Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

CRANSTON, FREDERICK W.

p.
765

Surnames: CRANSTON, CURTIS, ROEMMELE, PHILLIPPI, FOX, CLINGAMAN,
WELDMANN, BARLETT, KERN

Frederick W. Cranston, Deputy Internal Revenue Collector of the
First District of Pennsylvania, and a well known and highly
esteemed citizen of Reading, was born Sept. 29, 1859, in
Philadelphia, Pa., son of William and Fannie (Curtis) Cranston.

William Cranston was born June 9, 1822, in
Glasgow, Scotland, and in that country and England learned the
trade of machinist. He came to America in 1845, locating at New
York City, whence he removed to Reading some time later. On
reaching the latter city he secured employment in the shops of the
Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, under Superintendent Missimer,
but later he connected himself with the Scott Works, where he
manufactured sugar-making machinery. He was later sent to the
island of Cuba to erect machinery, and while there became
superintendent of a sugar plantation. On his return to the United
States, he went to Philadelphia, where he worked in the Baldwin
Locomotive Works until his retirement. Mr. Cranston married Miss
Fannie Curtis, a native of Dorsetshire, England, who died at the
age of fifty-four years, and to them there were born the following
children: Mary m. George Roemmele, a chemist with Powers &
Weightman; Frances m. George W. Phillippi; Edwin, a machinist, died
at the age of twenty-two years; Alfred W., is a contracting
machinist of Philadelphia; and William Mac., a machinist. In
religious belief William Cranston adhered to the faith of the
Presbyterian Church, while his wife was a Methodist. He is one of
the oldest Odd Fellows in Pennsylvania, having joined the order
sixty-five years ago, and is also connected with the Knights of
Pythias.

Frederick W. Cranston was graduated from the
public schools of Philadelphia when nineteen years of age, and
immediately thereafter came to Reading and entered the shops of the
Philadelphia & Reading railroad, where he remained several
years. He was also in the employ of Abraham T. Phillippi, in the
plumbing, steam fitting and metal working business, and then became
associated with the Carpenter Steel Works, where he had charge of
the steam fitting department. On Dec. 1, 1898, he was appointed
Deputy United States Revenue Collector for the First District of
Pennsylvania, in President McKinley’s administration, and since
that time the business in the cigar trade has been increased from
74,000,000 to 144,000,000, Mr. Cranston having the largest division
to cover of any deputy in the State. He has proved himself to be an
efficient, faithful official, filling the duties of his position to
the satisfaction of all concerned.

In 1879 Mr. Cranston was married to Miss Emma C.
Fox, daughter of John Fox, a veteran of the Civil war, and to this
union there have been born eleven children, seven of whom survive:
Robert D., who is employed at the League Island Navy Yard, m. Anna
Clingaman, and has children, Robert D., Jr., and Dolly; Mary R. m.
Peter R. Weldmann, and has one child, Carrie; Frederick W., Jr., a
street car conductor, m. Hannah Barlett, and has one son, Frederick
W. (3); Edwin B., is a cigar maker; William Mac is at Little Falls,
N. Y.; John F.; and Charles H. is at school. Mrs. Cranston died in
April, 1907. Mr. Cranston m. (second) Sarah Kern, born in Lehigh
county, Pa., the daughter of farming people near Topton, Berks Co.,
Pennsylvania.

Mr. Cranston is a member of Camp No. 329 and
Nathan Hale Commandery, P. O. S. of A., and served as Senior Vice
Commander of United States for one year (1897).

p. 362

Surnames: CRATER, GRETER, GREDER, GRADER, GRATER, CRAITER, KRATER,
KRETER, HEEBNER, HUBLER, HALLMAN, YOUNG, PENNYPACKER, LONGACRE,
LUKENS, ALBRIGHT, NYMAN, LOWE, SUTER, HOFF, McILVAINE

Lewis Crater, Secretary and Treasurer of the Reading Steam Heat and
Power Company, and Secretary and Treasurer of the Warren County
Traction Company, is one of the representative citizens of Reading,
and he is descended from one of those sturdy emigrants from the
Palatinate, who sought religious freedom in the New World.

The name Crater was originally “Greter,” as is
evidenced in the original oath of allegiance to the King of Great
Britain, signed by the emigrant ancestor when he landed at
Philadelphia. This paper is on file in Harrisburg. The different
branches of the family have adopted various spellings .- Greder,
Grader, Grater, Krater and Crater. The change from “G” to “C” was
originally through an accident. On May 28, 1792, John Grater bought
property of George Heebner, and the papers were made out by one
Thomas Richards in the name of John Craiter. The error was not
discovered until about 1800, when the property was sold, and in
order to save trouble, the new papers were signed “John Crater.”
The family records show the great majority of its members to have
been tillers of the soil, and they have been awaiting, hardworking,
honest, upright and strictly conscientious.

Religious persecution in Germany broke out with
renewed frenzy in 1732, and about 30,000 Protestants were driven
from the country in the middle of winter. Among these fugitives
were (I) Jacob Greter and his family. From Colonial Records,
Vol. III, p. 515, it is found that Jacob Greter was one of 291
“Palatines” arriving at Philadelphia, Pa., in “the ship Samuel of
London, Hugh Percy, master, from Rotterdam, but last from Deal, on
the 17th day of August, 1733.” By occupation he was a weaver, but
after coming to Pennsylvania, he purchased a tract of land along
the Perkiomen river, at or near what is known as Grater’s Ford, and
there he also carried on farming. That he was not among those who
sold themselves for a term of years to pay for his passage, but was
able at once to purchase land, goes to prove be was a man of some
means. Later records show his wealth increasing, as in the census
report of Perkiomen or Van Bebbers township, Montgomery county,
June, 1756, there is this entry: “Jacob Kreter, weaver, owner of
220 acres of land.” Again, in the history of Perkiomen township,
that same year is found “Jacob Kreter, owner of 220 acres of farm
land at Grater’s Ford, also a saw and grist mill.” Records in his
own handwriting indicate more education than was common in those
times. In his religious faith he was a follower of Menno Simons,
and it is not clear whether he was a preacher at the time of his
arrival in Pennsylvania, but from the earliest entry in the minute
book of the Skippack Church it is shown that he was one of the most
active members, and the general opinion is that he was a bishop.
His descendants for several generations clung to the Mennonite
faith, but as the country grew and education became more general,
the younger members of the family joined more progressive
denominations, and adopted the dress and customs of the times. In
the old family record of Jacob Greter the names of three of his
children have been lost owing to a corner of the leaf being torn
off, the date of birth however, being left. One of these three was
undoubtedly “Lewis.” Jacob Greter’s children were: Jacob, born May
25, 1729; Maria, April 18, 1731; Johannes, April 10, 1734;
Elizabeth, Feb. 29, 1736; Paulus, July 8, 1738; Barbara, Sept. 21,
1740 (married Frederick Hubler) ; Christian, Jan. 30, 1743;
_______, born July 17, 1745; _______, born June 8, 1750; _______,
born May 2, 1753; and Michael, in 1758.

(II) Johannes Greter, son of Jacob, was born April 10, 1734. His
children were: Maria, born Oct. 19, 1760; Jacob, Oct. 1, 1763 (died
May 27, 1764); Johannes, July 13, 1765; Abraham, April 19, 1768;
Cadarina, May 23, 1771; Ludwig, Jan. 5, 1775; Elizabeth, April 6,
1779 (married Henry Hallman).

(III) Johannes Grater (2), son of Johannes Greter, was born July
13, 1765. He married and became the father of a large family (all
of whom adopted the spelling of the name, Crater), as follows:
Abraham, born March 2, 1792; Jacob, Dec. 28, 1793 (died single);
Phillip, Jan. 21, 1796; John, Nov. 26, 1797; David, Feb. 15, 1800
(died in 1893); Catharine, Oct. 19, 1802 (married John Young);
Elizabeth, Feb. 3, 1805 (died Aug, 27, 1805); Henry, March 22, 1808
(died in December, 1815); and Israel, Feb. 18, 1812 (died single).

(IV) Abraham Crater, son of Johannes Grater, was born March 2,
1792. He married a daughter of Rev. Henry Pennypacker, reactant of
former Governor Pennypacker, of the State of Pennsylvania. To their
marriage were born six children, namely: Ephraim, born May 1, 1814,
is mentioned below; Elizabeth, born May 20, 1817, died Dec. 7,
1834; Margaret and Christianna, born Sept. 10, 1818, both died
unmarried; Jacob, born July 1, 1820, moved to Indiana, and died
Nov. 17, 1893; and John, born Feb. 22, 1822.

(V) Ephraim Crater, son of Abraham, was born May 1, 1814. His
education was obtained in the district schools. He grew up on the
farm, and made farming his life work. He married Dec. 18, 1836,
Susan Longacre, and they became the parents of eight children:
Henry L., born Oct. 7, 1837, died Oct. 17, 1872; Lavina, born Aug.
21, 1839, married Joseph Lukens; Anna, born Sept. 10, 1841, married
Jacob Nyman; Lewis, born Aug. 9, 1843; Catharine Elizabeth, born
Jan. 3, 1845, married Josiah Nyman; Jacob L., born Feb. 10, 1847,
lives in Pottstown; David L., born Nov. 28, 1850; and Abraham L.,
born Sept. 18, 1853, died Nov. 9, 1873. Ephraim Crater, the father,
was a stanch old-line Whig in politics, but at the formation of the
Republican party, joined its ranks, and ever afterward was one of
its active workers. He was a strong Abolitionist, and was one of
the workers in the old underground railway. His good wife died May
3, 1878, aged sixty four years, eight months, fifteen days. They
were believers in the Mennonite faith.

(VI) Lewis Crater, son of Ephraim, born Aug. 9, 1843, received a
good substantial education in the common schools of Chester county.
Reared in the atmosphere of patriotism, the outbreak of the Civil
war afforded him an opportunity to show his loyalty, and on Sept.
10, 1861, he became a member of Company H, 50th P. V. I., and
participated in thirty-three engagements besides a number of
skirmishes. He was once slightly wounded, had his sword cut from
his side, and he was promoted from sergeant to first lieutenant for
gallant conduct in action, closing his service as adjutant of the
regiment. He was honorably discharged July 31, 1865.

After the war, Mr. Crater returned to
Pennsylvania, and entered Bryant and Stratton’s Business College at
Philadelphia. For some time he taught penmanship in the schools of
Philadelphia, but failing health necessitated a change of
employment. He moved to Reading, and accepted a position in Philip
Albright’s grocery, later becoming a clerk in the dry goods
establishment of H. A. Hoff, where he remained one year. He then
became an accountant in Earl’s Banking House, and continued there
until it closed its doors in 1867. His next position was as chief
clerk and bookkeeper for William McIlvaine & Sons in the
Reading Rolling Mill, until that concern suspended operations in
1897. Since that time Mr. Crater has been a public accountant, and
is considered an expert in that line. In 1888 he was elected
Secretary and Treasurer of the Reading Steam Heat and Power
Company, and has since held that office. He was a member of the Mt.
Penn Paper Box Company, Ltd., in which he held the office of
secretary, until 1908, when the company dissolved.

Mr. Crater is a writer of considerable ability,
especially on historical subjects, for which he has a decided
fondness. In 1867 when Col. Bates was gathering data for the
history of the troops of the State of Pennsylvania, Mr. Crater
furnished very much of the data relating to the 50th regiment, and
some years after wrote and published a history of the 50th
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He wrote the “History
of the Grater Family” and the “History of St. Peter’s M. E.
Church.”

In his fraternal relations, Mr. Crater is a
member of the G. A. R., in which he has served as Post commander; a
companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, Commandery of
Pennsylvania; and a member of the Union Veteran Legion; the P. O.
S. of A.; Vigilance Lodge, No. 194, I. O. O. F.; Veteran Castle,
No. 481, K. G. E.; Society Army of the Potomac; Army of the
Cumberland and Army of the Tennessee.

On Sept. 20, 1865, Mr. Crater wedded Miss Rosie
C. Lowe, daughter of Peter Lowe, of Lebanon, Pa. Four children
blessed this union: Emma May, born Jan. 9, 1867, m. Arthur E.
Suter, of Zurich, Switzerland; Mary Minerva, born June 20, 1868;
Annie Lulu, born Sept. 21, 1870, died Jan. 15, 1875; and Morton
Murray, born Jan. 14, 1872.

p. 1109

Surnames: CRAUMER, SMITH, LEAVENS

Harry S. Craumer, a well-known stenographer and court reporter, was
born in Lebanon, Pa., July 2, 1879. His parents were Rev. L. W. and
Mariah (Smith) Craumer.

Rev. L. W. Craumer, after spending the early
part of his life in the service of the United Brethren
denomination, came to Reading in the early nineties as pastor of
the Salem Church, where he remained until he retired from the
ministry, in 1892. He died Nov. 8, 1900, at the age of
seventy-three. His wife, Mariah, was a daughter of George S. Smith,
a farmer of Union county. They became the parents of a large
family, as follows: Minnie and George, both of whom died in early
childhood; Millizena, who lived to be but twenty-four; Albert S., a
merchant of Lebanon; Elmer E., an attorney, of Pittsburg; Clara,
wife of H. B. Leavens, of Kansas City, Mo.; Elizabeth, in the
service of the Baptist Church, at Kodiak, Alaska; and Harry S.

Harry S. Craumer attended the public schools of
Lebanon. At an early age, however, he was obliged to discontinue
his studies, and go to work to contribute towards the support of
his parents. Soon after the opening of the Spanish.American war, he
enlisted in the United States Army, being enrolled in Company B,
12th U. S. Infantry. During his three years continuous service, he
did military duty in both the United States and the Philippines,
receiving honorable mention for meritorious service at one of the
ten or twelve engagements in which his company participated. After
the war, Mr. Craumer returned to Reading, and took up the study of
shorthand. Soon afterward, he established himself as a public
stenographer, and by dint of hard work rose to be stenographer of
the Orphans’ Court, to which position he was appointed by the Hon.
H. Willis Bland, president judge of said court, in January 1909. In
politics he is a Democrat. He is an active member of the
Spanish.American War Veterans, and is also connected with the I. O.
O. F.

p. 1635

Surnames: CRESSMAN, HECKEL, EVERHART

Albert J. Cressman, M. D., deceased, was born at Reading, Pa., May
15, 1856, and died at his home in that city, June 6, 1891. He
belonged to one of the leading families of Berks county, and
extended mention of the same will he found in another part of this
work.

Dr. Cressman was educated in the Reading
schools, and was a graduate of the High School. After a period of
study in the elements of medicine with Dr. D. L. Beaver, he entered
the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, at
Philadelphia, where he was graduated in the class of 1877. He then
returned to Reading and entered upon his successful career of
medical practice. He was a member of the Pathological Society of
Berks county, and was one of the visiting physicians to St.
Joseph’s Hospital, at Reading.

On May 9, 1881, Dr. Cressman was united in
marriage to Mary E. Heckel, daughter of the late Dr. Charles A.
Heckel, of Chester county. They had one son, J. Albert, a talented,
ambitious young man, who was born April 1, 1884, was graduated at
the Reading Classical school June 12, 1903, and at the Bliss
Electrical School at Washington, D. C., June 6, 1906. He resides
with his mother at the family home at No. 426 North Ninth street.

Dr. Cressman was a worthy member of the First
Presbyterian Church at Reading. He was noted for his professional
skill and his personal high character. He was Republican in
politics. Mrs. Albert J. Cressman was a descendant of James
Everhart who was an extensive owner of coal lands now operated by
the Lehigh Valley Railroad and other companies.

p. 1102

Surnames: CRESSMAN, THOMPSON, GRUBER

F. Marion Cressman, a well-known citizen of Reading, was born Feb.
6, 1869, son of Charles M. and grandson of Henry Cressman.

Henry Cressman was a life-long resident of
Philadelphia, where for an extended business life he was engaged in
the manufacture of army uniforms for the Government. He owned a
large amount of property in Philadelphia and was a man of business
prominence there. His children were: Henry, George, Sarah,
Elizabeth and Charles M.

Charles M. Cressman was born at Philadelphia,
and was educated in the graded schools at Bordentown, N. J. Upon
his return to Philadelphia, he was apprentice to the tailor’s
trade, and after completing his contract he came to Reading about
1840. Here he was employed as a cutter by the tailoring firm of
Jansen & Son, Sixth and Penn streets, for a time and worked in
other tailoring establishments in this city, and then established
the business which was carried on until he retired in 1889, known
as C. M. Cressman & Son. His death took place March 27, 1900,
at the age of seventy-four years, three months and one day. His
interment was in the Charles Evans cemetery. He married Annie
Thompson, born in 1827, who still survives and resides with her
son, F. Marion. Their children were: Annie, William H., Charles,
Robert L., Margaret, James S., F. Marion and Dr. A. J. The latter
died in 1891, at the age of thirty-one years. He was a brilliant
young man, well known and highly regarded in his profession, a
graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.

F. Marion Cressman completed his education in
the public schools of Reading, as far as text books were concerned,
but later, through travel, broadened his mind in a way that no
amount of mere study could have brought about. He learned the
painting business with P. Eagle at Reading and later was in the
employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at Third and Berks
streets, Philadelphia. Desiring to see something of the world in
June 1891, he entered the U. S. Navy, at New York, and during the
subsequent four years, visited every part of the world except South
America. Mr. Cressman has many interesting stories to relate of
adventures and customs in other lands, but America is his choice of
home. After returning to Reading he followed his trade as painter
until 1908, when Mayor Rick appointed him second sergeant of the
Reading police force.

Mr. Cressman married Mary Gruber, daughter of
Joseph and Theresa Gruber, of Reading, and they have two children:
Annie and Francis, both of whom are in school. They have a
comfortable home at No. 738 Franklin street.

In politics Mr. Cressman is a Republican, and he
has been more or less prominent in his party for years. For four
years be was chairman of the party organization in the Third ward
and is now inspector of the election board. He is a member of St.
Peter’s Catholic Church.

CRESSMAN, J.
J. (REV.)

p. 486

Surnames: CRESSMAN, FRUTCHEY, SMITH, MENSDEN, MUHLENBERG, FUCHS,
SAVAGE, PHILLIPS, COFFIN, SMITH, SCHAEFFER, KRAUTH, MANN, KROTEL,
HERMANN, LEINBACH, DEISHER, WALTER, WINK

On Normal Hill, on the western borders of the flourishing borough
of Kutztown, resides the Rev. J. J. Cressman, one of the best known
and best loved Lutheran clergymen of eastern Pennsylvania. Like
most of the ministers of the Lutheran faith in this State, Rev.
Cressman is of German descent. His great?great? grandfather came to
America from Saxony about the year 1733, and settled in
Philadelphia county, where he spent what of life remained to him.
At that early period family records were either poorly kept or
wholly neglected, and consequently little is known concerning this
early ancestor, his first name even being lost in obscurity. It is
known, however, that he had a son named Christian, who was born
April 13, 1753, and who, died Dec. 5, 1827. On Feb. 24, 1781,
Christian had a son born whom he named John, and who early in life
removed to Northampton county, where he died Feb. 14, 1853. This
John Cressman had a son named Abraham, who became the father of
Rev. J. J. Cressman.

Abraham Cressman was born in Lower Mt. Bethel
township, Northampton county, Feb. 1, 1817. In 1840 he moved to
Moore township, near Petersville (living there the rest of his
life). He died Nov. 8, 1893. His first wife was Lydia Frutchey, who
bore him eight children, and died July 4, 1870, at the age of
fifty?four years, four months nine days. His second wife was
Catharine Elizabeth Smith, who bore him two children. Four of the
sons of the first marriage entered the ministry of the Lutheran
church, three of whom are still living, the Rev. J. J. Cressman
being the eldest of the three. The fourth to enter the ministry
died suddenly Oct. 6, 1898, while pastor of the first Lutheran
Church of Ridgeway, Pa., and his remains are buried at Bethlehem.

Rev. J. J. Cressman was born in Moore township,
Northampton county, Jan. 10, 1841, and was baptized in the
Kreiderville Church on July 25th of the same year by Rev. W. F.
Mensden. His boyhood was spent upon the farm, and in his father’s
mill, engaged in duties and pastimes adapted to his strength. On
reaching the required age he was sent to the district school where
he soon became known for his studious habits and good conduct,
qualities that all through his scholastic career were marked
characteristics. Rev. Dr. F. A. Muhlenberg, Professor of Greek in
Pennsylvania College, said of him: “Rev. Cressman was one of the
best students I ever had.” At sixteen he took a course of
catechetical instruction under Rev. Augustus Fuchs, and by him was
confirmed in Immanuel Lutheran Church near Petersville, Northampton
county. He next sought employment at teaching and for several years
taught in the public schools of Moorestown and Flicksville with
very gratifying success. For the purpose of attaining a higher
education, and to prepare himself for the sacred calling he had in
view, he then quit teaching and entered an academy at Weaversville
under the management of Prof. Savage. After spending a year in
Prof. Savage’s academy he entered the Collegiate Institute of
Easton, Pa., of which Rev. William Phillips was principal and
Selden J. Coffin, D. D., one of the instructors, and under them
completed his academic course. In the fall of 1860 he entered the
freshman class of Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, and graduated
from that institution in the summer of 1864. This college being
situated near the theatre of the great Civil war, and for a time
actually enveloped by the conflict, he pursued knowledge under
disturbing and distracting circumstances. When the Confederate
invasion came in 1863 he and many of his fellow students enlisted
in Company A, 26th regiment of Pennsylvania Militia, and under
General Couch assisted in the defense of the State. Their regiment
was one of the first commands upon the ground and participated in
the early stages of the battle of Gettysburg, and a large portion
of it, including about forty of the student soldiers, was captured
by the Confederates. Their caps, coats and shoes were taken from
them, and after being paroled, they were marched, bareheaded and
barefooted to Harrisburg, by way of Shippensburg and Carlisle.
Exhausted and suffering from hunger and exposure, they were sent
from Harrisburg to a parole camp near West Chester. From these hard
conditions young Cressman broke away, and as quickly as he could
made his way back to Gettysburg to look up the personal effects he
had left there. These consisted of a lot of books, some furniture,
a new suit of clothes, a valuable watch and the money which was
intended to cover his school expenses for the year. With the
exception of two or three books and a few pieces of furniture, all
these articles were gone. The loss to him was very serious and
embarrassing, but though sorely discouraged he wasted no time
brooding over his misfortunes.

Although a paroled prisoner his sense of duty
did not permit him to remain idle in face of the awful wreck of
battle that lay all around him. He promptly reported to the provost
and volunteered to assist in burying the dead, blue and gray, and
to re?inter such as had been only partially buried. This grewsome
work done he returned to his home in Northampton county, but soon
after reaching there was stricken with typhoid fever and became
dangerously ill. For four weeks he hovered between life and death,
and four months elapsed before he was able to resume his studies at
Gettysburg.

While at college and in the seminary he made
good and proper use of his vacations. He permitted none of his time
to go to waste, employing it all either tutoring, selling books or
working on the railroad. His experience under James Smith, a
contractor on the Lehigh and Susquehanna railroad, is an
interesting episode in his life. Applying to him one vacation for
employment he was put to work at bridge building at Penn Haven.
After working five days he was promoted to the foremanship of a
gang of carpenters to construct a depot and other buildings in the
vicinity. His daily wages were $3.65 and although he paid at the
rate of $21 a month for board and had other expenses besides, he in
six weeks saved the round sum of $100, almost enough to see him
through a year at college.

After graduating from college he entered the
newly established theological seminary, which is now located at Mt.
Airy, Philadelphia. He was one of that institution’s first regular
students, and his name was enrolled upon its records before it
afforded proper accommodations for the young men who came eagerly
to seek the pure Lutheran doctrine at the blessed fountain of its
learned faculty, consisting of Drs. C. F. Schaeffer, C. P. Krauth,
W. J. Mann, C. W. Schaeffer and G. F. Krotel.

Upon completing his course at the seminary he
was ordained to the ministry by the Synod of Pennsylvania at
Lebanon in 1867. He then received an unanimous call from a parish
at South Easton, and accepting it labored there successfully for
ten years, building a fine parsonage and preparing the congregation
for the subsequent building of a new church. He also actively
interested himself in education, and was instrumental in founding
the South Easton borough high school, of which he was elected the
principal, a position he held continuously for six years. In the
last year of his principalship he, in addition, was made
superintendent of the borough schools, which, with his church work,
gave him almost a greater amount of labor than he had time and
strength to perform. Doing double duty in this way, he found was
impairing his health, and in the fall of 1876 he resigned both his
school positions and his pastorate, for the purpose of taking a
much?needed rest. This he was allowed to enjoy but a few months, as
prominent members of St. John’s Church at Kutztown and Friedens of
Bernville -? then comprising one charge -? tendered him an urgent
call to come and minister unto them. He hesitated to accept as the
two churches were twenty?two miles apart, and to attend to their
wants properly involved much travel and an incredible amount of
labor. But with the understanding that better arrangements should
be made within a year or two he accepted and entered upon pastoral
relations which continued for twenty?four years without
alterations, and in part still exist. In the spring of 1901 he
resigned the pastorate of Friedens church at Bernville, leaving its
congregation with a new church edifice, built a few years before,
completely furnished and paid for, and with money in its treasury.
Since resigning the Bernville part of his charge he devotes himself
exclusively to St. John’s Church at Kutztown. Here also his zeal
and energy have borne good fruit, and with his good people here he
feels very much at home. The present St. John’s Church edifice he
had the honor of helping to finish in 1877, and with the assistance
of Rev. J. S. Hermann, the Reformed pastor, to dedicate; and with
the assistance of Rev. J. H. Leinbach (successor to Rev. Hermann)
he collected the money needed to liquidate the debt remaining
unpaid at the time of its completion, and to make subsequent
important improvements. The church building presents a fine
appearance, is in splendid condition in all its details, elegantly
furnished, and has one of the best organs in the county and one of
the finest bells in the world. Its congregation never wearies in
well doing, and is warmly attached to the pastor who watches over
its spiritual welfare.

The Rev. Mr. Cressman’s pleasant home on Normal
Hill was built in 1885, with the assistance and liberality of his
good people. Besides being convenient and comfortable it is neat
and attractive. The house is surrounded by a yard and garden, 112
feet front by 350 deep, partly donated by his friend and neighbor
Charles Deisher. Every tree, vine and shrub, as well as every post
in the fences and the arbors on the premises was set by the
pastor’s own hands. Both in theory and practice he is a disciple of
the strenuous life, but busy as he has been and hard as he has
worked his career is dotted full of pleasant incidents which he
loves to recall and dwell upon. Among these are the receptions
tendered him by his people at South Easton in April, 1867, and at
Bernville in March, 1877, and the party given him on his
sixty?fifth birthday by the members and friends of his Kutztown
charge. These he fondly treasures as marks of the appreciation of
his labors, and for their comforting influence he gives God the
praise.

At the South Easton reception a valuable gift
was thrust upon him so informally and unexpectedly that it afforded
amusement to all who were present, and also a topic of conversation
in the community for some time. As the large party was about to be
invited to adjourn to the dining room, the pastor happening to look
out of the window noticed that one equipage had not as yet been
cared for. It consisted of a beautiful sorrel horse and a fine
buggy, perfectly new. No one in the company seemed to know to whom
it belonged, but the good pastor insisted that the horse should be
put up and fed before he would sit down to dinner. This evoked
broad smiles all around the room, and to allay his anxiety he was
finally informed that it was a gift to him from his congregation,
that the horse had lately been fed, and could easily wait until
after dinner when his new owner could take formal possession of him
and test his qualities. He was also informed that if agreeable to
him the horse could be kept in the stable of one of his good
members and cared for free of charge. The generous donation touched
the loved pastor deeply and his feelings can better be imagined
than described.

The Rev. Mr. Cressman is a great lover of books,
and owns one of the finest private libraries in Berks county. It
comprises over 1,500 volumes, some very rare and of great value,
and he has them so carefully arranged and is so familiar with their
order that he can find almost any volume in the collection in the
dark. These books are all housed in well constructed and costly
cases, planned, by the owner himself, and constructed under his
immediate supervision.

On Aug. 27, 1865, the Rev. Mr. Cressman was
married to Emma C. M. Walter, of Allentown, and they have six
children, as follows: Charles F. S., who holds a civil service
position at Greenville, Pa.; Krauth H., who is superintendent of an
Indian reservation at Naper, Nebr.; John L., who resides at
Harrisburg, and is a railway mail clerk on the route between
Pittsburg and New York; Abraham L, who is connected with the cement
business at Nazareth, Pa.; Benjamin F., a teacher at Macungie; and
Esther Lydia, who married John D. Wink, and has two sons, David
Deshler and Charles Frederick.

Although devotedly attached to the Lutheran
Church, her doctrines and usages, and caring faithfully for his own
flock, Mr. Cressman is tolerant and liberal with those who hold
religious views at variance with his own. He in no way interferes
with other people’s business, and avoids giving offense, aiming to
be just and fair in all the relations of life, with words of good
cheer and a smile for all. His mission in life is to do good to his
fellow men, and this he endeavors at all times to fill.

p. 1100

Surnames: CROESSANT, MILLER, FLOTO, WENTZEL, FREIS, BOWER,
WIELANDS, STEHMAN

H. J. Croessant, proprietor of the Empire Bottling Works, No. 215
Moss street, and sole agent for Sheboygan Mineral Water, is a
native of the city of Reading, born in 1856, son of Henry Croessant
and wife, whose maiden name was Miller.

Mr. Croessant’s parents died when he was but two
and one-half years old, and he was reared and cared for by Herman
Floto. His education was secured in the schools of Reading, and he
was first employed by Mr. Floto, with whom he continued until
eighteen years of age. At this time he learned the house painting
trade at which he continued for four years, when he went to work
for Daniel Wentzel, and continued bottling beer until 1882. At this
time with a Mr. Freis, he purchased the concern, from James
Wentzel, and in 1897 he bought Mr. Freis’ interest, and since that
time has been running the business alone. The plant at No. 215 Moss
street is equipped with the latest modern machinery, and he
manufactures a high grade of carbonated drinks, bottling Lauer’s,
Barbey’s, Reading, Deppen’s, Ballentine’s and Piel’s beers of New
York. He employs on an average ten men, and five teams, furnishing
all the leading hotels and cafes in the city. Mr. Croessant is a
member of the K. G. E., the P. O. S. of A., the Bavarians, the
Phoenix, Maennerchor, Liederkranz, Americus and Commercial Clubs,
the Rainbow Fire Company, and several other societies.

Mr. Croessant was married to Sophia Bower, and
to them were born four sons: Henry, who died aged thirteen years;
William, who is employed by his father, and m. to Agnes Wielands;
Herman, employed by his father, and m. to Mary Stehman; and
Frederick.

p. 382

Surnames: CROLL, DeLONG, GILBERT, SCHLENKER, TRESSLER, MILLER,
SMITH, HARTLEY, SCHWARTZ, RAKER, BAER, HEACOCK, GEARY, WORLEY,
CLYMER, GRIM

Martin S. Croll, President of the National Bank at Topton, Berks
Co., Pa., and senior member of the firm of Croll & Smith,
manufacturers and jobbers in hats, caps and straw goods, is one of
the leading business men of this part of the county and comes from
an old and honorable family. Martin S. Croll was born Aug. 19,
1844, in Maxatawny township, Berks Co., Pa., son of John and
Catherine (DeLong) Croll. The family is of German extraction and
its founder in Pennsylvania was one Philip Croll, who settled in
Montgomery county. His four children bore the names of: Christian,
Henry, Michael and Polly.

Henry Croll, son of Philip, and
great-grandfather of Martin S., married a member of the Gilbert
family, and then removed to a farm in the vicinity of Pittsburg,
where the rest of his life was spent. Among his numerous children,
Joseph was the immediate ancestor of the subject of this sketch.

Joseph Croll was born in Allegheny county,
learned the tanning business and worked at that until 1813, when he
married and removed to Greenwich township, Berks Co., Pa. He
married Elizabeth Schlenker, daughter of John and Barbara
(Tressler) Schlenker, and they reared a large family. Later he
settled at Krumsville, where he died in 1847, survived by his wife
until 1872.

John Croll, son of Joseph and father of Martin
S., was born May 19, 1814, near Grimville, Berks Co., Pa. He
learned the trade of tailor. In 1838 he removed to a place near
Wessnersville, where he lived for one year and then settled at
Kutztown, where he followed his trade for about fourteen years, and
then, in 1853, removed to North Whitehall township, Lehigh county.
He bought a small farm near Schnecksville, and at his home
conducted a large tailoring business, giving employment to a dozen
workmen. He was a good business man and in addition to conducting
this large and profitable business, from 1865 to 1875, he was
interested in dealing in timber lands. During the last years of his
life he engaged successfully in trucking and huckstering. John
Croll was an influential member of the Democratic party, and
wherever he lived was solicited to hold office on account of the
integrity of his character and his excellent judgment on all
matters pertaining to the common good. As early as 1830 he was
confirmed in the Lutheran Church, and until his death he remained a
consistent member of that religious body. In 1837 be married
Catherine DeLong, daughter of David and Catherine DeLong, of
Maxatawny township, who was of French Huguenot extraction. They had
eight children, six sons and two daughters, namely: Alfred, Hiram,
Martin S., Silas, Cyrenius Charles, Elmira, Philip Columbus and
Priscilla Susanna.

Martin S. Croll was educated in the local
schools and at the Quakertown Academy, following which he taught
school for two seasons, but on April 1, 1863, turned his attention
to a business career, becoming a clerk for Joseph Miller, a
merchant at Foglesville. Some months later he accepted a similar
position at Rothrocksville and remained there over three years. On
March 1, 1867, he entered into partnership With his brother-in-law,
Stephen Smith, and they leased a store and hotel at Monterey, where
they conducted a successful business for five years. The business
was then removed to Rothrocksville, where they continued until
1889.

In the meantime, Mr. Croll had become interested
in additional enterprises. In 1884, the firm became associated with
Silas Croll, in a coal and lumber business at Farmington. One year
later, Silas Croll withdrew, but the enterprise was continued by
the other partners until 1893. In 1892 a farm was purchased at
Topton, on which Mr. Croll erected a fine residence. The firm of
Croll & Smith, which is located at No. 119 North Sixth street,
Reading, is known all over the State as prominent manufacturers and
jobbers and also as honorable dealers. It has been before the
public for the past twenty.two years. The business is largely
wholesale, employment is given to a large force and traveling men
of experience represent it in this and other States.

As the head and front of the large financial
institution known as the National Bank at Topton, Mr. Croll’s
prominence and integrity have been recognized. This bank was opened
for business July 2, 1906, with the following officers: Martin S.
Croll, president; John Hartley, vice president; and A. H. Smith,
cashier. The following capitalists make up the board of directors:
M. S. Croll, John Hartley, George Schwartz, Rev. J. H. Raker,
Edward DeLong, B. Frank Baer, A. P. Smith, Samuel Heacock, Irwin
Geary, Dr. J. H. Worley and W. H. Clymer. The bank has met with
success from the beginning. It is capitalized at $25,000, and has
large fortunes and reliable men behind it. It probably has the most
modern bank building of any in this section of the State, its
equipment including burglar proof vaults.

On June 10, 1865, Martin S. Croll married
Elizabeth A. Grim, daughter of Jonas Grim, a well-known farmer of
Lehigh county. They have two sons, William Martin and Charles
Alfred, both of whom have proved themselves good business men and
enterprising citizens. In his political affiliation, Mr. Croll has
always been a Democrat and, at various times, has served in most of
the local offices, has been township auditor and deputy collector
of internal revenue. For three years he served effectively as a
member of the borough council of Topton and has also been town
treasurer. Many and increasing business cares have prevented his
acceptance of numerous honorable offices and positions of trust at
the head of various organizations to which his admiring fellow
citizens would have gladly elevated him. He has always taken a
lively interest in charitable and philanthropic enterprises, and it
was largely due to his earnest efforts that the Lutheran Orphan
Home was located at Topton, in 1896. For many years he has been an
active worker in the Lutheran Church, in which he has been both
elder and deacon. He is a man who, in every respect, is entitled to
the good will, respect and thorough esteem of his fellow citizens.

p. 491

Surnames: CROLL, GRIM, SMITH, HEFFNER, GILBERT, KUHNS

William M. Croll, county treasurer of Berks county and junior
member of the well-known clothing firm of Heffner, Gilbert &
Croll, of Reading, Pa., was born April 9, 1866, in Upper Macungie
township, Lehigh Co., Pa., son of Martin S. and Elizabeth (Grim)
Croll.

William M. Croll received his early education in
the public schools of Berks county, and this was subsequently
supplemented by a course at the Keystone State Normal school, and
the Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He taught
school for one year, but in 1889, in company with William H. Smith,
engaged in the mercantile business at Rothrocksville, Berks county,
this firm continuing in existence until 1897, when Mr. Croll formed
a partnership with D. A. Heffner and John W. Gilbert. The firm of
Heffner, Gilbert & Croll are the largest dealers in clothing
and gentlemen’s furnishings in this section of the State. The
business was first conducted at No. 528 Penn street, whence in 1904
it was removed to the old Illig stand, larger quarters being
necessary, and here it has since continued. Mr. Croll is a
thoroughly capable business man, as are his partners, and the firm,
enjoys the confidence and patronage of the entire community. He is
also secretary and treasurer of the Berks Coal Company, at McCalla,
Ala., and in January 1909, was elected a director of the Berks
County Trust Company.

In political matters Mr. Croll is an unswerving
Democrat and while at Rothrocksville served as postmaster for the
Maxatawny postoffice. On April 11, 1908, he was nominated for the
office of county treasurer by over 3,800 majority over the next
man, and by 1910, over the other four candidates together. At the
election in November following he was elected by 6,289 majority,
about 3,000 ahead of the National ticket.

In 1889 Mr. Croll was married to Miss Annie M.
Kuhns, daughter of L F. Kuhns, proprietor of the “Arlington Hotel”
at Statington, Pa, and two children have been born to them: .Amy
and Mabel. The family are members of the Lutheran denomination, and
attend Trinity Church, Reading. Mr. Croll is a member of Huguenot
Lodge, F. & A. M., Kutztown; Reading Chapter, No. 267; Reading
Commandery, No. 42, K. T.; and Philadelphia Consistory, 32d degree;
Lodge of Perfection, Reading; Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.; the
P. O. S. of A.; Knights of the Golden Eagle; Knights of the
Maccabees; Harmonie Maennerchor; Lodge No. 115, B. P. O. Elks; and
Reading Aerie, No. 66, F. O. E.

p. 940

Surnames: CROUSE, KROUSE, EBERLY, GERMAN, GRIMES, WILDER, KRAUSE,
UMBENHAUER, HUYETT, STEFFY

Abraham L. Crouse, a popular salesman and prominent citizen of
Sinking Spring, was born near Reinholds Station, Lancaster county,
Oct. 11, 1860, of sturdy Revolutionary stock.

Michael Crouse (or Krouse), his
great-grandfather, was a German physician and surgeon, but his
profession was not to his liking, and he turned to comb-making for
an occupation. Emigrating to America he settled in Reading, Pa.,
but later went to Adamstown. At the outbreak of the Revolution he
entered the Patriot army, and during his spare moments in camp he
made combs from the horns of cattle that were slaughtered for food
for the soldiers. He was the father of five sons, all of whom
followed the father’s trade.

William Crouse, son of Michael, inherited the
business from his father, and in 1824 erected the present factory,
in which he worked until his death, in 1872, when he was aged
seventy-eight years. He made his combs by hand until 1850, when his
son William M. took the initiative and added modern machinery.

William M. Crouse, son of William, was born at
Reinholds Station, Aug. 10, 1828, and there he always lived.
Besides conducting the old comb factory he carried on a small farm.
He married Annie G. Eberly, born June 12, 1838, daughter of Harry
and Annie (German) Eberly. Today Mr. and Mrs. Crouse are said to be
the oldest homemakers in America. They have long since had their
son, George W., as an assistant. They are great entertainers, and
Mrs. Crouse knows well how to prepare the popular German dishes,
which she serves on plates that are a century and a half old. She
has many relics that the emigrants brought over from Germany nearly
two hundred years ago. To William M. Crouse and wife were born
seven sons and seven daughters, namely: Abraham L., Henry V. E.,
Mary, George W. (who lives on the homestead), Kate, William E.,
Annie, Calvin M., Bertha, Amy, Bessie and John, all living; and
Edwin and Margaret, who both died in infancy.

Abraham L. Crouse, son of William M., lived at
home until he was sixteen years old. Because of the large family
his educational advantages were limited, but he managed to secure a
practical training that has stood him in good stead. In 1877 he
last attended school as a student, and in 1878 he taught the
Marshall school in Spring township. He then learned the carpenter’s
trade under Michael Grimes, of Denver, Pa., an occupation he
followed until 1889 with different employers, working as a
carpenter foreman for O. B. S. Wilder, of Reading. In 1889 he began
traveling for Morgan & Ruth, paint manufacturers of Reading (a
firm later incorporated as Morgan, Ruth & Moore Paint
Manufacturing Company). He traveled for this house all over the
United States east of the Mississippi until 1891, and the following
year he entered the employ of L. D. Krause, of Allentown, wholesale
shoe dealer, as traveling salesman. He made the change because the
less extended territory enabled him to spend more time at home. His
territory comprised Berks, Lebanon, Lancaster and part of
Montgomery counties. He remained with Mr. Krause until 1895, when
he entered the employ of Knorr & Ruth, wholesale shoe dealers,
and he travels over Berks, Schuylkill, Lebanon. Lancaster, Dauphin
and part of Chester counties, having been the head salesman for
this firm since 1902. He also helped to institute the Wernersville
National Bank of Berks county.

Mr. Crouse has long been active in the
Republican party, and for fourteen years was the committeeman from
his township, during eight of which he was secretary of the
committee. For one term he was school director, and three terms
township clerk in a Democratic district. He is a member of
Williamson Lodge, No. 307, F. & A. M., and is a past master by
merit, having served in 1902. He was a director of the Reading
School of Instruction for four years. He also belongs to Reading
Chapter, No. 152, R. A. M., in which he holds office; De Molay
Commandery, No. 9, K. T.; and Sinking Spring Lodge, No. 660, I. O.
O. F., in which he has been a trustee and chaplain since its
institution, in 1903. With his family he belongs to St. John’s
Lutheran Church of Sinking Spring.

On Dec. 18, 1880, Mr. Crouse was married to
Annetta C. H. Umbenhauer, born April 12, 1862, daughter of Jacob
and Mary (Huyett) Umbenhauer. They have had children as follows:
Jennie M., who married Solomon Steffy, of Sinking Spring; Mamie A.,
who died in infancy; and Estella K., a stenographer at Reading.

p. 701

Surnames: CROUSE, SAGEE, PEARSON, HEIM, SANDERS, RHOADS, LOVELAND,
THORNTON, McGUIRE

Henry Crouse, who was a prominent business man in Reading for many
years, was born April 25, 1823, at York, York Co., Pa, and died
Sept. 18, 1902

At a tender age Mr. Crouse was thrown entirely
upon is own resources, and his success proved his fine character
and many sterling qualities. The greater part of his schooling was
obtained at night schools, his days being employed with farmers. At
the age of nineteen years he learned the comb-making trade of an
uncle, at Selinsgrove, and worked at this trade as long as it was
profitable selling his combs to the stores in dozen lots. Gradually
he added other articles and thus began to handle a few notions. He
accepted a position as traveling salesman with William Sagee, a
brushmaker, with the understanding that he should also sell combs
on his trips. He later traveled independently, selling his notions
through Berks and adjoining counties. He packed his goods in a
one-horse wagon and went all through the anthracite coal regions.
In 1848 he purchased his first large bill of goods, receiving
credit at Philadelphia. His wife and mother did not feel that this
move was a prudent one, but he had better foresight than they, and
by 1853 this and other bills had all been settled and he was ready
to go into business on Penn street above Seventh, in Reading.
Afterward Mr. Crouse secured quarters on Penn street, then the
Keystone house, at the corner of Sixth and Penn, for his notion
store an he continued in the business until 1869, when with an
ample fortune he retired. In 1870, during the German war with his
son Harry W., who had just graduated from Dickinson College at
Carlisle, he made a trip around the world, consuming one year and
two weeks, and during this time they visited all the principal
cities and great show places of the world.

After his return Mr. Crouse felt like getting
into business harness again, and soon was interested in a real
estate and building business. Later he embarked in a lumbering
business at Garland, Warren Co., Pa., which he continued until
1884, when he definitely retired. He was a lifelong member of the
M. E. Church and was always active in this body, cheerfully filling
many official positions. In 1869 he built the chapel at Ninth and
Elm streets, and when the Covenant Memorial M. E. Church was
erected, the property and church buildings costing $50,000, he paid
all except a debt of $10,000.

Before making his trip around the world, and
about 1863, Mr. Crouse had engaged in business at No. 436 Penn
street, where the Bon Ton Store is now located. He rented from John
S. Pearson and remained there ten years, when he built the
four-story iron structure at No. 507 Penn street, the second
building of its kind in the city. This property is now owned by Mr.
Heim. Mr. Crouse afterward sold out his business to Haas, Loriamy
& Dunkle, which firm took possession of his new building,
renting it from him.

In 1848 Mr. Crouse married Mary E. Sanders,
daughter of William and Mary (Rhoads) Sanders, and they had two
children, Clara E. and Henry W. The former married Samuel W.
Loveland, an employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad, of forty years’
standing, and now chief accountant at Broad street, Philadelphia,
and they have two children, Marie and Emily. Henry W. was a
graduate of Dickinson College, and at the time of his death, Jan.
7, 1900, was an extensive importer of notions, at No. 345 Broadway,
New York City; he married (first) Jennie Thornton, had four
children–Elizabeth (an authoress), Clara M. (died aged fourteen
months), Lillian J. and Herbert T.–and m. (second) Anna B.
Mcguire, and had one child, Donald.

The late Henry Crouse was a Republican in
politics, and was a member of the council of Reading although he
never sought political honors. He belonged to Chandler Lodge, No.
227, F. & A. M. and to Salome Lodge, I. O. O. F. He was a man
who loved his own fireside and took pleasure in providing for the
welfare of his family. He is buried in the Charles Evans cemetery,
where he had erected a fine monument ten years before his death.

CROW, SAMUEL
H.

p. 1040

Surnames: CROW, BENNER, SLIDER

Samuel H. Crow, a dealer in coal and wood in Reading, was born in
Chester county, Pa., Dec. 5, 1860, son of George and Wilhelmina
(Benner) Crow.

Mr. Crow remained in Chester county till he was
about twenty-seven years old. When he left school he worked as a
farm laborer till he was of age, and then engaged in agricultural
pursuits on his own account till 1887, when he determined to get
into some other line of work and so removed to Reading. He secured
a place as special officer for the Reading Iron Company and served
in that capacity for nine years, but meantime embarked in business
on his own account. Opening a coal yard he built up a trade which
by 1896 demanded his whole attention. In 1902 he moved to his
present location at the corner of Laurel and Ninth streets,
formerly the Union Coal Yard. He does a large business and supplies
much of the best trade in Reading. Mr. Crow is favorably known all
through Reading and vicinity, having earned a reputation as an able
and upright business man and good citizen.

In 1882 Mr. Crow married Miss Anna L. Slider,
and they had a family of seven children: George H., Florence I.,
Clarence S., Mabel J., Ethel S., and two that died in infancy. Mrs.
Crow died June 21, 1905, at the age of forty-one years. She was a
very active member of St. Peter’s M. E. Church, to which all the
family belong, and had a large circle of friends in the various
church organizations, to whom her death was a great loss.

Mr. Crow is connected with a number of social
and fraternal organizations among which may be mentioned the
Heptasophs; Wyanet Tribe, No. 301, I. O. R. M.; the Jr. O. U. A.
M.; and the Knights of Malta. In politics he is independent,
disregarding party lines in favor always of those whom he considers
the best candidates.

p.
1490

Surnames: CUSTER, KUSTER, UBIL, BALL, WASHINGTON, KENDALL,
PRUTZMAN, LUDWIG, OWEN, MUSSER

Ludwig Talbot Custer, one of the leading business men of Reading,
Pa., who in addition to being president of the Consumers Gas
Company, holds numerous other official positions in large financial
enterprises, was born in 1835, in New Holland, Lancaster county,
Pa., son of Samuel L. and Rachel (Ubil) Custer.

Paulus Kuster, the emigrant ancestor of all of
the name in this country, come from Crefeld, Germany, in 1682, and
settled near Germantown, Pa., bringing his wife and three sons,
Arnold, Johannes and Hermanus. They were members of the Mennonite
Church.

Hermanus Custer, the
great-great-great-grandfather of Ludwig T., had a son Paul, who
married Sarah Martha Ball, daughter of John Ball, of Virginia, a
relative of George Washington. It is believed that Mr. and Mrs.
Paul Custer settled in Montgomery county, and were agricultural
people, although the early records show that they were also woolen
yarn manufacturers. Paul Custer purchased 200 acres of land near
Skippackville, Montgomery county, but resided in Perkiomen township
from 1708 to 1760. To him and his wife were born these children:
John, Jonathan, Paul, George and William.

Jonathan Custer, son of Paul and
great-grandfather of Ludwig T., married Hannah Kendall, and they
had children as follows: Benjamin; Jonathan, Jr.; George; Peter and
Hannah who married a Mr. Prutzman.

Jonathan Custer, Jr., son of Jonathan, married
Eva Rosanna Ludwig, and to this union were born children as
follows: John; Hannah; Samuel L.; Susan; David; George; Michael;
Jacob; Aaron; Lewis; Lydia; Rebecca and Solomon, who became a
member of the State Legislature. Jonathan Custer settled between
Douglassville and Amityville, where he became a large land owner
and representative farmer, and died there in 1822, his wife
surviving him ten years. In religious belief they were Lutherans.
He was a Democrat in politics, but it is not definitely known
whether he was an office holder.

Samuel L. Custer, son of Jonathan, Jr., was born
in 1793, and early in life he engaged in agricultural pursuits on
the home farm. This farm was purchased by three of the sons. Samuel
L. farmed it until 1835, when he removed to Lancaster county, where
he purchased a property, and there both he and his wife, Rachel
Ubil, died. He belonged to the Lutheran Church, while his wife was
an Episcopalian. Three children were born to them: William,
deceased, who married Lydia Owen, and had children: Wallace, Frank,
Charles and Valeria; Ludwig Talbot; and Elizabeth.

Ludwig Talbot Custer was educated in the common
schools of Lancaster county, and at Whitehall Academy, Cumberland
county, and he remained on the home farm until March 1858, when he
became employed in a general mercantile establishment at
Wernersville, remaining there until the spring of 1863. Later he
was employed by his father-in-law John Musser, at Adamstown,
continuing there until 1876, when he began the manufacture of hats,
a business he carried on at Adamstown until October 1904. At that
place he was burgess from 1893 to 1896. He is president of the
Adamstown and Mohnsville Electric Railroad, director of the
Kutztown and Fleetwood Electric Railroad; the United Traction
Company of Reading; the Reading Power Company; and the Schuylkill
Valley Bank, and in May 1903, he became president of the Consumers
Gas Company at Reading. Mr. Custer has always had large financial
interests to look after, but has invariably given both money and
time to encourage public enterprises tending to promote the welfare
of the people and the advancement of this section. In 1863 he was
married to Kate Musser, and to them have been born two children:
Caroline and Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Custer attend the Episcopal
Church.