Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

p. 609

Surnames: DeLONG, SNYDER, MOSER, SAVAGE, REINART, ZERR, ALTHOUSE,
WAGNER
David DeLong, now deceased, was a well known farmer of Bern
township. He was born in Berks county, Pa., son of David De Long,
Sr., who was for many years engaged in farming in Lehigh county-a
very prominent man there.

Mr. De Long was always identified with Berks
county. He began his farming operations there on a tract of forty
acres, which he purchased and to which he later added considerably.
He was successful in his work, being both capable and industrious,
and his long life of seventy-seven years was full of useful and
kindly deeds.

Mr. De Long married Miss Mary Snyder, and they
passed many years of wedded life, broken by the death of Mrs. De
Long at the age of sixty years. A large family was born to them,
all of them living in or near Reading, as follows: Mary, Mrs.
Daniel Moser, of Bern township; Hattie, Mrs. Samuel Savage, of
Reading; Catharine, Mrs. Reinart, of Reading, who has two children,
George and Katie (m. Howard Zerr, who has two children, Luther and
Helen Zerr); Joel, m. to Miss Matilda Althouse, and residing on the
homestead in Bern township; Lydia, m. to Frank Snyder, of Reading;
and Sarah, m. to Levi Wagner. David De Long was a man who held the
respect of the community in which he lived, and was of no little
influence in the Democratic party. He was a member of the Reformed
Church.

De LONG
FAMILY

p. 405

Surnames: De LONG, GERY, LONG, ROHRBACH, KERSHER, FENSTERMACHER,
SCHRADIN, HAAS, KNOSKE, SAUL, ZIMMERMAN, BARTO, KELLER, MENSCH,
KNAUSS, FISHER, CHRIST, SCHOFER

The first settler of the De Long family in America was Peter De
Long, a French Huguenot, who came to this country in 1732. His son,
Henry, the great-grandfather of Tilghman De Long, was born,
perhaps, in France.

David De Long, son of Henry, was born in
America, Jan. 4, 1770, and died Nov. 12, 1828. He married Barbara
Gery, and they had the following children: Daniel m. Catherine
Long, of Butler county, Ohio; Benjamin m. Catherine Rohrbach;
David; Catherine m. Martin Kersher; Esther m. John Fenstermacher;
Susannah m. Jacob Schradin; Mary m. George Rohrbach; and Elizabeth
m. Jacob Haas.

David De Long, father of Tilghman De Long, was
born July 6, 1813, and died Sept. 6, 1893, at the age of eighty
years and two months. He married Catherine Haas, who died Nov. 28,
1877, aged sixty-four years, five months, eleven days. They had
children as follows: David died aged twenty-six years; Henry, born
Dec. 18, 1838, m. Adeline Fenstermacher, and is deceased; Milton
H., who died Feb. 20, 1892, was twice married, and his second wife,
Louisa E. (Knoske), lives at Bowers, Pa.; Tilghman; Alvin H.,
residing on the old homestead, m. Catherine Saul; and Sally Ann
died when two years old. David De Long, the father, carried on
farming in Longswamp township, Berks county, through all his active
years.

Tilghman De Long, son of David, was born Aug. 2,
1849, in Rockland township, Berks Co., Pa., and was educated in the
country schools as they were in his boyhood. He grew up on the
farm, and also worked in the ore mines. When nineteen years of age
he apprenticed himself to David Zimmerman, at Monterey, with whom
he learned cabinetmaking and undertaking. After serving three years
with this man he was considered a good workman and went to
Schrader, Felix & Kline, a well-known firm at that time, now
doing business at Reading as Schrader & Kline, and remained
there until 1872, when he came to Topton and embarked in business
for himself. Mr. De Long at first worked alone, doing all his
manufacturing by hand, but as his business increased he took an
apprentice, this being Charles Fenstermacher, who has continued
with him ever since. His skill as a workman and his promptness in
filling his contracts soon brought more and more business to Mr. De
Long and he added more assistants, two of whom, Jonathan Barto and
Lewis Keller, still are of his right-hand men. He began equipping
his plant with some machinery that he put up himself first
operating it by hand and later by horse-power, and recently he has
built a new factory of large dimensions which he has equipped with
the latest improved machinery. The year round he gives employment
to from fifty to seventy-five men. He is now one of the leading
manufacturers of Eastern Pennsylvania. His specialty is in the line
of bank, hotel, store and church fixtures.

In 1905, Mr. De Long organized the T. De Long
Furniture Company, of which he is president and principal
stockholder, his sons, Ellwood and Victor, being partners. At the
same time De Long, Son & Co. was organized, which includes the
retail furniture and undertaking business at Topton and Fleetwood,
the latter of which is managed by the other son, Irwin D. De Long.
Mr. De Long officiated as undertaker at over 2,200 funerals before
he delegated the Fleetwood branch of the business to Irwin D., in
1898. He is still active, though he employs Mr. Schofer to attend
to the Topton branch of the undertaking business.

On April 4, 1874, Mr. De Long was married to
Angeline Fenstermacher, daughter of Reuben and Polly (Mensch)
Fenstermacher. Her father, now deceased, was long a prominent
farmer of this section. To Mr. and Mrs. De Long were born eight
children, as follows: Minnie Renneta, born Aug. 3, 1875, died Nov.
7, 1876; Irwin David, born Aug. 7, 1877; Ellwood F., born June 23,
1879; Charles Franklin, born May 29, 1881, died Aug. 22, 1883; Ada
Alavesta, born Dec. 26, 1882, married Milton O. Knauss, and had one
child, deceased; Victor Wilson, born July 9, 1884, m. Laura Fisher,
and has one daughter, Lulu Rachel; Eva Helen, born Oct. 23, 1888,
resides at home; and Lulu May, born Nov. 16, 1893, died Dec. 2,
1899.

Mr. De Long is a stanch Democrat and on many
occasions has been chosen by his fellow citizens to assume the
duties and responsibilities attaching to important offices. He has
filled all the minor borough offices, for three years was a
director of the poor for Berks county, and at present is serving
his second term as a member of the Topton town council. His good
judgment, his business foresight and his sterling personal
character, make him an ideal citizen. He applies the same
principles in looking after the interests of public business as he
has always done to his private affairs, by which he has built up
from a very small beginning a trade that extends all over the
world, shipments of his goods having been made to Porto Rico and
even to far-off China. Mr. De Long and wife belong to the German
Reformed Church, and in this faith they have reared their family.
He is a member of Camp No. 172, P. O. S. of A.; of Longswamp Lodge,
I. O. O. F.; of the K. of P., at Lyons; and of Adonai Castle, K. G.
E., at Kutztown. He is a man who in every relation of life can
claim the respect of his fellow citizens, and he enjoys also in
large measure their esteem.

Ellwood F. De Long, vice-president of the T. De
Long Furniture Company, was born and reared at Topton, where he
first attended school. Later he became a student at the Keystone
State Normal School, at Kutztown, and afterward graduated at the
Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry. For a long time he
filled the position of designer for the large furniture factory and
now is sales manager for the firm. He married Minnie Christ and
they have one son, Karl Christ. He belongs to Huguenot Lodge, No.
377, F. & A. M., Kutztown; and to Camp 172, P. O. S. of A.

Victor Wilson De Long, secretary and associate
partner of the firm of T. De Long Furniture Company, was born and
reared at Topton. From the borough schools he entered the Keystone
State Normal School, at Kutztown, and afterward attended
Schissler’s Business College at Norristown. He married Laura
Fisher. He is a member of Camp No. 172, P. O. S. of A., and
Huguenot Lodge, No. 377, F. & A. M., Kutztown. He belongs to
the Reformed Church.

DE
LONG, HOWARD H. (PROF.)

p. 1166

Surnames: DE LONG, MERTZ, HOCH, GOSS, GUSS, DIENER, ZIEGLER,
MEISTER

Prof. Howard H. De Long, who for some time has been known to the
citizens of Berks county as an educator, and has made his home at
the residence of his uncle, Joel Mertz, near Virginsville, Richmond
township, was born in Rockland township, Berks county, Jan. 1,
1880, son of Adam B. and Caroline (Hoch) De Long.

The parents of Professor De Long removed in 1881
from Rockland to Lyons, Pa., where Mrs. De Long died of typhoid
fever. She was the mother of: Irwin Hoch; Sallie, a graduate of the
Hamburg high school, has been a teacher at the M. E. Orphan’s Home
for the past five years; Emma m. Eric F. Goss, a successful young
farmer of Sindle, Mifflin county; John, a merchant at Lewistown,
Mifflin county, m. a Miss Guss; and Howard H. Mrs. Caroline (Hoch)
De Long, mother of the Professor, was a daughter of Jeremiah and
Rebecca (Diener) Hoch, of Rockland township. She had one brother,
Elias Hoch, who lost his life in the Civil war, and one sister,
Lovina, who is the wife of Joel Mertz, the adopted parents of
Howard H. De Long.

Prof. Howard H. De Long was but one and one-half
years old when his mother died, and he was then taken into the
family of his uncle, with whom he has resided ever since. His
boyhood days were spent upon the farm, and his early education was
obtained in the local schools of his adopted district, attending
until seventeen years of age, when he entered the Keystone State
Normal School at Kutztown, Pa. He graduated in 1901, and since that
time has been engaged in teaching school seven months of the year,
the other five months being spent on his uncle’s farm. Professor
DeLong began his career as an educator in his native township,
Rockland, and the following year was elected to teach Schaffer’s
school in Richmond township, continuing one year when the school
board, recognizing his ability, promoted him to the village school
at Virginville, where he continued very successfully until 1906. At
this time he again entered the normal school to prepare for
college, and entered Franklin and Marshall College in the fall of
1907, becoming a member of the class of 1910. Mr. De Long is still
a young man, but he has demonstrated by his work in the schoolroom
that he is a competent, painstaking teacher, and possessed of
excellent qualities of mind and heart. He is loved by all his
pupils and esteemed by all who know him.

Irwin Hoch De Long, brother of Prof. Howard H.,
was adopted by Isaac Ziegler, of Bowers, Pa., and was educated in
the public schools of Maxatawny, Berks county, the State Normal
School at Kutztown, Pa., after which he took his preparatory work
at Muhlenberg Preparatory School, Allentown, and graduated at
Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., with the class of
1898. He entered the Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pa., in the
fall of 1898, and graduated in the spring of 1901. In the summer of
1900 he entered the University of Chicago as a graduate student,
and in the fall of 1902 he left Chicago for the American School of
Oriental Study and Research in Palestine, Jerusalem, where he
remained during 1902-03. In 1903 he entered the University of
Berlin; and in 1904 the University of Strassburg, receiving his Ph.
D. at Strassburg in 1905. He was elected instructor in Old
Testament Science at Lancaster Seminary, and in the fall of 1908 he
was elected Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament Theology in the
same institution. He married Mary Meister, daughter of Rev. E.
Meister, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

p. 406

Surnames: De LONG, SCHOFER, DREY, FISHER

Irwin David De Long, manager of the Fleetwood branch of De Long,
Son & Co., dealers in furniture and house furnishings of all
descriptions at Topton and Fleetwood, was born at Topton, Aug. 7,
1877. His education was acquired in the borough schools, and the
Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown. In the spring of 1895 he
entered Schissler’s College of Business at Norristown, Pa.,
completing the course there in October following. In the spring of
1897 he entered the Massachusetts College of Embalming, and
graduated therefrom June 25, 1897, later taking a post-graduate
course, which he completed Nov. 18, 1898. He also took a
post-graduate course in the Philadelphia Training School for
Embalmers, completing it May 2, 1902. He then became his father’s
assistant at Topton, the latter being one of the best known
undertakers in the county, and the son had literally grown up in
the business.

On Feb. 15, 1906, the firm of De Long, Son &
Co., was formed by the following: Tilghman De Long, Irwin D. De
Long, and Jacob J. Schofer. They carry a very large stock of
furniture and, in fact, of all house furnishings, and operate
stores at Topton and Fleetwood. The senior member of the firm, Mr.
Tilghman De Long, is one of the most highly respected men in the
county, and has the largest trade of any undertaker in Berks county
outside of Reading.

Socially Mr. Irwin D. De Long is a member of
Camp No. 172, P. O. S. of A., of Topton; Orion Castle, No. 501, K.
G. E., Topton; Willow Valley Lodge, K. P., Fleetwood; Kutztown
Aerie, No. 836, F. O. E.; Fleetwood Castle No. 153, A. O. K. M. C.;
Yuma Tribe, I. O. R. M.; Arabian Degree Kean; Buzzards Association,
and Haymakers. He is a member of the Fleetwood Reformed Church
while his wife belongs to the Lutheran Church.

On June 14, 1900, Mr. De Long was married to
Katharine H. Drey, daughter of George L. and Katharine (Fisher)
Drey, of Bowers. They have one daughter, Janice Ethel. Mrs. De Long
greatly assists her husband in the undertaking business.

p. 770

Surnames: De LONG, BUTZ, SCHAEFFER, MERKEL, YODER, HIGH, PETER,
BAUSCHER, STOUDT, HERTZOG

Joseph S. De Long, in his life time a highly esteemed and
successful farmer near Topton, in Maxatawny township, Berks county,
was born there Feb. 11, 1837, and died Feb. 25, 1896, aged
fifty-nine years, fourteen days.

Joseph De Long, his grandfather, was a farmer.
According to the tombstone in De Long’s Bowers churchyard, his wife
Susanna De Long, nee Butz, was “born March 20, 1782, died Jan. 24,
1874, aged ninety-one years, ten months, four days.”

Jacob De Long, son of Joseph, was born on his
father’s farm near Bowers, March 27, 1803, and died Oct. 23, 1851,
his remains being interred at De Long’s Church. He was a life-long
farmer, and his home is now the property of the De Long estate. In
his time the East Penn railroad had not been built, and in order to
build his horse power shed, he was obliged to haul his lumber from
Allentown. While on one of these trips, on going down Griesemer’s
Hill, he accidentally fell from the wagon, which passed over him,
killing him instantly. His death caused great sorrow in the
community, where he was universally esteemed. On May 1, 1836, he
married Sallie Schaeffer, who was born Oct. 4, 1803, daughter of
Jonas Schaeffer, of Fleetwood. She died June 22, 1906, aged
ninety-two years. eight months, and eighteen days. Their children
were; Joseph S.; Philip, living retired at Hamburg, who has
children: Annie, Dr. Percy and Elsie; Alfred, a farmer at Monterey,
who had ten children, six now deceased, the survivors being:
Sallie, James, Luther, and Ruth; and Elizabeth, who married Daniel
Merkel, of Fleetwood, and has children: Ella, Lewis, Sallie and
Daniel.

Joseph S. De Long passed his entire life as a
farmer. In 1868 he came into possession of his father’s farm, a
fine tract consisting of 125 acres of land. He was also the owner
of a valuable farm of 160 acres located near Zion’s Church, in
Maxatawny township, property that is now tenanted. In all his
undertakings Mr. De Long prospered, and his investments were marked
by sound judgment. In politics he was a Republican, and in religion
a member of the Reformed Church, and he is buried at De Long’s
Church.

On Dec. 25, 1869, Mr. De Long married Mary H.
Yoder, a daughter of Martin and Catharine (High) Yoder, and
granddaughter of Martin and Susanna (Peter) Yoder, of Oley
township. Seven children blessed this union: (1) Katie, born in
1871, died in 1878. (2) Sallie born in 1872, died in 1877. (3)
Harvey J., born in 1874, died in 1878. (4) Rev. Calvin Martin, born
July 7, 1876, was educated in the public schools, the Keystone
State Normal school (from which he graduated in 1894), Franklin and
Marshall College, Lancaster (from which he graduated with first
honors in 1900) Chicago University, and the Theological Seminary of
the Reformed Church of America, Lancaster (graduating in 1903). He
was stationed at the New Goshenhoppen Reformed Church at East
Greenville, Pa., where he is still the honored pastor. He is a
brilliant and interesting speaker, and an earnest worker. On May 5,
1906, he m. Bessie Mae Bauscher, and has one child, Emma Mary. (5)
Lizzie m. Rev. John Stoudt. (6) Frederick H., born Sept. 23, 1879,
attended the local schools, the Keystone State Normal School, and
is now the farmer on the home farm. (7) S. Molly m. Marion Hertzog,
a clerk at the Kutztown foundry, Kutztown, and they have a
daughter, Erma De Long.

p. 404

Surnames: De LONG, HAAS, FENSTERMACHER, ZONDT, STEININGER, KAISER,
KNOSKE, BOWER, KUNKEL, TRAUTSCHEN, PLATE, KOCH, NEUFANGER,
HOTTENSTINE, TRAGO, MILLER, TROUTMAN, HAAK, SELL, WANNER

Milton H. De Long, a member of the furniture and undertaking firm
of T. & M. H. De Long, at Topton, died at his home in that town
Feb. 20, 1892, at the age of forty-seven years, one of the most
highly esteemed and substantial citizens of his community. He was
born in Rockland township, Sept. 6, 1845, son of David D. and
Catherine (Haas) De Long.

David De Long, though born in Upper Macungie
township, Lehigh county, passed the greater part of his life in
Longswamp township, Berks county, where he followed the trade of
weaver, buying and selling carpets, and he also engaged in farming.
He was frugal and industrious, and became a man of considerable
property. By his wife, Catherine Haas, who was born in Longswamp
township, he became the father of the following family: (1) David
died at the age of twenty-eight years, (2) Henry, born Dec. 18,
1838, clerked in a store at Hancock; he m. Adeline Fenstermacher.
(3) Milton H. is mentioned below. (4) Tilghman, former partner of
Milton H., is in the furniture business at Topton; he m. Angeline
Fenstermacher. (5) Alvin H., hotel proprietor in Longswamp
township, m. Catherine Zondt. (6) Sally Ann died aged two years.
The father died Sept. 6, 1893, and the mother Nov. 28, 1877.

Milton H. De Long was given an excellent
education, completing his literary training in Collegeville
Seminary. His first venture into the mercantile world was when he
and Jacob Steininger had a store in partnership at Bowers Station.
He next was for a number of years employed as a clerk in the marble
yard of Schweyer & Leiss, at Bower’s Station. From there he
went to Bridgeport, where he was similarly employed for a year and
a half. Returning to Topton he and his brother Tilghman opened the
furniture and undertaking business in which they were successfully
engaged when Milton H. died. He had a high reputation for honesty
and integrity, and in his private life as well as in the business
world so ordered his actions that at his death it could be
truthfully said that “No better man lived in Topton.”

Mr. De Long was twice married. On Sept. 25,
1869, he wedded Catherine Kaiser, of Longswamp township. The only
child of this union died in infancy and Mrs. De Long passed away
Dec. 6, 1871. On March 31, 1878, Mr. De Long married Louisa E.
Knoske, who was born in Reading, March 2, 1858, daughter of Capt.
Edward and Catherine (Bower) Knoske. To this union was born a
daughter, Katie Elda, April 26, 1882, who graduated from the
Keystone State Normal School, Kutztown, in 1900, and taught school
one term at Morgantown and two terms at Leesport, and who married,
Sept. 15, 1903, Dr. Oscar F. Kunkel, of Albany, and has two
children, Alton De Long and Lester De Long. At the time of his
death Milton H. De Long was serving as director of the poor, having
been elected to that office only a few months prior to his decease.
He was also serving the borough of Topton as president of the
school board.

The Knoske family, to which Mrs. Milton H. De
Long belongs, had its early home in Germany. Johann Heinrich Knoske
was born at Herrenstadt, near Breslau, Prussia. He married Rosina
Trautschen, and both died in their native land strong in the faith
of Luther.

Rev. Johann Knoske, son of Johann Heinrich and
Rosina, was born at Herrenstadt, June 24, 1779. He came to America
when a boy, and settled in Schuylkill county, Pa. He was twice
married. His first wife was Anna Plate, daughter of Heinrich Plate,
and their marriage took place in 1803, and her death a year and
eight months later. He married (second) July 1, 1806, Elizabeth
Koch, daughter of William and Margaret (Neufanger) Koch, of
Schuylkill county, and their married life covered a period of more
then half a century. He died Sept. 24, 1859, and his wife,
Elizabeth, born Sept. 1, 1782, died Feb. 16, 1868. They had a
family of four sons and five daughters, namely: Wilhelmina m. David
Hottenstine; Louisa m. John Trago; Elizabeth m. Benjamin Miller;
Maria m. Skiles Trago; William; Capt. Edward; Charles; and two died
young. Mr. Knoske made his home in Kutztown from 1811 to 1856, in
the latter year locating in Reading where he was living at the time
of his death. He was an eloquent minister of the Gospel, and did
much for the spread of Christianity in his section.

Capt. Edward Knoske, son of Rev. Johann, was a
well-known citizen of Berks county and an honored veteran of the
Civil war. He was born in Kutztown, and there learned the tanner’s
trade. For some time he clerked in a store in Reading, and then
located at Bower’s Station in Maxatawny township. While there he
brought the first car load of hard coal ever shipped to that town.
He was prominent at the time of the Civil war, being a lieutenant
in the Ringgold Light Artillery (to which he belonged for nine
years), his commission being dated Feb. 22, 1861. On May 9, 1861,
he enlisted for two years in Company D, 4th N. Y. V. I., and was
discharged May 5, 1863. He re-enlisted in December, 1863, at New
York, as a private to serve three years in Company G, 5th N. Y. V.
Artillery, and was transferred to Company A, Jan. 6, 1864. He was
promoted to corporal Jan. 27, 1864, sergeant major July 10, 1864,
and discharged Feb. 18, 1865, to accept the second lieutenancy. He
was made captain May 25, 1865, at Harper’s Ferry, Va. At the battle
of Antietam a bullet passed through his hat, and grazed his skull,
necessitating his removal to a hospital. The hat is still in the
possession of the family at Bowers. He married Catherine Bower,
daughter of Jonas Bower, and she still resides at the homestead at
Bowers Station. He died Sept. 11, 1896. Their children were: J.
Charles, of Baltimore, is an engineer on the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad; J. William A. resides at Topton; Harrison, m. to Clara
Troutman, is engage in the music business at Delaware, Ohio; Louisa
E. is the widow of Milton H. De Long.

Jonas Bower, grandfather of Mrs. De Long, was
born in Maxatawny township, at the station that now bears his name,
Jan. 29, 1797, and he became a prominent farmer. He gave the land
in his district for the Railroad Company to build their station. He
also built the well-known “Washington House” at that place. He
married Elizabeth Sell, who was born May 20, 1801, daughter of
George and Barbara (Haak) Sell. She died April 10, 1879, and he
passed away Sept. 6, 1882. They had three children: Catherine, m.
to the late Capt. Edward Knoske; Elizabeth, m. to M. J. D. Wanner;
Aaron, born April 25, 1828, and died Feb. 21, 1905.

DENGLER
FAMILY

p. 397

Surnames: DENGLER, GULDIN, NIPE, LEITHAUSER, REILY, DRIES, MAJOR,
HUNSICKER, GOOD, SCHLOTMAN, SHADE, WISNER, SNAVELY, BIEBER, RITTER,
YODER

In the year 1737 Jacob Dengler emigrated to America, coming from
Germany, probably from Wittenberg. His brother Andreas, who soon
followed, died in America unmarried. Jacob Dengler settled near
Amityville, and there built a forge and manufactured various iron
implements. His remains are buried at the Swamp church.

Henry Dengler, the progenitor of the Denglers in
Oley township, was a grandson of Jacob, and was born Oct. 3, 1792,
in Amity township. He married Sarah Guldin, a lineal descendant of
the Rev. Samuel Guldin, who emigrated to this country in 1710, and
was the first Reformed minister in Pennsylvania. Henry Dengler
moved from Amity to Friedensburg, now Oley, in 1829, and embarked
in a mercantile business, in which he continued until near the
close of his life. He was very active in public affairs, and took a
deep interest in church matters, being one of the chief promoters
of the building of the First Reformed church in 1830, donating the
land and contributing liberally otherwise. For many years he served
as an officer of the Reformed Church. His death occurred March 19,
1860, when he was sixty-seven years, five months and sixteen days
old. His wife Sarah died Oct. 30, 1883, aged seventy-six years,
seven months and twenty-five days. Their children were: Henry; John
G.; James G.; Harriet m. John C. Nipe, and lives in Philadelphia;
George lives in Clarion county; Washington, who enlisted at the age
of eighteen, served for two years in the Civil war, was captured
July 24, 1863, and was kept a prisoner in Richmond until March 23,
1864, when he was taken to Andersonville, Ga., and there he died of
starvation May 6, 1864; Jacob died in February, 1905, aged
seventy-one years, leaving a family as follows, Mrs. Charles
Leithauser, Elmer, Howard, Mrs. Reily, William, and Mrs. Worths A.
Dries, all living.

The Rev. James G. Dengler has been in the
ministry of the Reformed Church since June 1874. He is a graduate
of Franklin & Marshall College at Lancaster, and of the
Theological Seminary located there. For nearly a quarter of a
century he served one charge in Sellersville, Bucks Co., Pa. Dr.
Dengler has been a frequent contributor to various publications,
both religious and secular, and is a scholarly man of marked
attainments and as a religious leader he has few equals in devoted
piety and earnestness of both life and teachings.

John G. Dengler, the revered veteran school
teacher of Berks county, is a resident of Friedensburg, Oley,
township, where he was born Oct. 29, 1837. His education was
obtained in the Oley Academy under Prof. Jacob H. Major, and the
Freeland Seminary under Prof. Hunsicker. He was licensed to teach
in public schools under the first county superintendent of Berks
county, Rev. William A. Good, in 1857, and taught the first term in
Oley township, at School-house No. 1. Prof. Dengler has since been
teaching every consecutive school term (except during his army
service), and also has conducted select schools each spring term.
He has instructed thousands of boys and girls of Berks county,
forming their characters through his excellent example, as he
shaped their minds with his wise precepts, and he is held in
highest respect by the entire county. He is now teaching the
grandchildren of his first pupils. Prof. Dengler possesses a kind
and benevolent disposition which is shown in his intelligent face,
and he is loved for his many excellent traits and his lofty ideals
of life. During the many years that he has labored in Berks county
he has witnessed many changes, especially in the public school
system. His first salary was twenty-four dollars a month, of
twenty-two days. Not only has he instructed the children placed
under him the text of their books, but he has given them the
benefit of his wide experience, his varied reading and exhaustive
studies, and has never failed to hold up the highest possible
standards before their young eyes.

On April 18, 1861, Mr. Dengler was filled with
patriotism and enlisted in Company C, 7th Pa. V. I., at Harrisburg,
and was in active service at Martinsburg, Va. His first enlistment
was for but three months, but on Oct. 30, 1861, he re-enlisted at
Reading. Capt. James McKnight commanding, for three years, in
Battery M, U. S. A., and saw some very hard service, passing
through the entire Peninsular campaign, and participating in the
battles of the Wilderness. When he was mustered out Oct. 30, 1864,
at Staten Island, N. Y., he was in the Sixth Army Corps.

Having thus devoted over three years of his life
to his country, Prof. Dengler came back to Reading, where he
arrived after midnight on Oct. 31, 1864, but so anxious was he to
see his dear ones that he walked to Friedensburg, a distance of ten
miles. The following day he engaged to teach school he had left
three and one-half years before at the call of duty, and he
accepted the position at the earnest solicitation of his friends,
who were anxious to secure his distinguished services. Prof.
Dengler had also been active in church work ever since young
manhood, and is a member of Friedens Reformed Church, of which he
has been deacon, elder and trustee. He is a trustee of the Friedens
cemetery company; a trustee of the Oley Academy that was founded in
1857, and has held this office since 1875. Since his youth Prof.
Dengler has been a teacher in the Sunday-school, and is very
efficient. He is a member of Minnehaha Lodge No. 154, K. of P., at
Oley, also O. U. A. M. Council, No. 23, of the same place. In
addition to all his other duties Prof. Dengler is the correspondent
of all the Reading daily papers at Friedensburg.

Prof. Dengler has been twice married. His first
wife, to whom he was married in January, 1860, was Catherine
Schlotman, daughter of John and Lydia (Shade) Schlotman. She was
born in Oley in 1839, and died May 5, 1875, aged thirty-five years,
the mother of children as follows: Annie m. Harvey Wisner,
deceased, has four children, and lives at Philadelphia; Millie m.
Benjamin Snavely, deceased, and lives at Friedensburg; Lilla,
deceased, m. Abraham Bieber, of Reading; Harvey, an enterprising
life insurance man of Allentown, and superintendent of the
Allentown district of the Baltimore Mutual Life Insurance Company,
is married, but has no children; and Calvin and Clara died in
infancy. In 1878 Prof. Dengler m. (second) Kate L. (Ritter) Yoder,
widow of Thomas Yoder, and they had three children: William, who
has a R. F. D. mail route at Oley, is married and his children are,
Blanche, Harvey, John and Ella; John was drowned when fourteen;
Sallie is a school teacher in Oley and has been teaching since
1906.

It is only fitting to close this too brief
biography of so distinguished an educator by an account of a
delightful ceremony at the teachers’ institute in 1907, held at
Reading. Prof. Dengler in recognition of his long and faithful
services as a public instructor was presented a silver loving cup,
fifty dollars in gold and seventy carnations, the last named
representing the number of years he had lived, and celebrating his
birthday. Those having the matter in charge very fittingly selected
his birthday for the presentation day, and the speech which
accompanied the gifts as well as his reply will never be forgotten
by those present. Many men sacrificed much for their country. There
are thousands of teachers in the country today, but there are few
who have been both instructor and soldier in one as has Prof.
Dengler. When he served upon the battlefield he was an excellent
soldier. After his military life was over, he came home and once
more entering the schoolroom resumed his peaceful vocation, only
giving a little more of himself to his beloved pupils, for he had
learned much in those three and one-half years spent on bloody
battlefields and before besieged cities. His war experience gave
him a breadth of vision, a fairness in dealing with others, and has
enabled him better to fit his pupils for the great battle of life
where each one must keep in the ranks and not fly at the first
sound of war. In every relation of life Prof. Dengler has proved
himself ready and willing to bear his part, and in his wisdom he
realizes that he has reached the very best part of his wonderfully
useful life, where he can enjoy the fruits of his labors and rest
happy in the confidence and love of those whom he has so benefited.

,
p. 1138

Surnames: DENGLER, CRAMP, GREISSEMER, MISSEMER, KRETZ, LUDWIG,
HOOK, MARSHALL, MARQUET, SPOTTS, MILLER

George C. Dengler, one of the younger men of Birdsboro to win
success, is the proprietor of the excellent “St. Elmo Hotel.” He
was born Jan. 12, 1881, son of William and Savannah (Cramp)
Dengler.

George Dengler, great-grandfather of George C.,
settled in what is now Mt. Penn borough, and established a hotel
there which is still known as “Denglers.” He also owned and
operated a lime kiln and carried on a farm. His death occurred in
1866, when he was aged about eighty years. His wife died in 1878.
They had a number of children, of whom Charles of Klapperthal is
the only survivor. The others were: Effenger, grandfather of George
C.; Frank; Madison; Ann, m. to Dr. Greissemer; Sarah, m. to Samuel
Missemer, and Wilhelmina, m. to a Mr. Kretz, and lived in Indiana.
In religious belief they were all Lutherans.

Effenger Dengler, son of George, learned the
trade of butcher, which he followed many years. After locating in
Birdsboro he engaged in the hotel business, where the “St. Elmo”
now stands. He finally sold this property to his son William and
retired. He was one of the best known men in the county. His death
occurred when he was aged seventy-three years. His wife, whose
maiden name was Elmira Ludwig, bore him twelve children, as
follows: George, William, Frank, Charles, Effenger, Irvin, Harry,
Clara (m. Joseph Hook), Ida (m. William Marshall), Annie (m.
William Marquet), Sally (m. Samuel S. Spotts) and Charles (died in
infancy). They were reared in the faith of Luther. In his political
belief Mr. Dengler was a Republican, and for several terms held the
office of councilman. He also served as tax collector, and was ever
to the fore in the work of his part. His fraternal connections were
with the I. O. O. F., of Reading.

William Dengler was the son of Effenger and
father of George C. As stated above he purchased the old hotel
property from his father, and conducted a hostelry for some years.
He was connected with the Masons; the P. O. S. of A.; and the K. G.
E., and was a member of Friendship Fire Company of Birdsboro. He
served as councilman for a good many years. He married Savannah
Cramp, daughter of Jacob and Kathryn Cramp, and their children
were: George C., Jennie C., Raymond C., Harry C., Claude E. and
Kathryn C., the last three deceased.

George C. Dengler was educated in the schools of
Birdsboro, and then clerked in the hotel for his father. He has
literally been trained all his life to the hotel business, and has
adopted it as a calling quite naturally. On April 1, 1902, he
engaged in the restaurant business and continued until Nov. 14,
1905, when he assumed the management of the “St. Elmo.” He is a
typical hotel proprietor, friendly, courteous and accommodating,
and he enjoys a large trade. His hotel contains fifteen rooms and
is conveniently located.

In 1901 Mr. Dengler married Lulu Miller,
daughter of I. W. Miller, and three children have come to brighten
their home: Jennie, Rufus and Adaline. Both Mr. And Mrs. Dengler
attend the Episcopal Church. He belongs to the P. O. S. of A.; I.
O. R. M.; and Aerie No. 66, F. O. E., of Reading: and Friendship
Fire Company, of Birdsboro. He is progressive and energetic, and is
looked upon as one of Birdsboro’s rising young men.

p. 590

Surnames: ACKER, DENNISON

Robert H. Dennison, Sr., now retired, who was master painter for
the Philadelphia & Reading system, with headquarters at
Reading. Pa. is one of the best known men in his line in this city,
as well as a highly respected citizen. Although a native of another
country he has given his allegiance to his adopted land and proved
himself a public-spirited, progressive and intelligent citizen. He
was born in 1862, at Kingston, Canada, and was but a child when his
parents removed to Albany, N.Y., and in the public schools of that
city he obtained his education.

His schooling completed, Mr. Dennison
apprenticed himself to learn the trade of carriage painter, a
calling he industriously and successfully followed until 1887, when
he was offered a position in the painting department of the New
York Central Railroad. This he accepted and held until 1896, when
he became master painter for the Philadelphia & Reading
Company. This position he continued to fill until his retirement to
the satisfaction of all concerned. He showed great executive
ability in his management of the two hundred men under him, his
work covering several divisions of the system, and he won the
regard and respect of his subordinates as well as his superiors, a
state of affairs very essential to success.

In 1887 Mr. Dennison was married to Miss
Margaret Acker of Albany, N. Y., and to this union has been born
one son, Robert H., who is employed in the mechanical department of
the Philadelphia & Reading Company. The pleasant home and
comfortable residence of Mr. Dennison is located on the Kutztown
Road, Hyde Park. Mr. Dennison is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, belonging to St. John’s Lodge, No. 435. F. & A. M.,
of Reading; Reading Chapter, No. 237, R. A. M.; Reading Commandery
No. 42. K. T.; Philadelphia Consistory, No. 320, of Philadelphia; a
charter member of the Lodge of Perfection, of Reading; and Rajah
Temple, A. A. O. N. M .S. He also belongs to Reading Lodge of Elks.
Mr. and Mrs. Dennison are members of the Episcopal Church.

DEPPEN,
SAMUEL R.

page 802

Surnames: DEPPEN, DEPPE, DEPEW, DUPEE, DE PUI, DAPPEN, TEPPE,
MOYER, REED, KALBACH, ZIMMERMAN, YEAKLY, BOONE, WEIGLEY, PUTT,
PRICE, NOLL, ROYER, ZUG, TOBIAS, LANDIS, GREYBILL, HOSTETTER,
SHELLHAMMER, LEINBACH, GIBBLE, PEIFER, McKNIGHT, RUTH, NEFF,
SELTZER, LIVINGOOD, ALTHOUSE, TRYON, SMITH, GRETH, DUNDORE, RIGG,
GRUBER, DARIUS, WELLINGTON, REBER, FISHER, GAUL, HUBER

Samuel R. Deppen, Esq., one of the prominent and well-known
citizens of Berks county, residing in Heidelberg township, which
locality has been the home of the family for generations, has led
an active service to his community. He has been successful in the
administration of his own affairs and has made a marked impress
upon the history and development of Berks county. A man of
integrity and high principle, of sound judgment and wisdom, he is
one of that class of citizens who have made the government of our
forefathers’ dreams a living reality.

The Deppen name has been spelled in many ways,
often appearing as Deppe, Depew, and Dupee, and some genealogists
declare its original form to be that of the old Huguenot family De
Pui. In the list of foreigners (emigrants from the Palatinate and
their families, in all 330) arriving (according to Rupp) in the
ship “Princess Augusta,” Samuel Merchant, master, from Rotterdam,
last from Cowes, qualified Sept. 16, 1736, was Christian Dappen,
aged thirty (or, as on the Captain’s book, Christian Teppe).

(1) Christian Dappen or Deppen settled at Womelsdorf. Berks Co.,
Pa.; where he passed the remainder of his days as a farmer. In the
tax lists of Heidelberg township Christian “Deppy” is assessed as
follows; 1767, on 300 acres, 3 horses, 3 cattle, 3 sheep; 1768, on
150 (?) acres, 4 horses, 4 cattle, 5 sheep; 1779, 220 acres, 5
horses, 15 cattle; 1780, on 395 acres, 5 horses, 12 cattle; 1781,
on 395 acres, 5 horses, 8 cattle. The will of Christian Deppe, of
Heidelberg township, is on record in the Berks county court-house,
as made Sept. 27, 1775, and probated in 1782. the year of his
death. It was witnessed by Philip Moyer, John Casper Reed, and Adam
Kalbach, and it begins thus: “I, Christian Deppe, an aged yeoman of
Heidelberg township, Berks county.” As the will contains no
reference to his wife, it is presumed she was dead at the time the
will was made, in 1775. At the time of his death he also owned
fifty acres of land in Northampton county. In his will he refers to
his “eldest and beloved son, Johannes, who shall have fifty pounds
over and above his other share.” The children as named in the will
were: Johannes; Barbara (m. Peter Zimmerman); Anna (m. George
Yeakly); Treanica; Elizabeth; Thomas; Peter; David, who died in
1804, (his will in German is on record); Joseph; Jacob; and
Abraham, who died in 1840 intestate, and whose heir was Richard
Boone, of Heidelberg.

(II) John (Johannes) Deppen, son of Christian, resided north of
Womelsdorf, where he died. His sons were: Joseph, Isaac, Adam and
Michael. Some of their descendants still live in the township, and
in the borough of Womelsdorf and Robesonia.

(III) Joseph Deppen, son of John, was a farmer all his life. His
wife’s maiden name was Weigley, and their children were: Joseph,
who became a veterinary surgeon and lived in Philadelphia; Isaac, a
minister at Womelsdorf; Adam, who married Sophia Putt; Samuel;
Mary, who married John Price, of Reading; Maria, who married Henry
Noll; and Elizabeth, who died unmarried.

(IV) Samuel Deppen, son of Joseph, was born in Womelsdorf, Pa.,
March 30, 1796. He became a farmer, and was one of the most
successful men of his locality. He was very prominent in political
affairs, first as a Whig and later as a Republican. His wife, Mary
(Royer), was born in Lebanon county, Pa., daughter of John Royer.
To this marriage children as follows were born; Catherine, who
married Philip Royer, a farmer in Lancaster county; Isaac, who
married (first) Rebecca Zug and (second) Catherine Tobias; Mary,
who married William Landis, of Lebanon county, both now deceased;
Susan, who died young; Elizabeth, widow of H. B. Greybill; Matilda,
who married Daniel Hostetter, and died in 1896; John R., a real
estate dealer, at Mt. Morris, Ill., who married Sarah J.
Shellhammer; Annie, wife of Richard A. Leinbach, a coal, grain and
lumber dealer of Robesonia; Sarah, wife of Abraham Gibble, a farmer
of Berks county; Lydia, who married L. R. Peifer; and Samuel R. The
father of this family died Feb. 6, 1868, aged seventy-one years,
and the mother passed away March 1, 1862, aged sixty-four years.

(V) Samuel R. Deppen, son of Samuel and Mary (Royer), born in Lower
Heidelberg township Nov. 28, 1841, is now living retired in
Robesonia, one of the most highly esteemed citizens of his
community. He acquired his education in the public schools of his
native township, and when he attained mature years purchased he
father’s farm, for many years devoting himself to agricultural
pursuits. Later he moved to Robesonia, and from 1866 to 1881 he was
engaged in the coal, grain and lumber business, also operating the
stone quarry at Robesonia, and acting as agent for the Columbus
Wire Fence Company, of Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Deppen has always taken
a keen interest in the affairs of his town, and loyally supports
the principles of the Republican party. He has been many times
elected to offices of trust and responsibility, among these being:
member of the school board three times; township auditor, two
terms; assessor, two terms; county commissioner, 1887; delegate to
the National Republican Conventions of 1880 and 1884; and to which
he was elected in 1900 and still continues to fill to the general
satisfaction of the public. He has served as supervisor of the
Womelsdorf and Robesonia water plant, and has in many ways shown
his interest in public improvements. He himself has high principles
of honesty and integrity, and he demands honesty in others. In 1863
he enlisted in Company E, 42d Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia, Capt.
John McKnight, and served as corporal from July 4 to Aug. 12, 1863.

Fraternally Mr. Deppen is a member of Williamson
Lodge, No. 307, F. & A. M., Womelsdorf; Reading Chapter, No.
152, R. A. M.; De Molay Commandery, No. 9, K. T., of Reading; and
the P. O. S. of A. Camp at Robesonia. He has been one of those
citizens who feel it a duty to improve in every way the town in
which they swell, and he has erected a number of substantial
buildings and a residence. At the present time he represents the
Northern Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

Mr. Deppen has been thrice married. On Oct. 1,
1863, he married Sarah Ruth, who died Oct. 5, 1864. His second wife
, Mary Ann (Neff), of Womelsdorf, died in 1867. Subsequently he
married (third) Mary L. Seltzer, who was born in Womelsdorf,
daughter of J. George and Priscilla (Livingood) Seltzer. three
children were born of this union, namely; May M., a graduate of
Darlington Seminary, class of 1890, is a music teacher in
Robesonia; Laura G., who also graduated from Darlington Seminary,
class of 1890, and is a gifted artist, married Frank J. Althouse, a
druggist of Harrisburg, and has a daughter, Laura; Ella S. died at
the age of eleven years.

Dr. Daniel Deppen was born in Heidelberg
township in 1800. He received such education as the schools of his
home neighborhood afforded, and later read medicine with Dr. Tryon,
one of the earliest physicians in all that section of the State. He
than went to a medical college in Philadelphia, and after
completing his course began the practice of his profession at
Bernville, but later moved to the old Deppen homestead, which had
come into his possession, and there he continued to make his home
until his death, in May 1862. He was buried in a private plot on
his farm, and there, too, lie sleeping many of the earlier members
of the Deppen family. He married Catherine Smith, born in 1806, who
died at the age of ninety-seven. She was a daughter of Philip and
Magdalena (Greth) Smith, farming people of Penn township, who
erected a house in 1791 on the farm now owned by Isaac Greth. Both
the Smiths and Greths were Roman Catholics. To Dr. Daniel Deppen
and his wife Catherine were born the following children: Matilda,
who married the late Jacob Dundore, and resides at Mt. Pleasant;
Mary Ann, who married (first) George Rigg and (second) Isaac
Gruber; Dr. Darius, who died in middle life and is buried in the
Catholic cemetery in Reading; Dr. James Wellington; Catharine, who
died in childhood; Rebecca, who married Erasmus Gruber; Lizzie E.
and Emily C., both unmarried and residing at No. 820 Walnut street,
Reading; Dr. Joseph; and Dr. William, residing in Reading.

Dr. James Wellington Deppen, son of Dr. Daniel,
was born near Bernville, in Penn township, on the old Deppen
homestead, Feb. 19, 1837. The common schools and the Bernville high
school afforded him a good foundation for his education, and his
medical studies were pursued in the medical department of the
University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated. He began
practice at the place where he was born, but after a few years he
moved to Mt. Pleasant, a village in the same township, where he was
engaged in practice for many years. In 1886 he located in
Wernersville,where he practiced until his death, which occurred
July 3, 1897. He never specialized in any particular branch, but
was a general practitioner, and one of the beloved type of “family
doctors” now rapidly passing away. He built the present “Lebanon
Valley House,” a well-known hostelry at Wernersville, also the
present brick residence on the main street of the town where his
widow made her home. She was a highly respected woman, and enjoyed
the esteem of all who knew her. Both Dr. Deppen and his wife
attended Hains Reformed Church, where his remains were buried.

In 1860 Dr. Deppen was married to Mary A. Reber,
daughter of John and Sarah (Fisher) Reber, and three children
blessed this union, namely: Gertrude married George Gaul, and died
in 1901, at the age of thirty years; Daniel is employed at the
Grandview Sanitarium, at Wernersville; Charles married Mary Huber,
has one son, Stanley, and resided with his mother, Mrs. Deepen, who
died Dec. 8, 1907, at the age of sixty-five years.

DERR, CYRUS G. p.
779

Surnames: DERR, DERRY, HILDEBRAND, BRUBAKER, STEWART, WEIDMAN,
ARCHER

Cyrus G. Derr, lawyer of Reading, was born July 18, 1848, at
Lebanon, Lebanon Co., Pa., son of William M. Derr, a leading member
until his death of the Lebanon Bar, at which he practiced for forty
years.

George Derr, his grandfather, was born in Berks
county in 1800, moved to Reading when a young man, and there
married. When his son William was three months old he removed with
his family to Lebanon, Pa., where he became a prominent citizen. He
became identified with the construction of the Union canal, being
superintendent of the middle division, extending from Myerstown to
the Swatara. He served as chief burgess, was a trustee of Lebanon
Seminary, and was active in church work, being one of the founders
of the Zion Lutheran Church, which he also served in an official
capacity. He died in 1880.

The Derr family is of Irish extraction, and the
immigrant ancestor spelled the name Derry, but the “y” was dropped
in course of time. He settled near Monocacy, Berks Co., Pa.,
engaged in farming, and acquired considerable property.

William M. Derr was born in Reading, Pa., in
1827, and as above stated was three months old when the family
moved to Lebanon. He received his early education in the public
schools and in Lebanon Academy, and, choosing his life work, began
the study of law. But in deference to his parents’ wishes he took
up medicine, at the Pennsylvania Medical College, Philadelphia, and
before settling down to his first choice also studied theology and
architecture. In the end he returned to law, and meantime he spent
a couple of years in the Western States, being in fact first
admitted to the Bar in Illinois. His experiences broadened him and
quickened his perceptions. In 1858 he was admitted to the Lebanon
county Bar, and there he practiced for almost forty years, until
his death, May 31, 1897. He was foremost in many respects among the
members of his profession, was long a member and for some time
president of the Lebanon Bar Association, and at the time of his
death was the oldest member of the Lebanon Bar. But his
intellectual strength had never waned, and he was known to the last
as a profound scholar and learned legal adviser, a man of keen wit
and eloquent speech, and he used his gifts for the benefit of his
fellowmen as much as his own interests. He was solicited to become
judge, but declined. To an unusual degree he held the confidence of
his clients and of the public, for he was known as a man who gave
the best that was in him to his work and his patrons, and he was
ever ready to espouse a cause for the right, his poorer clients
receiving the same consideration that he gave to those of means. He
was a member of St. John’s Reformed Church and a liberal
contributor to the Widows’ Home and to other charitable
institutions. In political sentiment he was a Republican, and he
wielded a strong influence in his party, though he had no political
aspirations himself. During the Civil war he entered the Union
service, organizing and becoming the first Captain of Company A,
93d Regt. P. V. I., and served in the Virginia campaign.

On April 3, 1846, Mr. Derr married Caroline
Hildebrand, born March 22, 1826, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth
(Brubaker) Hildebrand, of Lancaster county, and two children were
born of this union: Francis, who died young, and Cyrus G.

Cyrus G. Derr received his literary education in
the public schools of Lebanon, and his legal preparation in the law
department of the University of Pennsylvania. Though only a boy
during the Civil war he enlisted, in 1863, in Company E, 26th
Regiment, Emergency Troops, and was taken prisoner in a skirmish
with Jenkins’ Confederate Cavalry, near Gettysburg, a few days
before the famous battle. He was later paroled. The next year,
during the invasion in which Chambersburg was burned, he enlisted
for one hundred days, serving in Company G, of an independent
organization, commanded by Lieut.-Col. Charles Stewart; this
company was largely made up of students from the Pennsylvania
Agricultural College in Centre county. As a precaution in case he
was again captured, Mr. Derr’s second enlistment was made under the
name “Calvin” Derr, as he was uncertain whether a Confederate
court-martial would construe the parole of the preceding year as he
did, limited to the period of his first term of service.

Mr. Derr was admitted to the Bar in August,
1869, and after practicing a year with his father located in
Reading. Though he met with success at once his father induced him
to return to Lebanon after a year, but he was so well impressed
with the possibilities Reading offered him that he settled there
permanently in 1872, since which time he has been in continuous
practice. During his earlier years he gave much time to literary
work, but of late his legal responsibilities have been so heavy as
to preclude almost all other work, his large clientele including a
number of important corporations, among them the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company and the Pennsylvania Trust Company. Like his
father, he is a Republican in politics, but without official
ambitions.

Mr. Derr was one of the founders and proprietors
of the old Reading Review, an independent publication, which during
the few years of its existence became noted for its fearlessness
and aggressive policy. He was a regular contributor to its columns.
He was a member and promoter of the Reading Lyceum and Reading
Literary Society, and delivered lectures in Reading and other
places upon Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice,” Scott’s “Lay of the
Last Minstrel” and the “Oratory of St. Paul.” His literary
attainments are noteworthy.

On Nov. 30, 1870, Mr. Derr married Mary Virginia
Weidman, daughter of Gen. John Weidman and sister of the late Maj.
Grant Weidman, of Lebanon. Mr. And Mrs. Derr have one child,
Caroline Roberts, now the wife of John M. Archer, of Reading.

p. 1389

Surnames: DERR, SCHUMAKER, LEIBIG, STOUT, KEMMERER, FISHER,
HIPPENSTEAL, WEBER, SCHANBERGER, LAING, EISENBISE, STUEBNER

From the records of Berks county the following interesting
information is gleaned relative to the old Derr family: Johann
Heinrich Derr was born Dec. 13, 1787, and died Aug. 15, 1867, aged
seventy-nine years, eight months and two days. His wife was Sarah
Schumaker, born in 1803, died in 1882. Another Heinrich Derr was
born April 9, 1795, and died Feb. 15, 1878, aged eighty-two years,
ten months and six days. His wife’s Christian name was Sibilla.

David Derr was born Sept. 13, 1814, died May 14,
1888, aged seventy-three years and eight months. His wife was Sarah
A. Leibig, born in 1826, died in 1881.

Henry Derr, son of David above mentioned, was
born in 1854, and died in 1893.

John Derr of Amity township, Berks county, has
entered in Will Book D, page 274, on March 1, 1821, a will made
under the date of Dec. 5, 1820. John Derr had sons, — John, Samuel
and Henry George.

Henry Derr, father of Henry Derr and grandfather
of Thomas L., had among other children the following: Mrs. Jacob
Stout of Emaus, Lehigh county; Mrs. Henry Kemmerer in Emaus;
William who was a well known blacksmith near Kutztown; Henry.

Henry Derr, son of Henry Derr and father of
Thomas L. Derr, was born in Hereford township, Berks county, in
March, 1820, and there received his education. When a young man he
learned the tailor trade, and coming to Reading in 1849 he engaged
in business on Penn street, below Eighth street, conducting a
clothing store for some years. Later he was a grocer at Ninth and
Penn streets. Still later he returned to his trade and worked at it
until his death which occurred in 1865, when he was forty-five
years of age. His body was interred in the Charles Evans cemetery.

The wife of Henry Derr was Maria Fisher, a
daughter of William and Catherine (Hippensteal) Fisher. Mrs. Derr
died at Reading at the age of sixty-six years. Their children were:
William of Wooster, Ohio, veterinary surgeon, who has three
children, –William, Emma and Earl; Amanda A. who married Charles
Weber of Reading, foreman in the Philadelphia & Reading
Railroad Company’s shops; Hezekiah who died at the age of fourteen
years; Matilda who married Charles Schanberger; Charles whose
wife’s first name is Lizzie and who lives at Kent, Ohio; Antura
married Roland Laing, health Commissioner of Reading, and Thomas L.
Derr.

Charles Weber, son-in-law of Henry Derr,
enlisted in Company A, 3rd Pennsylvania Reserves, June 4, 1961, and
was honorably discharged June 7, 1864, having served through some
of the worst engagements of the Civil war. He again enlisted on
Aug. 24, 1864, in Company D, 198th Regiment, and remained in the
service until the close of the war. Mr. And Mrs. Weber have had
these children: William H.; Charles D., deceased; George; Mary C.;
Laura D.; Howard and Arthur G.

Thomas Luther Derr was born at Reading March 27,
1859, and his boyhood days were spent in this city, where he
attended school, and later learning the machinist’s trade in the
Philadelphia & Reading Railroad shops at Seventh and Chestnut
streets. He followed his trade for thirty-four consecutive years,
and for nine years was foreman in the machine department, and is a
very able mechanic. At present Mr. Derr is in the employ of the
Metropolitan Electric Light Company, of Reading, having charge of a
number of men, and being the chief gas fitter for the company.

Mr. Derr is an inventor, and among other things
invented a grease cup in 1906, which runs 19,000 miles for one-half
cent’s worth of grease. He holds deeds for patents for the United
States, Canada, England, Germany, France and Belgium. He was
offered $20,000 for this patent in the fall of 1907, but he refused
to sell. He has also invented a gage-cock for locomotives, March,
1907, and after a year’s trial it has been proven a great success.
These inventions are on the market.

Mr. Derr is a man of remarkable ability, and is
a deep and profound thinker who carefully studies out problems
which perplex other men. His standing is a high one in the world of
successful inventors.

In politics he is a strong Republican, and at
one time took an active part in party matters. Fraternally he is a
member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. No. 66, and is one of the
organizers of that lodge in Reading. He is also a member of the K.
G. E., No. 433; and P. O. S. of A. Camp No. 61, both of Reading.

On Dec. 18, 1882, he married Clara V. Eisenbise,
a daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Stuebner) Eisenbise. They
have no children.

Mr. And Mrs. Derr reside in their own home at
No. 1138 North Ninth street, where they have lived since 1898. This
home is a beautiful one, and is numbered among the fine residences
of Reading. Here Mr. And Mrs. Derr dispense a cordial delightful
hospitality to their many friends.

The work of a man like Mr. Derr must always
serve as a lesson and a source of encouragement to young men who
have only themselves to depend upon. Leaving school in the grammar
grade, Mr. Derr may well claim to be entirely self made. He has
patiently developed his talent into genius and has made his name a
well known on wherever machinery is used.