Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

MARQUETT, JOHN GEORGE
H.

p. 967

Surnames: MARQUETT, REINHOLD, DAVIS, KANTNER, WELCH, REISS,
GEISSLER

John George H. Marquett, a druggist who died in Lebanon at the age
of forty-eight years, was born in Lebanon county, Pa., in 1830, son
of John M. and Hellena (Reinhold) Marquett, residents of Annville,
Lebanon county, where in his younger days the father taught school,
but later kept the toll-gate on the old plank road. He died aged
sixty years, and his wife survived him many years, dying at the age
of eighty-five.

John George H. Marquett was engaged in the drug
business all his life. On Dec. 26, 1854, he married Mary Rebecca
Davis, born in Reading, Jan. 17, 1835, daughter of the late Andrew
and Mary (Kantner) Davis, and the children born of this union were:
John Augustin died when ten years old; Harry A. m. Lillie Welch, of
San Jose, Cal., and died Feb. 20, 1894, leaving his widow and a
daughter, Lillie, born April 18, 1890; Franklin R. died Feb. 10,
1862, when fifteen months old; Mary H. died Jan. 9, 1870, aged
seven years: Emily M. m. Charles E. Reiss, of East Orange, N. J.,
who is engaged in the automobile business, and they have two
children–George L. (born Aug. 1, 1887) and Byron H. (born May 30,
1890); and Annie L. m. Harry C. Geissler, a business man at
Reading, and they have had two children–Henry M. (born Sept. 4,
1892, died aged ten months) and Maria L. (born Jan. 24, 1894, is
attending the Drexel School of Design, Philadelphia).

Andrew Davis, father of Mrs. Marquett, was a
very prominent man in business circles of Reading for a number of
years. He kept a hotel at the corner of Seventh and Chestnut
streets, and later engaged in the flag-stone business, following
this very successfully until his death, which occurred Sept. 27,
1875. He was a director of the Farmer’s National Bank, and was well
known and highly respected throughout the city. Mr. Davis was a
Republican, and was a member of the Reformed Church. Of his family
of children, Mrs. Marquett is the only living representative.

Mrs. Marquett, now one of the oldest residents
of Reading, makes her home at No. 142 South Eighth street. She
received her education in the public schools of his city, also
attending several private schools. The handsome residence in which
she now lives was given to her by her father. She is a faithful
member of the Reformed Church. Although seventy-four years of age,
she is very active, and is in possession of all her faculties,
using glasses only when she reads or sews. She is greatly
interested in history and is a great reader. Mrs. Marquett is well
known and universally esteemed in Reading, where her neighbors are
well acquainted with her many lovable characteristics.

Martin, Adam
S.

p. 598

Surnames: MARTIN, TRUMBERT, BREITIGAN, MILLER, SWOYER, HECKMAN,
NOECKER, MENGEL, STICKER

Adam S. Martin, an agriculturalist of Berks county, Pa., who is
carrying on operations on his farm of eighty-four acres in Windsor
township, situated north of the borough of Hamburg, Pa., along the
Blue Mountains, was born in Hamburg, Sept. 15, 1865, in Windsor
township, son of Samuel and Catherine (Trumbert) Martin.

The Martin family of this section had its origin
in John and Jacob Martin, early settlers of Windsor township, who
were already settled here in 1759, when the first tax of the
district was levied, and who it is thought came to America about
1743. Samuel J. Martin, son of John and grandfather of Adam S., was
born May 9, 1799, and lived in Windsor township, where he died Oct.
2, 1871. He married Esther Breitigan (1795-1865), and they were the
parents of the following children: Benneville died at the age of
seventy-two years; Elizabeth died at the age of seventy; Sarah died
at the age of forty-one; Rebecca died aged eighty; Joseph died at
the age of fifty-one; Samuel; Hetty died when seventy-four years
old; Mary died in childhood; James, aged seventy-five, now resides
at Port Clinton, Pa.; William died aged forty-eight; and Israel
died aged fifty-two. Samuel J. and Esther Martin are buried in the
old graveyard at Hamburg.

Samuel Martin was born in 1828, in Windsor
township, and was a lifelong boatman, living at Hamburg and
Leesport, and in later years removing to New York, where he is
still engaged in boating. He has been very successful in this line
and now owns several canalboats, worth $3,000 each, and several
spans of good mules. Mr. Martin has been twice married. By his
first wife, Lucy Ann Miller, he had one son; Esekiah, who married
Florenda Swoyer. Mr. Martin m. (second) Catherine Trumbert, who was
born in Germany and emigrated to America in 1845, when seven years
old. To this union there have been born these children: Alice, m.
to Joel Heckman, of Shoemakersville; Sivilla and Franklin, who died
in childhood; Adam S.; Albert, who died of typhoid fever when
twelve years old; Ida, who was drowned at Norristown when twelve
years of age; and Lloyd, who died at Roanoke, Va., of congestion of
the brain when twenty-two years old.

Adam S. Martin attended the schools of Hamburg
and Windsor township, and at an early age began boating with his
father on the Schuylkill Canal, following this until the spring of
1882, when he engaged in boating for himself until 1886, when the
boating business was practically abandoned in this section of
Pennsylvania. He then went to New York, engaging in boating coal
from all coal points on the Jersey side, and in this he continued
until 1895, and, being an expert boatman, was successful. In the
spring of 1896 Mr. Martin returned to his native township and
settled on his father-in-laws farm for four years, after which he
began operations for himself, until the death of his father-in-law
in July, 1903, when he purchased the interests of the heirs. This
property, which consists of eighty-four acres, twenty-five acres of
which is woodland, is situated north of the borough of Hamburg
along the Blue Mountains and part of the old house which is still
standing on the farm was built by Henry Noecker in 1804. Mr. and
Mrs. Martin erected a new residence in the spring of 1907, and in
various ways have improved their property. Mr. Martin is engaged in
the dairy and poultry business and is prosperous. He is one of
Windsor townships six Republicans, and is often a delegate to
county conventions. He and his family are members of the First
Reformed Church of Hamburg.

In 1886 Mr. Martin was married to Lillie H.
Heckman, born Jan. 8, 1866, daughter of Elias N. and Lucy Ann
(Mengel) Heckman, and granddaughter of Jacob and Caroline (Sticker)
Heckman. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin have been born these children: Edna
B., born Dec. 9, 1886; William S., March 14, 1890; Mamie F., July
20, 1892; and Carrie M., June 22, 1896 (died aged five days).

MARX,
FREDERICK A.

p. 463

Surnames: MARX, SPRINGER, ORT, FENSTERMACHER, GOBIN

Frederick A. Marx, who has his law office at No. 528 Washington
Street, Reading, and his home at No. 932 North Fifth street, same
city, was born at Kutztown, Berks county, March 19, 1876, and has
been practising law since 1900. On March 12, 1907, he left Kutztown
and took up his residence in Reading.

Mr. Marx is a member of an old and respected
family of the county. His grandfather, Samuel Marx, was a resident
of Kutztown, and there his father, James H. Marx, still lives.
James H. Marx was educated for the law, and has for many years been
a member of the Berks county Bar. He has taken an active interest
in public affairs, and has been honored with many of the borough
offices, having served on the school board and as town clerk. He
married Sarah Springer, daughter of Augustus Springer, a jeweler of
Kutztown. Of the five children born to them, two died in infancy;
Sallie died at the age of twenty-one, while attending school in
Philadelphia. The survivors of the family are Frederick A. and
Anna, the latter the wife of Charles S. Ort, a merchant at
Quakertown, Pennsylvania.

Frederick A. Marx received his early education
in his native place, and after his graduation in 1892 from the
Normal School there was sent to Lafayette College, where he
graduated in 1896. Having settled on the law as a profession, he
now took up its study in the office of his father, and was admitted
to practice in 1900. Later he was admitted to the higher courts.
Mr. Marx took a final course at Dickinson Law School.

Mr. Marx married Oct. 21, 1903, Miss Rebecca H.
Fenstermacher, daughter of John P. S, Fenstermacher (a cousin of
General Gobin), postmaster of Kutztown and a conductor in the
Philadelphia & Reading passenger service, with which road he
has been connected since boyhood.

Mr. Marx is a Democrat in politics. He is active
in the religious life of the community, being a member of Trinity
Lutheran Church of Kutztown.

He became a member of Huguenot Lodge, No. 377,
F. & A. M., on Dec. 26, 1901, and served as its worshipful
master for the year 1905. On July 11, 1908, he resigned membership
in Huguenot Lodge, and on Oct. 17, 1908, affiliated with Isaac
Hiester Lodge, No. 660, F. & A. M., constituted on that day, in
the city of Reading, being one of the twenty-five charter members
and its first worshipful master. He holds membership in Adonai
Castle, No. 70, K. G. E.; and Charles A. Gerasch Council, No. 1004,
Jr. O. U. A. M. He retains his interest in educational affairs,
having been a member of the school board of Kutztown, until his
removal to Reading.

MASSEY, FRANKLIN FULFORTH
(DR.)

p 1495

Surnames: MASSEY, NELSON, CHAPEL

Dr. Franklin Fulforth Massey , a rising young physician of
Womelsdorf borough, Berks county, was born Sept. 15, 1881, in
Philadelphia, Pa., son of John M. Massey, and grandson of Charles
Massey, a well-known business man of Philadelphia. who died there
at the age of ninety years.

John M. Massey was born Oct. 3, 1848. in
Philadelphia, and there obtained his education, his early
employment being in the brass business, in which he still
continues, having been employed by the same firm for the past
thirty-two years. He married Martha Wright Nelson, daughter of
James and Eliza Jane (Chapel) Nelson, of an old and prominent
Virginian family, and to this union there were born the following
children: Charles, inspector for the Keystone Telephone Company, of
Philadelphia, whose twin brothers died in infancy; James Nelson,
who died when three years of age; Dr. Franklin F.; and DeWitt F.,
who is engaged in the dry goods business in Philadelphia.

Dr. Franklin Fulforth Massey attended the public
schools of Philadelphia, and after taking the course at Temple
College, entered Hahnemann College, Philadelphia, being graduated
with the class in medicine. He was the first interne at the Crozer
Hospital at Chester, and superintended the building of his
apartments, also assisting in purchasing the instruments at the
hospital. After leaving Chester, he located in Philadelphia for a
short time, but on Jan. 24,1905, he came to Womelsdorf and located
on High street, where he has since continued in practice. He has
won the confidence of the people of his community, and his practice
extends not only throughout Womelsdorf, but to Reading, covering a
radius of ten miles from the borough. Since 1906 he has been the
specialist at the Homeopathic Hospital, Reading, on ear, eye and
throat diseases. and he is also the examiner for the Manhattan,
Fidelity, Hartford and Prudential insurance companies. Dr. Massey
is a member of the State and county medical societies; of the
Alumni of his college, and 0. U. A. M. Council No. 69 of
Womelsdorf. He holds membership in Zion Lutheran Church, where he
has been very active in the Sunday-school as superintendent, and as
teacher of a class of young men.

MAST, GEORGE
L.

p. 1508

Surnames: MAST, LEHMAN, TAYLOR, BAUMAN, FARR, BRUNNER, DAUTH, SMITH

George L. Mast, an employe of the Philadelphia & Reading
Railway, and a well-known man in Reading where he is serving as an
alderman, is American born, but of foreign ancestry.

The early home of the Mast family was in the
Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, where the great-grandfather of
George L. was a prominent and influential man. He entered into
negotiations to marry his son John to a very desirable girl there,
but the son objected, following the dictates of his own heart and
wedding a poor seamstress. In his turn, the son John became
prominent and was given high office. On one of the great political
issues of the day, however, he cast his lot with the people in
opposition to the King and was obliged to flee from Germany to
America, leaving behind his little son, Jacob B., then two years
old. On reaching the New World John Mast located at Stony Point,
Rockland township, Berks county, Pa., where he lived with his
eldest son John, who became extensively engaged in farming, and
reared a large family. Among his children were George, Daniel and
John.

Jacob B. Mast was born in Wurtemberg Oct. 24,
1826, and grew to manhood there. He became a good mechanic, and
went to France, where in Alsace Lorraine he secured the position of
building boss, retaining it three years. While there he married
Elizabeth Lehman, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Lehman. Mr. Mast
met an agent from the United States, who persuaded him to come to
America. They entered into a contract, and Mr. Mast, his wife and
one child, and about 400 others boarded a vessel for the United
States, but the agent became stranded, and instead of coming to the
United States, he landed the whole ship load of French and German
emigrants at Maracaibo, Venezuela, and basely deserted them. The
coconut palms and the blue sky afforded them their only shelter.
Mr. Mast, his wife and child were taken into a Spanish doctor’s
family as servants. One of Mr. Mast’s duties was to look after the
water supply. Water was carried for general purposes from several
miles away by means of large bottles strapped over the back of an
ass. While performing this task he came to a sawmill operated by an
American Consul named Taylor. Two Spaniards were sawing a log of
wood, and were needlessly exhausting themselves through a lack of
knowledge or want of energy to better the condition of their
machinery. Mr. Mast asked for a file and filed their saw for them.
Mr. Taylor then asked him if he could file a circular saw, and he
replied that he could. He was immediately offered employment, and
arrangements were made with the Spanish doctor. Mr. Mast easily
acquired the Spanish language, and then went before the authorities
and secured the freedom of all of his fellow passengers–many of
whom had died of yellow fever, among them being Philip Lehman, a
brother of Mrs. Mast. Under the guidance of Mr. Mast the value of
the sawmill was greatly increased. He inaugurated several
improvements so that the monthly output was greater than that of
the whole previous year. Consul Taylor recognized his ability, and
when the desire to reach his originally intended destination caused
Mr. Mast to tender his resignation, he offered him for another year
double salary, $100 in addition, and passage to New York. This
offer was refused as Mr. Mast greatly desired to see his father and
brother John who had come to America more than twenty years before
and whom he had never really known. While in Maracaibo his family
had been increased by the birth of a daughter, Hannah L. (said to
be the first white child born there of European parents), and a
son, James L. Mr. Mast and his family embarked in a condemned
vessel that had laid along the coast for several years, and of
which his wife and daughters Elizabeth and Hannah L. were the only
female passengers. When about half way over, struggling with their
battered vessel, a privateer who intended to rob them saw their
condition and furnished them with good food and water. After ninety
days they landed at New York, and from there went to Philadelphia,
and thence by wagon to Stony Point. There they remained a short
time, Mr. Mast following his trade at twenty-five cents per day and
paying ten percent of his net earnings for the use of his tools. He
then went to Lobachsville, in Pike township, where he lived about a
year, walking to and from Pottstown, where he had secured work as a
bridge builder with the Philadelphia & Reading Railway. After
working seven days as a journeyman he was made boss bridge builder
for the whole system. After he had built many bridges he was
transferred to the car shops at Reading for the repairing and
building of freight and passenger cars. In 1843 he moved his family
to Reading and purchased his first home for $425. On Aug. 4, 1847,
he became a naturalized citizen of the United States.

In the early fifties Jacob B. Mast entered the
hotel business on Ninth street, where now is located the Orphanage
of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, and then in order, to Ninth and
Washington streets, Seventh and Penn streets, “Jefferson House” at
No. 137 South Seventh street, Ninth and Laurel streets and at No.
835 Penn street. He next moved to No. 823 Walnut street and
accepted a position with the Philadelphia & Reading Railway
Company as lumber foreman, remaining in their employ until Aug. 16,
1880, when he died. In 1872 he was elected a director of the poor,
in which office he rendered the poor especially the children, great
service. He was benevolent and kindly of heart, and was the
benefactor of the needy. Mr. Mast became quite a linguist, speaking
fluently English, Spanish, French and German. Of the twelve
children born to him and his wife, four are living: Hannah L., who
married John Bauman and has two children living, Albert G. and
Ellen L.; James L., a printer at Slatington, and former editor of
the Slatington Star, who served as first lieutenant in the Second
U. S. Artillery, in the Civil war and was one of the “First
Defenders”; George L.; and Ellen L., unmarried, who lives with her
brother George L. Mrs. Elizabeth (Lehman) Mast was born April 9,
1818, and makes her home with her son George L. Jacob B. Mast
helped to organize and build St. John’s German Lutheran church, and
was the building master.

George L. Mast was born May 12, 1858, in
Reading, and was educated in the public schools, supplementing the
knowledge there acquired by a course in the business college
conducted by Chester N. Farr and D. B. Brunner. He then learned the
trade of tinsmith under George W. Dauth, secured a position in the
works of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, and for
thirty-one years was in the employ of that corporation. He was
married Oct. 11, 1881, to Bertha Louise Smith, a teacher, and the
daughter of Frederick Smith, a shoemaker. The children born of this
union are as follows: Paul, born 1882, a machinist with the
Philadelphia & Reading Railway; Albert F., born 1883, who holds
a position similar to his brother’s and like him is also married;
James E., born 1891, who graduated in 1908 from the Reading high
school and is now a civil engineer; and Carl H., born 1892, a
member of the class of 1909, Reading high school. Mr. Mast and his
family belong to St. John’s German Lutheran Church, Reading, and he
served nine years in the vestry, and as an official in the
Sunday-school. He belongs to Camp No. 212, P. O. S. of A.; and in
its day was an active member of the Philomathean Literary Society.

Mr. Mast has always manifested much interest in
political questions, and has taken an active part in local affairs.
He is a believer in Democratic principles, and in 1891 was elected
on that ticket to the common council. In February, 1904, he was
elected to alderman of the Ninth ward, for the term beginning May
1st of the following year, an office he has filled with great
satisfaction to the constituents.

MAST,
HEBER

p. 1488

Surnames: MAST, YODER

Heber Mast, of Caernarvon township, Berks county, who lives on the
old Mast homestead, was born on this farm, April 27, 1856, son of
Christian and Barbara Mast.

David Mast, grandfather of Heber, was born April
9, 1769, and died on the Mast homestead Feb. 18, 1849, while his
wife, Mary Mast, born Nov. 18, 1775, passed away Feb. 8, 1845.
Christian Mast, father of Heber, was born on the Mast homestead,
Oct. 17, 1817, and died there Sept. 3, 1899. He married Barbara
Mast, born Aug. 23, 1828, who survived him until Feb. 21, 1907, and
to them were born these children: Margaret E., born May 3, 1848,
living with her brother on the homestead; John D., born April 5,
1853, m. to Martha Yoder and living on a farm near the homestead;
Heber; Sara A., born Feb. 25, 1858; Jacob K., Feb. 2, 1860; Samuel
H., July 19, 1865; and Henry A., Feb. 23, 1870.

Heber Mast has spent his entire life on the old
homestead, where he now lives with his two sisters. The home is one
of the prettiest spots in the locality, the house being surrounded
by a large and beautiful lawn. Mr. Mast is a stanch Republican in
politics. He and his sisters are members of the United Brethren
Church.

MAST, JOHN
HENRY

p 1143

Surnames: MAST, BRAUN, BAUER, ARNOLD, SCHICK, LITCH, HOFFMASTER,
NEIMAN, STEINBACH, FURMAN, RIENHARD, ROMIG

John Henry Mast who has been an employe of the car building and
repairing department of the Philadelphia & Reading railroad for
some years, has also been prominent in public affairs in the
Fourteenth ward of Reading, Pa. Mr. Mast was born Feb. 1,1858, in
Reading, son of John and Catherine Dorothea (Braun) Mast.

Bernhardt Mast, grandfather of John Henry, was a
native of the Fatherland, where he and his wife. Eva, spent all of
their lives, engaged in agricultural pursuits. They had these
children: Frederick, who came to Reading, m. Mary Bauer, and had
five children, Fred, John, Christina, Elizabeth and Annie; John;
and a son and daughter remained in Germany. In religious belief the
family were Lutherans John Mast was born Feb. 21, 1821, in Germany
, and in his native country learned the trade of carpenter. He came
to America about 1847, landing at New York, whence he journeyed to
Niagara county, N. Y., and from there returned to New York City.
Later he removed to Philadelphia, and from that city walked to
Reading, thence to Port Clinton, where he followed his trade of
carpenter with the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, in
whose employ he continued until the superintendency of William
Good, when he retired. From that time until his death. From that
time until his death which was caused by a stroke of paralysis, he
was engaged in improving his property. He and his wife. Catherine
Dorothea Braun, had ten children, six boys and four girls: Kate F.
m. Morris Arnold, and has four children, Emma (m. William Schick),
Annie (m. Harvey Litch), Harry and J. Edward (single); John Henry;
Rose E. is unmarried; Anna D. m. Charles Hoffmaster; Charles E. m.
Annie Neiman; Mary B. is unmarried; and four sons are deceased. In
religious belief the family are Lutherans. Mr. Mast was a member of
the I. 0. 0. F.

John Henry Mast was educated in the schools of
Reading, Pa., after which he learned the trade of carpenter under
the instruction of Aaron Steinbach. Since that time he has been
engaged in the car building and repairing department of the
Philadelphia & Reading railroad. Mr. Mast is a member of the P.
0. S. of A.; Mt. Penn Council, Royal Arcanum; Reading Relief
Association; Philadelphia & Reading Veteran Association; and
Marion Fire Company. A Democrat in politics, he has always been
active in the ranks of his party, and for three terms served as a
member of the common council from the Fourteenth ward. He is a
Lutheran in religious belief, while his wife attends Calvary
Reformed Church.

Mr. Mast was married to Miss Annie E. Furman, a
native of Reading, and to this union there have been born two
children: Ellen L. in. George E. Reinhard, and has one child,
Gertrude; and Bessie R. m. Warren Romig.

MAST, JOHN
R.

p. 1564

Surnames: MAST, REIFSNYDER, HILLEGAS, BIEBER, UDREE, YOUNG, SMITH

John R. Mast, the Court-crier and Custodian of the Law Library of
Berks county, and member of Select Council from the Third ward,
Reading, is a native of Reading, and was born Sept. 21, 1853, son
of George and Elizabeth (Reifsnyder) Mast.

Mr. Mast was educated in the public schools of
the city of Reading, and is a graduate of the Reading High School;
later he attended the Reading Academy and Business College. At the
age of eighteen years he became a clerk in the hardware store of
McGowan & Miltimore, who conducted business at Sixth and Penn
streets, where the store of Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart is now
located. When the hardware firm of J. L. Stichter & Son were
burned out, and the business of McGowan & Miltimore and J. L.
Stichter & Son were merged into one large concern, Mr. Mast
continued in their employment for a number of years. On Dec. 2,
1879, Mr. Mast was married to Minnie H. Hillegas, a daughter of
Jacob Hillegas, of Reading.

Mr. Mast then engaged in the wholesale
manufacture of tobacco, at No. 728 Penn street ? later he was
successful in the cigar manufacturing business at Nos. 746-748
Cherry street, employing from 60 to 75 people, and having a trade
covering the greater part of the United States. On account of
impaired health Mr. Mast disposed of the business and on July 1,
1902, was appointed Court Crier and Custodian of the Law Library by
the judges of the court of common pleas of Berks county ? which
post he fills with marked ability at this time. Mr. Mast is a most
affable gentleman and is widely known in the city of Reading and
throughout Berks county. “Mr. Mast,” said a visiting attorney
recently, “is the Ward McAllister of officialdom.” His uniform
courtesy has made him friends among all classes of people.

Mr. Mast has always taken an active part in
public affairs, and he has served the Third ward in select council
three successive terms of four years each. During his term as
select councilman he was regarded as one of the most capable
members of that body. His reputation is beyond reproach. In
politics he is a Democrat. Party fealty, however, has never biased
him. As an active member of the party, he has been chosen to
numerous conventions and has been called into the highest councils
of his party. Prior to his appointment to his present position he
never held an office of emolument. In conjunction with his civic
duties Mr. Mast has always displayed a keen interest in the P. O.
S. of A.; that body in appreciation of his services has elected him
to the high office of state president of the State Organization.
Mr. Mast is a member of the Masonic order, and belongs to St. John
Lodge, No. 435, Reading. He has been a member of Trinity Lutheran
Church since boyhood.

George Mast, father of John R., passed most of
his life in Reading, where he died at the age of eighty-four years.
He is buried in the family lot in the Charles Evans cemetery. He
was a carpenter by occupation. His wife, Elizabeth (Reifsnyder), of
Chester county, Pa., preceded him in death about ten years. They
had a family of four children, two of whom died in infancy, the
other two being John R. and Sallie, the latter the widow of H. E.
Reifsnyder and residing at Reading.

John Mast, grandfather of John R., was born in
August, 1786, in Wurtemberg, Germany, and when a boy was
apprenticed to learn the carpenter’s trade, which he mastered
thoroughly, in accordance with the strict ideas of his native land.
Like many other young men of the day, he emigrated to America in
order to escape being drafted for service in the Napoleonic wars,
and he arrived in Berks county in 1812. Here he first hired out to
help on the farm of William Bieber, in Oley township.

However, he became well and favorably known in
the pursuit of his trade, and many of the older large barns in Oley
township to-day bear good evidence of his honest work. He was often
employed by Gen. Daniel Udree at the Oley furnace, and by Daniel
Young at the Rockland forges, doing such carpenter work as was
needed at those places. Strong, honest and industrious, he was a
good citizen and prospered well. He bought a small farm from Daniel
Young, and cultivated it thoroughly and with true German thrift. He
lived to his ninety-ninth year, making his home at Dryville, and is
buried at Mertz’ Church, in Rockland township. His wife, whose
maiden name was Smith, died about ten years previously. They were
the parents of nine children, three of the sons being Daniel,
George and John.

MAST,
LEVI

p 1028

Surnames: MAST, PLANK, KURTZ, STOLTZFUS, PETERS, BEILER, LAPP,
ZOOK, ZUG, HERTZLER, BLANK

Levi Mast, a highly esteemed retired farmer of Berks county, who is
living on his snug little farm of thirty-two acres of fertile land
in Caernarvon township, was born in this township, July 19, 1835,
son of Daniel and Rachel (Plank) Mast, and grandson of John and
Mary (Kurtz) Mast.

Daniel Mast, father of Levi, was born April 1,
1803, and he died Aug. 18, 1883, after a long and useful life spent
in agricultural pursuits and in the ministry of the Amish Church.
He married Rachel Plank, born April 15, 1805, who died Feb. 6,
1873. To them there were born the following children: John P., born
in 1826 and died Nov. 19,1888, was a minister and subsequently a
bishop in the Amish Church; Sarah, born Nov. 13, 1828, m. David
Stoltzfus. and died March 30, 1892; Anna. born March 5, 1831, died
Sept. 4, 1834; Mary, born Feb. 13, 1833, m. a Mr. Peters, and died
in 1900: Levi. born July 19, 1835; Rachel, born Dec. 29, 1837, died
Aug. 20, 1840; Hannah, born June 24, 1840. m. Jacob Stoltzfus
Fannie, born April 7, 1842, m. Christian Beiler, and died March 8,
1894; Rebecca, born April 17, 1844. m (first) Eli Stoltzfus and
(second) John Lapp; and Lydia, born Aug. 9, 1848, died, it is
thought, from injuries received at the hands of burglars, who
seized her at the throat, June 21, 1874.

Levi Mast, son of Daniel, received his education
in the schools of his native locality, and early in life engaged in
agricultural pursuits which he continued until his retirement from
active life. He is a Republican in politics, and for nine years
served as a member of the school board, of which he was treasurer
during the Civil war. He is a member of the Amish Church, and is
well known and highly esteemed in the locality in which he has
spent his entire life. Mr. Mast sustained a great loss in 1905,
when his only son, Daniel Z., with wife and two children, were
taken away in an epidemic of typhoid fever.

Levi Mast was married to Miss Christiana Zook,
born April 10, 1836, daughter of Henry and Catherine (Kurtz) Zook,
and to this union there were born children as follows: Sara lives
at home; Daniel Z., born March 3, 1862, died Nov. 1, 1903, married
Elizabeth Hertzler. and had eight children, Anna (born 1884, died
1905), Saidy (born 1893, died 1905), Levi H. (born May 30, 1885),
Henry (born Dec. 18, 1887), John P. (born April 11, 1889, died
March 27, 1903), Isaac (born April 12, 1891, died Sept. 10, 1891),
Ida Christianna (born July 31, 1892, died Jan, 2, 1894) and Samuel
(born Nov. 27, 1899).

Hans Zook (Zug), great-great-great-grandfather
of Mrs. Mast, was an elder in the Mennonite Church, of Berne,
Switzerland, where he was imprisoned for his religious teachings,
and after his release removed to Germany, whence his grandsons
Christian, Moritz and Johannes, who were born near Darmstadt, came
to America, arriving at Philadelphia, Sept. 21, 1742. They removed
thence to Whiteland, Chester county, where Christian Zook,
great-grandfather of Mrs. Mast, died in December, 1787.

Christian Zook, son of Christian, and
grandfather of Mrs. Mast, was born April 20, 1752, in Bern
township, Berks county, and became a farmer and minister in the
Amish Church, in the faith of which he died Oct. 8, 1826, He
married Magdalena Blank, born in Lancaster county in 1751, who died
Aug. 8, 1833.

Henry Zook, father of Mrs. Mast, was born near
Malvern, Pa., March 18, 1794, and died at Binkley’s Bridge,
Lancaster county, in 1865. He married Catherine Kurtz born Sept.
21, 1801, who died March 23, 1874.