Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

LENHART,
ELMER T.

p. 1680

Surnames: LENHART, HOHL, GRIM, HEMMERLY, LUTZ, TREXLER, SMITH,
KOMP, MILLER

Elmer T. Lenhart belonged to the recent representatives of an old
and honorable family of Berks county, intimately associated with
its development since the middle of the eighteenth century,
Lenhartsville on the Ontelaunee perpetuating the name.

In 1749, Peter Lenhart, of York county, received
a patent for a tract of land which, according to records, he
conveyed to Jacob Lenhart in 1771. On this tract Henry, the father
of Jacob Lenhart,, patentee, settled with his family, consisting of
seven sons: John; Jacob; Samuel; Isaac; Henry; David and Frederick.
They founded there the borough of Lenhartsville. Most of the sons
married and reared families. Two landmarks remain of the time in
which these members of the family lived-a building in the western
part of the borough, erected in 1812, and the old church in which
the Lenharts worshipped. From data given it is not clear which was
the early ancestor of Elmer Lenhart. His grandfather Benjamin
Lenhart, son of Henry, was born and reared in Lenhartsville,
Greenwich township. He settled in Albany township, and there lived
out his life as a farmer. The farm on which he resided remains in
the family, and is now owned by the widow of Elmer T. Benjamin
Lenhart was born Oct. 13, 1802, and died Jan. 8, 1856. He was a
member of the New Bethel (Corner) Reformed Church. He married
Esther Hohl, born Nov. 1801, died Feb. 6, 1849. Their children, all
of whom are deceased, were: Eliza m. Daniel Grim, of Lenhartsville;
Julia (1833-1902) m. John Hemmerly, lived in Albany township;
Lucinda m. Willoughby Lutz; James; Charles also lived in Albany
township; Levi resided in Wessnersville.

James Lenhart, son of Benjamin, was born in
Albany township April 14, 1837, on the hold homestead upon which he
was reared, and which he cultivated during a period of thirty
years. This homestead consisted of one hundred acres of what is
commonly denominated “potato land.” James Lenhart stood well in his
community and was a man of fine public spirit. He served a number
of years as Supervisor of Albany township, and was an efficient and
earnest supporter of Democratic principles. He and his family
followed the faith of his ancestry, the Reformed Church, with
membership at New Bethel (Corner). James Lenhart married Caroline
Trexler, daughter of Jonas and Abbie (Smith) Trexler, also of
Albany township; where she was born September 20, 1836. She now
lives with a sister-in-law at Kempton, her husband having died
March 21, 1904, aged sixty-six years, eleven months, seven days.
Their family consisted of six children, three of whom, Wallace,
Elmer T. and Charles, are deceased; the survivors being Francis,
Thomas and Lewis.

Elmer T. Lenhart was born on the old homestead
Nov. 11, 1864, where he resided until his death, Dec. 8, 1904, aged
forty years, twenty-seven days. The greater part of his business
life was spent at the Kempton Creamery, working as a faithful
employe for sixteen years, and for three years as proprietor.
Retiring from the creamery business he took up the vocation of his
fathers on the old homestead. Elmer T. Lenhart inherited all the
sterling qualities of his sturdy ancestry, and led a worthy and
exemplary life. In political and church allegiance he followed the
earlier members of the family, was a deacon in the church for
years, and was active in Sunday-school. He also held membership in
the Junior Order of American Mechanics. He married Missouri
Trexler, daughter of Jairus and Polly (Komp) Trexler, and to them
were born six children; J. Hay, who is in the service of the
government as driver on R. F. D. route No. 1, out of Kempton;
Austin J., born 1891, who died May 10, 1904, aged twelve years,
eight months, twenty-eight days; Clarence S., Eva C., Oscar P. and
Nevin L.

In 1856 Sebastian Lenhart, a grandson of the
pioneer, died in the borough of Hamburg, leaving his wife,
Catharine Elizabeth. After he had amply provided for her, he
bequeathed his niece, Elizabeth Miller, “a daughter of my
brother-in-law, William Miller,” $500; Benjamin Lenhart, “son of my
brother Henry,” $500; Benjamin Lenhart, “son of my brother Henry,”
$500; Moses Lenhart, “son of my brother Frederich,” the sum of
$500. The will was made July, 1848, and proved April 7, 1849. The
executors were Benjamin Lenhart, Elizabeth Miller and the wife of
the testator.

LENHART, SAMUEL H.

p. 1626

Surnames: LENHART, SHOMO, HAINES, BROBST, GAUKER, KAUFFMAN,
BRENEISER, HARTMAN, HAYMAN, SCHLENKER, KERNS, MILLER, SNYDER

Samuel H. Lenhart, a prosperous and influential merchant at West
Leesport for fifty years until his death in 1909, was born at
Lenhartsville, Berks county, March 20, 1832. He was educated in the
local schools until he was fourteen years old, assisting his father
on the farm during this time, when he decided to learn the trade of
tailor. He first worked in the shop of a tailor in Albany township
for a time; then continued his apprenticeship with a tailor at
Allentown, having walked to that place, upwards of thirty miles.
After serving his apprenticeship, he went to Philadelphia to follow
his trade, and while doing so for several years attended night
school. He then returned to Lenhartsville, and while working for
his father on the farm and also selling produce at Hamburg, secured
a position as clerk in the general store of William D. Shomo, at
the place named. The preciseness and strictness of Mr. Shomo in
business affairs were remarkable, and left a deep impression on the
young clerk’s mind which he never forgot, and afterward practiced
to his own great advantage. He remained there only a year and then
upon the invitation of his brother, Benjamin and Solomon Lenhart,
(who were carrying on a store in Richmond township) he went into
their store and continued with them until 1854, the last several
years having been in Leesport, to which place they had removed.
With this experience in the mercantile business, he went to
Fremont, Ohio, and secured employment in a large dry goods
establishment. After remaining there several years, his health
failed and he returned to Leesport, Pa., where he resumed his place
in his brother’s store. In a short time, his ambition to engage in
business for himself asserted itself, and accordingly, in 1858, he
formed a partnership with his brother Benjamin.

After carrying on business together for a short
time in West Leesport (where the Lenhart store now is), a cousin,
Daniel W. Lenhart, took his brother’s place and they traded for
four years, when Mr. Lenhart became the sole owner of the
establishment. From that time until his death, April 19, 1909, he
carried on the general store business with increasing success. His
stock was among the largest of the general stores in the country
districts, and his trade extended into the surrounding townships
for m any miles. During this time he also conducted an extensive
trade in lumber, coal and grain. As his sons grew into manhood, he
fitted them for a business life, and as they reached their majority
he gave them an interest as partner; his son Henry in 1885, his son
Samuel in 1893, and his son Charles in 1904. Naturally upon his
decease, these three sons became his successors; and this
well-established stand for a period of fifty years, has been
carried on since his death under the firm name of S. H. Lenhart’s
Sons.

Mr. Lenhart was always thoroughly interested in
the local affairs of West Leesport and gave them his encouragement
and support. Industrial matters received much of his attention, for
by them he endeavored to develop the importance of the place. He
identified himself at an early age with the Reformed Church, and
during his entire life at West Leesport he was actively engaged in
religious work, both as a teacher and superintendent in the
Sunday-school, and as deacon, trustee, or elder in the Church at
Leesport. He advocated the common-school system with great
earnestness, appreciating the importance of education in the
community. When the Odd Fellows and American Mechanics came to
establish societies there, he united with them and continued his
membership until he died. He provided a hall on the third floor of
his storebuilding and their meetings have been held in it. He was
also a member of the Daughters of Rebekah, and of the Daughters of
Liberty. He was enlisted in the Civil war, having responded to the
call for troops to repel the invasion of the Rebel army into
Pennsylvania in July, 1863, and served as one of the sergeants of
Company G, commanded by Captain Samuel A. Haines, of the
Forty-second Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia, which was
composed of companies from Berks county; and he was a member of
Keim Post, No. 76, G. A. R., at Reading.

Mr. Lenhart took great interest in farming
operations and in the development of choice fruits. He owned and
managed two fine farms, one of 140 acres in Centre township, a
short distance above West Leesport, and the other of 173 acres in
Ontelaunee township, east of Leesport, which is commonly known as
the “Gernant Homestead.” He encouraged the formation of the borough
of West Leesport in 1902, and in the organization of the government
served as one of the first town council; and he officiated as the
second burgess for the term from 1905 to 1908.

Mr. Lenhart assisted in organizing the Penn
National Bank at Reading in 1883, and served as a director from
that time until his decease, a continuous period of twenty-six
years. He was identified actively as a director with the Manatawny
Fire and Storm Insurance Company, the Leesport Building
Association, the Althouse Bridge Company (operating the toll bridge
at Leesport until it was made free) and the Orchard Milling Company
at Pottsville. All these various affairs, in connection with his
large and constantly increasing store business, evidence the
superiority of his character and attainments; and during the entire
period of his business career he enjoyed the unqualified confidence
and respect of the community.

As mentioned above, since Mr. Lenhart’s decease
in 1909, the business has been carried on by his three sons under
the name of S. H. Lenhart’s Sons, and they are pursuing the course
of their father to merit the continued patronage and respect of the
community. Henry Grant Lenhart, the eldest son and senior partner,
was born at West Leesport in 1865; educated in the local schools
and the Normal Schools at Kutztown and West Chester; married
Caroline Groff Brobst (daughter of Dr. Edward Brobst, a practicing
physician at West Leesport for fifty years) and they have two
daughters, Emily G. and Helen S., and a son John, another son
(Edward Samuel) having died in infancy.

Samuel Kauffman Lenhart was born at West
Leesport in 1875. He was educated in the local schools, Keystone
State Normal School, and Inter-State Business College, Reading. He
married Elizabeth Gauker (daughter of James H. Gauker, of West
Leesport) and they have a son Samuel G. Charles Hayman Lenhart, the
junior partner, was born at West-Leesport in 1884; was educated in
the local schools, Reading Classical Academy, and Inter-State
Business College, and then identified himself with the business
affairs of his father, being a partner since 1904.

In 1864, Mr. Lenhart was married to Sarah
Kauffman, daughter of John L. Kauffman, for years a prominent
dealer in grain, etc., at West Leesport. Nine children were born of
this union: Henry Grant; Samuel Kauffman; Charles Hayman; Sarah L.
(m. Edgar Breneiser); Anna L. (m. Harry E. Hartman); and four who
died (John M. died in 1890, aged twenty-four years, Emily in 1892,
aged seventeen years, and Katie and Mary in infancy).

Mr. Lenhart’s father was Samuel Lenhart, of
Lenhartsville, who was brought up on the homestead farm and carried
on farming until his death in 1869, aged seventy-one years. He was
highly esteemed in that section of the county for his upright
character. He was married to Lydia Hayman of Lehigh county, and
they had thirteen children: Benjamin; Solomon; James; Samuel H.;
John; Lewis; Lydia (m. David Schlenker); Elizabeth (m. Charles S.
Kerns); Amelia (m. Philip Snyder); Maria (m. Henry Miller); Ellen;
and two who died in infancy. The Lenhart family in Berks county
originated in Germany, and the first ancestor here was Jacob
Lenhart, who was born Nov. 18, 1736, at Zwei-Brcken, in the Pfalz,
and emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1760, landing at Philadelphia. He
settled in Greenwich township, Berks country, on a farm in the
vicinity of the present site of Lenhartsville, and there he died
Aug. 3, 1793, leaving four sons, Sebastian, Henry, Jonathan, and
Philip. The second son was brought up a farmer and ultimately owned
a farm of 250 acres. The formation of a village began in his time
and it took the name of Lenhartsville. He died in 1836, leaving
eight sons: Benjamin; Frederick; Henry; Samuel; John; Daniel; Isaac
and Reuben, and two daughters. The fourth son, Samuel, was the
grandfather of the three partners who constitute the firm of S. H.
Lenhart’s Sons.

LENHART, SOLOMON H.

p. 819

Surnames: LENHART, DIETRICH, LEIBY, RICHELDERFER, LESHER, HAMAN,
SHENKLER, KERNS, MILLER, SCHNEIDER, LEIDY, DEILL, SEIDEL, HAINES

Solomon H. Lenhart, who has for some years been living retired, at
Hamburg, Pa., was for a long period prominently connected with
various business enterprises of Windsor township. Mr. Lenhart was
born Feb. 2, 1828, in Greenwich township, Berks county, and he
belongs to one of the old and honored families of this section of
Pennsylvania.

Jacob Lenhart, great-grandfather of Solomon H.,
was born Nov. 18, 1736, and came from Zweibrcken, Pfalz, Germany,
with a number of other Palantinates, landing at Philadelphia Jan.
21, 1760. He located at Barnes’ Springs, now Molltown, Berks
county, but subsequently removed to Lenhartsville, in Greenwich
township, where the rest of his life was spent. He died Aug. 3,
1793. Mr. Lenhart had four sons, namely: Philip, who settled at
Siegfred’s Mill, in Maxatawny township, Berks county; Johannes, who
lived at the present site of Lenhartsville, where he owned the old
mill and hotel; Heinrich; and Sebastian, who owned land in the
vicinity of Hamburg, where he conducted a blacksmith shop.

Heinrich Lenhart, grandfather of Solomon H.,
owned 250 acres of land above Lenhartsville, and the farms near
Klinesville which are now the property of Jonathan P. Dietrich. He
was a prominent man of his day, a Democrat in politics, and founded
the village which bears his name. He and his family belonged to the
Moravian Reformed Church. Mr. Lenhart married Salome Leiby, and to
them were born these children: Benjamin, Frederick, Henry, Samuel,
John, Daniel, Isaac, Reuben, Mrs. Richelderfer and Mrs. Jonas
Lesher. The father of these children died at Lenhartsville in 1836.

Samuel Lenhart, father of Solomon H., was born
Feb. 28, 1798, in Lenhartsville, Berks country, and was educated in
the German schools. He was a blacksmith by trade, an occupation
which he had learned in youth and which he followed for many years,
also owning what is now Dietrich land near Lenhartsville, and a
hotel. He was a Democrat in politics, and was supervisor of his
district. Mr. Lenhart and his family were members of the Reformed
Church, he being one of the builders of the Lenhartsville Church in
1854. He married Lydia Haman, a native of Lehigh county, who was
born April 1, 1802, and to them were born the following family:
Jacob, Matilda and Brigitta, who died within three days of cholera;
Lydia m. David Shenkler, now deceased, and resided in Iowa;
Benjamin, deceased, lived in Hamburg; James resides in Albany,
Pa.,; Solomon H.; Rufena; Samuel H., born March 20, 1832, lives at
Leesport, Pa.; Elizabeth is the widow of Charles S. Kerns, of
Tamaqua, Pa.; Maria m. Henry Miller, of Hamburg; Amelia m. Philip
Schneider, of Allentown; John is a resident of Delaware, Ohio;
Lewis resides in Allentown; and Catherine, deceased, also lived in
Allentown. Samuel Lenhart, the father of these fifteen children,
died Aug. 1, 1869, aged seventy-one years, and his wife Feb. 1,
1872, in her seventieth year.

Solomon H. Lenhart obtained a good education in
the Klinesville pay school, the only one in which English was
taught in that section, taught by a Mr. Leidy, of Chester county,
in 1835. For some winters he also attended German schools, and in
1846 a free school near Orangeville, Columbia Co., Pa. He then
worked on his father’s farm for some years, but in 1852 he went to
Moselem Springs, where, with his brother, he conducted the store
and hotel, remaining until 1854, when he removed to Leesport to
engage in the store and coal business. He was also for one season
in the boating business, but this enterprise proving a failure, he
sunk the boat in the waters of the Schuylkill, at the Market street
bridge, Philadelphia. After selling out his share of the business
at Leesport to his brother, in 1856, Mr. Lenhart located on his
father-in-law’s farm, east of Shoemakersville, Pa., and a few years
later purchased this farm and an adjoining one. Here he remained
about four years, and in 1860 engaged in the horse and cattle
business, in which he was profitably engaged for about fifteen
years. During the war he purchased many horses for government
service, and in this business he made a small fortune. His
experiences as a horse and cattle dealer are very interesting. On
two occasions he drove from Lenhartsville to Columbus, Ohio, and in
1849 and again in 1851 brought his horses on foot from that place.
On another occasion he drove a herd of cattle from Ross county,
Ohio, to New York City, being seventy-two days on the road.

Mr. Lenhart was one of the founders of the
Hamburg Savings Bank, and since 1872 has been one of its directors.
After retiring from the cattle business Mr. Lenhart engaged in
farming for a time, but in 1880 he located in Hamburg, where until
two years ago he was engaged in an extensive lumber and coal
business. He now resides in his handsome residence on North Fourth
street, Hamburg, and is considered one of the substantial men of
the borough. In political matters he is a Republican, and has been
active in the ranks of his party, serving as school director of
Perry township and as councilman of Hamburg. He and his family are
members of the First Reformed Church of Hamburg.

On June 24, 1854, Mr. Lenhart married Esther G.
Deill, daughter of Jacob Deill, of Perry township, and to this
union there have been born children as follows: Jacob died when
eleven years of age; Richard m. Annie Seidel; Irwin m. Rosa Haines;
Oscar m. Ida Leiby; and Cora.

LERCH, GEORGE
WASHINGTON

p. 1123

Surnames: LERCH, TOBIAS, STEFFY, YARNELL, MC KINNEY, WISSNER,
HAFER, SCHMALTZ, BARR, ALBRIGHT, RIEGEL, KRICK, BECHTEL, ADAMS,
LEITHEISER, GREISIMER, BACHMAN.

George Washington Lerch, butcher and successful business man of
Reading, Pa., was born in Bern township, May 1, 1863, son of John
S. and Eliza (Tobias) Lerch, and grandson of John and Margaret
(Steffy) Lerch.

(I) Johannes (John) Lerch was born Oct. 21, 1773, and died May 8,
1861, aged eighty-seven years, six months, seventeen days. He was a
farmer in Bern township, where he owned a tract of land which later
became the property of his son, John. Mr. Lerch was active in
church affairs and was instrumental in the establishment of Epler’s
Church, of which he was a member and officer, and where both he and
his wife are buried. He married Margaret Steffy, born Dec. 11,
1774, died Sept. 23, 1844, aged sixty-nine years, nine months,
twelve days. Their children were: Rebecca, m. to Jared Yarnell;
Hannah, m. to Peter Mc Kinney; Harriet, m. to John Wissner; Polly,
m. to William Hafer; Catherine, m. to William Hafer, as his second
wife; John S.

(II) John S. Lerch, father of George W., was born Aug. 23, 1808, in
Bern township, and died there Feb. 9, 1876, aged sixty-seven years,
five months and sixteen days. He was a farmer and owned a small
tract of land, where he lived and died. He was married in Bern
township, in the church of which he was an official member. His
wife, Eliza Tobias, born Dec. 9, 1828, daughter of Jacob and
Henrietta (Schmaltz) Tobias, died March 11, 1869, aged forty years,
three months, two days. Their children were: Hannah, m. to Joseph
Barr, of State Hill; Emma, deceased; Lizzie, deceased; Catherine,
m. to Reuben Albright, deceased; John, deceased; Deborah, m. to
Henry S. Riegel, of Cumru township; Clara m. to Frank Krick, of
Sinking Spring; George W.; Margaret, of Reading; Annie L., m. to
Ernest Bechtel, son of John R. Bechtel, of Reading; Charles W., who
was adopted by Jared Yarnell, when quite young, and is known as
Charles W. (Lerch) Yarnell, and is now alderman of Reading.

(III) George Washington Lerch was reared upon his father’s farm,
until he was sixteen years of age, attending public school. When he
was sixteen he removed to Reading and entered the employ of John
Adams, a butcher, remaining with him two years learning his trade.
He was then three years at Leitheiser’s butchering establishment on
Penn street, and on Oct. 20, 1884, he commenced in business for
himself at No. 408 North Ninth street, where he has since
continued, building up a large trade. In 1887 he purchased the
building which has a frontage of twenty feet on North Ninth street.
In addition he also owns his residence at No 410 North Ninth
street. Mr. Lerch kills three beeves, six calves and five hogs each
week, to meet the demands of his trade. In addition to his Ninth
street store, he has one at Ninth and Buttonwood streets which he
operates as a market house. His trade, which is a large one, is
constantly growing, and he has been successful from the very
beginning.

In politics Mr. Lerch is a Democrat, and in
religious matters he and his family are members of the First
Reformed Church of Reading.

In 1892 Mr. Lerch married Jennie Ann Greisimer,
born in Reading, who died July 24, 1904, aged thirty-one years,
daughter of William Greisimer, and they had three children:
Eremenie, Palmer and Bruce. Mr. Lerch m. (second) Theresa Bachman,
daughter of John Bachman of Reading. No children have been born of
the second marriage. Mr. Lerch is among the progressive,
public-spirited business men of Reading, and the success which has
come to him is but the just reward of his years of hard work,
intelligently directed. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lerch are widely known
and very highly respected in church and social circles.

LESHER,
ALLEN R.

p. 703

Surnames: LESHER, REBER, MORGAN, FOCHT, POTTS, TYSHER, STENGER,
HEATER, BARTHOLOMEW, SHOMO, YOUNG, FULMER, LUCKENBILL, GRUBER,
PIKE, SASSAMAN, DELP, SIEBER, KLINE, SHERADIN, GETTIS

Allen R. Lesher, a retired farmer of Richmond township, Berks
county, who lives about one mile below Virginville, along the Berks
& Lehigh railroad, was born at the place where he now resides,
Dec. 2, 1835, son of Samuel S. and Sallie (Reber) Lesher.

John Lesher, great-grandfather of Allen R., was
a native of Germany, born Jan. 5, 1711, only son and heir-at-law of
Nicholas Lesher. He emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1734, and first
settled in the Upper section of Bucks county, but later in Oley
township, Berks county. In 1744, he and two other men erected a
forge which became known as the “Oley Forge,” and from that time on
for fifty years he was prominently identified with the iron
industry of the county. He represented the county in the
Constitutional convention of 1776, and served in the General
Assembly from 1776 until 1782. During the Revolution he acted as
one of the commissioners for purchasing army supplies. He addressed
an interesting letter to the Supreme Executive Council in 1778,
relative to the taking of supplied from him. [See Berks County in
the Revolution, p. 181.] John Lesher died in Oley township, April
5, 1794, leaving a widow, two sons and five daughters, namely: John
(had a son Isaac), Jacob, Barbara (m. Jacob Morgan), Hannah (m.
George Focht), Maria (m. John Potts) and Catharine (m. John
Tysher).

Jacob Lesher, grandfather of Allen R., and the
progenitor of many Leshers in this country, was born in Oley
township, Berks county. He came to Richmond township before 1790,
and died in 1804 in Virginville, being buried in a field above
Virginville along the railroad, which was used for a burial ground,
but the plow share has turned up the sod and destroyed all vestige
of the last resting place of a number of old pioneers. He m.
Elizabeth Stenger, who kept a hotel in Virginville for a
livelihood, and they had these children: Elizabeth m. John Heater;
Jacob m. a Miss Bartholomew; Samuel; Jonas; William; and Polly m.
Joseph Shomo, of Hamburg, Pennsylvania.

Samuel S. Lesher, father of Allen R., was born
in Virginville at the old hotel stand that was kept by his parents.
He learned the trade of stone mason in early youth, and this he
followed for many years. He married Sallie Reber, daughter of John
Reber, and they had these children: Gabriel died aged seventy-one
years; John died aged twelve years; Polly m. (first) a Mr. Young,
and (second) David Fulmer; Jacob died three months after marriage;
Allen R.; William lives at White Deer, Union Co., Pa.; Louis lives
in Pickaway county, Ohio; Lizzie is the widow of Simon Luckenbill;
Joel is of Reading; and Sallie is the widow of Daniel Gruber.

Allen R. Lesher attended the pay schools of his
time, his first teacher being Joe Pike, and later when the public
schools were established he attended them for a time. Mr. Lesher
has spent all of his life on the farm, on which he now resides, a
100-acre tract. Mr. Lesher retired from active labor in 1898. He is
connected with Becker’s St. Peter’s Union Church, in which he is a
trustee, and takes an active interest. It was largely through the
influence and activity of Mr. Lesher that a new township was not
created back in the eighties, when a strong effort was made to cut
off a part of Richmond township and Greenwich township, and create
it into a new district. Mr. Lesher performs the duties of a good
citizen, and is highly esteemed in his community. In politics he is
a Democrat.

On July 27, 1861, Mr. Lesher married Sallie Ann
Sassaman, daughter of William and Sallie (Delp) Sassaman, the
former a furniture dealer and undertaker in his time, residing near
Fleetwood. These children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lesher: Louisa
S. m. Reuben M. Kline, and their daughter, Mrs. Francis Z. Sieber,
has a son, William Allen; Sallie A. m. Wilson M. Kline, and has
children-Virgie (m. Richard Sheradin, and has a son, Francis
Arlington), Franklin, Harry, Elsie, Webster and Edison; Lizzie m.
Eli Gettis; Katie m. the Hon. Jacob A. Lesher; Samuel S. died in
infancy; William R. of Virginville engaged in the paper-hanging and
painting business, m. Katie Kline, and has two children, W. Paul
and Jennie R.

LESHER, FRANKLIN W.

p 919

Surnames: LESHER, HEFFNER, DIETRICH, FEGLEY, KLINE, HEINLY, BAER,
HOLLENBACH, STOYER, ZETTLEMOYER, MILLER, YOUNG, STUMP, LEIBY

Franklin W. Lesher, a prosperous agriculturist of Perry township,
Berks county, who is engaged in cultivating his fine 134-acre farm,
was born Nov. 9, 1854, in Greenwich township, near Heinley’s Mill,
formerly Lesher’s Mill, son of William Lesher.

John Lesher, a native of Germany, born Jan. 5,
1711, who was the only son and heir-at-law of Nicholas Lesher, of
the Fatherland, emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1734 and was
naturalized in 1743. He first settled in Bucks county, and later in
Oley township, Berks county, where he became very prominent as an
iron-master. He represented the county in the Constitutional
Convention of 1776, and from 1776 served until 1782 in the General
Assembly, helping to prepare the “Declaration of Rights,” and being
extremely prominent during the Revolutionary war, rendering
valuable service to his adopted country. He died in Oley township,
April 5, 1794, aged eighty-three years, leaving a widow, five
daughters-Barbara, Hannah, Maria, Catherine and Elizabeth-and two
sons-John and Jacob, of Oley township.

Among the sons of John Lesher, son of John, was
Jacob Lesher, grandfather of Franklin W., who was the proprietor of
Lesher’s Mill in Greenwich township, where he lived for many years.
He owned over 100 acres of land, which he farmed in addition to his
milling business, and here he died in 1857, aged seventy years. He
married Esther Heffner, daughter of Jacob and Anna (Dietrich)
Heffner, and to them were born children as follows: Jacob (m.
Lucinda Dietrich); Kate (m. Daniel Dietrich); Abraham (m. Rachel
Fegley); Hettie (m. John Kline); Benneville (m. Mary Heinly);
Betsey (m. Jacob Baer); Solomon (m. Kate Hollenbach); Fayette (m.
David Hollenbach): Isaac (m. Maria Stoyer); and William.

William Lesher, of Richmond and Perry townships,
was an agriculturist and owned the farm now occupied by his son,
Franklin W. He was born in May, 1829, and died April 2, 1893, aged
sixty-four years. In politics he was a Democrat, serving as
supervisor of his district for four years, while he was a prominent
member and for many years deacon and elder, of Dunkel’s Reformed
Church, assisting to build the present church edifice. Mr. Lesher
married Theresa Zettlemoyer, daughter of Adam and Mary (Miller)
Zettlemoyer, and they had these children: Fietta, who died in
childhood; Franklin W.; Jacob Z., a farmer of Perry township;
Hettie, single; and Mary, who married Henry Young.

Franklin W. Lesher was one year and a half old
when his parents removed to a small farm in Richmond township,
there residing for eleven years. In this district and in Perry
township he attended the common schools, receiving a limited
education, and after leaving school he at once engaged in
agricultural pursuits, which he has continued to the present time.
In 1885 he began farming on his present place, continuing there
until 1890, when he purchased a thirty-acre tract in Maiden-creek
township, near South Evansville, but in 1902 purchased his father’s
farm, and here has continued to the present time, selling his
Maiden-creek farm in 1905. His property, which consists of 134
acres of good gravel soil, and is the only farm in Perry township
lying exactly square, having but four corners, is well cultivated
and is improved with modern barns and outbuildings and a fine
residence. He is a good, honest citizen, and is esteemed by his
fellow-townsmen for his many sterling qualities of character. In
his political belief he is a Democrat, although he has never held
public office. He and his family are Reformed members of Dunkel’s
Union Church.

On March 9, 1878, Mr. Lesher was united in
marriage with Eva Catherine Stump, daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth
(Zettlemoyer) Stump, granddaughter of Samuel and Rachel (Leiby)
Stump. To Mr. And Mrs. Lesher there have been born these children:
Samuel William, born Sept. 15, 1878, died June 20, 1879; Solomon
Sylvester, born Sept. 25, 1880, died aged seven days; and Augustus
Adam, born Jan. 10, 1884.

Augustus A. Lesher received his education in the
public schools of his native locality, from which he was graduated
March 25, 1901, and he is now working with his father, acting as
his clerk on the farm, and conducting practically all business
transactions for him. Since early youth he has been a Reformed
member of Dunkel’s Union Church, and has taken a great interest in
the Sunday-school, being superintendent thereof for one year. On
New Year’s day, 1908, he was elected deacon of Dunkel’s Reformed
congregation and at the re-organization of the united congregations
was elected president thereof. On May 10, 1908, was elected as
Reformed Superintendent of the Dunkel’s Church Union Sunday-school.
Mr. Lesher was also president of the Young People’s Christian
Endeavor Society of Virginville, Pa., of which he is still an
active member. He is highly respected by everybody. At the present
time he is president of the newly organized cemetery association,
of his church, which, although in its infancy, is making steady
progress, and he is one of the most talented young men of the
entire community and has the energy, perseverance and good judgment
necessary to win success, in anything he undertakes.

LESHER,
OSCAR L.

p. 1142

Surnames: LESHER, MOLL, KLINE, MANEBACK

Oscar L. Lesher, a young business man of Shartlesville, Upper Bern
township, Berks county, was born in Jefferson township, near
Schaefferstown, this county, July 8, 1880. He is a son of Solomon
W. Lesher and a grandson of William Lesher.

William Lesher was engaged in farming for some
time in Windsor township, Berks county, later moving to Tulpehocken
township, where he died and is buried at the Union Church at
Rehrersburg. He and his wife had the following children: Solomon
W., William (living at Saginaw, Mich.), Israel, Emma and Nicholas.

Solomon W. Lesher, born in 1840, died Sept. 29,
1905, and is buried at the Union Church at Rehrersburg. For many
years he was a well-known merchant of upper Berks county, doing
business at Schaefferstown (Tulpehocken post-office) in Jefferson
township. He removed thence to Lincoln, Lancaster county, and
eventually to Shartlesville, where he was located for a period of
twenty years, meeting with success as a merchant. He also served as
postmaster at Shartlesville, and he had a high reputation as a
citizen.

Mr. Lesher married Ellen Moll, daughter of
George and Susanna Moll, and they became the parents of six
children, namely: Lizzie, who married Reily Kline; Cassie C.;
George F., a resident of New York City, manager of the Morrisdale
Coal Company; Charles R., of Wigton, Pa., superintendent of the
Phillisburg Fire Brick Works; Norton M., who is in business with
his brother Oscar at Shartlesville; and Oscar L.

Oscar L. Lesher attended the public schools
during his boyhood and later took a business course, becoming a
stenographer. He was engaged in that capacity at Newark, N. J., for
one year, and then went to Philadelphia, where he followed the same
line of work for three years, returning to Berks county in 1902. He
assisted his father until the latter’s death, after which he ran
the store in the interest of the estate until 1908, when he and his
brother Norton M. Lesher formed their present partnership and
bought out the business, which they conduct under the firm name of
Lesher Brothers. They enjoy a large trade and the high standing won
by the upright methods their father practised so many years. They
have a fine store, 20X80 feet, well stocked, and conducted in the
most enterprising manner.

Oscar L. Lesher married Laura Maneback, daughter
of Edward Maneback, of Rehrersburg. Mr. Lesher is a member of Vaux
Lodge, No. 406, F. & A. M.; Reading Lodge of Perfection,
fourteenth degree; Philadelphia Consistory, thirty-second degree;
and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He belongs to Frieden’s
Lutheran Church. He is a Republican in politics, and was appointed
postmaster at Shartlesville Oct. 30, 1905.

LESHER, WILLIAM W.

p. 1513

Surnames: LESHER, MOTES, KNERR, KEMP, MOYER, KLINE, MERKEL,
HELBERT, HEFFER, ZECHMAN, BRITTON, CHRISTINSON, AMMON, BERSTLER,
MACHMER, BOSSLER,

William W. Lesher, proprietor of the “Washington Avenue House” at
Reading, was born in Perry township, Berks county, Sept. 3, 1873.
The Lesher family have been represented in Berks county through
several generations.

Abraham Lesher, the great-grandfather of William
W., lived at Moselem, and owned a number of Farms in the territory
now embraced in Perry township, being one of the very rich men of
his day. Through the Hunters, the iron masters at Moselem, whom he
served as surety, he lost about $40,000, and this preyed on his
mind until he committed suicide by shooting himself. He was of
Irish descent, and physically was a man of fine proportion, being
tall, broad-shouldered and of dignified bearing. His children were:
Abraham K.; Jonas, who lived in Lebanon country; Mrs. Diana Motes,
of Richmond township, Berks county; Mrs. Knerr, of Lehigh county;
and Mrs. Kemp, who with her husband and family moved West.

Abraham K. Lesher, son of Abraham, was born in
Perry township, in 1810, and he died Nov. 26, 1874, and is buried
at St. Peter’s Church in Richmond township, of which he and his
family were Reformed members. He was a millwright by trade, and
also carried on farming, owning a tract of 14 acres of land located
at Moselem Bridge in Perry township. He married Catharine Moyer,
born Feb. 15, 1815, and died May 6, 1884. Their children were:
Amos, of Richmond township, who died in Reading, where for a few
years he had been conducting a hotel; Reuben, a farmer near
Gernand’s Church, in Ontelaunee township; Ephraim, who was drowned
in Reading in June, 1873; John M. (1846-1905), of Kutztown, whose
widow, Malinda Kline, now lives at Kutztown with her son, Alvin K.
(her children were Alvin K., Agnes, Walter and Laura); Samuel, who
died in Perry township, Dec. 31, 1880; and Alfred M.

Alfred M. Lesher, son of Abraham K., was born in
Perry township, Dec. 14, 1853. He attended the common schools and
later the Normal School at Kutztown. He early learned the duties of
a farmer, and this was his work until his twentieth year, when he
became engineer at Moselem furnace ore mines, where he remained
eight years. The next year he worked on the railroad in Lehigh
county, and then for twenty-two years he followed huckstering,
buying his produce in Richmond and surrounding townships. In 1905
he came to Reading, and he has since been employed by the Reading
Railway Company as an engineer. In politics Mr. Lesher is a
Republican, and for eighteen years he was committeeman of Richmond
township. In 1898 he was elected prison inspector of Berks county,
and after serving in this office for three years he became a
candidate for county commissioner, and at several county
conventions showed considerable strength. He still owns a nice
property of six acres in Richmond township. On Feb. 24, 1872, he
was married to Ellen M. Kline, daughter of Nathan R. and Sallie
(Merkel) Kline. To this union have been born children as follows:
Jeremiah, a policeman of Reading; William W.; Edwin K., who lives
on the homestead in Richmond township, where he conducts the
“Pennsylvania Hotel,” established by his father in 1902; Sallie,
widow of William Helbert, of Reading; and Annie, who married George
D. Heffer, and lives at Reading.

William W. Lesher was reared at Moselem,
attending the public schools of that district. He clerked in Shepel
& Stillwagon’s general store at Moselem for one year, and the
next year he worked on their farm connected with the furnace. He
was licensed to teach school by Prof. W. M. Zechman, county
superintendent, in 1890, and he taught his first term at
Shoemakersville, and his second at the Birch Hill school at
Mohrsville. He then went to Lancaster, Pa., where he clerked in
Capt. John Britton’s hotel for a year, after which he came to
Reading and for two years was bar clerk for his brother, and for
two years for H. H. Christinson. Returning to Lancaster he worked
for Peter G. Ammon, at the “Franklin House” for one years, after
which he returned again to Reading. In the spring of 1899 he
engaged in the hotel business for himself at Eighth and Oley
streets, conducting the “Brunswick Hotel” for five and one-half
years. In 1904 he took charge of his present place, the “Washington
Avenue House,” where he has been very successful.

Mr. Lesher is a Democrat, and he has served the
Twelfth ward as treasurer, and has otherwise shown a keen interest
in the welfare of his party. He is a member of Vigilance Lodge No.
194, I. O. O. F.; Aerie No. 66, F. O. E.; Independent Order
Progressive Americans, No. 1; Twentieth Century Quakers, No. 2;
Bavarians, all of Reading.

On Aug. 8, 1898, Mr. Lesher married Emma S.
Berstler, daughter of Henry and Mary (Machmer) Berstler, the former
a blacksmith in Maiden-creek township. Her grandparents were Henry
and Mary (Bossler) Berstler. Mr. Lesher has always been pardonably
proud of the fact that his first examination for a teacher’s
certificate was passed when he was but fifteen years of age-two
years under the legal age for teachers-and the superintendent could
not sign it until he had attained the required age. Mr. Lesher owns
his comfortable home at No. 959 North Ninth street, Reading.

LESSIG,
CYRUS

p. 1225

Surnames: LESSIG, WEISNER, KOLLER, FOREMAN, CHAPPELL, STRUNK,
SNYDER, KLINE, GREENAWALT, MCKNIGHT, HANCOCK, SCHWOYER,
KNAPPENBERGER, MILLER, MASTER, DISCH

Cyrus Lessig, who is successfully engaged in a butchering business
at Topton and is a well-known citizen, was born Dec. 15, 1848, in
Richmond township, Berks county, not far from Walnuttown, a son of
Levi and Esther (Koller) Lessig.

The first known of the grandfather, Samuel
Lessig, was that he belonged to Schuylkill county, Pa., and shortly
after his marriage to Catherine Weisner, he went to serve as a
soldier in the War of 1812. He was taken sick and died at Sandy
Hook. His widow came to Amity township, Berks county, where her
only child Levi, was born and there she continued to live until her
death at the age of eighty-eight years. She was buried at St.
Peter’s Reformed Church in Richmond township.

Levi Lessig was reared on the old home place on
which his mother settled in Amity township and when he reached a
proper age, he learned the cabinet-making trade , which he followed
for some years. He died at the age of eighty-five years, six months
and fifteen days. He married Esther Koller and they had the
following children: William m. Catherine Foreman ; Sarah m. Jonas
Chappell ; David m. Linda Strunk ; Levi, who married in Canada,
later went to Boston, where he owned the “Webster House,” and died
of small pox in 1882 ; Cyrus ; Mary m. Alfred Snyder, who served
three years in the Civil War ; Allen and Albert, twins, the latter
of whom died aged two years, the former m. a Miss Kline and resides
in Reading, where he has a family of thirteen children ; Nora m.
Mr. Greenawalt ; and Caroline died young. William and David of the
above family served three years in Capt. McKnight’s Fifth Battery,
U. S. Art., in the Civil War and after the expiration of David’s
first enlistment, he became a veteran in General Hancock’s corps,
in which he served until the close of the war.

When he was ten years of age, Cyrus Lessig came
to North Perry, then went to Ontelaunee and then back to Richmond
township, attending school as opportunity offered. When eighteen
years of age he came to Topton, in Longswamp township, and in 1868
he learned the butchering business with Allen Schwoyer. He worked
with him for three years, then for two years with Madties ‘ Clader,
and by that time had gained enough experience to go into business
for himself. He carries a fine stock of first-class meat.

On Oct. 1, 1870, Mr. Lessig was married to Maria
Knappenberger, a daughter of Henry and Maria (Miller)
Knappenberger, and they have two children, namely: James, born Mar.
24, 1871, m. Alice Master, an adopted daughter of Evan Master, and
has two children, Ardath and Florence ; and Annie, born Feb. 8,
1873, m. Ira Disch. They have two sons, Ralph and Paul. Formerly,
Mr. Lessig was a very active Democrat and served once as chief
burgess of the town. He belongs to Camp No. 172, P. O. S. of A. He
is a member of the Reformed Church. Mrs. Lessig and the children
are Lutherans.