Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

MOULD,
JONATHAN

p. 704

Surnames: MOULD, CHANDLER, BELL, DOUGLAS

Jonathan Mould, merchant at Reading since 1871, was born in Orange
county, N.Y., near Newburg, Feb. 20,
1847, and educated in the pay schools of the vicinity and at the
Montgomery Academy. He was reared on his father’s farm during the
course of his education until he was eighteen years old, when he
went to Newburg and entered the large dry-goods store of A. K..
Chandler as a salesman, and he continued there seven years. During
the later years he assisted Mr. Chandler in establishing and
operating a chain of dry-goods stores in New York and Pennsylvania.
In this capacity, he was sent to Reading, Pa., in January, 1871,
and after operating the store for over a year it was sold to
Schofield & Co.

Mr. Mould, during this interval, having come to
appreciate Reading as a business center, remained with the new
firm, and assisted in the management of the store until January,
1875, when he embarked in business for himself. He established a
department store at No. 325 Penn street, and in three years moved
into larger quarters at No. 645 Penn street, where he continued
with increasing success for twelve years. In 1890, he purchased the
two adjoining premises on the east, Nos. 647-649, and upon erecting
a large four-story brick store building, 30 feet wide by 270 feet
deep, moved into the new quarters, where he has since been
conducting a department store with upward of a hundred employees,
and a wholesale and retail trade which reaches into the surrounding
districts and adjoining counties.

In 1887, his brother-in-law, George M. Bell
(after being employed in the store for ten years), was admitted as
a partner, and since then the business has been carried on under
the name of J. Mould & Co. Mr. Mould has been identified for
some years with he Farmer’s National Bank of Reading, the Neversink
Bank, and a number of industrial enterprises, serving in each of
them as one of the directors.

In 1871 Mr. Mould married Julia E. Bell,
daughter of Dr. William P. Bell, a prominent physician of
Fishkill-on-the-Hudson, N.Y. They are members of the Trinity
Lutheran Church at Reading, having been identified with this church
since 1871.

Mr. Mould’s father was John Mould, of Orange
county, N.Y., where he cultivated a farm for many years until his
decease in 1888, at the age of seventy-five years. He married Emily
Douglas (a daughter of Isaac Douglas, of Catskill, N.Y., where he
taught school in the local Academy, and died a young man).

His grandfather, was Jonathan Mould (after whom
Mr. Mould was named); also a farmer of the same place for many
years until his decease in 1855 at the age of seventy-three years.
He was a lineal descendant of Christoffel Mould, who emigrated from
Holland about 1712 and settled at Kingston, N.Y. Several of Mr.
Mould’s direct ancestors were actively engaged in the Revolution,
and they have been honorably mentioned in Ruttenber’s History of
Orange county, N.Y. His mother was a lineal descendant of William
Douglas, who emigrated from Scotland in 1640 and settled at Boston,
Massachusetts.

MOUNTZ,
HENRY

pg. 1542

Surnames: MOUNTZ, WENRICH, SCHELL, MOYER, WILHELM, WERNER, GRETH,
REIFSNYDER, FROMM, SNYDER, HECK, ZECHMAN

Henry Mountz, now a retired citizen of Robesonia, has passed all
his life in Heidelberg township, having been born there June 21,
1844, above Womelsdorf. The family is an old one in Berks county.
Joseph Mountz, great-grandfather of Henry, was a taxable in
Heidelberg township as early as 1759, being assessed as a single
man. He had a brother George, who died in 1800, the year his will
was entered on record in the court-house, a son, John G., being the
executor of the estate.

George Mountz, son of Joseph, was born about
1787, and died in 1882, in the ninety-sixth year of his age. He was
a laborer, and lived in Heidelberg township, in the vicinity of
Womelsdorf. He is buried at the Corner Church in that township. His
wife was a Wenrich, and their family consisted of six children,
namely: Isaac, who lived and died at Womelsdorf; William; John, who
settled in Luzerne county; Daniel, who lived in Lower Berks county;
George; and Catharine, who died young.

George Mountz, son of George and father of
Henry, was born in Heidelberg, May 4, 1824, and was there reared to
farming, which occupation he followed throughout his active years.
His educational opportunities were limited, as he was allowed to
attend the subscription school at Womelsdorf, the only available
place of learning, for but a month or tow during the winters of his
early boyhood. The text-books were the German reader and the New
Testament, and study was confined to the three R’s. He engaged in
farming on his own account, and still owns a farm in North
Heidelberg township, though he is now living retired. In spite of
many years of hard work he is a well-preserved man. He makes his
home with his grandson, George P. Schell. Mr. Mountz, married Mary
Moyer, who was born in 1831, daughter of William Moyer, and died in
December, 1899, at the age of sixty-eight years. Three children
were born to this union: Henry, who is mentioned below; Sarah, who
m. Isaac Schell, a farmer in North Heidelberg township, and had a
large family; and Emma, who m. James Wilhelm, a farmer in Perry,
Iowa.

Henry Mountz was reared upon his father’s farm
and attended the free schools in his locality. The year he became
of age, 1865, he began farming on his own account in Heidelberg
township, following that work until he retired, in the year 1903.
He did well, and is living in comfort in what was formerly the
Jefferson Werner residence in Robesonia, at the corner of Main and
Robeson streets, which he bought in 1898 and moved into in the
spring of 1903.

In 1865 Mr. Mountz married Susan Greth, daughter
of Emanuel and Susan (Reifsnyder) Greth, and six sons have been
born to them, namely: Lewis m. Mary Fromm, and they have two
children, Mabel and Ralph; William m. Ida Snyder and they have two
children, Roy and Ella; Calvin died at the age of eighteen years;
Harvey m. Lizzie Heck and they have two children, Lloyd and Lewis;
Harry m. Lizzie Zechman and they have three children, Beulah, John
and Edna; Arch graduated from the Keystone State Normal School,
class of 1905, and is now engaged in teaching at Quakertown,
Pennsylvania.

Mr. Mountz is a Reformed member of St. Paul’s
Church of Robesonia, and has served both as deacon and as elder.

MOYER, ADAM
F.

p. 1650

Surnames: MOYER, FOX, HOFFEDITZ, BAYARD, GAUL, GARDNER, TROUP,
KERSCHOFF, GOODWIN, GRISWITE

Adam F. Moyer, one of Lower Heidelberg’s most highly esteemed
citizens, who is now living retired at Wernersville, Pa., is a
veteran of the Civil war, throughout which he served bravely and
faithfully. He was born Nov. 22, 1838, son of Jacob and Catharine
(Fox) Moyer.

Daniel Moyer, grandfather of Adam F., was a
resident of Spring township, Berks county, where he engaged in
agricultural pursuits. He had a family of seven sons: Henry; Jacob;
Daniel; Isaac, William; Abraham; and John.

Jacob Moyer, father of Adam F., was born in
Alsace township, Berks county, but spent all of his life in Spring
township, where he died in April, 1877, after a long and useful
life there. He is buried at Hain’s Church. Mr. Moyer married
Catharine Fox, and to this union there were born the following
children: Sarah; Henry; Adam F.; Isaac; Jacob; Wallace; and
Solomon.

Adam F. Moyer attended the schools of Lower
Heidelberg and Spring townships, after leaving which he engaged in
farm work. While thus engaged, the Civil war broke out, and on July
30, 1861, he enlisted from Berks county and was mustered into the
United States service at Reading, Pa., in Company L, 1st
Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, to serve three years under Captain
J. A. Hoffeditz and Colonel George D. Bayard. He shared the
fortunes of his regiment in the battles of Drainsville, Dec. 20,
1861; Swashburg, June 12, 1861; Woodstock, June 2, 1861;
Harrisonburg, June 6, 1862; Rapidan, July 7, 1862, where he was
injured by his horse falling upon him breaking his right arm, the
horse having been shot from under him. At another time he was
slightly wounded, but remained with his regiment all the time, and
engaged at Cedar Mountain, Aug. 9, 1862; Beverly Ford, Aug 1, 1862;
Thoroughfare Gap, Aug. 20, 1862; Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1862,
Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862, Brandy Station, June 9, 1863;
Beverly Ford, June 9, 1863, Rappahannock, Aug. 13, 1863, Mine Kern,
Nov. 7 1863; and New Hope Church, Nov. 28, 1863. He was discharged
Dec. 31, 1863, at Warrington, Va., and re-enlisted as a veteran in
the same company and regiment under Capt. H. Gaul and Col. D.
Gardner, to serve three years or during the war, and was engaged at
Todd’s Tavern, May 8, 1864; Ashland, May 11-30, 1864 Yellow Tavern,
May 11, 1864; St. Mary’s Church, June 22, 1864; Fredilliam Station,
June 11, 1864; Hawes Shop, June 2, 1864; Reams Station, June 22-29,
1864, Petersburg, July 30, 1864; Lee’s Mills, July 30, 1864; Cradle
Hill, August 14, 1864; Weldon Rock, Dec. 7-11, 1874. He was
honorably discharged Aug. 7, 1865, at Louisville, Ky., at the close
of the war.

After the completion of his service in the army,
Mr. Moyer again engaged in farm work, but subsequently entered the
employ of the Reading Iron Works, working in their blast furnace
for sixteen years. In 1900 he located in Wernersville, where he now
lives retired. In politics he is a faithful Republican, and in
religion he is a member of Hain’s Church.

On Aug. 11, 1866, Mr. Moyer married Annie Troup,
daughter of John and Mary (Kerschoff) Troup, and to this union
there were born three children: Sallie E., Katie and Alvin, the
last two of whom died young. Sallie E. married George Goodwin, of
Reading, and to them four children have been born: Florence, who
married Edward Griswite; Hammon C., Howard D. and Edward A.

MOYER,
ALFRED K.

p. 1066

Surnames: MOYER, KEPLER, BAUMAN, HEINRICH, STAUFFER, BOWMAN,
BECHTEL, DIEROLF, BEIDLER, WEAVER, FISHER, WETZEL, SELL, MARKLEY,
SHOEMAKER

Alfred K. Moyer, merchant at Barto, Berks county, was born June 6,
1874, near Dillingersville, Lehigh Co., Pa., son of Levi B. and
Elmira (Kepler) Moyer. The family has been settled in Bucks county
for several generations.

Johannes (John) Moyer, great-great-grandfather
of Alfred K. Moyer, came from Springfield, Bucks county, to
Colebrookdale township, Berks county, settling on the road leading
from New Berlinville to the Hill Church. He was a farmer by
occupation. He married a member of the Landis family, and they had
a family of ten children, namely: William, who had seven daughters,
but no sons; Heinrich; Martin, born Dec. 11, 1782, died Feb. 3,
1863 (m. Susanna Bauman, 1787-1858, and had eight sons and two
daughters); Jacob; Catherine m. Heinrich Stauffer); Elizabeth (m.
Isaac Bowman); Anna (m. Georg Bechtel); Molly (m. Isaac Stauffer
and had thirteen children); John (m. a Dierolf); and Abraham.

Abraham Moyer, son of Johannes, lived near
Spinnerstown, Bucks county, owning a farm there. He also had a
sawmill, but as the only propelling power at his command was water,
and there was a sparsity of that, it was known as the “dry”
sawmill. His wife’s maiden name was Beidler, and they were the
parents of six children, among whom were Abraham, John B.,
Christian (of Doylestown, Pa.) and Henry B. (of Quakertown, Pa.).

John B. Moyer, son of Abraham, was born in 1822
and died in April, 1904, aged eighty-two years; he was buried on
Good Friday, at the Mennonite meeting-house near Steinsburg, in the
upper end of Bucks county. He was a Mennonite in religious faith.
He lived in Milford township, Bucks county, where he owned a large
farm. He married Hannah Beidler, and their six children were: Levi
B.; John B., of Springfield township, Bucks county; Abraham, of
Sumneytown, Montgomery county; Henry, of Center Valley, Lehigh
county; Mary, who is married to Samuel E. Weaver; and Annie, wife
of William Fisher.

Levi B. Moyer, son of John B. Moyer, was born
Dec. 3, 1852, near Spinnerstown, in Bucks county, and he has been a
lifelong farmer, his home being in Milford township, Bucks county.
He and his family are members of the Lutheran Church at
Spinnerstown, which he has served as deacon. He married Elmira
Kepler, daughter of Willoughby and Marietta (Wetzel) Kepler, of
Lehigh county, and to them was born one son, Alfred K.

Alfred K. Moyer was born June 6, 1874, near
Dillingersville, Lehigh county, and was reared in Milford township,
Bucks county, upon the farm, meantime attending the public schools
there. When twenty-one years old he began working in the creamery
in Milford Square, Bucks county, where he was employed for one
year, engaging in that business for himself in the year 1900, at
Kumry, Bucks county, which is two miles from Milford Square. He
continued in business there for seven years, handling 2,000 pounds
of milk per day and conducting a store also, besides serving as
assistant postmaster for seven years. In the spring of 1908 Mr.
Moyer came to Barto, Berks county, where he has a mercantile
business, having succeeded the firm of B. F. Sell & Son. For
one year he also conducted the creamery at this place, but he is
now giving his attention exclusively to the merchandise business,
in which line he has an extensive patronage. He carries a full line
of general merchandise and has shown himself to be a man of
judgment in all his dealings with his business associates.

Mr. Moyer married Feb. 18, 1893, Miss Flora S.
Markley, daughter of Joshua H. and Elizabeth (Shoemaker) Markley,
of Milford township, Bucks county. Four children have been born to
them, Florence, Stanley, and William and Thomas (twins). Mr. Moyer
is a Lutheran in religious belief, holding membership in Scheetz’s
Church, in Bucks county; his wife is a member of the Reformed
denomination, belonging to Trinity Church, at Spinnerstown. He is a
Republican in politics.

MOYER, CHARLES GERHARD

p. 1210 Surnames: MOYER, GERHARD, LENTZ

Charles Gerhard Moyer, born Jan. 20, 1875, at Stouchsburg, Marion
township, Berks Co., Pa., son of Isaac L. and Sarah R. (Gerhard)
Moyer. He is at the date hereof (July 26, 1909) unmarried.

Mr. Moyer is an attorney at law, having been
admitted to practice at the Berks County Bar Nov. 12, 1900. He is a
member with Oliver Lentz, Esq., of the law firm of Lentz &
Moyer, located at No. 534 Washington street, Reading, Pa. He is at
present Solicitor to the Reading School District.

Mr. Moyer spent his youth at Stouchsburg. He is
the only son among five surviving children. His father, a veteran
of the War of the Rebellion, and a school teacher before and after
the establishment of the public school system, was a prominent man
in the village, being the proprietor of the “American House,” a
well-known inn on the turnpike road between Reading and Harrisburg,
and also conducting a large general store.

The general education of Mr. Moyer was acquired
in the public schools and at the Millersville State Normal School,
from which he was graduated in 1895. He then registered as a
law-student in the office of Rieser & Schaeffer, at the same
time attending the Dickinson School of Law, from which he received
the degree of Bachelor of Laws in the class of 1899.

The subject of this sketch takes pride in the
fact that he taught the high-school of his township for two terms,
and that for three years he taught in the night-schools of the city
of Reading shortly after these schools were founded and at the time
when their success was in doubt.

MOYER FAMILY

p.
714

Surnames: MOYER, MEYER, MAYER, WOLFF, STETLER, DEISSINGER,
BELLEMAN, MILLER, FORNWALD, ERNST, NOECKER, HOLTZMAN, BOMBERGER,
LIVINGOOD, LAUCK, SAVAGE, RUTH, GRUBER, KEISER, FILBERT, KLOPP,
BECHTEL, KALBACH, HUNSINGER, NOECKER

Few families of Heidelberg township can trace more clearly an old
and honorable ancestry than that of Moyer, reaching away back to
the days of religious persecution in 1708. The Moyer (Meyer or
Mayer) family was one of the many German Palatinate families of
immigrants who in 1708 and 1709 went to England, whence 4,000
persons were given transportation, by Queen Anne, to New York,
where they landed Dec. 25, 1709, and June 14, 1710. On the passage
and immediately after landing 1,700 of these immigrants died. The
survivors camped in tents which they had brought with them, on
Governor’s Island, and here they remained until autumn, when about
1,400 removed to Livingston Manor, 100 miles up the Hudson river.
Being unjustly oppressed by Governor Hunter, and seeing famine and
starvation staring them in the face, 150 settlers went to the
Schoharie Valley, some sixty miles northwest of Livingston Manor,
whither they traveled through three feet of snow, in the unbroken
woods, hauling their baggage on rudely made sleds. At Schoharie
they improved the lands which had been granted them by Queen Anne,
but about ten years later, owning to a defect in their titles, they
were deprived of the property which they had labored so hard to
acquire.

Having heard of the just and liberal treatment
given to settlers in the Province of Pennsylvania, thirty-three
families removed thereto in the spring of 1723, and settled in the
“Tulpahaca,” which was at that time the furthest inhabited part of
the province, northwest from Philadelphia. In subsequent years more
than 100 other families followed them and settled in the
northwestern part of Berks county, and among these were the Moyers,
or Meyers. In 1759, when the first federal tax was levied in Berks
county, the following Meyers were taxables of Tulpehocken township,
and paid their tax as follows: Rudolph Meyer, twelve pounds; John
Meyer, eight pounds, and Philip Meyer, three pounds.

In Heidelberg township was one John Moyer, who
paid ten pounds tax that year. It is a family tradition that the
ancestor of this particular branch of the family was John or
Johannes Meyer, and that he had seven children. In the courthouse
is his will, which was probated Dec. 28, 1765, the year of his
death, he being then a resident of Tulpehocken township. The
executors of his estate were his two sons, George and Henry, and in
it were the following provisions: George was to receive the
homestead of 120 acres, and the “still,” and was to pay his
brothers and sisters 200 pounds; Henry was given the mill and house
and 128 acres of land. The other children were: Anna Barbara, m. to
George Wolff; Eva Catherine, m. to a Stetler; Gideon; Catherine, m.
to a Deissinger; and Valentine. By the testator, his “beloved
son-in-law, George Wolff,” was made guardian over the children of
Catherine Deissinger and Valentine Moyer.

George Moyer, the great-grandfather of John E.,
and Mahlon A., of Heidelberg township, was born in Tulpehocken
township, Berks county, and was buried at Host Church. He was a
farmer by occupation, and owned the property now in the possession
of Peter Moyer, Sr., a grandson. His children were: John, Michael,
Peter, Heinrich, Jacob, Daniel, Mrs. John Holtzman and Mrs. John
Bomberger.

Daniel Moyer, son of George, was born Dec. 2,
1782, and died March 18, 1850. He was a farmer of Heidelberg
township, where he had a ninety-five acre property and he and his
wife are buried at the Corner Church, of which they were members.
Mr. Moyer m. Susan Belleman, born Oct. 5, 1781, who died Dec. 7,
1853, and to them were born eight children, as follows: John; Mrs.
Daniel Miller; Mrs. George Moyer; Daniel; Elizabeth and Catherine,
who died unmarried; Isaac; and Susan, m. to George Fornwald.

Daniel Moyer, son of Daniel, was born Nov. 3,
1814, in Heidelberg township, and died Jan. 7, 1881. He was a
lifelong farmer, owning and operating a tract of eighty-two acres.
He was a prominent Democrat, holding the offices of school
director, supervisor and delegate to many county conventions. He
and his wife are buried at Corner Church, of which they were
members. Mr. Moyer married Catherine Ernst, born Aug. 19, 1815, who
died in April, 1891. To this union were born thirteen children,
namely: Adam, born March 28, 1838; Emanuel, Jan. 17, 1840; Sarah,
July 21, 1841; Amelia, March 18, 1843; John E.; Jeremiah, Nov. 2,
1846; Amanda S., Nov. 17, 1848; Daniel J., June 22, 1850; Isabella
C., Dec. 15, 1851; Aaron W., Feb. 18, 1853; Mahlon A.; Albert H.,
April 16, 1857, and Julius J., Sept. 26, 1860.

John E. Moyer was born April 19, 1845, in
Heidelberg township, where he received limited educational
advantages, attending school about two or three months a year, the
length of the school term at that time. He was reared to
agricultural pursuits and until seventeen years of age worked on
the home farm. On Sept. 6, 1862, Mr. Moyer enlisted in Company H,
55th Pa. V. I., to serve three years; was promoted June 3, 1864, to
corporal for gallant conduct at Cold Harbor, and to sergeant Aug.
6, 1864, for rolling a shell out of a trench where his company was
lying, thus saving the lives of many of his comrades. He served in
some of the fiercest engagements of the war, and was honorably
discharged June 11, 1865, with a gallant record.

On his return from his country’s service, Mr.
Moyer resumed his labors upon the farm for one year, and then was
employed with a railroad repair crew for a like period. For another
year he worked on a farm in Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio, to which he
returned for a short time after a tour of the Western states. In
1869, Mr. Moyer r turned to the parental roof, where he continued
to work until his marriage, when he began housekeeping at the
Robesonia furnace, where he remained five years, his time being
spent in earnest, hard labor. For the next nine years he operated
his father’s homestead, after which he removed to a 200-acre farm
in Marion township, Berks county, but after three years removed to
the Dr. L. A. Livingood farm of 165 acres, which he conducted for
five years. For eight years Mr. Moyer successfully farmed the Jacob
Lauck 145-acre farm in Heidelberg township, and in 1901 he
purchased the Savage farm in Lower Heidelberg township, a tract of
204 acre, which he cultivated for two years and subsequently
retired, at which time he erected a fine frame residence on Main
Street, Robesonia. He was also the owner of a farm of ninety-nine
acres in North Heidelberg township, which he traded for the
property at No. 236 South Third street, Reading, on which is
located a three-story brick house of fourteen rooms.

In politics Mr. Moyer is a strong Democrat. He
has been a delegate to numerous congressional and judicial
conventions, and has never known defeat. He has been school
director in Marion township for three years and a like period in
Heidelberg township, where he has also been supervisor. In the
spring of 1907 he was appointed Sate health officer, No. 266, of
Heidelberg, North Heidelberg and Marion townships. Mr. Moyer is a
popular comrade of G. A. R. Post No. 471, Myerstown. He and his
family attend St. Daniel’s (Corner) Church, of the Lutheran
denomination, of which he was deacon, elder and trustee for five
years.

In 1871 Mr. Moyer was married to Amanda Ruth,
daughter of Francis Ruth, and to them twelve children have been
born: Wilson, Maggie, Minnie, John, Allen, Ezra, Irwin, Harry,
Samuel (who lives in Valparaiso, Ind.), Susan, Mae and Sarah.

Mahlon A. Moyer, junior member of the mercantile
firm of Gerhard & Moyer, of Robesonia, was born Oct. 3, 1856,
in Robesonia, was educated in the common schools of Heidelberg
township, later attended Womelsdorf Academy with such schoolmates
as M. A. Gruber, H. P. Keiser, Dr. H. F. Livingood, John Filbert
and Morgan B. Klopp, and subsequently attended the Millersville
State Normal School for four terms. For the five succeeding terms,
Mr. Moyer taught school in Heidelberg township, and for two terms
in Lancaster county. He was transcribing clerk for three years in
the office of the recorder of deeds, under Isaac M. Bechtel, and in
1886, during President Cleveland’s first administration, he was
appointed a storekeeper and gauger for Berks county, an office
which he held for four years. Mr. Moyer then removed to Mount
Aetna, where he and Mr. Nathaniel Kalbach purchased the Hunsinger
farm, on which was an old established distillery, and they
conducted both enterprises for two years together, when Mr. Moyer
sold his interests to his partner and purchased the stand of H. W.
Filbert, of Robesonia, which place he conducted eight years.
Because of deaths in the family, Mr. Moyer sold out, and in 1904
purchased the interest of Henry R. Miller in the firm of Miller
& Gerhard, and has since been associated with this company,
which has been Gerhard & Moyer.

In politics Mr. Moyer is a Democrat, and has
been active in the success of his party in this section. He is a
charter member of Mt. Penn Castle, No. 51, K. G. E., of Reading,
which was organized in 1884. He is a member of St. Daniel’s
(Corner) Evangelical Lutheran Church, of near Robesonia, as was
also his wife.

In 1888, Mr. Moyer married Ella H. Noecker, born
May 6, 1868, who died June 30, 1899, daughter of Israel Noecker, a
merchant of Millersville, Pa. The only child of this union, Edgar
M., died in infancy.

MOYER
FAMILY

p. 996

Surnames: MOYER, LAUCKS, HOYER, MOUNTS, SCHELL, BRICKER, SMITH,
BOLLMAN, HEBERLING, BROWN, HAYS, LEVAN, MOHN, REDCAY

The first of the Moyer family of whom there is any definite record
is William Moyer, born in 1801 on one of the Moyer homesteads, in
Marion township. He was a resident of Womelsdorf, and in his
younger days he was a teamster who frequently made trips to
Philadelphia carrying hides and produce and bringing back
merchandise. Later he worked as a farmer for David Laucks and the
Grubers. His wife was Hannah Hoyer, sister of the late Mayor Joseph
Hoyer of Reading. She was born in 1809, and died in 1884. William
Moyer and wife had fifteen children, among whom were: Mary, m. to
George Mounts, who survives her, living at Klopps Store at the age
of ninety; George and Percival, twins; John and William, twins;
Elias and James, twins; Ella, m. to Allen Schell, of Reading;
Caroline, m. to David Bricker, of Wernersville; and Eliza m. to
Daniel Smith.

Percival Moyer, son of William, was born in the
Tulpehocken section of Berks county, Feb. 15, 1831, and died at
Reading March 15, 1904. By trade he was a cabinet maker, but later
in life he was engaged in a produce business at Womelsdorf. In 1892
he came to Reading where he lived a semi-retired life until his
death. He was a Lutheran in religious life and is buried at
Womelsdorf. He was twice married. His first wife, Eliza Bollman,
daughter of George Bollman of Spring township, died Sept. 6, 1868,
aged twenty-eight. Their children were: George L.; and William J.,
who died in infancy. The second wife of Percival Moyer was Malinda
Heberling, of Meckville, and they had three children; Clara m.
Thomas Brown, of Reading; Tillie m. Harry Hays, of Newark, N. J.;
Ella m. Arthur Levan, of Reading.

George L. Moyer, son of Percival and Eliza
(Bollman), was born at Womelsdorf, Berks county, June 1, 1862. He
attended the public schools of his neighborhood, and obtained a
fair education. When fifteen years of age he learned the trade of
hat making from his uncle George Bollman, at Adamstown, and has
followed it ever since. He came to Reading in 1890, and commenced
his business life here by working for J. G. Mohn & Bros., hat
manufacturers, where he has since continued.

Mr. Moyer is a member of the Hatters’ Union;
Independent Order of Americans, No. 371; P. O. S. of A., No. 28;
Sr. O. U. A. M., No. 60; F. & A. M. Lodge No. 62; Wyomissing
Council, No. 1584, Royal Arcanum. In politics he is a Republican
and he served as school director and as auditor of the Adamstown
borough while living in that community.

In 1884 Mr. Moyer was married to Mary Jane Mohn,
daughter of William and Sarah (Redcay) Mohn, and granddaughter of
Wilhelm Mohn, of Adamstown. They have one son, William Mohn Moyer,
born in 1885, who graduated from the Reading high school, class of
1904, and is now a clerk in the Reading Hardware Company’s
establishment.

MOYER FAMILY

p. 1274-75

Surnames: MOYER, MYER, MEYER, BLIEM, BRUMBACH, DEYSHER, ESHBACH,
GERHARD, HENRICH, HESS, KRAMER, MINNER, MUTHART, NESTER,
OBERHOLTZER, REITENAUER, YODER

On April 27, 1790, (I) Martin Moyer (also spelled Myer) made his
last will and testament, and he died the following year. His will
is recorded in Will Book A, p. 212, and his wife Magdalena, and his
brother George, were the executors. The only children mentioned in
the will were George, Jacob and Conrad, of whom George was the
eldest, and Jacob second. It is certain that there were several
other children.

The name appears in the early tax lists. In 1800
in Colebrookdale township were the following: John, $1.68; Conrad,
$1.24; John, $.19; Samuel, $.12; and Jacob (estate), $.6. In 1805:
John, $7.12; Conrad, $2.39; and Isaac, $.82. In 1809: John, $5.43;
Conrad, $1.82; Isaac, $.59; and Martin, $.21. In 1805 two Moyers
paid taxes in Earl township: John, $1.43; and Abraham, $.25; and in
that same township in 1809 Henry Moyer paid $1.75.

In April, 1829, Abraham Moyer made his will, and
died the following October in Hereford township, leaving his wife
Anna and children as follows: John, Abraham, Francis, Catharine
(Gerhard, Esther (born 1784, died 1880, m. Daniel Nester) and Nancy
(m. Jacob Nester).

Casper Moyer (also spelled Meyer) was a taxable
in Hereford township in 1758, and again in 1759, in the latter year
paying 14 pounds. He is thought to have been the ancestor of many
of the name in the southeastern part of the county. Among his sons
were: Jacob, in 1744, an innkeeper in Colebrookdale township, and
the father of a son, Jacob; George; and Martin. Tradition says that
the Berks county Moyers spring from a common ancestor.

(II) Conrad Moyer, son of Martin and Magdalena, in 1791 lived on
his father’s farm in Colebrookdale township, as is indicated by his
father’s will. His name appears in the above lists as a taxable of
that township.

(III) Joseph Moyer, son of Conrad, was born in 1791, and he lived
in Colebrookdale township, 1-1/2 miles northwest of Bechtelsville,
where he followed his trade of harness making, and also engaged in
farming. He died in 1861, and is buried at Hill Church, to which he
and his family belonged. He married Elizabeth Reitenauer, who was
born at the store at Hill Church. Their children were: Charles; and
Daniel, who lived in Hanover township, Montgomery Co., Pa., and had
children–David, Elizabeth, Mary, William and Amandus.

(IV) Charles Moyer, son of Joseph and Elizabeth, was born in
Colebrookdale township on the old Moyer homestead, in 1825, and he
died in the spring of 1907. He was a farmer during his active days,
but the last 30 years of his life he lived retired at
Bechtelsville. He owned the old homestead of 90 acres in
Colebrookdale township, and this is now owned by his son, Tobias H.
His ballot was cast in support of the Democratic party, and for
some years he served as school director. He and his family were
members of Hill Church until Bechtelsville church was built. Of the
latter he was one of the organizers and a liberal contributor. He
helped to organize the Hill Church Cemetery Company, and at the
time of his death was one of its trustees. He was well and
favorably known throughout his district. He married Anna Henrich,
daughter of Jacob and Anna (Muthart) Henrich. She died in December,
1906, in her 78th year. To Charles and Anna (Henrich) Moyer were
born the following children: Ephraim, of New Berlinville, Pa.;
Joseph H., of Bechtelsville; Elizabeth (m. Alfred Brumbach); Tobias
H., of Bechtelsville; William, of Colebrookdale township; Jeremiah
H.; Frank, of New Berlinville, formerly county commissioner of
Berks county; Olivia (m. Frank Minner, of Allentown, Pennsylvania).

(V) Joseph H. Moyer, son of Charles, and now vice president of the
Farmers National Bank, Boyertown, was born on the old Moyer
homestead, in Colebrookdale township, March 4, 1849. He attended
the public schools, and was reared to farm work. As a young man he
learned the cigar maker’s trade, and followed it for two years. In
the fall of 1872 he began in the produce business, and this he
continued for five years with great success. In 1878 he opened up a
coal, flour and feed store in Bechtelsville, and enjoyed a good
trade until 1889, at the same time buying and selling lime, often
as much as 40,000 bushels annually. His lime was sold in Lower
Berks and Upper Montgomery counties. Mr. Moyer is an excellent
business man, and has considerable executive ability. He was one of
the founders of the Kensington Hygeia Ice Company of Philadelphia,
which was founded in 1895; and he has since been one of its
directors. He is a director and vice president of the Farmers
National Bank, Boyertown.

In 1875 Mr. Moyer erected a large brick
residence at the corner of Main and Chestnut streets, and that has
since been his home. Beyond serving as the first treasurer of the
borough of Bechtelsville, he has always declined to hold office. He
is officially connected with Trinity Union Church, of
Bechtelsvillle.

In January, 1873, Mr. Moyer married Annie B.
Oberholtzer, daughter of John and Anna (Bliem) Oberholtzer, of
Washington township. To this union were born three daughters,
namely: Odelia, who died in childhood; Annie O.; and Orpha O. Mrs.
Moyer and the daughters belong to the new school of the Mennonite
church, having membership in Hereford church.

(V) Tobias H. Moyer, son of Charles and now owner of the Moyer
homestead, was born in Colebrookdale township, Oct. 20, 1852. He
attended township schools, and worked for his parents until 22
years of age, when he went to learn the carpenter’s trade,
following it four years. He then took tofarming on the Moyer
homestead of 100 acres, and for 30 years he has given it his
attention. He also owns a farm near Bechtelsville of 160 acres,
which he has stocked and now farms it himself. Since 1888 he has
carried on a butchering business. In 1889 he moved into
Bechtelsville and has since resided there. For six years he has
been a deacon in Bechtelsville Reformed Church, and for some years
he served the vestry as treasurer.

On Oct. 2, 1875, Mr. Tobias married Emma R.
Hess, daughter of David and Harietta (Yoder) Hess. She died Nov.
19, 1899, aged 44 years, 10 months, 18 days, and is buried at Hill
Church. She passed away suddenly at church during communion service
on Sunday morning. One daughter was born of this union, Eva May,
born April 22, 1896. On March 30, 1901, Mr. Tobias married (second)
Katie A. Kramer, born in Rockland township, July 21, 1879, daughter
of Jonathan and Sarah (Deysher) Kramer. They have two children:
Edna K., born Feb. 3, 1903; Sallie K., Aug. 28, 1904.

(V) Jeremiah H. Moyer, son of Charles and now a farmer and dairyman
at Bechtelsville, was born in Colebrookdale township, July 14,
1856. He worked for his parents until he was 19, and then took to
farming in his native township. After two years there he went to
New Hanover, Montgomery county, where he farmed five years, and
then located in Washington township, his home since 1884. For
twelve years he lived in Bechtelsville, which he helped to
incorporate into a borough. He was six years a member of the
borough council. While living there he dealt to a large extent in
horses and cattle. He made ten annual trips to western States to
buy stock, and he has proved himself an excellent judge. In the
spring of 1899 he moved upon the farm he now occupies. This
consists of 87 acres of good land, all in fine condition. Mr. Moyer
gives special attention to dairying, keeping about twenty head of
cattle and shipping his milk daily to Philadelphia. In political
affiliations Mr. Moyer is a Democrat, and since 1906 has been a
school director. With his family he attends Bechtelsville Reformed
Church.

On Aug. 19, 1876, Mr. Moyer married Emma B.
Eshbach, daughter of George Eshbach, after whom Eshbach Crossing
was named. To this union have been born the following family:
Charles, who died in infancy; Emma, who married Charles Brumbach;
Jesse, of Marshalltown, Iowa; Mabel; Warren; Elsie; Harry; and
Frank.

MOYER
FAMILY

p. 1296

Surnames: FRY, MOYER, HINKLE, SWARE, GIHL, KEITH, HASHER, SMITH,
JOHNSON, SELL, ULRICH, STETLER, KINTZER, EBERLING, PRESTON, SHEARER

No history of Berks county, Pa., would be in any way complete
without an extended notice of the Moyer family, which has been
identified with its progress and development for many years. Among
the leading representatives of this family are Nathaniel Moyer, a
retired farmer, and his nephew William J. Moyer, both highly
esteemed residents of Lower Heidelberg township.

Nathaniel Moyer was born Aug. 16, 1832, in
Lancaster county, Pa., son of Philip and Mary (Fry) Moyer. Philip
Moyer was born in Maiden-creek township, and lived at Cross keys,
where he carried on distilling, his brother Leonard being a farmer
and a cattle dealer of near Kutztown. He died at Cross Keys, and
was buried at Host Church. In politics Mr. Moyer was a Democrat. He
was twice married, and by his first wife had nine children, among
whom were: John, Philip, Isaac and Esther, the latter of whom was
married to a Mr. Hinkel. Philip Moyer was married (second) to Mary
Fry, daughter of Jacob Fry, and they had these children: Nathaniel;
Adam F.; Benneville; Harrison; Caroline, who married Longena Sware;
Annie, who married Philip Gihl, of Dover, Ohio; and Rosa, who died
unmarried.

In his youth Nathaniel Moyer engaged in farming
on his father’s property, and when twenty years old he learned the
stone-mason’s trade, which he has followed off and on all of his
life. For four years he conducted a general store at Brownsville,
in partnership with Michael Keith, and in 1877 he came to his
present place of abode, where he devotes his seven acres of land to
the cultivation of fine fruits. On Oct. 26, 1862, Mr. Moyer
enlisted from Berks county in Company A, 167th P. V. I., as a
private, earned the rank of corporal by meritorious conduct and
later that of quartermaster sergeant. He participated in the
engagements of the Army of the Potomac, and was honorably
discharged at Reading, Aug. 12, 1863, which a war record of which
any man might well be proud. On the expiration of his term of
service to his country Mr. Moyer engaged in the store business
aforementioned and after disposing of his interests therein
purchased his present farm of ninety-eight acres of fertile land in
Lower Heidelberg township, which he now has rented. Mr. Moyer,
although long past man’s allotted span of life, is in full
possession of his faculties. He is a well-read man, is a pleasing
conversationalist, and his reminiscences of army life are both
entertaining and instructing. He has been very successful in his
financial operations, and is now in comfortable circumstances. His
political principles are those of the Democratic party, and he has
served his township as assessor for three years and supervisor for
one year. With his family he belongs to the Reformed denomination
of the Swamp Church in Lancaster county.

On Nov. 19, 1861, Mr. Mover was united in
marriage with Angelina Keith, born Aug. 24, 1840, daughter of Jacob
Keith, and to this union there have been born these children:
Sarah, who married Lewis Hasher, of Lower Heidelberg township;
Eliza, who married George Eberling, of Lancaster county; Jacob, who
is a painter of Lower Heidelberg township; Rachel, who married
Rufus J. Kintzer; Levi, a truck farmer of near Wernersville;
Harrison, who is engaged in operating his father’s farm; and
Nathaniel, who is carrying on operations in Lancaster county.

Adam F. Moyer, brother of Nathaniel and father
of William J., was born Feb. 28, 1845, on his father’s farm in
Lower Heidelberg township, and until twenty-five years of age
worked for his mother. After his marriage he rented the farm on
which he now lives, and which he purchased in 1872, it consisting
of forty-eight acres of good truck land. Mr. Moyer raises all kinds
of small vegetables and disposes of them at West Reading market
house, have Stands Nos. 69-70 at the Fourth and Penn street market.
In 1889 Mr. Moyer remodeled the house on his property, and in 1893
erected a new barn, and the place now presents a very pleasing
appearance. Mr. Moyer is a Republican in politics, but he has never
aspired to public office.

On Nov. 13, 1870, Mr. Moyer was married to Janet
Johnson, daughter of James and Janet (Smith) Johnson, and to this
union there were born nine children: George P., who died aged eight
years; William J.; Harry M., of Lower Heidelberg township; Adam J.,
who resides near Fritztown; John M., who lives at Fritztown; Joseph
A., who makes his home with the father; Annie M., who married
Milton Sell, a hatter of Lower Heidelberg township, has one child
— Florence J.; Misses Jennie and Lillie Ann, at home.

William J. Moyer was born on the Moyer homestead
in Lower Heidelberg township July 25, 1872, and worked upon the
home farm until twenty-two years of age, at which time he entered
the employ of James H. Preston, owner and proprietor of “The
Preston,” a well-known and popular resort at South Mountain, near
Wernersville. He has continued in Mr. Preston’s employ to the
present time, giving the utmost satisfaction. Mr. Moyer is a very
capable man for such a position, as he is a “jack of all trades.”
In 1903 he erected a large frame residence on his truck farm of
several acres on the south side of South Mountain, near the
Preston, and here he has made his home to the present. Mr. Moyer
has always been enterprising and progressive, and he is popular
with all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.

In November, 1895, William J. Moyer was united
in marriage with Miss Mamie Ulrich, daughter of Daniel and Sarah
(Stetler) Ulrich, the former of whom has been engaged in trucking
with Solomon Shearer for more than a quarter of a century in Lower
Heidelberg township. To Mr. And Mrs. Moyer there have been born
five bright children, four daughters and one son, namely: Bertha,
Lillie, Lizzie, Charles and Margaret. Mr. Moyer is a stanch
Republican in politics, and has been active in the support of that
great party in his Church of Lancaster county, being a member of
the Reformed denomination.