Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

ANSPACH,
THOMAS P.

p. 690

Surnames: ANSPACH, WALTERS, HUNTER, FORRER, LESHER, KINTZER,
RIEGEL, SCHOLL, HIMMELBERGER, BEHNEY, BATDORF, KAUFFMAN, LAMBERTSON

Thomas P. Anspach, a leading business man of Womelsdorf, Berks Co.,
Pa., who is extensively engaged in the manufacture of cigars, was
born in that town, March 19, 1858, son of Isaac and Elizabeth
(Walters) Anspach.

The Anspach family of Berks county descends from
one of the German emigrants that left their native country in the
early part of the eighteenth century and came to New York, settling
in the Schoharie Valley, where they lived for several years,
steadily bringing that part of the country up to a prosperous
condition. It was not long, however, before Governor Hunter
inflicted upon them intolerable laws and terribly mistreated these
sturdy, industrious setters, and in the fall of 1723, 150 families
fled from the governor’s jurisdiction and made their way across the
forests into Pennsylvania, many of them settling in Bethel,
Heidelberg, and Tulpehocken townships, in Berks county.

Among these early Pennsylvania settlers was
George Anspach. Five years later, in 1728, came another large
influx of these families, and among the latter was Leonard Anspach,
who in 1759 was a taxable in Tulpehocken township, paying nine
pounds. Also in this year the tax list registered the names of John
and Peter Anspach, the former paying eighteen and the latter twenty
pounds. One of these was the ancestor of Adam Anspach, grandfather
of Thomas P. Adam Anspach and Philip Anspach were sergeants in
Capt. Michael Forrer’s Company of the Berks county Militia in the
Revolutionary War, serving from June, 1780, until July 15, 1781.
John Anspach, of Heidelberg township, was second lieutenant in
Capt. John Lesher’s Fifth Company of the Battalion of Berks county,
May 17, 1777.

Adam Anspach, grandfather of Thomas P., was born
on the Anspach homestead in Marion township, and is buried at Host
Church. He was a lifelong farmer, owning the old homestead. He and
his wife, Magdalena (Kintzer) Anspach, had a family of sixteen
children, as follows: David, who had Eliza, Dietta, Sarah and Lucy;
Jacob, who had three wives, and was the father of nineteen
children; John, who had Eliza and Samuel; Samuel, who had Henry,
Sue, Samuel, John and Emma; Adam, who had Cyrus, Catherine, Lillie;
Jonathan, who was a bachelor; Joseph, who had four children; Isaac,
the father of Thomas P.; Mary, who died unmarried; Sallie, m. to
Samuel Riegel; Elizabeth, m. to Peter Scholl; Molly, who died
unmarried at the age of twenty-one years; and four others who died
young. Of this family, Jonathan and Mary lived together at
Womelsdorf, both being now deceased.

Isaac Anspach, soon of Adam, was born June 16,
1819. He owned a cozy little farm of thirty acres lying in the
borough of Womelsdorf, where he died May 27. 1881. He was a
Lutheran in religious belief, and married Elizabeth Walters, born
Jan, 8, 1824, died Dec. 30, 1899. They had four children, namely:
Frank, born in 1846, died in 1852; Jonathan, born in 1850, died in
1852; Lizzie m. George Himmelberger, of Womelsdorf; and Thomas P.

Thomas P. Anspach obtained his education in the
borough schools, and was reared upon the home farm, assisting his
father. On reaching his fourteenth year he learned the cigar making
business, and until 1886 he engaged in that business as a traveling
salesman. In the year mentioned, Mr. Anspach began to manufacture
cigars, in which business he has continued to the present time with
much success. He owns a two-story factory on First street, where he
employs half a dozen skilled mechanics, and disposes of his product
through jobbers. He erected a fine brick residence at the corner of
First and Franklin streets, Womelsdorf, in 1906, and here he and
his family make their home. Until Sept. 12, 1905, he had his
business on North Third street, when he was burned out, suffering a
heavy loss. The two houses on the place had been standing there for
upwards of 100 years.

Mr. Anspach is a member of Golden Rule Lodge No.
159, I.. O. O. F., and the Washington Camp No. 67, P. O. S. of A.,
both of Womelsdorf, having been connected with the former since
1977, and the latter since 1873. He and his family are attendants
of Zion’s Lutheran Church.

On Aug. 14, 1880, Mr. Anspach was married to Ida
Behney, daughter of Milton and Rebecca (Batdorf) Behney, and to
this union there were born three sons: Irwin M., a drug clerk of
Womelsdorf, m. Annie Kauffman, of Millerstown, Perry Co., Pa.;
Frank B., m. Olive Lambertson, of Mapleton, Huntington Co., Pa.,
and has had two children, Ida G. (deceased), and Thomas; and John
I., unmarried, is a cigar maker by occupation.

ANSPACH,
WALLACE M.

p. 1638

Surnames: ANSPACH, HOY, SCHOCK, SMITH

Wallace M. Anspach, a resident of Upper Tulpehocken township, where
he is engaged in teaching and is also serving as justice of the
peace, was born in Tulpehocken township, this county, Sept. 3,
1878.

William Anspach, his grandfather, lived in upper
Berks county and followed farming in Tulpehocken township for some
years, later moving to Bethel township, where his death occurred.
He is buried at Rehrersburg, in Tulpehocken township, at the Union
Church. He served as a Union soldier during the Civil war. His wife
was Sarah Hoy, and they had one son Oscar.

Oscar Anspach was engaged as a clerk, and did
day’s work at Mt. Etna and Schubert, Berks county, at which latter
place his widow still resides. Her maiden name was Maria Schock,
and to them were born two children, Wallace M. and Normand, the
latter now living on the homestead.

Wallace M. Anspach attended public school in his
home township and the subscription school at Strausstown. He began
teaching in 1895, and has followed that profession ever since, with
eminent success, for he is heartily interested in his work. In 1901
he was elected justice of the peace, and still holds that office,
for the duties of which he is well fitted. Mr. Anspach is one of
the well known young men of upper Berks county, and in the pursuit
of his vocation and social connections has make a wide
acquaintanceship and formed numerous friendships. He is a member of
the P. O. S. of A. and the I. O. O. F., has served as financial
secretary of the former, and was a member of the building committee
which had in charge the erection of the fine new Odd Fellows hall,
also serving as financial secretary of that body. He is a member of
the Citizens Band at Strausstown. In religious matters Mr. Anspach
is identified with the Reformed denomination, and he is a prominent
member of and worker in the Zion’s Blue Mountain Union Church. He
served on the building committee at the time the present edifice
was erected, in 1904, was secretary and is at present a trustee of
the church and has served as secretary of the church council since
1902.

In 1897 Mr. Anspach married Miss Mary Smith,
daughter of Harry Smith. Three children have been born to them,
Walter (deceased), Roger, and Paul.

ANTHONY,
EDWARD L.

p. 1381

Surnames: ANTHONY, HOTTENSTEIN, SPAYDT, HERB, LEIBY, DOTTERER, FRY

Edward L. Anthony, miller of Forge Dale, Washington township, Berks
county, was born Jan. 7, 1832, at the place where he now lives, son
of Jacob Anthony. His grandfather lived in Lehigh county, Pa.,
probably in Weisenburg township, where his son Jacob was born.
Among his children, besides Jacob, was a daughter Betzy, who
married a Mr. Hottenstein, and they lived in the vicinity of
Moselem, in Berks county.

Jacob Anthony was born in Weisenburg township,
Leigh county, in 1792, and died in April, 1875. He was reared upon
the farm, but began to learn the milling business in boyhood, and
on coming to Forge Dale, in 1831, he bought the mill. It was
formerly the Steltz mill property. Jacob Anthony conducted this
mill successfully until his death, and the opinion of his neighbors
as to his character is summed up in the name by which he was best
known-“Honest Jacob.” He was active in religious affairs as a
Reformed member of Huff’s Church, where he is buried. He was twice
married, and by his first union had two children, one son and one
daughter. The son, Charles, lived in Montgomery county, near
Hoover’s Church, where he is buried. Mr.Anthony’s second wife was
Maggie or Molly Lieby, born in 1798 in Weisenburg township, Lehigh
county, died in 1863, and they had four children: Fietta married
Benjamin Fry; Hannah, born in 1824, died in 1904, unmarried; Sarah
L., born May 6, 1829, is unmarried, and lives in Forge Dale; Edward
L. is mentioned below.

Edward L. Anthony received his early education
at Forge Dale, in the pay schools conducted during his boyhood, and
also attended the free school for a few winters. He learned milling
early, assisting his father, and he has followed that business all
his life, being now the proprietor of the Anthony mill which he
bought upon his father’s death. On Oct. 27, 1862, Mr. Anthony
became a member of Company G, 16th Pennsylvania Regiment, and
served nine and a half months, being mustered out at Reading Aug.
12, 1863. After his return home he farmed for his father as well as
working in the mill.

The Anthony mill is one of the landmarks of the
district. One of the large millstones bears the date 1793, and it
is believed the mill was built before that time. Mr. Anthony is one
of the respected residents of his district, where he has become
widely known in his long connection with the mill business.

In 1863 Mr. Anthony married Anna Dotterer,
daughter of Matthias and Kate (Herb) Dotterer, and five children
have been born to them: Jacob A. M., now of Boyertown; Mantana,
unmarried, who assists her parents at home; Sapora, married to
Harry Spaydt, of Pottstown; Edward C, of Allentown; and Malara M.,
unmarried. This family belong to the Reformed congregation of
Huff’s Church, where Mr. Anthony served a number of years as elder.

ANTHONY,
HENRY P.

p. 1142

Surnames: ANTHONY, NYCE

Henry P. Anthony (deceased) was for many years a valued employee of
the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company and one of the most
trusted locomotive engineers on that line. He was born in 1825, at
Morgantown, Pa., and until the age of twenty-one years remained on
the home farm. He then went to Reading and for a time was employed
on the Philadelphia & Reading line as a laborer, later worked
for the road as foreman, and after six years experience was
promoted to engineer. For many years Mr. Anthony followed this
dangerous and responsible duty, during which period he had many
experiences and very few accidents. In 1890 he retired from the
service, followed by the respect and esteem of his employers. He
died Sept. 7, 1904.

In 1856 Mr. Anthony was
married to Mary Nyce, and they had thirteen children, as follows:
Andora, deceased: Amelia; Frank; Ella, deceased; Catherine; Alonza;
Anna, deceased; Henrietta, deceased; Mary, deceased; Charles;
Alice; Edward, deceased; and Harry. Mr. Anthony was a hardy member
of the Baptist Church. He belonged to both the Masonic and Odd
Fellow fraternities, and also to the Philadelphia & Reading
Relief Association. His widow still survives, and resides at No.
148 West Douglas street.

NOTE: (PA Death Certificate: Mary Nice Anthony; Berks
County, Registration District No. 233; Primary Registration Dist
No. 49; Reading. Home address: 148 West Douglas St. 15535; File No.
87114535; Registered No. 1397) Mary Amanda (Nyce Anthony, widow of
Henry Peter Anthony (who d. 1903, Berks County) b. 22 Jan, 1835,
Montgomery County, PA; d. 17 Sept, 1921, Reading, Berks County, PA;
Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading, Berks County, PA; C. I. Miller,
undertaker; father, Samuel Nyce; mother Eliza Kope, both born in
PA; Signed by F. S. Anthony). Contact: Verna Banes

ANTHONY, JOHN
C.

p. 1406

Surnames; ANTHONY, SCHWARTZ, BRITTON, LEITZEL, BOYER, HECKMAN,
SWEARER, BURKHART, VAN HORN, SMITH

John C. Anthony, who for a number of years was employed at
railroading with the Philadelphia & Reading Co., was born in
Reading, in December, 1830, and died Feb. 9, 1881, son of John
Anthony, who was for a long time employed in the warehouse of the
same company. John Anthony and his wife, Henrietta (Schwartz) had
these children: George; William; Charles; Luther; Cyrus; Emma; John
C.; Daniel; Thomas; James, and Henry.

John C. Anthony attended the public schools of
Reading, where he learned the brush-making trade, a business which
he followed for a few years in that city. He then went to
Pottsville, where he was employed in the Philadelphia & Reading
warehouse, and then returned to Reading, becoming a brakeman for
the company on the Lebanon Valley branch. In this capacity he
served on the first train to run over the Lebanon Valley bridge
from Reading to Lebanon. He served in the company’s employ for a
period of thirty-one years, later running to Harrisburg, and met
his death in an accident at the Reading yards, by being caught
between two cars. He died seven weeks after the accident, Feb. 9,
1881, aged fifty-one years.

Mr. Anthony was married Jan. 13, 1856 to Miss
Mary Ann Britton, daughter of John and Esther (Leitzel) Britton of
Pottsville, Pa., and to this union there were born children as
follows: Emma J., deceased, who was the wife of Michael J. Boyer,
and had one son, Frank, who is a skilled sign-painter, and resides
with his grandmother at No. 232 North Ninth street Reading, and who
married Lydia Heckman; Albert who married Mary Swearer; and
William, connected with the U. S. Army.

John Britton, the father of Mrs. Anthony, was a
stonemason by trade, and later engaged in stone quarrying near
Pottsville. He died at the age of sixty-nine years, while his wife
attained the advanced age of ninety-three years. The children of
Mr. and Mrs. Britton were: Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife
off Jacob Burkhart; William, of New York City; Mary Ann, widow of
John C. Anthony; Susan, deceased, wife of Charles Van Horn, of
Philadelphia; John, deceased; Emma, wife of Lewis Smith, of
Reading; and George, of New York City.

ANTHONY,
WILLIAM B.

p. 598

Surnames: ANTHONY, REBER, LICHTENWALNER, WEBBER, MERTZ, BATTINGER,
SPATZ

William B. Anthony, proprietor of the Strausstown Roller Mills, at
Strausstown, Berks county, has been established there since 1894.
He is a native of Northampton county, Pa., born October 6, 1862,
son of Jacob Anthony. His grandfather lived and died in that
county.

Jacob Anthony was born in Northampton county and
there learned his trade of carpenter. He met an accidental death in
the car shops at Packerton, when he was fifty-three years old, and
he is buried at Cherryville, Northampton county. He was a member of
the Lutheran Church and a most respected citizen. Jacob Anthony
married Elizabeth Reber, and to them were born the following
children: Catharine, Mary, Elizabeth, Lewis, Lucy, Malinda, William
B., John and Ellen.

William B. Anthony attended the schools of
Northampton county, and when twenty years old went to learn the
milling trade, which has been his life work. He spent three years
with the Mauser Mill Company at Treichlers, and then for two years
was with the Wolfe Company of Chambersburg, founders and
manufacturers of mill machinery, engaged as a salesman and in the
erection of mill machinery. His next location was at Centerville,
Md., where he remained for three years, thence moving to
Cedarville, near Allentown, Lehigh Co., Pa., where he had charge of
a mill for L. H.. Lichtenwalter for one year. At the end of that
time we went to Womelsdorf, Berks county, where he engaged in
business on his own account, staying at that place for three years,
until he came to Strausstown in 1894. Here he bought out the Webber
estate and engaged in the business to which he has since given his
time. His mill is considered the most thoroughly up-to-date in the
county, if not in the State, the present structure a three-story
and basement stone and brick building, having been completed in
1907 and equipped with all the most approved modern machinery. The
old mill was burned May 24, 1907, Mr. Anthony suffering great loss
of both capital and business, but he did not despair or lose any
time rehabilitating his establishment, beginning work upon his new
mill in June, 1907. It is a model plant, equipped with a thirty
horsepower auto gasoline engine and a large water-wheel, eighteen
feet in diameter and for and a half feet wide, known as the I X L
steel over-shot water wheel. Mr. Anthony manufactures and deals in
high grade roller process flour for family and bakers’ uses, also
grain, mill feed and allied products. The brand of flour which he
makes a specialty as a manufacturer is a fancy patent known as
“Snoflake,” for which there is a large and steady demand; it is
sold mostly in Schuylkill county. There are fourteen acres of land
connected with the mill property, about six acres being under
cultivation. Mr. Anthony is a wide-awake business man, as his
enterprising methods and large patronage testify. He stands high in
the community, both as a man of intelligence and high standards,
one whose work has contributed to the growth of his section.

Mr. Anthony married Mary A. Mertz, daughter of
Reuben Mertz, of Lehigh county, Pa., and eight children have
blessed this union: Harry W. (m. Florence Battinger), Ida M. (m.
Howard Spatz), Bertha M., Howard J., Esther L., George M., Charles
A. and Paul R. Mr. Anthony is a member of the Lutheran Church, and
holds membership in the P. O. S. of A., the I. O. O. F., and the
Ridgely Association.

ANTHONY,
WILLIAM F.

p. 639

Surnames: ANTHONY, SPADE, SCHANTZ, PLASTER, FICK, SPATZ,
EISENBROWN, GANTER, GOODHART, LOVERING

William F. Anthony, a contracting bricklayer of No. 327 North Ninth
street, Reading, and one of that city’s representative citizens,
was born Dec. 7, 1849, in Bern township, Berks County, son of
Thomas and Rebecca (Spade) Anthony.

John Anthony, grandfather of William F., was a
railroad employe and worked for the Philadelphia & Reading
Company many years. He died in Reading at the age of sixty years,
he and his wife, Henrietta Schantz having been the parents of
eighteen children, seventeen sons and one daughter, among whom were
Thomas, Henry, George, William, Charles, Luther, Cyrus, John C. and
Emma (m. John Plaster. of Huntington, Ind.).

Thomas Anthony was in his youth employed by the
Philadelphia & Reading Company as fireman, and later promoted
to the position of engineer, which he held until the time of his
death, in his thirty-seventh year. His widow, Rebecca (Spade)
Anthony, makes her home with hr youngest son, Daniel. Their
children were; William F.; John; Selida m. George Fick; Daniel; and
Rebecca, deceased.

William F. Anthony received his education in
Reading attending night schools. At an early age he learned the
trades of bricklaying and hatting, the latter with J. H. Spatz at
Mohnton. After several years spent at the hatting trade, Mr.
Anthony again took up bricklaying, and in 1871 engaged in
contracting business. Two years later, however, he again engaged in
hatting, but did not follow that occupation for any length of time.
He once more took up bricklaying, and in 1904 again engaged in the
business on his own account, now employing forty-seven hands. Mr.
Anthony is very skilled in his work, and some of the finest
buildings in Reading will testify to the fact. He erected the
German Greek Catholic Church, and Eisenbrown marble plant (which is
one of the finest and largest of its kind in the State), and the
private residence of Mr. Joseph Ganter at Mt. Penn borough.

Mr. Anthony married Henrietta Goodhart, daughter
of John N. and Sarah C. (Lovering) Goodhart, and they reside at No.
327 North Ninth street. Mr. Anthony organized Bricklayers Union,
No. 21, and served as its first president. He is a member of the
1900 Beneficial Association; the Northeastern Democratic
Association; and the Owls, and Turn-Verein Associations. In
Political matters he is independent, voting for the man, regardless
of party ties.

ARMSTRONG,
EPHRAIM

p. 727

Surnames: ARMSTRONG, GOOD, HAAS, LOSER, FASNACHT, PELFER,
ROCKTASEL

Ephraim Armstrong, who for many years was one of
Reading’s leading tailors, was born in Jonestown, Lebanon county,
March 12, 1812 and died in Reading, Aug. 20, 1890. He came to
Reading when ten years of age, and for a number of years clerked in
his uncle’s store, later learning the tailoring trade, in which he
subsequently followed for thirty years.

Mr. Armstrong took an important part in the
local affairs, being prominent in the ranks of the Democratic
party, and serving as prothonotary of Berks county for some years,
as school controller of the Fifth ward, and at the time of his
death holding the position of school treasurer, having served in
that capacity for many years with great credit. He was a very
capable official and was painstaking in his methods. Mr. Armstrong
was a life-long member of St. James Lutheran Church, holding the
office of treasurer therein for a number of years.

In 1880 Mr. Armstrong married Mary A. Good,
daughter of Bennewell and Catherine (Haas) Good, and to this union
were born children as follows: Catherine; Sadie; and Lillie May.
Benewell Good, Mrs. Armstrong’s father, was a native of Lebanon
county, and was extensively engaged in farming in the vicinity of
Johnstown. He died aged sixty-two years, and she March 9, 1887,
when seventy-three years of age. In religious beliefs the family
were members of the Reformed Church. Mr. and Mrs. Good had children
as follows: Sarah, m. to Josiah Loser; Mary A., Mrs. Armstrong;
Amanda, m. to Henry Fasnacht; Amelia, m. to Henry Peifer; and Dr.
Frank, of Reading, m. to Mary Rocktasel.

ARNOLD, FRED
D.

p. 1057

Surnames: ARNOLD, STETTLER, SCHNEIDER, PEIFER, MOORE, KILLIS,
STEPHEN, VESSEL, BURKHOLDER, REINHART, HOPKINS, FAUSNACHT, ANTHONY,
GOOD

Fred D. Arnold, a well known resident of Womelsdorf, Pa., who is
engaged in the undertaking business, and also carries on cigar
making, was born Feb. 12, 1871, in Womelsdorf, son of William and
Lizzie (Stettler) Arnold.

Martin Arnold, the
progenitor of the Arnold family in Berks county, was a native of
Germany and emigrated to America on the brigantine “Mary”, which
arrived at Philadelphia, Aug. 25, 1752. In 1759 he had settled in
Heidelberg township, and in that year paid a federal tax of $7.98,
or three pounds. It appears that he was married before his
emigration. Among his children were: John had sons, Isaac, Daniel,
William. Samuel, John, Henry and Amos; Jacob; and Rebecca married
to Daniel Schneider.

Jacob Arnold, son of
Martin, was born July 10, 1787, and died Jan. 15, 1850, aged
sixty-two years, six months, five days. He was a brick-layer by
trade, and built a house on Second street, Womelsdorf, where he
died, and he was buried in the borough. Mr. Arnold saw service in
the war of 1812, and was a good and upright citizen. He married
Christmas Day, 1812, Eve Catherine Fidler, born in 1790, who died
in Fairfield county, Ohio, in her eighty-fourth year. To them were
born seven children: Eli died at Womelsdorf; Harry died in
Fairfield county, Ohio; Lovina married Benjamin Peifer, and died in
Marion township; Jacob married Catherine Moore, daughter of William
Moore, of Reading, and died at Womelsdorf; Mary Ann married Fred
Killis (whose father came from Germany and lived and died in
Womelsdorf); William; and Daniel, twin of William, died in
Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1905. All of the family is deceased,
except for William who still lives in Womelsdorf.

William Arnold, father of Fred D., was born Nov.
2, 1822, in Womelsdorf, where he attended school for a limited
period, his teachers being Walter Stephen and Francis Vessel, both
natives of Ireland. They were strict disciplinarians and learned
men. After leaving school William Arnold learned the cabinet making
trade and the undertaking business at Stouchsburg, from Samuel
Burkholder. He started in business at Womelsdorf in 1860, and he
has since carried it on here, with the exception of the time he
spent in the Civil war. When he first started in the business Mr.
Arnold was in the service of a Mr. Moyer, who died years later,
since which time Mr. Arnold’s business has been the only one of the
kind in the borough. He has buried over 1,700 people during his
long career in the business, is the oldest undertaker in Berks
county, and is widely known.

In 1862 Mr. Arnold
enlisted in the civil war as a member of Company D, 55th P. V. I.,
and returned valuable services to his country, being twice wounded
while in action, receiving a gun shot wound in the right arm at the
battle of Duvall’s Bluff and later a flesh wound in the side. He
was foreman of the carpenters at Beaufort, S. C., for a period of
eighteen months, having charge of thirty men. He was mustered out
of the service at Richmond, Va., at the end of the war, with an
excellent record. Mr. Arnold is a member of the New Lutheran
Church.

In 1857 Mr. William Arnold was married
to Lizzie Stettler, born May 13, 1832, daughter of Francis and
Annie (Reinhart) Stettler, of England, whose marriage, however,
took place at Pottstown, Pa., and they later resided at Bernville.
Six children were born to this union, namely: Eva Ann married
Samuel Kurtz, mentioned elsewhere; Francis J. is a shoe merchant of
No. 706 Penn Street, Reading; Mary Catherine married (first) Elias
Hopkins, of Shenandoah, Schuylkill Co., Pa. and (second) Charles
Fausnacht, foreman of the Lebanon Stove Works; Sallie died in
infancy; William E. is a resident of Womelsdorf; and Fred D.

Fred D. Arnold was educated in the borough
schools, and when still a lad began to earn his own living, being
reared to the undertaking business in his fathers establishment, of
which he took charge in 1896, and which he has carried on with the
same success that attended his fathers efforts. Mr. Arnold also
learned the cigar making trade in 1888, and since Oct. 24 of that
year has carried on in the employ of the Valentines. In politics he
is a Democrat, and for three years served as school director. He
holds office in Golden Rule Lodge No. 59, I. O. O. F., American
Mechanics, No. 127, both of Womelsdorf; and the Ridgely Protective
Association, of Worchester, Mass., which is a branch of the I. O.
O. F. He and his family are Lutheran members of Zion’s Union
Church, Womelsdorf.

On July 1, 1893, Mr. Arnold
was married to Annie Good, daughter of George and Rebecca (Anthony)
Good, of Lancaster county. No children have been born to this
union.

ARNOLD, JOEL A.

p. 1129

Surnames: ARNOLD, WALLBACH, KOHL, SEISZ, KOENIG, DELSCH

Joel A. Arnold, proprietor of one of the leading bakeries of
Reading, Pa., was born in Bally, Berks county, in 1869, son of Joel
Arnold.

Joel Arnold, the father, was a
wheelwright by trade, following his business in Lebanon county and
later in Berks county, where he died age twenty-nine years. Joel
Arnold married Elizabeth Wallbach, and they had the following
children: Malinda; George, a printer by trade, and a foreman on
Long Island; Katie, wife of Henry Kohl, mentioned elsewhere;
Augustus, of Reading, a bookbinder by occupation, and foreman at
Wonnberger’s; Joel A., and John and Mary deceased. After the death
of Mr. Arnold, his wife married Benedict Seisz, and to them were
born: John, Mary and Annie. Mrs. Seisz died at the age of
fifty-three years.

Joel A. Arnold attended the parochial school at
Reading, after leaving which he learned the baker’s trade, but
worked instead at cigar making, an occupation which he followed for
twelve years. In 1898 Mr. Arnold engaged in baking, starting in
business at No. 935 Walnut street. Here he erected a bakery 20×75
feet, of brick, and fitted it out with the most modern machinery,
and he is doing a flourishing business, employing from twelve to
fifteen hands, and four wagons daily. Mr. Arnold is well known as
the maker of the famous Arnold’s Milk Bread which has an enormous
sale all over Reading.

Mr. Arnold married Miss Katie Koenig, daughter
of Andrew and Mary A. (Delsch) Koenig, and to this union have been
born these children: Joel, Raymond, Florence, George, Herman, and
William. Mr. Arnold is a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church. He
is fraternally connected with the Knights of Columbus.

ARNOLD,
WILLIAM

p. 838

Surnames: ARNOLD, FICHTHORN, HOMAN, RITTER, RICK, SAUERBIER,
MARKLEY, DAUTH, WELLS

William Arnold (deceased), who was for many years prominently
identified with the business and political life of Reading, was one
of a family long resident in Berks county. He was born in 1798, son
of Nicholas and Barbara (Fichthorn) Arnold.

Nicholas Arnold was born in Reading, received
his education there, and then learned the trade of a hatter, which
continued to be his main business interest throughout life,
although he also owned a considerable tract of land where the
southwestern part of the city is now built, and operated it
himself. He was one of the first persons in the county to engage in
manufacturing wool hats, and built up a large business in that
line. Both Mr. Arnold and his wife lived to a good age.

William Arnold was given a good practical
education that would enable him to handle business affairs capably,
and then was sent to learn his father’s trade from the beginning
up. After becoming thoroughly conversant with all the details of
hat manufacturing, he was taken into his father’s business, and in
time succeeded to its sole control. The factory was located on
North Eighth street, between Penn and Washington, and there were
thirty to forty hands regularly employed. The output of hats was
larger than from any other factory in Reading, and the goods were
shipped chiefly for southern trade, via Charleston, S. C. The trips
were made by sailing vessel and Mr. Arnold was frequently obliged
to be gone three months or more. He was a man of fine business
ability, and conducted his affairs so successfully that he was able
to retire in 1848.

After his retirement, Mr. Arnold turned his
attention to political matters, and became quite prominent in the
ranks of the county Democrats. He brought to his new duties the
same executive ability and energy that had marked his conduct of
his own affairs, and served most efficiently in various capacities.
From 1841 to 1845 he was county commissioner; from 1845 to 1847,
treasurer; and from 1850 to 1857, director of the poor. He also
served for many years as a director for the Farmers’ Bank of
Reading. Throughout his career for a period of over thirty years,
Mr. Arnold acted as executor, administrator, trustee or guardian,
and settled numerous estates, which facts attest in the strongest
manner the esteem in which he was held by the community. He was a
member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and was also prominent in Lodge
No. 62, of the Masonic order. Mr. Arnold lived to a ripe old age,
dying in 1883, aged eighty-four.

Mr. Arnold was twice married. By his first
wife, Miss Anna Homan, he had three children: Anna Louise m.
Ferdinand S. Ritter, and died in February, 1898; William died in
infancy; William Augustus m. Ellen Rick, and died in June 1906.
Mrs. Arnold died in 1837, aged thirty-four, and Mr. Arnold married
(second) Miss Catherine Sauerbier. By this union there were four
children, as follows: Emma, who died at the age of four; George W.,
who died in infancy; Amanda, the widow of D. F.. Markley; and Emma
Catherine, Mrs. Lewis Dauth, who resides at the old Arnold
homestead at No. 41 North Eight street. Mr. Dauth was formerly in
the tinsmith and heating business, but is now retired. He and his
wife have traveled extensively over the United States; Only one
child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dauth, a daughter, Katherine A.
(m. Walter Scott Wells, employed in the Berks County Trust
Company).

ARTZ, CALVIN
W.

p. 1198

Surnames: ARTZ, WEAVER, LUTZ, Reading, HELLER, LORAH, CLINE

Calvin W. Artz, a popular business man of Reading, Pa., who is
enjoying well-merited success as the proprietor of the “Avondale
Hotel” at Riverside, was born Dec. 27, 1864, at Kleinfeltersville,
Lebanon Co., Pa., son of Daniel and Lizzie (Weaver) Artz.

Benjamin Artz, grandfather of Calvin W., spent
his entire life in the vicinity of Mohn’s Hill, where he was
engaged as a farm laborer. He married and had eleven children, as
follows: William, Biram, John, Jacob, Levi, Abraham, Samuel, James,
Benneville, Daniel and Mary (m. Abraham Lutz,of Adamstown, Pa).

Daniel Artz, father of Calvin W., was born April
6, 1838 at Mohn’s Hill, Spring township, Lebanon county, where he
was reared to agricultural pursuits. Later he became a shoemaker,
an occupation which he followed at Kleinfeltersville, Lebanon
county, for five years, then removing to one mile north of Terre
Hill, near Good’s Mill, in Lancaster county, where he has resided
for many years. Mr. Artz is a member of the Evangelical Church. He
married Lizzie Weaver, daughter of Jacob Weaver, and to this union
there were born children as follows: David, of Terre Hill; Calvin
W.; Isaac, an agriculturist of Luzerne County, Pa.; Lemuel, who
lives with his parents; and Morris, who died in infancy.

Calvin W. Artz attended the public school at
White Hollow, Lancaster Co., Pa., and learned the cigar making
trade of Abner Cline at Terre Hille, where he continued that
occupation for six years, then becoming clerk in the general store
of Samuel Wechter. Here he continued for eight and one-half years,
and in 1893 he came to Reading and entered the employ of J. S.
Shade & Sons, becoming a clerk in their well-known drygoods
establishment. In 1899, deciding to enter into business on his own
account, Mr. Artz engaged in the grocery business on South Seventh
street, where he was located until 1907, on Sept. 7th of which year
he became the proprietor of the well-known “Avondale Hotel,” a
forty-room hostelry at Riverside, which he has successfully
conducted to the present time. Fraternally Mr. Artz is connected
with Terre Hill Lodge, No. 454, I. O. O. F. and P. O. S. of A.,
Terre Hill; the Knights of Malta, Commandery No. 47; and Wyomissing
Council No. 1158, Royal Arcanum.

On Aug. 5, 1887, Mr. Artz was married to Lizzie
Heller, daughter of Jeremiah and Maria (Lorah) Heller, and four
children have been born to this union, namely: Mamie, who died in
infancy; Grace, Maud, and Stanford, who died when young. The Misses
Grace and Maud are vaudeville entertainers of great ability and
have won quite a reputation in this line not only in Reading, but
throughout the entire county. Among their specialties may be
mentioned the Fling Dance, Kildy Sword Dance, Sand Jig, Waltz Clog,
Slide Trombone Playing and Duets. The family is well known in this
section of the state, and has always borne the reputation of
representing the highest type of citizenship.

ARTZ,
JOHN BURKHART

p. 1239

Surnames: ARTZ, BURKHART, HARDING, FITTERLING, SCHONOUR, MATZ,
REISCH, HAIN, DAUTRICH

John Burkhart Artz, a substantial citizen of Brecknock township,
Berks county, who is engaged in truck farming near Knauer’s, was
born across the line in Spring township, April 2, 1852, son of John
H. and Sarah (Burkhart) Artz.

Jacob Artz, grandfather of John B., was a
lifelong resident of Spring township, and was a shoemaker by trade.
He died old in years and was buried at the Muddy Creek Church, as
was also his wife, Anna Maria (Harding) Artz, who bore him one son:
John H.

John H. Artz was born in Spring township in
1821, and there received his education. For about twenty years,
until his eyesight failed, he taught school in the winter seasons
in Brecknock, Spring, Cumru, and Lower Heidelberg townships,
carrying on agricultural pursuits in the summer time on his forty
acre farm. He was well and favorably known, and was elected on the
Democratic ticket to the office of assessor and tax collector,
which he held for many years. He was a Reformed member of the Muddy
Creek Church, where he held official position. Mr. Artz married
Sarah Burkhart, daughter of Andrew Burkhart, and eight children
were born to this union: Mary, Catherine, Jacob, Harriet, Sarah,
John B., Andrew and Katie, the last named of whom died in
childhood. Mr. Artz died in 1893.

John B. Artz was
reared upon the farm in Spring township, and in early life came to
Brecknock township, where he has since lived. For some years, Mr.
Artz was a tenant, but in 1885 he purchased a small tract where he
lived until 1891, and then bought a farm of seventy-five acres,
which he is still cultivating. In politics Mr. Artz is a Democrat,
and has served as a delegate to numerous county conventions. He and
his wife are Reformed members of the Gouglersville congregation, of
which he was deacon and elder for many years, and of which he is
now treasurer.

In 1870, Mr. Artz was married to Susanna
Fitterling, born Nov. 2, 1851, daughter of Daniel and Mary
(Schonour) Fitterling, and ten children have been born to this
union: Pierce, m. Kate Matz; Mary, m. Howard Schonour, deceased;
Ella, who died at the age of six years; Kate, m. Charles Reisch;
Maggie, m. Charles Hain; John, m. Mary Dautrich; Lillie, m. Cenus
Schonour; Howard, who died at the age of sixteen years; W. Stephen
and Carrie, both at home.

AULENBACH, FRANKLIN

p. 1149

Surnames: AULENBACH, LIKINS, REINOCHL, ERMENTROUT, OBERT

Franklin Aulenbach, a retired blacksmith and boiler-maker of
Reading, Pa., was born in a house which stood at the present site
of the junction of Perkiomen avenue an Mineral Spring road,
Reading, April 15, 1843, son of Charles and Katie (Likens)
Aulenbach, the former of whom founded Aulenbach cemetery.

Andrew Aulenbach, grandfather of Frank, was a
hatter by trade, and one of the pioneers of this business in
Reading. He was a substantial citizen for his day, and reached an
advanced age, he being the first to occupy a grave in Aulenbach
cemetery. Among his children were: Jacob, Charles an Kate.

Charles Aulenbach, son of Andrew, was also born
in Reading, and learned from his father the hatter’s trade, which
he followed in connection with agricultural pursuits all of his
life. He died aged sixty-three years and his wife, Katie Likens,
March 23, 1880, aged sixty-six years. Their children were: Henry;
John, who died in Andersonville prison; William; Kate; Franklin;
Charles; James; Joseph and Louis, all of these children being
deceased except Franklin and James.

Franklin Aulenbach received his education in the
schools of Reading, and when a young man worked at the hatter’s
trade, later apprenticing himself to the blacksmith, and
boiler-maker’s trade, which he followed in and until the outbreak
of the Civil war. For the next three years he was employed by the
Government as a blacksmith and boiler maker, and on his return to
Reading was given a position by F. J. Obert, with whom he continued
for fourteen years, acting as superintendent of from thirty to
forty men. He then became proprietor of the “Perkiomen Hotel,”
which he conducted for sixteen years, but since 1896 has been
engaged in making ornamental fences, etc. He is a Democrat in
politics, and has been prominent in public matters, having been
councilman, register assessor for ten years, and assistant market
commissioner. His religious belief is that of the Reformed Church.
Mr. Aulenbach is fraternally connected with Emblematic Lodge, I. O.
O. F., of which he is past grand, and is also chief patriarch of
the Patriarchs Militant, and of Esther Degree Lodge, Daughters of
Rebekah.

Mr. Aulenbach married Anna M. Reinoehl, and to
this union there have been born six children: Katie; Carrie,
deceased; Alice, m. to Silas Ermentrout; George, deceased; Charles,
an electrician; and F. Keim, a clerk.

AULENBACH,
WILLIAM

p. 1115

Surnames: AULENBACH, LINSAMAN, DAUTRICH, HOCH, WANNER

William Aulenbach, a prosperous farmer of Oley township, resides
upon his fine farm one-half mile west of Friedensburg. He was born
in Reading Aug. 13, 1874, son of James Aulenbach and grandson of
Charles Aulenbach. James Aulenbach, son of Charles, was born in
Reading Aug. 8, 1845, and is now a farmer in Alsace township. He
learned the hatter’s trade which he followed for some years, then
learned boiler making from J. Obert, of Reading. This latter trade
he followed until he feared he would lose his hearing, and he then
resumed work at his first learned trade. In 1882, he began farming,
purchasing a farm of fifty-eight acres, to which he has since
added, and on it he has carried on farming ever since. He is a
member of Spies’s Church. He married Mary Linsaman, and they had
two children; William, and a daughter that died in infancy. Later
he married Annie Linsaman, daughter of William and Margaret
Linsaman, of Reading, natives of Wittenburg, Germany, and sister of
his first wife. By his second marriage he had these children:
Harry; James; Emma; Carrie and Charles.

William Aulenbach was reared upon the farm and
attended the schools of Alsace township. When old enough he learned
the carpenter trade from Jonas Dautrich an for four years followed
it. Later he worked in the Reading car shops and then for four
years was a trolley-car conductor for the United Traction company
of Reading. He next became a conductor on the Oley Valley Railway
Company’s lines. Mr. Aulenbach had the honor of conducting the
first trolley car over the road, and was in the employ of the
company for some four years. In 1905 he began farming on the Levi
Merkel farm in Oley, as a tenant, and continued thus for two years,
when in 1907 he purchased the tract, which consists of 106 acres of
very fertile land. The death of the owner occurred in 1905, and Mr.
Aulenbach bought the property from the estate. The house was built
by Jared Hoch in 1858, as the Hoch homestead. Mr. Aulenbach is a
member of Emblematic Lodge No. 169, I. O. O. F., Reading, and is on
the staff. He and his family are members of Spies’s church.

On June 16, 1894, Mr. Aulenbach was married to
Mary Wanner, daughter of Martin Wanner of Alsace township. These
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Aulenbach; William, George,
Elmer, Raymond, Mable, Bessie, Charles and Leon.

AUMAN,
CHARLES E.

p. 576

Surnames: AUMAN, KAUFFMAN, FREDERICK, CURTIN, ECKENROAD, GOTTWALD,
CULP, SAUERWALD, WALTMAN, LEADER, RICK, PLANK

The Chief of Police of the city of Reading is necessarily a man
much in the public eye and the present incumbent of that important
office, Hon. Charles E. Auman, is one whose private reputation and
public record prove him worthy of the trust reposed in him. Chief
Auman comes of German ancestors, both his grandfather and father
being natives of Baveria, Germany. The grandfather, Bernard Auman,
with his son Cornelius, then a child of three, came to Pennsylvania
in 1848, settling in Adams county, where he and his wife were
buried. Being a hard worker and a good manager, he accumulated
property and died in advanced age, a wealthy man. His wife also
lived many years and lies beside him in the cemetery at
Littlestown. Cornelius Auman was reared on his father’s farm, later
purchasing one of his own. During the Civil War he enlisted in
Company G., 209th Pa. V. I., under Col. Tobias B. Kauffman, an
Capt. George W. Frederick. He was mustered in at Camp Curtin,
Harrisburg, PA., Sept. 16, 1864; was wounded at Fort Steadman, Va.,
March 25, 1865; and was in the hospital when mustered out. At
present he lives retired at York, Pa. His wife was Agnes Eckenroad,
of Bonneyville, Aams county, Pa. They had children as follows:
John, a cigar-packer of York, Pa., m. Miss Katie Gottwald of
Hanover, York county; William, a cigar-packer at Schenectady, N.
Y., m. Miss Annie Culp, of Gettysburg, Adams county; Charles E.;
Margaret is the widow of Frank Sauerwald, and lives at Baltimore,
Md.; Augustus, a carpenter living at Gettysburg, Adams county, m.
Emma Gottwald, also of Gettysburg; Mary died at the age of four
years; Annie m. Emory Waltman of York, Pennsylvania. Charles E.
Auman was born in Gettysburg, Pa., Jan. 19, 1871. His boyhood days
were spent in Adams county, and there he attended the public
schools until he left to learn the cigar-maker’s trade, which he
has followed at intervals all his life. He came to Reading, April
29, 1890, and worked for Glaser, Frame & Co. for seven years,
and then for others until his appointment as police patrolman in
1899 by Mayor Adam H. Leader. He served three years with great
credit, and in 1902 was made inspector of the 4th Precinct of the
Ninth ward. In 1908 he was appointed Chief of Police by Mayor
William Rick. In the short time he has been in office, chief Auman
has made many very beneficial changes, and he is resolved to mark
his incumbency of the position by a vigorous crusade against vice.
Especially are his efforts directed towards the clearing out of the
undesirable places in the tenderloin district. Already there is a
marked change, and the people of Reading are beginning to realize
the wisdom of his Honor’s choice of Chief.

In 1893, Mr. Auman married Catherine M. Plank,
daughter of Sebastian and Frances Plank, natives of Germany. Mr.
and Mrs. Auman have had two children: Raymond S., who died in
infancy; and Edna F. The pleasant residence of Chief Auman is at
No. 1037 Elm street. The Chief has always been an active
Republican, and has served many times as delegate to city and
county conventions. In personal appearance he is a man of fine
physique, tall, well built and of good appearance, while his
knowledge of conditions of his office and the need for vigorous and
energetic action by the police is far reaching, and as has been
said before, he is showing the people of Reading that he knows just
what to do in emergencies.

AUSTRIAN,
BEN

p. 1658

Surnames: AUSTRIAN, DREIFOSS, DREXEL, NEWTON, STERNBERGH

Ben Austrian was born Nov. 22, 1870, in the city of Reading, a son
of Raphael and Fanny Elisabeth (Dreifoss) Austrian.

The Austrian family is of German extraction.
Raphael Austrian, a well-known manufacturer of Reading, died in
1897, aged fifty-six years. The mother of our subject, still
surviving, is a daughter of Bernard Dreifoss, whose wife was a
member of the Drexel family of Philadelphia. The family consisted
of five sons and one daughter, namely: Aaron and Claude, who died
in early childhood; Joseph, a manufacturer in New York City;
Julian, a publisher in New York; Adrienne, at home; and Ben, the
artist.

Ben Austrian was educated in the schools of
Reading, and from childhood evinced artistic ability although the
surrounding circumstances prevented his devoting himself to
developing his talent for a number of years.

After leaving school he entered his father’s
store as a salesman for two years and then went on the road for a
Williamsport firm for three years, later engaging for two years
with his father in business, being a traveling representative of
the house. It was at the close of this period that Mr. Austrian
gave way to his natural inclinations and opened a studio. Although
the pupil of no noted master of the brush, nor graduate of any
celebrated school of painting, Mr. Austrian has given to the world
some of the finest artistic works now exhibited by American
artists. The stamp of individuality is upon them, in fact they are
distinctively “Austrian.” Among the paintings to which his name is
appended are his colossal paintings mentioned below: “Temptations,”
exhibited in Reading, Williamsport, and New York; “After the Race,”
adorning a wall in the “Hotel Netherlands, ” New York; “A Day’s
Hunt,” painted in 1898 and exhibited in Earle’s Art Galley, at
Philadelphia, and hundreds of smaller canvasses. The latter
painting brought Mr. Austrian to the front as an artist, his
critics calling attention to his fidelity to nature as admirable
features. In the fall of 1900, “A Golden Harvest” was given to the
public and was exhibited at Earle’s, and this painting of wonderful
beauty added fresh laurels.

In October, 1901, an even more ambitious effort
was produced and exhibited first in Reading and later at Green’s in
Philadelphia, entitled “The South Wind,” a painting showing the
trophies of the hunt, a masterly effort and a great success.

In 1902 Mr. Austrian opened a studio in Paris,
where his work was subjected to a severe and captious public, but
the encouragement was so general and commendation so universal,
that Mr. Austrian put his pictures on exhibition in the galleries
of Henry Graves & Co., London, where immediate and full
recognition was awarded and generous praise given. The royal
family, together with many distinguished member of the aristocracy
and others eminent in the world of art, letters and society, were
in frequent attendance and he was dubbed the “Landseer of
Chickens.” His “Golden Harvest” was secured by the Walker Art
Museum of Liverpool, one of the leading galleries of Europe. “His
Majesty, the King,” his latest work, exhibited in Reading,
Lancaster, and elsewhere, was purchased by Mr. Mahlon W. Newton, of
Philadelphia, a connoisseur, who has a fine collection of
well-known paintings. Mr. Austrian’s “A Day’s Hunt,” bought for its
author a high price, its gratified owner being Mr. J. H.
Sternbergh.

Ben Austrian sends pictures to the galleries of
Berlin, Munich, London, and San Francisco and exhibits in many of
the eastern cities. He has a charming summer studio in the
Neversink Mountains, a quaint cabin owned by the descendants of
Daniel Boone, which bears the name of “Clovelly.” and here his
summers are spent painting the glories of Nature in every mood. His
winter studio is situated on Perkiomen avenue, Reading.