Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

BICKEL,
AMANDON LAMM

p. 874

Surnames: BICKEL, B?KEL, GOSTENBERGER, MEYER, RUTH, KUESTER,
DILKLE, GLAT, TOCK, ROMIG, SOHL, BECKEL, LAMM, STOUDT, MATZ,
FISHER, LISCHEY, WAGNER, KLOPP, SCHOEDLER, SELLERS, GRUBER,
ZECHMAN, LEINBACH

Amandon Lamm Bickel, one of the prominent teachers of Lower
Heidelberg, was born in North Heidelberg township, Berks county,
Oct. 15, 1857.

Tobias Bickel, or Bl as the name was then
spelled, was born in Karlstadt, Bavaria, Germany, son of John
Gotthard and Anna Sybilla (Gostenberger) Bl. In the fall of
1736-37 (records differ), accompanied by his sister Maria Margaret
and brother Frederick, he emigrated from Durkheim, Bavaria, to
Pennsylvania. Tobias settled in North Heidelberg township, Berks
county, south of Tulpehocken creek, on a farm that in 1768 had 120
acres; and Frederick in Bern township, on the Schuylkill, afterward
moving to North Heidelberg, and in 1747 to Bethlehem, where he
became farmer-general of the Bethlehem Economy. Maria Margaret
married John Meyer, of North Heidelberg township. The farm
belonging to Tobias passed to his son Anthony, then to Joseph, next
to Elias, thus remaining in the Bickel family for a century and a
quarter, but it is now owned by Peter Ruth.

The original Bls were of the Reformed faith,
but were converted to Moravianism. The two brothers and some of
their neighbors listened to the preaching of Zinendorf, the
Moravian missionary, and were deeply affected thereby. They
requested a preacher be sent them, and, as they had been of the
Reformed faith, he sent them Jacob Lischy, who preached in private
houses until September, 1743. He was succeeded in January, 1744, by
Anthony Wagner, who at first resided with Tobias Bl. In the summer
of 1744, on land donated by Mr. Bl, the North Heidelberg Church
and parsonage were erected by the Moravians, and on Nov. 4th, of
that year, the church was dedicated to the service of God in the
opening sessions of a Synod presided over by Henry Antes. Later the
church became Union-Reformed and Lutheran-and the members, it
seems, returned to their original faith, the living descendants of
Tobias Bl being Reformed. The descendants of Frederick, in
Bethlehem, still adhere to the Moravian faith. On Palm Sunday,
1734, Tobias Bl married Christina Kuester, born May 6, 1714,
daughter of Jacob Kuester and his wife, Elizabeth Dilkle. Two
children were born of this union before the emigration to America.
The wife and mother died in February, 1775, and Mr. Bl married
(second) in 1779 Widow Mary Elizabeth Glat, nee Tock, of
Heidelberg. She died in 1790, when nearly eighty years of age. The
tombstone of Christina was found in the North Heidelberg
churchyard, lying flat on the ground in Moravian fashion, but those
of Tobias and his second wife have never been found. The names and
dates of birth of the fourteen children of Tobias are on record in
the Moravian Archives at Bethlehem, and the names of those living
in 1789 appear in his will, made that year and on record in the
Berks county courthouse.

Anthony Bl, one of the sons of Tobias, lived on
the old homestead, but his burial place is uncertain, as his
tombstone has not been found. He married Magdalena Romig, and was
the father of twelve children.

Joseph Bl, son of Anthony, was born, May 11,
1785, and he died March 18. 1853. He was a blacksmith and farmer on
the old home. He married Catharine Sohl. About this time the
spelling of the name was changed from Bl to Bickel, but the
Bethlehem branch spell it Beckel. Joseph and Catharine had twelve
children.

Jared Bickel, son of Joseph, was born March 1,
1837. He lived on a farm between Klopp’s store and Robesonia, and
was a prominent citizen of North Heidelberg, taking a great
interest in political and religious affairs. For a time he was a
member of the township school board. In 1884 he moved to Bluffton,
Ind., and carried on farming there. He died Jan. 16, 1892. He
married Leah Lamm, daughter of Daniel Lamm, and granddaughter of
Peter Lamm. Both Daniel and Peter Lamm are buried at Hain’s church.
Daniel Lamm married Catharine Stoudt, daughter of Matthias Stoudt,
son of Matthias, Sr., and both are buried at Bern Church. To Jared
and Leah Bickel were born four children: Lewis, who died in
infancy; Wilson and Catharine, who died in Indiana; and Amandon
Lamm.

Amandon Lamm Bickel, son of Jared and Leah,
attended the public schools of North Heidelberg in the winter and
worked on his father’s farm in the summer. During the spring and
summer of 1878 he attended Oley Academy, then the leading school of
its kind in county. It was under the principalship of Dr. D. E.
Schoedler at that time. The school term of 1878-79 he spent
studying at the Bernville grammar school, presided over by Prof. G.
A. Sellers; and in the spring and summer terms he went to the
Bernville Select School, presided over by Michael A. Gruber, A. M.
He then passed the teacher’s examination under Prof. S. A. Baer,
and began his career by teaching, a profession he has since
followed with great success. He continued his studies in the spring
and summer terms of 1883 at Oley Academy, and later he studied
under private tutors. He has acquired a permanent certificate, and
has taught in all thirty terms in Lower Heidelberg, giving
excellent satisfaction not only to the trustees but to the patrons
of the schools. In his long service he has witnessed the
lengthening of the school term from five to seven months, the
freeing of text-books, the introduction of school libraries and
modern equipment and the doubling of the teachers’ salaries. He is
an active member of the Berks County Teachers’ Reading Union, and
has received a diploma for following out the course of reading
recommended, since its organization by County Superintendent
Zechman.

Mr. Bickel was formerly a member of the North
Heidelberg Church, where he was confirmed by Rev. Thomas Leinbach.
When he changed his residence to Lower Heidelberg he became a
member of Hain’s Reformed church. He has served in the consistory
as deacon and elder, and for a number of years he has been
superintendent of the Marsh Sunday-school.

In 1884 Mr. Bickel was married to Ellen
Magdalena Matz, born June 17, 1860, daughter of John and Susanna
(Fisher) Matz, both of whom are buried at Epler’s Church. Two
children have blessed this union: Harvey Cleveland, born Feb. 6,
1885, private secretary to United States Commissioner of Navigation
Chamberlain, at Washington, D. C.; and Paul Jared, born April 1,
1886, a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, and now an
instructor in mathematics at Mercersburg Academy.

BICKEL,
CORNELIUS

p 809

Surnames: BICKEL, GRUBER, SEIFERT, McMANUS, BUSHONG, HUFFERT,
BARE, BONHAM, DOERMAN, STOTT

Cornelius Bickel, assistant superintendent of the Keystone Furnace,
a branch of the Reading IronCompany, one of the largest industries
of Berks county, Pa., was born in 1854, in Lower Heidelberg
township, Berks county, son of. Daniel and Rebecca (Gruber) Bickel,
farming people of Lower Heidelberg township.

Cornelius Bickel was one of a family of thirteen
children, of whom but he and his brother Gesson are now living. He
received a common school education in Cumru township, and worked on
a farm until twenty-two years of age, when he came to Reading and
accepted a position with Seifert. McManus & Co., continuing
with that firm through all of its changes, until it was merged with
the Reading Iron Company. Mr. Bickel started in at the old tube
works, being promoted to foreman. In 1887 he came to the Keystone
Furnace as a laborer, when the Bushings operated the plant, and two
years later was appointed to the position of foreman, in 1896 being
made assistant superintendent, a capacity in which he has served to
the present time. Mr. Bickel has from 140 to 150 workmen under his
supervision, and he is popular with the employees and is considered
a valuable man by his employers. He is a skilled mechanic, and it
has been through his own ability and faithfulness to duty that he
has reached his present position.

Mr. Bickel married Miss Emma Huffert, a native
of Cumru township, Berks county, and to them have been born these
children: Agnes m. John Bare; James; Lillie m. Milton Bonham;
Florence m. John Doerman; and Regina m. Charles Stott. Mr. Bickel
is a member of the P. 0. S. of A., and the Jr. 0. U. A. M. In
political matters he is independent, casting his vote rather for
the man than the party.

BICKEL, J.
ISAAC

p. 461

Surnames: BICKEL, WENRICH, RUTH, ROMICK, LENGEL, TROUTMAN, FAUST,
GRUBER, ADAMS, VAN REED, WERNER, FIDLER, HENNING, CHRIST, BOYER,
GRING, LEISS

In the death of J. Isaac Bickel, Bern township lost one of her best
and most respected citizens. He was born Nov. 2, 1838, in North
Heidelberg township, Berks Co., Pa., son of Jonathan and Magdalena
(Wenrich) Bickel.

The Bickel family has long been on of importance
in upper Berks county. Anthony Bickel, son of the ancestor, was a
farmer in North Heidelberg township, where he owned a farm of 160
acres, which is now the property of Peter Ruth. A barn that he
built is yet standing. He was a member of Herrnhooder (now North
Heidelberg) Union Church, where his remains were laid to rest.
After his death his oldest son, Joseph, obtained the farm and after
Joseph’s death, his oldest son, Elias, became its owner. Elias
Bickel sold it to Peter Ruth and moved to Reading, where he was in
a hotel business on the site where the post-office now stands.
Anthony Bickel married a Miss Romick, and they had six children,
namely: Joseph (had children – Elias, John, Jesse, Moses, Joseph,
Jared, Leah, Matilda, Mauline and Catherine); Anthony, who lived in
North Heidelberg township, a blacksmith (had children – William,
Benjamin – residing at Mt. Pleasant, John, Sallie and Eliza);
Jonathan; Daniel; Mrs. Mordecai Lengel, who lived beyond Bernville;
and Mrs. Henry Troutman, of Mount Etna.

Jonathan Bickel, born April 18, 1800, died July
21, 1874, aged seventy-four years, three months, three days, and
was buried in the North Heidelberg Church graveyard. He was a
farmer in North Heidelberg township, where he owned eighty acres of
land. His wife was Magdalena Wenrich, daughter of Johannes Wenrich.
They had the following children: (1) Daniel, (2) Jonathan, a
farmer, who lived in Iowa, later in Ohio, was buried by the side of
his wife in Iowa. His children were: Elias, Isaac and a daughter,
(3) Frank resides at Mohnton, (4) James resides in Reading, (5)
Molly married John Faust (deceased) and moved to Nebraska, but
later lived at Milton, Pa., where she died, (6) J. Isaac.

Daniel Bickel, son of Jonathan, was born in
North Heidelberg township, Feb. 20, 1823, and owned the homestead
farm in North Heidelberg township, which he conducted until 1882.
He resides with his son, Gasson Bickel, in Lower Heidelberg, near
Wernersville. His physical health is remarkably good
notwithstanding his years and he hauls the milk from the farm to
the neighboring creamery. Formerly he served as school director in
Lower Heidelberg township. He and family are members of the North
Heidelberg Church, where the family have their burying plot. He has
identified himself with the religious bodies where he has lived,
and during a residence of eleven years in Cumru township was an
elder in the Gouglersville Church. He is also a contributing member
of Hain’s Reformed Church. His wife, Rebecca Gruber, died in Cumru
township, April 7, 1873, aged forty-six years. They had sixteen
children all of whom are dead except Cornelius, residing in
Reading, and Gasson, who is a farmer in Lower Heidelberg township
and has one son, James.

Daniel Bickel, son of Anthony, moved to
Fairfield county, Ohio, and settled two miles from Basil, where he
followed farming and blacksmithing. Of his two sons, Ephraim and
William, the latter still survives.

J. Isaac Bickel attended the public schools
during his boyhood and was trained to farming on the home place. He
engaged later in that occupation in Cumru, Muhlenbrg and Bern
townships, locating in the latter in 1892, when he bought the old
Jack Adams farm of 163 acres. This is very valuable land, being
also favorably located midway between the Van Reed paper-mill and
the Bern church. He was a most worthy member of Hain’s Reformed
Church, and at the time of his death was valued in that connection.
He was a man of excellent business ability, was a director of the
school board of Bern, and took a deep interest in educational
affairs, and in the welfare of his community. At one time he was
the Democratic nominee for Poor director. He had been identified
with the Berks County Agricultural Society from its inception, and
was keenly interested in its work. During the Berks County Fair in
the year prior to his death, he was one of the superintendents of
stock. His judgment on all agricultural matters was considered
reliable. He was widely known, visiting the Reading market daily
where he served a large milk route for twenty-eight years.

On Nov. 12, 1859, Mr. Bickel married Angeline F.
Werner, daughter of Thomas and Kate (Fidler) Werner, and a history
of the representative Werner family will be found elsewhere. The
children born to Mr. And Mrs. Bickel were: Henrietta m. William
Henning; Thomas Wellington resides at Shillington; Ellen lives in
Toledo, Ohio; Mary m. Evan P. Christ; Moses A., who farms for his
mother and looks after his late father’s estate, m. Hannah Boyer,
and they have had two sons, Paul I. And Raymond (died aged ten
months); Jonathan died aged two years; Eva m. Thomas R. Gring;
Charles a most exemplary young man, met death with his father; and
Millie K., Ulysses Werner and Agnes E. reside at home.

On Oct. 8, 1904, Mr. J. Isaac Bickel and his son
Charles were driving home from Reading. They occupied a spring
wagon, to which two horses were attached. At Leiss’ Crossing, on
the Pennsylvania Railroad, the north-bound express train struck the
team, killing one of the horses, and throwing the occupants out.
Charles Bickel was killed instantly, but the father was brought to
Reading Hospital, where he was able to give his name before lapsing
into the unconsciousness from which he never awoke. Both father and
son were laid to rest in the cemetery of Hain’s Church. The double
funeral was the largest ever held at this church, 368 vehicles
being in the funeral procession.

BICKELMAN, NAPOLEON

p.
836

Surnames: BICKELMAN, DIEHL, WOLF, MCDONOUGH, BERGMAN, LEHR, BATDORF

Napoleon Bickelman, now living retired from active work in
Wyomissing borough, Berks county, devoted many years of his life to
the building profession, and evidences of his constructive skill
are found in many States of the Union. He was born in Tremont
township, Schuylkill Co., Pa., Nov. 8, 1844, son of Jacob and
grandson of Valentine Bickelman.

Valentine Bickelman was a soldier of France
under Napoleon I., and served through the Spanish and Russian
campaigns. He was not present at the battle of Waterloo, and was
always glad that he was not there to witness the defeat of his
beloved General. He came to America, bringing his son Jacob, and
settled in Schuylkill county, Pa., dying at Pottsville, in 1862-63,
in the ninety-sixth year of his age. His remains rest in the
cemetery there. He was a man of small stature, though strong and
courageous, and was very proud of his military career.

Jacob Bickelman, son of Valentine, was born in
Alsace-Lorraine, France, in 1800, and his death occurred in 1894,
when he was aged ninety-four years, and he was buried in Cedar
county, Iowa. In November, 1833, he came to America, landing at
Castle Garden, N. Y., thence coming by way of the canal to
Pottsville, Pa. By trade he was a blacksmith, and he also worked in
the coal mines. In 1848 he settled in Tremont township, Schuylkill
county, where he owned his own home. In 1868 he and a daughter went
West, and settled in Mechanicsville, Cedar Co., Iowa, where he died
and is buried. He reared his family in the Lutheran faith. His
wife, Ellenora Diehl, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1808,
daughter of Henry Diehl, a Bavarian miner, and she died in 1900,
aged ninety-two years. To Jacob and Ellenora Bickelman were born
ten children.

Napoleon Bickelman, son of Jacob, began learning
the carpenter’s trade at the age of fourteen, from his
brother-in-law, Adam Wolf. This he followed through all the western
States, and in Clearfield, Philadelphia and Schuylkill counties in
Pennsylvania. For many years he followed contracting, and during
1868 and 1869 he worked for the Union Pacific railroad in Nebraska,
Wyoming and Iowa. In 1867 he worked for the Sioux City &
Pacific Railroad Company. In 1877 and 1878 he built St. Peter’s
Catholic Church at Ellinwood, Kans., and he rebuilt the Catholic
Church at Tremont, Schuylkill Co., Pa. In 1893 he erected the
“Hotel Penn” at Pine Grove, a three-story brick structure
containing thirty-three rooms. He employed mechanics all the time.
In 1902 he retired, and disposed of his fine farm of 116 acres in
Pine-Grove township on which he lived. He also owned a 160-acre
farm in Neosho county, Kans., which he cultivated in connection
with carpentering until selling it in 1900. Upon his retirement in
1902 he came to Berks county, and now lives in his comfortable home
on Penn avenue, Wyomissing.

In 1871 Mr. Bickelman was married to Anna
McDonough, daughter of Joseph and Annie (Bergman) McDonough, of
Lower Heidelberg township. Six children were born of this union;
Napoleon died young; Roy died aged twenty years; Blanche m. Thomas
Lehr, of Philadelphia; Martha died young; Marguerite m. David
Batdorf, of Reading; and William died young. In politics Mr.
Bickelman is independent but usually casts his ballot in support of
the Democratic party. He is well posted on current events. He is an
artist, working chiefly in oils, and among the works of his brush
may be mentioned a war scene, depicting an engagement between the
First Vermont Cavalry and the Mosby guerillas; and portraits of
himself and wife. He is a self-educated taxidermist, and has
numerous specimens of his skill.

During the Civil war Mr. Bickelman enlisted Aug.
23, 1861, at Pottsville, being a private in Company H, 96th P. V.
I., and participated in all the engagements of the Army of the
Potomac, among these being the Peninsular Campaign; Second Battle
of Bull Run; Crampton Gap, Md.; Antietam; Fredericksburg, Va.
(first and second battles, receiving a bullet wound in the leg at
the latter, May 3, 1863); Gettysburg; pursuit of Lee to the
Rappahannock, and the battle there; Mine Run Campaign, 1863-64;
Spottsylvania Court House, where he was wounded in the hand; Cold
Harbor; and Sheridan’s Campaign in the Shenandoah Valley. He was
honorably discharged at Philadelphia Oct. 21, 1864. When the
regiment was mustered in at Pottsville, 1,050 men answered the roll
call, but at Philadelphia only 120 were mustered out, and of these
a number had been wounded. On Aug. 20, 1870, Mr. Bickelman was
commissioned by Gov. John W. Geary as first lieutenant of the
Jefferson Rifles of the National Guard of Pennsylvania, in the
Sixth Division, composed of the Uniformed Militia of the counties
of Schuylkill, Monroe, Carbon and Pike, his rank to date from Aug.
13, 1870.

BICKLEY, JOHN
H. (JR.)

p. 701

Surnames: BICKLEY, SCOTT, STINE, STERNBERGH, BROWN, MANN, JONES,
LAUCHLIN, MILLER

John H. Bickley, Jr., chief draughtsman at the Scott foundry
(Reading Iron Company), and one of the cities substantial citizens,
was born in October 1864, at Pottsville, Pa., son of John H. and
Maria (Stine) Bickley. John H. Bickley was born in Boonton, N. J.,
and early in life was a rolling mill engineer. At one time he was
superintendent of the Haywood Rolling mill at Palo Alto, a suburb
of Pottsville, and he built, and was one of the proprietors of, the
Hamburg rolling mill, and also built a rolling mil at Schuylkill
Haven and constructed the machinery for the Sternbergh Mill, now a
part of the American Steel & Iron Company, at Reading. He
retired in 1905, just prior to this having been superintendent of
the Ulster Iron Works. Mr. and Mrs. John H. Bickley had three
children: Alice m. A. E. Brown; Minnie m. Conrad Mann; and John H.
Mr. Bickley was formerly connected with the I. O. O. F. He and his
wife are members of the M. E. Church. John H. Bickley, Jr., was
educated in the schools of Milldale, after leaving which his father
had intended that he should take a law course. This plan did not
suit the young man, however, who had decided on becoming a
mechanic, and seeing that he was set in his intentions, his father
gave him a trial in his shops. He proved to be a good mechanic, and
his next employment was with the Phoenix Iron Company, as assistant
master mechanic, later with Jones & Lauchlin, proprietors of
the American Iron & Steel Company, as assistant to the chief
draughtsman with the Pennsylvania Steel Company, at Steelton, Pa.,
then being made superintendent of the mechanical department at the
Sparrow Point Mill. In 1901 he accepted a position with the Reading
Iron Company, as draughtsman, and during the same year was made
chief of his department, a position in which he has continued to
the present time, having seven men in his employ. In 1903 he had
charge of the designing of the brown segmental wire wound gun,
which proved such a success to its inventors, and he has also had
charge of the reconstruction of the Scott Foundry Department,
Reading Iron Company. Mr. Bickley is a skilled mechanic, and a man
of much ability. His ancestors were considered the most prominent
rolling mill engineers in the early nineteenth century, and the
first T rail made was made in 1845 by his uncles in Danville, Pa.,
at which is now the Montour Rolling Mill Department of the Reading
Iron Company, but which mill was designed and then managed by one
of Mr. Bickley’s uncles. Mr. Bickley is a member of Acacia Lodge,
No. 20, A. F. & A. M. of Dover, N. J.; Harrisburg Consistory,
and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is independent in political
matters, and he and Mrs. Bickley attend the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Bickley married Ida M. Miller, and to them has been born one
son, John H.

BIDDLE,
EDWARD

p. 326

Surnames: BIDDLE, SCULL, ROSS, LUX

Edward Biddle, representative from Berks county in the First
Congress, was born in 1732. He was the fourth son of William
Biddle, a native of New Jersey, whose grandfather was one of the
original proprietors of that State, having left England with his
father in 1681. His mother was Mary Scull, the daughter of Nicholas
Scull, Surveyor-General of Pennsylvania from 1748 to 1761. James,
Nicholas, and Charles Biddle were three of his brothers.

In 1758, Edward Biddle was commissioned an
ensign in the Provincial Army of Pennsylvania, and was present at
the taking of Fort Niagara in the French and Indian War. In 1759 he
was promoted to lieutenant, and in 1760 commissioned as a captain,
after which he resigned from the army and received 5,000 acres of
land for his services. He then selected the law as his profession,
and after the usual course of study at Philadelphia in the office
of his eldest brother, he located at Reading, where he soon
established himself as a lawyer. In 1767, he represented Berks
county in the Provincial Assembly, and he was annually re-elected
until 1775, and again elected in 1778. In 1774 and 1775, he
officiated as speaker, having previously been placed upon the most
important committees, and having taken an active part in all the
current business.

When the citizens of Reading held a public
meeting on July 2, 1774, to take initiatory steps in behalf of the
Revolution, they selected him to preside over their deliberations,
and the resolutions adopted by them were doubtless drafted by him.
His patriotic utterances won their admiration, and they unanimously
gave him a vote of thanks and appreciation of his efforts in the
cause of the rights and liberties of America. On the same day,
while presiding at this meeting, the Assembly of Pennsylvania was
in session and elected eight delegates as representatives to the
First Continental Congress, and among them was Edward Biddle of
Reading. He was again elected as one of the delegates to the new
Congress, which was held in May, 1775; and he was elected the third
time. The first two terms extended from Sept. 5, 1774, to Dec. 12,
1776, and the last from 1778 to 1779. The public records in the
county offices, especially in the prothonotary’s office, disclose a
large and lucrative practice by him as an attorney-at-law, and this
extended from 1760 to the time of his decease in 1779. It seems to
have been as much as, if not more than, that of all the other
attorneys taken together.

He died Sept. 5, 1779, at Baltimore, Md.,
whither he had gone for medical treatment. He married Elizabeth
Ross, daughter of Rev. George Ross, of New Castle, Del., by whom he
had two daughters, Catherine (m. George Lux, Esq., of Baltimore);
and Abigail (m. Capt. Peter Scull of Reading). We conclude this
article with Mr. Biddle’s autograph.

BIEBER,
BENJAMIN E.

p. 415

Surnames: BIEBER, ECK, KEIM, WARMKESSEL, LONG, WEISER, WALB, ECK,
GEIST, FEGLEY, DUNKEL, WEIL, SLICHER, WEILER, GERHARD, ROMIG,
FREDERICK

Benjamin E. Bieber, chief burgess and prominent citizen of Topton,
where he is the owner and proprietor of a general store, was born
on the old Bieber homestead, in Longswamp township, Berks Co., Pa.,
son of Jonas and Annie (Eck) Bieber.

Jacob Bieber, grandfather of Benjamin E., was a
farmer and laborer in Longswamp township, and was very well known.
He married Susan Keim, who was born in Oley township, Berks Co,
Pa., and they had six children, namely: Jonas; Jacob; Susan (m.
Samuel Warmkessel); Elizabeth (m. Jacob Long); Hettie (m. a Mr.
Weiser) and Mrs. Reuben Walb.

Jonas Bieber followed farming and shoemaking all
his active life. He was married in early manhood to Annie Eck,
daughter of Daniel Eck, and they had the following children:
William E.; Benjamin E.; George E. (m. to Annie Geist); Emma (m. to
Charles A. Fegley); Elizabeth (m. to Alvin Dunkel); Mary
(unmarried); Louisa, twin sister of Benjamin (m. William Weil, who
survives her); Susan (m. Henry Slicher); and Lillie (m. Jonas O.
Weiler.

Benjamin E. Bieber was reared in the
neighborhood of his place of birth and he attended the local
schools. His first work was done around the iron ore mines, but
later he became a clerk in the general store at Topton, of which he
is now proprietor. He carries an excellent stock and does a very
satisfactory business. He has been active in the public affairs of
the community and enjoys the confidence of his fellow citizens to a
very large extent. As chief burgess of the town, he fills the
highest office in their gift.

In 1886, Mr. Bieber married Montana Gerhart,
daughter of John and Sarah (Romig) Gerhart, the latter of whom was
a daughter of John and Sallie (Frederick) Romig. Mr. And Mrs.
Bieber have one son, Lloyd J., born Oct. 7, 1887. He is a graduate
of the Topton high school, and is now learning business methods as
his father’s assistant in the general store. The family belong to
the Topton Lutheran Church, in which Mr. Bieber has served as a
deacon for about sixteen years. He is a member of the Fraternal
Order of Eagles.

BIEBER,
DANIEL A.

p. 815

Surnames: BIEBER, LESCHER, PETERS, HESS, MECK, BOVER, ANGSTADT,
YODER, MILLER, SCHAEFFER, HOUCK, REDCAY, BERTOLET, KNABB, YEAGER,
LEINBACH, HARTMAN, GRIESEMER, DOTTERER, FRITZ, HILL, CONRAD

The founder of the Bieber family in America was (I) Johanes Bieber,
a native of Switzerland, who in young manhood came to America with
a number of others, landing at Philadelphia, as a redemptioner,
before the Revolution. He first settled near Allentown, Lehigh Co.,
Pa., but later came to Oley township, in Berks county, where his
son Jacob married Susanna Lescher, a daughter of Nicholas and
Barbara Lescher, of Oley township. She was a wealthy woman and gave
her husband and his father an excellent start in the new home.
Johanes acquired a tract of 400 acres, located adjacent to the
Peters mill, in the northern end of the township. On this farm he
is buried in a private burial ground, which is kept in good repair,
he having provided for this in his will. Many members of the family
are interred there. A number of very interesting inscriptions are
to be found over the old graves, some of which are here given:
“William Bieber, Born Sept. 9 1794, Died Dec. 11, 1878, Aged
eighty-four years, three months, and two days.” “Jacob Bieber, Born
Oct. 13, 1761, Died Nov. 8, 1835, Aged seventy-four years and
twenty-six days.” “Esther Bieber, Born Jan. 25, 1767, Died Feb. 25,
1856, Aged eighty-nine years and one month. She was married to
Jacob Bieber in 1786.” “Sarah Bieber, Born Aug. 6, 1808, Died Jan.
20, 1877, Aged sixty-eight years, five months and fourteen days.
She was a daughter of Jacob and Esther Bieber.” “Miaria Hess, Born
Dec. 25, 1792, Died Dec. 20, 1863, Aged seventy years, eleven
months and twenty-six days. She was the wife of Daniel Hess.”
“Susanna Lescher, Born Oct. 25, 1756, Died May 10, 1841, Aged
eighty-four years, six months and fifteen days. She was the
daughter of Nicholas and Barbara Lescher.” “Barbara Lescher, Born
Jan. 15, 1735, Died Feb. 1, 1818. She was married in 1752.”
“Nicholas Lescher, Born April 18, 1726, Died March 25, 1795, Aged
sixty-eight years, eleven months and eight days. He was married to
Barbara Lescher in 1752.” “Elizabeth Lescher, Born Nov. 16, 1771,
Died May 28, 1806, Aged thirty-four years, six months and twelve
days. She was a daughter of Nicholas and Barbara Lescher.”

There are three graves without tombstones and
one stone from which all inscriptions are effaced; it is among the
Lescher graves. The unmarked graves are those of children who
probably died in infancy. Miaria Hess was the housekeeper for
William Bieber, who never married.

II) Jacob Bieber was reared on the old homestead and is buried in
the private graveyard. He was a farmer and carpenter of more than
usual ability, being a master of the wood-working craft. In 1792 he
made a clothes closet which is now a valued possession of John
Bieber of Oley Line. His wife was Susanna Lescher, and their
children were: Sally never married; Susan married a Mr. Meck; Mary
married Abraham Bover; Samuel settled in Northumberland county,
Pa.; David settled in Ohio and there married; Daniel settled in
Rockland township; William lived on the homestead where he is
buried; Dewold, born in 1792, died aged eighty-five years and nine
months.

(III) Dewold Bieber was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was one of
the pensioners of that war. During the greater portion of his life
he was a resident of Oley township, where he died. He is buried at
Friedensburg. In his young manhood he spent some time in Rockland.
His wife was Mary Angstadt, daughter of Jacob and Caroline (Yoder)
Angstadt, and the had these children: Jacob settled in Rockland
township; Kate married Jacob Miller; William settled in Rockland
township; Betsy married Levi Angstadt; Esther married John
Schaeffer; Samuel never married, and lived at home; Mary married
Benjamin Houck; Nathan settled in Rockland township; Abraham
settled in Rockland township, but later came to Oley, where he
died; Magdalena married Augustus Redcay.

(IV) Daniel A. Bieber was born in Rockland township Nov. 24, 1832,
and remained with his father until he was eighteen years of age,
when he commenced to learn the miller’s trade with Isaac Bertolet
of Oley. After learning the trade he worked for his father, who
owned the old Knabb mill in Rockland, remaining there for four
years. He then removed to Exeter township, where he remained a
year, and then bought a small farm above Friedensburg, which he
traded for the Yeager mill above Friedensburg one year later. For
two years he conducted this mill, and then sold it to Israel
Leinbach, and bought another small farm, upon which he lived for
three years. He then went to Alsace township, where he bought a
farm above “Blind” Hartman’s tavern, but after a year he removed to
Reading, and purchasing land erected store property at 900 North
Ninth street, corner of Ninth and Windsor, where he conducted a
general store for two years. In conjunction he also ran a
huckster’s wagon and stood at market for some years. When the
property at 900 North Ninth street was ready for the roof it was
leveled to the ground one night during a terrible electric storm.
Mr. Bieber sustained a severe loss, as all of the work had to be
done over. Later he traded this store for a farm at Baumstown, in
Exeter township, consisting of forty-eight acres, to which he added
until he had seventy acres. By constantly improving the property
Mr. Bieber made it very valuable, and he raised large crops there.
One year he cleared $1,200. Here he prospered and continued to
reside for eight years, when he traded the place for the farm at
East Reading Toll Gate House. Two years later he sold the latter
property, and bought the Knabb mill in Oley from Wellington
Griesemer for $10,000. This mill now bears his name. The trolley
line passes near it, and the crossing and station in the vicinity
is known as “Bieber’s Crossing.” Mr. Bieber conducted the mill for
twelve years, finally disposing of it to his son John for $6,000.
He then retired, leaving his son to operate the mill.

Mr. Bieber owns a large farm in Oley at
Friedensburg, which he rents. A good deal of grass is raised on
that place. He has a plantation of sixty-six acres in North
Carolina, near Littleton Station, which he also rents. Gold has
been found on this property and some mining is carried on. It is in
the vicinity of the famous Porter gold mine of North Carolina. The
family residence in Oley is a very pleasant and substantial one and
is also on of Mr. Bieber’s holding.

Mr. Bieber has traveled all over the United
States and Canada and talks enjoyably of what he has seen. He is
well read, and takes a deep interest in current events. It is his
boast that he was never sick in his life. He is a member of the
Lutheran Church at Friedensburg, which he helped to build, has
served as deacon and elder and has always been a very liberal
contributor to its support. He has also contributed generously
toward the building of the New Jerusalem, Schwartzwald and
Friedensburg churches in lower Berks county, and toward the Topton
Orphans?ome.

In 1858 Mr. Bieber was married at Friedensburg
to Mary Ann Dotterer, born in 1834, a daughter of Cain Dotterer, of
Hill Church. Ten children were born of this marriage: Caroline
married Jacob Fritz, who is deceased; Daniel died at the age of
twelve years; Katie married Jefferson Hartman of Friedensburg; John
D. conducts the Bieber mill; Charles died at the age of twelve
years; Elizabeth married Benjamin Hill, of Ruscombmanor township;
Mary married Lewis Angstadt, of Rockland township; Samuel, of Oley
township, owns a small farm; Benneville is a resident of
Friedensburg; Violetta married Charles Conrad, a farmer of Amity
township.

BIEBER, ULYSSES S. G. (DR.)

p.1106

Surnames: SCHWOYER, STEINBUNNER, WENTZ, CHRIST, NEFF, YEAGER,
SIEGFRIED, FETHEROLF, RAHN, SCHLOUCH, LICHTENWAHN, FREY, BAILEY,
BUTZ, SHARADIN, DEISHER,

Dr. Ulysses S. G. Bieber, veterinary surgeon of Kutztown, Pa., was
born April 12, 1865, in Maxatawny township, on the old Bieber farm,
son of Jonathan and Brigitta (Schwoyer) Bieber, and a member of an
old and honored family of this section.

Dewalt Bieber, the great-great-great-grandfather
of the Doctor, emigrated from Germany in 1742, with his son and two
brothers, John and George, and settled near Valley Forge, Chester
county, his farm being still known. Ex-Governor Beaver of
Bellefonte, Pa., is one of his descendants. John died in the
American army at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-78. One of
his sons, John by name, moved to Maxatawny township about 1770,
becoming the progenitor of a numerous posterity, of whom the late
Captain Bieber and Walter B. Bieber are descendants. Dewalt Bieber,
the emigrant, settled on the old Bieber farm about 1770 or before,
and here he died, being buried in the private burial ground on the
farm.

Dewalt Bieber (2), son of the emigrant Dewalt,
was born in Germany, Oct. 26, 1729, and died Jan. 26, 1808. On Jan.
24, 1750, he married Sybilla Steinbunner, and they had ten sons and
two daughters. He was known as the “Barra Bieber,” because he
successfully fought with a bear one evening on his farm. He was a
very powerful man, being able to lift a barrel of cider to his lips
and drink from the bung-hole. After the battle of Germantown a part
of Washington’s baggage-train had retired to the country north of
Reading and several battalions rested on the Bieber farm. The women
baked bread and cakes for the soldiers, and later the giant, Dewalt
Bieber, regaled them with hard cider. After they had emptied
several barrels they became troublesome, and undertook to help
themselves, and when they refused to listen to Mr. Bieber’s
request, he took a single-tree and drove them from the premises.
The soldiers retaliated by injuring some of his cattle.

John Bieber, son of Dewalt (2), was born in
December, 1766, and died Aug. 15, 1845. He was twice married, his
first wife being a Miss Wentz, by whom he had children: Elizabeth,
m. to Solomon Christ; Sallie, m. to Peter Neff; Dewalt, m. to a
Miss Yeager; John, m. (first) to a Miss Siegfried and (second) a
Miss Fetherolf. John Bieber m. (second) a Miss Siegfried, and to
them were born: Jonathan S.; George, who lived in Ohio, m. Polly
Rahn; Susanna m. Jonathan Christ; and Mary m. John H. Siegfried.

Jonathan S. Bieber, grandfather of the Doctor,
was born in 1808. He was reared on the old homestead, became a well
known farmer and was a highly esteemed citizen. For twelve years he
was postmaster of Kutztown. He was an active Republican, and was
frequently delegate to the conventions of his party. He was married
to Katherine Schlouch, daughter of Christian Schlouch, and their
children were: Daniel, m. to Caroline Lichtenwahn; Jonathan; and
William, m. (first) to Caroline Frey and (second) to Clara Bailey.

Jonathan Bieber, son of Jonathan S. and father
of Dr. Bieber, was a well known farmer of Maxatawny township and
owned the old Bieber farm, which has been in the possession of the
family for 130 years. He was an influential citizen, was interested
in many enterprises, and was successful in all of his undertakings.
He was a stockholder of the Keystone State Normal school, of the
Kutztown Agricultural Fair and of the Kutztown Furnace. He
established one of the first milk routes in Kutztown, conducting it
for twenty-six years, and was known as the “Milk Bieber.” He was a
consistent member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, filling many
offices of importance therein. In politics a stanch Republican, he
was an active worker in the ranks of his party, attending every
Republican county convention in Reading in his time, and being
frequently delegate to both county and State conventions. Jonathan
Bieber married Brigitta Schwoyer, daughter of Samuel Schwoyer, a
prominent citizen of Maxatawny township, and children as follows
were born to this union: (1) Clara m. Allen Butz, of Allentown, Pa.
(2) Rev. Milton, a graduate of the Keystone State Normal school, of
Muhlenberg College, and of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Mt.
Airy, Philadelphia, taught the Bernville high school and the
Kutztown high school, and has been a minister of the Gospel for a
number of years, serving with great success charges at Mt. Joy,
Pa., and Binghamton, N. Y., at present serving his church as field
missionary for New England, being located at Worcester, Mass. (3)
Ulysses S. G. (4) Robert S., who is a scientist and has charge of
electrical machines in Brooklyn, is deaf and dumb, and is a
graduate of the school for the Deaf and Dumb in Philadelphia. (5)
Anna m. Peter Schwoyer, and lives in Richmond township. (6)
Jonathan E., single, who is a graduate of the Allentown Business
College, is in business in Cleveland, Ohio.

Dr. Ulysses S. G. Bieber spent his boyhood days
on the farm and attended the schools of his district, later going
to the Keystone State Normal school. In 1888 he graduated from
Eastman’s Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and in 1892 from
the American Veterinary College of New York. He then located at
Kutztown, where he soon established a large and lucrative practice.
His services are constantly in demand, and he is busy at all hours.
The Doctor is a Republican, and a regular member of the Lutheran
Church. Along with his extensive practice he finds time to attend
to many business interests. He is known as an extensive builder,
being one of the owners of the ten new houses recently erected on
Park avenue by Bieber, Heffner & Co. In all he has built
twenty-five houses. He is a stockholder in and treasurer of the
Kutztown Agricultural Fair Company; secretary of the Schuylkill
Valley Veterinary Association; and has for a number of years been
secretary of the Pennsylvania State Veterinary Association. Since
1898 the Doctor has been the Berks County Veterinarian. He is a
stockholder in the Blue Mountain Telephone Company, a stockholder
and director of the Saucony Shoe Factory and a stockholder of the
Kutztown Park Association.

Dr. Bieber was married Oct. 18, 1888, to Maria
E. Sharadin, only child of Henry and Abbie (Deisher) Sharadin, of
Maxatawny township. To this union have born two children: John
Henry, born Aug. 9, 1889, a graduate of the Keystone State Normal
School, class 1908, and now a student at Muhlenberg College, is
also an expert motor cyclist, and has won several prizes; Edgar
William, born April 10, 1894, a student at the Keystone State
Normal School, does all the wiring for his father in his new
buildings.

Mrs. Sharadin, mother of Mrs. Bieber, is the
owner of the well known John Deisher farm of 150 acres, located
North West of the borough of Kutztown, and adjoining the Kutztown
fair ground.

BIEHL, GEORGE
W.

p. 538

Surnames: BIEHL, KREBS, EISENBROWN, DEMOSS, MORGAN, POUGEL,
WORRELL, SKINNER, BOBST, HEMMIG, ESSEN, WETHERHOLD

George W. Biehl, senior partner of Biehl’s Carriage & Wagon
Works at Reading, and actively identified with the business for
thirty years, was born in Allentown, Feb. 5, 1854. He received his
education in the common schools of Reading. At the age of thirteen
years he entered the employ of Conrad Krebs as a helper to his
father (who was employed there as a coach trimmer), Mr. Krebs
having been then the leading carriage manufacturer in Reading. He
mastered the trimming trade and started in business on his own
account in 1877, locating his shop on Cherry street below Sixth,
where he remained until 1880. He then moved his establishment to
his present factory on Pearl street, between Cherry and Franklin,
with show room at No. 31 South Fifth street. Every department is
equipped with modern machinery, and expert mechanics are kept busy
in turning out special products, which comprise light carriages,
transfer and express wagons, ambulances, embalmers’ wagons,
hearses, speed-sleighs, etc. Anything in the carriage
manufacturer’s line can be furnished by this large and well-know
establishment; all kinds of harness can also be procured there.

In 1903, Mr. Biehl admitted as a partner, Wilson
H. Eisenbrown, then proprietor of the Eagle Wagon Works, and the
two plants were consolidated; and in 1904, on account of the large
increase in business, Thomas DeMoss was admitted as a second
partner, the firm name becoming Biehl’s Carriage & Wagon Works;
and since then this enterprising firm has been very successful. In
1907 they incorporated the Berk Auto Garage Company for selling,
repairing and storing automobiles.

In 1871 Mr. Biehl married Emma Morgan, daughter
of Thomas Morgan of Reading, and they have five children: George M.
(married Julia Pougel), Bessie (widow of Charles F. Worrell,
residing at Wayne, Pa.) Alvin J. (married Sophia Skinner), Herbert
T. and Earl. Mr. Biehl is a member of St. John’s Lodge No. 135, F.
& A. M., of Reading, of the Scottish Rite, 32d degree, and
Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading.

George Biehl, the paternal grandfather of Mr.
Biehl, was brought up and educated in the schools of Kutztown, and
while a young man learned the blacksmith’s trade, which he followed
for many years. He died at Kutztown in 1861, aged forth-eight
years. He married Mary Bobst and she survived him two years, dying
in 1863, aged forth-eight years. They had the following children:
William, John A., Henry, Jane (m. Thomas Hemmig), and Emeline (m.
Henry Essen). In religious belief they were Lutherans.

John A. Biehl, the father of Mr. Biehl, was born
in the vicinity of Kutztown, Nov. 17, 1831, and his education was
secured in the advanced schools of that town. His first work was as
helper in his father’s blacksmith shop, and after working thus for
a short period he apprenticed himself to the carriage trimmer’s
trade at Allentown, Pa., which he learned thoroughly in all its
branches. He then worked as a journeyman in Allentown, Hamburg,
Reading and other cities, and was considered a superior workman. He
continued working at his trade until in 1902, when he retired,
making his home with his son until his decease in 1908. In 1853 he
married Matilda Wetherhold, daughter of George Wetherhold, of
Allentown, and they had one son, George W., the subject of this
sketch. Mrs. Biehl died in 1905, when in her seventy-fifth year.

BIEHL, JOEL FOSTER STRAUB

p. 1162

Surnames: BIEHL, STRAUB, STEVENS, HOOVER, WRIGHT

Joel Foster Straub Biehl was born Oct. 26, 1875, near Fleetwood, in
Richmond township, Berks county, Pa., son of Daniel K. and Arlinda
(Straub) Biehl.

Daniel K. Biehl was born in Richmond township on
the old homestead. He was reared on the farm and obtained his
education in the local schools, at an early age learning the trade
of blacksmith, which he followed first in Richmond township, then
at Fleetwood, and since 1885 in Reading. He married Arlinda Straub,
of Richmond township, and to this union were born: Heber S., Jacob
S., and Harrison S., all of whom learned the blacksmith’s trade;
and Joel Foster Straub.

Joel Foster Straub Biehl was eight years of age
when his parents moved to Fleetwood, and there spent two years, he
attending the public school of that place. On locating in Reading
in 1885 he attended school regularly, and was graduated from the
high school in 1894. While attending high school he also clerked in
the law office of W. Kerper Stevens, and when the firm of Stevens
and Stevens was formed, he was employed by these gentlemen, whom he
left Nov. 18, 1894, to connect himself with the law firm of Rourke
& Heinly, later engaging with Mr. Rourke, which whom he has
continued ever since, and who has offices at No. 44 North Sixth
street. In 1900 Mr. Biehl was admitted to practice before the
courts of Berks county.

Mr. Biehl was married Feb. 18, 1903, to Grace W.
Hoover, daughter of Albert R. and Elizabeth W. (Wright) Hoover, of
Reading, Pa. Mr. Biehl is a member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church.
His political views make him a Democrat.

BIEHL, JOHN
E.

p. 1069

Surnames: BIEHL, HENDEL, EIDEL, YODER, KISSLING, STAPLETON,
LINCOLN, LEI= NBACH, ESTERLY, HIESTER, HIGH, YOUNG, ANGSTADT,
DIEFFENDERFER

John E. Biehl, a highly respected citizen of Reading, Pa., who
resides at No. 136 West Douglass street, and is employed in the
manufacture of hats at the John Hendel’s Sons hat factory, was born
in 1857, in Exeter township, Berks county, son if Isaac Y. and
Susanna (Eidel) Biehl.

Daniel Biehl, grandfather of John E., was a
tinsmith by trade, and for many years lived in Oley township, where
his death occurred. He married Catherine Yoder, and to them were
born children as follows: Abraham Y.; Isaac Y.; Daniel; Elizabeth
(m. Joseph Kissling); Catherine (m. John Stapleton). In religious
belief the family were Lutherans.

Isaac Y. Biehl was born in Kutztown, Pa., and
after completing a common school course learned the blacksmith’s
trade, which he followed practically all of his life, being
employed in the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad shops. In 1898
he resigned from this position and removed to Exeter township,
locating on a small farm, on which he died in 1901, aged
seventy-six years, his widow still surviving. To Mr. and Mrs. Biehl
were born these children: Catherine m. (first) John Lincoln, by
whom she had four children — Howard, Isaac W., Permilla and
Harrison T. — and (second) Charles Leinbach, by whom two children
have been born –Warren and Catherine; Daniel m. Mary Lincoln and
has four children — Sallie, Susan, Martha and Mary; Emma m. Jacob
Esterly, and has six children — Harry, Catherine, Susan, Jacob,
Franklin and Mary; Isaac m. Amanda Hiester, and has four children
— Elizabeth, John, Edward and Florence; James m. Catherine High,
and has five children — Percival, Laura, Charles, Warren and
Helen; John E.; and Susan is deceased. In religious belief the
family are Lutherans. Mr. Biehl was a Democrat.

John E. Biehl was educated in the common schools
of Exeter and Alsace townships, after leaving which he learned the
trade of hatter with the company by which he is now employed, and
with which he has been associated since 1874. During his long term
of service with this well-known concern, Mr. Biehl has become
regarded as a most faithful and valued employe, and he is highly
esteemed by his fellow citizens. In 1880 he married Sarah Young,
daughter of Adam Young, of Muhlenberg township, and to this union
there have been born four children, as follows: Miss Anna M.; Frank
(married Eva Angstadt, and has one child, Wilson); George (m.
Lillian Dieffenderfer, and has three children, LeRoy, Beulah and
Robert), and Charles H. (attending school).

Mr. Biehl is a member of the P. O. S. of A., and
of the Trinity Brotherhood. He is a member of St. Luke’s Lutheran
Church, in which he has filled the office of deacon.