Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

PAINE, ALLEN
C.

p. 1367

Surnames: PAINE, URICH, WAGNER, KLINEFELTER McCORKLE

Allen C. Paine, proprietor of the “City Hotel” and a prominent
citizen of Reading, Pa., was born in Lebanon county, Pa., and is a
son of William and Rebecca (Urich) Paine. The Paine family is of
English extraction and was founded in America by the grandfather of
Allen C. Paine, who, settled in Berks county, Pa., but later
removed to Lancaster county, where he became a man of substance and
prominence. He owned two fine farms and also operated a distillery,
and continued in active business life until his death. His children
were : William; John; Levi; Joseph; and Mary m. a Mr. Wagner and
now resides in Lebanon.

William Paine, father of Allen C., was born in
Berks county, Pa., and he was engaged in farming for many years in
Lebanon county. Practically his whole life was spent there. His
marriage was to Rebecca Urich and they had three children, namely:
Allen C., James, in a grocery business at Reading, and Elizabeth,
who married a Mr. Klinefelter, of Illinois. In political sentiment
William Paine was a Democrat.

Allen C. Paine was educated in the schools of
Lebanon County and in boyhood commenced learning the trade of
cabinet making. After working for three years at this business he
turned his attention to mercantile pursuits and was in business at
Schuylkill for twelve years and then disposed of his stock and
returned to Lebanon. Since then he has been more or less connected
with hotel-keeping at different points. He has been proprietor of
the “Central,” the “Palace” and the “Valley” hotels and has
established an. enviable reputation as a host.

In October, 1897, Mr. Paine came to Reading and
purchased the “Windsor Hotel,” which he successfully operated for
four and a half years, when he disposed of it to other parties. For
the two succeeding years Mr. Paine retired from business but
returned as the owner and proprietor of the “Hotel Weiler,” on the
corner of Eighth and Washington streets. This property he leased
and he remained its owner until the site was secured by the city
for a public school building, the hotel being dismantled. The
school building cost $25,000. Mr. Paine then purchased the “City
Hotel” on South Sixth street. This is one of the finest hostelries
in the city. It has sixty well furnished rooms, fitted with all
modern improvements, and the cuisine is second to none. This hotel
is a favorite one with theatrical people and commercial travelers.

In 1876 Mr. Paine married Miss McCorkle and they
have six children, viz.: Thomas, Raymond, Robert, Lizzie, Beulah
and Virginia. Politically Mr. Paine is a Democrat. Fraternally he
belongs to the Royal Arcanum, the I. O. O. F., the P. O. S. of A.,
and the K. G. E.

PAINTER,
GEORGE WASHINGTON

p.1466

Surnames: PAINTER, LOOSE, SPAHN, SPANGLER, RICE, MILLER, TICE,
SMITH, DUNDORE, GOCKLEY, SHOEMAKER, PEIFFER, KUNKLEMAN, MERTZ,
STELTZ

George Washington Painter, foreman of the molding department of the
Orr & Sembower Engine and boiler works, at Millmont, Pa., was
born April 18, 1860, at Bernville, Berks, county, son of Rev.
Joseph and Molly (Loose) Painter.

Jacob Painter, grandfather of George W., was a
farmer and furnace worker in Chester county, Pa., where his death
occurred. Rev. Joseph Painter, his son, was born Dec. 3, 1822, in
Chester county but most of his life has been spent in Myerstown,
where he has a fine residence on Main street. He was for many years
engaged in the foundry business, in which he was very successful,
and he is now living retired enjoying the fruits of his early
labors. In politics Mr. Painter is a Republican, and he has served
as county commissioner of Lebanon county, and school director of
Jackson township in that county. In the United Evangelical Church
of Myerstown he has held all the offices, was licensed a minister
of the church, and has preached the Word in different sections of
his own surrounding counties.

Rev. Mr. Painter married Molly Loose, daughter
of John Loose, of Lancaster county, and to them were born eleven
children: John, who m. (first) Mary Spahn, and (second) a lady
whose first name was Martha; Jacob, who m. (first) Fannie Spangler,
(second) Beckie Rice, and (third) Agnes Miller; Stephen, of
Beverly, Kans., who m. (first) Sallie Tice, and (second) Barbara
Smith; Joseph, who m. Kate Dundore; Anna, who m. Milton Gockley;
George W.; Mary who m. John Spangler; Tillie, who m. John
Shoemaker; Lizzie, who married George Peiffer; Samuel, who married;
and an infant son.

George W. Painter was taken to Myerstown by his
parents when three years old, and at that place he secured his
education in the public schools. When fifteen years old he left
school, and commenced to learn the molding trade in Myerstown, and
this he has followed ever since. In 1894 he took charge of the
molding department of Orr & Sembower’s plant at Millmont, where
he also has charge of the pattern department, having in his employ
forty-five men. He resides in his own home in Millmont, and is also
the owner of two fine properties on McKnight street, Reading. He is
a Republican in politics, and fraternally is connected with Camp
No. 65, P. O. S. of A., Lebanon, Pa.; Oley Lodge, No. 218, I. O. O.
F., of Reading; and Mount Penn Encampment, No. 252. Mr. and Mrs.
Painter are members of the United Evangelical Church of Myerstown.

On June 18, 1879, Mr. Painter married Adeline
Kunkleman, daughter of John and Catharine (Mertz) Kunkleman, and to
this union there were born six children: Joseph, who died in
infancy; Laura M. who m. S. F. Steltz, a teacher of Reading;
Martha, unmarried at home; Paul and Arthur, who died in infancy;
and Myron E., at home.

PAINTER,
JOHN R.

p. 823

Surnames: PAINTER, THOMAS, LEWIS, BULL, MCCORD, EVANS, KEHR, ORR,
SHEELER, BULL, POSEY, SCHICK, NAGLE, RASER, HALDERMAN, RHODA,
ERNOLD, GRUBB, PAUL, CORT

John R. Painter (deceased), who for many years was one of Reading’s
prominent business factors, was born Jan. 19, 1823, in Chester
county, Pa., son of John and Margaret (Thomas) Painter. The parents
of Mr. Painter were also natives of Chester county, but they were
of Scotch-Irish ancestry. The father was a farmer in moderate
circumstances, who lived and reared his family in the neighborhood
of St. Mary’s, where he gave them every advantage in his power as
to schooling and position in life. His children were: Frederick and
Ezekiel (both deceased), Eliza (m. John Lewis), Sarah (now
deceased, m. Thomas Bull), Annie (m. a Mr. McCord), Rachel (m. Lot
Evans, and died at the age of ninety years), Margaret (m. John
Painter), Catherine (m. John Kehr) and John R.

John R. Painter was still a child when his
father died, in 1829, and only a youth when his mother passed away
ten years later. His education was obtained in the common schools
of Chester county and he supported himself by working for
neighboring farmers until he was eighteen years of age, when he
secured a position with the Isabella Furnace Company. There he
learned the molder’s trade, which he followed at Spring City,
Philadelphia and Linfield, until 1867, when he was considered a
competent and experienced man in this business. In the year
mentioned Mr. Painter came to Reading, where in association with
Jess Orr, Jasper Sheeler, Elijah Bull, Henry Posey, William Schick,
Peter Nagle and others, he organized the Reading Stove Works. This
firm did an immense business from the start, each member being
skilled in the various departments of the industry. The plant was
enlarged from time to time to meet increased demands and it became
one of the largest stove foundries in Pennsylvania. Their trade
connections covered the whole world. This company had the
reputation of never having discharged a man who did his duty, and a
remarkable fact is that workers were so anxious to enter the employ
of this just firm that applications would be filed years ahead,
many waiting for mechanics to die to fill their places.

In this company Mr. Painter’s personality
largely entered. While he possessed business keenness and executive
ability of a high order, his character was that of a man of high
principles and no man could ever rightfully accuse him of
injustice. His charities increased in proportion to his means, and
as he was wholly without ostentation, the world will never know the
extent of his good deeds. His relations with his associates and
with his army of employes were cordial and friendly and the latter
knew that in him they always had a friend. Personally his tastes
were simple and his happiest hours were those spent at his own
fireside. His lamented death took place Dec. 12, 1883, after an
illness of two years duration. His afflictions were borne with
patience and forbearance. The death of such a man as John R.
Painter was indeed a loss to Reading, where his memory will long
remain green.

Mr. Painter was married (first) to Rebecca
Raser, a native of Montgomery county, Pa., and they had seven
children namely: Clara m. George Halderman, of Reading; Enoch T. is
of the firm of Prizer & Painter, stove manufacturers; John is
deceased; Brooks resides at Reading; Hannah, deceased, m. William
Rhoda; Lewis lives in Chicago, Ill.; and Margaret m. Howard Ernold.
Mr. Painter’s first wife died in 1865, and in 1869 he m. (second)
Rebecca Haller Grubb, widow of Henry Grubb, of Chester county, by
whom she had one child, Ella, who m. Charles F. Paul, and they have
three children-Dorothy G., Mary R. and Emily S. One child was born
to her marriage with John R. Painter, Lydia, wife of Prof. Ambrose
Cort, of New York City.

Mrs. Painter resides at No. 454 Douglass street.
When a young girl she united with the Reformed Church, and she has
been prominently identified with the work of that denomination to
the present time. Mr. Painter was a member of St. Peter’s M. E.
Church. In politics he was a Republican. He was a charter member of
Welcome Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Philadelphia.

PALM, MILTON
S.

p 1176

Surnames: PALM, BAST, KERN, RAISH, WILLIAMS, HEPLER, RICHARDS,
COLEMAN, ENGLE, RITTER, WAHINGTON

Milton S. Palm, who is carrying on an insurance business at No. 38
North Third street, Reading, Pa., was born Jan. 4, 1851, at Sinking
Spring, son of Charles and Anna (Bast) Palm, and a descendant of
one of this section’s early settlers.

Dr. John Palm was born July 25, 1713, son of
Mathias and Savilla Palm, in Heilsbronn, near Nuremberg, Germany.
In 1739 he took up his residence at Backnang, near Stuttgart, and
was married to Christiana Dorothy Kern. He studied medicine and was
given a diploma from the Medical College of Physicians and Surgeons
of Berlin in 1743. He practised medicine in Germany until 1749, and
then began to turn his attention to America, making arrangements to
dispose of his property. He set sail July l1, 1750, on the ship
“Patience,” arriving in New York Saturday morning, Aug. 11, 1750.
Locating in a small town known as Springfield, now one of the wards
of Elizabeth, N. J., he remained a few years, and then removed with
his family to Ephrata, Pa., where he practised medicine for a few
years, and in 1761 bought from Conrad Raish 1000 acres of ground,
laying out a town known as Palmyra, Lebanon county, then Lancaster
county. He practised his profession until May 5, 1777, when he
engaged his services to the Colonial Government as surgeon. He was
on General Greene’s staff, ad was prominent at the battle of
Brandywine Creek, Sept. 11, 1777, and related quite often how Gen.
George Washington came up to his army riding upon a white horse.
After the battle of Brandywine he helped remove the wounded to
Ephrata in ox carts to the Cloister, where he gave them every
attention until December, 1777, and then resumed his practice again
in Palmyra. He was married, after being a widower, to Elizabeth
Williams, by whom he had no children. He died April 25, 1799, and
lies buried at Binnagles Church.

Dr. William Palm, grandson of Dr. John, was a
prominent practising physician and surgeon for many years in
Sinking Spring and vicinity. He was born at that place Dec. 22,
1789, and there married Elizabeth Hepler. Twelve children were born
to this union: Catherine, William, Elizabeth, John, Julian, Isaac,
Henrietta, Charles, Franklin, Henry, Susan and Mary Ann the last
named being the only member of this family now living.

Charles Palm, father of Milton S., was born at
Sinking Spring, Berks county, and was educated in the schools of
the township. When a young man he engaged in the manufacture of
proprietary medicine, in which business he became very successful,
becoming well known throughout this section of the country. Mr.
Palm was married to Anna, daughter of Samuel Bast, of Kutztown,
Pa., and two children were born to this union: Susan, who died in
1863; and Milton S., of Reading. In June, 1863, Charles Palm
enlisted in Company C., 42nd Pa. V. I., serving therewith until
Aug. 11, 1863, and receiving his honorable discharge. He died March
8, 1886, aged sixty-three years, his wife surviving until Feb. 16,
1896, when she passed away, aged eighty years.

Milton S. Palm received his education in the
schools of Reading, and when a young man read law with J. S.
Richards, passing the examination successfully at the age of
nineteen years, but on account of his youth could not be admitted
to the Bar. He accepted a position with W. N. Coleman in the
insurance business, with the intention of remaining with him until
he had reached his majority, and then to gain his admission to the
Bar. The insurance business proved so successful, however, that he
continued therein with Mr. Coleman until Oct. 11, 1890, and since
that time on his own account. He has been very successful in this
line, and at the present time represents some of the leading
insurance companies in the country.

In 1870 Mr. Milton S. Palm was untied in
marriage with Rose Engle, and one son, Myron Raymond, has been born
to this union, he now being engaged with the Reading Iron Company.
Rm. Palm is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Palm died July 1,
1907.

Mr. Palm is a gentleman of pleasing personality,
and is a very brilliant conversationalist, having in stock an
endless number of stories and reminiscences, amusing and
interesting. The following was related to Mr. Palm in 1873, by Dr.
Christian Ritter: “Early in the morning of Oct. 2, 1793, I left
Oley township in company with a number of residents on horse-back
for Reading. We all dismounted at the corner of Washington and
Fifth street, known then as Callowhill and Thomas streets, at 8:30
a. m. We followed back of George Washington and escort across the
Schuylkill river, and then by the King’s Highway, making our first
stop with Dr. Peter Palm, Sinking Spring, at 9:30 a. m. The Doctor
invited the party in and there in the house a toast was given to
President Washington and his escort, all partaking of the ‘red-eye’
and lime stone water, President Washington sitting at the extreme
left of the settee. At the hour of ten they pursued their way to
Binckley a few miles further and under the spacious trees they
dismounted to see the venerable Binckley. At 10:30 o’clock they
galloped their steeds towards the Mid-Way House, now known as
Womelsdorf, reaching there at high noon, and took part in a lunch,
served at Stouch’s Inn. At 2:00 p. m. the party and the General
left for Stitestown, now Lebanon, and the Reading and Oley
participants returned, after hurrahs and salutes.”

PALMER-PORONER, F.

p. 1510 Surnames: PALMER-PORONER, PORONER, KREMP

F. Palmer-Poroner, of Reading, was born in Paris, France, Oct. 6,
1875. he is a graduate of the Paris Sorbonne, with the degree of B.
A., and also spent a year at Margate, England, where he became
proficient in the English language. He is a fine linguist, being a
fluent writer and speaker in both English and German as well as his
native French.

On Nov. 27, 1893, Mr. Poroner sailed from
Nantes, France, for America, and settled at once in Reading. He was
first employed in Louis Kremp’s real estate office, and remained
there until July 2, 1896. He then, after a month’s vacation, took
charge of the Wingate Collection Agency, which he conducted for
several months. In April, 1897, he was engaged by the Executive
committee inspecting the various building associations which had
claims against the Kremp estate. These numbered about twenty-five
and Mr. Poroner appeared as an expert witness before the
Arbitration court. While these legal contests were going on, Mr.
Poroner was made secretary of fifteen building associations, and to
facilitate their liquidation invested some $2,000,000 of their
money in 500 houses and hundreds of city lots. Mr. Poroner’s work
in this connection was more than satisfactory and led to his
establishing himself in the real estate business. He is now one of
the well known men in that line in Reading, and is doing well with
his office located at 606 Court street. He has a seat on the Board
of Trade. He belongs to St. Peter’s Catholic Church, and hence is
naturally found among the members of the Catholic and Benevolent
Social Union. He also belongs to the Knights of Columbus.

PARKER, J.
HEBER

p.1165

Surnames: PARKER, COTTEREL, ZIEGLER, STEIN

J. Heber Parker, assistant superintendent of the Carpenter Steel
Works, was born in 1881, in Reading, son of William H. and
Elizabeth (Cotterel) Parker.

Mr. Parker’s educational advantages were secured
in the public schools of his native city and he was graduated from
the Reading High School in 1896. His first employment was with P.
M. Ziegler, the druggist, with whom he remained about sixteen
months, when he took a post-graduate course at the high school.
After leaving this institution, Mr. Parker engaged with J. H.
Stein, at Eighth and Penn streets, remaining in this gentleman’s
employ for four years, and at the end of this time went to
Philadelphia and entered the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, from
which he was graduated in 1902, with the degree of Doctor of
Pharmacy. Mr. Parker then went to Cornell University, where he took
the full course in Chemical Engineering, graduating in 1905 with
the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He returned to Reading, and entered
the employ of the Carpenter Steel Company and was appointed
assistant superintendent in 1907.

PARVIN, MORDECAI S.

p. 925

Surnames: PARVIN, LOYD, SHARPLESS, WARRINGTON, HARTMAN, LEINBACH

Mordecai S. Parvin, one of Ontelaunee township’s substantial
citizens, who is extensively engaged as a tanner and currier,
resides on the old Parvin homestead, and is the fifth in descent to
operate this old, historic property.

About 1729 Francis Parvin, the
great-great-grandfather of Mordecai S., built a long house, which
stood in the orchard close to the present home. The Parvins, being
a family of Quakers, were on friendly terms with the Indians, and
always left the latch string of their home out for the
accommodation of the red men. It was a common occurrence for the
Indians to enter the house at night, sleep on the kitchen floor and
leave at day break when the family arose. In 1758, Francis Parvin’s
son, also named Francis, built a house close the old log house, at
what is now known as Berkley. It was of stone and well and
substantially made, consisting of two rooms and a hall below. In
1856 Jacob Parvin, father of Mordecai S., built an addition to this
at the east end and plastered the whole building on the outside,
thus destroying the original appearance of the place somewhat, but
adding to its attractiveness. This is the home of the Parvin family
today. The elder Parvins also interested themselves to some extent
in the welfare of the colored people, and several of them lived at
the Parvin home, namely: Joe, Bill and Frisbie Loyd, the latter of
whom removed to Reading and became engaged in the restaurant and
lottery ticket business.

Jacob Parvin, father of Mordecai S., and the
fourth in descent to occupy the old homestead, died Feb. 6, 1905,
the father of the following children: Miss Sibilla S. resides with
her brother Mordecai; Susanna m. Thomas Sharpless, a farmer of near
West Chester, Chester county, and has three children, James F.,
Thomas K. and Francis P.; Ellen S. m. T. Francis Warrington, of
West Chester, and has two children, Anna L. and Debora P.; and
Mordecai S.

Mordecai S. Parvin was born in 1858, just 100
years after the house were he now resides was built, and he has
followed in the footsteps of his forefathers, and is successfully
engaged in business as a tanner and currier. On Nov. 19, 1903, he
married Carrie Hartman, daughter of George C. and Rebecca J.
(Leinbach) Hartman, and two children have been born to this union:
Jacob H., born Jan. 11, 1905, who died Jan. 16, 1905; and Mordecai
H., born Feb. 24, 1907.

PAUL, HARRY
J.

p. 131

Surnames: PAUL, DANN, REICHERT, HIMMELBERGER, MILLER

Harry J. Paul, tinsmith and dealer in stoves at Strausstown, Berks
county, was born Nov. 27, 1875, at Shartlesville, in Upper Bern
township, this county. He is a grandson of Daniel Paul, a stone
mason, who lived and died at Reading, Pa., and whose children were
Daniel, Irwin, Emma (who married Joseph Dann) and John A.

John A. Paul was born at Reading. He has long
been a resident of Shartlesville, where he is still engaged at
painting, being a tradesman of excellent reputation. He married
Rebecca Reichert, daughter of Jacob Reichert, and to them have been
born five children: Harry J., Irwin (living at Scull Hill), Katie
(deceased), Jennie (deceased) and Calvin (deceased).

Harry J. Paul received his education in the
schools of Upper Tulpehocken township. He learned the painter’s
trade under his father, and followed that occupation for a period
of six years, until his enlistment for service in the
Spanish-American war. He entered Company E, 4th Pennsylvania
Volunteers, and went with his command to Porto Rico, where he was
in active service for six months under General Miles. Returning
home, he was engaged at farm work for a few years, in 1902
embarking in his present business, in which he has enjoyed a good
patronage from the start. He employs three or four men constantly,
doing all kinds of roofing, roof drain and repair work, and beside
this regular line deals in automobiles as agent for the Ford car
and conducts a repair shop for automobiles. Mr. Paul holds the
contract for driving the mail between Hamburg and Strausstown, but
at present lets this contract, though he drove it himself for two
years. He became very well known in this connection throughout this
section of the county.

On Oct. 8, 1898, Mr. Paul married Miss Sallie
Himmelberger, daughter of Levi W. and Sarah (Miller) Himmelberger.
Mr. Paul is a member of the Reformed Church, and in politics quite
active as a Democrat. He has served as committeeman, election judge
and inspector of elections, and was elected constable of Upper
Tulpehocken township in April, 1908.

PAXSON, LEVI
B.

p. 386

Surnames: PAXSON, KRAFT

Levi B. Paxson, one of the most widely known mechanical engineers
and long in the service of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway
Company, died at his home, No. 218 North Sixth street, Reading,
April 12, 1909. He was born in Chester county, Pa., March 22, 1827,
of mixed English and German descent. His father’s ancestors were
English Quakers, while his mother was of German origin. He was
married in 1851 to Miss Mary A. F. Kraft, of Reading, Pa., and
there were six children born to them, four of whom, three daughters
and one son, lived to reach adult age.

Mr. Paxson entered the service of the
Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company as a brakeman on a coal
train in October, 1847. In February, 1848, he was promoted to be
fireman on a coal train engine, and after firing about two years
was given an engine to run, and continued to serve as a locomotive
engineer until the summer of 1852, when he arranged with the
Company to go into the Reading Machine Shops as an apprentice to
the machinist’s trade for a term of four years. A short time before
the expiration of this term he was taken from the shops and given
the position of wreck master, and later assigned the additional
duty of foreman of the Reading Round House. In February, 1864, he
was appointed master machinist at Port Richmond, Philadelphia, and
in December, 1866, was made superintendent of the Mahanoy and Broad
Mountain Railroad with office at Mahanoy Plane. In February, 1871,
he was transferred to Reading, with title of master machinist in
charge of the shops of the system. In January, 1873, he was
appointed engineer of machinery, and retained the position until
February 29, 1886, at which date he left the services of the
Company for a time. On July 1, 1888, he was appointed acting
superintendent of motive power and rolling stock equipment, and the
following year was given the full title, and he retained that
position until Aug. 1, 1899, when he assumed the position of
consulting mechanical engineer, a place specially created for him.