Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

p. 1083

Surnames: DRAYER, THOMAS, RAPP, FLICKER, SHADLE, MARGERUM, BECKER,
SHADLE, SHOPTAUGH

John T. Drayer, who is now living retired at his home at No. 700
North Sixth street, Reading, PA., was born in 1850, in Berks
county, PA., son of Samuel and Mary (Thomas) Drayer. Samuel Drayer,
who was a substantial citizen and practical agriculturist in Temple
township, Berks county, died in 1881, the father of ten children,
five of whom are now living: Charles; Susan, m. to Alonzo Rapp,
deceased; Anna, m. to Jacob Flicker; Margaret, m. to George Shadle,
deceased; Esther, deceased, m. to Clinton Margerum, also deceased;
Lucy, m. to Henry Becker, both deceased; Sarah, Jeremiah and
William all deceased; and John T. In religious belief the family
were Lutherans. Mr. Drayer was first a Whig and later a Republican
in political matters.

John T. Drayer received his education in the
schools of Muhlenberg township, and then engaged in work at the
woolen mill of John Shadle, his father-in-law, with whom he
continued for twelve years, his next employment being with the
Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company, as fireman, from which
position he was promoted to engineer and served in the latter
capacity for four years, being in all sixteen years in the service
of the road. In 1891 Mr. Drayer resigned his position to engage in
the grocery business at Sixth and Oley streets, and this he sold
out in 1901, since which time he has lived retired. Mr. Drayer is
independent in political matters, but takes great interest in the
public affairs of the city. Fraternally he is connected with the P.
O. S. of A. Mr. Drayer was married to Edwina Schadle, daughter of
John Shadle, and to this union there were born two children;
Minnie, deceased; and Sally, who married Curtis C. Shoptaugh and
has one child, John Drayer.

DREAS,
CHARLES E.

p. 1162

Surnames: LEVAN, DREAS, FINK, SAUL, BARNDT, BEIL, MOLL, BOYER,
RAUZAHN, WANNER, ANSHENBRANNER, BETZ, PHILLIPS, KELLER, RHOADS,
STRASSER, BREINER, FOCHT, LEADERER, BRUBAKER, RAPP, MERZ, DILKER,
BREINER, LEADERER, MERZ

Charles E. Dreas, of No. 1811 Perkiomen avenue, Reading, Pa.,
second oldest conductor in point of service on the Reading Traction
Company’s lines, was born in the Sixteenth ward, Reading, Jan 6,
1871, son of John and Elizabeth (Levan) Dreas. John Dreas,
great-grandfather of Charles E., followed farming in Maiden-creek
township, Berks county, where he owned land, and there died about
1853, when past eighty years of age.

He married Catherine (Levan) Dreas, daughter of
Peter Fink, and among their children were: David, of Maiden-creek
township; Daniel, of Evansville, Pa.; Jacob; Elizabeth, m. to
Daniel Barndt; Catherine, m. to William Beil; and Lydia, m. to
Daniel Saul.

Jacob Dreas, son of John and grandfather of
Charles E., was born in 1810 in Richmond township, and was a
resident of that section, owning a small farm near Evansville. He
died in 1887, and was buried at Bechtel’s Church. Mr. Dreas married
Anna Moll, daughter of John Moll, and she died in 1901, aged nearly
ninety years, having lived in her latter years with her son, Jacob,
at Pricetown. Mr. and Mrs. Dreas had these children: Eliza, who
died young; John; Sally, m. to George Boyer; Lydia, m. to Amos
Rauzahn; Simon, m. to Malina Wanner; Isabella, m. to Jacob
Anshenbranner; Caroline, m. to F. M. Betz; Amelia, m. to James
Phillips; Ephraim, m. to a Miss Keller; Katie, who died young;
Jacob, m. to Henrietta Rhoads; and Mary, m. to Wilson Strasser.

John Dreas, father of Charles E., was born Dec.
9, 1835, in Richmond township, and was reared on his father’s farm,
working thereon until 1877, when he came to Reading and entered the
employ of the Reading City Passenger Railway Company, where he
worked fifteen years. For the next five years he was employed with
the National Nut & Bolt Works, and since 1902 he has been
stable boss for the American Iron & Steel Company. In politics
Mr. Dreas is a Democrat; and he and his wife attend Blandon
Lutheran Church. In 1850 Mr. Dreas was married to Elizabeth Levan,
daughter of Daniel and Angelina (Breiner) Levan, of Alsace
township, and to this union there were born ten children, as
follows: Amelia, who died in infancy; William, who also died in
infancy; John, m. to Susan Focht; Daniel, m. to Margaret Leaderer,
deceased; Charles E.; Own, m. to Jennie Brubaker; Luther, who died
in childhood; Decosta, who is a salesman with Dives, Pomeroy &
Stewart, Reading; Clara, m. to Harry Rapp; and Dora, who died in
childhood.

Charles Elwood Dreas was educated in the Reading
public schools, which he left at the age of fourteen years to
become a horse-car driver for the Reading Traction Company, one
year later becoming conductor. When the electric cars were
installed on this line Mr. Dreas became a conductor thereon, and
this position he had held to the present time, being very popular
with passengers and one of the company’s most trusted employes.
Socially he is connected with Vigilance Lodge No. 194, I. O. O. F.,
of Reading, to which he has belonged since reaching his majority;
the Odd Fellows Brotherhood of Boston, Mass.; and is a charter
member of the United Traction Company Beneficial Association. In
politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Dreas and his wife are members of
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Reading.

On May 11, 1898, Mr. Dreas married Emily A.
Merz, born in Reading, Jan 2, 1879, daughter of Albert and
Catherine (Dilker) Merz, the former a butcher of Reading. To this
union there have been born no children. To Mrs. Dreas’ parents
there were born six children, as follows: Charles; Catherine;
Albert; Henry and Rosa, deceased; and Emily, m. to Mr. Dreas.

p. 1006

Surnames: DREIBELBIS, STRASSER, BUSHONG, BAIR

Alfred S. Dreibelbis, a highly esteemed citizen of Reading, engaged
in the nursery business, is a direct descendant of Daniel
Dreibelbis, the pioneer of the family in this section, who came
from Holland to Berks county between 1680 and 1690, and received a
land grant of from 2,000 to 3,000 acres from William Penn.

The father of Alfred S. Dreibelbis was Simon
Dreibelbis, a farmer of Richmond and Perry townships, who died in
1890, leaving a large estate. He married Leah Strasser and they had
a family of four sons.

Alfred S. Dreibelbis was born Sept. 25, 1843, in
Windsor township, in the same house in which his mother had been
born. He was educated in his native township, and worked on his
father’s farm from the time he was nine years old, when he plowed
an eight-acre field, his father being away on a jury. He was in the
milling business at Shoemakersville in his father’s name from April
1869, for some time, the first year doing a business that netted a
profit of $6000. This was placed in the banking house of Bushong
Brothers, at Reading, and the father was greatly elated at the
success. Mr. Dreibelbis started a sawmill in 1884, and continued to
operate it until 1889. He gave his services to his father for
eighteen years after he attained his majority without pay. After
discontinuing the sawmill he engaged in the nursery business, and
in this he has successfully continued ever since. Unfortunate
conditions deprived him of his inheritance, and he has been obliged
to carve out his own fortune. Mr. Dreibelbis is the inventor of a
railroad tie and fastener for road beds, which is the best
safe-guard for travelers ever invented. This he patented Dec. 8,
1903, and Sept 5, 1905. Mr. Dreibelbis is a widower, and has one
daughter, Ellen S., wife of a Mr. Bair, of Kutztown. Mr. Dreibelbis
is very highly regarded in this locality, where his many sterling
traits of character are known and appreciated.

p.
496

Surnames: DREIBELBIS, DREIBELBIES, SHOLLENBERGER, LEIBELSBERGER,
KELCHNER, WANNER, BIEBER, MERKLE, ROTHERMEL, WANNER, KOCH,
HUNTZINGER, RAUSCH, HOLLER, HAAK, HEATER, HECK, BERNHARD, LEINBACK,
MARKEL, MUSH, LEISE, WEBER, REED, HUGHES, MOSER, POTT, WEBER
(WEAVER), HEISLER (HEYSLER), HARBAUGH, FREEMAN, SASSAMAN, NESTER,
BACHMAN, BANKES, PAUL, CATELLE, WERTMAN, GREENAWALD, REEDY,
STEIGERWALD, SCHAEFFER, WEHR, KLINGLER, KEMERER, SAEGER, REX,
KOONS, MC NANNIE, STEBNER, HUBBELL, SLOUCH, BOYER, EVANS, BROBST,
BOONE, PENN, DUNKEL, BERNED, HEFFNER, HUMMEL, HEINLY, FEGLEY,
LESHER, SUNDAY, RAUBENHOLD, LEVAN, STRASSER, DIETRICH, LUCKENBILL,
KRAMER, WARTZENLUFT, EGOLF, MILLER, BAUER, NOLL, SCHNUCKER,
DEISHER, SCHWOYER, LEIBY, ADAM, SCHUCKER, GEHRET, MENGEL, MOYER,
SCHULTZ, KERSHNER, FISHER, HAGER, KLINE, BALTHASER, WAXWOOD,
ALTENDERFER, LICHTY, SEIP, REIGLEMAN, CLOSE, RAHN, SEIDEL,
HOTTENSTEIN, HEIN, MERTZ, LESHER, ELY, KUTZ, FISHER, SHULTZ, MOHN,
SCHAPPELL, LEWIS

Dreibelbis – Driebelbies. The early home of this family was in
Southeastern Switzerland, in the part originally a portion of the
German Empire.

(I) John Jacob Dreibelbis (Dreibelbies) came to America from
Nannesthal, Switzerland, crossing the ocean on the ship “Mary” from
London, and landing at Philadelphia Oct. 26, 1732. Its passenger
list showed sixty-nine male passengers over sixteen years of age,
and one hundred and twenty-two women and children. It is probable
that John Jacob was single. He used to say in the spring of the
year, “now the Rhine is overflowing, because of the snow melting on
the Alps”. The exact date that he settled in Berks county is
uncertain, but in 1743 he settled on the farm located about a
quarter of a mile east of Fleetwood, now the property of Milton
Shollenberger. This farm originally consisted of 157 acres, but it
has since been divided into two farms, one now owned by Charles
Leibelsberger. On the part owned by Mr. Shollenberger John Jacob
Dreibelbis built the first set of buildings near a spring of fine
water, which the Indians named “Dreibelbis spring.” This spring and
the streams in that vicinity were alive with brook trout until some
time before the Civil war. John Jacob Dreibelbis was a farmer and
became a very extensive land owner. In 1759 he was the largest tax
payer in Richmond township, paying a federal tax of thirty pounds.
On April 11, 1752 he obtained by warrant from the State two tracts
of land located in Richmond township, Berks county, one being for
fifty acres and the other for one hundred. On Feb. 3, 1753, he
obtained a warrant for one hundred acres, and on April 12, 1753,
for five hundred acres.

In appearance Mr. Dreibelbis was small and of
dark complexion, with black eyes and hair, indicating that he was
of Jewish extraction, as were the Kelchners, Wanners, Biebers and
one family of Merkles in the same vicinity. He died in 1761. He
married either a Merkle or a Rothermel probably the first mentioned
and daughter of Georg Merkle, and his six children, three sons and
three daughters, were: Abraham; Martin; Jacob; Mary Elizabeth m.
John Wanner; Mary Magdalena m. (second) Martin Wanner; and
Philibena, who went with her brother Martin to Schuylkill Haven, m.
William Koch, and her three daughters married, respectively, a
Huntzinger, a Rausch and a Holler. The last will and testament of
John Jacob Dreibelbis, made Feb. 5, 1761, and probated Feb. 21,
1761, is written in good English and is on record in Will Book 1,
p. 94. To each of his three sons he gave a farm, and to each of his
daughters 150 pounds in lawful money. “My oldest son Abraham shall
have all that tract in Richmond township, 157 acres,” “My executors
shall build a house for my son Martin on land given him lying on
the Mesilm (Moselem) Road. The house must be 30 feet long and 24
feet wide.” My executors shall also build a house for my son Jacob,
on land bequested to him near the road leading from Eastown to
Reading.” And lastly I will and do order that my younger children
shall be taught to read and write.” The will is signed by the
testator in good legible German. The executors were Abraham
Dreibelbis and “my loving and trusty friend George Merkel.” John
Jacob Dreibelbis was buried in a private graveyard on the
Shollenberger farm. He has no tombstone, but his grandson Daniel
who is also buried there has a marble tombstone. A number of the
early members of the family are buried in this neglected spot.

(II) Abraham Dreibelbis, eldest son of John Jacob, was born about
1749, and died in December, 1803 and is buried in the same cemetery
as his father. He was engaged in farming on the homestead, and at
his death left a large estate. By his wife, Anna Margaret, he had
six children: Daniel obtained the homestead; Abraham obtained the
grist mill; Peter received 300 pounds gold and silver money; Maria
Barbara married John Haak; Isaac and Joseph. The last three-Maria
Barbara, Isaac and Joseph? were each bequeathed 900 pounds of
money.

(III) Joseph Dreibelbis, son of Abraham and Anna Margaret, lived in
the hills about Fleetwood. He died at Fleetwood, and is buried in
the Dreibelbis private burial ground. His children were: Daniel,
Abraham, Reuben, Isaac, Rebecca, Susan, Stephen and Mary.

(IV) Daniel Dreibelbis, son of Joseph, had a small farm in
Ruscombmanor township, on which he lived. He is buried at
Friedensburg. He married Sarah Heater, who bore him nine sons and
two daughters, as follows: Joel, Isaac, James, Orlando, Jonathan,
Daniel, Ephraim, Solomon, Samuel, Luzetta and Lizzie.

(V) Isaac Dreibelbis, son of Daniel and Sarah, was born Jan. 9,
1839. He is a farmer by occupation, and lives in Rockland township,
Berks country, near where Oley, Ruscombmanor and Rockland townships
meet. In 1859 he married Hannah Heck, and their children were:
Isaac H., Katie, Mary, Lydia, Annie, Louisa and four that died
young.

(VI) Isaac H. Dreibelbis, son of Isaac and Hannah, was born at
Fleetwood, Oct. 10, 1864, and is now a successful business man in
Reading. In 1895 he married Mary Kate Bernhard, widow of Thomas
Leinbach, and they have one son, Isaac Franklin.

(II) Martin Dreibelbis, second son of John Jacob, was born in
“Mosselem” in Richmond Township, Oct. 5, 1751, and died at
Schuykill Haven, Pa., in 1799. In 1775 he moved to Manheim township
across the Blue Mountains in Schuykill county (then Berks), where
he was the founder of Schuykill Haven. He opened up many
enterprises and became very prominent. He married Catharine,
daughter of George Markel (Merkel), of Richmond township, and their
children were: Jacob m. Margaret Mush; Daniel m. Christina Leise;
George m. Mary Magdalena Weber; Mary m. Jeremiah Reed; Elizabeth m.
John Hughes; Catharine m. Michael Moser; Rebecca never married; and
Christina m. Benjamin Pott, founder of Pottsville, Pennsylvania.

(III) George Dreibelbies, son of Martin, married Mary Magdalena
Weber (or Weaver), who lived to the age of eighty-eight years. He
is thought to have died in young manhood, and it is probable that
both are buried at Friedens Reformed Church, on the banks of the
Little Schuykill, where many of their descendants are also buried.
Among their children was a son George.

(IV) George Dreibelbies, son of George and Mary Magdalena, was born
June 1, 1808. He married Anna Heisler (also spelled Heysler) a
sister of Rev. Daniel Yost Heisler, D. D. (the latter an intimate
friend of Dr. Henry Harbaugh). Mrs. Dreibelbies was born March 20,
1810, and she became the mother of fifteen children: The eldest
died at birth Jan. 10, 1829; the second born Oct 7, 1830, lived but
three hours; George Washington, born Oct. 6, 1831; Maria Carolina,
Aug. 28, 1833; Sarah, May 2, 1835; Daniel, Feb 10, 1837 (lived in
Kansas); Rebecca, Aug 1, 1838 (m. Daniel Freeman, of New Ringgold);
Jacob Edward, Feb. 15, 1840; Lewis Martin, Sept 7, 1841; Catharine
Maria, Oct. 7, 1843; William H., Oct. 1, 1844; Benjamin F., March
25, 1846; Joseph, April 17, 1848; Alfred H., July 12, 1850; and
Sarah Louise, Oct. 24, 1851.

(V) George Washington Dreibelbies, son of George and Anna, born
Oct. 6, 1831 married Rebecca Sassaman, of East Brunswick township,
Schuykill county. They had three children: Henry, of New Ringgold,
Pa.; Cordilia (Nester), of Geneva, N. Y.; and Mary (Bachman).

(V) Jacob Edward Dreibelbies, son of George and Anna, born Feb. 15,
1840, now lives at Lehighton, Pa., to which place he removed after
the death of his wife, March 7, 1872. He is a tanner by trade, and
his apprenticeship was served at New Ringgold. When the Rebellion
broke out he enlisted from or near there. On his return from the
service he married, and settled at Tamaqua, Pa., working in what is
known as the Anderline tannery. His wife was Catherine Bankes,
daughter of Andrew and Katharine (Paul) Bankes, of what was
popularly called “Es Rothe Thal” — the Red Valley — below New
Ringgold. The branch of the Lehigh Valley Railroad leading from
Lizard Creek Junction to Pottsville goes through the old home. They
had children as follows: Rev. George A.; Ambrose Eldrid, of
Lehighton, Pa.; Carrie Joanna, a foreign missionary; Lewis Daniel,
of Perth Amboy, N. J.; and Mary Elizabeth, who married Thomas C.
Catelle, of Wilmington, Delaware. (VI) Rev. George A. Dreibelbies,
son of Jacob Edward and Catherine, was born at Tamaqua, Pa., Oct.
14, 1862, and is now located at Shanesville, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio.
His early boyhood was passed in his native place, and there he
received his first schooling. He was but nine when his mother died
and was buried at New Ringgold, and his father removed to
Lehighton. Young George was placed with the David Wertman family
for board and clothing, and they sent him to a neighboring school
taught by teachers Greenawald, Reedy, Steigerwald, the first two
coming from the south side of Blue Mountains, Heidelberg and
Stein’s Corner. He remembers his benefactors with gratitude, and he
called them always “Father” and “Mother.” Mr. Dreibelbies worked
for the Lehigh Valley Railroad three years, and then returned to
the Wertman home and began teaching school and preparing for
college. His first select school was Myerstown Academy, during the
presidency of Dr. William C. Schaeffer, and he then entered
Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, graduating in June 1890.
The following year he entered the Theological Seminary at
Lancaster, and was graduated therefrom in May, 1893. That spring he
was licensed and examined by the Lehigh Classis, which convened in
Lehighton. Immediately after he was licensed he received a call to
the Caroline Charge, Heidelberg Classis, Central Synod of the
Reformed Church. He served this charge with great satisfaction
twenty-three months when the Board of Home Missions commissioned
him to go to the Paulding Mission in Paudling country, Ohio. In
June, 1895, he moved there and on Sept. 9, 1896, his wife Amanda
died. She was a daughter of Thomas Wehr, of Sittlers, Schuykill
Co., Pa. About two years later he married (second) Orpha Arwilda
Klingler, daughter of Adam F. Klingler, of South Whitley, Ind., and
they have had children; Louisa Henrietta, Adam Jacob, Helen
Matilda, and George Michael (born Nov. 16, 1906, died March 23,
1908). Since 1899 the Rev. Mr. Dreibelbies has been pastor of the
Shanesville, Ohio charge, of St. John’s Classis, Central Synod. He
is a broad minded, Christian gentleman, and is kindly and
benevolent.

(VI) Ambrose Eldrid Dreibelbies, second son of Jacob E. and
Catherine (Bankes) Dreibelbies, was born in New Ringgold, Schuykill
county, July 16, 1864. His boyhood days were spent at Tamaqua and
Lehighton. When but a lad of ten years he left home, and secured
employment with Thomas Wehr, a farmer in West Penn township,
Schuykill county, where he attended the township school, and this
with the public schools of Tamaqua and Lehighton afforded him his
educational privileges. In September, 1880, he left the farm and
secured a position as clerk with William Kemerer in the general
store business at Lehighton, which position he held for eight
years, at the end of that time being compelled to leave on account
of failing health. Next he secured a position with the Lehigh
Valley Railroad company in their coal forwarding offices at
Packerton, where he held a responsible position for a period of
twelve years, again leaving on account of ill health. In September,
1900, he accepted a position as traveling salesman for the
wholesale fruit and produce house of O. J. Saeger, Lehighton, and
this position he holds at present writing. Politically Mr.
Dreibelbies is a Prohibitionist, and has been nominated by his
party for sheriff, member of the State Legislature and of Congress.

He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal
Church of Lehighton, which he joined when a young man seventeen
years of age, and has been a zealous member ever since. He is a
popular local preacher, and has served his church in official
capacity for many years, on the board of trustees, of which he was
Secretary and Treasurer; and has served on the board of stewards
for twenty-one years consecutively and is the recording steward. He
is serving his eighth year as superintendent of the Sunday school.

On March 14, 1855, Mr. Dreibelbies married Miss
Emma Amelia Kemerer, daughter of Nathan and Lucinda Kemerer of
Lehighton. Six children have been born to them, two sons and four
daughters. Wilmer Clayton, a student at Jefferson Medical College,
Philadelphia; Warren Hilbert, a salesman in the large dry goods
store of C. A. Rex at Mauch Chunk, Pa.; May Ethel, deceased; Martin
Loraine; Bertha Katherine and Carrie Evelyn.

(VI) Carrie J. Dreibelbies, daughter of Jacob Edward and Catherine
(Bankes), was born in New Ringgold, Schuykill county. After the
removal of the family to Lehighton, Carbon Co., Pa., she there
attended public school. In 1890 she entered upon home mission work
in Philadelphia and other cities; and in 1895 entered the Union
Missionary Training Institute, in Brooklyn, N. Y., where she took a
four years course, and graduated in the spring of 1899. In the
autumn of the same year she sailed for China to enter the foreign
missionary work, being appointed by the Womans Foreign Missionary
Society of the Methodist church to go to Kiukiang, China. In the
summer of 1900 with other missionaries she was driven out by the
Boxer uprising, and went to Nagasaki for seven months, at the end
of that time returning to Kiukiang. In 1902 she adopted a Chinese
baby girl, eight days old, according to Chinese laws. In the spring
of 1905, she returned to American on furlough and brought the
little girl with her, and the next year (1906) secured papers of
adoption for her in the court of common pleas of Carbon county,
Pa., naming her Mary Elizabeth Dreibelbies. In August, 1906, Miss
Dreibelbies was appointed by the Board of Foreign Missions of the
Reformed Church in the United States to return to China, and take
up work at Yochow, in the Province of Hunan. She sailed in the
autumn and lived there one year, when failing health obliged her to
return to America.

(VI) Lewis Daniel Dreibelbies, son of Jacob Edward and Catherine,
was born at Tamaqua, Pa., July 6, 1868. He married Florence Koons,
of Lehighton, Pa., and they had one son, Edward Thomas, born at
Lehighton, Pa., Sept. 28, 1894. Mr. Dreibelbies moved to Perth
Amboy, N. J., Nov. 1, 1898. His wife died April 29, 1907.

(V) William H. Dreibelbies, son of George Dreibelbies and Anna
(Heisler), was born at New Ringgold, Pa., Oct. 1, 1844. His
youthful years were spent around his native place. When the
Rebellion born out he enlisted in 1861 in Company H, 48th Pa. V.
I., and came home in 1865 at the close of the war. He worked in New
Ringgold until 1869, when he went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he
obtained work with the Standard Oil Company, continuing with that
company twenty-eight years. He is now living retired in Cleveland.
On Oct. 29, 1870 he married Mary McNannie. Five children were born
to them; William, July 29, 1871 (deceased); Mabel, June 26, 1874;
Emma, July 21, 1876 (deceased); Isabel, Jan. 22, 1879; George, Dec
3, 1880 (deceased). Mabel m. George Stebner; and Isabell m.
Sylvester Hubbell.

(V) Alfred H. Dreibelbies, son of George and Anna (Heisler), was
born at Ringgold, Schuykill Co., Pa., July 12, 1850. He received
his education in the common schools at that place. His first work
was carrying water for the Philadelphia and Reading Railway Co. at
Ringgold. He then learned the blacksmith’s trade with the same
company, and this trade he followed for twelve years. For four
years he was engaged in bridge building for the same company and
one and one-half years was brakeman. For a period of thirty-five
years he was employed by this same company, part of the time as
special police. In 1871 he came to Reading, and in 1876 was
followed by his family. In 1894 he became an employe of the United
Traction Company, as a motorman, on the Perkiomen division, and
this position he continues to hold. In 1871 he married Molly A.
Slouch, daughter of Thomas and Caroline (Boyer) Slouch, of
Ringgold. She died Aug. 27, 1900, and is buried in the family lot
in the Charles Evans cemetery, Reading. Their children were:
Esther, born Nov. 15, 1872, died young; Louis M. C., born Jan 11,
1874, died young; Annie L. E., born March 2, 1876, keeps house for
her father; Bessie M., born Jun 15, 1879 died young; Barbara R.,
born July 31, 1880 died young; and Amos A., born July 19, 1882.
Harry S. Brobst, a nephew of Mr. Dreibelbies, also makes his home
with this family; he too, is an employe of the United Traction
Company. Mr. Dreibelbies is a member of the Salome Lodge, No. 105,
I. O. O. F., of Reading; Encampment No. 52 of the same order;
Castle No. 63 K. G. E.; Lodge No. 301, Red Men; and the Relief
Association of the United Traction Company. His religious
connection is with St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Reading.

(II) Jacob Dreibelbis, son of John Jacob, was born in Richmond
township, on the original Dreibelbis homestead, May 9, 1754, and
died April 19, 1831. He was reared to manhood on the farm near
Fleetwood, and lived there until his marriage. On Oct. 2, 1778, he
bought a farm from his father-in-law. George Merkel, located at
Virginville, on the east bank of the Ontelaunee, which Mr. Merkel
had purchased because of the heavy timber upon it. This tract then
consisted of 247 acres of land, and it is now owned by his
grandson, Joel Dreibelbis. Here in 1787 he built a log house, and
this served three generations of the family. It was torn down in
1868, and its site is now occupied by the large brick residence
built in that year by Joel Dreibelbis. In 1809 the barn was
destroyed by lightning, and the one that was erected in its stead
stood until 1884, when it was replaced by a modern barn. This new
barn was destroyed by fire Aug. 3, 1908, with all the year’s crops,
causing a heavy loss. A modern barn was rebuilt the same year. The
heavy timber was bought along the southern Atlantic coast. The land
that George Merkel sold in 1778 to his son-in-law Jacob Dreibelbis,
he bought in 1760 from William, Joshua, Jeremiah and Hezekiah
Boone, sons and executors of George Boone. George Boone on Jan. 4,
1734, obtained from the lawful heirs of William Penn – John, Thomas
and Richard Penn – a track of 800 1/2 acres on the Ontelaunee, and
the land purchased by Jacob Dreibelbis from George Merkel was a
part of this tract. In 1809 Jack Dreibelbis built the large stone
store building in Virginville. This building is 35 x 45 feet, two
and one-half stories high. The land on which Virginville is built
was all embraced in the Dreibelbis acreage, which included also
part of the land now owned by the Aug. Dreibelbis estate, Jacob
Dreibelbis (of the Fifth generation) and part of the land of
Orlando Dreibelbis. The Virginville store building is the only
building built by Jacob that is still standing, and it has always
been used as a mercantile house, and it has never been out of the
family name, being now owned by George A. Dreibelbis, son of Joel.
In 1777 Jacob

Dreibelbis married Mary Magdalena Merkel, born
Nov. 22, 1759, daughter of George and Christina Merkel, and died
July 3, 1832, after a married life of fifty-four years. They had
eleven children, forty-five grandchildren and eight
great-grandchildren. Their children were: Hannah, born Aug. 23,
1778, m. Jacob Dunkel, and died March 27, 1845; Esther, born Dec
24, 1779 m. Michael Dunkel, brother of Jacob, and died Jan. 21,
1875; Jacob, born Feb. 23, 1785, died May 6, 1857; John, born July
22, 1787, died Oct. 8, 1847; Molly, born Sept. 27, 1789, m. John
Berned, and died Sept. 17, 1873; Samuel, born 1792, died 1876;
William, born Nov. 14, 1793, died Sept. 18, 1869; Elizabeth, born
Nov 7, 1797, died May 3, 1861; David, born March 14, 1802, died Nov
9, 1886; and two died young. Jacob Dreibelbis and his children were
members of the German Reformed congregation of Richmond township,
and he is buried in the cemetery adjoining St. Peter’s Church. He
was a foremost member of this church, and served as an official. In
1809 he was a member of the building committee and erected the
third building at that place. In 1815 he served in the General
Assembly from Berks county, and in 1780 he was a soldier in the
Revolution. He was one of the early residents along the Ontelaunee,
purchasing his land for the excellent timber and very fine water
there.

(III) Jacob Dreibelbis, son of Jacob, was born in Richmond
township, on the old homestead, Feb. 23, 1785, and died May 6,
1857. He was a life long farmer, and was a very prominent man. He
was tall, well built and very strong. When but eighteen years old
he was elected a captain in the State Militia, an office he filled
very efficiently for twenty-seven years, when he became
disqualified by age. He was a member of St. Peter’s German Reformed
congregation, and did substantial service in the erection of the
church in 1809. The remains of both himself and wife rest in the
cemetery adjoining this church. For many years he served as
township supervisor, and during the war of 1812 rendered valuable
service to his government.

On Jan. 31, 1813, he married Elizabeth Heffner,
born July 7, 1792, daughter of George and Magdalena (Hummel)
Heffner, of Greenwich township, and she died March 11, 1873. To
this union were born five sons and five daughters; Mary, born in
1813, died June 12, 1886, m. Samuel Heinly, and had children Marie
E., Florenda, Catharine, Esther, Amelia, Theresa and Enoch J.;
George, born July 20, 1815, died Jan 13, 1835, unmarried; Jacob,
born May 1, 1817, died Jan 8, 1841, m. Elizabeth Fegley, and had a
son – Samuel; Simon, born May 1, 1819, died May 30, 1890, is
mentioned below; Peter, born March 12, 1821, died April 28, 1869,
m. Elizabeth Lesher (still living), and had children-Sarah and Rev.
Emanuel L. (a Lutheran minister at Melrose, N. Y.); Elizabeth born
Aug. 8, 1824, died aged forty-five years, m. Henry Sunday, of
Tilden township, and had children – John, William and Henry; Joel
is mentioned below; Esther, born Nov. 24, 1829, died Oct. 29, 1871,
m. Joseph Raubenhold, of Hamburg, and had children-Peter, Amanda,
Amelia, George, Mary, Alice and William; Salome, born 1832, died
1907, m. Charles Levan of Maxatawny township, and had children –
Susan, Jacob, Salome, Nicholas and Henry; and Hannah, born July 6,
1834, died Sept. 9, 1855, m. William Heinly, of Greenwich township,
and had one son – Jefferson. (IV) Simon Dreibelbis, son of Jacob
and Elizabeth, was born in Richmond township May 1, 1819, and died
May 30, 1890. He married Leah Strasser, daughter of Conrad and
Rosina (Hummel) Strasser, and they had four children: Alfred, born
Sept. 25, 1843; Cleophas S.; Rolandus, born June 16, 1849, m.
(first) Elizabeth Dietrich, and (second) Nora Luckenbill; and Simon
P., born March 9, 1856, m. Rosa Kramer. Simon Dreibelbis the father
worked for his father for a number of years, and later from 1840
until 1890, kept a hotel in Virginville, Perry township, continuing
to conduct his 136-acre farm in conjunction therewith.

(V) Cleophas S. Dreibelbis, a successful business man of Berks Co.,
Pa., who is engaged in milling and farming near Shoemakersville, in
Perry township, was born March 2, 1846, in Richmond township, on
one of the Dreibelbis homesteads, son of Simon and Leah (Strasser)
Dreibelbis. His educational advantages were rather limited, being
confined to public schools of his district, and but a few terms
there. At the age of seventeen years he commenced to help his
father on the home farm, and this he faithfully continued until
thirty years old. For a number of years he hauled mine ore in dull
seasons, and in the winter months would go butchering among the
farmers. His territory covered a large radius of miles and his
services were always at a premium. In 1884 Mr. Dreibelbis began
farming for himself on his father’s farm consisting of 141 acres of
land near Shoemakersville, Pa. This farm he purchased from his
father, and some years later added twenty adjoining acres, and this
large property he has greatly improved by fertilizing the soil and
by rebuilding the large Swiss barn, which was struck by lightning
and damaged in 1897; by renovating and enlarging the house, and by
enlarging the mill and supplying it with improved machinery. He is
the manufacturer of the ‘Straight Winter’ and ‘Blended 20 per cent
Spring’ flour, which are superior brands and are sold in all the
large cities in the eastern part of the country. He also
manufactures a superior brand of corn meal and buckwheat flour,
which he sends into all of the populous places of the East and to
Canada. Mr. Dreibelbis is an ideal farmer and has made his business
a paying industry. He has applied in practice the valuable hints
and advice of that great agriculturist, the Rev. J. D. Dietrich of
Montgomery Co., Pa., and has been materially benefited by the
latter’s lectures. Mr. Dreibelbis has a fine dairy of thirty-five
cows. He understands cattle and the feeding of them, having two
silos which he fills annually with cut corn with the stalks. His
milk is shipped daily to Pottsville, Schuykill county, and his milk
receipts amount annually to more than $2,500; before he had silos
the receipts were only about $800 annually. Mr. Dreibelbis is an
enthusiast on the modern methods and principles of farming. Since
1873 he has been a member of the Industrial Grange No. 29, of
Shoemakersville, and has been delegate to many State conventions of
that body. In politics Mr. Dreibelbis is a Jeffersonian Democrat.
He was elected school director of his township for twelve
successive terms and eleven years was secretary of the board,
materially benefiting the schools of his district by faithful and
efficient service, but refused re-election, feeling that he had
done his full duty in that line. He was country committeeman for
one year in his township, and has attended a number of conventions
in the capacity of delegate. He is a thoroughly honest man, who by
hard, incessant labor has accumulated a comfortable fortune, and
his many acts of neighborly kindness have made him esteemed by all
who know him. He is a member of Zion’s Union Church of Perry
township, belonging to the Reformed denomination, and has served as
deacon and trustee thereof.

Mr. Dreibelbis has been twice married. On Dec.
21, 1867, he m. Catherine Anna Wartzenluft, by whom he had
children: J. Carolus, born Feb. 28, 1869, m. Mary Egolf; Samuel M.,
born May 30, 1870, died in infancy; Ellen S., born Feb. 22, 1872,
m. Henry Miller; Simon D., born, March 1, 1874, died an accidental
death aged eighteen years, eight months three days; Catherine R.,
born Sept 26, 1876, m. Chester Bauer; and Daniel C., born Dec. 11,
1877, m. in St. Louis, Mo., after returning from the Cuban and
Philippine wars. Mrs. Dreibelbis died of typhoid fever Aug. 31,
1878, aged thirty-one years. Mr. Dreibelbis m. (second) March 16,
1880, Martha Anna Noll, daughter of Henry Noll, and they have these
children; William H., born Dec. 2, 1880, m. Dina Rothermel; Israel
W., born May 14, 1883, died in infancy; and Charles B., born Oct.
14, 1884, Sarah A., born Feb. 7, 1887, and John J., born June 14,
1889, are at home.

(IV) Joel Dreibelbis, son of Jacob, was born Dec. 22, 1826 at
Virginville, and is one of the representative men of northern Berks
county, and despite his advanced years is still active in mind and
body. He is well posted on religion, politics and public events. He
has given a great deal of attention to archaeological studies, and
has one of the finest complete collections of Indian relics in the
county, consisting of arrow heads, spear heads, drills, axes,
tomahawks, jasper blades, knives, beads, pestles, spades, badges,
turtlebacks and all kinds of working implements for sowing, boring,
cutting, etc. This valuable collection consists of about 15,000
specimens, of which 800 are hammers. This collection is especially
interesting to its owner because he and other members of his own
family collected all on his own property. The country about
Virginville was a densely populated Indian settlement and the home
of the chief of the Sacunk tribe. Since Mr. Dreibelbis became
interested in the relics more than 40,000 have been gathered on his
farm. The more valuable specimens in his collection his daughter,
Miss Hannah Blandina, has neatly arranged in drawers and cabinets,
while the small ones repose in frames which decorate Mr. Dreibelbis
study. During 1907 and 1908 the local and metropolitan press wrote
and published descriptions and photographs of the collection.

Mr. Dreibelbis was reared upon his father’s
farm, obtaining his early education in the German and English pay
schools of his vicinity. In 1847 his father sent him to near
Lewisburg, in Union country, to become proficient in the English
language. There he remained for two and one-half years, living with
a relative of his mother. Returning then to Berks county he worked
on his father’s farm in the summer, and taught school. In 1850 when
the public school system was established in Greenwich township, he
was one of its first teachers, serving there three years with high
efficiency. In 1853 when his own township adopted the free school
system, he became a teacher at Kerchner’s where he taught two
terms. In 1855 Mr. Dreibelbis began farming on his father’s farm,
continuing it two years as a tenant when his father died. At the
appraisement of his father’s estate he took the homestead, and
continued farming successfully until 1890. He has been on of the
first farmers to adopt new machinery, and his mower and reaper were
among the first seen in this locality. His farm is located
one-quarter mile south of Virginville, and consists of 180 acres.
His premises are supplied with an abundance of fruit and grapes,
excellent spring and well water, twelve substantial buildings, etc.
The farm forms almost a perfect square, the western side of which
is bounded by the Ontelaunee. Thirty-two acres of the original
tract lie on the west side of the Ontelaunee. This tract is now
owned by John Schnucker, a son-in-law of Joel Dreibelbis. On this
farm is “Dreibelbis Cave” which was discovered in 1873, and in 1907
was explored to the depth of 340 feet, by William J. Dietrich, who
recorded a full description of it in a paper read before the Berks
County Historical Society in 1907. The 100-foot Swiss barn built in
1884, was destroyed by fire Aug. 3, 1908 with all its contents, and
was rebuilt the same years. One of Mr. Dreibelbis’s favorite
pastimes is fishing, and he spends many hours during the season
along the Ontelaunee and Maiden creek. His daughter, Miss Hannah
Blandina, has saved the jaws of 1000 chubs and suckers, and by a
process cleaned them, and has tastefully arranged them in various
designs on velvet, making frames of different sizes, and these have
been much admired by the many visitors to her home.

Mr. Dreibelbis and his family are members of St.
Peter’s German Reformed Congregation of Richmond township, and the
family burial lot is in the cemetery adjoining. During the erection
of the present church edifice in 1890, no one contributed more
liberally of time and means than Mr. Dreibelbis. He was deacon and
trustee of the church, and served on the building committee. For
more than a quarter of a century he was an elder. The large bell in
the steeple of the church bears the following inscription: “Donated
by Joel Dreibelbis to the German Reformed Congregation of St.
Peter’s Church in Richmond township, in 1904.” Mr. Dreibelbis has
also been liberal in his contributions to the United Evangelical
Church in Virginville.

In October, 1853, Mr. Dreibelbis married
Elizabeth Deisher, daughter of Jacob and Annie (Schwoyer) Deisher,
and to this union was blessed with the following children:
Jefferson m. Ella Miller; Jacob D. m. Hettie A. Leiby; Maria m.
Lewis Adam; Lovina m. John Schucker; Stella m. Lewis Gehret; Louisa
died in 1879, aged thirteen years; George A.; and Miss Hannah
Blandina, who ministers to the comfort and happiness of her aged
father. In politics Mr. Dreibelbis is a Democrat, and has seldom
missed an election. He served Richmond township as an auditor,
school director, supervisor, and justice of the peace. In the
latter office he served twenty-five years, and was relieved by his
son, George A., who was elected to the office. Mr. Joel Dreibelbis
was a real peace-maker, and settled many estates. He was frequently
called upon to act as guardian, assignee, administrator, executor
and trustee. He is a most valued and esteemed citizen of his
township.

(V) Jacob D. Dreibelbis was born Oct. 1, 1855 in Richmond township,
near Virginville, son of Joel Dreibelbis. He spent his boyhood days
on his father’s farm, and his education was obtained in the schools
of his native township, which he attended until attaining the age
of eighteen years. On April 8, 1882, Mr. Dreibelbis married Hettie
Ann Leiby, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Mengel) Leiby, the
former a stone cutter and farmer in Perry township. To this union
were born children as follows: a son died in infancy; and Joel P.
Mr. Dreibelbis is the owner of the well-known summer resort,
“Ontelaunee House,” which he built in 1902 on the banks of the
Ontelaunee river, opposite Virginville. The hotel is located on an
elevation, this affording a grand view of the adjoining country.
The Ontelaunee is met at Virginville by Sacony Creek, and the best
fishing in this part of the State is to be found at this
place-black bass, trout, suckers, cat-fish, sun-fish and eels
abounding. The fresh pure air, the fine fishing and boating and the
restful quiet are very beneficial, and afford great inducement to
residents of cities in the eastern part of the State. The hotel is
large and commodious and the building modern and substantial. Mr.
Dreibelbis lives retired with his family on one of his farms near
Virginville, which he bought at public sale in 1893, and which was
formerly owned by his uncle Simon, deceased. In his dealings with
his fellow men he is upright and honorable, and as a citizen he is
public-spirited. In politics Mr. Dreibelbis is a Democrat. He and
his family attend St. Peter’s Reformed Church, of which he has
served as trustee.

(VI) Joel P. Dreibelbis, son of Jacob D., was born Nov. 7, 1882, on
his grandfather’s homestead. He assisted his father in farming till
1901-1902, when he attended the Keystone State Normal School at
Kutztown, Pa. In 1903 he attended Schissler’s College of Business
at Norristown, Pa. In 1908 he bought the Kutztown Bottling Works,
and moving to Kutztown has since been engaged in their operation.
On Oct. 1, 1904 he married Hattie S. Moyer, daughter of William
Moyer, of Greenwich township, and they have one daughter Helen
Annie.

(V) George A. Dreibelbis, son of Joel, was born on the Richmond
township homestead Oct. 13, 1868. He was reared upon the farm and
educated in the public schools of his native township and later in
the Keystone State Normal school at Kutztown. He began farming on
the homestead in the spring of 1891, and has since pursued that
vocation with much success. He has a valuable collection of farm
machinery, and is thoroughly up-to-date in his methods. On Aug. 3,
1908, he suffered a severe loss in the burning of his barn with the
year’s crops. He owns the Virginville store property, which he
purchased at public sale in the fall of 1907. He was one of the
organizers of the Kutztown Fair Association in 1905, and has since
served as a director. In 1909 he was elected a director of the
First National Bank of Kutztown. He has been prominently identified
with the Democratic party, and since 1904 has been a justice of the
peace, being re-elected in the spring of 1909 without opposition.
He was school director of Richmond township three years, and was
secretary of the board; and he has been delegate to a number of
county conventions. He attends the Reading market once a week
having stand No. 112 in the Penn street market.

Mr. Dreibelbis married Clara E. Dreibelbis,
daughter of Dr. David and Emma (Schultz) Dreibelbis, Jr. To this
union have been born children as follows: David S. born May 17,
1890; Daniel P., Dec 14, 1891; Stella E., May 6, 1894; Simon J.,
Jan. 24, 1896; Paul J., Dec 21, 1897 (died April 23, 1898); Sallie
H., Feb. 21, 1901; George P., Sept 25, 1904; Anna Blandina, June
26, 1906; and William J., July 22, 1908. Mr. And Mrs. Dreibelbis
have also an adopted daughter, Maude Bucks Dreibelbis, who has been
with them since she was seven years old.

(III) John Dreibelbis, son of Jacob, was born July 22, 1787 and
died Oct. 8, 1847. He was a farmer in Greenwich township, owning
the farm now the property of his grandson, Dr. Perry K. Dreibelbis,
of Dreibelbis Station, along the Berks & Lehigh Railroad. He
married Susanna Kershner, born Feb. 27, 1789, died March 29, 1866,
and both are buried at the New Jerusalem (Dunkel’s) Church near
Dreibelbis Station. Their children were: Hannah, born April 12,
1812, died April 17, 1894, m. John Heinly, and had a
daughter-Susan; Manasses, born May 30, 1813, is mentioned below;
Ephraim, born Feb. 1, 1815, died April 6, 1887, m. Mary Fisher, and
had two children – George and Sophia; Diana, born Jan. 14, 1817,
died Oct. 5, 1877, m. Peter Fisher, and had children – David,
Peter, Annie and Susan; Susan, born June 22, 1818, died March 22,
1889, m. Benjamin Hager, and had two children – Lucy Ann and Henry;
Elizabeth, born Nov. 15, 1820, died Oct. 10, 1828; Catherine
(Kate), born Aug. 24, 1823, died March 30, 1903, m. Jeremiah
Dietrich, and had children – John, Susan, Mary, Joel, Perry,
Jeremiah and Catherine (twins) and Samuel; Esther, born May 8,
1826, died July 1, 1822, m. Daniel Kershner, and had children –
Conrad, Daniel, Franklin, Susan and Maria; and Anna, born Aug. 8,
1827, died Nov. 8, 1896, m. Moses P. Dietrich and had children –
Wilson, D. Elenious, Henrietta, Cyrus and Maria.

(IV) Manasses Dreibelbis, son of John, was born, May 30, 1813, and
died Dec 15, 1876. He married Christiana Kline, born Nov. 16, 1817,
died Feb. 2, 1901. To them were born children as follows: Solomon,
born Dec. 2, 1841, died in December, 1900, m. Issabella Balthaser,
and had children -Monroe, Cyrus, Callamanna, Emma, Mary, Calvin,
Aaron, Anson and Franklin; Susan Elizabeth born Aug. 13, 1843, m.
Amos Heinly, and had children – George, Manasses, Cyrus, Richard,
Annie, Florenda, Mary, Elwood, Elmer, Hannah and Angelina; John P.,
born May 19, 1848, died Sept. 10, 1880, m. Lucy Ann Waxwood, and
had children – Elenious, Amandus, Florenda and Alice Christina;
Jacob, born Dec. 23, 1850, died unmarried Aug. 24, 1868; Hannah
Sophia born May 15, 1854, died unmarried June 30, 1860; Perry K. is
mentioned below; Tilna Christina, born April 29, 1860, died May 26,
1861; Franklin Manasses (twin to Tilna Christina), born April 29,
1860, died May 27, 1861; Catherine, born June 1, 1861, m. George P.
Dietrich, and had children – Samuel, Carrie and Willie. The parents
and their children are buried at the New Jerusalem (Dunkel’s)
Church. Mrs. Manasses Dreibelbis was a daughter of Peter Kline,
born Aug 16, 1784, died Aug. 6, 1809. He married Elizabeth
Altenderfer, born May 3, 1791, died Oct. 15, 1844. Her grandfather,
Peter Kline, Esq., was born Feb. 15, 1760, and died Nov. 27, 1836.
He married Eva Margaret Lichty, born Jan. 21, 1765, died May 9,
1831. All these ancestors are buried at the New Jerusalem
(Dunkel’s) Church.

(V) Perry K. Dreibelbis, son of Manassess, was born in Greenwich
township, Feb. 7, 1858. He completed the course in the public
schools of his native township, and took his course in veterinary
surgery at the Ontario Veterinary College, Toronto, Canada, from
which he was graduated March 27, 1885. Returning to his native
township, he opened an office and began practice, which he has
since followed, having built up a large practice over an extensive
territory. In addition he is interested in farming, owning a fine
place of ninety fertile acres, upon which substantial and
commodious buildings have been erected. The farm was formerly the
property of his father and grandfather. He is a man of high
standing in his section, respected throughout the neighborhood, and
for nineteen and one-half years served as postmaster at Dreibelbis
Station, which was named after his father. The postoffice was
discontinued, and an R. F. D. route was established from
Virginville in 1905. He is a member of the Reformed Church, and has
for many years been secretary of the consistory. On Dec. 28, 1878,
Dr. Dreibelbis married Miss Louisa A. Seip, daughter of John B. and
Maria (Reigelman) Seip, of Lenhartsville. They have no children.

(III) Samuel Dreibelbis, son of Jacob, was born in Richmond
township in 1792, and died in Venango county, Pa., where he is
buried, in 1876. He was twice married, first to a Close, and second
to a Rahn of Leesport. Before his removal from Berks county he
conducted a mercantile and feed store along the canal at
Shoemakersville. Sometime after his marriage to Miss Rahn, who had
relatives and acquaintances in Venango county, he moved to that
place and there carried on farming. He held the office of justice
of the peace for some years. Six of his children were born of his
first marriage. His children were: Moses, Esther, Sarah, Charles,
Samuel, Jacob and Catharine.

(III) William Dreibelbis, son of Jacob and Mary Magdalena, was born
Nov. 14, 1793, and died Sept. 18, 1869. He was a merchant at the
old stand in Virginville for thirteen years. Later he removed to
his farm, which consisted of eighty acres, and he lived thereon
until 1839, in the latter year purchasing the tract which is now
owned by his son Gustavus, and there engaged in the hotel business,
in connection with farming, until his death. He married Susanna
Miller, daughter of George Miller, and their children were:
Stephen; Susanna m. William Seidel; William; Hannah m. John Wanner;
Jacob; George; Mary m. William Merkel; Charles J.; Eliza m. William
Hottenstein; and Gustavus.

(IV) Gustavus Dreibelbis, son of William and Susanna, was born
March 27, 1846, on the premises he occupied at the time of his
death, March 12, 1909. He spent his early days in Virginville, and
was educated in the schools there. In 1867 he purchased the
seventy-nine acres of excellent land from his father, and there he
made his home. On this farm is located Dragon’s Cave, a natural
curiosity, which has been explored several hundred feet, and which
is supposed to be a continuation of Crystal Cave, several miles
away, which is visited by many each year, having been explored for
several miles. He was a director in the Windsor Mutual Fire
Insurance Company, and from 1894 was secretary of this well-known
institution. He conducted the “Virginville Hotel,” which has been a
hotel stand since the American Revolution, and was an able business
man, honest in his dealings and highly esteemed.

In 1871 he married Mary, daughter of William S.
and Esther (Dunkel) Merkel, of Richmond township, and their
children are: William, of Reading; Howard; Harry; Alice m. William
J. Hein, of Virginville; Annie m. Maurice Mertz, of Fleetwood;
John, of Moselem; Frederick M., of Virginville; Sallie; and George
Logan, of Kutztown.

(III) Dr. David Dreibelbis, son of Jacob, was born on his father’s
farm in Richmond township March 14, 1802, and died Nov. 9, 1886. He
was a member of the Evangelical Association. In February, 1825, Mr.
Dreibelbis married Sarah Lesher, born in Greenwich township, April
11, 1806, daughter of Isaac and Maria Lesher. She died May 9, 1872,
the mother of the following family: (1) Esther (1825-1902) m.
Reuben Ely. (2) Sarah (1829-1878) m. John Kutz. (3) Reuben
(1833-1874) was a minister of the Evangelical Association at
Brownstown from 1867 until his death. He m. Mary Fisher, and had
children: Andora, Magdalena and Dr. David F. (Practising at
Lehighton). (4) Dr. David L. (1842-1872) graduated from Hahnemann
Medical College in 1865, and had a large practice in Reading. He m.
Emma Shultz, and their daughter Clara E. m. George A. Dreibelbis.
He m. (second) Annie Ely and their daughter, Luella, is the widow
of Prof. H. C. Mohn, who died in 1908. (5) Eva Ruffina (1843-1873)
died single. (6) Dr. Samuel L. (7) Elizabeth (1852-1904) m. (first)
Albert Miller, and (second) Alfred Schappell.

(IV) Dr. Samuel L. Dreibelbis, of Reading, son of David and Sarah
(Lesher), was born March 25, 1848. He was educated in the common
schools and later at Union Seminary at New Berlin, in Union
country, from which he was graduated in 1868. After that he
attended the Lebanon Valley College, Annville, one year, and then
entered Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, from which he
graduated in 1871. He has since been practicing very successfully
in Reading. The Doctor is a Republican in politics. He has been
prominently identified with the First United Evangelical Church at
Reading, and was the superintendent of the Sunday-school eighteen
years, and class leader fourteen years. He has been president of
the Berks County Sabbath-school Association six years, and has done
excellent work in church and school. He was actively interested in
the organization of the Homeopathic Hospital in 1891, and has since
then been its obstetrician.

On Nov. 28, 1872, Dr. Dreibelbis married Louisa
Ely, daughter of Rev. Solomon and Elizabeth (Merkel) Ely, and to
this union were born four children: Lloyd died in infancy; Laura m.
Dr. Robert E. Strasser, of Reading; Bertha m. Howard A. Lewis; Dr.
S. Leon, who graduated from Reading high school, class of 1903 and
in 1907 from Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, assist his
father in his large practice in Reading, and makes a specialty of
surgery, and is most successful.

p. 1533

Surnames: DREIBELBIS, STOUDT, MILLER, SEIDEL, WANNER, HOTTENSTEIN,
KEIM, YODER, BAAR, SAUL, STRAUSSER, GUILDIN

John S. Dreibelbis, one of the well-known hotel proprietors of
Berks county, who is now conducting the Washington House, midway
between Rehrersburg and Womelsdorf, at Host, was born July 6, 1851,
at Virginville, Pa., son of William and Hettie (Stoudt) Dreibelbis.

William Dreibelbis, grandfather of John S., was
a son of Jacob, and in early life engaged in farming, but later was
for over thirty years a merchant and hotel keeper at Virginville,
were his death occurred at the age of sixty-five years. He was
married to Elizabeth Miller, and to them these children were born;
Reuben, who resided on the homestead and conducted a general store,
had three children, — Winfield, Zeth and one daughter who died
young; William was the father of John S.; Charles is engaged in
farming in Missouri; Jacob, who was twice married, with seven
children by his first wife, died in Virginville, aged about
sixty-nine years; Augustus, who carried on farming and also
conducts a hotel, is married and has eight children, four boys and
four girls; Susanna, the widow of William Seidel, who died in
Virginville in 1904, has nine children, all living; Hannah m. John
Wanner, a farmer of between Hamburg and Virginville, Windsor
township, and has eleven children; and Elizabeth, the widow of
William Hottenstein, who died in 1904, resides in Ontelaunee
township, and has one daughter.

William Dreibelbis, father of John S., was born
in Virginville, Pa., Oct. 12, 1827. He conducted a hotel there for
five years, but after his marriage engaged in farming, and also
continued until his retirement in 1904, at which time he went to
live with his son in Host. He died March 12, 1906. He was married
to Hettie Stoudt, by whom he had one son, John S., and after her
death married Kate Keim, who also preceded him in death, there
being no children to the second union.

John S. Dreibelbis was educated in the common
schools of his native town and assisted his father in work upon the
farm until he was nineteen years old, when he took charge of the
place on his own account. Two years later he purchased a farm which
he operated for twenty years. The next three years were spent in
conducting a creamery, and he then engaged in farming for another
three years. After giving up agricultural pursuits Mr. Dreibelbis
spent four years in the lime and quarrying business, and at the end
of that time purchased his present well-known hostelry, the
‘Washington House’ at Host. In 1869 Mr. Dreibelbis was married to
Sarah Yoder, daughter of John and Sarah (Baar) Yoder, and three
children have been born to this union; Alice m. Emanuel Saul, son
of John and Maria Saul, of Richland, Lebanon county, who is farming
near Strausstown, son of Wilson and Mary Strausser, resides on a
farm near Shoemakersville, Perry township, and has nine children;
and William Y., who conducts the farm connected with the hotel, m.
Cora Guildin, but has no children. The family are members of the
German Reformed Church, where Mr. Dreibelbis served for a number of
years as deacon and member of the building committee. He is a
Republican in politics, but votes rather for the man than the
party.

p. 1038

Surnames: DRESHER, FEGLEY, KEISER, BUTZ, GRIM, LEIBENSPERGER,
TREXLER

The first Dreshers in America, evidently the ancestors of John
Dresher, and others of the same name, were George and Christopher
Dresher, Jr. They with 261 other passengers arrived at
Philadelphia, Sept. 12, 1734, in the ship “St. Andrew,” John
Stedman, master from Rotterdam, last from Cowes. These settled
Berks, Lehigh and Montgomery counties. Many of the passengers were
Schwenkfelders, but among them were Lutherans, Reformed,
Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Catholics, Quakers, Dunkards,
Mennonites, and representatives of other denominations, so that a
varied religious complexion was not lacking in the new communities
founded in spite of many disadvantages and hardships.

Lawrence Dresher and a brother Philip resided on
adjoining farms, where they worked and lived. These farms were
originally over 300 acres in area, and situated in Longswamp
township, near Mertztown. Lawrence Dresher married a Miss Fegley,
and they had two sons, Samuel and John.

Samuel Dresher, son of Lawrence, was born on the
old homestead in Longswamp township, and he married a Miss
Catherine Keiser. They had two children: John and Marietta (m.
Reuben Butz). Samuel Dresher and his wife resided in Longswamp
township, Berks country until his death.

John Dresher, son of Samuel, was born on the old
homestead, Sept. 21, 1804, and died March 12, 1852, aged
forty-seven years, five months and twenty-one days. He was a
prosperous farmer all his life, and a worthy and well-known
citizen. He married Diana Grim, who was born June 5, 1805, in
Maxatawny township, and died Feb. 11, 1885. They had five children;
Samuel, who died May 19, 1906, m. Sarah Leibensperger, and one son
survives him, Alfred D. Dresher; John; Nathan, a resident of
Reading, m. Catherine Trexler, who died in 1892, the mother of
John, Nathan, Edward, James and Ella (deceased); Elizabeth m.
Walter J. Grim, of Allentown, and they have two children, Charles
and Ida; Charles m. Mariella Butz, who died leaving children
George, Henry, Florence and Annie.

John Dresher, son of John, was born on the old
homestead, in 1837, and here he has spent his life. Receiving a
good education, he had the privilege of attending the Freeland
Seminary at the Trappe, after completing his common school course,
and then he settled down to farming, like his people before him. He
is now retired from active business life. Mr. Dresher, has never
married, remaining at home with his mother, whose last days he
greatly cheered. After her demise, he lived with his brother
Samuel, and still has his home with some of his relatives, by whom
he is greatly beloved. Mr. Dresher is a consistent member of the
Mertztown Lutheran Church, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of
a wide circle of friends.

p. 1695

Surnames: DREXEL, SCHLABACK, DREYFUS, WAGNER, ROTHENBERGER, HAIN,
MILLER, GRIESEMER, CRISMAN, YOHN, GREENLEAF, MOUNTZ

George W. Drexel, a retired citizen of Reading, formerly a leading
manufacturer of brick, now resides in his comfortable home at No.
422 North Second street. He was born in the old home on Sixth
street, Reading, Aug. 12, 1842, son of John and Susan (Schlaback)
Drexel.

John Drexel, the father, was born in Wurtemberg,
Germany, in 1790. He served under Napoleon Bonaparte at the battle
of Moscow, and with the other soldiers suffered from the rigors of
that awful winter campaign, when they were obliged to kill their
horses for food. On coming to America, about 1817, Mr. Drexel
settled at Reading, where he died. By trade he was a stone cutter,
and he helped to build the pillars of the Berks county court house,
and also the abutments on the old Schuykill canal. He married Susan
Schlabach, and they had ten children, namely Reuben; Jacob, who was
killed in the army; John; Catherine, m. to Barney Dreyfus; Henry,
living at Exeter Station; Susan, deceased, m. to Henry Wagner;
George W.; Rose, deceased, m. to Cornelius Rothenberger; and Samuel
and Anna, both deceased. The family belonged to the Lutheran
Church. The father was a stanch Democrat.

George W. Drexel was educated in the schools of
Codorus township, York county, and was reared on a farm there.
Later he lived in Gibraltar, and later at West Reading, both in
Berks county. In the last named place he purchased his brother’s
brick plant on Tulpehocken street, and carried on the manufacture
of brick there for two years. He then bought a plant at Birdsboro,
which he operated in connection with the West Reading plant. His
business prospects then became so good that he leased land on the
Leitzinger turnpike and carried on operations there until 1904,
when he sold out to Simon Kline, since which time he has lived
retired. During his active years his brick was in general demand,
and he furnished it for many fine residences, for the Pear and
Buttonwood school buildings and other substantial and imposing
structures.

In 1872 Mr. Drexel married Melissa Hain; and
they had ten children, as follows: Frederick, m. to Susan Miller,
Lettie, m. to Charles W. Griesemer; Catherine, m. to Nelson R.
Crisman; Mary, m. to Heber Yohn; George; Rose; Raymond; Susan;
Geneva and Jacob (deceased). In politics Mr. Drexel is a Democrat.

During the Civil war he enlisted on the Duke of
Argyle under Capt. Greenleaf, but was discharged on account of
disability. He is a member of the order of Golden Eagles. With his
family he belongs to the Lutheran Church.

On his mother’s side Mr. Drexel is of American
descent through at least three generations. His grandfather and
great-grandfather Mountz both fought under General Washington, and
while they were engaged in the service of their country, the women
of the family carried on the farm, doing the plowing, threshing,
seeding, even to the chopping down of trees for fuel. Mr. Drexel’s
grandmother was a plucky pioneer woman, and able to defend herself
with a rifle if necessary. On one occasion she heard the dog tree a
bear, and immediately followed them, but just as she took aim her
father called her to stop, and he shot the bear. The Indians were
frequent visitors at their home, making signs when they wanted
food. They were always treated kindly, and on one occasion were
given the privilege of the house, whereupon they built a fire and
roasted terrapin. The Indian children would suck the meat out, as
well as the older persons, and were then given bread and milk to
finish their meal. The white settlers were always afraid the
Indians would steal their children, and Mr. Drexel’s mother recalls
one occasion when she was hidden under a kettle until the Indians
had taken their departure.

p. 1046

Surnames: DREXEL, SCHLABACH, DREYFUS, WAGNER, ROTHENBERGER, KRICK,
ROBINSON, GOODHART, LEVAN, BOAS, WEISER, KLAPP, REESER, BOYER

Howard L. Drexel, the proprietor of Drexel’s Cafe, has conducted
that establishment since 1898. He has led an active life, spent for
the most part in and around Reading, and was variously engaged
before he settled down to his present business, in which he has
been very successful.

Mr. Drexel was born Feb. 12, 1961, in Spring
township, Berks county, son of John Drexel and grandson of John
Drexel. The latter was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, born 1790,
and coming to America, settled in Reading, where he died. He
married Susan Schlabach, who died on the old Drexel homestead in
Spring township, and they had a family of ten children, namely:
Reuben; Jacob, who was killed in the army; John; Catherine, wife of
Barney Dreyfus; Henry, who lives at Exeter Station; Susan,
deceased, wife of Henry Wagner; George W., a retired citizen of
Reading, living on North Second street; Rose, deceased, wife of
Cornelius Rothenberger; Samuel, who died in middle life; and Anna
also deceased. The father was a stone-cutter by trade, and he
helped to build the pillars of the Berks county court-house and the
abutments on the old Schuylkill canal. He was a Democrat in
politics, and he and his family belonged to the Lutheran Church.

John Drexel, father of Howard L., was born Sept.
11, 1824, in Boyertown, Berks county, and passed his entire life in
this country. He was educated in the common schools. During his
youth he was employed as a day laborer until he reached the age of
eighteen, after which he learned the trade of bricklayer, in time
commencing the manufacture of bricks on his own account. Many years
ago he moved to West Reading, and he was the first brick
manufacturer in that place, continuing in that line and conducting
a stone quarry until his retirement twenty-eight years before his
death, Feb. 11, 1897. In middle age Mr. Drexel had both his legs
broken, and this injury caused him much trouble in his later years.
His death, in fact, was due directly to his falling down-stairs. He
prospered in his business undertakings, acquiring considerable
property, including that at No. 853 Penn street, a large place on
South Ninth street, and holdings in various other sections of
Reading.

John Drexel married Maria Krick, who died June
30, 1906, aged seventy-four years. To them were born nine Children,
eight of whom are still living: William K., Emma (m. Isaac
Robinson, who was accidentally killed at the Reading Hardware Co.,
in 1882), John K., George K., Adam K., Clara (deceased), Howard L.,
Charles K. and Kate (m. Howard Goodhart). In religious connection
Mr. Drexel was a Lutheran, and he was a Democrat in politics.

Howard L. Drexel was but seven years old when
brought from his native township to Reading, where he received his
education in the public schools. He commenced work as errand boy
for a shoe store on Penn street, above Eighth, and later for
several years was employed in the hardware establishment of Drexel
& Rapp, located at Ninth and Bingaman streets. In this
connection he learned nickel plating and polishing, at which he was
engaged at Reading for some time in Reading at the Chantrell Tool
Works, and also in Allentown. During 1880 he worked with the civil
engineering corps of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at Tyrone,
Pa., and the following spring went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he
entered the employ of W. C. Davis & Co., stove manufacturers,
of the Favorite Stove Works, now located at Piqua, Ohio. With this
firm he continued until 1885, doing nickel plating and polishing,
and upon his return to Reading in that year he engaged at the
hatter’s trade, a knowledge of which he had acquired before going
west, during a period of employment in a hat store in this city. He
never took it up regularly, however, until he came back from
Cincinnati, when he found a position with I. N. Levan, remaining
with him for about two years. In 1886-87 he managed a hat and men’s
furnishings store at Pottsville, Pa., for W. A. Boas, then
returning to Reading, where he was again connected with the
Chantrell Tool Company, working for them for about twelve years,
1887-1898, until he resigned to embark in his present enterprise.
He had charge of the nickel department, and being an excellent
mechanic as well as a competent manager his services were
considered very valuable.

On Feb. 2, 1898, Mr. Drexel took charge of the
property at No. 150 Penn street then known as the Pennsylvania
House, which he purchased and remodeled, and where he continued to
do a successful business until 1908, when he changed to his present
location, at the corner of Fifth and Cherry streets. In 1902 he
changed the name of his establishment to the Drexel Cafe, by which
name it has since been known. Mr. Drexel does both a hotel and
restaurant business, having nineteen rooms, equipped with every
modern convenience, steam heat, hot and cold water, electricity and
gas, lacking nothing for the comfort and convenience of the guests.
The restaurant, up-to-date and attractive, draws a fine class of
patrons, who appreciate the excellent service and the uniformly
high quality of the food. Mr. Drexel also carries a complete stock
of choice wines and liquors, and domestic and imported cigars, etc.
He is a thorough business man, with a keen understanding of the
conditions essential to make his establishment popular with the
public and profitable as an investment. On Oct. 25, 1907, he came
into possession of the property he now occupies, and proceeded to
make every improvement of advantage to the enterprising business
man before occupying the premises, on April 1, 1908. This stand is
well known and one of the most popular in the city.

Mr. Drexel is one of the best known in Reading
among the fraternal orders. He is a member of the Knights of the
Golden Eagle; the Port Royal Club in Juniata county, Pa., where
they have an acre of ground; the Independent Gunning and Sporting
Club; the Commercial Club (which he founded in 1889); the West End
Club; the Casino Amusement Company; and the Maennerchor. He was the
first charter member of the local Aerie No. 66, of the Fraternal
Order of Eagles, and was the original founder of the Eagles’
Mountain Home Association, in which he was one of the heaviest
stockholders. He is a member of the Keystone Hook & Ladder
Company, and of the Veteran Firemen’s Association, and is a
contributing member of the Friendship Fire Company. He is a member
of and stockholder in the Casino Amusement Association, which
conducts Carsonia Park. He is a member of the Cold Spring
Association, being interested as a stockholder in the “Cold
Springs” at the corner of Berks and Lebanon counties, on the line
of the Little Schuylkill railroad. The association has a tract of
eighty-seven acres there. It is a matter of history that this place
was originally founded by a community of monks during the early
days of the Tulpehocken settlement. Conrad Weiser, with others of
the settlement, was at one time interested in it, but the daughter
of Peter Klapp was the only one to continue steadfast in the faith.
Mr. Drexel is also a charter member of the Lake View Club, whose
grounds overlook Antietam Lake in Alsace township; this club was
organized in 1909, and owns five acres of land with fine buildings
and the best springs.

On June 6, 1896, Mr. Drexel married Annie L.
Reeser, daughter of Jacob H. and Mary A. (Boyer) Reeser, of Amity
township, Berks county. They have one child, Mayetta.

p. 1435

Surnames: DREXEL, SWARTZ, COLLINS, BRUBAKER, HERR

Reuben Drexel, (deceased), for many years an esteemed resident of
Reading, Pa., and an honored veterans of the Civil war, was born at
Boyertown, Berks county.

His parents were natives of Germany, and for a
time resided in England. Reuben’s father was a brick-layer by
trade, and on coming to Reading located at Ninth and Chestnut
streets, where his death occurred. His mother also died in this
city, and both were buried in the Lutheran cemetery. Five children
were born to this couple, the only daughter dying in England, while
the others, who all died in this country, were: John, William,
Jacob and Reuben.

Reuben Drexel attended the public schools of
Reading, having come to that city when a boy. After leaving school
he became an apprentice to the bricklayer’s trade, which he
followed throughout life, dying in Reading in 1890; he is buried in
the Lutheran cemetery. Mr. Drexel married Anna A. Swartz, daughter
of Owen S. and Julian Collins Swartz, the former a well-known
contractor in brick in Reading, where he died. Mrs. Swartz died in
Churchville, Berks county. To Mr. And Mrs. Drexel were born these
children: George W., a hatter by trade, married (first) Lulu
Brubaker, and (second) Stella Herr, resides in Reading; and Julian,
single, resides at home. Mr. Drexel was a veteran of the Civil war.
Enlisting first in the three months’ service, he was honorably
discharged and veteranized in Co. H, 88th P.V.I., serving in every
engagement in which that company participated. He was a gallant
solider, was wounded in the neck (from which he always bore a
scar), served his country faithfully, and had a war record of which
any man might feel proud. His death was a distinct loss to the
community in which he resided.

.

p.
1063

Surnames: DRIES, HAWKINS, BERNDT, O’BEIL, KOMP, HERBSTER, ANDREWS,
DENGLER, DIEHL

Worths A. Dries, the genial proprietor of the “Keystone House,” the
leading hotel at Kutztown, Pa., was born Feb. 18, 1875, at Blandon,
in Maiden-creek township, Berks Co., Pa., son of Daniel A. and Mary
Jane (Hawkins) Dries.

The Dries family in America can be traced to the
landing of what was probably the one and only Dries family of the
country, at Philadelphia, on Sept. 29, 1733. The members of the
family were listed as follows: Cornelius Dries; Johan Adam Dries;
Andreas Dries; Barbara Elizabeth, aged twenty-four years; Maria
Barbara, aged thirteen years; and Ann Maria, aged eleven years.

John Dries, great-grandfather of Worths A., was
a farmer in Maiden-creek township and his remains lie buried at
Moslem Church. He had these children: John, David, Daniel, Jacob,
Elizabeth (m. Daniel Berndt), Lydia (died single) and Kate (m. John
O’Beil).

David Dries, stone-mason and farmer, of
Maiden-creek township, later of Perry township, was the grandfather
of Worths A. He was born in 1816, and died in 1895 in his
seventy-ninth year. He married Elizabeth Komp, and they had
children as follows: Harriet m. Daniel G. Herbster; Cyrus, of
Reading, is the father of nine sons and seven daughters (of whom
three sons and one daughter died in youth; one son, Wirt, is a
Lutheran minister, and one son, Charles is a physician); George
died suddenly at Lyons, in 1887, aged about thirty-five years;
Daniel A. resides at Kutztown; David died aged twenty-one years;
John is at Font, Chester Co., Pa.; William lives in Maiden-creek;
Elizabeth m. Robert Andrews; and James is of Oley, Pennsylvania.

Daniel A. Dries, son of David, was born May 30,
1849, and is a retired citizen of Kutztown. For some years he
engaged in farming in Maiden-creek township, but for twenty-five
years he was engaged in the hotel business. He married Mary Jane,
daughter of Samuel Hawkins, and they had children: Worths A.;
Norman C. died in youth; Samuel J. is in the grocery business at
Kutztown; William D. is a clerk at Kutztown; and Florence M. died
in infancy.

Worths A. Dries was reared on the home farm, and
was thirteen years of age when his father moved to Moselem Furnace,
where he went into the hotel business. Mr. Dries was educated in
the local schools in Maiden-creek and Richmond townships. For many
years he was engaged with his father in the hotel business, and
when his father retired, in the spring of 1906, he took charge of
the “Keystone House,” his previous training making him well
acquainted with the demands of the public in this line. He has made
this hostelry the leading one of the place.

On Jan. 13, 1906, Mr. Dries married Katie F.
Dengler, daughter of Jacob G. and Sarah Ann (Diehl) Dengler and
granddaughter of Henry Dengler, on the paternal side, and of Daniel
Diehl, on the maternal side. Mr. and Mrs. Dries have one daughter,
Mary Sarah. The family belong to the Lutheran Church. Fraternally
Mr. Dries belongs to Castle No. 374, K. G. E., of Fleetwood, and
Camp No. 103, P. O. S. of A., of the same place. He is president of
the Dries Family Reunion, an association organized in July, 1906,
for the purpose of bringing all of the kindred into communication,
and the first united meeting was held at that time, proving one of
great Enjoyment.

. p. 567

Surnames: DRISCOLL, STERNBERGH, MAY, STERLING, GRADY, HAYES,
BUCKLEY, CONWAY

Daniel J. Driscoll, manufacturer of seamless steel tubing, was born
at Reading Dec 25, 1862. He received his education in the schools
of the city and in the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md. Resigning
from the navy he entered the employ of the Philadelphia &
Reading Railway Company as a clerk in the office of the
superintendent of motive power. After serving there several years
he secured a position in the large establishment of J. H.
Sternbergh, manufacturer of nuts and bolts, for the purpose of
learning the business and he continued with Mr. Sternbergh until
1887, when he established a plant of his own at Auburn, in
Schuykill county, along the Schuykill river, twenty-five miles
north of Reading. Mr. Driscoll operated this plant in a successful
manner until 1896, when he abandoned the further manufacture of
nuts, bolts, rivets and bar-iron, and substituted machinery for the
manufacture of seamless steel tubes, his establishment being the
first plant of the kind in the United States to manufacture
seamless tubing from American steel. His product was highly
appreciated by the Navy Department of the National government, and
he came to supply a considerable proportion of the seamless steel
tubes in the building of the monster war-ships for the new navy. He
continued to operate the plant until 1902, when it was absorbed and
abandoned by the United State Steel Corporation. However, in one
year, Mr. Driscoll succeeded in re-purchasing the plant, and after
installing new machinery resumed the manufacture of seamless steel
tubes. Since then he has carried on a large business under the name
of Delaware Seamless Tube Company. In 1888 Mr. Driscoll married
Laura B. May, daughter of Isaac May, and Mary Sterling, his wife,
of Shamokin, Pa., and they have four children: Marie, James,
Caroline and Elizabeth. They are members of St. Peter’s Roman
Catholic Church. Mr. Driscoll has established a superb country home
‘Doneraile’ in Bern township, on a bluff along the west bank of the
Schuykill river, a short distance beyond the Berkshire Club, which
commands a fine view of the river and the surrounding country. He
is a director of the Keystone National Bank, and a trustee of St.
Joseph’s Hospital, both of Reading. Daniel Driscoll, his father was
born in 1824 in County Cork, Ireland, and was an infant about a
year old when his parents emigrated to America, locating at
Pottsville, in Schuykill county, Pa. He learned the trade of
machinist in the large works of Haywood & Snyder, and continued
with them until 1848, when he removed to Reading and entered the
machine shop of the Philadelphia and Reading Railway Company. He
worked continuously for this company in the same shop for nearly
thirty-five years before his decease, in 1894. He married Elizabeth
Grady (who died in 1905, aged eighty years), daughter of Patrick
Grady and Margaret (Hayes), his wife, who also emigrated from
County Cork (Doneraile), Ireland in 1840, and settled at
Philadelphia. They had thirteen children, of whom the following
reached maturity: Catharine, who became a sister in the Notre Dame
Convent at Cincinnati, Ohio; Agnes, a graduate of the Reading
Girls’ high school and teacher in the public schools; Johanna, m.
to Matthew J. Buckley, a mechanical superintendent of the U.S. Mint
at Philadelphia; Daniel J.; and another son, John A., who was
educated for the priesthood in St. Charles Seminary at Overbrook,
Pa., ordained as a priest in 1892, and stationed at St. Mark’s
Church, in Bristol, Pa., but died four years afterward. (See
succeeding sketch.) Mr. Driscoll’s grandfather, also named Daniel
was born and brought up in County Cork. He was married to Mary
Conway, of the same county. Their families were prominent in that
section of Ireland. Mr. Driscoll’s wife Eliz’s father was born in
Cornwall, England, emigrated to America when a young man, and
settled in Schuykill county, afterward removing to Shamokin, where
he became a prominent mine operator.