Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

BAGENSTOSE,
JACOB

p. 854 Surnames: BAGENSTOSE, BACKENSTOSS, SNYDER,
MOYER, RUNKEL, HIMMELBERGER, SHARFF, KAUFFMAN, DUNDORE, LENGEL,
REEDY, GEISS, GAUL, ECKEL, KLOPP, SPADE, LOOSE, SPEICHER, DAVIS,
DIETRICH, KALLBACH, BOHN

JACOB BAGENSTOSE, a highly esteemed retired agriculturist of Bern
township, Berks county, who is acting in the capacity of school
director of West Leesport borough, was born in Centre township, May
22, 1849, son of William and Margaret (Snyder) Bagenstose.

Ulrich Bagenstose, ancestor of the Bagenstose
family of Berks county, was probably a passenger on one of the
ships that brought Swiss emigrants to Philadelphia in 1743. These
emigrants followed the waters of the Schuylkill river until they
came to what is now Centre township, Berks county. This district
was formerly a part of old Bern township, and among the list of
taxables in 1752, we find the name of this pioneer settler. His
long will is on record in Will Book B. p. 347, in which he disposes
of a very large estate. It is written in English, the signature
alone being in German “Ulrich Backenstoss.” The document was made
Nov. 20, 1793, and was entered for probate Jan. 20, 1794, therefore
it is evident that his death occurred between those two dates. In
item No. 1 in the will he makes abundant provision for his wife
Catherine, among the things mentioned being: “Plenty of grapes from
the one acre vineyard; flax; one gallon apple-jack; one gallon rum;
plenty of potatoes; plenty of cider and everything she needs.” This
she was to receive annually, in addition to money and a home. Other
items were: son John to receive the plantation; son Henry to
receive the plantation in Bethel township, Dauphin (now Lebanon)
county; and Jacob to receive the other plantation of 100 acres
situated in Bethel township. The will, which also mentioned
children Elizabeth, Susanna, Catherine Eckel, and Christina Moyer,
was witnessed by Jacob Runkel and Jacob Himmelberger, and the
executors were John Bagenstose and George Sharff.

John Bagenstose, the grandfather of Jacob, was
born on the homestead farm in Centre township, and lived near
Garfield P. O. all of his life, engaged in blacksmithing and
farming. He was the owner of two properties, consisting of 150 and
160 acres respectively, and was a substantial and influential
citizen. Mr. Bagenstose and his family were members of Belleman’s
Union Church, belonging to the Lutheran congregation. He was
married to Elizabeth Himmelberger, and they had these children;
John, who died young; Jacob; Samuel; Jonah (Jonathan); Rebecca;
Kate; John (2); Sallie; William and Benneville.

William (better known as Willhelm) Bagenstose,
father of Jacob, was born in what is now Centre township, Berks
county, July 3, 1814, and died Jan. 25, 1899. He was a farmer, and
owned four tracts of land: one of 155 acres in Centre township; one
in Bern township of 135 acres; another of 125 acres in Centre
township; and 16 acres of woodland at the Blue Mountains in Tilden
township. He was an able business man and highly esteemed citizen,
and one of the leading workers in the Democratic party in his
section. With his family he attended Belleman’s Union Church,
belonging to the Lutheran denomination. Mr. Bagenstose was married
to Margaret Snyder, who was born Nov. 4, 1814, and died Dec. 27,
1899, daughter of Abraham and Catherine (Klopp) Snyder, and they
had these ten children: Sarah m. Jonah Spade; Keziah; Samuel S.,
born April 3, 1841, and now a retired farmer residing at West
Leesport, m. May 3, 1862, Dianna Loose, and has children, Clara,
Ida, Saloma, Morris and Samuel; Catherine m. a Speicher; Isaac;
Jacob; Ellen m. Cyrus Davis; Emma m. Cyrus Kauffman; Mary m. Howard
Dietrich; and William.

Jacob Bagenstose was reared to agricultural
pursuits, and until thirty-five years old worked for his parents,
at which time he took to farming the old homestead, where he
continued until 1899. He then erected a handsome brick residence on
Main street, West Leesport borough, where he has since lived
retired. Mr. Bagenstose is the owner of the old homestead in Centre
township, which consists of 176 acres and the present barn thereon
was built by his grandfather, John, in 179-, the house being
erected by his father in 1830. Mr. Bagenstose is a Democrat, and
since 1901 he has served as a member of the board of school
directors of West Leesport, having served as president thereof for
some time. He is in comfortable circumstances and is the guardian
of the late Isaac Bagenstose’s children, his nephews and nieces.
Mr. Bagenstose and his family are Lutheran members of Belleman’s
Union Church, in which he was a deacon in 1892, and at present is
an elder.

On Dec. 25, 1885, Mr. Bagenstose married Katie
Lengel, daughter of Levi and Catherine (Dundore) Lengel, whose
children are: Nathaniel, of North Heidelberg; Emma m. William
Kallbach; Tillie m. Adam Bohn, and Katie m. Mr. Bagenstose.

The grandparents of Mrs. Bagenstose were Jacob
and Elizabeth (Reedy) Lengel, and their children were: Elias, a
resident of Iowa; Benneville, of North Heidelberg; Joshua, of
Millbach, Lebanon county; Jared, of Millersberg; Levi; Percival, of
Spring township; Rebecca m. George Snyder; Amelia m. Harrison
Geiss; and Isabella m. John Gaul.

BAGENSTOSE, JEROME, B.

p.
1495

Surnames: BAGENSTOSE, ZERBE, LEINBACH, BENDER, EPTING,
NAFTZINGER

JEROME B. BAGENSTOSE, of Penn township, proprietor of the “Penn
Valley Hotel,” was born in the place where he now resides, Jan. 30,
1879, son of Daniel and Emma (Bender) Bagenstose.

Jonathan Bagenstose, grandfather of Jerome B.,
followed farming in Centre township, where he died, being buried at
Belleman’s Church. On March 21, 1833 (according to the old family
Bible now in the possession of Jerome B. Bagenstose). Jonathan
Bagenstose married Maria, daughter of John Zerbe, and the same
authority gives the births of their children as follows: Israel,
Nov. 25, 1833, and William, Sept. 20, 1835, who are both living in
Centre township; Catherine, March 22, 1837, and Johannes, Feb. 9,
1839, both of whom died in Centre township; Elias, April 14, 1841,
who died in Penn Valley, May 17, 1904; Sarah, March 13, 1843
married to Mayberry Leinbach, and living in Centre; Daniel, Feb.
25, 1845; Isaac, Nov. 26, 1847, living in Mahonoy City, Schuykill
county; Henrich, Sept. 23, 1849, living in Centre; and Levi, Sept.
9, 1851, living in Downingtown, Chester county.    
Daniel Bagenstose was born in Centre township and when a young man
engaged in work upon the home farm, but later learned the
carpenter’s trade, which he followed for several years. He came to
Penn Valley, in 1875, where he engaged in the hotel business, in
which he continued for a period of thirty years, his death
occurring Aug. 7, 1903. He was a director in he Bernville Live
Stock Insurance Company, and the Bernville Horse Protection
Association, positions which are now held by his son Jerome B., and
he was also delegate to numerous county conventions. He is buried
at Belleman’s Church. Mr. Bagenstose married Emma Bender, daughter
of John Bender, and they had the following children: James, who
died in Penn Valley; Francis, who died in Penn Valley; Jerome B.;
and two who died in infancy.

Jerome B. Bagenstose attended the public schools
of Penn Valley and assisted his father in the hotel business,
taking charge thereof in 1894 and in 1905 he purchased the hotel
property, eighty-two acres of land fifteen miles from Reading on
the Bernville road. This is one of the oldest established stands in
the county, and Mr. Bagenstose enjoys a fine traveling trade. He is
a Democrat in politics, and in addition to serving on election
boards in his township, was made a member of the school board in
1902 and reelected in 1907, and he is now serving as postmaster at
Scull Hill. He is a member of Belleman’s Lutheran Church.
Fraternally he is connected with Camp No. 399, P. O. S. of A., of
Scull Hill; Commandery No. 15, of Bernville; and Lodge No. 122, I.
O. O. F., of Bernville.

Mr. Bagenstose married Polly Naftzinger,
daughter of Isaac and Mary (Epting) Naftzinger, and they have three
children: Francis, Clarence, and Florence, and the two later being
twins.

BAHR FAMILY

p.
1351

Surnames: BAHR, BAR, IHST (EHST), STAUFFER, KEIM, EDINGER, BECHTEL,
MAURER, BLIEM, NOLL, KEPNER, JOHNSON, DAVIDHEISER, SHULTZ, HARTMAN,
CLOUSER, GABEL, HOCH, NESTER, SCHEETZ

Among the early Mennonites who settled in Pennsylvania and
particularly in Berks county, was a family by the name of Bahr.
Tradition says the emigrant ancestor of this family was Leonard
Bar, who is buried in the cemetery at Hill Church. He was born in
1734, and he died March 9, 1813, and his wife, Maria (also called
Magdalena) was buried at his side. She was born August 28, 1738,
daughter of Nicholas Ihst (Ehst), a native of Switzerland and a
pioneer of Colebrookdale township, Berks county. She died July 2,
1820, aged eighty-two years, two months, four days. On her
tombstone the name is spelled Bahr: and on that of her husband Bar,
the latter also stating that there were two sons and two daughters.

Jacob Bahr was born Dec. 25, 1759, and his death
occurred Dec. 11, 1825, when he was aged sixty-five years, eleven
months, sixteen days. His wife, Esther Stauffer, born June 23,
1749, died Feb. 10, 1836, aged seventy-six years, seven months,
seventeen days. They were Mennonites in religious faith, and were
buried in the Mennonites cemetery at Boyertown.

Johannes Bahr, son of Jacob and Esther, was born
Dec. 26, 1780. He owned the farm of over seventy acres now owned by
William Keim, and also the tract belonging to William C. Edinger,
and the farm of his grandson John B. Bahr. He died Jan. 20, 1864,
aged eighty-three years, twenty-four days. On July 5, 1807, he
married Catherine Bechtel, born Oct. 15, 1784, daughter of Isaac
Bechtel. She died Oct, 10, 1850, aged sixty-six years, one day.
Both she and here husband are buried in the Mennonite cemetery at
Boyertown. Their children were: Elizabeth, born Aug. 18, 1808, died
Jan. 15, 1815; Jacob B., born July 18, 1814; Ester, born Dec. 19,
1816; Catherine, born Feb. 5, 1818, married John Maurer, and lived
on the homestead; Susanna, born Sept. 3, 1820, died unmarried;
Isaac, born June 21, 1826.

Jacob B. Bahr, son of Johannes, was born in
Colebrookdale township, July 18, 1814, and he died July 19, 1882,
and is buried in Fairview cemetery. He was a life long farmer and
prospered in his undertaking. He owned a farm of 125 acres near
Boyertown, the farm now the property of his son, John B., and he
built all the buildings there, the barn in 1864, and the house in
1869. In politics he was a Democrat, and served as school director
of the township. His wife, Catharine Bliem, was born April 27,
1823, and died March 16, 1890, daughter of John Bliem, of
Pottsgrove township, Montgomery county. They were the parents of
children as follows: Elam, who died young; Sarah, who married
Samuel Noll of Reading; Lucy, wife of Chester Kepner, of Pottstown;
Lizzie, who married M. Y. Johnson, of New Berlinville; Matilda, who
became the wife of William Davidheiser, of Pottstown; Mary, who
died unmarried; Kate, wife of Samuel Bechtel, of Congo; John B.;
and Annie, who married John Y. Shultz, of Trexlertown.

John B. Bahr, son of Jacob B., is a prosperous
farmer living at Gabelsville, in Colebrookdale township, Berks
county. He was born Jan. 26, 1861, and was educated in the common
schools of his district for a short time. He worked for his parents
until he was twenty-five years old, and then bean farming for
himself on the homestead, which he continues to operate. This is a
tract of one hundred acres, Mr. Bahr having added twenty acres to
it. He has a fine dairy, keeping twelve to fifteen cows, and ships
his milk to Boyertown. His land is kept in fine condition, and the
home is comfortable and attractive with its well kept lawn. There
is an excellent spring on the place. Mr. Bahr has some of the
finest horses in Lower Berks county. In politics Mr. Bahr is a
Democrat. He and his family attend St. John’s Church at Boyertown,
in which he served four years as deacon. He has the old family
Bible, once the property of his grandfather, bearing the date 1765.
Mr. Bahr was married in October, 1888, to Annie Hartman, of
Spangsville. They had children: Luella, Arthur, Nora, William,
Edna, and Warren, the last named dying in infancy.

Jacob B. Bahr, son of Jacob B., and now a
leading merchant, miller and sawmill proprietor, was born in
Colebrookdale township, near where he now lives, April 11, 1863. He
attended the schools of his district and was reared to farming
pursuits, working for his parents until twenty-five years old. He
then married and located in Gabelsville, in 1888, at once engaging
in the lumber and sawmill business, and in a small way operated a
gristmill. In 1900 he engaged in the mercantile business, where he
has two persons employed. He runs a huckster team, and does a
profitable business. There are fifty-seven acres of land in his
farm, three houses (two of which he rents) a mill and a sawmill,
barn and necessary out buildings. He is the leading spirit in the
town, and altogether employs three men besides his three sons. The
place on which he lives is the old Gabel homestead. His wife was
Mary Gabel, daughter of John L. and Leah (Hoch) Gabel. She is
buried in Fairview cemetery. To this union were born four children:
William who died in infancy; Elmer, assisting his father; and
Raymond and Lawrence also working on the home place. Mr. Bahr
married (second) in November 1905, Mrs. Alice Nester, nee Scheetz,
widow of William Nester; Mr. Bahr and his family belong to St.
John’s Church at Boyertown, where he was deacon for two terms of
two years each.

BALTHASER, HOWARD F.

p.
1438

Surnames: BALTHASER, GRETH, BOYER, RENNO, SUNDAY, BAER, KAUFFMAN,
HECK, FAUST, BECKER, NOECKER, HOOVER, RAMBO, YOUNG

Howard F. Balthaser, a butcher at Reading, was born in Upper Bern
township, Aug. 3, 1860, son of Jacob Balthaser (3), grandson of
Jacob (2), and great-grandson of Jacob Balthaser (1). Jacob
Balthaser (1) was an extensive farmer in Upper Bern township,
owning some four hundred acres of fine land, and he was very well
known throughout that section both for his handsome appearance and
for his habit of driving in a very high wheeled, high-seated buggy,
often taking his wife to church in that vehicle. He is buried at
St. Michael’s Church in Tilden township. He married Molly Greth,
daughter of Nicholas Greth, of Windsor, and they had children as
follows; Sarah, who married Jacob Boyer; Hannah, who married Jacob
Renno; Jacob; John, born in 1814, who died in Windsor township;
Mary, who married Benjamin Sunday; George, born in 1824, who died
in 1899; William, who settled in Ontelaunee township; Isaac, who
was drowned in boyhood; Elizabeth, who married John Baer; Susanna,
who married Edwin Kauffman; Jeremiah, who remained in Upper Bern
township; Samuel; and Benjamin, who lived on the homestead.

Jacob Balthaser (2), son of Jacob, was born in
Upper Bern township, and died in Lower Heidelberg, being buried at
Bern church, of which he was a member (Lutheran). He removed from
Upper Bern to Penn, thence to Lower Heidelberg in 1858, and there
at the time of his death he owned a farm of 112 acres. He married
Sarah Kauffman, who bore him thirteen children, as follows:
Cornelius, of Bern township; Caroline, who died aged fifty-six
years; Jacob, of Bern township; Sarah, who died unmarried aged
twenty-one years; Henry, a farmer of Lower Heidelberg township;
Charles, who carries on agricultural pursuits in Bern township;
Lovina, who died aged fourteen years; George, a farmer of Lower
Heidelberg; Emanuel, who resides in Reading; Moses K., now living
retired in Reading; Louisa, who married Adam Heck; and Elizabeth
and Rosabella, twins, the latter of whom died in infancy.

Jacob Balthaser (3), son of Jacob (2), and
father of Howard F., was born in Upper Tulpehocken in 1843, and he
died Nov. 4, 1905, at the age of sixty-two years. His interment
took place in Bern township cemetery. He owned a farm of
sixty-eight acres in Bern township, to which he devoted his active
years, until his removal to Reading to engage in the butchering
business; this latter he carried on some fifteen years. He returned
to his farm in Bern township before his death. He married Lena
Faust, who now resides in West Reading. Their children were; Howard
F.; John; Thomas; Sallie, who married Alvin Becker; Jacob; Emma,
who married Howard Noecker; Franklin, deceased; William; and one
that died in infancy.

Howard F. Balthaser was educated in the public
schools of Reading. At the age of nine he began driving for the
United Traction Company, remaining with them two years. He then
when twelve years old began to learn the butcher business with
Henry Hoover (now deceased), and is still in the employ of Hoover
& Son, a brother-in-law of the original head of the firm
conducting the business. Mr. Balthaser resides at No. 1150 Chestnut
Street, in his own home. He married Miss. Norma Rambo, daughter of
Joseph and Mary A. (Young) Rambo. They have no children. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Balthaser and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church.
He is connected, fraternally, with the P. O. S. of A., No. 89, and
K. G. E., No. 89, and K. G. E., No. 51, both of Reading.

BALTHASER, JEROME S.

p.
910

Surnames: BALTHASER, KISSLING, DE TURK, FOLK, KAUFFMAN, WAGNER,
STOUDT, GRIFFI, NIES, NEFF, RENTSCHLER, LOOSE, SCHOCK, BUCKS
Jerome S. Balthaser, dealer in farm implements at Centreport, Berks
county, has been engaged in that line since 1894. He was born March
15, 1864, in Upper Bern township, this county, and is a
great-grandson of Jacob Balthaser.

Samuel Balthaser, his grandfather, lived in Penn
township, Berks county, and followed farming, owning 110 acres of
land. He died there at the age of fifty-six years, and is buried at
St. Michael’s Church, in what is now Tilden township. His wife,
whose maiden name was Mary Kissling, is buried beside him. They had
children as follows: Jared K.; Levi; Aaron; William; John; Monroe;
Mary m. Abraham De Turk; Lydia m. William Folk; Amelia m. Levi
Kauffman; Isabella m. John L. Wagner, of Bernville.

Jacob K. Balthaser was born Sept. 12, 1843, and
died Jan. 31, 1903. He is buried at St. Michael’s Church. He was
engaged as a farmer and implement dealer in Upper Bern township and
also in Upper Tulpehocken township, being in business for about
thirty years. He owned two tracts of land, one of 103 acres and one
of forty-eight acres, and he was well known throughout his section.
He married Harriet Stoudt, daughter of David Stoudt, of Upper Bern
township, and ten children were born to them: Jerome S.; Hon.
Francis W., of Fleetwood, served in the State House of
Representatives in 1906; Milton resides in Kutztown; Kate m. John
Griffi, of Seipstown, Lehigh county, Pa.; Annie m. William Nies, of
Tilden township; Rosa m. Ambrose Neff, of Seipstown, Lehigh county,
Pa.; Daniel C., is a baker, of Shoemakersville, Pa.; Wilson lives
on the old homestead in Upper Tulpehocken township; Ida is
unmarried; and Anson is a member of the class off 1909 at the
Keystone State Normal School.

Jerome S. Balthaser attended the public schools
in Upper Bern township and in assisting his father learned the
details of farming and the implement business both of which lines
he has continued to follow. In 1888 he began farming on his own
account at the old homestead in the corner of Upper Bern township,
and after remaining there four years came to Centreport in 1892. In
1894 he bought the old Michael Rentschler farm, the farm of his
father -in-law, formerly the Benneville Loose place, which
comprises thirty acres of good land, most of it lying outside of
the borough, in Centre township. His fine residence, which he built
in 1894, is just about ten feet outside of the borough line, and
there he and his family have since resided. Mr. Balthaser started
the implement business in 1894 and has built up a large trade,
handling all kinds of farm machinery and devoting his time
principally to this line, in which he has made such a decided
success. He owns the hotel property at Centreport, one of the best
of its kind in the county. Outside of his business and personal
affairs he has various interests which keep him busy and in touch
with the life of the community, at present serving as health
officer of Centre township, to which office he was appointed. He
was elected school director and held that position for three years.
Socially he holds membership in Camp No. 446, P. O. S. of A. at
Centreport, of which he has been treasurer since 1896; in Castle
No. 53, K. G. E. of Leesport; and in Lodge No. 60 Shepherds of
Bethlehem, of Centreport. He plays bass in the central band of
Centreport, which was organized in 1894; is a member of St.
Michael’s Church, and a Democrat in politics.

Mr. Balthaser was married to Emma Rentschler,
daughter of Michael G. and Caroline (Schock) Rentschler, of Upper
Bern township, and they have become the parents of four children:
Emerson; Oliver, who married Herma Bucks, daughter of Levi Bucks;
Walter and Rufus.

BALTHASER,
JOEL B.

p. 1679

Surnames: BALTHASER, BEAHR, GRETH, BOYER, RENNO, SUNDAY, BAER,
BECK, SMITH, YEAGER, DUNKEL, KEIM, SMITH, ADAM, BECK, KERSCHNER,
LEIBY, SEIDEL, DREIBELBIS, FINK, KAUFFMAN

Joel B. Balthaser, who died April 4, 1909, was a well known
agriculturist of Berks County, Pa., residing in Perry township. He
was born May 31, 1847, in Balthaser’s Valley in Windsor’s township,
son of John and Catherine (Beahr) Balthaser.

Jacob Balthaser, grandfather of Joel B., who was
an extensive farmer of Upper Bern (now Tilden) township, possessed
over 400 acres of land. He married Maria (Molly) Greth, who was a
member of the Catholic faith and contributed fifty dollars towards
the erection of the Hamburg Catholic Church, and to them were born
these children: Sarah m. Jacob Boyer; Hannah m. Jacob Renno; Jacob,
who was a farmer of Lower Heidelberg township, m. a lady whose
first name was Sallie and had these children: Cornelius, Caroline,
Henry, Charles, George, Emanuel, Moses and Lizzie; John; Mary (m.
Benjamin Sunday); George (who was a farmer of Windsor township);
William (who settled in Ontelaunee, owned land in Upper Bern and
Hamburg, was a merchant and very well-to-do); Isaac (who was
drowned when a boy); Elizabeth (m. John Baer); Susannah (m. Edwin
Kauffman); Jeremiah (who remained in his native township, had these
children, — Helena, Annie, John, Elias and William); Samuel; and
Benjamin (who obtained the homestead, had a son, David, who now
occupies the old home, and the latter’s children are, — Minnie;
Jacob; Frank; Mollie; Milan; Benjamin; Maurice; Nathan; James;
Polly; George, and Ruth).

John Balthaser, father of Joel B. was born in
Upper Bern township, Berks County, Feb. 21, 1814, and was a well
known farmer of Windsor township, where he owned three valuable
farms in what is now known as Balthaser’s Valley, the three tracts
aggregating 385 acres. He was an influential man in his community
and was greatly interested in educational movements, and was
greatly interested in educational movements, being one of the first
school directors of the township, a position held by him for many
years. He assisted in building up the public school system, and one
of the schoolhouses is situated on his property, being known as
“Balthaser’s Schoolhouse No. 1.” He was a Democrat in political
faith. He and his family were members of Zion’s Union Church, he
being Lutheran, while his wife belonged to the Reformed
denomination.

On May 21, 1842, Mr. Balthaser was married to
Catherine Beahr, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Fink) Beahr,
farming people of Perry township, and their children are: Isabella
(m. Solomon Dreibelbis, of Hamburg, Pa.); Emeline (m. Henry G.
Seidel, the owner of one of the old Balthaser homesteads, whose
record appears elsewhere in this volume); Joel B.; Sarah (unmarried
and residing with her sister, Mrs. Seidel); Alfred, who resides at
Lenhartsville, m. Hannah Leiby; Catherine (deceased, m. Orlando
Kerschner); and Brigitta (who was Mr. Kerschner’s second wife).

The boyhood days of Joel B. Balthaser were spent
upon the farm, and his early education was obtained in the public
schools of his district. At the age of fourteen years he attended
Lititz Academy, Lancaster county, which was under the supervision
of Prof. John S. Beck. After leaving school he returned to the
farm, and when eighteen years of age taught at Balthaser’s
Schoolhouse No 1, continuing there two terms. Several years later
he engaged in farming, in which he was most successfully engaged up
to the time of his death. Mr. Balthaser was a progressive and
enterprising citizen, and his 147 acre farm, supplied as it with
the latest machinery, including a gasoline engine, with a capacity
of 2,500 gallons, is in the best of condition. The farm contains a
high grade of iron ore, and in the eighties Wise & Company
mined some of these ores which were shipped to the surrounding
plants then in operation. Mr. Balthaser was a practical farmer, and
the buildings on his properties, which were erected by him are well
situated and of a substantial character. Mr. Balthaser also owned
the old homestead in Windsor township, tenanted by his son,
Llewellyn J., who is a prosperous young farmer.

Mr. Balthaser was a Democrat. He was the
committeeman of his party for two years, was delegate to many
county conventions, was for six years school director in Windsor
township, and for twenty-three years justice of the peace in the
same district, resigning the office when he removed from that
district to his late residence. He was a Lutheran member of Zion’s
Union Church of Perry township, in which he was for many years as
elder. His family are also members of that church.

On May 15, 1869, Mr. Balthaser was married to
Esther A. Sunday, daughter of Jacob and Leah (Dunkel) Sunday, of
Greenwich township, and to this union were born children as
follows: Llewellyn J., a farmer of Windsor township, m. Lizzie
Adam; Ida C. (m. Milton W. Smith, the well known merchant of
Virginville, Pa., whose record appears elsewhere in this volume);
Clara S, (m. William S. Yeager of Reading); Hettie Ann (m. John D.
Keim, who resides on his father-in-laws farm); Missouri S., Oscar
J. and Zenus I. J., single at home; and Mary A., Emma S. and Dinah
M., all deceased.

BALTHASER, JOHN C. K.

p.
1040

Surnames: BALTHASER, KISSLING, DE TURK, FOLK, KAUFFMAN, WAGNER,
MENGEL, REINSEL, FEIK

John C. K. Balthasar, the present auditor of Centre township and a
farmer in that region, was born near Scull Hill, in Penn township,
Nov. 15, 1875, son of John K. Balthaser and grandson of Samuel
Balthaser.

Samuel Balthaser lived in Penn township, Berks
county, and followed farming, owning 123 acres of land. He died
there at the age of fifty-six years, and is buried at St. Michael’s
Church, in what is now Tilden township. His wife, whose maiden name
was Maria Kissling, is buried beside him. He was born March 6,
1810, and died Oct. 9, 1866. She was born March 28, 1809, and died
Jan. 19, 1884. They had children as follows: Jared K. is deceased;
Levi; Aaron; William; John K.; Monroe; Mary m. Abraham De Turk;
Lydia m. William Folk; Amelia m. Levi Kauffman; Isabella m. John L.
Wagner, of Bernville.

John K. Balthaser, father of John C. K.
Balthaser, was born in 1850, and died in 1898. He is buried at St.
Michael’s Church, in what is now Tilden township. He owned and
farmed the old homestead in Penn township, where he lived until his
death, and was much respected and beloved for his industry and
kind-heartedness. He married Leanda Kauffman, and she now lives
with her eldest son, William, on the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs.
Balthaser had six children: William; John C. K,; Edwin; Lizzie, who
married Joseph Mengel; and Ammon and Sallie, both deceased.

John C. K. Balthaser attended the public schools
of Penn township and continued to remain at home, working for his
father, until he was twenty-two years old. He then commenced
farming in Penn township on his own responsibility, and in 1904
came to his present place in Centre township, which he bought from
the Kauffman estate. It was the old Kauffman homestead and is
considered on of the best farms in the township. The buildings are
all substantial and in good order and the 138 acres included in the
property are all under an excellent state of cultivation. Mr.
Balthaser is particularly noted for his success in raising
potatoes, and in his banner season had a crop of 3,700 bushels from
eighteen acres. He has all up-to-date machinery and improved farm
appliances, taking great interest in the progress of his industry
and having as intelligent conception of its requirements.

Mr. Balthaser married Emma Reinsel, daughter of
William and Fiaetta (Feik) Reinsel, and they have had four
children: Tama, Ada, Sallie (deceased), and Lila (deceased). At
present Mr. Balthaser is serving as auditor of his township, to
which office he was elected as the choice of the Democratic party.
He is a member of St. Michael’s Church, belonging to the Lutheran
congregation.

BALTHASER, MAHLON A.

p.
1477

Surnames: BALTHASER, MILLER, GRETH, BOYER, RENNO, SUNDAY, BAER,
KAUFFMAN, DEGLER, HOTTENSTEIN, STUMP

Mahlon A. Balthaser, of Perry township, who is conducting
agricultural operations along the Center turnpike, south of
Hamburg, Berks county, was born June 30, 1865, on his father’s
farm, that adjoining the one he now owns, son of George and Mary
(Miller) Balthaser.

Jacob Balthaser, grandfather of Mahlon A., was
an extensive farmer in Upper Bern township, Berks county,
possessing over 400 acres of land, and was well and favorably
known. He was over six feet tall and well built. He married Maria
(Molly) Greth, and she was a Catholic and member of the Church at
Hamburg, toward the support and erection of which Church she
contributed fifty dollars. She was a daughter of Nicholas Greth,
and to her and her husband were born these children: Sarah,, who
married Jacob Boyer; Hannah who married Jacob Renno; Jacob; John,
the father of Joel Balthaser of Perry township, who was born Feb.
21, 1814, and who married in 1842 (he located to Windsor township,
where he owned considerable land); Mary, who married Benjamin
Sunday; George, father of Mahlon A.; William, who settled in
Ontelaunee, and was engaged in business there, becoming very
wealthy; Isaac, who was drowned when a boy; Elizabeth, who married
John Baer; Susannah, who married Edwin Kauffman; Jeremiah, who
remained in his native township; Samuel; and Benjamin, father of
David, living in Tilden township. David owns the old place and has
a large family.

George Balthaser, was born in Upper Bern
township, April 4, 1824. He was an extensive farmer, owning three
farms, a total of 261 acres of land lying along the pike south of
Hamburg. He was well-to-do and a prominent Democrat of his day,
serving as school director and assessor of his township for a
number of years. He and his family were connected with Zion’s
Church of Perry township, as Lutheran members. On Nov. 27, 1852,
Mr. Balthaser was united in marriage with Mary Miller, daughter of
Philip and Elizabeth (Degler) Miller, and to them were born
children as follows: Albert, who married Mary Hottenstein; Emanuel
M., who married Sallie Hottenstein; Valeira, lost her life through
burning when three years of age, her clothing catching fire while
her parents were at work in the barn; and Mahlon A. George
Balthaser died April 22, 1899, of paralysis, aged seventy-five
years, eighteen days.

Mahlon A. Balthaser obtained his education in
the local schools of his native district, and in a select school at
Shoemakersville. He has spent his entire life in agricultural
pursuits, and is considered one of the good practical farmers of
the township, his land being well cultivated and improved with good
substantial buildings and modern machinery. He is honored and
esteemed in the community which has known him all his life. In
political matters Mr. Balthaser is a Democrat, serving as school
director of six years, four years of which time he was treasurer
and one year secretary. He and his family are members of Zion Union
Church of Perry township, being Lutherans and for some years he
served as deacon therein.

On Nov, 30, 1889, Mahlon A. Balthaser was united
in marriage with Lillie I. Miller, daughter of Alfred S. and Sarah
(Stump) Miller, and they have five children born to this union,
namely: Milton, Mabel, Jennie, Edna and May.

BALTHASER, MOSES K.

p.
1452

Surnames: BALTHASER, GRETH, BOYER, RENNO, SUNDAY, BAER, KAUFFMAN,
BROSSMAN, STRICKER, BENDER, KNORR, BICKEL, LEISS, RICHARD, HECK,
ERNEST

Moses K. Balthaser, who is now living retired at his home on Maple
avenue, Wernersville, was for over twenty-one years engaged in the
hotel business at Brownsville, Lower Heidelberg township. He was
born Jan. 19, 1852, in Ontelaunee township, Berks Co., PA., son of
Jacob and Sarah (Kauffman) Balthaser.

Jacob Balthaser, grandfather of Moses K., is
buried at St. Michael’s Church in Tilden township. He was an
extensive farmer in Upper Bern township, where he was the owner of
over 400 acres of land, and was very well known throughout that
section, both for his fine personal appearance, and for his habit
of driving a very high wheeled, high-seated buggy, in which vehicle
he often drove his wife, who was an ardent Catholic, to church. He
married Maria (Molly) Greth, who was a member of the Catholic faith
and contributed fifty dollars towards the erection of the Hamburg
Catholic Church and to them were born these children: Sarah m.
Jacob Boyer; Hannah m. Jacob Renno; Jacob, who was a farmer of
Lower Heidelberg township, m. a lady whose first name was Sallie
and had these children: Cornelius, Caroline, Henry, Charles,
George, Emanuel, Moses and Lizzie; John; Mary (m. Benjamin Sunday);
George (who was a farmer of Windsor township); William (who settled
in Ontelaunee, owned land in Upper Bern and Hamburg, was a merchant
and very well-to-do); Isaac (who was drowned when a boy); Elizabeth
(m. John Baer); Susannah (m. Edwin Kauffman); Jeremiah (who
remained in his native township, had these children-Helena, Annie,
John, Elias and William); Samuel; and Benjamin (who obtained the
homestead, had a son, David, who now occupies the old homestead and
has a large family.

Jacob Balthaser, father of Moses K., was born in
Upper Bern township in 1812, and died in Lower Heidelberg township,
Dec. 6, 1879, and was buried at Bern Church, of which he was a
Lutheran member. He removed from Upper Bern township to Penn
township, and thence in 1858, to Lower Heidelberg township, where
he owned a farm of 112 acres at the time of his death. Mr.
Balthaser married Sarah Kauffman, born in 1814 in Upper Bern
township. She died Nov. 2, 1887, the mother of thirteen children,
as follows: Cornelius, of Bern township; Caroline, who died aged
fifty-six years; Jacob, of Bern township; Sarah, who died unmarried
aged twenty-one years; Henry, who died April 9, 1909, a farmer of
Lower Heidelberg township; Emanuel, who resides in Reading; Moses
K.; Louisa, m. to Adam Heck; and Elizabeth and Rosabella, twins,
the latter of whom died in infancy, while Elizabeth m. Richard
Wellington.

Moses K. Balthaser was reared on the home farm
and worked for his parents until nineteen years of age, when he
hired out on the farm for three years. In 1874 he commenced
operating his father’s homestead in Lower Heidelberg township,
where he tenanted for four years, and then spent seven months on
another farm. In 1885 he engaged in the hotel business at
Brownsville, where he conducted a successful hostelry for
twenty-one years, putting up the present hotel, a two story frame
building 28×30 feet, containing twelve rooms. With this property
there are seven acres of land. In addition Mr. Balthaser owns a
farm of 107 acres of good land in Bern township, near “Leinbach’s
Hotel,” which is tenanted. For some time Mr. Balthaser has been
living a retired life in Wernersville, where he is a substantial
citizen. He is a large stockholder in the Wernersville Bank. In
politics he is a Democrat, but he has never cared for office. He
and his wife are members of St. Daniel’s (Corner) Church, of which
he was a deacon for three years.

On Oct. 19, 1873, Mr. Balthaser married Elmira
B. Brossman, born in 1850, in Heidelberg township, daughter of Adam
L. and Elizabeth (Bender) Brossman, granddaughter of John Adam and
Catherine (Leiss) Brossman, and great-granddaughter of Francis
Brossman. (For full history of the Brossmans see sketch of Brossman
family elsewhere in this work.) Francis Brossman located in Berks
county between 1723 and 1729, and was an inhabitant of Heidelberg
township at the time of the erection of the county in 1752. Adam L.
Brossman was born in 1804, and was a farmer all his life in his
native county, where he died in 1883, and was buried at St.
Daniel’s Church. He was twice married. By his first wife, Elizabeth
Bickel, he had two children: William, who is buried at Hain’s
Church; and Priscilla, late wife of Caton Knorr, buried at St.
Daniel’s Church in Heidelberg township. His second wife was
Elizabeth Bender. To this union there were born four sons and two
daughters, as follows; Sarah B., m. Joseph W. Ernest, who died June
6, 1900, and is buried at St. Daniel’s Church; Thomas is a farmer
in Lower Heidelberg township; James is a contractor at Reading; and
Elmira B. m. Moses K. Balthaser. Like all his family Adam L.
Brossman was a Lutheran.