Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

SEIDEL,
ALFRED S.

p.702

Surnames: SEIDEL, BOSSLER, SEIBERT, REBER, LOOSE, BROWN, ULRICH,
WAMSHER.

Among the well-known retired residents of Reading, Pa., may be
mentioned Alfred S. Seidel, of No. 145 Walnut street, who was for a
number of years extensively engaged in business in the city. Mr.
Seidel was born in Windsor (now Perry) township, and is a
descendant of an old and honored Pennsylvania family.

His emigrant ancestor was Johann Heinrich
Seidel, who came to the United States from Alsace-Lorraine in the
early part of the seventeenth century and settled in the vicinity
of Shoemakersville, Berks county, where he became very prosperous,
owning much land. One of his descendants, Jacob Seidel, was born in
Hamburg, receiving his education in the district schools of Berks
county. Upon reaching his majority he visited Germany, whence he
brought a large amount of money, and many family heirlooms.
Settling in the northern part of Berks county, he engaged in
agricultural pursuits also carrying on a mercantile business.

Jacob Seidel in addition was the proprietor of a
hotel on the old Philadelphia Pike, where many noted personages
partook of good old-fashioned Pennsylvania Dutch dinners, prepared
by Jacob’s wife, who was noted for her excellent cooking. Jacob and
Elizabeth (Bossler) Seidel were the parents of these children:
Benjamin, Jacob, Solomon, Henry, David, Daniel, Sarah, Mary, Eliza
and Amelia. In religious belief the family were Lutherans. The male
members of the family were divided in their political belief, some
being Whigs and others Democrats.

Benjamin Seidel, son of Jacob and father of
Alfred S., was engaged in agricultural pursuits for all of his
active business life. Several years prior to his death, Feb. 9,
1884, he retired. He married Catherine Seibert, daughter of Jacob
Seibert, of Lebanon county, and she died in 1906, having been the
mother of these children: Alfred S.; Jacob and Monroe (m. Hannah
Reber, and had two children-Ida May and Bertha, the latter
deceased). In religious belief Benjamin Seidel was a Lutheran and
his wife a member of the Reformed Church.

Alfred S. Seidel’s early education was secured
in the common schools of his native locality, and he later attended
Franklin & Marshall College and the State Normal School at
Millersville, Pa. After teaching school successfully for three
terms, he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, engaging in
business at Shoemakersville, of which business, however, he later
disposed. He was then appointed justice of the peace and surveyor,
had also engaged in conveyancing, following this for eleven years,
when he accepted the position of traveling salesman for a large
Philadelphia firm. In 1891 he located in Reading, continuing to
represent the firm until 1901, when he retired. He has engaged in
various business enterprises, and has been successful in both local
and foreign deals.

In 1872, Mr. Seidel married Miss Helen Loose,
daughter of William Loose, and to this union there have been born
children as follows; Mahlon m. Susan Brown, and has two children,
William and Stewart; Claudius m. Emma Ulrich, and has one child,
Elsie; Miss Lillie; Howard m. Fannie Wamsher; William B.; Robert
L.; Titus; Allen; and Ida M. and Lyla, deceased. Mr. Seidel is a
member of Kutztown Lodge, No. 377, F. & A. M.; Reading Chapter,
R. A. M., No. 152; and Reading Commandery No. 42, K. T. He is
independent in politics.

SEIDEL, CHARLES V.

p. 923

Surnames: SEIDEL, DREIBELBIS, MANTILLIUS, FESSELMAN, CRAUSE,
GERHART, LANDIS, BALTHASER, RENTSCHLER, LEIBY, KAUFFMAN, SEIP,
SMITH, KLEIN, FRAUENFELDER, SCHAEFFER, MOYER, DIETRICH, LUCKENBILL,
DRESSLER

Charles V. Seidel, one of the substantial agriculturists of
Maiden-creek township, Berks county, was born in Windsor township,
son of William and Susanna (Dreibelbis) Seidel.

George Seidel, great-grandfather of Charles V.,
was a resident of Windsor township, where he made linseed oil and
distilled whiskey and apple-jack. He had three sons, George, Andrew
and John, the latter of whom was the grandfather of Charles V.
Seidel.

John Seidel followed in the foot-steps of his
father, and for many years was a well known distiller of spirits in
Windsor township. He married a Miss Mantillius, of English descent,
and they had children: Godfrey, Daniel, John, Joseph, Reuben,
William, Elizabeth (m. Gideon Fesselman) and Catherine (m. Nathan
Crause).

William Seidel, father of Charles V., was born
and reared on the old homestead, and in early life learned stocking
weaving, which he followed for many years, at the same time
conducting a farm. The last ten years of his life were spent in
retirement, and he died at the age of eighty years, five months,
eleven days. He m. (first) Clarissa Gerhart, and to them five
children were born: Mantillius m. Annie Landis; Henry m. Emma
Balthaser; Francis m. Matilda Rentschler; John m. Helena Leiby; and
William died in infancy. Mr. Seidel m. (second) Susanna Dreibelbis,
whose son by her first marriage, Hiram Kauffman, m. Missouri Seip.
Mr. and Mrs. Seidel had these children: Ellen m. Paul Smith;
Charles V.; William F. m. Barbara Klein; Fannie I. m. W. A.
Frauenfelder; Mahlon D. m. Veleria Schaeffer; Susan C. m. William
L. Moyer; Mary M. m. Henry O. Dietrich; George D. m. Angeline
Luckenbill; and Richard D. died young.

Charles V. Seidel was reared in Windsor and
Greenwich townships, whence he removed to Albany and later to his
present farm in Maiden-creek township. This farm is one of the
oldest in this section of the county, and has the very best, most
substantially built buildings. The spring house on the farm,
erected in 1754, and the house, built in 1761, both of which are of
lime rock, have cellars arched in massive masonry, and stand along
the Angelica creek, close to the celebrated Peter’s Spring. Mr.
Seidel has had much success in his agricultural operations, and is
considered one of the progressive, energetic farmers of his
section.

On Oct. 6, 1881, Mr. Seidel m. Sarah E.
Dietrich, daughter of Moses A. and Caroline (Dressler) Dietrich,
and to this union there have been born children as follows: William
m. Katie Moyer, and has two children, Sadie May and Katie Emma;
Grover C. died Oct. 12, 1907, aged twenty-three years, seven days;
Charles F. is a senior at the Keystone State Normal school,
Kutztown; Annie F. is at home; George A. and Adam George, twins,
both died young; and Maud Helen attends the public school. The
family are members of the Lutheran faith.

SEIDEL
FAMILY (MAIDEN CREEK HOSIERY COMPANY)

p. 1656

Surnames: SEIDEL, ROTHERMEL, STITZEL, DUNKEL, MENGEL, ULRICH

Maiden Creek Hosiery Company. Among the large and successful
enterprises of Temple, Pa., may be mentioned the Maiden Creek
Hosiery Company, which, starting from a humble beginning, under a
capable management has grown to large proportions.

The company was founded in 1901, by Judge
Stitzel, and was carried on by him until incorporated, when Frank
Seidel became president, S. R. Rothermel secretary and treasurer,
and George D. Stitzel vice-president, these gentlemen, with Charles
Dunkel and M. R. Mengel, composing the board of directors. The
business was incorporated to carry on a general knitting business
in the manufacture of infants’ and men’s hosiery, and did a
successful business until 1903, when the stock was liquidated and
purchased by a new company, Frank Seidel at this time becoming
president; Claude L. Seidel, secretary, James F. Seidel, treasurer;
and Robert L. Seidel, vice-president. These gentlemen are all
directors and all stockholders, and under their management the
company has prospered greatly, now turning out 1,200 dozen hosiery
weekly, in high grade goods, which find a ready sale throughout the
country. They employ on an average forty to fifty hands and the
plant, formerly located at Maiden creek, was removed to Temple in
1906, a suitable factory being found here to handle the growing
business. In 1907, the treasurer, James F. Seidel, died, and his
stock was purchased by Mahlon L. Seidel, the third brother, and
Robert L. Seidel was elected treasurer , and Mahlon L. Seidel
vice-president.

Claude L. Seidel, the secretary and business
manager of this concern, is a man of practical experience as a
hosieryman. He was born in Berks county in 1874, and from the age
of twenty-one years has been engaged in the manufacture of this
commodity, having been an operator at the Reading Knitting Mills,
and for five years was in the gentlemen’s furnishing department of
Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart, Reading.

Mr. Seidel married Emma Ulrich, a native of
Lancaster county, and they have two children, Elsie and George. Mr.
and Mrs. Seidel belong to the United Evangelical Church. He is
independent in politics.

SEIDEL FAMILY

p.
890

Surnames: SEIDEL, SIDEL, GRING, YOST, THOMPSON, YOCOM, KELLER,
NEUTZEL, MILLER, HERB, HECKMAN, MASSER, SNYDER, SCHEARER, MAYER,
DENGLER, FAUST, HIMMELBERGER, FISHER, KENDALL, GREINTHER

Seidel Family. (I) Ernst Sidel, the ancestor of a large and
representative family of lower Berks county, was a native of
Sweden, and crossed the ocean on the ship “St. Andrew Gally,” which
landed at Philadelphia Sept. 24, 1737. In 1752, when the country
was still wild, and the year the county was organized, Ernst Sidel
was already a tax-payer of Alsace township. In 1759 he paid a
federal tax of L6 in Alsace township. Tradition states that he is
buried at the long established Spies’s Church, where some of his
sons have tombstones erected to their memory in the old burial
ground. There is some uncertainty as to the number of Ernst Sidel’s
children, but among them were: Frederick, Ludwig, Nicholas, Philip,
Benjamin, and Jacob, who, perhaps, was the eldest. Concerning these
the following information has been gathered:

Ludwig moved to _______ county, Pennsylvania.

Nicholas became an ironmaster of Berks county
early in its history. In young manhood he resided in Alsace
township, but later he removed to the vicinity of Seideltown, now
Gibraltar. He operated Yocums forges in Cumru township for some
years.

Philip also moved to the vicinity of Gibraltar.
His wife Elizabeth died in 1830. His will was dated Sept. 11, 1822,
and was proved two years later. His children were: Jonathan;
Benjamin; Nicholas; Henry, who died before1822; Catherine, who
married Samuel Gring; Susanna, who married Nicholas Yost;
Elizabeth, who married Henry Thompson; and Mary, who married Daniel
Yocom.

Benjamin was associated with his father in the
iron forge at Stony Creek.

Jacob was a tax-payer of Alsace township, in
1752. He had sons Jacob, Jr., and John. The line of John, from whom
James H. Sidel is descended, spell the name without the “e,” while
those descended from Frederick (among them Benjamin H. Seidel) use
the “e.”

(II) Frederick Seidel, son of Ernst, was born in Alsace township,
where he became a farmer and carpenter. He became the owner of over
100 acres. He is buried at Spies old burial ground. The maiden name
of his wife was Keller, and they had these children: John, who
lived in Ruscombmanor; Polly, who married Jacob Neutzel; Frederick,
who lived in Alsace township; Betsy, who married a Mr. Miller;
Henry; Jacob, of Alsace township, who resided on the present
location of the reservoir; Nicholas, who never married (he lived
with Jacob); and Catherine, who never married. All of these are now
deceased.

(III) Henry Seidel, son of Frederick, was born in Alsace township.
He farmed sixty acres which he owned. His wife was Judith Herb,
daughter of John Herb, and their children were: Polly, who married
George Heckman; Benjamin, of Oley; Susan, who married John Heckman;
Frederick, of Alsace township; Harrison; Jonathan, who lives on the
homestead; and Hettie, who married Isaac Masser (both are now
deceased).

(IV) Harrison Seidel, son of Henry, and father of Benjamin H.
Seidel, was born in Alsace township, Dec. 9, 1839, and until he was
twenty-six years of age resided on his father’s farm near Spies’s
Church. During this time he learned the wheelwright’s and
millwright’s trades, and at the age of twenty-six he began working
at mill building, erecting the Penn street paper mill in 1866.
Having married the previous year, in 1865, he and his wife removed
to West Reading, where they lived two years, in 1868 again moving,
this time to Exeter, where they remained three years. They then
went to Blandon, and after one year, in 1872, settled at their
present home in Oley township, near Friedensburg, on a nine-acre
tract, where in 1878 Mr. Seidel built the present residence; he had
erected a barn there eighteen months before, but it was totally
destroyed by fire on Jan. 27, 1877. Mr. Seidel has a wheelwright
and millwright shop that he built all by himself in 1886, which
year was known as the locust year. He is a skilled mechanic and is
kept busy with orders.

In politics Mr. Seidel is a Democrat, and he and
his family are members of Spies’s Church, which he served as a
member of the building committee when the new church was erected,
in 1887.

In 1865 Mr. Seidel was married to Adaline
Snyder, a daughter of Benjamin Snyder. Children as follows have
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Seidel: Benjamin H.; Ellen, who
married Elmer Schearer; Jefferson, of Ruscombmanor; Frederick, of
West Reading; Annie, who died in childhood; Harry, who died in
infancy; a son who died in infancy unnamed; and Ida, who married
William O. Mayer, of Friedensburg.

(V) Benjamin H. Seidel, coach-maker and councilman of West Reading
borough, was born in Spring township April 19, 1866. He obtained
his early education under his parents and in the district schools,
and later attended the Oley Academy under Prof. John Dengler. From
the time he was eleven until 1890 Mr. Seidel worked on the farm,
and then for thirteen years lived with Henry Faust of Spring
township, still farming. In 1890 he began learning coach-making
under Frank R. Himmelberger, of West Reading, in whose employ he
has continued ever since. During his long term of service the
relations existing between Mr. Seidel and his employer have been of
the most pleasant and the large trade enjoyed by the establishment
is in great measure due to Mr. Seidel’s efforts. He is now in full
charge of the wood-working department of the concern, having a
number of men under him.

In political sentiment Mr. Seidel is a strong
Democrat. When the town of West Reading was incorporated he was
honored by being selected to a seat in the first council of the
borough, which office he still holds. He is also a member of the
West Reading Fire Company, and is now its capable president,
discharging his duties in such a manner as to win the confidence
and approval of all the residents of the community, who feel that
their property is safely protected under his rule. Fraternally he
is a member of the K. G. E. Castle No. 302, and the P. O. S. of A.
Camp No. 676, both of Reading, and he is a trustee of the first
named order. Mr. Seidel is a member of St. James Reformed Church
and since 1901 has acted as one of its deacons.

On Aug. 27, 1887, Mr. Seidel was married to Ida
Fisher, born July 26, 1866, a daughter of William and Matilda
(Fisher) Fisher. Mr. and Mrs. Seidel have had children as follows:
Warren Arthur, who died in infancy; Harry A., who is a
pattern-maker; Claud B.; Earl William and Harold Irvin, who died in
infancy; and Edna Matilda.

James Henry Sidel, a collector for the
Metropolitan Gas Company of Reading, comes of another branch of the
family, tracing his lineage back to John, son of Jacob, who was a
son of Ernst Sidel, the common ancestor of the family.

(III) John Sidel, his grandfather, was born in the vicinity of
Gibraltar, which once bore the family name, in Berks county, and he
died in Brooklyn, N. Y. During the gold craze of 1849, he and his
two sons left home for the Pacific coast, but en route he changed
his mind, sold his ticket and returned to Brooklyn, where he had
been a real estate dealer, and where he owned considerable
property. His children were: Elhanner; David, who was in business
with a brother; Theophilus, who has an extensive cattle business in
California; and Elizabeth, who died unmarried at New Lebanon, N.
Y., a Quakeress.

(IV) Elhanner Sidel, father of James Henry Sidel, was born July 30,
1815, and died Dec. 27, 1896. He was a wheelwright by trade and
followed this calling for some years, but he was in the service of
the Reading Railway company for many years. For some time prior to
his death he lived at home, retired from active work. He is buried
in the Charles Evans cemetery. Elhanner Sidel was married to
Matilda Kendall, born Sept. 29, 1823, died Aug. 14, 1907, aged
eighty-three years, ten months, sixteen days. She was a daughter of
John and Elizabeth Kendall. They had one son, James Henry.

(V) James Henry Sidel was born in Reading April 16, 1845, and after
completing the common school course attended high school for one
year. When seventeen years old he learned the trade of machinist in
the Philadelphia & Reading shops, and followed his trade at
Lancaster, and also at Reading for several years. After this he was
timekeeper for the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad for eighteen
years. In 1892 he entered the employ of the Metropolitan Gas
company, and is now one of its most trusted collectors. Since 1886
Mr. Sidel has resided at No. 927 Oley street, Reading.

In 1872 Mr. Sidel married Miss Amanda C.
Greinther, a daughter of Gustavas Greinther. They have one son,
Harry D., a clerk at Reading. Mr. and Mrs. Sidel are members of
Trinity Lutheran Church. Fraternally he is a member of the F. &
A. M., Lodge No. 435, of Reading and K. G. E. Castle No. 159, also
of Reading.

This old and honored family has many other
branches, and it would be interesting to follow the history of
each, for its representatives are numbered among the sterling,
progressive men and women of the several communities in which they
are to be found. The good, honest traits of character which
belonged to Ernst Sidel, the Swedish ancestor, have come down to
those who bear his name, and they may all be proud of him who made
so good a record in the early history of Berks county.

SEIDEL
FAMILY

p. 1120

Surnames: SEIDEL, MILLER, GAUGER, HEFFLY, FOLK, SELL, WEIDENHAMMER,
SCHLAGETER, BUCK, HUNTZINGER

The Seidel family is an old and honored one in Berks county, and
the grandfather of Franklin H. Seidel and Oliver H. Seidel was a
farmer by occupation who resided on a fine farm northeast of
Fleetwood, near Pricetown, in Berks county, upon which he died. His
wife was Rebecca Miller, and they had these children: Benneville,
Frederick and Eliza (m. Henry Gauger, who lived at Fleetwood). All
are now deceased.

Benneville Seidel was born in Ruscombmanor
township on July 29, 1826, and he died at Moselem, Sept. 20, 1896.
During his younger days he was a farmer, but later during the civil
war he operated a hotel at Pricetown. Still later he was employed
for sixteen years at the Moselem furnace, and at the expiration of
that time he returned to farming and was thus engaged when he died.
He is buried at St. Peter’s church at Moselem, to which he
belonged. His wife, Caroline Heffly, daughter of George Heffly,
died Nov. 16, 1900, aged seventy-two years. Their children were:
Sarah, born Jan. 22, 1853; James, Oct. 13, 1855; Elizabeth, Sept.
1, 1854; Catherine (m. Ephraim Folk); Samuel, April 6, 1858;
George, Frederick and another son all died in infancy; Phoenes, May
20, 1862; Franklin H., Dec. 2, 1865; Oscar, Oct. 11, 1867; Milton,
April 8, 1869; Alvin, Feb. 2, 1873, and Oliver, H., July 15, 1874.

Franklin H. Seidel, son of Benneville Seidel,
and a resident of the Tenth ward, Reading, was born Dec. 2, 1865,
at Moselem, in Richmond township, where he resided until he was
sixteen years of age, when he left the ore mines in which he had
been working, and engaged to work for John Sell, a farmer of
Richmond township. After three years he left Mr. Sell and went to
Freeport, Ill., being then but twenty years of age. After a short
residence there, he returned home, and settling in Reading worked
for the Reading Iron Company at the pipe mill for three years. He
then went to Howard, S. Dak., and for three years worked on a farm,
but as that part of the State was visited by a drought, everything
was destroyed, and once more he returned to Berks county, and found
employment at the Reading Cotton Mills, April 4, 1890. He has
remained with this company ever since and is now fireman of the new
plant.

Mr. Seidel resides in his new house at No. 533
South Eleventh street, and has since 1892. He also owns a residence
at No. 535 South Eleventh street, and one at No. 430 South Ninth
street. A self-made man, Mr. Seidel naturally feels a pride in what
he has accomplished, and he has not only gained success materially,
but he has retained the confidence and respect of his employers and
fellow workers. In politics he is a Democrat. Fraternally Mr.
Seidel is a member of Vigilance Lodge No. 194, I. O. O. F., and the
Foresters of America. He and his family are consistent members of
St. Luke’s Lutheran church of Reading, of which he is a deacon,
having held that office since 1904 under the Rev. F. K. Huntzinger.

In April, 1891, Mr. Seidel married Ellen
Weidenhammer, daughter of Rueben Weidenhammer, of Richmond
township. They have had these children: Lizzie, born Feb. 15, 1892;
Arthur, Dec. 10, 1894; and twin sons and Amy F., all three of whom
died in infancy.

Oliver H. Seidel, a resident of Reading, and a
son of Benneville Seidel, was born at Moselem, Richmond township,
Berks county, July 15, 1874, and was reared on a farm until he was
twenty-one. For a year he worked at Windsor Castle, and then he
went to Newark, N. J., and was a waiter in a restaurant for a short
time, gaining valuable experience. In 1897 he came to Reading, and
has lived here for the past eleven years, being engaged in various
ways. For some time he had been agent for the Prudential Life
Insurance Company when he entered the employ of the Reading
Traction Company, but in 1902 he entered the Reading Cotton Mills
and is now assistant foreman of the weaving department, although he
commenced there as a loom fixer, and worked his way up through his
own ability. Like his brother, Franklin H. Seidel, Mr. Oliver H.
Seidel owns his own home, a very pleasant brick house at No. 550
South Eleventh street, which he purchased April 1, 1907. In
politics he is a Democrat, and is very active in the work of the
party, although he has never held office aside from giving his
services to the tax collector’s office during 1907.

Fraternally Mr. Seidel is a member of Vigilance
Lodge No. 194, I. O. O. F., of which he is past grand, and he is
also a member of Reading Aerie No. 66, F. O. E., and the United
Traction Company Employes Beneficial Association. He and his family
are members of Huntzinger’s Lutheran church of Reading.

On Nov. 14, 1901, Mr. Seidel married Annie
Schlageter, daughter of Stephan and Agnes (Buck) Schlageter, a
native of Germany who came to the United States in 1890.

SEIDEL, FRANCIS F.

p. 1659

Surnames: SEIDEL, FAUST, MILLER, HARTMAN

Francis F. Seidel, who has been engaged in the undertaking business
for the past thirty-four years, conducting the largest mortuary in
Berks county, was born Feb. 23, 1858, in Bern township, Berks
county, son of Elias and Caroline (Faust) Seidel.

Daniel Seidel, the grandfather of Francis F.,
was born in Berks county, his ancestors having been residents of
the northern part of the State, where they were engaged in
agricultural pursuits. Daniel Seidel purchased 450 acres of wild,
heavily timbered land, a part of which he cleared, and there spent
the remainder of his life in farming, respected and esteemed for
his many sterling qualities. He was a prominent man in his
community, was a faithful Democrat in politics, and was elected to
serve his township as a member of the school board. He was greatly
interested in educational movements, giving cheerfully not only of
his time, but of his property on which to erect a school building.
Mr. Seidel married a lady of English birth and to them were born
these children: Bernville, Michael, Elias, Elizabeth, Lovina, Lacy
and Mary.

Elias Seidel, the youngest son, father of
Francis F., was born in Bern township, and his death occurred on
the old homestead at the age of twenty-five years, on which place
he had spent all of his time after leaving school. He and his wife,
who bore the maiden name of Caroline Faust, had two children,
Francis F. and Elias, the latter of whom died July 8, 1890, aged
thirty years.

Francis F. Seidel secured his education in the
public schools of his native town, after leaving which he worked
three years for E. S. Miller, and then served an apprenticeship of
three years to the undertaker’s trade, becoming foreman in Mr.
Miller’s undertaking establishment, a position he held for about
ten years. On April 1, 1888, Mr. Seidel embarked in the business on
his own account in Reading, and this has been his occupation ever
since. He has established one of the largest trades in Berks
county, and has been the originator of many good innovations in the
business, including the funeral car, high hats and capes, and the
grave lining, the latter of which has become universal throughout
the county. During his first year of business Mr. Seidel had charge
of fifty-two funerals, and his business has increased since that
time to large proportions, and he conducts between 650 and 700
funerals a year. On March 9, 1888, Mr. Seidel graduated from the
Oriental School of Embalming, from Clask’s School of Embalming in
1893; and from the school of embalming at Harrisburg, Pa., in 1894,
and he has also taken lectures on contagious diseases. He was the
first to advertise embalming in Reading, and has inaugurated a
system of bookkeeping of his own which is considered one of the
best in existence. To date Mr. Seidel has buried about 9,000
bodies, and he now employs seven assistants. He owns a fine farm in
Spring township, above Sinking Spring, known as the Montello Farm.

On July 24, 1883, Mr. Seidel was united in
marriage with Miss Amelia Hartman, and to them were born children:
Estella E., born April 24, 1884; died Nov. 5, 1887; Herbert A.,
born Sept. 21, 1885 (is a member of St. John’s Lodge, No. 435, F.
& A. M.; Reading Commandery, No. 42, K. T.; Excelsior Chapter,
No. 237, R. A. M.; and Vigilance Lodge No. 194, I. O. O. F.) is now
assisting his father; Calvin E., born Oct. 21, 1887, is studying
architecture and had prepared for Pennsylvania University (is a
member of Isaac Hiester Lodge, No. 660, F. & A. M.); and
Florence May, born Sept. 2, 1888, is a member of the class of 1908,
Girls’ high school, Reading.

Mr. Seidel is much interested in the cause of
education, and gives willingly of his time and substance to
movements having as their object the advancement of this cause. He
is a member of the Board of Trade. His fraternal connections are
with Chandler Lodge, No. 227, F. & A. M.; Excelsior Chapter,
No. 237; Reading Commandery, No. 42, K. T.; Philadelphia
Consistory, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Masons; a charter
member of the Lodge of Perfection, Reading; and a member of Rajah
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.; and was for some years a trustee of the
Masonic Association. He is also a charter member of Vigilance
Lodge, No. 194, I. O. O. F.; Perseverance Council No. 194, Jr. O.
U. A. M., of which he is past councillor; past chief of the Knights
of the Golden Eagle, No. 49; Juniata Tribe, No. 74, I. O. R. M.;
Knights of Friendship; and Rebekah Degree Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 4.
In all of his business dealings Mr. Seidel has been honest with his
patrons, living strictly up to the word of every contract. He is
one of Reading’s good citizens, and as such is respected and
esteemed by his fellow men.

SEIDEL,
FRANKLIN

p. 1416

Surnames: SEIDEL, GULDIN, RATHMACHER, REBER, THROM, RHOADS,
WEIDENHAMMER, DUNKEL

Franklin Seidel, one of the leading residents of Maiden-creek
township, Berks county, who has been prominent in agricultural and
public matters all his life, was born July 11, 1833, in that
township, son of Henry and Lydia (Guldin) Seidel.

Henry Seidel, the great-grandfather of Franklin,
was born in 1732 in Strasburg, Germany, whence he emigrated to the
United States when nineteen years of age, being sold to pay his
passage, a custom which was quite common in those days. On
obtaining his freedom in 1752, he came to Reading, Berks county,
and later participated in the Indian war under Captain Hiester. He
also took part in the war of the Revolution, his wife and children
conducting the farm during the period of his service. About 1760 he
married Elizabeth Rathmacher. He purchased land in Bern township.
In 1786 he returned to Germany, and, being engaged in the
mercantile business, he brought back merchandise which he sold. He
became the owner of 400 acres of land in Maiden-creek township, and
there for many years he was a prosperous farmer and merchant. He
died in 1801, and is buried at Perry Church, in Windsor township,
Berks county, Pa. The following were his children: Michael, Henry,
Daniel, John, Philip, Jacob, Mary and Margaret.

Henry Seidel, son of the emigrant, born Nov. 12,
1765, died Aug. 7, 1847. In 1791 he settled on the homestead, and
he married Elizabeth Reber, of Windsor township, Berks county. They
became the parents of fourteen children, of whom the following
reached mature years: Daniel, Henry, Jacob, Elizabeth, Sarah,
Catharine, Mary, Hannah, Susannah and Rebecca.

Henry Seidel, father of Franklin, and eleventh
in order of birth in the above family, was born in Maiden-creek
township June 9, 1809, and died Nov. 6, 1892. He engaged in farming
until his retirement in 1857, at which time he removed to Reading.
Mr. Seidel married Nov. 4, 1832, Lydia Weaver Guldin, daughter of
Frederick Guldin, of the same township, and they had two children,
Franklin and Sarah A. The latter, born Feb. 13, 1836, married Henry
Throm, of Reading, Pennsylvania.

Franklin Seidel was educated in the common
schools of his native locality, and later attended a boarding
school in Amity township conducted by Samuel L. Rhoads. Returning
to the farm, he assisted his father in various ways until his
marriage, June 3, 1856, to Susannah, daughter of George
Weidenhammer of the same township. They have had children as
follows: George Henry, born Jan. 3, 1858, died July 8, 1877; Sarah
Amanda, born May 19, 1866, died Aug. 26, 1868; Lydia Cora, born
April 5, 1870, married Dec. 4, 1894, Charles H. Dunkel and has two
children, S. Franklin Seidel and Sarah Susannah. Mrs. Seidel’s
great-grandfather came from Germany, and her grandparents were John
and Elizabeth (Dunkel) Weidenhammer.

Mr. Seidel has spent all of his life in Berks
county except eleven years – 1857 to 1868 – during which time he
lived in East Nantmeal township, Chester Co., Pa. He has devoted
his life to farming. He is a member of the Berks County
Agricultural Society, in which he manifests an active interest, and
is known as one of the good, practical farmers of Maiden-creek
township. Since 1887 Mr. Seidel has taken an interest in political
matters, and in 1890, during the Pattison campaign, he was
nominated by the Democratic party for the office of county
commissioner, being subsequently elected. He served in this office
from 1891 to 1894, and in this short time the Cross Keys bridge was
built; general repairs were made on the court-house, it being made
fire-proof, during the second year of his term, in spite of great
opposition; the Kissinger bridge, having fallen into the Schuylkill
river and canal, was rebuilt by the county commissioners at a cost
of $58,000; an emergency hospital for the care of contagious
diseases was erected at the poor-house at a cost of $3,300; and the
Exeter township bridge at a cost of $29,000. Mr. Seidel always
tried to work for the welfare of his constituents and the benefit
of the county taxpayers. He is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church at Blandon. Mr. Seidel is one of the largest landowners in
Berks county. He has seven farms in Maiden-creek township, which
contain about 850 acres, and owns other lands in Ruscombmanor and
Muhlenberg townships, having in all about eleven hundred acres. He
is one of the most prominent men in Berks county, Pennsylvania.

SEIDEL, HENRY CLAY

p. 1315

Surnames: SEIDEL, YUNDT, BARR, BECHTEL, THOMPSON, WILE, EVANS,
WYER, SELTZER, SPEAR

Henry Clay Seidel, president of the Philadelphia Black Lead
Crucible Works, and one of the prominent iron men of southeastern
Pennsylvania, with which industry he has been identified since
leaving school, was born Aug. 14, 1830, in Gibraltar, then
Seideltown, son of Reuben B. and Maria Louisa (Yundt) Seidel.

The forerunners of this large and distinguished
Berks county family were three brothers, emigrants from Sweden
prior to the War of the Revolution, one of whom, the
great-great-grandfather of Henry C. Seidel, became a large owner of
land in Longswamp township, Berks county. This he sold later to
purchase a tract near Stony Creek, just above the Stony Creek
Mills, in Exeter township, where he erected an iron forge,
subsequently becoming one of the pioneer ironmasters of Berks
county. He had three sons: Benjamin, Philip and Nicholas, the first
named of whom became associated with his father in the forge at
Stony Creek, and the latter two removed to where the village of
Gibraltar is located. Nicholas afterward built what are now known
as the Yocum forges in Cumru township, which he operated for some
years, and then sold, removing to Reading, where the remainder of
his life was spent in retirement. Philip Seidel, the
great-grandfather of Henry C., remained in Seideltown, where he
owned a large property, on which he carried on agricultural
operations.

Jonathan Seidel, the grandfather of Henry C.,
was one of the pioneer ironmasters of Robeson township. During his
early days he engaged in a tanning business at Pine Grove,
Schuylkill county, and later removed to Seideltown, building the
Seidel forges, which he operated until his death. He married Susan
Barr, by whom he had these children: John B., deceased, who was a
member of the State Legislature, and who was interested in the iron
forges at Marysville, Perry county; Henry B., who was an ironmaster
of Lebanon county, and for a number of years a part proprietor of
the Seidel-Hastings Company Rolling Mills, of Wilmington, Del.;
Mrs. John Bechtel, deceased; Reuben B.; and Mrs. Elizabeth
Thompson, a resident of Reading.

Reuben B. Seidel was born in Pine Grove,
Schuylkill Co., Pa., Oct. 21, 1821, and after attaining his
majority removed to Seideltown with his father, with whom he became
associated in the iron business. At the time of his father’s death,
he fell heir to the business, which he conducted until 1865, when
he sold his forges. In 1866, with Henry Wile, of Reading, he
started a black lead crucible and fire brick works, at 1324-1334
Callowhill street, Philadelphia, and they carried on the business
for a short time. Soon Mr. Seidel became sole owner and,
discontinuing the making of fire brick, devoted his entire
attention to the making of black lead crucibles. He was a member of
St. John’s Lutheran church, of Robeson township. He died in 1892,
on his seventy-first birthday.

Reuben G. Seidel was married to Maria Louisa
Yundt, daughter of Henry Yundt, a cattle dealer of Blue Ball,
Lancaster county, and to this union there were born children as
follows: Henry Clay; Robert D., a manufacturer of coal buckets for
mine use; Edgar B., also a manufacturer of crucibles at Tacony,
Pa.; Maria Louise; Mary B., deceased; Susan B., who married Charles
T. Evans, of Tacony; Sallie D., twin of Susan B.; Heber L., an
employe of the Philadelphia Black Lead Crucible Works; Dora G.,;
Horace Y., also connected with the Philadelphia Black Lead Crucible
Works; and Roberta C., who resides at home.

Henry Clay Seidel received his preliminary
education in the public schools, and later attended Lititz Academy,
and William F. Wyer’s Military Academy at West Chester, Pa., from
which latter institution he was graduated in 1869. Aug. 1, 1870,
when but twenty years of age, Mr. Seidel began operating the Exeter
Steam Forge, which he was compelled to operate under his father’s
name, as he was not of age. This business, which was organized by
Hennon and Son, had not, up to that time, proved a success, but Mr.
Seidel took up the business to save his own money, he having been a
heavy investor in the enterprise. He immediately caused improved
machinery to be installed in the plant, including a much heavier
hammer, and since that time the business has grown steadily and
prospered accordingly. The plant operates continuously, employing
twenty hands, and furnishing iron products to the Baldwin
Locomotive Works and the Reading Railroad Company. At the time of
his father’s death, the Philadelphia Black Lead Crucible Works was
taken in charge by R. B. Seidel’s estate, which appointed Henry
Clay Seidel manager of the business, and in 1895 it was organized
and incorporated, with Mr. Seidel as president. This business,
which manufactures a superior article of crucibles, employs
forty-five men, and has been a success since its incorporation.

In April, 1878, Mr. Seidel was married to
Josephine C. Seltzer, the estimable daughter of the late Dr. John
H. Seltzer, of Philadelphia, and two children were born to this
union: Blanche Irene, who married Harry W. Spera, of Philadelphia;
and Walter F., who die din infancy.

Mr. Seidel is a member of Reading Council, Royal
Arcanum. In politics he is an active Republican, for many years was
township chairman for the Republican party, and has also held the
office of township auditor.

SEIDEL,
HENRY G.

p 1249

Surnames: SEIDEL, RODMACHER, REBER, STITZLER, KRAUSE, FUSSELMAN,
GERHART, DREIBELBIS, SMITH, DIETRICH, KLINE, MOYER, TREXLER,
FRAUNFELDER, SCHAEFFER, LUCKENBILL, DIETRICH, SPEARS, BALTHASER,
BAER, WESSNER, LUTZ, TROXEL, MERKEL, HEFFNER, BOND, MERKEL,
STRASSER, HEFFNER, GRUBER, SUNDAY

Henry G. Seidel, residing some two miles from Windsor Castle, in
Windsor township, is a member of one of the oldest and largest
families in the state, whose representatives have for generations
been among the most substantial and reliable citizens of
Pennsylvania.

(I) The first Seidel to come to America was Johann Heinrich, who
was a native of Strasburg, Germany, born in 1732, He crossed the
ocean on the ship “Brothers,” and on landing at Philadelphia, Sept.
10, 1751, was, according to a custom of the time, sold for his
passage, as he was too poor to pay for his own way. The following
year he obtained his freedom and immediately proceeded to Reading,
Berks county, where in time he became a large land owner,
possessing property in Bern Township and a tract of 400 acres in
Maiden-creek township. Farming was his chief occupation and brought
him large returns, but during a period beginning with 1786 Mr.
Seidel returned to Germany and entered upon mercantile ventures
there. He was, however, mainly identified with Maiden-creek
township, where he operated his farm for many years. In his earlier
life he saw considerable military service, participating in the
Indian Wars under Capt. Hiester and later in the Revolutionary
struggle, while his wife and children carried on the farm meantime.

In 1760 Johann Heinrich Seidel married Anna
Catherine Rodmacher, who was born Jan. 19, 1738. She died Feb. 9,
1808, aged seventy years and twenty days. Her husband died some
years earlier, Aug. 21, 1801, at the age of sixty-nine years, four
months and twenty-one days, and his last resting-place is in the
graveyard of Zion’s Church in Perry township, the spot marked by a
heavy marble slab. Johann Heinrich and Anna Seidel had six son,
Michael, Henry, Daniel, John, Philip and Jacob, and three
daughters, only two of whom, Mary and Margaret are recorded by
name. It is supposed the third daughter died in infancy. From
the second son, Henry, comes one large branch of the Seidel family.
He was born Nov. 12, 1765, and died Aug. 7, 1847. He married
Elizabeth Reber and from 1791, on, they made their home on the
Seidel homestead in Windsor township, where they reared a family of
fourteen children, ten of them growing to maturity.

(II) John Seidel, fourth son of Johann, was the grandfather of
Henry G. Seidel. Born in Windsor township in 1777, John Seidel was
a lifelong farmer there, and died in 1856. He became a very wealthy
man and owned several large farms, one of the most valuable being
on the State Road, near St. Paul’s Church. He married Miss
Catherine Stitzler, and had issue as follows: Godfrey; Daniel;
John; Joseph, who settled in the West; Reuben; William; Catherine,
Mrs. Nathan Krause; and Mrs. Fusselman.

(III) William Seidel was born on the Windsor homestead in 1818 and
died in 1899, in his eighty-first year. Like his father, he was an
extensive landowner, having one farm of 176 acres in Windsor
township, one of 165 acres in Greenwich township, one of 75 in
Bucks county, and one of 150 in Lehigh county, During most of his
active life he lived in Windsor township, where he was a well known
citizen, and one especially interested in advancing education,
serving efficiently for some time as school director for his
district. For a number of years before his death, however, Mr.
Seidel resided in Virginville.

William Seidel was twice married. His first
wife, whose maiden name was Christian Gerhart, born him five sons,
namely: Montillus, born in January, 1841; Henry G.; Francis; John;
and William. By the second wife, Susanna Dreibelbis, there was a
large family, as follows: Ellen m. S. Paul Smith; Charles m. Miss
Sarah Dietrich; William m. Miss Barbara Kline; Susan M. William
Moyer; Fannie m. (first) Benjamin Trexler, and (second) W. Adams
Fraunfelder; Mahlon m. Miss Valeria Schaeffer; George m. Miss
Luckenbill; and Mary m. Reuben Dietrich. The family were at one
time members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, but after removing to
Virginville Mr. and Mrs. Seidel united with Dunkel’s Church in that
town, and at their death their remains were interred in that
graveyard.

(IV) Henry G. Seidel was born March 23, 1843, on the Seidel farm in
Windsor township. He entered the public school the first year it
was established in that district, and was instructed in the
rudiments by Alfred Spears. At the age of sixteen he left school
and learning the trade of a mason, worked at it for two years, and
then returned to his father’s farm to assist there. From 1870 till
1890 he was with his father-in-law, John Balthaser, working his
farm with him on shares. At the end of that period Mr. Seidel
bought the farm where he now lives, consisting of 126 acres of
excellent land. He is a capable and successful farmer and as a
citizen is held in high estimation. He, too, has worked for better
educational advantages in the district, has been a school director
and helped to secure the erection of Balthaser’s school.

On Nov. 25, 1865, Henry G. Seidel and Emma
Balthaser were united in marriage, the latter a daughter of John
and Kate (Baer) Balthaser, and granddaughter of John Balthaser. To
their union twelve children have been born, as follows: Fianna,
Aug. 15, 1866, m. (first) Edward Wessner and (second) John Lutz;
Darius A., Feb. 25, 1868, m Miss Annie Troxel; Isadora, July 1,
1869, m. Edward S. Merkel; Elmira, Dec. 25, 1870, m. Wilson
Heffner; Satira, Sept. 13, 1872, m. Charles Bond; Catherine, Jan.
18, 1874, m. (first) the late George Merkel, and (second) Cornelius
Strasser; Andrew J., July 16, 1875, m. Valeria Heffner; Alice, Jan.
5, 1877, who died aged twenty-four; Lavoda, March 23, 1878, m.
Mahlon Gruber; Irwin H., Nov. 23, 1879, m. Miss Alice Sunday;
Milton W., July 29, 1881, unmarried; and Minnie, March 23, 1996,
who died at the age of three years, ten months and five days. Mr.
Seidel and his family attend Zion’s Church, in which he served
three years as an elder, and of which he is a loyal supporter. He
is an influential man in the community and a worthy representative
of the old family to which he belongs.

SEIDEL,
HENRY U.

p. 1481

Surnames: SEIDEL, UNGER, RODMACHER, SEYDEL, ZUNBROHIN, GRUBER,
ROBINSON, BECKER, GICKER, SNYDER, FAUST, STROUSE, UNGER,
FRITTERICH, HETTINGER, MOYER, MACHMER, MANGER, WERT, LOOSE,
SEYFRIT, HULL

Henry U. Seidel, who is engaged in farming in Bern township, was
born on his father’s farm near Seidel’s school-house, Feb. 14,
1852, son of Michael and Caroline (Unger) Seidel.

The first of the name to come America was Johann
Heinrich, who was born in Straussberg, Germany, in 1732. He crossed
the Atlantic on the ship “Brothers,” landing at Philadelphia Sept.
10, 1751. According to the custom of the time, he was sold for his
passage, as he was too poor to pay his own way. He obtained his
freedom the next year, and proceeded to Reading, Berks county ,
Pa., where in time he became a large land owner, having
considerable property in Bern township, and 400 acres in
Maiden-creek township. Farming became his occupation, and he became
very well-to-do. In 1786 he returned to Germany and entered a
mercantile business there. He was, however, chiefly identified with
the farming interests of Maiden -creek township. In his early days,
in this country he participated in the Indian wars under Capt.
Hiester, and later he served in the Revolutionary war. During the
latter struggle his wife and children carried on the farm. In 1760
Johann Heinrich was married Anna Catharine Rodmacher, who was born
Jan. 19, 1738, and who died Feb. 9, 1808. He died Aug. 21, 1801,
and was laid to rest at Zion’s Church, in Perry township, the spot
being marked by a heavy marble stone. To Johann Heinrich and Anna
Catharine (Rodmacher) Seidel were born six son?-Michael, Henry,
Daniel, John, Philip and Jacob-and three daughter-Mary, Margaret
and one whose name is not recorded (probably deceased in infancy).

Michael Seydel (as he spelled the name), son of
Johann Heinrich the emigrant, was born in Bern township, Oct. 28,
1761, and he died there Feb. 24, 1837, after a life devoted to the
tilling of the soil. He married Catharine Zunbrohin, born March 8,
1765, and died Nov. 29, 1830, and both are buried in the old
cemetery at Bern Church. Among their children were: Daniel, born
1793, died 1877; Michael, who owned a farm in Upper Tulpehocken, on
which he died, had a son Daniel, who lived at Strausstown;
Elizabeth, born 1798, died 1883; Johannes, born 1800, died 1873;
and two daughters, one of whom married Michael Gruber, and the
other, his cousin, William Gruber.

Daniel Seidel, son of Michael, was born on his
father’s farm Aug. 22, 1793, and his death occurred March 4, 1877,
his remains being interred at Bern church, of which he was an
official Lutheran member. He was an extensive farmer in Bern
township, owning three tracts, consisting in all of 500 acres. He
was a man of wealth and prominence, and exerted great influence in
the community. At his death each of his seven children received
seven thousand ($7000) dollars. He married Martha Robinson, born
Nov. 1, 1798, and died Oct. 11, 1873. Their children were:
Benneville, born 1822, lived in Bern township, had fourteen
children who all lived to maturity, and he died in 1888; Michael;
Mary m. Abraham Becker, of Bern township; Eliza m. Daniel Gicker;
Lavina m. John Snyder; Elias, born 1836, m. Caroline Faust, had two
sons, Elias and Francis F. (The latter a prominent undertaker at
Reading), and he died in 1862; and Lucy m. Jacob Strouse, of Penn
township.

Michael Seidel, son of Daniel, was born on the
family home in Bern township in 1824, and he died in August, 1886.
He was a laborer, working for a number of years in the stone
quarry. He owned a tract of twenty-eight acres near Seidel’s
school. He was a Lutheran member of Bern Church, and his remains
rest in the cemetery there. He married Caroline Unger, daughter of
Daniel Unger, and their seven children were: Henry U.; Amos of near
Strausstown, m. Caroline Fretterich, and has children-John,
William, Harry and Stella; Isabella m. Jonathan Hettinger, of
Kansas; Rosabella m. Frank Moyer, of Reading; Annabella m. Morgan
Machmer, of Reading; Alicerabella m. George Manger (both deceased);
Oliver lives in Kansas.

Henry U. Seidel received his education in the
district schools and early became familiar with farming. He worked
for his father until he attained his majority, and the next few
years were passed at farm labor among farmers in Centre township.
At the end of four years he married, and then found work in a lime
stone quarry. In 1870 he began farming near his father’s place, and
he tenanted twelve years in Bern township, and two years in Centre
township. In 1884 he bought his present farm of sixty-six acres,
located in the upper end of Bern township, in the Seidel school
district. He built the present barn, 36 x 55. feet in 1894 and the
wagon shed, 24 x 28. the same year. He has three good horses and
five head of cattle. In his political belief Mr. Seidel is a
Democrat. With his family he attends Salem United Brethren Church
in Tilden township.

In 1874 Mr. Seidel was married to Matilda Wert,
daughter of Benjamin and Matilda (Loose) Wert, and granddaughter of
Daniel Wert. Five children have come to bless their home, namely:
Nora, died aged five years, less two days; Gertrude, died aged two
years, nine months, three days; Tamey m. Frank Seyfrit, of Bern
township; Jennie m. James Hull, of Bern township; and Ammon, at
home

SEIDEL,
JACOB J.

p. 853

Surnames: SEIDEL, SEIBERT, RATHMACKER, BOSSLER, FOX, SHOEMAKER,
HAINES, MOLL, GEORGE, HUEY, LOOSE, REBER, MENGEL

Jacob J. Seidel. Among the highly esteemed retired citizens of
Shoemakersville, Pa., may be mentioned Jacob J. Seidel, who for
some years was engaged in business at that place. He was born Oct.
11, 1849, in Windsor township, Berks county, son of Benjamin and
Catherine (Seibert) Seidel.

Henry Seidel, great-grandfather of Jacob J., was
born in 1732, in Strasbourg, Germany, and in 1751 emigrated to
America. He was a redemptioner, and in 1752 on obtaining his
freedom located in Reading, participating in the French and Indian
war three years later under Captain Hiester. He also served in the
Revolutionary war, and during this time his wife and children
conducted the farm. In about 1760, Henry Seidel married Elizabeth
Rathmacker, and to this union were born: Michael, Henry, Daniel,
John, Philip, Jacob, Mary and Margaret.

Jacob Seidel, son of Henry, was born in 1786,
and died in 1847. He was an extensive land owner in Windsor
township, where his possessions aggregated 287 acres, a great
portion of the territory now covered by the town of Shoemakersville
being owned by him. He was a substantial citizen and was very
influential in his district. He was a member of Zion’s Church.
Jacob Seidel married Elizabeth Bossler, and they had children:
Benjamin; Jacob (m. Mary Fox); Solomon (m. Rebecca Shoemaker);
David (m. Leah Haines); Henry (m. Elizabeth Seidel); Daniel (m.
Mary Fox); Elizabeth (m. Jonathan George); and Amelia (m. Jacob
Huey).

Benjamin Seidel, son of Jacob, born Sept. 11,
1811, was a farmer on the Seidel homestead, situated southeast of
the village of Shoemakersville, this tract consisting of 180 acres
of land, which he owned. He was a successful man and prominent in
his time, serving the district as school director and auditor. In
politics he was a Democrat. Mr. Seidel and his family were
connected with the Union Church, belonging to the Lutheran
denomination, and he helped to build the church in 1852, being one
of the board of trustees. He died Feb. 9, 1881. On Jan. 13, 1846,
he married Catherine Seibert, born Oct. 17, 1815, daughter of Jacob
Seibert, of Jackson township, Lebanon county. She died April 22,
1900, the mother of children as follow: Alfred S., a business man
of Reading, m. Helen Loose; Jacob J.; and Monroe S. m. Hannah
Reber.

Jacob J. Seidel, obtained his education in the
local schools and at the Quaker Seminary at Carversville, Bucks
county, after leaving which he was successfully engaged in school
teaching for some years in Greenwich, Perry and Upper Bern
townships. For four years he operated on the old Seidel homestead
in Windsor township, leaving that occupation to spend several years
in Ohio. He returned in 1880, and followed cigarmaking for ten
years in Shoemakersville, and was then a salesman for some years.
The last few years he has lived retired. Mr. Seidel is a Democrat
in his political belief, and served the township of Perry as
auditor for fifteen years.

In 1872 Mr. Seidel was married to Mylanta
Mengel, daughter of Samuel Mengel. No children were born to this
union.

SEIDEL,
MABRY S.

p. 932

Surnames: SEIDEL, SHEIDY, HEISTER, RODMACHER, REBER, STITZLER,
SUNDAY, GERHART, DREIBELBIS, KRAUSE, FUSSELMAN, FISTER, BAUSHER,
BECKER, HOLLENBACH, SAUL, KEEFER, BARR, CHRIST

Mabry S. Seidel, a leading business man of Hamburg, Berks Co., Pa.,
who is the proprietor of the Physicians’ Supply Company, at
Hamburg, was born Aug. 29, 1863, in Windsor township, son of
Jonathan and Matilda (Sheidy) Seidel.

Johann Heinrich Seidel, the progenitor of the
Seidel family in America, was born in 1732 at Straussberg, Germany.
He crossed the Atlantic ocean on the ship “Brothers,” and on
landing at Philadelphia, Sept. 10, 1751, was sold as a
“redemptioner” for his passage. One year afterward he was set free,
and at once proceeded to Reading, Pa. In time he became a large
property owner in Bern township, Berks county, also owning a tract
of 400 acres in Maiden-creek township, where for many years he was
a successful farmer. Farming was his principal vacation in life,
but at times he engaged in mercantile ventures. In 1786 Mr. Seidel
returned to Germany. In early life he saw considerable military
service, participating in the French and Indian war under Captain
Hiester, and later took part in the war of the Revolution. While he
was in the army his wife and children carried on the farming
operations. In 1760 he married Anna Catharine Rodmacher, who was
born Jan. 19, 1738, and died Feb. 9, 1808. He died Aug. 21, 1801,
at the age of sixty-nine years, four months, twenty-one days. Their
last resting-place is in the graveyard of Zion’s Union Church, in
Perry township, and the spot is marked by a heavy marble slab.
Their children were as follows: Michael, Henry, Daniel, John,
Philip, Jacob, and three daughters, but two of whom, Mary and
Margaret, are recorded by name. It is supposed that the third
daughter died in infancy. From the second son, Henry, comes one
large branch of the Seidel family. Henry Seidel was born Nov. 12,
1765, and died Aug. 7, 1847. He married Elizabeth Reber, and from
1791 on they made their home upon the Seidel homestead in Windsor
township, Berks county. They had a family of fourteen children, of
whom the following reached mature age: Daniel, Henry, Jacob,
Elizabeth, Sarah, Catharine, Mary Hannah and Rebecca.

John Seidel, the fourth son of Johann Heinrich,
and the great-grandfather of Mabry E., was born in 1777 and died in
1856. He was an extensive land-owner in Windsor township, owning
several large properties, one of which was on the State road near
St. Paul’s Church, in Windsor township, where he was buried. He was
a well-known and prominent citizen in his day, and took a leading
part in public-spirited movements. Mr. Seidel married Catharine
Stitzler, who born him the following children: Godfrey, born in
1800, married Mary Sunday, and died in 1868; Daniel was a resident
of Wessnersville, Pa.,; John settled in Illinois; Joseph went West;
Reuben was the grandfather of Mabry E.; William, born in 1818,
married (first) Christina Gerhart and (second) Susanna Dreibelbis,
and died in 1899; Catharine married Nathan Krause: Elizabeth
married Gideon Fusselman.

Reuben Seidel, grandfather of Mabry E., was born
in Windsor township in 1816, and died in 1887. He was a well-know
distiller of Windsor township, but in later years retired, removing
to Hamburg, where the latter years of his life were spent. He
married (first) Catharine Fister, who had the following children:
Elemena, who married Daniel Sheidy; Jonathan; Emanuel; Peter F.;
Reuben F.; Catherine, who married Frank Bausher; Wallace B.; and
John H., who settled in Nebraska. Reuben Seidel’s second wife was
Mrs. Hettie Seidel, nee Becker.

Jonathan Seidel, son of Reuben, was born in
1839, in Windsor township, but for a number of years resided in
Greenwich township, where he owned a farm of fifty acres. In 1878
he sold out, and with his family removed to near Pine Grove,
Schuylkill county, where he owned a farm of more than two hundred
acres. At this place he conducted a sawmill, while his son managed
the farm, and at the time of his death Mr. Seidel was in very
comfortable circumstances. In 1860 he married Matilda Sheidy,
daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Hollenbach) Sheidy, and to them
were born these children: Agnes, who married Jacob Saul; Mabry E.;
and Alva L. and Annie E., unmarried.

Mabry E. Seidel attended the schools of his
native district until he was fifteen years of age, when his father
removed to Pine Grove, Schuylkill county, having purchased a large
farm one mile east of that place. The father attended to the
management of the sawmill, while Mabry, with outside help,
cultivated the farm, and also attended school for three winters. He
remained in his father’s employ until he was twenty-four years old,
at which time he removed to Pottsville, and for five years worked
for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He then went back to Pine
Grove, and became a traveling salesman for the Keefer
Pharmaceutical Company, of South Bend, Ind. In 1898 Mr. Seidel
located in Hamburg and engaged in his present business, having a
wholesale drug and physicians’ supply house, which he has carried
on to the present time. His business, which is a large and
profitable one, is rapidly increasing, and his goods are well and
favorably known throughout eastern Pennsylvania. His place of
business is situated at Nos. 5 and 7 North Fourth street, Hamburg,
and not only in this borough, but in every place in this section of
Pennsylvania, Mr. Seidel is known as a business man of upright
principles, his fair dealing and the high standard of his good
having won the confidence and patronage of the trade of his
section. In politics Mr. Seidel is a Democrat and he has served his
town as school director and delegate to county conventions; at the
present time he is a member of the borough council. He and his
family are members of St. John’s Lutheran church, of which he has
been a deacon and is now serving as trustee.

Mr. Seidel has been twice married, his first
wife having been Esther A. Keefer, daughter of Reuben and Susan
(Barr) Keefer, of Pine Grove, Pa., to whom he was married June 30,
1888. They had these children: R. Warren, a graduate of the
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy; and Edna M. and Esther A., both
of whom are at home. Mrs. Esther A. Seidel passed away at
Pottsville, Pa., Sept. 8, 1895, and was buried at Pine Grove.

Mr. Seidel’s second marriage, on May 26, 1898,
was to Fannie M. Christ, daughter of Lewis Christ. To this union
has been born one daughter, Evelyn M. Socially Mr. Seidel is a
member of the Royal Arcanum; of Vaux Lodge, No. 406, F. & A.
M., Hamburg, of which he was an officer for three years; and of
Reading Lodge of Perfection.