Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

ONEAILL,
JAMES

p. 602

Surnames: ONEAILL, BEAVER, BITTLER, FREY, GEIGER, GORMAN, HOLTERY,
HOMAN, JACOBS, LAUDERBACH, LAUSCH, McNULTY, OBOCK, OLD, PAINTER,
PIERSOL, REICHWINE, STAFFORD, WAMSHER, WEBBER, WERNER, WOLFE

James Oneaill, a highly esteemed retired citizen of Mohnton, Pa.,
and an honored survivor of the great Civil war, was born April 3,
1839, in Robeson township, Berks county, son of Michael Oneaill.
James Oneaill, grandfather of James, came from Ireland when
eighteen years of age and settled in Berks county, where he spent
the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits. His children
were: Harriet (m. Abner Old, of Philadelphia), Katie (m. Patrick
McNulty and lived in Iowa), Mary (m. Frederick Homan, died in
Iowa), Jane (m. Samuel Bittler, and died in Robeson township),
James (m. Abbie Stafford), Annie (m. Benjamin Wamsher), Hugh (m.
Fannie Painter, and died in Robeson township), John (died young),
and Michael.

Michael Oneaill, like his father, was a farmer
all of his life, and followed this occupation in Robeson township.
He married Mary Wolfe, and to them were born children as follows:
Sarah A. (m. John Piersol), James, Mark M. (m. Jennie Lauderbach),
Jacob (m. (first) Hannah Frey and (second) Sarah Jacobs, and
resides in Robeson township), Ellen (m. George Geiger, of
Geigertown), Hugh (m. Ellen Gorman, of Robeson township), and
twelve others, the oldest of whom was two years of age, who died in
infancy. This was one of the largest families in Robeson township.

James Oneaill attended the schools of Robeson
township and worked on his father’s farm until twenty-one years
old. He then went to Reading and found employment at the iron
works, where he was employed at the time of his enlistment, Aug. 8,
1862, in Company K, 128th Reg., Pa. V. I., being discharged May 29,
1962. He enlisted (second) in Company I, 196th Pa. V. I., July 1,
1864, and was honorably discharged Nov. 17th of that year. His
third enlistment was on Sept. 1, 1865, in Company E, 75th Pa. V. I.
In his second enlistment he became seventh corporal of Job Obock’s
company, and throughout his entire service he was a faithful and
cheerful soldier, performing his duties efficiently and well. He
participated in many of the hardest fought battles of the great
struggle, including Antietam and Chancellorsville, and was always a
brave and gallant fighter. After the war Mr. Oneaill returned to
Reading and resumed work at the iron works, later learning the
hatting trade, which he followed for three years, also taking care
of his small farm, which he still looks after. Mr. Oneaill now
receives a pension from the Government as reward for his faithful
services, and he resides on Oneaill street, which was named in his
honor. He bears the reputation of being an honest man of sterling
integrity, and has the respect and esteem of all who know him. In
politics he is independent. He is a member of Salem Evangelical
Association, of which be is now steward, and is also active in
Sunday school work.

On May 21, 1866, Mr. Oneaill was married to
Amanda Reichwine, daughter of Cornelius and Elizabeth (Holtery)
Reichwine, and to this union there were born: Ellen m. Walter
Webber, of Mohnton, and has two children, Claude and Ralph; Mary J.
m. William Beaver, of Reading, and has two children, Clyde and
James; Sadie m. John Werner, of the firm of E.G. Werner & Sons,
Mohnton, and has two children, Alethea and Norman; and Gertrude
since 1902 has been a trained nurse in the German Hospital,
Philadelphia. Mr. Oneaill also has an adopted daughter, Katie
Lausch.

O’REILLY, JOSEPH P.

p. 385

Surnames: O’REILLY, EBEN, TEA, HYNEMAN, FELIX, RAUEN, REBER,
CONATHY, MARTIN, GOBIN

Joseph P. O’Reilly, contractor at Reading for upward of twenty-five
years, was born at that place Aug. 27, 1862. He received his
education in the city schools and at Villanova College, in Delaware
county, Pa., and upon quitting school learned the trade of
stone-cutter under Christian Eben, who had been engaged in the
business for many years at Reading. He continued with Mr. Eben for
four years, and then engaged in the business for himself for about
a year, when he started contracting in the construction of public
works of various kinds. This was in 1882, and since then he has
been prominently and successfully engaged in taking city and county
contracts for roads, culverts, sewers and bridges. Among the large
iron bridges spanning the Schuylkill river which are of his
construction may be mentioned the “Exeter Bridge, ” the

“Reading and South Western Street Railway
Bridge,” the “Schuylkill Avenue Bridge,” the “Cross Keys Bridge”
(above Tuckertown), and the “Berne Bridge” (above Shoemakersville).

Mr. O’Reilly married Clara A. Tea (daughter of
Samuel H. Tea and Emily E. Hyneman, his wife, of Reading), and they
have three children: James, Gerald and Claire.

Mr. O’Reilly’s father was Owen O’Reilly, also a
large contractor in the construction of public works at Reading for
thirty years. In 1856 he put up the “Askew Bridge” for the Lebanon
Valley Railroad (crossing Sixth at Woodward), which was then
regarded as a remarkable piece of work, and is still admired by
engineers and contractors. He was born in 1815 at Patrickstown,
County Meath, Ireland, and emigrated to America in 1838, locating
at Reading. He died in 1902. He married Elizabeth B. Felix,
daughter of Anthony Felix, of Reading, and they had nine children:
Agnes C., a sister of charity for forty years, now at Emmitsburg,
Md.; Sallie B., a sister of charity for thirty years, now at
Washington, D. C.; Eugene P., m. to Helena Rauen; Simon P., m. to
Sallie G. Reber; Mary B., who died in 1902, aged forty-one years;
Joseph P., above; and three ? James, Ann and William ? who died in
infancy.

His grandfather was James O’Reilly, of County
Meath, Ireland, born in 1771, died in 1851. He m. Bridget Conathy,
of the same county, born in 1773, died in 1848. They had fourteen
sons, among them Owen. And his great-grandfather, also named James,
had seven sons, among them the said James. His mother’s father was
Anthony Felix, born in 1781, died in 1863; m. to Catherine Martin,
born in 1783, died in 1861. Her grandfather was Nicholas Felix,
born in 1731, died in 1813. He was enlisted in the Revolution, with
the company of Capt. Charles Gobin, in Hiester’s Battalion, which
was engaged in the battle of Camden on Aug. 16, 1780. He emigrated
from Germany in 1754.

Mr. O’Reilly’s wife’s father, Samuel Hains Tea,
was a lineal descendant of Richard Tea, a surveyor of Hereford
township before the Revolution, and an ironmaster during the
Revolution. In 1776 he was elected to officiate as one of the
Supreme Executive Councilors of the State, but he declined to
serve, doubtless because he was identified with the Friends, who
opposed the war.

ORR, J.
ALLISON

p. 407

Surnames: ORR, GOODHART, SAYLOR, STURGIS, WHITE

J. Allison Orr, one of Reading’s representative business men,
superintendent of the Mt. Penn Stove Works for twenty-five years,
and for thirteen years a partner in the Reading Radiator Company,
of which he later was president, held a position of recognized
influence in the industrial circles of the city. Mr. Orr was born
March 9, 1845, near Chester Springs, Chester Co., Pa., son of
William and Margaret (White) Orr, and grandson of Robert Orr, and
he died Oct. 1, 1907.

Robert Orr was born in Ireland, and was brought
to America in childhood. His parents located near Yellow Springs,
and there after reaching manhood he engaged in farming. He died in
1853. For many years he was sexton of the Vincent Baptist Church.
His five children were: William, George, John, Jesse and Mrs.
Catherine Sturgis. William Orr was a shoemaker by trade, but later
he became superintendent of an ore quarry. The latter years of his
life he devoted to farming. He became a man of some substance, and
lived to the age of seventy-eight years. His wife, Margaret, died
aged seventy-four years. They had three sons: John W., of the Mount
Penn Stove Works; Jesse, deceased; and J. Allison. In religious
belief the parents were Baptists. The father was a Democrat.

J. Allison Orr was afforded better educational
advantages than were many of the youths of his day. He attended
Franklin Hall and Pikeland Seminary, both excellent schools. After
completing his education he became a clerk in a general store in
Chester county, remaining six years. In 1868 he came to Reading as
a stove mounter for Orr, Painter & Co., but twelve years later
he went to Philadelphia, where he purchased a milk route, which he
carried on for two years, returning to Reading at the end of that
time. He then accepted his late responsible position with the Mount
Penn Stove Works where he had charge of 130 workmen.

On Dec. 31, 1868, Mr. Orr married Cassie R.
Saylor, and they had six children, three still living, as follows:
Jesse, chief shipping clerk for the Mount Penn Stove Works, m.
Katharine Goodhart; Bertha is at home; and Edwin was a student in
the Electrical Department of the University of Pennsylvania. The
home of the family is at No. 40 North Third street. Mr. Orr was a
member of the Royal Arcanum. In politics he was a Republican.

ORTH,
ALPHEUS R.

p 645

Surnames: ORTH, PRINTZ, NAGLE, HERTWIG, MOHN, BRENEISER,
MALTZBERGER, FRAME, KEISER, HUNT, KRICK, EACHES, LUDEN, REIDER

A. R. Orth, a cigar manufacturer of Reading, was born in that city,
Nov. 19, 1852, son of William and Susan (Printz) Orth.

William Orth during his active life was a
blacksmith by trade, and in time securing a place in the Reading
shops of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad where he worked
continuously for thirty-five years. Both he and his wife are now
deceased, his demise having occurred Sept. 1, 1895, hers in 1877.
They are buried in the Aulenbach cemetery in Reading. Four children
were born to their union, viz.: Alpheus R.; Christian, the wife of
George Nagle, of Reading; Rosanna, Mrs. Henry Hertwig, of Reading;
and William, also of that city.

Alpheus R. Orth attended the public schools till
he was twelve years old, and then entered the hat factory run by
Kutz and Arnold, at present the property of J. G. Mohn &
Brothers. When fourteen he left that place and went into a cotton
factory and then at the age of seventeen he began to learn cigar
making with Frederick Printz, who was alderman of the Third ward at
that time, with whom he remained five months. After he finished his
trade he worked for Charles Breneiser & Co., and then for John
Maltzberger. At the end of that time, in 1887, he and Augustus
Frame formed the firm of Orth & Frame, in the cigar
manufacturing business, with their location on Court street, above
Sixth street. After four years, Mr. Orth sold out his interest to
his partner and himself resumed cigar making. He was employed first
by John Keiser and then for six years by Frank Hunt. In 1898 Mr.
Orth purchased Peter Krick’s stand, on Sixth street below Penn,
formerly William R. Eaches’ well-known place, and established
himself there till 1900 when he moved to his present location, No.
37 North Fifth street. This stand, which he bought from Edward
Luden, was one of the most up-to-date in the city and under Mr.
Orth its reputation has been more than sustained. It is located
next to the postoffice building, has a frontage of thirty feet in
dimensions, in the rear. This factory Mr. Orth greatly improved in
. June, 1906, and keeps fourteen hands busy at all times. When he
began he employed only two, but his business increased rapidly from
the first and now he has a fine local trade, supplying his products
to all the best cafes and hotels in the city. He makes principally
the Pompey Branch five cents, and Pompey Shorts, for chewing and
smoking, ten cents. The business is now conducted under the name of
A. R. Orth & Son.

In 1878 Mr. Orth married Ellen E., daughter of
William and Elizabeth Reider. There are three children, Annie,
Walter and Lizzie, the last a graduate of the Reading high school.
The family have their home in the store building, where a residence
portion has been carefully fitted up. Mr. Orth has never mingled
actively in politics but supports the Democratic party. Fraternally
he is a man of warm heart and charitable impulses, and is always a
generous giver to worthy causes. His business success has been
honestly won by his own unaided efforts, and he deserves the
confidence and esteem in which he is held by all who have dealings
with him.

OSWALD,
BENJAMIN

p. 1641

Surnames: OSWALD, ADAMS, REIGNALD, WEIDENHEIMER, PETERS, EBE, CASE,
QUIGLEY

Benjamin Oswald, who since 1905 has been engaged in the hotel
business at Birdsboro as proprietor of the “Mansion House,” so
familiar to the traveler in this part of the country, was born in
Greenwich township, Berks county, in 1843; son of Samuel and Sarah
(Adams) Oswald, and grandson of Peter Oswald.

Peter Oswald was an early resident of Berks
county, and was engaged as a farmer and stone mason.

Samuel Oswald was a son of Peter; he attended
the subscription schools of the county in his youth, and between
times assisted his father. At an early age he started out for
himself, following farming in the vicinity of Molltown. He also
became the owner of a farm in Lehigh county, and he made the
cultivation of the soil his life work. He was quick to see what was
practical in new methods of arming, and eagerly adopted those
suitable to his needs. Prosperity smiled upon him, and he was able
to retire some few years before his death, which occurred in 1880.
He married Sarah Adams, and they became the parents of these
children: Frederick, of Lehigh county; John, deceased; Susannah,
who married Moses Reignald; Daniel; Samuel; Sarah, who married
Samuel Weidenheimer; William, who makes his home in Lehigh county;
and Benjamin. They were Lutherans in religious belief.

Benjamin Oswald lived the life of a farmer’s son
until he was twenty-three years of age. The district schools
afforded him his educational advantages, and the home farm his
practical training. When he began life for himself, on leaving
home, he engaged in the coal, feed and lumber business at Chapman’s
Station for four years. He then rented a farm, which he cultivated
for three years, when he had an advantageous offer and sold out.
His next venture was as superintendent of an iron ore bank at
Kline’s Corners, in Longswamp township, and here he remained ten
years. At the end of that time he resumed farming, and for the
eleven succeeding years he carried it on which no little success,
but sold out to engage in the feed business at Alburtis. His
restless spirit looked for new worlds to conquer, and he then
opened a hotel at Pottstown, also farming a tract of 254 acres o
land for two years. In November, 1905, he came to Birdsboro, and
opened the “Mansion House,” a well known and first class hostelry,
of thirty-three rooms, all fitted in an up-to-date manner. He ahs
an excellent cuisine, and his table is sure to give satisfaction.
He also handles a full line of imported and domestic cigars and
liquors.

Mr. Oswald married Catharine Peters, and they
have had eight children, five of whom are living: Clara, who
married Harry Ebe; Herman; Mabel married a Mr. Case; Solomon P.;
Laura, who married Willis Quigley. They attend the Lutheran Church.
Mr. Oswald is a member of the F. O. E. Lodge at Reading.

OTTO, HENRY
M.

p. 920

Surnames: OTTO, GOODHART, HAIN, HOEHN, MENGEL, TREXLER, ZIEBER

Henry Muhlenberg Otto, at the time of his death a retired merchant
at Reading and director of the Commercial Trust Company, was born
at Reading, Jan. 4, 1826, and died there April 12, 1909. He was
educated in private schools, which were then maintained
successfully in the borough, and in the Reading Academy. After
completing his education he entered a large country store, carried
on by Horatio and William Trexler, brothers, at Longswamp, Berks
county, situated in the East Penn valley, twenty-two miles
northeast of Reading, and there he continued fourteen months. He
then returned to Reading and served in several stores until 1845,
when he became a clerk in the employ of his brother, John A. Otto,
at Taylorsville, in Schuylkill county, who was engaged in the
manufacture of iron. While there he received the appointment of
postmaster at the place from President James K. Polk, and he served
in that capacity four years, from 1845 to 1849.

Mr. Otto returned to Reading in 1849, and after
acting as a clerk for a short time opened a dry goods store for
himself on Penn street, between Third and Fourth, which he carried
on successfully until 1863. During this time, in September, 1862,
he was enlisted for a short period in the Civil war, serving as a
private in Company G. 2d Regiment. Pa. V. I. In 1863 he sold out
his store and removed to Williamsport to engage in the lumber
business with his brother, John A., and others, operating as John
A. Otto & Co. for three years. Afterward for four years he was
in the wholesale lumber business, having purchased a large area,
several thousand acres, of hemlock timber, in Elk county, Pa., and
formed a partnership with his son and son-in-law. The firm produced
and disposed of great quantities of timber, lumber and bark and
carried on a successful business until 1882, when the father
retired. He then moved to Baltimore, remaining there until 1891,
after which he was located at Reading, living in retirement.

Mrs. Henry M. Otto is a lineal descendant of
Casper Hoehn, the Palatinate immigrant, who settled with other
immigrants along the Tulpehocken creek in 1728. Her father was
Jacob H. Hain who engaged in the saddlery business at Reading for
many years. He officiated as clerk of the quarter Sessions of Berks
county, from 1872 to 1875. He died in 1891. He married Mary Ann
Goodhart, daughter of Jacob Goodhart, and had three children: Clara
Louise m. George P. Zieber; Alice V. m. Jonathan P. Mengel; Sarah
Agnes m. Henry M. Otto. Her grandfather was John Hain, of Lower
Heidelberg, who was a son of Daniel, a grandson of Heinrich, and a
great-grandson of George.

OTTO,
JACOB

p. 731

Surnames: OTTO, GEISLER, KIRUSE, LEYMASTER, GRING

Jacob Otto, who died at his residence, No. 833 Washington street,
May 23, 1094, at the age of sixty-seven years, was not an American
by birth, but had lived in this country since his seventeenth year.
He was born in 1837 in Hesse-Darmstadt, and brought to his adopted
country the sterling qualities which characterize the German race,
and make them so valuable a part of our body of citizens.

When he was sixteen years old Mr. Otto landed in
New York City, and proceeded directly to Reading. Although he had
learned the trade of shoemaking, he never followed it, and instead
worked at tinning under a Mr. Snell. He remained with him for a
number of years, and became a very skilled workman. In 1877, he
went into partnership in that same line with a Mr. Harper, under
the firm name of Harper & Otto, and for a long time they were
located on Seventh street near Penn, doing a general tinning
business. When that partnership was dissolved, Christ Geisler
became associated with Mr. Otto and the store was moved to No. 643
Penn street, its present location. In 1889 Mr. Otto bought out Mr.
Geisler and from that time conducted it by himself. Nine years
later his son John was made manager, but he died while still a
young man, and his brother, Harry W. was then given the place.
Since his father’s death, H. W. Otto has continued to conduct the
business in the interest of the estate.

Jacob Otto was married at the age of twenty-four
years to Miss Katherine Kiruse, and five children were born to
them; Emma, Mrs. Charles Leymaster, of Reading; John, who died at
the age of thirty-two; Kate, wife of David E. Gring, of Reading;
Minnie, who was born in 1873, and died in 1890; and Harry W. Mr.
Otto belonged both to the Odd Fellows and the Masons, being a
member in the latter order, of Teutonia Lodge, No. 367, F. & A.
M. A man of many estimable qualities he was esteemed by everyone
that knew him, and bore a deservedly high reputation among
Reading’s business men.

Harry W. Otto was born June 21, 1880, and was
educated in the public schools of Reading. In 1896 he was taken
into his father’s employ and has been connected with the business
ever since. Since assuming the sole responsibility he has proven
himself to be capable in business, and is very successful in his
management. Socially he is a Mason, a member of Chandler Lodge, No.
227; and also of the Knights of the Golden Eagle; the Order of
Buzzards; the Ivy Leaf Association and the Cadet Band.

OXENREITER, JOHN S.

p. 935

Surnames: OXENREITER, HAAS, LEINBACH, REISER, SHWARE, SPATZ,
WALLACE, ZELLER

John S. Oxenreiter, a highly esteemed citizen of Ontelaunee
township, Berks county, was born July 8, 1858, in Marion township,
near Womelsdorf, son of Benneville and Annie Magdalena (Spatz)
Oxenreiter. His grandparents, John and Sallie (Haas) Oxenreiter,
were the parents of thirteen children, as follows: John, Kate,
Michael, Benneville, Mary, Moses, Adam, Elizabeth, Isaac, Elias,
Harrison, Rebecca and Jesse.

Benneville Oxenreiter, who was a farmer by
occupation, married Annie Magdalena Spatz, daughter of Jacob and
Leah (Zeller) Spatz, and five children were born to this union:
Elvina, who married John Shware, has two children, Frank and
George; John S. is mentioned below; Mary died unmarried; Aaron
married Emma Wallace, and had three children, Charles, George and
Harry (the latter deceased); Frank died young. The mother died Jan.
8, 1908 and the father Aug. 24, 1908. Both are buried at Host St.
John’s Church, in Jefferson township, Berks county.

John S. Oxenreiter was reared and educated in
his native locality, and his youth was spent in assisting his
father on the home farm. On Sept. 26, 1885, he was married to Sarah
C. R. Leinbach, daughter of Washington and Esther (Rieser)
Leinbach, and to this union there have been born three children:
Alberta Esther, Hattie Lulu and Paul Washington, all unmarried.

In politics Mr. Oxenreiter is a Democrat, but he
has never aspired to public office. In his religious beliefs he is
a Lutheran, while the rest of the family belong to the Reformed
Church. Fraternally he is connected with Camp No. 237, P. O. S. of
A.; Fraternity Castle, No. 302, K. G. E. ; and Ontelaunee Council,
No. 985, O. of I. A.