has been actively engaged in works of
commemoration and beneficence. Among other positions, she served as
a member of the committee on Woman’s Work to be sent from Berks
county, Pa., to the Columbian Exposition at Chicago, Ill., in 1893;
on committee of judges of the Women’s Work at the International
Cotton Exposition in Atlanta, Ga.; was first president of the
Ladies’ Auxiliary of St. Joseph’s Hospital, Reading, Pa.; section
president of the Needlework Guild, and on the Women’s committee of
the Sesqui-Centennial in Reading.

Louis Kremp, father of Joseph P., a well known
citizen of Reading, was nationally famous at the “Father of
Building Associations.” At one time during his career, he was
secretary of twenty-one separate institutions of that character,
and regarded as one of the best real estate and insurance agents in
the State of Pennsylvania.

The elder Kremp was born Oct. 26, 1820, in
Saar-Union, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France, son of John Kremp, for many
years city clerk, and grandson of John Kremp, who had held the
office of Mayor and was a man of More than ordinary influence.
Louis Kremp obtained his early education in the joined his father
as a partner in business, continuing with him until the spring of
1849, when with his wife he left for America, arriving in New York
City on July 4th. At this time Mr. C. Wagner, a friend and school
companion, was teaching Latin in Philadelphia, and on his advice
Mr. Kremp removed to Reading, where he opened a notion store. In
April, 1862, he was elected secretary of St. Peter’s Catholic
Church Beneficial Society, a very extensive organization.

In 1863 he was elected secretary of the Reading
German Building & Savings Association, and assisted in
organizing several branches. In 1873 he was elected alderman of the
Eighth ward of Reading, by a large majority, but at the end of his
first term declined renomination, at that date receiving a
commission as notary public. Mr. Kremp was the founder of the
Reading Brewing Company. He died March 15, 1896.

In September, 1847, in his native country, Mr.
Kremp was married to Caroline Prestat, born July 2, 1828, in
Fraize, France, who died April 2, 1883, daughter of Nicholas Joseph
Prestat, a prominent man of his locality, who held a responsible
position under the government.

To Mr. and Mrs. Kremp were born children as
follows: Joseph P., Amelia T., Lizzie P., and Caroline E.

KREPS, FRANK
L.

p. 779

Surnames: KREPS, O’BRIEN, SCHOFFNER, BECHTEL, SCHULL, GARRISON

Frank L. Kreps is a plumber at Reading, Pa., whose establishment is
situated at No. 40 North Sixth street. He was born April 30, 1865,
at Salem, Ohio, son of Henry and Mary (O’Brien) Kreps.

Henry Kreps, father of Frank L., was also a
native of Salem, Ohio, and there spent his entire life, and died in
1876, aged about thirty-eight years. His trade was that of a
machinist, and he was for many years known as a skilled mechanic
and successful business man. Henry Kreps was married to Mary
O’Brien, who died at Norristown, Pa., in August 1896, aged
fifty-two years, and to them there were born these children:
William, engaged in the manufacture of silk at Paterson, N. J.;
Frank L.; Charles, in the plumbing business at Fort Washington,
Pa.; Elwood, a carpenter of Chester, Pa.; Ida, wife of William
Schoffner, of Norristown, Pa.; and Katie, m. to Frank Bechtel, of
near Coatesville, Chester Co., Pennsylvania. Mrs. Mary (O’Brien)
Kreps was a daughter of George O’Brien, a native of a suburb of New
York City. He was a machinist and a stationary engineer. His
children were: Sallie, Elizabeth, Mary and John (who located at
Chester Pa., and died in the early seventies).

Frank L. Kreps attended the public schools of
his native town, and when twelve years old went to Delaware, later
to Chester county, Pa., and finally to Philadelphia, where he
learned the plumbing trade, following that occupation for about six
years. At the expiration of this time he removed to Norristown,
Pa., where for one year he was in the employ of the State
Government, as a plumber, and the next year was spent at
Phoenixville, where he was connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company. Mr. Kreps then spent six months at Pottstown, Pa., coming
to Reading in 1892, where for thirteen years he was employed by the
plumbing firm of Ed. Schull & Co. In 1907, Mr. Kreps engaged in
business on his own account, opening an establishment at No. 108
North Eighth street, and later his present place, conveniently
situated in the down-town district, No. 40 North Sixth street. He
is a practical plumber, gas, hot water, and steam fitter.

Mr. Kreps was married to Maggie Garrison, of
Reading, and their residence is situated at No. 108 North Eighth
street. Fraternally, Mr. Kreps is connected with Aerie No. 66, F.
O. E., of Reading, and he is also a member of the Master Plumbers’
Association.

KRESSLEY, GEORGE SMITH (REV. A.
M.)

p. 516

Surnames: KRESSLEY, MOYER, SMITH, SMOYER, FRETZ, LANDIS

Rev. George Smith Kressley, A. M., Professor of Latin, Greek and
German, in the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, Pa., was
born Feb. 8, 1877, in the village of Rothrocksville, in Maxatawny
township, Berks county.

Nathan Kressley, grandfather of George S., was
a farmer and machinist. In early life he was a resident of Lowhill,
Lehigh county, but later he removed to Maxatawny township, where he
owned land, and where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is
buried at Morgenland Church in Lehigh county. Mr. Kressley married
Abbie Moyer, and they had these children: Frank, Percival M.,
Oliver, Amanda, Jane, Maria and Annie.

Percival M. Kressley, son of Nathan, was born
in Lowhill, Lehigh county, Sept. 5, 1849, and died Feb. 21, 1906.
He was a farmer in Maxatawny township for about twenty-eight years,
owning excellent land near Rothrocksville, at which place he had
engaged in the mercantile business for many years prior to engaging
in agricultural pursuits. He was a good, representative citizen,
and in political matters he was a Republican. On June 27, 1874, Mr.
Kressley married Martha R. Smith, daughter of Stephen and Caroline
(Smoyer) Smith, and to this union there were born these children:
Rev. George Smith; Howard S.; and Annie S., a graduate of the
Keystone State Normal School, class of 1907, and now engaged in
teaching.

Rev. George Smith Kressley received his early
education in the schools of Maxatawny township, attended the
Keystone State Normal School, and then entered Muhlenberg College,
from which he graduated in 1898. He later took a course at the
Theological Seminary at Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, and graduated
therefrom in 1901, being ordained a minister of the Lutheran Church
in June of that year. Previous to his graduation from the seminary
he had been appointed to the Department of Latin, Greek and German,
in the Keystone State Normal School, in which capacity he has
served to the institution. Latin is a part of the regular Normal
course, but the school makes a specialty of regular college
preparatory work, and Prof. Kressley has been especially successful
in this line, having prepared during the short time in which he has
presided over the department over fifty student for the various
colleges of the country.

On Aug. 5, 1902, Dr. Kressley was married to
Anna R. Fretz, daughter of Reed and Maggie (Landis) Fretz, of Bucks
county, and to this union there has been born one daughter: Helen
Elizabeth.