Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

FLAIG,
JOSEPH F.

p. 1398

Surnames: FLAIG, HAAS, KING, SUMMER, PELTZER, LINK, FOGEL,
BLANKENBILLER

Joseph F. Flaig, a well-to-do resident of Reading, Pa., whose home
is located at No. 226 South Twelfth street, in the Tenth ward of
the city, was born Oct. 6, 1843, in Schramberg, Obendorf am Neckar,
Wurtemberg, Germany, son of Christian and Theresa (Haas ) Flaig.

Andraes Flaig, the grandfather of Joseph F., was
a native of Maria Zel, Wurtemberg. and was a farmer by occupation.
He married a Miss Clara King, and to them were born children as
follows: Christian, Fidel, Stephen and Andraes. Christian Flaig was
born Sept. 8, 1801, and his entire life was spent in the
Fatherland, where he died Sept. 28, 1868. He started in the freight
hauling business when a young man, and becoming prosperous later
engaged as a grain and wine merchant. He married Theresa Haas, born
Sept. 25, 1807, who died Oct. 25, 1869, and they had four children
: Francisco, who married Charles Summer, a machinist of Germany;
Christian, who was a clock maker ; John, also a machinist ; and
Joseph F.

Joseph F. Flaig was educated in the schools of
the Fatherland, and after leaving school, at the age of fourteen
years, learned the brewer’s business with Johann Haas, with whom he
continued for three years. Mr. Flaig then followed his trade at
different places for nine years, when he enlisted in the German
army, in September, 1864, but after six weeks received his
discharge, and the war of 1866 then being imminent , he came to
America, and landed at Castle Garden, N. Y. , in the latter part of
October. Soon thereafter he came to Reading, where he has since
remained. Mr. Flaig at once found employment with a brewer named
Floto, and later was employed by Lauer, Barbey and other leading
brewers of the city. In 1884 he formed a partnership with Abraham
Peltzer, under the firm name of Peltzer & Flaig, and this firm
continued successfully for a period of ten years, they being
reputed to have the best beer in Reading. Mr. Flaig is now in the
employ of the Deppen brewery, and resides with his family at No.
226 South Twelfth street. In political matters Mr. Flaig is a
Democrat. He is a member of the Holy Cross Society, and he and his
family attend St. Paul’s Catholic Church.

On May 5, 1867, Mr. Flaig was married to Agnes
Link, born Sept. 21, 1843, who came to this country in June, 1864,
daughter of Frederick Link, a carpenter of Germany, and to this
union there were born children as follows: Agnes, who married
Francis Fogel, of Reading ; Annie, who married John Blankenbiller,
of Reading; Fred, a machinist in the Government service ; John,
single at home; Joseph, born Feb. 16, 1882, was educated in the
Reading public schools, learned the boiler making Trade at the
Scott foundry, and is now in the employ of the Philadelphia &
Reading Company; George, who died aged eighteen years; and Francis,
who died in childhood.

FLANNERY, JOHN A.

p. 892

Surnames: FLANNERY, HANLEY, STRUNK, GRIESEMER, MELLON, WEBER,
MEREDITH

John A. Flannery, manufacturer of high-grade roller flour and
dealer in grain and feed at Monocacy, was born in Amity township,
Berks Co., PA., July 4, 1861. His father, Patrick Flannery, was a
native of Ireland, and coming to America located upon a farm in
Amity township. This property he owned and cultivated until his
death, March 24, 1862, when he was only forty years of age. Patrick
Flannery married Ann Hanley, born April 23, 1832, a daughter of
John Hanley, also a native of Ireland. Mrs. Flannery resides with
her son John A. Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Flannery had these children:
Mary, who died in childhood; Ella, who is the widow of Elmer Strunk
and resides at Philadelphia; Michael, living in Greensburg, Pa.;
Amelia, deceased; Harry P., who lives at San Francisco, where he is
a prosperous merchant; and John A.

John A. Flannery attended the public schools,
and later a private school at Unionville, Union township this
county. In 1880 he went to learn milling from Gobel, Bertolet &
Co., at Pottstown, and in 1889 he started in the business for
himself, at Douglassville. After ten years, in 1899, he bought the
Irwin Griesemer mill, at Monocacy and there he has continued ever
since, building up the large Monocacy Roller Mills, where he
manufactures both spring and winter wheat flour. His brand is the
“Premium,” a name chosen because for twelve successive years his
flour took the premium at the Pottstown fair. Mr. Flannery also
makes a brand of baker’s flour which he sells to bakers in his
vicinity, and which is a great favorite with the trade. Perhaps one
of the secrets of his remarkable success lies in the fact that he
is very enterprising, and that he never allows an opportunity to
escape him.

Mr. Flannery is a director of the Conestoga
Telephone Company, and is largely interested in many enterprises,
the fact that he is identified with an undertaking being considered
sufficient guarantee of its ultimate success. All of his prosperity
is the result of his own efforts, and he may be well said to be a
self-made man and on of the most substantial citizens in his
district.

In religion Mr. Flannery is a Catholic, being a
member of St. Aloysius Church at Pottstown. In politics he is a
Democrat and under President Cleveland, during his first term, was
a messenger in the custom house at Philadelphia.

In 1881, Mr. Flannery was married to Gussie
Mellon, daughter of the late Joseph and Catherine (Weber) Mellon,
of Schuykill Haven. Their children are: May M., who is a graduate
of the West Chester State Normal School, class of 1901; Edna A.,
married to Edward R. Meredith, superintendent of the P. H. & P.
division of the Reading railroad; and John A., Jr., a miller
assisting his father.

FLATT,
GEORGE W.

p. 440

Surnames: FLATT, MAURER, OTTO

George W. Flatt, junior member of the firm of Joseph O. Flatt &
Co., brush manufacturers, of Reading, is one of the young business
men of that city, but the house with which he is connected was
founded by his father over thirty years ago. Mr. Flatt was born in
Reading, March 4, 1876, son of Joseph O. and Carolina W. (Maurer)
Flatt. He was educated in the public schools of the city, and ever
since leaving school has been identified with the business he is
now conducting, working with his father until the latter’s death.
On Jan. 1, 1895, he and his brother Joseph O. formed the
partnership which still exists, George W. Flatt being business
manager and traveling representative of the house, while Joseph O.
acts as treasurer and general manager. The output of the factory is
8,000 brushes daily, but the patronage is increasing so steadily
that they are kept very busy filling orders, and the business has
shown a creditable growth under their management. They have a sales
and sample room at No. 128 North Ninth street, Reading, and a
well-equipped factory, where twenty hands are given regular
employment. The Flatt brothers have given evidence of the same
enterprise and progressive spirit that characterized their father,
who was a man of more than ordinary ability and education, and
their irreproachable treatment of customers has been rewarded with
continued success.

George W. Flatt married, in 1902, Miss Anna
Otto. He is well known in Masonic circles, being a member of
Teutonia Lodge, No. 367, Excelsior Chapter, Reading Commandery,
Reading Lodge of Perfection and Rajah Temple. The family are all
musical, and George W. Flatt plays the clarinet and was financial
secretary of the Ringgold Band of which he was a member, but since
April 1, 1908, he has discontinued the active part of the music
business, so as to devote more time to his growing brush business.
He resides at No. 128 North Ninth street.

FLATT,
JOSEPH O. (SR.)

p. 439

Surnames: FLATT, MAURER, GRASSER, KOLB, RODENBERGER, WENTZEL,
HOFFMAN, FINK

Joseph O. Flatt, Sr., (deceased), founder of the brush
manufacturing business now conducted by the firm of Joseph O. Flatt
& Co., was a native of Baden, Germany, born Oct. 4, 1829. There
he spent his youth and early manhood, receiving the thorough
training characteristic of his country and her institutions. He
learned the trade of machinist in the Fatherland, not only
familiarizing himself with the more practical details of the work,
but also attending several of the leading technical schools of
Germany, acquiring an education above the average.

In 1856 Mr. Flatt came to America, and settling
in Reading, Berks Co., Pa., found employment readily with the
Philadelphia & Reading Company, with which he remained until
the panic of 1872. On Oct. 22d, of that year, he turned his
attention to the manufacture of brushes, a business in which he
continued the remainder of his life. He made a financial success of
the undertaking, and won high personal standing, being noted for
his honest and upright methods of dealing. His death, which
occurred in 1894, was widely mourned in Reading, where he left a
large family and numerous friends and acquaintances who admired and
respected him as an able and useful citizen.

Mr. Flatt married April 7, 1857, Carolina W.
Maurer, a native of Saxony, Germany, and a daughter of Christian
and Henrietta (Grasser) Maurer. Children as follows were born to
this union: Anna and Mary, twins, died in infancy. Charles married
and became the father of two children, Sally and Walter. William, a
printer, m. Sallie Kolb and had two children, William and George.
Max (deceased) m. Maggie Rodenberger, and they had one child,
Hattie. Mary m. Harry Wentzel, of Philadelphia. Anna (deceased) m.
George Hoffman. Frederick died at the age of two years. Joseph O.,
Jr., is mentioned below. Harry, a blacksmith and horseshoer of
Reading, is mentioned elsewhere. George W. is in business with his
brother Joseph O., being junior member of the firm of Joseph O.
Flatt & Co., and is mentioned below. Caroline m. Ralph Fink and
lives in Philadelphia. The entire family are identified with the
Lutheran Church.

FLATT,
JOSEPH O.

p. 440

Surnames: FLATT, MAURER, BENTZ

Joseph O. Flatt, senior member of the firm of Joseph O. Flatt &
Co., brush manufacturers, of Reading, has passed all of his life in
that city. He was born in Reading, Aug. 27, 1872, son of the late
Joseph O. and Carolina W. (Maurer) Flatt, and received his
education in the public schools and at Brunner’s Business College.
Immediately after leaving school he began keeping books for his
father, by whom he was employed until the latter’s death, Nov. 25,
1894. Joseph O. Flatt carried the business on alone for about a
month, and on Jan. 1, 1895, formally assumed control of same in
partnership with his younger brother, George W. Flatt, under the
firm name of Joseph O. Flatt & Co. They have continued the
business ever since. Until 1897 it was located at No. 641 Pine
street, and then was located at Nos. 548-552 Miltimore street in a
factory 28 x 42 feet in dimensions, and three stories in height.
This they still own, but it is rented, as on May 1, 1908, they
removed to Nos. 137-139 Cedar street, where they built a large
three-story brick factory building, 35 x 120 feet, with all
conveniences, where they are equipped to turn out brushes in
carload lots. The product includes all kinds of brushes, which the
firm ships to all parts of the United States, and through jobbers
some of the brushes are also exported. Employment is given to about
twenty hands the year round. Joseph O. Flatt acts as treasurer and
general manager of the company, and George W. Flatt is the
traveling representative of the firm. Both brothers rank among the
substantial men of the city in commercial circles, where their
business acumen has earned them an honorable place.

In March, 1894, Mr. Flatt was married to Anna C.
Bentz, and they have one child, Anna Catherine. The family home is
at No. 122 North Ninth street. In fraternal life Mr. Flatt is quite
prominent as a member of various Masonic bodies, being past member
of Teutonia Lodge, No. 237; Reading Commandery, No. 42, K. T.;
Reading Lodge of Perfection, and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He
is also a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle and of the
Schuylkill Fire Company. Mr. Flatt in religious connection unites
with St. John’s German Lutheran Church.

FLECKNER,
GEORGE

p. 1138

Surnames: FLECKNER, MICHAEL, GRANT, LERCH, SEIGFREID, BENSSING

George Fleckner, a well-known resident of Reading, Pa., who is at
present working at the Reading Hardware Company, was born in that
city in July, 1860, son of George Fleckner, a native of Germany.

George Fleckner, Sr., came to America in the
spring of 1850, landing at New York City, whence he immediately
made his way to Reading. A blacksmith by trade, Mr. Fleckner
followed this occupation for a number of years, and for several
years was also employed at the ore mines. He was a skilled
nail-maker, nails in his time being made by hand, and the last
years of his life were spent at the Scott Works. He died in 1873,
at the age of fifty-six years. George Fleckner married Justina
Michael, born in Germany, who died on Nov. 20, 1907. Mr. and Mrs.
Fleckner were the parents of these children: John, who died in
1895, aged forty-five years; twins, who died in infancy; a daughter
who died in infancy; August, who died young; George; Adam, who died
when five years old; Tracy, who m. George Grant, had two
children–Lillie and Harry–and died in 1890; Catherine, who m.
William Lerch, now residing in Reading, had children–Annie,
Minnie, Jennie, Florence, Daniel, Mary, Arthur and Paul–and died
Feb. 19, 1906; and William, George and Ralph, all deceased.

George Fleckner, son of George, attended the
Tenth and Green streets school, and when a lad of twelve years was
employed as a water-boy in the Pipe Mill, later securing employment
in the hardware shops of Reading. He has been in the employ of the
lock-fitting department at the Reading Hardware Company for
twenty-five years.

Mr. Fleckner married Miss Mary Seigfreid,
daughter of William and Mary (Benssing) Seigfreid, and they reside
in their own home at No. 1014 Washington street, Reading. Mr.
Fleckner is a Socialist in politics. He is connected with the
Liberty Fire Company, which he joined June 2, 1881, with Thaddeus
Stevens Council No. 252, and Knights of Friendship. He is a
musician of some note, and has played in the best bands and
orchestras in the city. Personally is very popular, and is
considered one of the good, reliable citizens of Reading.

FLEISHER, MICHAEL F.

p.
1059

Surnames: FLEISHER, FOX, HOSSLER, LOUDERS, EMORE, RICHWINE,
KREAMER, LUSH, FRITZ

Michael F. Fleisher, proprietor of the “Centre Hotel” in Cumru
township, situated on the New Holland (State) Road, two and
one-half miles southwest of the city of Reading, was born Dec. 13,
1870, in Lancaster county, Pa., son of George and Sarah (Fox)
Fleisher.

George Fleisher, grandfather of Michael F., was
a farmer in Lancaster county, where he died at the age of
twenty-five years, his widow surviving until June 28, 1905, when
she passed away in her seventy-eighth year. To George and Polly
(Hossler) Fleisher there was born one son, George, father of
Michael F. He was born on the farm in Lancaster county, and when a
young man learned the trade of stone mason, which he still follows
at Ephrata, Lancaster county. He married Sarah Fox, daughter of
Joseph and Mary A. (Louders) Fox, and she died in 1888, the mother
of children as follows: Michael F.; Joseph J., of Reading, m. Alice
Emore, and has two children–Clara and Bloomer; Annie m. William P.
Richwine, of Oakbrook, Pa., and has five children–Edna, William,
Donald, Elizabeth and Reynold; and Katie m. William Kreamer, of
Ephrata, Lancaster county, and has two children–Mabel and Miriam.
In politics Mr. Fleisher was a Republican. The family were members
of the Reformed Church.

Michael F. Fleisher was educated in the schools
of Berks county, and after completing his education engaged at farm
work for four years and at driving a team for a like period. The
next four years were spent as an employe at the Reading abattoir,
and in 1900 he engaged in the butchering business at Centre. He was
very successful in this line, and in 1906 he purchased the
well-known “Centre Hotel,” on which he has made many improvements.
He has been very successful in this line, and has made many friends
throughout the community. He is a Republican in politics, while
fraternally he is connected with Mohnton Lodge No. 137, K. G. E.;
and Council No. 186, O. of I. A., of Shillington.

On March 23, 1889, Mr. Fleisher married Emma L.
Lush, born Nov. 5, 1871, daughter of Francis and Rebecca (Fritz)
Lush, and two children have been born to this union: Estella R., at
home; and Paul R., at school. Mr. and Mrs. Fleisher attend Yocom’s
Union Reformed Church, in which he served as a deacon for four
years.