Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

STEININGER, WALTER G.

p.
1304

Surnames: ALTHOUSE, SIEGRIST, JACOBS, HEINLY

Walter G. Steininger, of Reading, engaged in the practice of law,
was born there April 11, 1877, son of Isaac W. and Emma S.
(Althouse) Steininger. His grandfather, George Steininger, was a
farmer and drover of Lehigh county, Pa. His father is in the real
estate business in Reading, and his mother is a daughter of Adam
Althouse, a prominent farmer and large landowner of Bern township,
Berks county. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac W. Steininger had three children:
Harry A., a traveling salesman, of Reading; Lillian M., a graduate
of the high school, class of 1900, now the wife of Eugene O.
Siegrist, Esq., of Lebanon, Pa.; and Walter G.

Walter G. Steininger has passed his entire life
in the city of Reading. He received his education in the public
schools, graduating from the high school in 1894, after which he
entered upon an active business life at once, securing employment
as time clerk and inspector for the National Bolt, Nut & Rivet
Works of Reading. He was with this firm until 1899, when he entered
the office of the late J. Howard Jacobs, as clerk, and began
preparation for the Bar. He studied there until the death of his
preceptor in October, 1902, when he registered in the office of
Harvey F. Heinly, where he remained until admitted to practice at
the Berks county Bar, Feb. 11, 1905, later passing the examination
before the State board, which admitted him to the Supreme court.
Mr. Steininger occupies offices at No. 541 Court street. He has
been a notary since 1899, now holding his second commission; and he
represents the Fidelity & Deposit Company of Maryland.

Mr. Steininger belongs to the Young Men’s
Christian Association, and is active in all work of that
institution. He is an active member of Olivet Presbyterian Church,
serving on the board of trustees, teaches a class in the
Sunday-school and is president of the Christian Endeavor Society.

STEINMAN
FAMILY

p. 1364 Surnames: STEINMAN/STONEMAN, SCHELL,
PENN, MAMER, LEHR, DICKENSHEID, SNYDER, WEIGER, KEHL, SCHULTZ,
GERY, GLASER, CHRISTMAN

The Steinmans of Berks county are descendants of Hans George
Steinman (also spelled Stoneman), who in a deed for land is said to
have come from Holland at an early date. Prior to 1760 he had
located in Hereford township, Berks county, and in 1764 Agnes
Steinman, relict of Hans George Steinman, purchased from Michael
Schell a tract of land in Hereford township consisting of
thirty-two acres. She also purchased a tract of twenty acres, with
an allowance from Thomas and Richard Penn, which is still in the
family name, being at present owned by the brothers John F.
Steinman and George H. Steinman. The deeds are of parchment, and
beautifully written with a good quill. One of the deeds begins as
follows:

“This Indenture made the Tenth Day of April, in
the Eighth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, George III, by
the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defender
of the Faith, etc., and in the Year of our Lord 1768, between Agnes
Stoneman of Hereford township – in the County of Berks, in province
of Pennsylvania – Widow – the relict of Hans Georg Stoneman, late
of same township, yeoman, deceased, John Stoneman, of Hereford
township -aforesaid – yeoman, and Andrew Mamer, of Upper Hanover
township – in county of Philadelphia – in the said Province,
Miller, and Anna Barbara, his wife, They the said John and Anna
Barbara being of the children of the said Hans George Stoneman by
the said Agnes, his wife – on the one part and Georg Stoneman of
Hereford township – aforesaid – Yeoman, another of the sons of the
said Hans George Stoneman, by the said Agnes his wife of the other
part.” Hans George Steinman it appears had three children. He is
buried in the old graveyard, but the exact location of his grave is
uncertain. One of his sons who bears his name has the following
tombstone inscription:

“Dieser Stein zeiget die Ruhestette des
verstorben John Georg Steinman geboren June 14, 1747, gestorben
Nov. 25, 1826, war alt 79-5-10.”

The following refers to his wife: “Hier ruhe in
dieser Grabe die Gebeine von Catherine Steinman, zine Ehefrau von
Georg Steinman. Sie erblickte das Lict dieser Welt d. 12 Oct. Anno
1750. Zeugte in ihrem Ehestand 8 Kinder, davon 4 mit der Mutter in
die Ewigkeit gegangen, die unbrigen noch am Leben. Sie wurde alt 47
Jah, 10 Monat, und 2 Wochen.”

Among their children were Peter (1775-1813) and
George (1775-1817), twins, and Catharine (1788-1829).

The second wife of Johan Georg Steinman was
Elizabeth (Lehr), born in 1774, died in 1852, by whom he also had a
number of children, among them being: Johannes is mentioned farther
on; George, who located at Bethlehem, Pa., where he died, had four
children, Amanda (who married Dr. Henry Dickensheid), Angeline
(Mrs. Snyder), Henry (who died unmarried) and Willis; Heinrich,
born in 1801, died in 1822; Jesse, born in 1804, died in 1827;
Elizabeth married George Weigner, who lived in Hereford at the mill
now owned by Lewis Kehl.

Johannes Steinman, son of Johan Georg, was born
in Hereford township June 24, 1799, and died on his farm – the old
Steinman homestead – Feb. 23, 1870, aged seventy years, seven
months, twenty-nine days. He is buried in the graveyard at New
Goshenhoppen Church, of which church he was a member. He owned the
old place of 139 acres, and the farm of forty-eight acres now
belonging to his grandsons, John F. and George H. Steinman. He
built the brick house which still stands on the homestead in 1851,
and had erected the barn some time previously. He also built the
present house and barn on the old homestead now owned by Jeremiah
H. Schultz, located on the Treichlersville and Clayton turnpike. He
married Katharine Kehl, born Dec. 18, 1802, died April 11, 1857,
and they had two children, William F. and James A.

William F. Steinman, son of Johannes, was born
on the old homestead in Hereford township, Berks county, Nov. 15,
1836, and died April 22, 1890, aged fifty-three years, five months,
seven days. In his early life William F. Steinman clerked in a
store at Philadelphia, beginning at the humble salary of $1.75 a
week and board, and he traveled with a show for a year before
settling down to farming on the old homestead in Hereford with his
brother, in 1859 or 1860. They continued in partnership until 1870,
when William F. Steinman moved to the farm now belonging to his two
sons, James remaining on the old homestead, where he farmed until
his death in 1898. William F. Steinman was a member of the Reformed
Church at New Goshenhoppen, and he was a Democrat in political
opinion; he served six years as school director in Hereford
township. He was married April 26, 1862, to Ellena Gery, daughter
of John W. and Catharine (Glaser) Gery of Upper Hanover township,
Montgomery Co., Pa., born Nov. 21, 1831, died March 4, 1905. They
became the parents of two children, John F. and George H., both of
whom are mentioned below.

James A. Steinman, son of Johannes, owned and
lived upon the old homestead until his death, which occurred April
25, 1898, when he was aged fifty-eight years, four months, sixteen
days. Like his brother he was a Democrat in politics and served as
school director of Hereford township. He married Fianna Christman,
sister of Charles, who hailed from Kutztown, and they had a large
family, namely: Katie, John, Agnes, James, Annie (who died young),
Ida (who died young), Lottie, Charles and Ralph.

John F. Steinman, eldest son of William F.
Steinman, was born Nov. 7, 1863, on the old family homestead in
Hereford township, and began his education in the public schools of
the neighborhood. Later he went to the Perkiomen Seminary. He was
reared to farming, and so far has spent all his days on the farm,
making his home with his brother. They own the old David Gery
tract, located on the old Maxatawny road, now better known as the
Green Lane and Goshenhoppen turnpike, over which the early
residents of Maxatawny township hauled their grain and produce to
Philadelphia in the old-time Conestoga wagons. The Steinman
brothers have made their home there since 1870. To the
forty-eight-acre tract previously mentioned as having formerly
belonged to their grandfather they have added twelve acres.

The Steinman brothers are Democrats in politics,
and in religion they adhere to the Reformed faith, belonging to the
New Goshenhoppen church. John F. Steinman was active in the
Sunday-school for many years, serving long as teacher, and George
H. Steinman is one of the deacons at the present time.

George H. Steinman was born July 1. 1869, on the
homestead in Hereford township, attended the common schools, and
for a time was a student at the Perkiomen Seminary. He married Mary
Christman, daughter of Jacob and Matilda (Gery) Christman, and they
have had three children: Katie A., William F. and Willis J.

An old building on the Steinman Brothers’
property, and used by them as a store-house for farm implements, is
one of the landmarks of the community and must be almost two
hundred years old. People now in the eighties say that it was very
old when they were children, and that their parents told them it
was over one hundred years old then. It was one of the first stone
houses in the township, and is of German architecture throughout,
26 feet wide and 40 feet long, two stories in height, with an
attic. Standing on the pike formerly known as the old Maxatawny
road, it was one of the earliest taverns in the county and was long
known as the “Stone Tavern.” Store and hotel were kept there up to
about 1825. It was the stopping-place for teams and travelers
between Kutztown and Maxatawny and Philadelphia, and old residents
recall that people from Kutztown and Maxatawny remained there
overnight going to and coming from Philadelphia, whither they took
their grain and produce, bringing merchandise back. In those days
they laid on the floor, rolling themselves in their blankets, and
according to tradition they took turns keeping the wood fire going
– a story which undoubtedly had its foundation in fact.

STEPHAN,
DAVID

p. 1512

Surnames: STEPHAN, ZERBY, BERGER, MORRISON, MERCER, KLINE, SCHUMAN

David Stephan, deceased, of Reading, was of German birth, a native
of Baden, and came to this country early in life, in 1817.

Before coming to America Mr. Stephan had learned
the trade of a carpenter and was a thoroughly competent workman.
After reaching this country he located in Reading, and before long
was in business for himself as a contractor and builder, becoming
one of the most prosperous men in his line, and holding a prominent
place among the other contractors of the city. He was married May
11, 1856, to Julia A., daughter of William and Barbara (Zerby)
Berger, and four children were born to their union, viz. :
Augustus, who married Miss Rebecca Morrison ; Ida, Mrs. Albert
Mercer ; Alice, Mrs. John Kline ; and Lewis, who married Miss Ella
Schuman. Mr. Stephan’s religious faith was that of the Lutheran
Church, and his adherence in political matters was given to the
Democratic party. He was a man held in general esteem, and his
death was felt as a personal loss to many beyond the family circle.

Mrs. Stephan was one of six children born to her
parents, viz. : Jonathan ; William and Gerard, who were both
soldiers in the Civil war ; Julia ; Sarah ; and Susan. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Berger died at Millersburg, Berks county, he at the age of
ninety-six and she at seventy-eight, and their remains lie in the
cemetery in that town. Mr. Berger was a carpenter and journeyman by
trade. He and his wife were members of the Reformed Church. Mrs.
Stephan owns a comfortable property, including two houses in
Oakland, a suburb of Reading.

STERLEY,
JOHN B. (M. D.)

p. 585

Surnames: STERLEY, BERTOLETTE, SNYDER, KEELER, GROFF, RIGHTMEYER

John B. Sterley, M. D., one of the most prominent citizens of
Reading, Berks Co., Pa., who was distinguished as a physician and
surgeon, died in Reading, Nov. 24, 1905. Dr. Sterley was born July
26, 1837, in Limerick township, Montgomery county, son of Philip
and Elizabeth (Bertolette) Sterley, both of French origin.

The Sterley family was founded at an early day
in Salford township, Montgomery county, by great-grandfather
Sterley, who emigrated from Lorraine, France, and here the
grandfather of the Doctor was born and reared until manhood, when
he removed to Limerick township, carrying on agricultural pursuits
in that locality all the rest of his life.

Philip Sterley, father of the Doctor, was born
Feb. 22, 1800, and was educated in the common schools. He followed
the occupation of his father, being a good, practical farmer and
public-spirited citizen. In politics a Whig and later Republican,
he was interested in the success of his party, but never to the
extent of running for any office. He died in 1868.

The early life of Dr. John B. Sterley was spent
upon his father’s farm, and until about sixteen years of age he
attended the common schools of his native locality. At this time he
went to Philadelphia, where for one year he was employed by his
cousin, Simon R. Snyder, after leaving whom he entered Freeland
Seminary (Now Ursinus College). After two and one-half years of
study, young Sterley engaged in teaching in Oley township, but
after six months gave up the profession, having fully decided to
engage in the practice of medicine. He entered the offices of Drs.
Keeler and Groff of Harleysville, Pa., to take up his preliminary
studies, and shortly after entered the University of Pennsylvania,
from which institution he was graduated with honor, March 6, 1857.
Locating at Earlville, Lancaster county, Dr. Sterley continued
there until 1860, when he moved his office to Annville, Lebanon
county. In July, 1862, Dr. Sterley joined the 167th Pa. V. I.,
receiving the commission of surgeon, and at the expiration of nine
months was appointed examining district surgeon for the Ninth
Congressional District of Pennsylvania, a position he ably filled
until June, 1864, when he left the service. Until 1879 he practiced
at St. Mary’s, Elk Co., Pa., but in the year mentioned he removed
to Reading, to which city, its people, its development and its
varied interests, he devoted the remainder of his life. The first
board of pension examiners of Berks county was organized in 1881
with Dr. Sterley as one of its members, and he served the full
term, being returned to the board under the Harrison
administration, when he was made president. On May 11, 1898, he was
reappointed by President McKinley.

On Sept. 1, 1864, Dr. Sterley was married to
Amanda R. Rightmeyer, and the one child of this union, Winfield
Bradley, born Sept. 18, 1865, died Jan. 17, 1877.

Dr. Sterley was a Republican in politics. He was
one of the organizers and vice-president of the Reading &
Southwestern Electric Railroad. His profession connects him with
the following societies : the Reading Medical Association ; Berks
County Medical Society, and the Pennsylvania State Medical Society.
He was prominently connected with St. John’s Lodge, No. 435, F.
& A. M., and was also an active worker of Gen. William H. Keim
Post, No. 76, G. A. R. The death of Dr. Sterley bought grief to a
large circle outside his own immediate family. His personality was
strong, and of him it may be truly said as of another: “He earned
honor and respect in public life as well as affection and
veneration in private.”

Mrs. Sterley, who survives her husband, resides
in Reading, where she is very well known, and where she owns
considerable city and suburban property.

STERNBERGH, JAMES
HERVEY

p. 341

Surnames: STERNBERGH, MAY, DODDS

James Hervey Sternbergh, of Reading. Pa., former president of the
America Steel & Iron Manufacturing company, of Lebanon and
Reading, pioneer in the manufacture of nuts and bolts in America,
is one of the most notable figures in the steel and iron trade in
Pennsylvania, if not, indeed, the United States. Mr. Sternbergh was
born in Henrietta, Monroe Co., N. Y., May 20, 1834. His father, a
Genesee Valley farmer, was descended from German ancestry, who
settled in America in 1703; in that year four unmarried brothers
came over, David, Adam, Nicholas, and Lambert, who were driven out
of the Rhine Valley at the time of the religious troubles in the
Palatinate. They were the first to raise wheat in Schoharie county,
in the Mohawk Valley, where they became large agriculturists.
William Sternbergh, father of James Hervey, died at the age of
eighty-six years; the forefather for several generations had
reached advanced age.

The Sternbergh family removed to Saratoga
Springs and lived there until James H. was thirty-one years old. He
spent a number of these years as general passenger agent of the
railroad running through Saratoga. His choice had been to become a
professional man, but study affected his sight, and in 1865, he
removed to Reading, Pa., where he became interested in the
manufacture of bolts, nuts, rivets, etc. In 1867 Mr. Sternbergh
invented and patented a machine for making hot-pressed nuts, and
this machine has been in use ever since, its inventor and maker
even having demands for it from competitors in business at home and
abroad. This is only one of many important and useful inventions of
Mr. Sternbergh. He invented a superior grinding machine for
grinding hard metals, doing the work much more effectively than
before, and at much less cost. There were only two or three other
establishments of the kind in the United States, and Mr. Sternbergh
may be justly called the pioneer in the business of nut
manufacturing.

In 1886, when his son Philip attained his
majority, Mr. Sternbergh took him into partnership, and the latter
subsequently became the manager of the branch work in Kansas City,
Mo. There he died April 2, 1903, in the thirty-eighth year of his
age, just in the prime of manhood, with every promise bright for a
great future.

On Feb. 6, 1891, during Mr. Sternbergh’s absence
in New York, his works caught fire and were totally destroyed, save
the rolling mill buildings and part of the large machinery. It was
a heavy financial blow, but with characteristic energy he went
about immediately getting things in shape, and within ten days
after the fire the works were again in operation, and in the May
following were turning out more goods than ever before. The Reading
Bolt and Nut Works is a plant extending over some eight acres of
land, lying between Third and Buttonwood street. This large and
important industry had its inception in 1865, when Mr. Sternbergh
established it. From modest beginnings, in temporary buildings at
the foot of Pine street and the leasing of necessary power from an
adjoining concern, and the employment of from eight to ten men, to
the present day, when a large tract of land is covered with the
commodious buildings and a force of 1,500 men find employment, is a
story of commercial success and industrial progress which holds
much matter of interest.

The present substantial buildings are located on
North Third street, above Buttonwood, and were first occupied in
January 1869. Since the fire above mentioned, every new building
has been made larger and more convenient than the old ones and the
machinery and equipment are those of a first-class, modern plant.
One building, 456 x 110 feet in dimensions, supplied with all kinds
of improved machinery, is used for the manufacture of nuts, bolts,
washers, rivets, and rods for bridges, buildings, etc. Another, 325
x 90 feet in dimensions, is used as a rolling mill building and
contains three trains of rolls, four heating furnaces, three
upright steam engines, in addition to steam shears, lathes, pumps,
etc. Another, the new rolling mill building, 200 x80 feet, contains
two trains of rolls, two heating furnaces and other machinery. The
capacity of these mills is about 40,000 tons of rolled iron
annually, embracing all sizes of merchant bar iron in common use.

Mr.Sternbergh’s own articles of manufacture are
disposed of to merchants and consumers of refined bar and band
iron. At all times it is necessary to carry a large stock in order
to meet the demands, and this need was recognized by the erection
in 1880 of a large warehouse 150 x 40 feet, four stories high. The
railroad facilities are of the best, three tracks running into the
works, the first for the delivery of coal, the second for the
delivery of crude iron, and the third for shipments. Mr.
Sternbergh’s goods were awarded medals at the Centennial Exposition
at Philadelphia in 1876; at the Chicago Exposition in 1883; at the
New Orleans Exposition in 1885; at the Paris Exposition in 1889;
and at the Columbian Exposition in 1893, where they had three
exhibits.

On Sept 1, 1899, J. H. Sternbergh & Son
consolidated their works with the Pennsylvania Nut & Bolt
Company, of Lebanon, the Lebanon Iron Company, the East Lebanon
Iron Company of Lebanon, and the National Nut, Bolt & Rivet
Works, of Reading, thus forming what is known as the American Iron
& Steel Manufacturing Company, of which Mr. Sternbergh was
president during the six years ending February, 1907, when he
retired. It is capitalized at $5,550,000, $3,000,000 being full
paid preferred stock, and $2,550,000 full paid common stock. The
works now give employment to 4,000 men.

J. H. Sternbergh, in addition to being the head
of this vast concern, in a director in the Second National Bank of
Reading; a director in the Reading Trust company; and president of
the Kansas City Bolt & Nut Company, which was founded by him in
1887. He was one of the founders of the Reading Board of Trade, and
its president for the first three years, and he was also one of the
founders of the Young Men’s Christian Association, and served as
its president many years.

Mr. Sternbergh has been twice married. In 1862
he was married (first) to Harriet M. May, of Southbridge, Mass.,
who bore him five children, two of whom survive, Herbert M. and
Hattie May. He married (second) Mary Candace Dodds, of North Hero,
Vt., and they had six children born to them, namely: James Hervey;
born May 26, 1890; Helen, Aug. 18, 1891 (who died Nov. 11, 1894);
David, Dec. 29, 1892; Lambert, March 29, 1895; Margaret, May 20,
1897; and Gertrude, May 8, 1899.

Mr. Sternbergh is an honorary member of the
Academy of Inventors and Manufacturers of Paris, and the European
Society of Brussels, Belgium. He is a ruling elder in the First
Presbyterian Church of Reading, and for eighteen years with all his
many and onerous duties found time to serve as Sunday-school
superintendent. A remarkable fact about Mr. Sternbergh is that his
years of strenuous work have been endured without a day’s illness,
and he stands today as an example of manly strength and mental
superiority.

STERRETT, JACOB KNABB

p.
1628

Surnames: STERRETT, KNABB, ARNOLD, BICKLEY, RHOADS, YEAGER, WEITZEL

Jacob Knabb Sterrett, one of the publishers of the Berks and
Schuylkill Journal from 1865 to 1884, was born in Union township,
Berks county, May 1, 1827. His father, David Sterrett, was a native
of Cumberland county, Pa., and died in Berks county in 1833.
Previous to his location in this county, he had traveled
extensively throughout the United States, and had compiled a
dictionary of the Chippewa language. He was married to Margaret
Knabb, a sister of Jacob Knabb.

When thirteen years of age Jacob K. Sterrett
entered the printing-office of Knabb & Getz (sho then published
the Reading Gazette), as an apprentice to learn the printers trade,
and continued in this office till 1845, when he entered the office
of the Berks and Schuykill Journal.

After being in this office twenty years he
became one of the proprietors of the Journal. He continued his
business connections with the firm of J. Knabb & Co.,
publishers of the Journal and Times, till December, 1881, when, on
account of ill health, he transferred his interest to his son
William. He died Nov. 2, 1884.

Mr. Sterrett was a superior printer and an
enterprising journalist. During his connection with the J ournal
and Times he occasionally contributed articles of rare interest. He
was particularly fond of local reminiscences, and by the aid of a
strong memory and a facile pen published a series of historical
sketches, relating to the early days of Reading. He was a great
reader, and became familiar with the standard literature of his
time. He was partial to the works of Moore, Poe, Irving and Cooper.
His nature was of a most genial kind, which ,’Ion him many friends,
and though positive in his convictions he created no enmities.

In the early days of the St. Matthew’s Lutheran
Church, Mr. Sterrett was one of its vestrymen; and when the Reading
Musical Society was in its active existence, previous to 1860, he
was a prominent member. He always resided in Berks county. For
several months, about the beginning of the year 1853, he was in.
South Carolina. engaged as a journeyman printer on the legislative
proceedings of that State. Mr. Sterrett was an active Republican
and took an earnest part in the management of the Republican party.
He frequently represented his district in local, State, and
national conventions-having been a delegate to the National
Republican Convention which assembled at Cincinnati and nominated
Rutherford B. Hayes. He acted as a jury commissioner of the county
for the years 1881 and 1882. During the Civil war he enlisted
twice,-first in Captain Bickley’s company, which served in the
emergency of 1862, and then in 1863, in Captain Rhoads’ company,
42nd Regt. Pa. V. M. For some years before the Civil war, he took
an active part in the military affairs of the county, having been a
member of the Ringgold Light Artillery.

In 1855 Mr. Sterrett married Anna M. Arnold,
daughter of John Arnold, a dentist of Reading. They had three
surviving children :-William (m. to Laura V. Yeager, of Birdsboro),
Henry (m. to Anna Weitzel, of Reading), and Ellen Knabb (who died
at the age of twenty-five years).

STETSON, PRINCE REDINGTON
(CAPT.)

p. 1629

Surnames: STETSON, COUCH, HOOKER, ECKERT, KNAPP, BAILEY

Capt. Prince Redington Stetson, youngest son of Charles A. Stetson
who was for forty years (from 1837 to 1877) proprietor of the
well-known “Astor House” in New York City, was mentioned June 5,
1839, and there educated. He entered the regular army by
appointment as first lieutenant of the 15th United States Infantry,
May 14, 1861, and served with the regiment in Kentucky until
January , 1863, when he was appointed chief of ordnance on the
staff of Gen. D. N. Couch, Department of the Susquehanna, in
Pennsylvania, with headquarters at Harrisburg. While stationed
there, he organized and mustered into service the 167th Regiment of
Pennsylvania Volunteers at Reading. Upon rejoining his regiment at
Chattanooga, Tenn., he was detached by Special Order, Army of the
Cumberland, as Aide de Camp on the staff of Maj. Gen. Joseph
Hooker, and he served as his personal aide he resigned in December,
1865. While in the service he participated in the battles of New
Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Utoy Station and
Atlanta.

In 1863 Captain Stetson was married to Rebecca
Heister Eckert, daughter of Isaac Eckert (president of the Farmer’s
Bank at Reading from 1836 to 1873, whose sketch appears elsewhere
in this publication). To this marriage were born two children,
Edward Eckert and Alice Develin (m. to Charles B. Knapp of New York
City and died Feb. 26, 1907).

Upon this location at Reading, after resigning
from the regular army, Captain Stetson identified himself with
Christ Protestant Episcopal Church and served as a vestryman for
upward of forty years; also as treasurer of the Diocese of
Bethlehem and Central Pennsylvania ; manager and treasurer of the
Reading Hospital for upward of twenty-five years; also as a trustee
of Charles Evans Cemetery since 1900 (having succeeded Geo. B.
Eckert upon his decease).

Captain Stetson took an active interest in the
management of the Leesport Iron Company, as treasurer of the
company for a number of years until the plant was sold. During the
administration of President Harrison he officiated as postmaster of
Reading from 1889 to 1893, having developed the office to a very
high standard for which he received congratulatory letters from
Postmaster General Wanamaker. He is a member of the Loyal Legion,
the Union Veteran Legion of Reading, and Keim Post No. 76, G. A.
R., of Reading.

Captain Stetson is a lineal descendant of Cornet
Robert Stetson, who raised the Plymouth Troop of Horse in Plymouth
county, Mass., in 1658, the first company in that early settlement:
and a great grandson of Capt. Prince Stetson, whose company was in
the 23d Regt. U.S. Regular Army in the Revolution, commanded by
Col. John Bailey.

STETZLER, JEREMIAH W.

p.
1252

Surnames: STETZLER, SCHAPPELL, FREYIN, KELCHNER, SEIDEL, KLINE,
BAER, HOFFMAN, MILLER, MENGEL, DeTURK, MUNTZ, SCHWOYER, KAUFFMAN,
LUCKENBILL

Jeremiah W. Stetzler. This enterprising young farmer of Perry
township, Berks county, who is operating the original Stetzler
homestead, was born on this farm May 12, 1876, son of Jacob and
Esther (Schappell) Stetzler.

Johan Peter Stetzler, the progenitor of this
numerous family of Berks county, was a native of Europe, born March
5, 1724. He was married in 1761 to Maria Eva Freyin, widow of
Michael Kelchner, and she bore him five sons: Peter, born in 1764,
who was killed in 1841 by falling from a barn ; Johan Martin,
great-grandfather of Jeremiah W. ; and three whose names are
unknown. Johan Peter Stetzler died July 18, 1795, in his
seventy-second year.

Johan Martin Stetzler, who was born March 18,
1770, lived on the old homestead, which has been in the possession
of the family since 1768. In 1830 he build the stone house on the
farm, which is still standing, in a very good state of
preservation. His death occurred April 5, 1849. He was twice
married, his first wife being Maria Seidel, with whom he was united
March 22, 1797. She was born Feb. 13, 1774, and died Dec. 7, 1820,
and was the mother of five sons and two daughters among whom were:
Jacob, Daniel and Polly, the latter of whom married Joseph Kline.
Johan Martin Stetzler was married (second) April 14, 1822, to Maria
Susannah Baer, widow of Jacob Hoffman. She died Dec. 12, 1852, aged
seventy-three years, seven months, seven days.

Daniel Stetzler, grandfather of Jeremiah W., was
born March 21, 1802, and died Aug. 14, 1877. He was born and reared
on the old homestead, which he acquired in later years by purchase,
and in 1861 built the brick house still standing on the property
now owned by his grand-son. He was a prominent and well-to-do
citizen, influential in his section, and in politics was a
Democrat, serving as school director in Perry township. He and his
family were connected with Zion church, in the Lutheran
denomination, in Perry township, and he was prominent in church and
Sunday school matters, serving as superintendent. May 3, 1833,
Daniel Stetzler was united in marriage with Catherine Hoffman, born
Nov. 1, 1809, who died July 16, 1847. They had seven children:
Jacob ; Susanna, who died young ; Martin ; Catherine, Elizabeth,
Polly and Daniel.

Jacob Stetzler, of the foregoing family, was
born and reared on the Stetzler homestead, where he spent the major
part of his life farming. He attended the public schools of his
district and was later sent to Union county to school to learn
English. He died March 18, 1904, in his sixty-ninth year, having
been born Nov. 13, 1835. Mr. Stetzler was married to Esther
Schappell, daughter of Jeremiah and Esther (Miller) Schappell.
Their marriage occurred May 6, 1854, and their married life
continued until within forty-eight days of fifty years when their
Golden Wedding was to have been celebrated. To Mr. and Mrs. Jacob
Stetzler were born the following children : Andora, m. Martin R.
Mengel ; Daniel F., who died in his ninth year ; Catherine m.
Jeremiah De Turk, warden at the Berks county prison ; Alfred L., of
Shoemakersville, Pa. ; Jacob M., who died in 1905 ; Mary m. Charles
Muntz ; Emma, m. Samuel Schwoyer ; John W., who died aged seven
years ; Adeline, m. Hiram Kauffman ; Samuel, who died aged
twenty-five years ; and Jeremiah W.

Jeremiah W. Stetzler obtained a limited
education in the public schools of his native district, since
leaving which he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits on the
old Stetzler homestead. He has been energetic and enterprising and
is considered one of the substantial young farmers of Perry
township. June 17, 1899, he was united in marriage with Cora
Luckenbill, daughter of Cyrus and Susan (De Turk) Luckenbill,
prosperous farming people of Perry township. To this union have
been born two sons, Luther D. and Guy D.

STEVENS, GARRETT B.

p. 782

Surnames: STEVENS, BARCALOW, BENNET, ZELLER, STAYMAN

Garrett B. Stevens, lawyer of Reading, is the head of a family of
lawyers, as all his sons are practising attorneys. He was senior
member of the former law firm of Stevens & Stevens, though not
connected by the ties of consanguinity with his partner, W. Kerper
Stevens, with whom he was associated from 1894, but who is now
serving as Judge by appointment.

Benjamin Stevens, father of Garrett B. Stevens,
was a farmer, and his father, Abraham Stevens, was a merchant. The
first of the family in America came from Holland and held title to
lands in Bucks county previous to the advent of the Penns in
Pennsylvania. Benjamin Stevens married Elizabeth Barcalow, daughter
of Garrett Barcalow, of Bucks county, and seven children were born
of this union: Hogeland Stevens, at one time deputy sheriff of
Bucks county, who died in 1898; Abraham, a farmer and store-keeper
in Indiana; James Vansant, a merchant of St. Paul, Minn.; Maria,
wife of Isaac Bennet, a farmer and contractor of Ivyland, Bucks
county; Dr. Elwood, of Fox Chase, Philadelphia; B. Frank, formerly
of Hill & Stevens, contracting carpenters of Oak Lane,
Philadelphia; and Garrett B. The father of this family died in
1895, aged eighty-seven years, and the mother in 1898, in her
eighty-eighth year.

Garrett B. Stevens is eminent among the members
of his profession in Reading, both for his attainments and his
success. He married, Nov. 9, 1876, Kate M Zeller; daughter of John
Zeller, deceased, of Reading, and five children were born to this
union: Garrett, now of Cleveland, Ohio; Wallace, a graduate of
Harvard and of the New York Law School, who after spending a year
in the law office of Peckham, Warner & Strong was admitted in
June, 1904, to practise law in the courts of New York; John B., a
graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, admitted to the Berks
county Bar in 1902 and now associated with his father forming the
firm of G. B. & J. B. Stevens; Elizabeth and Katharine.

Garrett Stevens was born in Reading, Dec. 19,
1877. He was graduated from the Reading high school in 1895, from
Andover in 1896, from Yale in 1897, and from Dickinson Law school
in 1898. He then registered as a law student in the office of
Stevens & Stevens, and was admitted to practice Dec. 20, 1899.
On Sept. 4, 1901, Mr. Stevens m. Sarah S. Stayman, daughter of
Joseph B. and Mary Stayman, of Carlisle, and the one son born to
this union is Garrett Barcalow, named after his grandfather.
Fraternally Mr. Stevens is a Mason. He is connected with the
Presbyterian Church, and in politics is a Democrat. In 1902 he was
a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the Legislature from
Reading, and received a very handsome support.

John B. Stevens, son of Garrett B., was born
Dec. 9, 1880, in the city of Reading, and there received his early
training in the public schools of the city, graduating from the
high school in 1897. He then entered the University of
Pennsylvania, and in 1901 received his diploma from that famous old
school, immediately afterwards taking up the study of law in his
father’s office. On Nov. 10. 1902, he was admitted to the Berks
county Bar, and in February, 1905, was admitted to practice before
the Supreme court. Mr. Stevens is a member of the Kappa Sigma
fraternity of the University. He is a Presbyterian in religion. He
has taken considerable interest in politics as a member of the
Democratic party, and has engaged in campaign work to some extent.

STEVENS, WILLIAM KERPER
(HON.)

p. 543

Surnames: STEVENS, HIESTER, ENDLICH, DAVIS, BOYER, KERPER, TAYLOR,
CLENDENIN, BAIRD

Hon. William Kerper Stevens. Additional Law Judge of Berks county,
was born at Reading in 1861. He attended the public schools for
several years and after taking a special preparatory course under a
private tutor, entered Yale College where he pursued the regular
course and was graduated in 1883. Choosing the law as his
profession, he entered the office of Isaac Hiester, Esq., of
Reading, and pursuing the regular course of reading under Mr.
Hiester’s direction, was admitted to the Bar Nov. 10, 1884. He
immediately engaged in active practice in the office of his
preceptor and after carrying it on several years in a successful
manner formed a law co-partnership with Garrett B. Stevens, Esq.
(an older attorney, but no relative), and they continued to
practice together with increasing success until Sept. 10, 1908,
when he received the appointment of additional law judge to fill
the vacancy caused by the promotion of Hon. G. A. Endlich to the
office of president judge; then the co-partnership was dissolved
and he has been performing the duties of additional law judge until
the present time in a most satisfactory manner. The term for which
he was appointed by the Governor terminates on the first Monday in
January, 1910. At the primary election of the county in June, 1909,
his name was placed on the Republican ticket for the office of
judge and he was nominated without any opposition, which evidences
the superior manner in which he performed his judicial duties.

Immediately after being admitted to the Bar,
Judge Stevens identified himself with the Republican party and took
much interest in the management of its affairs. In appreciation of
his services and ability he was selected as school solicitor for
the years 1892, 1893 and 1894, and as city solicitor in 1895. In
1901 he was the nominee of the Republican ticket for Congress from
this District. He served as chairman of the county committee for
some years and also as a member of the State central committee. He
assisted in organizing the Reading National Bank in 1893, the Berks
County Trust Company in 1900, and the American Casualty Company in
1903, and served as a director until he became additional law
judge, when he resigned. He co-operated earnestly with other
gentlemen of Reading in the establishment of the Wyomissing Club,
and the Berkshire Club, and has since taken much interest in their
affairs. He is a member of the University Club of Philadelphia, and
of the Yale Club of New York.

In 1887 Judge Stevens was married to Mary Depuy
Davis, daughter of Col. Depuy Davis, and they have a son Frederick
William.

His father was Dr. Sadosa S. Stevens, a
prominent and successful druggist at Reading for fifty years. He
was born in Cumberland county in 1825, and there obtained his
education in the subscription schools until he was fifteen years
old, when he went to Carlisle and, entering a drug store, became a
druggist. He was then engaged for several years until 1849 in a
drug store at Philadelphia when he located in Reading and embarked
in the drug business, which he carried on in a successful manner
until his decease in 1900. In the organization of the board of
health, he was selected as one of the members and served on the
board from 1874 to 1882. He also took much interest in the Reading
free library, and the Historical Society of Berks County.

In 1852 he was married to Eleanora B. Kerper,
daughter of Abraham Kerper and Elizabeth Boyer, his wife, of
Reading, and they had four children: Frank and Emily (died young) ;
William Kerper ; and Bessie Kerper (m. Rev. William P. Taylor, an
Episcopalian clergyman at Morristown, New Jersey).

The first ancestor of Judge Stevens in America
was Thomas Stephens, a native of Leicestershire, England, who
emigrated from that place to Philadelphia in June, 1777. Two months
after his arrival (Aug. 2, 1777), was born his son George, who
became a prominent woolen manufacturer of Cumberland county, where
he lived until he died at the age of ninety years. He was enlisted
in the English war of 1812-15. In 1797, he was married to Margaret
Clendenin, and they had two sons : John C. and Thomas Jefferson.

Thomas Jefferson Stevens, grandfather of Judge
Stevens, was born in Cumberland county in 1800, and after becoming
of age succeeded his father in the woolen business which he carried
on for a number of years. He was a man of unusual literary culture,
and displayed great fondness for music and painting. He became an
intimate friend of the famous scientist and superintendent of the
Smithsonian Institute at Washington, D. C., Spencer Baird, and
through his association with Mr. Baird accumulated a large and
interesting collection of curios. He died in 1884 leaving to
survive him his eldest son, Dr. Stevens, who died April 17, 1900.