Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

REESER, ABRAHAM F.

p.
652

Surnames: REESER, FEATHER, WANAMAKER, LEVAN

Abraham F. Reeser, now living retired from active business life, at
No. 217 South Fourth street, Reading, Pa., was born in Bern
township, Berks Co.. Pa., July 26, 1835, son of Abraham S. and
Annie (Feather) Reeser, and grandson of John Reeser.

The great?grandfather of Abraham F., also named
John, emigrated from Bern, Switzerland, to Bern township, Berks
county, at an early date, and there took up a large tract of land
from William Penn. Here he settled and made many improvements,
engaging in agricultural pursuits for the remainder of his life.
Abraham S. Reeser, father of Abraham F., was educated in the
schools of Bern township, and like his forefathers engaged in
farming. He was independent in political matters. Mr. Reeser was a
very generous man and gave liberally of his means to any church or
charitable institution. He and his wife were the parents of these
children: Sarah, Catherine, John, Abraham F. and William. The
family were members of the Reformed Church.

Abraham F. Reeser was educated in the common
schools of Bern township, but subsequently attended Irvin Academy
and still later Lee’s school. He then accepted a position with
Rhoads & Son as clerk, in their grocery establishment, which
was located in the old jail, Fifth street and Washington, the firm
also operating a shoe and liquor store in connection with their
grocery, as was the custom in those days. Mr. Reeser remained with
Rhoads & Son for several years, when he went to Philadelphia,
and there he engaged in the provision business until 1862, when he
sold out to William H. Wanamaker, and returned to Reading. After
engaging in the lightning rod business for three years, Mr. Reeser
engaged in the store business in Reading, opening the Eagle Shoe
Store on Penn street, which he conducted five years, and then sold
out to engage in the real estate business, which he has continued
to the present time. Mr. Reeser built the first house in West
Reading, opened the first street there, and inaugurated the water
system. He also purchased a plot of land and laid out Woodvale,
owning at present there about 500 lots, as well as Woodvale
Mansion, a summer hotel and one of the finest health resorts in
this section of Pennsylvania. He built the Black Bear road, known
as the East Reading Railroad, the first mile of the Gravity
Railroad, and all the drives on Neversink Mountain. He has always
been active in any movement for the upbuilding of his locality,
especially in the way of real estate improvements, erecting many
buildings in Reading proper, West Reading and Woodvale (or what is
now Mt. Penn).

In politics Mr. Reeser is a Republican, and he
served as assessor three years. He is a member of the Reformed
Church. Fraternally he belongs to St. John’s Lodge No. 435, F.
& A. M.

On the maternal side Mr. Reeser is of Prussian
and French Huguenot stock. Peter Feather, his grandfather, was born
in Berks county, and he owned and operated the “American House” in
Reading. He was very public spirited and progressive. His wife was
a Miss Levan.

REESER, CHARLES C.

p. 1462

Surnames: REESER, DeTURCK, SCHROEDER, GIBSON, MOLL, STAMM, GEISS

Charles C. Reeser, of Bernville, whose baking establishment is
situated in Penn township near the borough line of Bernville, was
born in Maidencreek township, Berks county, Oct. 27, 1879, son of
Benneville and Mary (DeTurck) Reeser, and grandson of William
Reeser.

Benneville Reeser, who was born in 1841, died in
Maidencreek township in 1891, after a life spent in agricultural
pursuits. He married Mary DeTurck, daughter of Charles DeTurck, of
Richmond township, by whom he had these children: Hettie m. David
Schroeder, of Reading; James D. is the proprietor of the “Hotel
Reeser”; Mary died unmarried, in 1907; Charles C.; Nora m. Albert
Gibson, of Reading; Katie, who died in 1907, m. Orlando Moll; and
John died aged ten years.

Charles C. Reeser attended the public schools of
Molltown, and for a short time was engaged in farm work, but at the
age of fifteen years went in with his brother James D. to learn the
trade of baker, and continued in the latter’s employ until 1901,
when he purchased the business, known as the Bernville Bakery, from
his brother and has since conducted it successfully. His trade
demands the services of three employes and he runs two wagons
through Leinbachs, Centreport, Strausstown and the surrounding
country, supplying the best trade with bread, cakes and pretzels.

Mr. Reeser was married in 1900 to Miss Mary
Stamm, daughter of Frank and Emma (Geiss) Stamm, well-known people
of Bernville. To Mr. and Mrs. Reeser there have been born two
children, Lester and Earl.

REESER,
EUGENE S.

p. 1426

Surnames: REESER, KEENER, MULL

Eugene S. Reeser, portrait painter and landscape artist of Reading,
Pa., whose studio and art store are located at No. 415 Schuylkill
avenue, was born Jan. 23, 1862, in Leesport, Pa., son of William P.
and Catherine (Keener) Reeser.

Mr. Reeser received his elementary education in
the public schools of Leesport, and when a mere boy evidenced his
artistic taste to a marked degree. At the early age of six years he
finished pictures, which he still has. He has made the development
of his talent his life work, and his productions are well liked and
are fine specimens of art. Mr. Reeser’s specialty is portrait work,
and in this connection he combines the enlargement of photographs,
working in oil, crayon, Indian ink, and watercolor. In his studio
may be seen three or four hundred fine art specimens, among his
masterpieces being “Washington in Prayer,” “Feeding the Doves,” “A
Great Feeding,” etc. Mr. Reeser’s work finds a ready market in the
surrounding country, and especially is his work in demand in the
Southern states.

On June 14, 1886, Mr. Reeser was married to Miss
Anna S. Mull, and they reside at No. 415 Schuylkill avenue,
Reading. They are members of St. Mark’s Reformed Church. Mr. Reeser
is independent in politics, voting for the man best fitted for the
office.

REESER
FAMILY

p. 886

Surnames: REESER, LIGHTFOOD, HUTTON, LEE, HOCH, GERST, EVERHART,
EBY, KOCH, DETURK, WEAVER, GULDIN, DRUMHELLER, LEASE, BACHMAN,
ANCONA, BERRY, BODY

Reeser. The Reeser family is an old one in Berks county. There are
several different branches, and the name is variously spelled,
Reeser and Riesser being the most common forms. As early as 1759
John Reeser was a tax-payer in Maiden-creek township. In that year
he paid a tax of 26, and he was one of the largest landowners in
that district. He was the ancestor of William D. Reeser of the
Yellow House. In 1765 John Reeser bought land from Samuel
Lightfood, located in Maiden-creek township. Lightfood was a
Quaker. In 1768 John Reeser bought land from James Hutton, and in
1769 from Thomas Lee, both Lee and Hutton being Quakers of
Maiden-creek township, which was largely settled by Friends. In
1785 Daniel Reeser bought land in Maiden-creek for which he paid
L100 of gold and silver money. In 1805 Henry Reeser bought land and
located in Maiden-creek township. In 1809 Jacob Reeser bought land
from Henry Reeser, of Maiden-creek township. This Jacob was
probably the great-grandfather of William D. Reeser, of Amity
township.

Jacob Reeser was a farmer in Maiden-creek
township and owned one of the farms on which the Reading Cement
Company is now located, at Molltown. He is buried at St. Peter’s
Reformed Church. His children were: Jacob, who lived in
Maiden-creek township, near Molltown; William, who lived on an
adjoining farm; Abraham, who lived in Ontelaunee township; Isaac;
Katie, and Elizabeth.

Isaac Reeser was a native of Maiden-creek
township, born Feb. 6, 1809, and died at Fleetwood, where he is
buried, in February, 1878, when aged sixty-eight years. He was a
farmer and lived on his property the greater part of his life. He
belonged to the Reformed Church. His wife was Lydia Hoch, daughter
of David and —– (Gerst) Hoch, born March 28, 1808, died in Jan.,
1886, in her seventy-eighth year. They had these children: Hannah,
deceased, who married Benneville Hoch, of Fleetwood; Jacob H., of
Reading; Caroline, deceased, who married Daniel Everhart, now of
Colebrookdale township; Lydia, deceased, who married Monroe Eby, of
Reading; Jarius H.; Amanda, married to James Koch, of Reading; and
Simarias of Reading.

Jarius H. Reeser, a prosperous farmer in Oley
township, was born in Maiden-creek township, Feb. 17, 1847. He was
reared upon the farm, and when seventeen learned the painter’s
trade, which he followed in Oley and Richmond townships. In 1868 he
began farming in Earl township, where he lived four years, and then
came to Oley township, settling on the Griesemer farm near
Griesemer’s mill. There he continued farming for five years more,
and then moved back to Earl township and farmed for two years. Back
he went to Oley and farmed the Solomon DeTurk farm near the Oley
Churches. In 1887 he moved to the Col. Weaver farm, in Amity
township, and there lived for seven years, in 1894 purchasing the
Daniel Guldin farm, located in Oley township near the Yellow House.
This fine farm consists of thirty-one acres, which he has greatly
improved, making it into a very fine piece of property. He also
owns a good farm of 127 acres in Amity township, near Yellow House,
which he has rented. It has excellent spring water and is well
situated.

Mr. Reeser is a Democrat, and has taken an
active part in politics. From 1891 to 1893 he was county
commissioner. During his administration a number of bridges were
built, among them being the Schuylkill avenue and Cross Keys. The
court-house was also improved. He was supervisor of Oley for two
years, and has always done what he believed to be his duty. He and
his family are members of the Oley Reformed Church.

In 1869 Mr. Reeser was married to Barbara
Drumheller, a daughter of the late David and Sarah (Lease)
Drumheller, of Oley township, and they had children as follows.
Jacob D., a farmer of Oley township, married Amelia Bachman, and
they have five children, Hilma Viola, Amy, J. Warren and Paul;
William D. and Sallie D. are unmarried and at home.

William D. Reeser, a prominent citizen of Berks
county, residing at Yellow House, in Amity township, was born in
Oley township Sept. 17, 1871. He was reared to farm life and was
educated in the public schools of his district and in the
Amityville Seminary. At the age of twenty years he became a clerk
in the Yellow House creamery and held the position a year, and in
1892 became clerk in the county commissioner’s office, where he
proved so useful that he was retained there for nine years. Later
he served as docket clerk in the county controller’s office for two
years under the administration of John F. Ancona. During most of
the years Mr. Reeser served the county in clerical capacities he
conducted the general store at Yellow House. He embarked in this
mercantile venture in 1895, and has since continued in it, meeting
the marked success.

Mr. Reeser has been an active Democrat and has
been the leader in lower Berks county since 1895. He has served his
township of Amity as delegate to county conventions during those
years eight times. He was State delegate three times, and was State
delegate when William H. Berry was nominated for State treasurer;
Mr. Berry was subsequently elected, being the first Democratic
State treasurer in a quarter of a century. Fraternally Mr. Reeser
is a charter member of Wohlink Tribe, No. 179, Improved Order of
Red Men, of Yellow House; of Oley Lodge, No. 218, I. O. O. F., of
Reading, and of Mt. Penn Castle, No. 52, K. G. E., of Reading. He
is a member of the Oley Reformed Church, of which he is a deacon
and the secretary of the consistory, having held the latter office
since 1903. He was active in Sunday school work in earlier life.

On June 6, 1895, Mr. Reeser was married to Mary
M. Body, a daughter of Augustus G. Body, of Shillington,
Pennsylvania.

Mr. Reeser is a prosperous merchant, carrying a
full line of general merchandise, and enjoys the patronage of a
large trade gathered from the surrounding district, Yellow House
being in the center of a rich and populous community. Since 1895 he
has been assistant postmaster at Yellow House. In addition to his
other interests Mr. Reeser was for three years a director of the
Sinking Spring Fire Insurance Company, an old-established concern
of Berks county.

REESER,
JACOB H.

p. 1371

Surnames: REESER, WINTER, BOSSLER, HIMMELBERGER, WEIKEL, KRAMER.

Jacob H. Reeser, a prominent farmer in Bern township, where he has
a well improved and well-stocked farm of 135 acres, was born in
that township, in August. 1841, on the old Reeser farm. Philip
Reeser, great-grandfather of Jacob H., was a farmer and prominent
citizen in Bern township. He became very wealthy, and at his death
left a large estate to be divided. His will is on record, and was
made Aug. 23, 1786. His death occurred in 1789. To him and his wife
Elizabeth were born the following children: Jacob; Philip Jr.; Anna
Elizabeth, who married John Winter; Elizabeth, who married
Christian Bossler; Daniel and John, who were bequested with bonds;
Catherine; Mary; and William.

John Reeser, son of Philip and Elizabeth, was a
successful farmer in Centre township, where he owned 100 acres of
fertile land. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religion a
member of the Reformed Church. His children, two sons and two
daughters, were: Jacob, Catherine, Betsy and John (2).

John Reeser (2), son of John, lived the greater
part of his life in Centre township, where he was born. As a young
man he learned the shoemaker’s trade, and worked at it some years,
then taking up farming. He became the owner of 224 acres of land.
In political faith he was a Democrat, and was frequently called
upon to serve as a delegate to county conventions. He was a member
of Belleman’s Church (Reformed). He married Hannah Himmelberger.
and they had twelve children, as follows: Elizabeth, John,
Catharine and William, all deceased; Jacob H.; Mary, deceased;
Sarah, who lives with her brother, Daniel H.; Hettie, deceased;
Daniel H.; Caroline, who married James D. Weikel, a machinist at
Reading; Susan, who married Jacob Kramer, a merchant at West
Leesport; and Amelia. deceased. John Reeser (2), the father, died
Jan. 9. 1869.

REESER,
JAMES D.

p. 1684

Surnames: REESER, DeTURK, KISTLER, WILLITS, EBLING, SCHROEDER,
MOLL, GIBSON, KERCHNER, GERHART, LAMM

James D. Reeser, who is successfully conducting the “Hotel Reeser,”
at Bernville, Pa., was born in Maiden-creek township, June 1, 1872,
son of Benneville and Mary (DeTurk) Reeser.

William Reeser, his grandfather, lived in
Maiden-creek township, where he owned about 300 acres of valuable
land, and where his death occurred. He married a Miss Kistler, and
they had children as follows: John, living in the West; Sarah, m.
to a Mr. Willits; Kate, m. to a Mr. Ebling; Benneville; Jacob, who
died in San Francisco, California; William. who died in Ohio; and
James. who died in Maiden-creek township. Benneville Reeser was
born in 1841, and died in 1891. He was buried in Becker’s
churchyard, Richmond township. He had spent his life in
agricultural pursuits in Maiden-creek township. Mr. Reeser married.
Mary DeTurk. daughter of Charles DeTurk, of Richmond township, and
they had these children: Hettie m. David Schroeder, of Reading;
James D.; Mary died, unmarried, in 1907; Charles is a baker in Penn
township; Nora m. Albert Gibson, of Reading; Katie m. Orlando Moll,
and died in 1907; John died aged ten years.

James D. Reeser attended the public schools of
Richmond and Maiden-creek townships, and in his youth learned the
baking business, which he followed for a period of fifteen years,
conducting the Bernville Bakery very successfully for eight years.
This, however, he sold to his brother, Charles, and purchased his
present hotel property, then an old log building on the Penn
township line, borough of Bernville. In 1901 he replaced the old
building with a fine brick structure, three stories high, 50×50
feet in dimensions, with twenty-nine rooms. He has fine grounds and
all sorts of amusement facilities, and his place is very popular
and well patronized. In addition to his hotel property, Mr. Reeser
owns a bakery building, 12×25 feet, as well as a farm of forty-five
acres, the old Kerchner property. Mr. Reeser is a member of St.
John’s Reformed Church of North Heidelberg township. He is
treasurer of Penn township, served as school director one term, and
has held various other offices of public trust. He is treasurer of
the Bernville Baseball Club, and is fraternally connected with
Bernville Lodge, No. 122, I. 0. 0. F., Camp No. 99. P. 0. S. of A..
Wernersville, and Bernville Commandery, of which he is treasurer.
His friends are legion, and he is known throughout this section of
the county as a man whose word is as good as his bond, and upon
whom confidence can be placed.

On July 14. 1894, Mr. Reeser married Eva
Gerhart, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Lamm) Gerhart, and to
this union have been born two children: W. Raymond and Elizabeth.

REESER, JEROME PEARSON

p. 1136

Surnames: REESER, SHALTER, KEPPEL, VAN REED, COCHRAN, SCHRACK,
HUYETT, STOUDT, RICKENBACH

Jerome Pearson Reeser, dealer in coal, lumber and grain at Sinking
Spring, was born at the Reeser Mill, near West Leesport, Bern
township, June 19, 1869, son of Cyrus and Catharine (Shalter)
Reeser. When two years old his parents moved to Sinking Spring, and
he received his education in the local schools, at the West Chester
Normal school, and at Stoner’s Business College in Reading. In 1891
he associated with Samuel B. Keppel as a partner, in carrying on
the coal, lumber, grain, flour and feed business, on premises
adjoining the railroad station at Sinking Spring, and he continued
as a partner until 1900, when he purchased the interest of Mr.
Keppel in the business, and he has been carrying it on in a
successful manner to the present time.

Mr. Reeser served as a township auditor for a
term of three years; and he has officiated as treasurer of the
Reformed Church at Sinking Spring since 1902. He is
public-spirited, and believes in encouraging industrial
enterprises, and co-operated with other enterprising citizens in
the establishment of the Sinking Spring Foundry Company, in 1902,
and held an interest in the plant for several years.

Mr. Reeser married Jennie Van Reed, daughter of
Joshua Van Reed, a farmer of Lower Heidelberg, along the Cacoosing
creek, and they have two sons, Harvey and Herbert. Joshua Van Reed
married Elizabeth Cochran, of Philadelphia, and by her had these
children: Joshua (m. to Jennie Schrack ), Jacob, James, Jennie,
Ella and one who died young.

Cyrus Reeser was a native of Bern township, near
West Leesport, where he carried on the coal, lumber and grain
business for many years until 1871, when he purchased the hotel
stand along the railroad adjoining the Sinking Spring station, and
removed to that place. He married Catharine Shalter, daughter of
Benjamin Shalter, a farmer in the northern section of Alsace
township, and they had four children: Jerome Pearson, George, Cora
(m. to Thomas Huyett) and one who died in infancy.

Daniel Reeser, father of Cyrus, was a farmer of
Bern township. He married Catharine Stoudt, and by her had two
sons: William, m. to Elizabeth Rickenbach; and Cyrus.

Abraham Reeser was the father of Daniel and
great-grandfather of Jerome Pearson Reeser.

REESER,
LEVI

p 876

Surnames: REESER, PHILLIPS, WINTER, BOSSLER, REIMERT, McGRAY,
NEISCHWENDER, ECK, SPATZ, MOSSER, HOYER, ROTH, RIESER, HAFER,
LOOSE, BAER, NUNNERMACHER, CHURCHOFF, BELLEMAN, ALBRIGHT.

Levi Reeser, who is now living retired at his home in Bern
township, Berks county, was born in the western end of West
Leesport, Pa., Aug. 15, 1832. son of Samuel and Catherine
(Phillips) Reeser.

Philip Reeser, the progenitor of this family in
America, was a native of Switzerland, and on coming to this country
settled in Bern township, Berks Co., Pa., where he acquired much
property and left a large estate. His will, which is on record, was
made Aug. 23, 1786, and was probated June 4. 1798. He and his wife
Elizabeth, who survived him, had nine children John; Philip, Jr.
Anna Elizabeth, who married John Winter; Elizabeth, who married
Christian BossIer; Daniel; John; Catherine; Mary and William.

Philip Reeser, Jr., son of Philip, came with his
father to the United States and spent all the rest of his life in
Bern township where he died. He married Amelia Reimert, and they
had these children: Samuel; John, who lived in Centre township (he
lost his five children in the terrible typhoid fever epidemic of
1858); Mary Ann, and Caroline.

The ancestor Philip erected Reeser’s Mill in
Bern township, which for many years was conducted by a descendant,
Abraham Reeser, and which is now the property of John McGray.
Philip Reeser, Jr., owned the land on which West Leesport borough
is built, and he built the old stone house at the extreme western
end on the north side which was his dwelling. His farm, which
consisted of 140 acres, now belongs to his grandson, Levi.

Samuel Reeser, father of Levi, born Sept. 19,
1788, died May 29, 1869, and is buried at Epler’s Church of which
he was a Reformed member. He was a farmer by occupation and owned
the old homestead, on which he resided all of his life. Mr. Reeser
was married (first) to Rachel Neischwender, ( second) to Catherine
Phillips, and (third) to Magdalena Phillips, his second and third
wives being sisters, and daughters of John Phillips. By his first
wife Mr. Reeser had a daughter, Rachel, who became the wife of
Thomas Eck. To his second marriage were born five children:
William, of West Leesport: Philip, of Illinois: Leah, who married
Elias Spatz; Samuel who died at Molltown, and Levi. There were six
daughters born to the last marriage, three of whom died young, the
others being Sarah, who married Joseph Mosser; Esther, who married
Sampson Hoyer and Lovina, who married Frederick Roth.

Levi Reeser was reared to agricultural pursuits
and during the greater part of his active life engaged in farming
at the old family home. He also for nine years operated a
ferry-boat on the Schuylkill canal. In 1904 he came into possession
of a sixty-four-acre tract situated at the present site of West
Leesport borough, on which is standing the old stone house
mentioned before. Mr. Reeser is a member of Epler’s Reformed
Church, where he has been a deacon and elder.

On Oct. 17, 1855, Mr. Reeser was married to
Sarah Hafer, born Dec. 8, 1837, died Feb. 7, 1904, daughter of
Samuel and Elizabeth (Rieser) Hafer. Nine children were born to
this union: Levi M., born Feb. 9, 1857, married Helen Loose; Sara
C., born Oct. 25, 1858, married James Baer; Amelia A., born Feb. 3,
1863, married Milton Nunnermacher; Kate E., born Sept. 22, 1865.
married Albert Roth; one son died in infancy; Mahlon E., born Jan
22. 1869, died Oct. 3,1869; James R., born June 24,1871, married
Emma Churchoff ; Rosie A., born Jan. 2,1879, married Penrose
Belleman; and Samuel, born Feb. 10, 1881, married Mary Albright.