Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

p. 1527

Surnames: DRUCKENMILLER, DESCH, MARSTELLER, FREY, KLEINSMITH,
WAGENHORST, NUSS, WEISS, WELKER, FREY, SHEIMER, SWEITZER, LERSH,
SHUBERT, REESE, SNYDER, DEISHER, KOHLER, TRUCKENMILLER

Benjamin D. Druckenmiller a well-known business man of Kutztown,
Pa., who is engaged as an ice-cream manufacturer, confectioner and
proprietor of a restaurant on Main street, was born Nov. 12, 1855,
on his father’s farm in Hereford township, Berks county, son of
Enos and Elizabeth N. (Desch) Druckenmiller.

Enos Druckenmiller was born Dec. 14, 1821, and
died of apoplexy at Zieglersville, Lehigh county, March 29, 1899.
He was a mechanic and farmer all his life, and was an elder of
Zieglersville Lutheran Church, where he is buried. He was on the
building committee when the new church was erected, and took a
profound interest in the work of the church and Sunday-school,
teaching in the latter for many years. In life he was honored and
respected and in death he was missed and mourned. Mr. Druckenmiller
married Elizabeth N. Desch, daughter of George and Marguerite
(Marsteller) Desch, and to this union there were born children as
follows: Benneville died of measles and brain fever, aged
twenty-two years; Rev. Joel settled in Michigan about 1880, and
serves a charge at Rogers City; Tilghman m. Barbara Frey; Elizabeth
m. Milton Kleinsmith; Henry m. Ellen Wagenhorst, and resides at
Atlanta, Ga.; David m. Katie Nuss, and resides at Sellersville;
Benjamin D.; Emma died of diphtheria in her ninth year; Mayme m.
(first) William Weiss, and (second) Hiram Welker; Susanna m.
Benjamin Frey; Rosa m. Allen W. Sheimer; Sallie m. John Sweitzer;
George m. Ella Lersh; Maggie m. William Shubert; Laura m. Richard
Reese; and Annie m. Allen Snyder.

Benjamin D. Druckenmiller was reared on his
father’s farm and attended the public schools of the locality. He
lived with his parents until his twenty-third year, when he hired
himself out to a farmer in Roxboro, Philadelphia county, for one
year, and for two years worked on a farm in Maxatawny township. In
1881 he commenced working in the Kutztown creamery, and there he
continued for twenty-four years. During the first five years he was
an employe, but in 1887 he bought the place. He averaged 1,800,000
pounds of milk per annum, but in December, 1905, he rented the
place, and engaged in the ice-cream and restaurant business. Mr.
Druckenmiller and his family worship in St. John’s Lutheran Church
of Kutztown, and he is a member of the choir. He is independent in
political matters, and does not hesitate to vote for the man he
thinks is the best one for the place, irrespective of party lines.
He owns a nice brick residence on Noble street, next to the
creamery.

In June, 1885, Mr. Druckenmiller married
Caroline Deisher, daughter of John D. and Hannah (Kohler) Deisher,
and two children have been born to this union, Harvey Luther and
Mabel Cora.

The original form of the name was Truckenmiller,
but in some way the first letter became changed to D. The following
immigrants of the name Truckenmiller are recorded in the
Pennsylvania Archives as having come to Pennsylvania: Sebastian
Truckenmiller and wife Catharine came on the ship “Pink” in 1732.

John Michael Truckenmiller came in the ship
“Francis and Elizabeth” in 1742. Jon Ludwig Truckenmiller came on
the ship “Robert and Alice” in 1742.

Peter Truckenmiller came on the ship “Beulah” in
1756.

The Federal census report of 1790 records George
Truckenmiller a resident of Hereford township, Berks Co., Pa. In
that year he had a son who was under sixteen years of age, and one
daughter. The same report records Charles

Truckenmiller al also of Hereford township, and
the head of a family consisting of nine members, four males and
five females. The same report records John Truckenmiller as a
resident of Rockland township, which adjoined Hereford, as the head
of a family, made up of father and mother, one son and two sons
under sixteen years of age and three females. George, Charles and
John Truckenmiller are said to be the sons of Johan Michael
Truckenmiller, who landed in Philadelphia on the ship “Francis and
Elizabeth”, Sept. 21, 1742.

Berks Court Records show that in 1801 letters of
administration were granted from Frederick Truckenmiller to Louisa
Truckenmiller, probably his wife.

DRUMHELLER FAMILY

p.
1675

Surnames: DRUMHELLER, TROUT, LEFFEL, BREIDIGAM, RICHARD, HAAS,
DIEROLF, TOUSE, FLICKER, BRICKER, MATTHIAS, HARTLEIN, SASSAMAN,
MOYER, CONRAD, STAPLETOWN, KIEFFER, BOYER, HOLDER, KLINE,
HARTRANFT, HAAS, MATTHIAS, EBERHART, BATZ, MILLER, GEHRET, SELL,
BLY, CARR

The Drumheller family of Earl and surrounding townships in Berks
county was founded here by J. Leonhart Drumheller, who emigrated to
America on the brigantine “Mary and Sarah,” which landed at
Philadelphia Oct. 26, 2754.

Little is known of him, save certain records of
several small land transactions. Among his children were two sons,
John and Leonard, both of whom were residents of Earl township in
1782. In 2790 the Federal census records John as the father of one
son above sixteen and three under that age, also one daughter.
Nicholas is credited with a family consisting of one son above
sixteen, and three sons below that age, and three daughters.

John Drumheller lived in Earl township and there
died in 1815. His last will and testament was dated June 13, 1814.
His wife Regina survived him. His daughter was married to Jacob
Trout. His son Leonard obtained the homestead. The will does not
mention the names of the other sons.

Nicholas Drumheller had a son Daniel, who lived
in Pike township. His wife Elizabeth bore him children as follows:
Elizabeth; Hannah; Daniel; John; Lydia; Jacob and Reuben, the two
last named being executors of the will, which was made Feb. 6,
1835, and not probated until March 1, 1859.

Leonard Drumheller, grandfather of Ammon B. and
Mahlon B., lived in Earl township. He is buried in an unmarked
grave at Oley Churches. He was a farmer and owned a small farm, now
the property of the Andrew Leffel estate. He married Susanna
Breidigam. She is buried at Oley Churches and has a tombstone. He
is buried by her side in the old graveyard. Their children were:
David, who lived in Earl township; William; John, who lived near
Philadelphia; George, who lived in Earl township; Sally m. John
Richard; Susanna m. Peter Haas, of Earl township; Peggy m. John
Dierolf; Magdalena m. John Youse; Anna m. Lewis Flicker; and Hettie
died unmarried.

William Drumheller, son of Leonard, was born in
Earl township, Aug. 14, 1813, and died there Aug. 27, 1872. He was
a shoemaker, post-fence maker and farmer, and lived in
Colebrookdale township two years. Before 1845 he came to Earl
township and bought a fifty acre tract near Pine Grove school house
now owned by his son Mahlon B., and improved it with the present
set of buildings. Here he made his home for the remainder of his
life. In politics he was a Democrat. He served as school director
and supervisor. He was a Lutheran member of Oley Church, and was
its treasurer for four years. He married Mary Bricker, daughter of
John and Elizabeth (Matthias) Bricker. She was born July 18, 1817,
and died April 21, 1887. They had seven children: John lived in
Earl township; William lived in Amity township; Jacob B., in Earl
township; Mahlon B. and Ammon B. in Earl township; Elizabeth and
Horace. Of these Jacob, Mahlon and Ammon are living.

Mahlon B. Drumheller, of Earl township, was born
April 20, 1848 on his fathers farm in that township, which he now
owns. He learned the shoemaking trade from James Hartlein, and has
followed it ever since, in connection with farming. His farm is
kept in good condition, and he is well-to-do. He is a Democrat in
politics, and was school director six years. Both he and his wife
are Lutherans, and for two years he was deacon at Oley Church, and
elder for four years. In December, 1871 he married Rebecca
Sassaman, daughter of Daniel Sassaman, and sister of Jacob, former
sheriff of Berks county. They had three children as follows: Alice,
who died in the Boyertown fire Jan. 13, 1908, at the age of
thirty-five years, was the wife of Harry Moyer, and the mother of
three children,-Gladys, Grace and Leonard. Josephine m. William
Conrad, and has two children,-Florence and William F. Clara S., who
m. John Stapeltown, has one daughter, Agnes.

Ammon B. Drumheller, son of William, son of
Leonard, is a farmer in Earl township on the Swamp road. He was
born on the homestead in that township Dec. 18, 1851. He attended
Pine Grove school in his township, and has a practical education.
He worked for his parents until he was twenty-eight years of age.
In the spring of 1879, he began farming in Earl township on his
mother-in-law’s farm, and this he cultivated for three years. He
then farmed for his uncle, David Drumheller, one year, and in 1884
came to his present place at a tenant for George Kieffer, who then
owned the farm, but which Mr. Drumheller bought from Mrs. George
Kieffer in 1894. The farm consists of sixty-nine acres of fertile
land, well located. On this farm is found an excellent lime stone.
Mr. Drumheller operates a lime kiln, and burns and sells as many as
30,000 bushels of lime per annum. The Manatawny creek flows through
the farm. The present barn was built in 1871; and the old part of
the stone house was built before 1800, and the newer part in 1833.
This farm was a Boyer homestead. One Jacob Boyer owned it; later it
was owned by four of his unmarried sons, after whom it came into
the hands of George Kieffer.

Mr. Drumheller is a Democrat, and is influential
in the district. He was school director three years, and was
re-elected but he refused to serve. He and his family are active
members of Christ Lutheran Church of Oley, of which he has been an
elder since 1907.

Mr. Drumheller was married Nov. 4, 1876, to Emma
Elizabeth Trout, daughter of Samuel and Sophia (Boyer) Trout;
farming people of Earl township. Her grandfather was John Boyer,
whose wife was a Holder. Mr. And Mrs. Drumheller had three
children, namely: Mary (born 1877, died 1899); Samuel T. (born July
13, 1883, m. 1904, Katie M. Kline, and has one daughter, Meriam
V.); and Lizzie T. (born 1886, and died 1901). Samuel T. is a
farmer, and assists his father. He is the treasurer of the township
supervisors. He as president of the Christ Lutheran League at Oley;
and was assistant superintendent of the Sunday-school, and is a
member of the church choir.

Jacob B. Drumheller, son of William, son of
Leonard, was a soldier in the Civil war. He married Elizabeth
Hartranft, a relative of the former governor of the Commonwealth.
Their son Howard H. married Kate Haas, and has ten children, five
sons and five daughters, namely: Charles; Harvey; Lawrence; Jacob;
Ammon; Lizzie May; Nora Ellen; Mary Minerva, and Carrie Dora
(twins) and Annie Edwina.

George Drumheller, son of Leonard, and father of Jeremiah, was born
in Earl township Nov. 15, 1817, and died in the same township on a
farm near the homestead, now owned by Morris Weintrout, Nov. 21,
1878, aged sixty-one years. He was a shoemaker by trade, and also
carried on farming. His tract consisted of seventy-three acres of
land. He and his family were Lutheran members of the Oley churches,
and he was deacon and elder there. In politics he was a Democrat;
and was at various times school director, supervisor and auditor of
Earl township, where he was highly respected.

George Drumheller was married (first) to Anna
Matthias, daughter of Daniel Matthias, and they had two children
namely: Amelia, m. Joseph Eberhart (both deceased; and Enoch
(deceased) m. Sarah Batz.. His second wife was Caroline Miller,
daughter of Conrad Miller. She was born March 18, 1827, and died
Oct. 20, 1898. They had five children: Sarah m. William Gehret;
Jeremiah; Darius lived at Pottstown, Pa.; Kate m. James Sell;
Leonard died an infant.

Jeremiah Drumheller, son of George, was born
Sept. 9, 1856, on his father’s farm in Earl, now owned by Jacob
Drumheller. He was reared on the farm, and attended the township
schools. He was a puddler by trade, and in 1877 went to Pottstown
where he worked in the puddling mill for the Pottstown Iron Company
for seventeen years. In the spring of 1898 he came to Earl township
where he bought his present farm, located in the western end of the
Powder Valley. This tract consists of forty-six acres of land. It
was formerly the Samuel Trout farm, and before him was owned by a
man named Bly. One the farm are substantial buildings erected by
the widow of Samuel Trout. The residence was remodeled in 1877, and
the barn was built about 1887. The house was formerly a grist-mill.
Pure spring water from an adjacent stream runs by pipe into the
house. The farm is in good condition.

Mr. Drumheller is a Democrat, and was
supervisor, the first in the township under the new road law. He is
a highly respected man. He married in February, 1876, Annie E.
Trout, daughter of Samuel and Sophia (Boyer) Trout, of Earl
township, and granddaughter of Abraham Boyer. To, Mr. And Mrs.
Drumheller have been born six children: Sallie m. Joseph Carr, and
they live at Pottstown; George H. is general manager for McMinnimin
& Sims Railroad Constructors located at Youngwood,
Westmoreland county, Pa.; Lawrence is a student at school; William
died aged eleven years; Paul died aged four years; and one son died
in infancy. Mr. Drumheller has a home at Pottstown where his
son-in-law Joseph Carr now lives.

p. 1085

Surnames: DRUMHELLER, DIEROLF, TROUT, FISHER, HARTLINE, GULDIN,
SCHAEFFER, WAGNER, RAUDENBUSH, HATT, LAMBERT

Hiram D. Drumheller, who resides in his comfortable home at No. 424
South Fifth street, Reading, Pa., is one of the city’s highly
respected and useful citizens, and is at present employed as
foreman of the wood-working departments of Reading Hardware
Company. Mr. Drumheller was born March 31, 1849, in Earl township,
Berks Co., Pa., son of Charles and Abigail (Dierolf) Drumheller.

John Drumheller, the great-grandfather of Hiram
D., died on his plantation in Earl township Aug 17, 1815. He made
his last will and testament June 13, 1814, and this document is on
record in Will Book D, p. 132, and makes ample provision for his
beloved wife Regina. Son Leonard and a Jacob Trout, probably a
son-in-law, were executors of the estate. In the will is an item
which states: the remaining of my estate shall be equitably divided
among all my children. Unfortunately their names are not given.

Leonard and William Drumheller, the latter the
grandfather of Hiram D., were brothers. Family tradition says there
was another brother, as well as some sisters. In 1782, after the
township was organized from a part of Oley township, John
Drumheller was one of the taxables, as was one Nicholas Drumheller,
who probably was a brother. The father of these men, probably was
J. Leonard Drumheller, who crossed the ocean on the brigantine
“Mary and Sarah” Capt. Thomas Brodrick, from Rotterdam, which
qualified at Philadelphia, Oct. 20, 1754. Leonard Drumheller, son
of John, made his will June 7, 1832, and he died in the early part
of 1837, his will being probated on March 8th of that year. He was
a farmer in Earl township. His wife, Susanna, bore him one
daughter, Hattie, and a number of sons, one of whom was David, who
was the executor of his father’s estate.

William Drumheller, grandfather of Hiram D., was
born May 18, 1792, in Earl township, and died there April 24, 1882,
being buried at Oley Church. He was a farmer by occupation and
owned the farm that descended to his son, Charles. He was a captain
in a company in the War of 1812, was well-read and intelligent man,
and was as well known for his fine physique and great strength as
for his many sterling traits of character. He married Elizabeth
Fisher, who was born in Oley township, May 9, 1793, and died Oct.
29, 1867, and to them was born an only son; Charles.

Charles Drumheller, father of Hiram D., was born
in Earl township in 1814, and died in August, 1889, being buried at
Oley Church, of which he was an official Lutheran member. He was a
lifelong agriculturist, being engaged in cultivating the forty-five
acre farm which he had received from his father. Charles Drumheller
was married to Abigail Dierolf, a daughter of Daniel Dierolf of
Rockland township, and she died in 1897, aged eighty-five years.
They had the following seven children: Amelia m. Samuel Dierolf,
Emeline is deceased; Peter lost his life at the battle of
Gettysburg; Henry owns the homestead in Earl township; Deborah m.
George Hartline; Ezra died young; and Hiram D.

Hiram D. Drumheller was reared in his native
township where he attended the public schools, and when eight years
of age left his home and for four years lived with the family of
John Guldin. For the following nine years he resided at the home of
Abraham Guldin, John’s son, in Oley township, and on which he
followed until 1876. At this time he engaged in farming for five
years, for his former employer, Abraham Guldin, in Oley township,
and in 1881, located in Reading, where he has since made his home.
For five years he was employed by Davis, Printz &Co., as a
carpenter and pattern maker, and in 1886 he commenced working for
the Reading Hardware Company. Four years later he was promoted to
the position of foreman of all the wood-working departments a
responsible position which he now very efficiently fills. He
resides in his own residence, No. 424 South Fifth street, which he
has occupied since Oct. 3, 1904. Mr. Drumheller is a member of the
Reading Hardware Association in which he has held office since
1890, having been treasurer of the association since 1901, and he
is also connected with Court Progress of the Foresters of America.
He belongs to Zion’s United Brethren Church of Reading. Mrs.
Drumheller being connected with Faith Reformed Church.

Mr. Drumheller was married (first) to Mary E.
Schaeffer, who was born in Amity township, March 1, 1849, and died
June 10, 1899. The following children were born to this union:
Warren, deceased; Annie, m. to Martin Wagner, of Reading; Carrie,
m. Henry Raudenbush, of Reading; Mary, who is deceased; and Walter,
who lives in Reading. Mr. Drumheller m. (second) Mary J. Hatt,
daughter of Daniel and Martha (Lambert) Hatt, of near Fritztown,
and granddaughter of Daniel and Catherine Hatt.

Mr. Drumheller is one of the well known
residents of his community in Reading, and is highly respected by
all who know him. He is one of the most trusted employes of the
Reading Hardware Company, and has the esteem of his employers and
subordinates.

DRUMHELLER, JOHN H.

p.
1029

Surnames: DRUMHELLER, SHANER, NAGEL, BANS, SPOTTS, HAUFFMAN, HILL,
REINHART, RENNINGER, POTT, PRICE, HIMMELREICH, YODER, BOYER

The American ancestor of the Drumheller family was J. Leonhart
Drumheller, who crossed the ocean on the brigantine “Mary &
Sarah,” Captain Thomas Brodrick, from Amsterdam, which landed at
Philadelphia, Oct. 26, 1754. Soon thereafter J. Leonhart Drumheller
located in the lower section of Berks county, where he reared his
family, died and is buried. In 1759 there is record that Dewald
Drumheller lived in Rockland township, which was bounded by Earl
township on the south. In that year he paid a federal tax of four
pounds. Tradition says he, too, had issue, and that later
generations claim kinship with him.

Nicholas Drumheller, grandfather of John H.,
lived and died in Earl township. In 1782 he was a tax payer, and by
occupation he was a farmer. His wife was a member of the Shaner
family, and their children were: John; a daughter m. to Philip
Nagel; Sally, m. to John Bans; a daughter m. to Peter Spotts; a
daughter m. to John Hauffman. They are all buried in the old
graveyard at Huff’s Church.

Nicholas Drumheller had a brother John
Drumheller, who was also a resident of Earl township, and he, too,
paid a tax in 1782. John Drumheller died in 1815. His will is on
record in Will Book II, page 132. The will was made June 13, 1814,
and was entered Aug. 17, 1815. His wife, Regina, bore him a number
of children, but a son Leonard is the only one mentioned in the
will.

Leonard Drumheller, son of John, died in 1837 in
Earl township. His wife, Susanna, obtained a plantation of thirty
acres in Earl township. His will is on record in Will Book VII,
page 438. David and Hettie are the only children mentioned in the
will, but reference is found elsewhere to other children, of whom
one was named Daniel (his wife was Elizabeth), a resident of Pike
township. Daniel’s will, made in 1835, was probated in 1859, and it
mentions these children: Elizabeth, Hannah, Daniel, John, Lydia,
Jacob and Reuben.

Returning to the direct line, John Drumheller,
son of Nicholas, was born in Earl township, in 1798, and died in
Oley township in 1884, aged eighty-six years and thirteen days. He
was a tailor by trade, and worked at it from the time he was eleven
years of age, continuing at work until within two years of his
death. This remarkable old gentleman was very active, and could
easily walk to Reading, a distance of ten miles. In 1860 he removed
to Oley township, where he owned a farm now occupied by his son
John. He was a Reformed member of the Oley Church, where he is
buried. He married Elizabeth Hill, daughter of Frederick Hill, and
she is buried at the Oley Church. These children were born to them:
Rebecca m. Isaac Reinhart, both deceased; Caroline m. Aug.
Renninger, and is deceased; Miss Elizabeth resides at Boyertown;
John H.; Nicholas died in childhood. Mrs. Drumheller was born Oct.
28, 1809, and died Jan 10, 1846, aged thirty-six years and three
months.

John H. Drumheller was born April 9, 1842, in
Earl township, on the old Drumheller homestead, and is a successful
farmer of Oley township, residing between “Yellow House” and
Griesemersville. When he was eighteen years of age he removed with
his father to Oley, but did not commence working for himself until
ten years later, and at that date he bought his father’s farm of
twenty-two acres, which he now operates, renting his other farm of
seventy-seven acres. On the first mentioned farm, Mr. Drumheller
has excellent buildings which were built by David Drumheller who
was shot at Earlville by a man named Pott. On the seventy-seven
acre farm are buildings over a hundred years old, but so
substantially were they built that they are in good condition
today. His land is productive and well kept.

In 1870 Mr. Drumheller married Sarah Price of
Exeter, daughter of Anthony and Elizabeth (Himmelreich) Price. The
following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Drumheller: John
is unmarried and a railroad mail clerk; Elizabeth m. Curvous G.
Yoder, of Pike township, a railroad mail clerk; Allen m. Mary
Boyer, and lives at Reading; a daughter died in infancy.

p. 1395

Surnames: DRY, KUTZ, HOTTENSTEIN, FUNK, GERHARD, BAER, CARL, BOYER,
YAUSE, DE TURCK

Hiram F. Dry, the present proprietor of the Oley Roller Mills, of
Oley township, was born in Rockland township, Berks county, on Jan.
14, 1860.

His grandfather, Gideon Dry, was born in the
same township. He is buried in Mertz churchyard at Stony Point. His
wife was a Miss Kutz. They had the following children: Benneville,
who has a son, Glancey, living at Lenhartsville, Pa.; John, father
of Hiram F.; Samuel, of New Jerusalem; Nicholas, also of New
Jerusalem, Pa.; Hannah and Susann, who own the old homestead, and
reside there, near Stony Point; Elizabeth who married Isaac
Hottenstein (they had two sons, Charles A. and Frank, and a
daughter, Mary).

John Dry, the father of Hiram F., was born also
in Rockland township, Sept. 11, 1826, and died there Aug. 8, 1906.
He is buried at Mertz’s church, of which he was a Lutheran member.
He was by trade a stone-mason, and in addition conducted a farm of
some 26 acres in Rockland township. He married Hannah Funk,
daughter of George and Catharine (Gerhard) Funk, and to them were
born the following children: Charles, who lives at Mifflinsville,
Columbia county, Pa.; Augustus, of New Jerusalem, Pa., Hiram F.,
the subject of this review; Henry, who died in youth; Alvin, now
residing at Bechtelsville, Pa., and Sarah who died at the age of
twelve years.

Hiram F. Dry passed the earlier years of his
life on his father’s farm, and gave him his services until his full
majority, attending the public schools in his childhood; he
received a scholastic training in a subscription school conducted
at Lyons, Pa. Professor Samuel A. Baer, in 1879, signed his license
to teach, and he conducted one of the Rockland township schools
successfully for two terms. For reasons which then seemed to him
sufficient and satisfactory, he changed the course of his life by
apprenticing himself to the milling trade with Lewis Carl, of
Bowers. This trade Mr. Dry has since followed, for a number of
years as employee, and with success. In 1892 he accepted employment
under Morris Carl, and for two years continuing as employee, he
then bought out the business, and has since conducted the mill. He
makes a specialty of the brands “Peerless” and “White Rose”having a
waiting market in Reading and throughout Berks county.

Mr. Dry was married in 1880 to Hettie Boyer, a
daughter of Daniel and Judith (Yause) Boyer, old and esteemed
residents of Rockland township. Mr. And Mrs. Dry have five
children; Sally; Laura; Horace who married Deborah De Turck, and
resides with his parents; Elda, and Minnie.

A Democrat in politics, Mr. Dry never fails to
cast his ballot, though he has no inclination to hold office. He is
a force in the councils of the party at the different conventions,
and has served one term as Judge of elections. He is known as a
friend of education, having supervised the schools of Oley township
for six years as a member of the board of directors. He and his
family are worthy members of Mertz’s church at Stony Point, and are
held in merited esteem by a large circle.

p. 1716

Surnames: DRY, WAGNER, DREY, DAY, LUCKENBILL, MERTZ, YODER, PRICE,
WANNER, HERBEIN, SCHOLLENBERGER, LEVENGOOD, HIGH, RHOADS, KNABB,
POTT, EAGLE

The Dry family which was represented in Berks county, Pennsylvania,
long before the American Revolution, is one of high repute, and the
name is now worthily borne in Amity township, by the venerable
Nathan Dry, who is passing the evening of his life in comfort at
Amityville, tenderly cared for by his daughter, Ellen M., widow of
Henry Wagner.

The first of the name in this locality was Jacob
Dry, whose name on the tax list of Eat District in 1773, is
spelled, “Drey”, and on the Federal census report of 1790, of the
same district, is “Day”, doubtless a clerical error. The common
spelling of the name at the present time is “Dry.” In 1790 Jacob
Dry was the head of a family of five persons, including himself and
wife, a son above sixteen years, and two daughters under sixteen
years. In 1773 George Drey was a taxable in Rockland township, as
was his son Paul, then a single man. In 1781 George, Paul and
Matthias Drey were assessed in Rockland township. Tradition, partly
affirmed by records, says that George Drey was a son of the
aforesaid Jacob, and that Paul, Matthew and John (grandfather of
Nathan) were sons of George. The family were all Lutherans, and the
older members of the family are buried at Mertz’s Church in
Rockland township. In politics they were Democrats. On the Rockland
township tax list of 1829 appear the following: John Dry, farmer;
John Dry, potter; Paul Dry; Gideon Dry; Daniel Dry; David Dry; and
the Jacob Dry estate.

John Dry was born in the Rockland township
district, and died there in 1855, aged about seventy-seven years.
He was bedfast for three years with rheumatism. By trade he was a
tinsmith, and followed that occupation with success in his younger
years. He lived one mile southwest of Stony Point at Dryville,
named for members of his family. He was a Lutheran, and is buried
at Mertz’s Church. He was twice married, first to a Luckenbill, by
whom he had a son, David. He m. (second) Susan Mertz, but no
children were born of this union.

David Dry, son of John, was born in Rockland
township, in July, 1805, and died at Stony Point in November, 1872.
He was a life long farmer, owning a fertile tract of 176 acres.
About twelve years before his death, he retired and settled in
Stony Point. He was a Democrat, and served as school director. With
his family he attended Mertz’s Church. He married Susan Yoder,
daughter of Abraham Yoder and his wife, whose maiden name was
Price. Mrs. Yoder died when Susan was but one day old. Mrs. Susan
(Yoder) Dry died in August, 1888, aged nearly eighty-two years. She
was the mother of ten children: Nathan; Elizabeth m. Peter Wanner;
Rachel m. Samuel Herbein; Mary m. Capt. Jonas Schollenberger;
Catharine m. David Levengood; John; Abraham lives in Reading;
Caroline is unmarried; Esther m. John Herbein; and Amanda m. James
M. High.

Nathan Dry, son of David, was born March 17,
1826, in Rockland township, and he attended the pay schools of that
day, when the teachers received three cents per day for each child.
He received the training at home that was common to the farmer lad
of that period, and at the age of eighteen began to learn the
milling business from John Y. Rhoads, of Amity township. He then
for one year conducted a mill for John Knabb, above Oley Line,
after which he operated the Six Penny Mill at Mount Airy, in Union
township, four years. In 1862 he went to California, where he first
farmed, and later was engaged in milling. He remained there for
forty-one years, making his home at Lake City, Modoc County, and
prospering exceedingly in all his undertakings. In December, 1902,
he returned to his native county, and located at his present home
in Amityville. Mr. Dry is remarkable well preserved, and enjoys his
life of leisure to the utmost. In appearance he is short and rather
heavy set. He is a Lutheran in religious belief, as was also his
wife. In 1848 he married Elmina Pott, daughter of John and Ellenora
(Eagle) Pott. She was born in Amity township on the old Eagle
homestead, March 2, 1826, and died in Amity township, below
Yellowhouse, May 9, 1855, and is buried at Amityville. They had
three children: Ellen M. who married the late Henry Wagner, and had
two children, Mary and John, the latter deceased; Andora, who
married the late John Rhoads, had a son Lawrence, and lives at
Pottstown; and John D. who died young. When Mr. Dry made his
journey to the Pacific coast he traveled by foot and team across
the Plains, and he can graphically describe the scenes and
experiences of those early days. He speaks both German and English,
and has a very retentive memory.

p. 1703

Surnames: BESHORE, WHEELER, GORDON, LEYSHER

Tyrus B. Dubbs, city freight agent for the Philadelphia &
Reading Railroad Company, with an office at No. 25 North Sixth
street, was born April 5, 1855, in Bethel township, son of Isaac
and Sabilla (Beshore) Dubbs.

Isaac Dubbs was a farmer in Bethel township,
Berks county, until 1865, in which year he removed to Tremont, here
he turned his attention to carpentering and joining. Here he
remained for several years, when he removed to Pine Grove, and
still later to Pottstown, where he now resides, living retired.
Although an aged man, Mr. Dubbs is very well preserved and is in
possession of all his faculties. His wife passed away April 17,
1906, aged seventy-four years. To Isaac Dubbs and wife were born
three children, namely: Rebecca, Tyrus B., and one that died in
infancy. The family are members of the Evangelical Church.

Tyrus B. Dubbs was educated in the common
schools, and when a young man engaged as a clerk in the general
store conducted by W. H. Wheeler, who later became a noted minister
in the Mennonite Church. Mr. Dubbs removed to Pottstown with his
parents, and followed clerking until 1878, when he accepted a
position with the Philadelphia & Reading Company, as clerk in
the freight office at that place. There he remained until April,
1889, then he was appointed traveling freight agent of the road,
with headquarters in Reading under Robert B. Gordon. He continued
in that capacity until he was made district freight agent with
office at Harrisburg, being made city freight agent in February,
1898. Since that time he has made his home in Reading, where he has
made many warm friends. Mr. Dubbs is a member of Reading Lodge, No.
115, B. P. O. E. Politically he is independent, and he and his
family are connected with the Evangelical Church.

Mr. Dubbs married Susie L. Leysher, a native of
Boyertown, Pa., and two children were born to this union: Rebecca
and Jennie S.

p. 1570

Surnames: DUMN, DUM, MADEIRA, HENDEL, HOLL, WAGNER, SCHAEFFER,
MOYER

One of the pioneer families of Berks county is that bearing the
name Dumn. About 1754 there landed at Baltimore, one:

(I) Casper Dum, born about 1720 in the Rhine Valley, Germany. He
sailed from Bremen, Germany, for America, and after he was here
drifted to Hagerstown, Md. and from there into Richmond township,
Berks Co., Pa., where he made his permanent home. He died in
Richmond township, and was survived by three sons. Thomas,
Valentine and Jacob.

(II) Thomas Dum, born 1752, eldest son of Casper, was but two years
of age when the family landed in the New World. He accompanied his
father to Berks county, and died in Richmond township, Oct. 23,
1830 (and is buried in the Catholic Cemetery there), survived by
three children: Elizabeth, who married her cousin, Michael Dum;
Thomas, Jr., born in Richmond township in 1800, who became a
shoemaker and died in 1854; and Jacob, Jr. Three children died in
infancy. Jacob Dum, a son of Thomas, Jr. left the east about eighty
five years ago, and settled in Ohio. He had thirteen children. The
surviving grandchildren and great-grandchildren are at present
living at Amanda, Lancaster and Circleville, Ohio.

(III) Jacob Dum, son of Thomas, married and became the father of
thirteen children, namely: Annie; Sallie, Polly; Joseph (who had
children–Emma, Betsy, William, Robert, Simon, Benjamin, and
Joseph); Benjamin; Daniel; Jacob; Israel; Samuel (who had
children–Israel, Thomas, Effie, Samuel, William and Homer); Hetty;
Katie; Abbie and Betsy.

(II) Valentine Dum, son of Casper, was the baby when the family
came to America. For many years he lived in Richmond and Albany
townships, Berks county, where he farmed, but finally located near
Pittsburg, Pa., where he died and left a family.

(III) Michael Dum (or Dumn), son of Jacob, and grandson of the
emigrant Casper, was born in Richmond township about 1793. By
occupation he was a farmer and teamster, and lived with his large
family near Moselem Springs. He married his cousin Elizabeth Dum,
mentioned above as daughter of Thomas Dum. Michael Dum died in
1840, the father of Elizabeth, Aaron, Samuel, Mary, Benneville,
Willoughby, Annie and Levi.

(IV) Samuel Dum, third child and second son of Michael and
Elizabeth Dum, was born in Richmond township in 1825. he was a
practical miner, and for many years was engaged in the iron ore
mines and in getting out sand, but in his later life he conducted
hotels at Moselem Springs, Pricetown and Fleetwood. He served as
justice of the peace of Ruscombmanor township and the borough of
Fleetwood, and was a stanch worker in the Democratic party. His
last years were spent in retirement in Fleetwood, where he died
Feb. 17, 1901, in his seventy-seventh year. In 1848 he married Mary
Ann Madeira, daughter of John Madeira, and their children were:
James F., who died two years before his father, was one of the most
prominent men in Berks county, having served many years as justice
of the peace, and from 1888 to 1891 as recorder of deeds; Wilson
M.; and Amos M.

(V) Wilson M. Dumn, son of Samuel and Mary Ann (Madeira), was born
in Ruscombmanor township, March 8, 1861. His school days were few
in number, and he began early to gain practical experience in the
business world. His first venture, was at Yellowhouse, where for
six years he successfully conducted a general store. On April 1,
1889, he moved his family to Reading, and shortly afterward engaged
in the shoe business, which he has since continued with success,
his integrity and good judgment having won him recognition. From
1906 to 1909 he served as Register of Wills for Berks county. He
resides with his family at No. 923 Washington street.

(VI) Clarence C. Dumn, son of Wilson M., was born in Richmond
township, June 17, 1879, and came to Reading with his parents in
1889. he graduated from the Reading high school in 1898. For a
number of years, he was employed in the office of John Hendel’s
Sons’ hat manufactory. In politics he is a firm believer in
Democratic principles. He was nominated for alderman from the
Eighth ward, after a hard five cornered fight, and was elected by a
majority of votes. He resides at No. 923 Washington street,
Reading.

(VI) J. Frank Dumn, second son of Wilson M. was born in Fleetwood,
Pa., Aug. 13, 1881, and after coming to reading with his parents in
1889 entered the public schools, and was graduated from the high
school June 29, 1899. For some time he was employed in the Reading
freight office of the Pennsylvania Railroad, but later entered his
father’s shoe store at No. 814 Penn street, and is still to be
found there. He is identified with several secret societies.

(V) Amos M. Dumn, son of Samuel and Mary Ann (Madeira), was born in
Fleetwood, Feb. 8, 1865, and there passed his boyhood days. For a
number of years he taught school He served as deputy recorder for a
number of years and also as recorded for a short time by
appointment. He was appointed to the auditor’s office in the
Treasury Department, Washington, D. C., a position he is now
filling. He is married, and makes his home at No. 1236 Girard
street, Washington, D. C.

(IV) Willoughby Dumn, fourth son of Michael and Elizabeth (Dum)
Dum, was born in Richmond township in 1828. he lived nearly his
entire lifetime in his native township. During his younger days he
worked on farms and later assisted his brother Samuel in mining.
During the Civil war he enlisted in Company I, 151st Pa., V. I.,
under Col. George McFarlan, and took part with his regiment in the
bloody conflict at Chancellorsville, May 2-3, 1863. They were then
attached to Gen. Reynolds’ command, and ordered to follow Lee, whom
they overtook at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863, and immediately forced a
battle. The regiment was almost wiped out of existence. They went
into battle, twenty-one officers and four hundred and sixty-six men
strong, and of these, two officers and sixty-six men were killed,
twelve wounded, and one hundred were missing — an aggregate loss
of three hundred and sixty-seven. “At Gettysburg,” says General
Doubleday, “they won, under the brave McFarlan, an imperishable
fame.” Mr. Dumn was honorably discharged July 27, 1863.

(IV) Benneville Dumn, twin brother of Willoughby, went to
California in 1850 in the time of the great gold excitement, and
was never again heard from.

(IV) Levi Dumn, youngest son and child of Michael and Elizabeth
(Dum), was born in Richmond township, Aug. 31, 1832, and was only a
lad of eight years when he was left an orphan. During his younger
days he worked at farm labor, but later became manager of
Maidencreek Furnace. he was also engaged in a mercantile business
at Lenhartsville, and was also with his brothers Samuel and
Willoughby in the mining business. He died Aug. 30, 1876. His
children were: Sallie, deceased; Clara E., deceased; Frank E.,
deceased; Charles O.; Harry J.; and several that died in infancy.

(V) Harry J. Dumn, son of Levi, was born at Lenhartsville March 10,
1865. he received his primary education in the public schools of
Greenwich township, and the Fleetwood high school. After taking a
course at the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, he taught
for a time. Mr. Dumn comes of a family long interested and
influential in the Democratic party, and long before he attained
his majority he had rendered service to the party, having taken the
stump in the fall of 1884 — the first Cleveland campaign. He has
served many years on the county standing committee, and is at
present a member of the Democratic State Central Committee. On
April 1, 1889, he entered the Recorder’s office at Reading, and
served as deputy recorder until Jan. 1, 1894, when he was appointed
deputy clerk of Quarter, sessions under Clerk H. H. Holl, but Mr.
Holl dying that same year, Mr. Dumn succeeded to the clerkship,
first by appointment and afterward by election, serving with
ability until Jan. 1, 1899. During this time he registered as a law
student, and studied law under the direction of George W. Wagner,
Esq., until Jan. 2, 1899, when he was admitted to practice in
several courts of Berks county, subsequently being admitted to
practice before the Supreme and Superior courts of the State.
Immediately upon his admission to the Bar he formed a partnership
with Harry D. Schaeffer, Esq. present district attorney of Berks
County, and they opened an office at No. 40 North Sixth street,
where they have since practised under the firm name of Dumn &
Schaeffer. Mr. Dumn is assistant district attorney under Mr.
Schaeffer. He has been active in public affairs wherever the
movement tended toward the benefit and progress of the community.
He was solicitor for Mohnton borough and obtained the charter of
incorporation. He has been active in the Board of Trade, and was
the originator of the movement for Greater Reading. He was one of
the incorporators and is a director and legal adviser of the
Mohnton National Bank.

Fraternally Mr. Dumn is a prominent Mason, and
has enjoyed a number of offices. he is a member of the Pennsylvania
German Society and of the Berks County Historical Society.

Mr. Dumn married Miss Annie M. daughter of
Thomas Moyer, and they have three children: Alma S., a graduate of
the high school, class of 1909, and at present a student at Lasell
Seminary, in Massachusetts; Miriam M. and Leslie Thomas. The family
residence is at No. 136 North Eleventh street, Reading.