Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

KEMMERER, ELIAS
ROTHERMEL

p. 1564

Surnames: KEMMERER, ROTHERMEL, ZECHMAN, BURKEY, TREXLER, FISHER,
SHOEMAKER, REBER, ZELLER, SASSAMAN, KEIM, REEDY, HINKEL, SAUL,
HESS, STOUDT, KAMMERER, ADAM, SCHWAVELY

Elias Rothermel Kemmerer–engaged in the real estate and insurance
business at Reading since 1896–was born Sept. 7, 1859 in
Maiden-creek township, Berks county, on the Kemmerer homestead near
South-Evansville.

He was educated in the local schools, Keystone
State Normal School, and Reading Business College, during this time
assisting his father on the farm and teaching public school in the
township for eight years until 1888. In that year he engaged in
general mercantile business in the township and carried it on until
1894, when he removed to Reading.

In 1896, Mr. Kemmerer formed a co-partnership
with Prof. William M. Zechman (who had been the county
superintendent of the public schools of Berks county from 1890 to
1896) for the purpose of engaging in the business of buying and
selling real estate and of placing fire insurance, and since then
they have traded very successfully under the name of Kemmerer and
Zechman at No. 27 North Sixth street.

In 1906, the firm associated with William C.
Burkey and Edward D. Trexler under the name of Burkey &
Kemmerer and as such they erected and sold a number of
dwelling-houses in Reading; and in 1909 they associated with
William E. Fisher and William R. Kemmerer, under the name of
Kemmerer and company, and are erecting and disposing of dwelling
houses and lots in North Reading, their enterprise contributing
much toward the improvement of that section of the city.

Mr. Kemmerer officiated as the mercantile
appraiser of Berks county for the year 1892 by appointment of the
county commissioners. He is a member of Isaac Hiester Lodge, F.
& A. M., No. 600.

In 1888, Mr. Kemmerer was married to Rebecca
Shoemaker Reber, daughter of Thomas Reber, farmer of Perry
township, near Shoemakersville.

His father was Elias Kemmerer, who was born in
Tulpehocken (now Marion) township, near Stouchsburg, in 1827, and
when a small boy his parents removed to Maiden-creek township,
locating on a farm near South Evansville which they had bought;
where he was brought up to farming and which he followed until
1887, afterward living retired until his deceased in 1902. He was
married to Sarah Rothermel, daughter of Lorenzo Rothermel of
Hamburg, and they had six children: Elias R.; William R. (married
Ida A. Zellers); and Abbie (married D. Sassaman Keim now operating
the homestead farm owned by Elias R.); and three children who died
in infancy.

Mr. Kemmerer’s grandfather was John Kemmerer,
farmer of Maiden-creek township. He was married to Magdalena Reedy
of Tulpehocken townhsip and they had nine children: Elias; Daniel;
Elvina (married Charles Hinkel), Maria (married John Saul and after
his decease George Hess), and Caroline (married James Stoudt), four
having died in infancy. He died in 1882, aged 80 years, and his
wife in 1886, aged 90 years.

His great-grandfather was Ludwig K?erer, a
farmer in Alsace township, where he was born in 1765. He died in
1824, and his remains were buried in the old cemetery of Spies’s
Church, near the south entrance. He was married to Anna Maria Adam,
and they had eight children: Peter; Samuel; John; Henry; William;
Solomon; Catharine (married Abraham Schwavely), and Mollie (married
William Schwavely, brother of Abraham). It is supposed that Ludwig
was a son of John Ludwig K?erer, who emigrated from Germany in
1736, when twenty-one years of age, and landed at Philadelphia
where he was qualified by taking the oath of allegiance September
1, and then proceeded up the Schuylkill Valley, settling at Alsace
township.

KEMMERER, FRANK K.

p.
1392

Surnames: KEMMERER, KRAMER, STRAUSSER, HAINS, YODER, BAER,
WEIDENHAMMER, ADAM,

Frank K. Kemmerer, a leading agriculturist of Berks county, Pa.,
whose fine tract of land is located on the eastern end of Richmond
township, was born May 19, 1861, in Maiden-creek township, Berks
county, son of Daniel Kemmerer.

John and Polly Kemmerer, the grandparents of
Frank K., were prosperous farming people and landowners of
Maiden-creek township, and were the parents of these children:
Elvina; Maria; Elias; Daniel and Caroline. This family were
Dunkards and strictly observed the principles of that faith, while
in political matters the Kemmerers have always been Democrats.
Daniel Kemmerer, of this couple’s family, is a farmer of
Maiden-creek township, and owns two excellent properties in the
vicinity of Evansville. He was married to Sally M. Kramer, daughter
of Jacob and Polly (Strausser) Kramer, and to them were born these
children: Frank K.; and Sarah, the wife of J. S. Hains, the
merchant at Molltown, who succeeded Mr. Kemmerer in the spring of
1905.

Frank K. Kemmerer was reared on his father’s
farm, and obtained his education in the local schools. He commenced
farming for himself in 1885 and continued until 1889, in which year
he located upon his father’s farm. In 1892 he engaged in a
mercantile business at Molltown, in Maiden-creek township, but sold
out after a successful business career of thirteen years. On
engaging in business at Molltown, Mr. Kemmerer was appointed
postmaster, and this office he has held to the present time. In the
spring of 1905 Mr. Kemmerer purchased the old Kemp Hotel property
in Richmond township, on the eastern road between Kutztown and
Moselem Springs, this farm consisting of forty-nine acres of good
land, which he has placed in the best condition. Mr. Kemmerer is a
Democrat in his political views, but has never aspired to office,
although he keeps himself well posted on the issues of the day.

On May 31, 1879, Mr. Kemmerer was married to
Katie B. Yoder, daughter of John and Sallie (Baer) Yoder, farming
people of Maiden-creek township, and to this union there have been
born: Sallie, who married Robert Weidenhammer, Reading; Charles,
who married Hattie Adam; Cora, Katie, and Samuel, all single, who
reside at home with their parents.

KEMMERER, WILLIAM
ROTHERMEL

p. 1565 Surnames: KEMMERER, MILLER, KLINE,
ZECHMAN, FISHER, HIESTER, ZELLERS, KRAEMER

William Rothermel Kemmerer, engaged in the real estate business and
register of wills of Berks county from 1903 to 1906, was born Dec.
19, 1864 in Maiden-creek township, on the Kemmerer homestead near
South Evansville. He was reared on this farm and received his
education in the public and private schools, until he was twenty
years of age, when he decided to engage in the mercantile business.
He first entered the large general store of H. K. Miller at
Shoemakersville as a clerk, and after remaining there for some time
went to the general store of H. H. Kline of Molltown and was later
employed as salesman in the dry-goods store of Levan & Shade,
No. 441 Penn Square, Reading, which adjoined the Farmers’ National
Bank on the west. He took charge of the departments which included
the domestic and colored dress goods, and remained with this firm
until 1889 when embarked in the mercantile business for himself,
first at Reading, and afterward at Birdsboro. He continued in the
business until 1895, when he became the traveling salesman of L. H.
Park & Company, importers and jobbers of coffee, tea and
spices, at Philadelphia. Mr. Kemmerer remained with that firm until
January 1900, when he resigned to accept the position of chief
clerk in the office of the county commissioners, to which he was
appointed for three years. While filling this responsible post his
urbanity and ability made him so popular that the leaders of the
Democratic party selected him as the organization candidate for the
office of Register of Wills, to which he was elected in November,
1902. He filled the position satisfactorily from January, 1903, to
January, 1906, having been the first to occupy this office as a
salaried official. He then acted as assistant floor-manager of the
big department store of Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart until May,
1907, when he was obliged to resign the position on account of ill
health. After that he was engaged in real estate business for
himself until January, 1909, having erected and sold a row of
dwelling homes on North Sixth street, opposite the Philadelphia
& Reading Railway Company shops. He has since become associated
with his brother Elias R. Kemmerer, William M. Zechman and William
E. Fisher, trading under the name of Kemmerer & Company, an
enterprise having for its aim the development of the extreme
northwestern section of Reading.

Mr. Kemmerer has been a devoted member of the
Democratic party since he became of age. He served as a delegate to
numerous county and state conventions, acting frequently as one of
the secretaries, and he was a representative on the standing county
committee for seven years. He has identified himself prominently
with different secret and beneficial societies. He has been a
member of the Masonic fraternity a number of years, being a
past-master of Union Lodge, No. 479, F. and A. M., and upon the
institution of the Isaac Hiester Lodge, No. 660, was demitted to
become one of its charter members. He is also a member of Excelsior
Chapter, No. 237, R. A. M., and of Reading Commandery, No. 42, K.
T.; also of the Reading Lodge of Perfection, 14 degree, of the
Philadelphia Consistory, 32 degree, A. A. S. R., and of the Rajah
Temple of the Mystic Shrine.

In the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows, Mr.
Kemmerer took an active part as a member of Neversink Lodge, No.
514, of which he is a past officer, serving as the past-grand on
the degree staff for a number of years, and also as a
representative to different state conventions. And in the Patriotic
Order, Sons of America, he is a member of Washington Camp No. 417,
which he has represented at a number of county and state
conventions. These positions evidence his activity as a member of
the societies mentioned, and witness the appreciation of his
devotion and ability by his fellow members.

In 1885, Mr. Kemmerer was married to Ida A.
Zellers, daughter of John and Catharine (Kraemer) Zellers, of
Maiden-creek township; they have a daughter Hermie May, who was
graduated from Birdsboro High School and the Reading Classical
Academy, and also from the musical department of the Schuylkill
Seminary. Mr. Kemmerer and his family are devoted members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross.

For the genealogical antecedents of Mr.
Kemmerer, see sketch of his elder brother, Elias R. Kemmerer, in
this publication.

KEMP, ALFRED
L.

p. 1708

Surnames: KEMP, LANDIS, MOYER, FREY, YETZER, ESSIG, KLEMMER,
FRONHEISER, CONRATH, HAAK, MILLER, BENFIELD, FRAIN, BECKER

Alfred L. Kemp, proprietor of the “Fredericksville Hotel,” was born
in District township, Nov. 8, 1861, son of Daniel and Sallie
(Landis) Kemp, farming people of that township.

Jacob Kemp, great-grandfather of Alfred L.,
owned and lived upon the farm of about 115 acres now owned by
George Kemp. He was a Roman Catholic, and probably came from New
Jersey to this section. He was a blacksmith by trade, following it
in connection with farming. Many of his descendants have learned
the same trade. He was a large man of great strength. He spoke
German. He is buried at the Bally Catholic Church. He died of
paralysis about 1843, while at Forgedale, on his way home from
church at
Bally. He was past seventy years old. He married Molly Moyer, and
she is buried at Huff’s church. She was a Protestant. They had
these children: George; John died unmarried; Joseph, Jacob was a
laborer in District township and m. Sarah Frey (daughter of
Daniel), and they had three children. Jacob, Sarah and a daughter
who lived in Reading; Daniel died unmarried; Katie m. Jacob Yetzer,
a native of Germany; Annie m. Jacob Essig; Peggie m. George
Klemmer; and Mrs. John Fronheiser.

George Kemp, son of Jacob, lived in Hereford,
near Huff’s church. He was a farmer, and is buried at Bally
Catholic Church, of which he was a member, as were all of his
children. To him and his wife Judith Conrath, were born these
children: Daniel; George, of District township; John, of Hereford
township; Sallie, m. to George Kemp; Katie, m. to Daniel Haak; and
Elizabeth, m. to John Miller.

Daniel Kemp, son of George, and father of Alfred
L., is a farmer in District township. He was born Jan. 6, 1833. He
is a blacksmith, and followed that trade many years. He owns a
tract of forty-two acres, located between Fredericksville and
Landis Store. He is a member of Bally Catholic Church. He married
Sallie Landis, daughter of Martin and Elizabeth (Conrath) Landis,
of District township, and they became the parents of nine children:
Alfred L.; John, of Pottstown; Martin, a farmer of District;
Daniel, of Pottstown; Lizzie, m. to Harry Benfield; Irwin and
George, both of Pottstown; and James and Henry, of District
township.

Alfred L. Kemp, son of Daniel and Sallie, was
reared in District township and attended the township schools. He
worked as a hired man for several years, and the rest of the time
worked for his father. When nineteen years old he learned the
butcher’s trade, which he followed seven years, and for a number of
winters carried it on among the farmers. He farmed in District
township seven years, and in the spring of 1909 became the landlord
at Fredericksville, his place being one of the old established
stands. Mr. Kemp belongs to Council No. 1007, O. of I. A., of
Landis Store. He and his family are Lutheran members of Huff’s
Church.

On Nov. 5, 1887, Mr. Kemp married Elizabeth
Frain, daughter of James and Sarah (Becker) Frain, of District
township. They have had two children: Minnie L.; and William F.,
who died Sept. 30, 1909, aged ten years, six months, four days.

KEMP, ALVIN
F.

p. 1708

Surnames: KEMP, FRONHEISER, WELLER

Alvin F. Kemp, supervising principal of the public schools of
Longswamp township, Berks county, was born in District township,
this county, June 18, 1876, son of John F. and Fietta (Fronheiser)
Kemp. He attended the public schools of his native township until
sixteen years of age, and then entered the Keystone State Normal
School at Kutztown, where he graduated in the elementary course in
1898, and in the scientific in 1900. His work as teacher began when
he was but sixteen, and he taught Frey’s school in District
township two years, Sterner’s one year, Heydt’s in Washington
township seven years. In 1905 he was elected principal of the
township high school in Longswamp and that responsible position he
has since continued to fill, doing much to raise the standard of
the school, and to advance the cause of education in the county. He
is a natural student, and has devoted himself to his work. Broad
minded and of good executive ability, he is well fitted for the
position he holds; and his genial personality has won him friends
among pupils and patrons alike.

In 1899 Mr. Kemp was married to Ida Fronheiser,
who was born in District township, Oct. 9, 1876, daughter of George
and Sophia (Weller) Fronheiser. To this union have been born
children as follows: Harvey, born May 16, 1900, in Hereford
township; Viola, Feb. 6, 1902, in Hereford township; Edna, May 22,
1903, in Hereford township; Elsie, Dec. 3, 1904, in Hereford
township; and John Webster, June 27, 1906, in Longswamp township.
Mr. Kemp is a Lutheran in religious belief, and is an active worker
in the Sunday school.

KEMP, ANNIE
E. (MISS)

p. 1309

Surnames: KEMP, GEYER, LEITHEISER

Miss Annie E. Kemp, of Reading, has by her devotion to music, her
thorough comprehension and high appreciation of the art, done much
for the elevation of those about her to a higher artistic plane. As
an instructress she has few peers, inspiring as she does in her
pupils a true love and clear conception of the ennobling influences
of perfect musical development. Those who have entered her studio
seeking an education in music merely as an accomplishment tending
toward social success have gone out from it better men and women
who in the harmony of outward sounds have found the higher, deeper
music of the soul.

Miss Kemp was born in Hamburg, Pa., daughter of
Joseph and Sarah (Geyer) Kemp. Joseph Kemp was a highly educated
man and taught school for a number of years, winning a high
reputation as an instructor. He died in 1875, at the age of
forty-seven. Seven children were born to him and his wife, but two
of whom, however, lived to maturity. These are: Elwood L.,
clergyman and educator, who attended the schools of Berks county
and then after an advanced course of instruction under private
teachers, became a student in Franklin and Marshall College,
Lancaster, from which he was graduated in 1881, and after a
theological course was ordained a minister of the Reformed Church
in the United States. He was professor of Ancient Languages from
1881 to 1886; of Psychology and Pedagogy from 1886 to 1888 at the
Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown. He was president of
Wichita (Kans. ) University, 1888 to 1891; president of Palatinate
College, Myerstown, Pa., 1891 to 1893; vice principal, 1893 to
1902, and principal, 1902 to the present time, of East Stroudsburg
State Normal School. He is principal of the faculty of Pocono Pines
Chautauqua Assembly, Pa. He is the author of “Idyl of the War”, and
other poems published in 1882; “History of Education” published in
1902. In 1903 he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Science by
Franklin and Marshall College. The other child attaining mature
years is Miss Annie E.

Miss Kemp was educated in the schools of
Hamburg. From her earliest childhood she evinced a love for music
that gave no doubt as to her ultimate calling. She was a student of
Sternburg School of Music, and also studied under Prof. Baltzell,
Mrs. Moulton and Miss Virgil, of New York. She opened her first
school in Reading in 1891, and it was then known as the
Kindergarten School of Music, her natural love for the little folks
having early given her remarkable success in their instruction. Her
own ability was so pronounced that it was not long before she was
induced to accept older pupils, and the wedge one entered, she has
numbered many who have elsewhere had the advantages of a higher
musical education. While she uses the Virgil method of instruction
in hand shaping and time beating, she has evolved from her own
experience a simple method of teaching, particularly beneficial to
beginners. This method is so simplified that children of no more
than four years have been easily taught. Miss Kemp’s pupils have,
many of them, come from the best homes in Reading, and she has
developed some wonderful talent. As is but natural in one so gifted
with the divine art, she is a woman of much refinement. She has
considerable literary ability, frequently contributing to musical
publications, and was during its existence a contributor to the
Woman’s Club Bulletin, acting as editor of the Department of Music.
Miss Kemp is working on and will soon have ready for the publisher
a series of graded studies which will be of interest and great
educational value to young students. Miss Kemp is also very fond of
painting and if it were not for the demands made by her music would
be justified in devoting some time to the development of her talent
in this art. She was a special pupil for two years at the School of
Design, in Philadelphia, under a pupil of Carolus Duran, studying
both oil and water colors.

Hartman Leitheiser, Miss Kemp’s maternal
great-grandfather, enlisted at Reading, in the year 1775, under
Capt. Nagle, and marched to Boston, where his company was attached
to Col. Hand’s regiment. He continued in service one year,
enlisting again, in the year 1776, in the Flying Camp for six
months, under Capt. Fricker, in Col. Klot’s regiment, after which
he was appointed an ensign in Capt. J. Bowers Company, 6th
Pennsylvania Regiment, under Col. McGaw. This company was commanded
by Lieut. Baker, and was continued in service during the
Revolutionary war. In 1792 Mr. Leitheiser again entered the service
of his country, and was appointed an ensign in the sub-legion; in
1794 he was appointed a lieutenant, and in 1800 a captain, during
which time he served under General Anthony Wayne against the
Indians.

KEMP
FAMILY

p. 1707

Surnames: KEMP, SCHOCH, HEPLER, HELLER, FRAIN, SCHOTT, WELLER,
HARTLINE, HEFFNER, LANDIS, MOYER, REICHERT, BECHTEL

The Kemp family has long been resident in District township, and at
the present time is ably represented by Harvey W. Kemp, merchant
and postmaster at Landis Store, and his brother, William W. Kemp, a
popular and successful school teacher. Joseph Kemp,
great-grandfather of Harvey W. and William W., was born in District
township, and lived on the farm of seventy acres, now the property
of the Joseph Kemp estate. He was a stone mason by trade. For
nearly half a century he filled the office of justice of the peace.
He is buried in the Roman Catholic cemetery at Bally, belonging to
the church of that denomination there, as did his wife. His
children were: Katie m. William Schoch, of Hereford township;
Thomas; and Mary m. (first) Gideon Hepler, and (second) Adam
Heller.

George Kemp, brother of Joseph, lived in
Hereford township, where he was a farmer. He was the father of
Daniel, an aged resident of District township, and grandfather of
Alfred L., the landlord at Fredericksville. Thomas Kemp, son of
Joseph, was a native of District township, where he died Jan 22,
1900, aged seventy-three years. He was a stone-mason, and lived
near Landis Store, where Edwin Kemp (son of Manasses) now lives. On
Oct. 27, 1862, he enlisted for nine months becoming a member of
Company H, 167th Pa. V. I., under Captain Schaeffer. In politics he
was a Democrat, and for a number of years filled the offices of
school director and supervisor. He was a Roman Catholic and
belonged to Bally Church. His wife, Susanna Frain, died Feb. 1,
1898, aged seventy-two years, and is buried at Hill church. She was
a Lutheran in religious belief. To Thomas and Susanna Kemp were
born: George; Malinda, m. to Phoenus Schott; Abraham F.; John and
Manasses, twins, of District township; and Henry, who is a justice
of the peace and farmer in District township. Abraham F. Kemp, son
of Thomas, was born in District township, Nov. 9, 1853, and was
reared as a farmer. With the exception of seven years passed at
Eshbach, his entire life was spent in his native township. He is a
shoemaker by trade, and made many new shoes, but of late years has
done repair work principally. Politically he is a Democrat, and was
school director ten years during six years being president of the
board. He owns a small farm. He and his family are Lutherans, and
belong to Hill Church.

In 1875 he married Amanda Weller, daughter of
Gideon Weller and wife (nee Hartline). They have three children, as
follows: Harvey W.; William W.; and Annie, m. to Frederick Heffner,
by whom she was a son, Earl. Harvey W. Kemp, the merchant and
postmaster, at Landis Store, District township, was born in that
township, Nov. 22, 1877, son of Abraham F. and Amanda (Weller)
Kemp. He was educated in the schools of District and Washington
townships, and was reared to farm life, working upon the farm from
eleven to nineteen years of age as a hired man. In 1896 he became a
clerk in J. H. Landis’ general store, remaining there two years.

In 1898, Mr. Landis was succeeded by his son
Henry B., who conducted the business for four and one-half years,
and at the end of that period Mr. Kemp succeeded him to the
business. He purchased the store and hotel stand, and also the
147-acre farm from John H. Landis Oct. 6, 1909. He has made a
number of improvements to the place, and has doubled the business.
He carries a very full line of general merchandise, conducts a
weekly huckster route throughout the district, and deals largely in
feed, and farm implements. The hotel, so popular with the traveling
public, was first opened about 1800 by John Weller, who sold out to
Samuel Landis, who in turn was succeeded by John H. Landis. The
Kemp store is the voting place and business center of the township.
Mr. Kemp is an active Democrat, and is an influential citizen of
the district. He has served as delegate to county conventions. On
June 19, 1909, he was appointed postmaster. He was instrumental in
the establishment of the Mountain Telephone Company, and became its
first president, Nov. 27, 1905, an office he still holds. He has
been a director in the Commercial Trust Company, of Reading, since,
1906, and of the Bally First National Bank since its organization
in 1909. He is a young man of business ability, and has made a
success of life. Fraternally he belongs to Huguenot Lodge Nov. 477,
F. & A. M., Kutztown; Council No. 1007, O. of I. A., Landis
Store; and Castle No. 461, K. G. E., Manatawny. He and his family
are Lutheran members of Hill Church.

On Oct. 15, 1898, Mr. Kemp married Mandilla R.
Moyer, daughter of Henry M. and Sophia (Reichert) Moyer, of Pike
township. They have four children: Paul, who died aged one year;
Mamie; Ivy and Lottie. William W. Kemp, a popular school teacher,
and citizen of District township, was born there Oct. 16, 1879, son
of Abraham F. and Amanda (Weller) Kemp. He was reared to country
life and educated in the township schools, and the Normal School at
Kutztown, attending the latter for five terms. He was licensed to
teach in 1898, and taught his first term at Frey’s School, in
District township, teaching that school for seven terms. Since then
he has taught two terms at Oberholtzer’s School in Hereford
township, and two terms at the Landisville School in District
township. Mr. Kemp is up-to-date in his methods, and is thorough in
his work. In politics he is a Democrat. On April 30, 1904, Mr. Kemp
married Annie R. Bechtel, daughter of James D. and Emma (Reichert)
Bechtel prominent citizens of Pike township. To this union has been
born one son Floyd Earnest. Mr. Kemp and his family live at the
line of District and Hereford townships near Huff’s Church.

KEMP,
GEORGE

p. 1174

Surnames: KEMP, DORGAN, HOPE

George Kemp, the well-known proprietor of the “Dewey,” Nos. 541-543
Penn street, Reading, Pa., was born in Dukinfield, Cheshire,
England, in 1850, son of Nathaniel Kemp. Mr. Kemp was brought to
America by his parents, who settled at Yonkers, N. Y., in 1852.

Mr. Kemp was educated in Yonkers and there
learned the hatting trade, at which his father had been employed in
the old country. At the age of thirteen years, young Kemp ran away
from home, and, going to New York City, attempted to enlist on the
battleship “Canandaigua.” He was prevented, however, on account of
his youth, and during the Civil war he sold newspapers. When
seventeen years of age he enlisted on the .U. S. S. S. “Saratoga,”
serving part of his apprenticeship in. the West Indies, under
Lieut. Commander Dewey (now Admiral). He was later transferred to
the ship “Contocook” (later changed to “Albany”) and served aboard
that vessel for twenty-two months when he was transferred to the
“Swatara,” and was there promoted to the rank of captain of the
main-top by Lieut. Commander McCook, who had been first lieutenant
of the “Kearsarge,” when that vessel fought its memorable battle
with the “Alabama” in 1864, off Cherbourg, France. Mr. Kemp was
then transferred to the “Congress” at Samana Bay, and after serving
nineteen months on this vessel, he returned home, having received
an honorable discharge at the Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston.

Captain Kemp came to Reading in 1881, and for
ten years was employed in the Alexander hat factory, and then
engaged in the saloon business at No. 229 South Ninth street, where
he remained a period of four years, then removing to No. 226
Chestnut street, and after six years at that location came to his
present place, No. 541-543 Penn street. Here he has since been
engaged very successfully in business.

On Dec. 31, 1873, Captain Kemp was married to
Catherine Hope, who died in September, 1879. He married (second),
June 13, 1881, Miss Annie M. Dorgan, of Middletown. N. Y. His
children are: James, who is employed at the City Hotel. Reading:
George, of Reading; and Alice H. and Irene Y., attending high
school. Mr. Kemp is a Democrat and a resident of the Seventh ward
of the city, where he is considered one of his party’s stanchest
supporters. He is fraternally connected with Reading Lodge, No.
549, and is past master thereof; Rajah Temple, Mystic Shrine, in
which he is captain of the Arab Patrol; and Harrisburg Consistory;
is past chief of Reading Castle, No. 49, Golden Eagles; member of
the Rainbow Fire Company, and Captain of Keystone Commandery No.
49. While a resident of Yonkers, N. Y., Mr. Kemp was assistant fire
chief.

KEMP, HENRY
F

p. 1708

Surnames: KEMP, HOLTZMAN, BAUSHER, FRONHEISER

Henry F. Kemp, justice of the peace in District township, was born
there May 27, 1868. He taught school fourteen terms in District
township. Under Recorder of Deeds H. H. Holtzman he was made clerk,
and held that position for three years, and was appointed First
Assistant Deputy under J. A. Bausher. In 1895 he was elected
justice of the peace, and since has been twice re-elected. On Dec.
12, 1891, he married Mary Fronheiser, daughter of George
Fronheiser, of Hereford Township. Their children are: Cora, Robert,
Leroy, Fred, Eva, Stella, Katie and George.

KEMP,
PIERCE G. S.

p. 964

Surnames: BAER, BARTO BOWER, BROWN, BUTZ, DENNIS, DE TURK,
GREENAWALT, GRIESEMER, GRIM, HAMM, HASSLER, HESS, HOCH, KANN,
KAUFFMAN KEMP, KNABB, KRICK, KUTZ, LEVAN, LINZ, LONG, LUTZ, MERKEL,
PETER, REINHART, SANDER, SCHMIDT, SCHWOYER, SHARADIN, SIEGFRUD,
SMITH, SNYDER, SPANGLER, SUNDAY, WASSER, WEAN, WINK, WITTIE,
YENSER, YODER, ZIEGLER

Pierce George Sunday Kemp, manager of the large Sunday estate, and
one of the well known residents and enterprising business men of
Kutztown, was born Aug. 2, 1858, in Richmond township, Berks
county, son of George Y. and Amelia (Sunday) Kemp.

(I) Theobault Dewalt Kemp came to America in 1720 from Strassburg,
Germany, at that time belonging to France. He was a Protestant, and
he was accompanied to the New World by his two brothers, Thomas and
Joseph, and two sisters. He settled on land that now belongs to
Nathan Kemp, and there died in 1760. He had one son, George.

(II) George Kemp, son of the emigrant ancestor, is supposed to
have had a wife by the maiden name of Levan. He had two sons,
George and Daniel. His colored slave, Hannah, is buried in a
private cemetery on the Nathan Kemp farm.

(III) George Kemp, son of George, was a prosperous farmer of
Maxatawny township. He married a Miss Griesemer, and they had three
sons and two daughters, namely: (1) John, a justice of the peace,
m. Elizabeth Schwoyer, and had one son and three daughters: John,
who m. Rebecca Smith and had children–William (proprietor of the
old “Kemp Hotel,” and m. to Alice Krick, John (m. to Lillie Merkel)
and Libbie (m. to Henry Wean); Sarah, who m. William Kutz; Susan,
m. to Aaron Bower; and Catharine, m. to Benjamin Smith. (2)
William, a well known farmer of Albany township, m. Fianna Dennis,
and had three sons and five daughters: Sylvester, who m. Emma
Smith, and had one son, Wilson; Valeria, m. to George Linz; Mary,
m. to James Lutz; Elvira, m. to Albert Hamm; Annie, m. to Samuel
Kann; William, who m. Susan Kemp, and had one daughter, Edna;
Susan, m. to James Linz; and George, who m. Mary Wittie, and had a
daughter, Florence. (3) Annie m. Daniel Siegfrud. (4) Sallie m.
Daniel Kemp. (5) George is mentioned below.

(IV) George Kemp, son of George, and grandfather of Pierce George
Sunday Kemp, was a prominent farmer in Maxatawny township, living
on the farm now known as the Maberry Hoch farm. He married Polly
Yoder, and their children were: David m. Mary Butz and had
children–George, Louisa and Susan (m. to William Hoch); Martin, of
Lyons, Pa., m. Mary Ziegler, and had eight children–Susan (m. to
Frank Yenser), Sallie (m. to Charles Wasser), Elizabeth, John,
Charles, Edwin, and Jacob and Hannah (both deceased); George Y.;
Susan m. Jonathan Grim, and died at Reading; and Louisa m. Willian
Snyder, of Reading.

(V) George Y. Kemp, son of George and Polly (Yoder), is a
prominent merchant in Kutztown. He served as a veteran in the Civil
war. His wife was in her maidenhood Amelia Sunday, daughter of
Jacob Sunday, and their children were: Emma, who died aged 22
years; Pierce George Sunday; and Jacob E., a well known musician
living in Philadelphia.

(VI) Pierce George Sunday Kemp has been a resident of Kutztown
since two years of age, his parents having removed to the town in
1860. He was educated in the public schools of Kutztown and the
Keystone State Normal school, and also spent one year at Ursinus
College. Later he engaged in a mercantile business with Stein &
Brother for one year, at the end of which time he became a partner
with V.S. Reinhart in the grocery and dry goods business, this
connection continuing successfully for several years. For the last
few years Mr. Kemp has been manager of the large Sunday estate.

Mr. Kemp is a member of Adonai Castle No. 70,
K.G.E., and has been active in the Order, being at one time
district grand chief. He is also connected with the Jr. O.U.A.M.,
Council No. 1004, Kutztown. In politics he is a Democrat and takes
a great interest in the success of his party. Mr. Kemp has acted as
chief marshal of the Kutztown Fair for the past 16 years, and has
been active in many parades on public occasions, especially those
of the soldiers. He is a stockholder of the Keystone State Normal
School, and takes a just pride in the success of this noted
institution of learning.

On April 24, 1890, Mr. Kemp married Jennie A.
Baer, daughter of David S. and Esther K. (De Turk) Baer, of Oley
township, and to this union there were born two children: John
Pierce and Esther Amelia, both of whom died in infancy.

(III) Daniel Kemp, son of George and grandson of Theobault Dewalt
Kemp, m. Rachel Wink, and they became the parents of one daughter
and six sons, namely: Sallie m. and had a son, Willoughby Felthoof;
Dewalt, died unmarried; Jacob m. a Miss Hess and their daughter
married a man by the name of Hassler;isaac is known to have had
three children, Alfred, Lewis and Sarah; Daniel; George; and
William m. Lydia Schmidt, and their daughter Louisa m. Samuel
Kauffman.

(IV) Daniel Kemp, son of Daniel and Rachel (Wink), m. Sallie Kemp,
and had three children: Daniel; Henry; and Hettie m. Obadiah Peter,
of Oley.

(V) Daniel Kemp, son of Daniel and Sallie (Kemp), m. Julia
Greenawalt, and they had three sons and five daughters: Jacob, who
m. Emma Sander, and had three children–Mamie, Julia and Paul;
Susan, who m. William Kemp, and has one daughter; Hettie, who m.
John Barto; Mary; Sarah; Louisa; James Daniel; and Jeremiah, who m.
Mary Brown and has seven children–William Daniel, Fred, James,
Harry, Vernie, Howard and Sarah Julia.

(V) Henry Kemp, son of Daniel and Sallie (Kemp), m. Alinda Snyder,
and had three sons and two daughters: Ella; William; Charles, who
m. Andora

Long, and has two children–Irwin and Wilbert; George, who m. Annie
Spangler; and Katie, who m. Charles Baer

(IV) George Kemp, son of Daniel and Rachel (Wink), m. Elizabeth
Sharadin, and had three children, namely: Nathan S., m. to Harriet
KnabB, of Oley; William, who died single; and Matilda, m. to Joshua
Merkel.