Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

BELZ,
AUGUSTUS

pp. 1159 & 1160

Surnames: BELZ, SCHMITT, REMPPIS, KOHLER, MAURER, DIHL

Augustus Belz, a representative citizen of Reading, Berks Co., Pa.,
who holds the responsible position of foreman of the braiding
machine department of the Textile Machine Co., located at
Wyomissing, was born Nov. 2, 1874, at Neihoff, Hessen-Cassel,
Germany, son of Primus and Pauline (Schmitt) Belz.

Primus Belz was born in 1841, at Neihoff,
Hessen-Cassel, Germany, and was a blacksmith by trade. He was
married to Pauline Schmitt, who was born at Neihoff in 1843, and
they had a family of seven children, namely: Franceska, Robert,
Libba, Augustus, Martha, Joseph and Carl (who is in the African
army), Augustus being the only one of the family to come to America
to this date.

Augustus Belz was educated in the schools of his
native country, when fourteen years of age commenced to learn the
trade of machinist, which he completed when seventeen years of age.
This he followed in Germany until 1892, when he came to America,
landing at New York on May 1st of that year. He went immediately to
Philadelphia, where he remained until July 8th, and at that time
came to Reading, being employed at Remppis Ornamental iron Works
for a short period. Since 1894 he has been in the service of the
Textile Machine Company at Wyomissing, and he has held his present
position since 1902. He is a very efficient mechanic, and has
twenty-two skilled laborers in his charge. Since April, 1903, he
has occupied his own home. He is a member of the Holy Cross and
Bonifacius Beneficial Association, and his religious connection is
with St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church. In politics he is a
Democrat.

Mr. Belz was married in 1900 to Mary T. Kohler,
daughter of Bernhard and Theresa (Maurer) Kohler, natives of
Germany. Mrs. Belz was born April 5, 1882, and died July 20, 1906,
survived by her husband and one son: Joseph B., born at Reading,
Feb. 15, 1903. In 1908 Mr. Belz married : (second) Maria Dihl, a
native of France.

BENADE, JAMES
A.

p. 1572

Surnames: BENADE, MOERS

James A. Benade, a distinguished artist at Reading from 1840 to
1853, was the son of Dr. Andrew Benade, a Moravian Bishop at
Bethlehem. He was born in 1823 and was educated in the schools of
Bethlehem, having taken lessons under a noted Moravian artist named
Grd for a time, and afterward continued his studies in
Philadelphia. At the age of seventeen he located at Reading where
his active mind and busy brush soon won a high place in the esteem
and appreciation of cultured people. He painted many pictures
possessing artistic excellence, but unfortunately he was stricken
with paralysis in the midst of his encouraging prospects and died
Feb. 2, 1853. He married Sarah Nagle Moers, of Reading, by who he
had four children: James, Henry, Esther and Sarah.

BENADE, JAMES
C.

p. 625

Surnames: BENADE, HENRY, MOERS, NAGLE

James C. Benade, who for a number of years was well known to the
citizens of Reading, Pa., as an artist, was born in Lititz, son of
Bishop Andrew and Maria (Henry) Benade, the latter a daughter of
Judge Henry of Lancaster.

Bishop Andrew Benade was of the Moravian
denomination, and was a very prominent man in his day. His death
occurred in 1859, at the age of ninety-two years, his wife having
passed away several years prior to this. They were the parents of:
William, deceased, who was bishop at Philadelphia; Charles, an
inventor; James C. Bishop Benade had two daughters, Lucia and Mary,
by a former marriage.

James C. Benade was taken to Salem, N. C., when
a child, but when ten years of age was brought back to Lititz by
his parents, and received his education at Nazareth Hall, Nazareth,
Pa. Even at this early age he showed remarkable talent, and when a
youth took up oil and water color painting, becoming a noted
artist. He settled in Reading in 1837. His death occurred in 1853,
at the age of thirty-two years, and he was interred in the Charles
Evans cemetery. In 1845 he married Miss Sarah Moers, daughter of
Daniel and Henrietta (Nagle) Moers. To this union there were born
children as follows: James A., deceased; Patrick H., of Jefferson
county, Pa.; Esther H., who conducts a private preparatory school,
and Sarah M., both of Reading. In religious belief, Mr. Benade was
a Moravian.

BENFIELD
FAMILY

p. 1265

Surnames: SANDS, WELLER, WANGER, GREENWALD, GLUCK, ULRICH, HARP,
UPDEGROVE, KECK, SCHLOSSER, BECKER, DOTTERER, ROHRBACH, MOLL,
FISHER, REIFSNYDER, GERHARD, MECK, WEILER, SIESHOLTZ, YEAKEL,
SHANKWEILER, REINERT, LEDGER, HEYDT, NESTER, REICHERT, HOFFMAN,
REITENAUER, GERY, KEPLER, BINDER, GEHRIS, KEMP, GLUCK, YOUNG,
WELLER, KECK, BOYER, HOFFMAN, ROHRBACH, WETZEL, SANDS

The family historian of the Benfields has traced his name back to
the time of William the Conqueror in his conquest of England, 1066.
In his army was General John Benfield, from Normandy, who after the
conquest moved his family to England and became a man of prominence
in the circles of the court of William the Conqueror, then ruler of
England. After his death he was buried in Westminster Abbey, where
there is a tablet to his memory. The family in the course of time
spread into Scotland and Ireland, and from the Scotland family, so
far as the historian is able to discover, came two brothers, which
no doubt is correct. These two brothers were Thomas Benfield and
John Benfield. The former is the head of the Benfields of this
section as well as those of the Central and Western States. The
latter is the head of the Benfield family in North and South
Carolina as well as Georgia, whither he emigrated from Union
Township, Berks county, about 1760, with the Boone family. These
two persons came to America about 1712, so far as can be learned
from records. The said brothers then located west of Pottstown
several miles, in Union township, where both owned tracts of land.

In 1728 Thomas Benfield bought a tract of land
in Oley township, Berks county, but sold it to Abijah Sands in
1733, he having lived there all that time. The next year he
received a patent for land (100 acres) in District township, Berks
Co., Pa. This tract is now owned by Israel Weller and his brother.
In 1744 another patent was granted to him for a tract of fifty-two
acres, adjoining the 100-acre tract. This then for years became the
home of the family, and there he raised a family of two sons and
four daughters. This same Thomas Benfield while he lived here
purchased several other tracts in Union and Amity townships. Two
tracts were sold by him in 1762 to John Wanger, of the same
township; these two tracts are located near Port Union and still in
the Wanger family name. From the tax lists in the possession of the
Berks County Historical Society we find that he paid taxes at
different dates, showing that he either lived in these townships or
at least owned property and paid tax. In 1759 he paid 8 tax in
District township. And from 1761 to 1769 he paid tax in that
township, where he died and where his son Samuel was executor of
his will and filed his statement in 1771.

The son Samuel was a taxable in East District
(now District) township in 1790. He and his wife Anna lived in
District up to 1792, when he moved to Northampton (now Lehigh)
county, but returned in 1811, to Albany township, Berks county,
where he died. His will was probated in 1813, John Benfield and
George Greenwald, executors. In his family were two sons and five
daughters, all mentioned in the will, namely; John, Catharine,
Margaret, Susanna, Elizabeth, Maria and Jacob. The sons, moving to
western Pennsylvania, left one grandson of this Samuel, Henry
Benfield, who had just married and did not live in the above
locality, but moved to District township with a man by the name of
Gluck, by whom he was employed.

John Benfield, brother of Samuel, left no issue.
He also had moved to Lynn township, Northampton (now Lehigh) Co.,
Pa., but moved into West Penn, Schuylkill county, where he died.
Three of the daughters (sisters of John and Samuel) were married,
as follows: Catherine to a Mr. Ulrich, Mary to a Mr. Harp,
Elizabeth to a Mr. Updegrove, and Susanna remained single. Of these
persons very little is known by the historian.

Of Samuel’s two sons, John, as before intimated,
moved to Montour county, where his descendants now live and are
prominent. And of Jacob, who moved to central Pennsylvania, where
he died, it may be said that he and his wife, whose maiden name was
Keck, raised a family of five sons and one daughter, who all but
one left for the West, George locating in Illinois, Jacob and
Daniel in Crawford county, Pa., John in Michigan and Maria (Mrs.
Schlosser) in Crawford county, Pa., thus leaving one, Henry,
behind.

Henry Benfield raised eight sons and one
daughter, all the sons becoming prominent farmers and business men.
On Aug. 20, 1906, his descendants held a reunion at Huff’s Church,
the first gathering of this family, and six of his sons, as well as
many grandchildren, were present on the occasion. Henry Benfield
was born in Lynn township, Lehigh Co., Pa., Sept. 3, 1803, and in
1824 came to Hereford township, Berks county, where he worked one
year for a Mr. Gluck, on the farm later owned by his son George and
now the property of his grandson, Henry W. Benfield. He then
learned the blacksmith’s trade from Jacob Heydt, following that
trade for several years, until he commenced farming on his own
account. The rest of his active years he spent in agricultural
work, from which he retired, however, many years before his death,
which occurred Jan. 21, 1891, at the ripe age of eighty-seven
years, four months, eighteen days. In hi early years he was a
teamster, hauling for different forges. He bought a farm of
seventy-five acres above Bechtelsville, in Washington township,
which is now the property of his grandson, William Benfield. Mr.
Benfield was a Reformed member of the Hill Church, where he is
buried. He was a tall man, with black hair and dark complexion.
Henry Benfield married Sarah Becker, born July 4, 1806, died Feb.
22, 1886, aged seventy-nine years, seven months, eighteen days. Of
their nine children, (1) David, born March 26, 1827, died Nov. 27,
1903; his wife, Anna Maria, born in 1830, died in 1904. David was
in his younger years a teacher and later a very prosperous farmer
in Washington township, and the possessor of considerable real
estate, being the owner of the house of his father, Henry Benfield.
(2) Abraham and (3) Daniel both became farmers and contractors and
lumbermen, and are the owners of oil land in Ontario, Canada, where
Daniel had lived many years, pumping oil from their wells. Both
reside near Huff’s Church, and live retired. (4) Henry was a
shoemaker by trade, but started farming, and still later became
interested in iron ore mining, in Longswamp township, Berks county,
and neighboring localities. This was his vocation for many years.
Later he also became a lumberman, in which line of business he
continued up to his death. (5) Jacob and (6) Aaron both worked at
their trades, but later became tillers of the soil, and both are
still living, Jacob in Washington township, near Bechtelsville, and
Aaron near Huff’s Church. (7) George B. also was a farmer all his
life, living near Bechtelsville. (8) Samuel, also a farmer, finally
drifted into the hotel business, living in Lehigh county, having
hotels at Wanamakers, Kempton and Emaus. All these brothers have
been very industrious and are men of means and stand high in social
circles. Their descendants are scattered far and wide, and have
engaged in various vocations, being farmers, mechanics, educators,
doctors, prominent business men, etc. Henry Benfield’s only
daughter, Elizabeth, now deceased, was the wife of Joseph Dotterer.

Most of the history given in the foregoing was
contributed by Mr. Harry N. Benfield, son of Aaron Benfield, and
now located at Pottstown, Pa. He is more fully mentioned later, in
the paragraphs concerning his father.

Abraham Benfield, son of Henry, was born June
21, 1830. He learned the shoemaker’s trade, which he followed at
Norristown some years. He next engaged in lime burning in
Washington township, and later hauled ore. In 1869 he bought 169
acres of land in District township, upon which was an old saw and
grist mill, built in 1769. He remodeled the mill and put it in
operation. He owns another farm in Washington township and a small
tract in Hereford, and a limestone quarry in Upper Milford
township, Lehigh county. Since 1900 he has lived retired in a
tenant house on the old home farm. Though past fourscore years he
is well preserved and active, still interested in all that goes on.
For many years he was superintendent of the Sunday-school of the
Reformed Church. In politics he is a Democrat. He married Lucinda
Rohrbach, daughter of Nathan Rohrbach, a farmer of District
township. They had ten children: Sarah, wife of Reuben Moll, of
Hereford township; Mary Ann, deceased wife of Alfred M. Fisher,
general store clerk; Andora, who became the second wife of Alfred
M. Fisher; Amanda, wife of John D. Reifsnyder, a teacher then
residing in District township, but now in Colebrookdale township;
Ida, wife of Milton Gerhard, who operated a creamery at Womelsdorf,
but is now farming his own farm in Washington township; Abraham R.,
in Allentown, Pa.; and James and Alfred, who both died in infancy.

Franklin N. Benfield, justice of the peace of
District township, and director of the Farmers National Bank at
Pennsburg, is a native of the borough of Bechtelsville, Washington
township, born April 16, 1862. He attended the public schools of
District township, a subscription school in Hereford township, and
the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown. He worked for his
father on the farm until he twenty-one, and the next year he became
the manager of Huff’s Church creamery for W. H. Young, and he
conducted it for five years. In 1891 he rented the Benfield Mill,
formerly Bechtel’s Mill, a gristmill located in the northeast part
of District township, near the Hereford township line. This mill he
carried on for ten years. On March 8, 1901, he lost his right foot
while clearing ice from the water wheel. In 1905 he purchased his
father’s farm and mill property, now having 136 acres of fine land.
He has since then successfully operated both mill and farm,
employing besides his own two sons two other men. He also has
twenty-eight acres of wood and pasture land in the same township.
In partnership with his father he owns one hundred acres of
woodland in District township, and with Frank R. Meck a tract of
twenty acres of woodland. With his uncle, Henry Benfield, he
conducts a portable sawmill in the lower end of the county. In 1898
in partnership with Jonas Weiler he formed the Royal Dynamite
Company, and for one year they manufactured dynamite, but since
then Mr. Benfield has abandoned its manufacture, though he
continues to buy and sell it. In the spring of 1908 he rented the
mill to his son Claude E., who now operates it.

Franklin N. Benfield is an active Democrat, and
in the spring of 1885 was made justice of the peace of his
township, since which time he has been four times re-elected. For
ten years he was committeeman of the township, and then declined to
serve longer, but in 1908 he was again elected to the office. He is
one of the political powers of his and surrounding districts. He
and his family are Reformed members of Huff’s Church, of which he
was for four years treasurer for both denominations. He served four
years each as deacon and elder of the church.

Since 1898 Mr. Benfield has been a director of
the Farmers National Bank of Pennsburg, and since 1902 he has been
secretary of the board. He is a director of the Windsor Mutual
Accident and Fire Insurance Company, of Berks county, and is agent
for the following companies; Steelton Mutual Fire Insurance
Company; Manatawny Mutual Fire & Storm Insurance Company;
Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Lehigh County; Mutual Fire
Insurance Company of Berks County; Boyertown Fire Insurance
Company; Farmers Mutual Assistance and Fire Insurance Company of
Berks County; Tulpehocken Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Berks
County.

On Nov. 17, 1883, Mr. Benfield was married to
Mary Y. Siesholtz, daughter of David and Sarah (Yeakel) Siesholtz.
She died Oct. 12, 1898, aged thirty-five years, nine months,
twenty-two days. They had seven children, as follows: Eliza A., a
highly educated young lady, who kept house for her father for
several years, and who was organist of the church and
Sunday-school, m., Jan 20, 1909, James S. Shankweiler, who is
conducting a dry goods store at Kutztown; Claude E., conducting the
mill, m. Mary, daughter of Augustus Reinert, of Hereford township;
Minnie S. m. Marvin Ledger, of Reading; and Irwin S., Mary A.,
Frank S. and Lillie S. are all in school. On Jan. 20, 1909, Mr.
Benfield m. (second) Amanda Siesholtz, sister to his first wife.

George B. Benfield, Son of Henry, was born Jan 21, 1834, in the
section of Hereford township now embraced in Washington township,
and died on his farm at Forgedale July 19 1898, aged sixty-four
years, five months twenty-eight days. He was a lifelong successful
farmer, and owned the large place which his son Henry now owns. He
was a highly respected man, a member of the Reformed congregation
of the Hill Church, of which he served both as deacon and elder.
Mr. Benfield married Mary Weller, born May 10, 1840, daughter of
Philip and Mary (Heydt) Weller, of District township, died Aug. 20,
1904, aged sixty-four years, three months, ten days. Twelve
children were born to this union: Ephraim died unmarried; Amanda m.
Fred Weller; Rebecca m. Elijah Nester; Adam W. and Henry W. are
mentioned farther on; Daniel is a resident of Hereford township;
Jonathan lives in Pike township; Elam lives in Washington township;
four died in infancy.

Adam W. Benfield, son of George B., was born
Dec. 27, 1868, in Washington township, Berks county, and received a
good education, beginning in the public schools of his native
township. Later he attended the Longswamp high school and the
Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, where he was a student
for two terms. Meantime, assisting his father at home, he had
gained a thorough knowledge of farming, and he continued to help at
home until he was nineteen years old, attending school in the
winter until he began to teach. He received his license in 1887,
from Prof. D. S. Keck, and began his experience in Washington
township, where he was engaged for eight terms. After that for five
terms he was in District township, before he commenced farming,
which he has followed on his own place in District township since
the spring of 1909. His tract comprises seventy-eight acres of good
land, which the present owner bought from Isaac Heydt, who was
preceded in its ownership by David Heydt, and he in turn by a Mr.
Reichert. There are good buildings in the property, from which Mr.
Benfield makes a good living.

On June 1, 1895, Mr. Benfield was married to
Ellen R. Hoffman, daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Reitenauer)
Hoffman, of Forgedale. They have had four children: Elmer C., Edna
M., Cora V. and Ambrose J. Mr. and Mrs. Benfield are Reformed
members of the historic Hill Church in Pike township, and he has
served five years as deacon of that congregation. In politics he is
a Democrat, and he has served in local offices. He has been
treasurer and trustee of Council No. 1007, Order of Independent
Americans, at Landisville, being one of the prominent members of
that body.

Henry W. Benfield was born Feb. 24, 1871, in
Washington township, Berks county, on the old homestead of his
father and grandfather. Most of his life has been passed in
farming. He attended the common schools of the home district, and
worked for his parents on the farm until twenty-one years old,
after which he was engaged as a clerk, serving in that capacity in
stores at Huff’s Church, Bechtelsville and South Bethlehem, one
year in each place. Returning home, he hired out to his father for
one year, in the spring of 1894 commencing to farm on his own
account on his father’s farm at Forgedale, in Washington township.
He was a tenant for eleven years in September, 1905, buying the
place, which consists of eighty-nine acres in good condition and
very fertile. The present barn was built in 1854 by Adam Boyer, and
the house was built in 1881 by Mr. Benfield’s father. Mr. Benfield
keeps three horses and fourteen head of cattle, having a good dairy
business in addition to his general farming interests. In politics
he is a Democrat, and in 1908 served as school director in
Washington township.

On Nov. 11, 1893, Mr. Benfield was married to
Lillie G. Reitenauer, daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Gery)
Reitenauer, and they have had four children, Mary A., Ida M., Eva
S. and Lloyd B. Mr. Benfield and his family are Reformed members of
the Hill Church, where he has served three years as deacon.

Aaron Benfield, son of Henry, was born June 14, 1842, in Pike
township, in that section now included in Washington township. He
attended the old pay school for one term, until the public school
was established, after which he received the benefits of free
education. When seventeen years old he went to learn the
blacksmith’s trade which he followed for eight years in all — two
years in Frederick township, Montgomery county, and about half a
year at the Black Bear, in Berks county, thence returning to
Frederick township. In 1877 he began farming in Washington
township, where he was thus engaged for eleven years, at the end of
that time removing to Hereford township, where he has since made
his home. In 1894 he purchased the farm of eight-four acres upon
which he has since lived, and which was the old Jacob Hoffman
homestead. The present barn on the place was built in 1872, but
many of the improvements were made by Mr. Benfield, who was known
as a successful farmer throughout his active years. He retired from
arduous labor in 1907, but his son Oscar had previously taken
charge of the home place, which he has cultivated since 1895. Mr.
Benfield owns another tract, of twenty-eight acres, near
Oberholtzer’s schoolhouse. Before settling at his present home he
lived for fifteen years at Huff’s Church, cultivating a
twenty-three-acre tract in that location. His neighbors have shown
their confidence in his business ability by electing him township
treasurer. He is a Republican in politics. During the Civil war he
enlisted at Norristown, April 7, 1865, for service in the Union
army, becoming a private in Company D, 215th Pa. V. I., for one
year or during the war, and served until after its close, being
mustered out July 31, 1865, at Fort Delaware.

Mr. Benfield was married Oct. 2, 1866, to Maria
Elizabeth Kepler, born Oct. 2, 1839, daughter of Copeland and
Margaretha (Binder) Kepler, farming people of Upper Hanover
township, Montgomery Co., Pa. Mrs. Benfield died Nov. 8, 1906, the
mother of three children, Oscar, Harry N. and Elmer. All this
family are Reformed members of Huff’s Church.

Oscar Benfield, oldest son of Aaron, is farming
on his father’s place in Hereford township. He is married to Mary
Gehris, and they have had children as follows: Gertie, Grace,
Webster, Nevin, Mabel, Florence and Erma.

Harry N. Benfield, second son of Aaron, was born
in 1871, in Washington township, Berks county, and received his
early education in the township schools, later going to the schools
of Hereford, where he finished the course. In the fall of 1890 he
entered the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, but left the
same year to begin teaching, which profession he has followed ever
since, having filled positions in Berks, Lehigh and Montgomery
counties before taking his present position in Chester county, in
the fall of 1908. He is now supervising principal of Coventry
township, Chester county. Mr. Benfield has never neglected his
studies in spite of his work, having taken a preparatory course in
Schuylkill Seminary, at Fredericksburg, Lebanon county, and in 1900
he graduated from the Keystone State Normal School. He is now doing
post-graduate work at a college.

He married Elizabeth Kemp, of District township,
Berks county. They have no children. Mr. Benfield is the historian
of the Benfield family, of which he is preparing a history.

Elmer Benfield, now engaged as a carpenter at
Morysville, worked at his trade in car shops in Philadelphia for
ten years, being employed as a car inspector. He has been twice
married, his first wife being Maleira Wetzel, who died in 1903.
They had no children. In 1905 Mr. Benfield married Maggie Rohrbach,
by whom he has one daughter, Myrtle.

BENNECOFF,
MOSES

p. 1454

Surnames: SPOHN, BENIGHOFF, HARING, ECK, SCHICK, GEIST, DERR,
BAUSHER, KRICK

Moses Bennecoff, of Maxatawny township, was born Sept. 4, 1851, in
Greenwich township, Berks county, son of Benjamin and Sarah (Spohn)
Bennecoff.

Philip Benighoff was the ancestor of this
family. He was born in the Old World, and came to America about the
time of the Revolutionary war. In 1800 he was a taxpayer in Albany
township, Berks county, his assessment being a county tax of twelve
shillings. There is a record that in 1815 a William Benighoff paid
a county tax of seven shillings in the same district. He was
probably a son of Philip and brother of Peter.

Peter Bennecoff, grandfather of Moses, was a
resident of Greenwich township. He married Polly Haring, and his
immediate descendants were: Joel, who had Charles, Jeremiah and
Austin; Levi, living at Allentown; William; Benjamin; Peter; and
Abby, m. to Charles Eck.

There is another family record of about the same
date. John Benighoff (1816-1886) and Lydia Benighoff (1830-1906)
were brother and sister. Lydia married William Schick (1828-1890),
and they owned a small farm in Millcreek, Maxatawny township. In
1889 they retired and moved to Monterey, where Mr. Schick died the
following year. He had two brothers, Henry and Nathan.

Benjamin Bennecoff, father of Moses, was born
Jan. 23, 1818, and died April 28, 1884. He was a farmer and also
carried on carpet weaving. His farm of seventy acres was located
near the Roth school house, in Greenwich township. He married Sarah
Spohn, born July 25, 1822, who died April 16, 1892. They had nine
children, as follows: Noah, who died Feb. 2, 1907, aged sixty-five
years, was supervisor of Maxatawny township for twenty-one years;
Mary m. Abraham Geist; Sarah m. Henry Derr; Benjamin lived in
Claussville, Pa.; Moses; William is a farmer near Krumsville, Pa.;
Emma died aged twenty-one years; and two died young.

Moses Bennecoff was reared on his father’s farm
and when eighteen years of age he learned the stone mason’s trade,
which he followed six years. In 1874 he began farming in Maxatawny
township and after being a tenant for twelve years, he bought a
farm of fifty acres, to which he has since added twelve acres. In
1900 he built a house on his farm, and in may ways has improved his
property.

On Nov. 18, 1876, Mr. Bennecoff married Sarah
Amelia Bausher, daughter of Jacob Bausher, of Windsor Castle, and
they have had six children, namely: William, born in 1879, died in
1896; Charles, a farmer in Maxatawny township, m. Amy Krick; Edwin;
James; Mamie, and Irwin. Mr. Bennecoff and family are Lutherans,
and are members of Maxatawny Zion Church.

BENNETCH
FAMILY

p. 1542

Surnames: BENNETCH, HAM, BECKER, KINDIG, WIEST, STONER, BRUBAKER,
SCHAPPELL, LACCER, REEDY, SPEICHER, STAUDT, EYRICH, BLATT, SOWERS,
HASSLER, FISHER

In northwestern Berks county is located the Bennetch family, which
bears a name noted in French Huguenot history. Many were scattered
by religious persecution through Switzerland the Palatinate and
England, and of those who came to America, Simon Bennetch located
in Heidelberg township, Berks Co., Pa., where he died in 1757,
leaving a posterity of which Morris Bennetch, one of Heidelberg
township’s substantial citizens, is a member of one of the youngest
generations. The family arrived in 1732, at which time Simon
Bennetch was thirteen years of age. Inasmuch as the father’s name
does not appear on the list with the family upon its arrival, it is
probable that he died on the voyage to America.

John Bennetch, the grandfather of Morris, was a
native of Lancaster county, Pa.. and lived at the Swamp, where he
owned a tract of land. His wife was Anna Ham, and both are buried
at the Schaefferstown cemetery. They were the parents of these
children: John, who lived near Myerstown, m. Valeria Becker and,
had three children-Henry, Mary Ann and Jacob; Benneville, a farmer,
who died near Myerstown in 1899, aged eighty-four years, had five
children-Benneville, George, Frank, Kate and Laura; Polly, who was
born in 1818, m. Joseph Kindig. who lived on the Bennetch
homestead; Annie m. Christian Wiest; Catherine m. William Stoner
and lives at Avon, Pa.; Henry; Frederick, who died at the Swamp,
July 3, 1906, m. Priscilla Brubaker, and had seven children-Katie,
Benjamin, Priscilla, Polly, Susan. Henry and John; and Eliza is
unmarried.

Henry Bennetch, father of Morris, was born in
Cocalico township, Lancaster county, in August. 1830, and died Dec.
13, 1901, being buried at Schaefferstown, where for many years he
had been a member of the Lutheran Church. He was the owner of 171
acres of land in Heidelberg township, now the property of Henry
Schappell, and was a man of influence in his community. Mr.
Bennetch was married to Kate Laccer, who was born in 1840 and now
resides in her own home at West Reading. She was a daughter of
Joseph Laccer, of Schaefferstown. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bennetch had
these children: John died in infancy; Jacob, born in August, 1864,
now lives with his brother Morris, was married and has a daughter
-Bertha; Catherine, born Dec. 26, 1866, m. Henry Reedy; Lizzie, who
died in May, 1901, m. Matthias Speicher, whom she bore these
children,-Willie, Beulah, Paul, Mabel, Ella and Erma; Morris; Rosa
m. Milert Staudt, a moulder at Sinking Spring; and Amelia m. James
Eyrich, of Wyomissing.

Morris Bennetch obtained only a limited
schooling in his native district, having given up his studies early
in order to engage in work on his father’s farm. For four years he
farmed as a tenant on his father’s property, and in 1903 he
purchased the Benjamin Blatt farm of thirty-three acres, a fertile
tract of land located about three miles north of Robesonia, near
the Sowers School house, on which Mr. Bennetch carries on truck
farming, giving special attention to potato growing. He is a
Democrat in politics, as was his father, and he and his wife are
prominent members of Hain’s Reformed Church.

Mr. Bennetch was married to Carrie Hassler,
daughter of William and Catherine (Fisher) Hassler, the former a
farmer and painter of Wernersville, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Bennetch have
no children. Mrs. Bennetch was one of a family of five children,
namely: Lewis, Sallie, Harry, Emma and Carrie.

BENSON, LOT
(DR.)

p. 688

Surnames: BENSON, ECKERT

The late Dr. Benson was known in the latter part of his life as one
of Reading’s successful businessmen, but as a young man he had
studied and practised medicine. His life covered the greater part
of the nineteenth century, and its long record was that of a useful
and venerable citizen, who had merited and won the respect and
esteem of all who knew him.

Dr. Benson was
born in Reading Oct. 1, 1802, and after attending the Reading
Academy he began his preparation for the medical profession. He
took the course offered in the Jefferson Medical College, at
Philadelphia, and after receiving his degree practised for some
years in Reading, meeting with considerable success. He found,
however, that his tastes inclined him more to the commercial world
than to the professional, and a few years later relinquished the
practice of medicine and turned his attention to mercantile
pursuits. For a number of years he was so engaged at Womelsdorf. In
1845 he came to Reading, and was in the iron business with Eckert
& Bro., continuing with them for the remainder of his active
life, but his last few years he spent retired from active
responsibilities and cares. He died in 1882.
In 1829 Dr. Benson married
Miss Eliza Eckert, daughter of Peter Eckert, of Womelsdorf, a
member of one of the early families of that district. Four children
were born of this union, namely: (1) David E., a well-known
ironmaster connected with the Donegal Furnace, at Marietta,
Lancaster county, Pa., died June 17, 1901. He was a man of high
standing, and was much interested in all philanthropic work. He
gave the ground for the Hope Rescue Mission, and proved his
interest in many ways. (2) Susan E. (3) Mary C. died in 1872. (4)
Rebecca H. died in 1848. The wife and mother passed away in 1869,
at the age of sixty-two years. Both she and the Doctor were members
of the Presbyterian Church, in which for forty years he served
efficiently as elder. A staunch Republican in principle, he
nevertheless concerned himself with public affairs only as a good
citizen, never as a politician. The family was one highly respected
in Reading, and active in various fields.

BENZ,
THEODORE

p. 646

Surnames: BENZ, DAVIS, FLATT, KNODERER, MOHRING, NORRIS, WALTERS,
WERT, HOUNDS, WARD

Theodore Benz, now living retired from active work at his home at
Mineral Spring Park, Reading, is a native of Germany, born in
Baden, Saalbach, Nov. 9, 1835, and he is the only survivor of the
seven children born to George Benz, a locksmith, whose entire life
was passed in his native country.

Before coming to America Mr. Benz was employed
with his brother, but in the fall of 1850 he set sail for the New
World, the voyage lasting thirty-two days. He landed at New York
City, but went at once to Philadelphia, where with his brother
Charles he was employed at the Norris Machine Shop. After some time
there he learned the baker’s trade, and this he followed steadily
until 1859, when he engaged in the oyster business at Reading, to
which city he came in 1856. He was located at a corner on Penn
Street, and for a time was a partner of Capt. Michael Walters. This
business was carried on most successfully until the time of the
first draft for the Federal Army in the Civil War. He served nine
months in the Company known as the Hounds-Ward Company, and later
was cook for Colonels Knoderer, Wert and Davis. In 1865 he began in
the baking business at Reading, having his establishment at No. 814
Walnut Street. This he continued for nine years, and then until
1892 he was engaged in the hotel business on Seventh Street,
between Penn and Franklin Streets. That year he moved to No. 928
Penn Street, from which place in 1892 he moved to his present
location. In 1891 he built his home in Lower Alsace Township, or
Mt. Penn, on the Old Hessian Camp Ground. He has about eight acres
of land, five of which are devoted to grapes and other fruit.

Mr. Benz married Barbara Mohring, who came to
America from Germany when five years old. She died in 1890, aged
fifty-two years, ten months, fifteen days,, and is buried in the
German Lutheran Cemetery. Eight children were born to them, two of
whom are deceased. The survivors are: Charles W., who has been a
clerk in the Penn National Bank since its organization; John G., a
plumber in business with his brother William, under the firm name
of Benz & Bro.; Edward, who is in the employ of the United
Traction Company; William, a member of the plumbing firm of Benz
& Bro.; Annie C., m. to Joseph C. Flatt, of Reading; and Miss
Lillie, at home. In his religious faith Mr. Benz is a Lutheran. He
is a member of Germania Lodge, O. O. O. F., and also of Reading
Encampment. In 1900, just fifty years after his leaving the old
home in Germany, Mr. Benz revisited the scenes of his youth, and
also attended the Paris Exposition, spending four months in travel
abroad.

BERG, CHARLES
W.

p. 1018

Surnames: BERG, NOLL, BERCK, BERK, STERNER, GERNAND, SITTLER,
GAUKER, LONG, GICKER, DUTT, FRITZ, HUYETT, BITTING

Charles W. Berg, an agriculturist, dairyman and prominent citizen
of near Shillington, Pa., who is serving as school director of
Cumru township, Berks county, was born Jan. 23, 1857, near
Leesport, Ontelaunee township, son of Isaac and Maria (Noll) Berg.

Henry and Ludwig Berg (also spelled Berck and
Berk), brothers, came from the Palatinate, Germany, about 1751, and
settled in Greenwich township, Berks county, Pa., where they became
farmers and owned land. In 1759 Henry Berg paid four pounds tax and
Ludwig paid three pounds. The Berg family is numerous in
Pennsylvania, and descendants of these pioneers reside in Greenwich
and Albany townships to this day, in the latter township Daniel P.
and his cousin, Alfred Berk, being prominent men, and in Maxatawny
township, in 1907, resided Cyrus and Cornelius Berg.

John Berg, son of Henry and great-grandfather of
Charles W., was an early resident of Greenwich township, where he
was a tiller of the soil. He cleared land and erected a log cabin
and this was his home to the time of his death. He was twice
married, and had by his first wife the following children: David;
Charles; Jonathan; Henry; Peter, who had sons, Samuel, Charles and
John, and daughter, Sarah; and Polly, who married Jesse Sterner,
who was killed while serving the war of the Rebellion.

Charles Berg, grandfather of Charles W., was
born in Greenwich township, Berks county, and settled in Ontelaunee
township, where he conducted the old Gernand farm for many years,
and where he died a fairly prosperous man. He married Catharine
Sittler, of Greenwich township, and both are buried at Gernand’s
Church, of which they were member. Mr. and Mrs. Berg had ten
children, as follows: David died in 1906, in his eightieth year;
Isaac spent his life in Cumru township; Sallie, born May 27, 1830,
m. Harry Gauker, of Leesport, Pa.; Jacob lives in Ontelaunee
township; Hettie, m. Jesse Long, of Leesport; Kate m. Daniel
Gicker, of Bern township; Eliza died at the age of sixteen years;
Maria m. Benjamin Dutt, of Lenhartsville; John died young; and
Charles lived at Temple and died from the effects of being kicked
by a horse.

Isaac Berg was a farmer in Ontelaunee township,
and served on the school board for twelve years. He was an earnest
and active church worker, serving as deacon and elder of Gernand’s
Church in Ontelaunee township. Leaving Ontelaunee township he
settled in Cumru and was a farmer in the township for many years
and there he died, though his remains were interred in Ontelaunee.
He married Maria Noll, and to them were born children as follows:
Charles W.; Isaac J., of Reading; Clara, who married Henry F.
Fritz, proprietor of the “Mountain View Hotel,” in Cumru township;
Irwin H. of Oakbrook; and George L., who died at the age of sixteen
years.

Charles W. Berg was reared upon his father’s
farm and obtained his education in the public schools, which he
left at an early age. In 1874 he journeyed westward and for two
years was employed as a clerk in Stillwater, Minn., by a well-known
merchant, banker and business man of that place. After spending
some time in St. Paul, Minn., he returned East and engaged in
butchering in Reading, Pa. On March 24, 1878, he again left for the
West, this time going to St. Cloud, Minn., where he engaged for a
number of years as a locomotive engineer, and for about one year
was a government surveyor in Montana. He returned to Cumru township
in 1888, and here he has since resided, and has been conducting the
old Huyett property since 1892. Mr. Berg has done considerable
traveling, having been in twenty-eight States in his own country,
and having visited in Canada. He is now a prosperous agriculturist,
and has an excellent dairy farm. He is a member of the Oley Lodge,
I. O. O. F., and Reading Tent, No. 431, K. O. T. M., both of
Reading. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, and efficiently
served on the school board since 1902, receiving at the time of his
re-election, in 1905, the largest vote ever given a candidate for
the office of school director in Berks county. Mr. Berg is very
enthusiastic in the cause of education, and was instrumental in
establishing the township high school at Shillington, which is
regarded as the leading township high school in the county. In
addition to this high school there are now thirty public schools in
the township. Mr. Berg and his family are consistent attendants and
liberal supporters of Yocom’s (Christ’s) Union Church, of Cumru
township, of which he was a deacon for three years.

On March 4, 1888, Mr. Berg married Mary Ann
Bitting, daughter of John Bitting (mentioned elsewhere), and three
children have been born to this union: Carrie E., a graduate of the
township high school, class of 1907; Elenora M.; and Charles I.

BERG, I.
HENRY

p. 1075

Surnames: BERG, WORLEY, ZIMMERMAN I. Henry Berg, who is residing in
his fine brick residence at Grace and Fern streets, Oakbrook, Pa.,
is a moulder by trade, and is now employed at the Reading Stove
Works.

Mr. Berg was born June 18, 1870, in Ontelaunee
township, Berks county. After attending the public schools of his
native township, he entered the Reading Business College, and in
1888 began his trade at the well-known Mellert foundry, where he
remained a period of four years. He has since been connected with
several of the leading companies of Berks county, and at present is
employed at the Reading Stove Works, where his services are highly
valued. He is a steady workman and skilled mechanic, and has won
the esteem and regard of his employers and fellow employes. Mr.
Berg has been prominent in the ranks of the Republican party,
serving Cumru township as register assessor for four years, and as
clerk of the election board. In 1909 he was appointed supervisor of
the first precinct of Cumru township. He is a popular member of
Heptasophs Conclave No. 31, and the Iron Workers Union No. 35. In
1892 he purchased a fine brick residence at Grace and Fern streets,
and he is well known and highly esteemed that community.

On June 23, 1893, Mr. Berg married Miss Emma
Worley, daughter of Obediah and Catherine (Zimmerman) Worley. To
this union one son has been born: George O., Dec. 17, 1896, who is
now attending school at Reading.