Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

LUFT,
BENJAMIN

p. 1484

Surnames: LUFT, BENSING, GRING, KRICK, ENDRUM, SHEARER, FREEMAN,
GODSHALL, SELL, ENGELHART, ROLLMAN, DUNKELBERGER, MILLER, BOLLMAN,
FISHER, REBER, PENNEBECKER

Benjamin Luft, a venerable citizen of Wernersville and an honored
veteran of the Civil war, was born April 19, 1834, in Spring
township, son of Adam and Elizabeth (Bensing) Luft.

Johannes Luft, the grandfather of Benjamin, was
born Aug. 15, 1775, in Berks county, and died Aug. 17, 1864, being
buried at Sinking Spring Church, of which he was a member. He was a
tailor by trade, and lived all his life in the mountains of Lower
Heidelberg township, on the farm formerly owned by Daniel Gring,
where Benjamin Luft was born. Mr. Luft was married to Magdaline
Krick, who was born Sept. 23, 1777, and died Oct. 27, 1865, and
they had thirteen children: Peter, John, Benjamin, Polly, Adam,
Peggy, Susan, Elizabeth, George, and four who died in infancy.
George, born Sept. 25, 1796, married Elizabeth Endrum (born June
22, 1798, died Nov. 12, 1881) , lived in Spring township, where he
died Oct. 9, 1869, and was buried at Sinking Spring Church.

Adam Luft, father of Benjamin, was born Feb. 3,
1812, died May 17, 1888, and was buried at Sinking Spring Church,
of which he was a Reformed member. He was a carpet weaver and
butcher by trade, lived in Sinking Spring in his own home, and
during war times for five years kept a hotel opposite the Reformed
Church. Mr. Luft was married to Elizabeth Bensing, who was born
Jan. 4, 1811, and died Aug. 27, 1885, daughter of Peter and
Catherine Bensing, the latter of whom was born in 1793 and died in
1861. Peter Bensing, who was born June 25, 1793, and died April 17,
1872, was the owner of the farm where Solomon Shearer now lives.
Mr. and Mrs. Luft had eight children: Mary died young ; Benjamin ;
Rebecca, who resides in Sinking Spring, m. (first) Moses Freeman
and (second) William Godshall ; Catherine died soon after her
marriage to John T. Sell; Ann is unmarried and lives at Sinking
Spring; Sarah became the second wife of John T. Sell and lives at
Montello, Pa. ; Miranda m. John Engelhart, of Reading; and Emma,
deceased, m. Frank Rollman.

Benjamin Luft was nineteen years of age when he
learned the trade of shoemaker, and this he has followed ever
since, a period of more than fifty-four years. He learned his trade
from John Dunkelberger, and lived opposite the Reformed Church in
Sinking Spring in one house for thirty-eight years, working at
shoemaking. In 1893 he sold that property and came to Wernersville,
where he erected a double frame residence in which he now lives.
Mr. Luft is a very skilled mechanic, and despite his years he is
well preserved. He is a Democrat in politics, and has interested
himself in the incorporation of his town into a borough. He and his
family are Reformed members of Sinking Spring Church, of which he
was a deacon for two years.

On Oct. 27, 1862, Mr. Luft enlisted from Berks
county, being mustered in at Reading, in Co. E, 167th Reg., P. V.
I., Capt. Hiram H. Miller, the regiment being assigned to the Army
of the Potomac. They were engaged at Deserted House, Jan. 30, 1863
; siege of Suffolk, April 12 to May 4, 1863, and joined in the
pursuit of Lees retreating army from Gettysburg. He received his
honorable discharge Aug. 12, 1863, at the expiration of his term of
service, having an excellent war record. For eight months, while at
Suffolk, Va., Mr. Luft was cook of his company.

On Dec. 3, 1857, Mr. Luft was married to
Catherine Bollman, born Oct. 16, 1840, deceased March 15, 1904,
daughter of John and Mary (fisher) Bollman, of Sinking Spring. Two
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Luft: Franklin, born May 24,
1860, married Mary Reber and had two children, Milton and Helen ;
and Lizzie E., born March 13, 1861, married Adam Pennebecker, lives
in Reading and has three children, – Mamie, Clarence and Luke.

LUIGARD,
EDWARD

p. 1488

Surnames: LUIGARD, HUBER, DANIELS, GEHO

Edward Luigard, of Reading Pa., who conducts a first -class livery
and boarding stable at No. 419 Court street, was born in the city
of Reading, in April, 1860, son of Simon and Louisa (Huber)
Luigard.

Mr. Luigard received his education in the
schools of Reading, and his first work was in his father’s livery
stable. No man in the city is better posted on horses than he, as
he has made this line his life work. In 1886 he started in business
on his own account at his present location, and with the exception
of a few years has been here ever since. He has stable room for
forty horses, and sometimes has as high as twenty-five horses
boarding at his stable, this line being his specialty. He keeps
fifteen head of fine animals, and a large number of first-class
vehicles, and caters to weddings, funerals, etc. Mr. Luigard is
fraternally connected with the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and is
very popular in that order. He is a stanch Republican and lives in
the Sixth ward of the city. His wife is connected with the First
Reformed Church.

Mr. Luigard was married (first) to Lillie
Daniels, deceased, of Woodstown, N. J. His second marriage was to
Rosie Geho. Mr. Luigard has no children.

LUPPOLD, WILLIAM H.

p. 518

Surnames: LUPPOLD, STUBER, WHITMAN, BOYER

William H. Luppold, senior member of the real estate and insurance
firm of Luppold & Whitman, of Reading, Pa., and a gentleman of
wide influence and great activity in business circles, is on his
native heath, having been born in Reading Nov. 5,1870.

The grandfather of Mr. Luppold, John George
Luppold, was a farmer of Brecknock township, Berks county, while
his father, John Luppold, now retired, was for many years in the
grocery business in the city. Mr. Luppold’s mother was Elizabeth
Stuber, daughter of Charles Stuber, who was a farmer of
Maiden-creek township. There were but three children, Elizabeth,
who died at three years, a daughter that died in infancy, and
William H.

William H. Luppold is a product of nineteenth
century methods in education and business, and he is an example of
what they can do when coupled with a fair share of native wit and
energy. He passed through the various grades of the city schools,
and then took a thorough course in Brunner’s Business college. His
father being in the grocery business, he began his career as an
assistant to him, remaining in that capacity for some ten years.
Having become convinced of the possibilities of the real estate
business in Reading he, in 1904, in company with Mr. J. Benton
Whitman, established offices at No. 526 Court street, and as a
member of the firm of Luppold & Whitman has since spent his
activities in that line. Mr. Luppold’s judgment was not at fault,
and he has succeeded beyond the most sanguine expectations of his
friends. The strong point with Mr. Luppold is the perfect knowledge
he seems to have of the territory in which he is working. Having
been reared in the city, there is not a foot of ground unfamiliar
to him; this, coupled with the fact that he has an intuitive
knowledge of the future possibilities of any particular section of
the city, makes him one of the strongest real estate men in the
city. The firm also does a large business in fire insurance.

Mr. Luppold is a man of family. He married, June
21, 1901, Miss Cora K., daughter of Morris H. Boyer, a farmer of
Amityville, Berks county. To them have come two daughters, Helen B.
and Alice B., now (1909) six and three years old, respectively.

In the public life of the city, Mr. Luppold has
taken an active part ever since he can remember. He is an ardent
Democrat, and as president of the Northeastern Democratic Club
gives much attention to the interests of his party, in both the
local field and the larger state and national. For a period of five
years he has represented the Ninth ward on the school board, and
gave most intelligent attention to the interests of education
throughout the city, which may be truthfully said to possess one of
the best school systems in the country. At present he is serving
his second term as city assessor, having first been elected to that
responsible position in February, 1905, and re-elected in February,
1908.

Mr. Luppold is affiliated with several of the
best fraternal organizations, among them being the P. O. S. of A.,
of which he is treasurer, and the Maccabees. His religious life has
been passed in the St. Johns Lutheran Church, where he is one of
the influential and active members.

Life means to us all that which we would have it
mean. It is true that untoward circumstances seem at times to
thwart our best efforts, but no man is the “victim of
circumstances” for any great length of time, unless he wills it so.
This, in brief, is the philosophy of William H. Luppold, who by
reason of energy and will power is one of the leading men of this
city.

LUTZ
FAMILY

p. 1270

Surnames: LUTZ, ECKROTH, HARTMAN, EBERT, STAPLETON, HAMM, KNEPPER,
FEGLEY, SMITH, BRAUCHER, BAILEY, TREXLER, SNYDER, BURKHOLDER,
GRAVER, BERK, LONG, GREENAWALD, FREES, FAUST, LINS, HEMERLY,
WEAVER, WERNER, SEIDEL, BALTHASER, BAKER, BAER, KUNKEL, SCHROEDER,
SCHMIDT, BOWER, FOCHT, HAGENBUCH, MOLL, ROLLER, MILLER,
LEIBENSBERGER, GRIM, LENHART, BACHMAN, MOSSER

The Lutz family of Albany township, Berks county, Pa., and of Lynn
township, in what is now Lehigh county, is said to have had its
origin in three brothers who emigrated to America from Switzerland.
The date of their arrival is somewhat uncertain, but it is known
that at least one of them located in the vicinity of Steinsville,
in Northampton (now Lehigh) county. The existence of a Frederick
Lutz, born in www, and who married in Lehigh county one Elizabeth
Eckroth, is established and proved by record. Tradition has
different names for the other two brothers, if there were such.
Frederick and Elizabeth Lutz are credited with the following sons:
Jacob, Peter, Frederick, John, Christian and Henry. There were also
two daughters, Mrs. Henry Hartman and Mrs. Hill. Eve Lutz, daughter
of Christian, married Nathan Ebert of Headleville, Columbia Co.,
Pa., and lived to a very ripe old age. According to her, Frederick
Lutz came from Germany and was a tailor by trade. It is well to not
however, that people of that day used the term “Germany” in the
broad sense of “old country,” and thus Frederick and his two
brothers may have come from Switzerland.

Frederick Lutz (2), son of Frederick (1), was
born June 5, 1771, and died Jan. 1, 1823. He married Catharine
Stapleton, born May 4, 1783, died Feb. 26, 1858, and they had issue
as follows, all born at Steinsville: Reuben, Oct. 27, 1803, Lydia,
Feb. 13, 1805, Samuel, Nov. 3, 1806, Joseph, Oct. 12, 1808, Ann,
Jan 1st 1812, Presena, Dec. 25, 1815, David, Sept. 22, 1817, Isaac,
April 2, 1819, Benneville, June 16, 1823.

John Lutz, son of Frederick (1) and grandfather
of Edwin S. Lutz, was born in Lynn township, Northampton (now
Lehigh) county, April 11, 1773, and died July 10, 1819, being
buried at Jacksonville, Pa. He was a farmer near Steinsville,
cultivating the farm now owned by Charles Lutz, together with the
farm of James S. Lutz, and the tract owned by Daniel F. Lutz. His
wife was Franconia, daughter of John Hamm. She lived to the
advanced age of ninety-one years, and was the mother of the
following children: Samuel, who lived in Lynn township m. Catharine
Knepper, and had John, Michael and Samuel; Christian, father of
Edwin S., is referred to later; Isaac, grandfather of Wellington L.
Lutz, is mentioned later; Daniel, who lived on part of his father’s
homestead (now owned by Daniel Lutz, his son), m. a Miss Fegley,
and among his children were: Daniel, Elihu (who lives at
Jacksonville), James (of Philadelphia), Amanda and Mary; Kate, m.
Samuel Smith; Maricha m. Christian Knepper.

Christian Lutz, father of Edwin S., was born
June 11, 1804, and died at the age of sixty, Aug. 17, 1864. A
farmer through life, he owned the property now cultivated by Edwin
S. Together with his farming operations, Christian Lutz engaged
extensively in the distilling business, burning apple-jack during
the fall of the year, the still-house having stood by the creek
about two hundred feet southwest from the house in which Edwin S.
Now resides. He was also a skilled weaver of both wool and flax.
Politically he was a Democrat, and served with efficiency as a
supervisor for a number of years. Early in life a member of the
Reformed Church at Jacksonville, he later transferred his
membership to the New Bethel Church, of which he was deacon and
elder.

Christian Lutz married Sarah, daughter of John
Smith. She was born in Albany June 19, 1803, and died there March
18, 1894, at the advanced age of ninety years, eight months,
twenty-nine days. They had a family of eleven children: Catharine,
born in 1827, died in 1828; Maria M., born 1828 (m. Daniel
Braucher); Anna Maria, born 1830, died 1839; Abraham, born 1831
(living at Kempton, Pa., m. Catharine Bailey, and their children
are Elias, Walter, Mary Emma and Janetta); Elias, born 1834 (living
in Albany), m. Amanda Trexler (deceased) and had children, Simon,
Sarah, Mary Ann, Lewis, Oscar and Elmer (m. to Annie C. Snyder);
Edwin S., born 18354; Harrison, born 1837 (living at Tiffin, Ohio,
m. Susannah Burkholder); Sarah, born 1840, died 1875, m. Levi
Graver (deceased); a daughter 1841, died unnamed; Maria Anna, born
1844, died 1845; Lovina, born 1847, m. Jacob Berk.

Edwin S. Lutz, son of Christian and great
grandson of Frederick (1), is a retired farmer and shoemaker in
Albany township, living about one mile southwest of Steinsville. He
was born on the farm on which he now resides, May 1, 1835, and
passed the period of his boyhood on the homestead, being
apprenticed when sixteen years old to the shoemaker’s trade with a
well known shoemaker of that day,?William Long. He continued to
follow this trade for thirty-five years, making many pairs of boots
and shoes, there being no shoe factories in those days. In 1864,
upon the death of his father, Mr. Lutz took the farm at
appraisement, and in the spring of 1865 began its cultivation. This
he continued with great success until 1901, when he gave up the
activities of life and retired to enjoy the competency which he has
accumulated. The farm upon which Mr. Lutz resides consists of 130
acres known as good “potato” land. Prior to coming into the hands
of Mr. Lutz’s father it was owned by George Greenawald, to whom it
had been sold by Peter Frees.

The buildings now on the farm were put up by the
present owner, the house in 1876, and the barn in 1891. Mr. Lutz
and his family are members of New Bethel Church, belonging to the
Reformed congregation of which he served as deacon and elder a
number of years.

On Feb. 21, 1863, Mr. Lutz married Mary Ann
Trexler, daughter of Jarius and Catharine (Faust) Trexler, of
Albany. She was born March 28, 1844, and she died Feb. 13, 1900.
The following children were born to this union; Cecilia N. m. John
Hamm; John C. is mentioned below; Emma L. m. James Lins, a printer
at Reading; George W. is mentioned later; Charles E., born June 14,
1870, died July 21 1889; Alvin J., born July 11, 1874, died June
18, 1889; Lena C. m. Lewis Hemerly, and they cultivate the old
homestead; William C., born May 9, 1880, died Aug. 27, 1880; Frank
E. m. Minnie Weaver, and now resides at Lynnport.

John C. Lutz was born at the old homestead Feb.
11, 1865. He was reared to farm life, obtaining his education in
the schools of his home township. At twenty he began business on
his own account on the farm which he has since cultivated, located
near Mountain, on the road leading from Steinsville to
Drehersville. He bought this farm from Jonas Werner, his
father-in-law, who had obtained it from Simon Smith, and he from
Samuel Smith. It contains 158 acres of choice land, most of which
is under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Lutz has it well stocked
and is a successful farmer. His house is a large stone residence,
and the barn was built in the year 1851 by Samuel Smith. Mr. Lutz
holds membership in Steinsville lodge, No. 249, I. O. O. F., and is
a member of the Loyal Association, a branch of Odd Fellowship, with
headquarters at Boston, Mass. His political allegiance is given to
the Democratic party, and he is the present supervisor of Albany
township, elected in the spring of 1909. Since 1908 he has been
president of the Lutz Family Reunion, an organization which holds
yearly meetings at stated places. Mr. Lutz has lived at his present
location since his young manhood with but one interval of a year
and a half. In 1887 he went to Sedgwick county, Kans., where he was
engaged in farming until called home because of the death of two of
his brothers and his grandmother.

In 1896 Mr. Lutz married Rosa Werner, daughter
of Jonas Werner, a worthy and respected farmer of Albany township.
She died Aug. 12, 1901, aged forty-two years, leaving two sons,
Albert E. and John C. His present wife was Fianna Seidel, daughter
of Henry and Emma (Balthaser) Seidel, farming people of Windsor
township. One sons had been born to this union, Norman H.

George W. Lutz, brother of John C., lives on a
farm near Mountain, in Albany township. His birth occurred May 29,
1868, and he was reared on the old homestead and remained with his
parents until his majority. He then farmed for two years on his
father’s farm. In 1903 he removed to the farm on which he now
resides, consisting of 120 acres of rich land, and annually devotes
from ten to fifteen acres to potatoes. The buildings on this farm
are in fine condition at the present day, the old “Stapleton”
buildings all having been removed save the barn, which as been
thoroughly remodeled; the original was built in 1835. A landmark of
the early days is the foundation of a dwelling which served several
Stapleton generations and is still standing, a summer house being
built on it. In it is a never-failing spring and over it was built
a dwelling which is still standing, it having been the custom in
the early days to build over a spring if possible. The history of
the farm runs back from Mr. Lutz, who purchased it from Joel Baer;
he from Levi Graver, who had bought it from Gideon Stapleton. Mr.
Stapleton received it from his father Robert, who in turn had
received it from his father, Tobias Stapleton; the latter came to
Albany from Oley township.

Mr. Lutz is a Democrat, and is a man of fine
public spirit. He served a term of three years as auditor of Albany
township, and after an interval as again elected in 1908, and is at
present giving efficient service in the office. He is a Reformed
member of the New Bethel (Corner) Church, while his wife is a
Lutheran member of t he same church. On May 30, 1895, Mr. Lutz
married Lorena Kunkel, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Hartman)
Kunkel. Four children have come to them: Alma S. born in 1896 (died
in 1904); Olive M., 1897 (died in infancy); Marion E., and Ira G.

Isaac Lutz, son of John and grandson of
Frederick (1) passed his early life at Steinsville, later coming to
Albany township, where he carried on blacksmithing at the point
where now resides William Schroder. He lived to the age of
seventy-two, dying in 1876, and is buried at Steinsvillle. His wife
was Sybilla Schmidt, who lies in the cemetery at Drehersville.
Their children were as follows: Mary m. Daniel Bower; Lenius is
referred to later; Caroline m. Joel Focht; Henry died on the
battlefield in the Civil war; Hannah m. Benjamin Hagenbuch; Sally
became the second wife of Benjamin Hagenbuch; Rebecca m. a Mr.
Moll.

Lenius Lutz, father of Wellington L., war born
in Albany, April 7, 1834, and died in middle age, Aug 24, 1880. His
trade was that of a blacksmith. For several years after his
marriage he lived where Benjamin Trexler now resides, and t here
his daughter Alice and son Wellington were born. He then bought the
farm which his son Wellington now owns, and at that place carried
on blacksmithing until his death. He was a Democrat in politics,
and was a Reformed member of New Bethel Church, being deacon
thereof. On Oct. 10, 1857, in Maxatawny township, by the Rev. Mr.
Roller, Mr. Lutz was married to Eliza, daughter of George and Hetty
(Miller) Leibensberger of Maxatawny township. Mrs. Lutz was born
April 29, 1841, and passed away Aug. 28, 1905. She and her husband
lie in the old graveyard at New Bethel Church, where substantial
monuments mark their last resting places. Ten children were born to
them as follows: Morzi Elmira, born Sept. 8, 1858 (died March 28,
1860); Alice J., April 8, 1861; Wellington L., mentioned later;
Allen, mentioned below; Ellen, Feb. 2, 1868; Lora Ann, June 9, 1870
(died 1870); Kate Ann, July 2, 1871; Charles A. mentioned later;
Mahlon L. March 30, 1877 (died April 20, 1887); Missouri, July 11,
1879.

Wellington L. Lutz was born in Albany, Sept. 3,
1863, and has passed his life as a farmer and blacksmith. He
received such education as could be secured in the public schools
of the township, and his father being a blacksmith, very early
learned to be of service at the forge, so early that it was
necessary to keep a box standing by the anvil in order that he
might reach it readily. He continued with his father until his
death, then in 1881 worked in West Penn township, Schuylkill
county. After a year he returned to Albany township, and continued
the trade at his father’s stand. He owns the homestead farm and
operates it in connection with his blacksmithing. This farm is
known as “Hackenbuc” farm, and came into the possession of Mr. Lutz
in 1887. It consists of forty-five acres of fine land of great
productive quality. The present commodious house was built in 1878
by his father, who also built part of the barn, that building
having been finished by our subject. Mr. Lutz is known as the
busiest of men, his reputation as a blacksmith drawing from a
radius of many miles. However he finds time t o take an active part
in the affairs of his local community. He is a Democrat in politics
and acted as committeeman several years, during which he was
frequently called to Reading. He believes in public improvements
and favors substantial advancement. He and his family are Reformed
members of the New Bethel Church, of which Mr. Lutz has served as
deacon, and is now a member of the building committee.

On Oct. 10, 1885, Mr. Lutz married Ellen M.
Grim, daughter of Daniel and Eliza (Lenhart) Grim, of
Lenhartsville, and their children are: Alvin D., m. to Ida Snyder;
Mahlon L., unmarried, a blacksmith in the employ of his father;
Gertie A.; Howard O.; George E. and Verna E.

Allen Lutz, son of Lenius and Eliza Lutz, is one
of the prosperous farmers of Albany township where he was born
April 22, 1866. He was reared to farm life, and received a common
school education. Working out for a period of a year, he in the
spring of 1885 began farming in Albany township on the Jacob Berk
farm. After a year he went to Windsor where he cultivated the
Reuben Miller farm for some four years. For the next seven years he
lived with his father-in-law, John Hamm, of Albany township. In the
spring of 1900, having purchased his present place the year before
from Mahlon K. Trexler, he moved thereon and has continued to
reside upon it since. This farm consists of 100 acres of the finest
potato land in Berks county. It is well located, and is one of the
most level farms n the township. The large brick house was built by
Jonas Smith during the forties; he also built a barn in 1853. This
place is a fine country home.

Mr. Lutz is a Democrat in politics, and takes an
intelligent interest in the public life of his community. As school
director for Albany township for six years he evidenced by his work
his desire for the best to be had in educational facilities. He and
his family are Reformed members of the New Bethel church, and
active in its work, he having served as deacon and treasurer.

Mr. Lutz married in January, 1883, Sarah A.
Hamm, daughter of John and Kate (Knepper) Hamm, of Albany township.
Four daughters came to the home: Ida E. m. Alfred Bachman of
Kempton; Nora J. m. Llewellyn Faust of the Albany creamery; Ellen
R. and Edna K. are at home.

Charles A. Lutz, third son of Lenius and Eliza
Lutz, is engaged in blacksmithing at Kempton, Pa. A native of
Albany township, born July 31, 1874, he passed his boyhood on his
father’s farm, securing the usual country school education. At
eighteen he entered his brother Wellington’s blacksmith shop, and
two years later began business for himself at his present location.
He enjoys large patronage from the surrounding country and is
justly regarded as one of the best mechanics in the county. In
connection with his blacksmith shop which is large and
well-appointed, he carries on the kindred trade of wagon-making.
Mr. Lutz is an industrious and respected citizen in his community.
He is a Democrat and he and family are Reformed members of the New
Bethel church. In November, 1901, he married Clara Snyder, daughter
of Jonas and Catharine (Mosser) Snyder, of Albany township. One
child has come to bless their home, Paul N. Lutz.

LUTZ, GEORGE
K.

p. 1069

Surnames: LUTZ, KELLER, RUPPERT, MILLER, HOOK, XANDER, MOSER

George K. Lutz, the genial and popular proprietor of the
“Washington Hotel” at Birdsboro, was born in Exeter township, Berks
county, son of David and Susan (Keller) Lutz. His entire life has
been passed practically in this county, where he has a wide
acquaintance.

David Lutz was a thorough and industrious
farmer, and accumulated a comfortable fortune. He made his home in
Reading for ten years after retiring from work. To him and his
wife, whose maiden name was Susan Keller, was born a large family
of children, of whom seven are now living: George K.; William is a
distiller at the Neversink Distillery; John is engaged in the local
express business in Birdsboro; Mary married Charles Ruppert; Sarah
m. Calvin Miller; Carrie m. Roswell Hook; and Miss Jennie makes her
home with her brother, George K. They are all Lutherans in
religious belief, and the father has always been a staunch adherent
to Democratic principles.

George K. Lutz received a good common school
education in his native township, and when starting out in the
world first learned the trade of hatter at the Hendel hat factory
in Reading. This trade engrossed his attention for about five
years, at the end of which time he returned to the farm, and for
three years devoted himself most profitably to dairying. His next
work was as assembler with the Acme Bicycle Company in Reading, and
later he accepted a position in Lebanon in the machine shop of John
C. Xander, and was employed there for three years. In 1899 he
returned to Reading, and at Twelfth and Franklin streets began the
career of hotel proprietor that he has since followed with such
success. He remained in that location one year and then came to
Birdsboro, and opened a hotel on the present site of the
“Washington,” the name of the new structure over which he has since
presided. The present building was erected in 1905, and contains
thirty-five sleeping rooms, and is fitted with all the modern
conveniences so appreciated by the traveling public. The dining
room and service are excellent, while the bar facilities, with the
choice line of imported and domestic liquors and cigars, delight
the social masculine soul.

In 1896 Mr. Lutz married Susan Moser and they
have three children: J. William, Helen M. and George D. In
religious belief they are Lutherans, and in his political faith Mr.
Lutz has followed in the footsteps of his father, and has
steadfastly given his support to the Democratic party.

LUTZ, JOHN
F.

p 1141

Surnames: LUTZ, FREYBERGER, GECHTER, BINGAMAN, SNYDER,
RATHENBERGER, BRUNNER, BRUMBACH, SCHLEGEL, BOHLER, HECKMAN, SCHMECK

John F. Lutz, a well known business man of Esterly P. O., in Exeter
township, Berks county, engaged as furniture dealer and funeral
director, was born Nov. 22, 1863, in Alsace township, now Mt. Penn
borough, son of John and Mary Ann (Freyberger) Lutz.

John Lutz, father of John F., was born in
Wittenberg, Germany, and came to America as a small child, being
reared among the farmers of Berks county. He learned the trade of
blacksmith, and became a skilled mechanic, and with his brother,
David Lutz, carried on that business in Alsace township, now Mt.
Penn borough, for a number of years. Deciding to give up
blacksmithing, Mr. Lutz purchased a farm, but death called him
before he had settled thereon. His family, however, located on the
property, whence they removed later to St. Lawrence, Exeter
township. John Lutz was one of the best marksmen in this section of
Berks county, and was a popular member of Capt. Gechter’s company
of light horse guards. He was a stanch Democrat. Five children were
born to John Lutz and his wife, Mary Ann Freyberger, namely:
George, who died April 27, 1907; Sarah, m. to Jacob R. Bingaman, of
Exeter township; Annie m. to Jackson Snyder, of Oley township;
Clara, m. to Daniel A. Rathenberger, of Friedensburg; and John F.

John F. Lutz was educated in the public schools
of his native locality, and in Prof. D. B. Brunner’s Scientific
Academy at Reading, after leaving which he spent a few years in A.
J. Brumbach’s woolen mills. He then went to Friedensburg, where he
learned the undertaking and cabinet-making trade with Uriah H.
Schlegel, serving two and one-half years to the trade. He then
entered the employ of Schrader & Kline, after leaving whom he
worked for Samuel Bohler, a pipe organ manufacturer, and having
accumulated the means erected his present place of business in
1885. From a modest beginning Mr. Lutz has built up a large,
first-class trade, extending not only throughout Exeter township,
but into the city of Reading. In December, 1895, he graduated from
the Massachusetts College of Embalming. Mr. Lutz is fraternally
connected with Camp No. 230, P. O. S. of A., Esterly; is a charter
member of St. Lawrence Castle, No. 463, K. G. E.; and Neversink
Camp No. 7,634, M. W. A.; Bohemond commandery No. 277, A. I. O.
Knights of Malta; and was a member of the building committee of the
present P. O. S. of A. hall. He and his family are members of the
Lutheran Church.

On Jan. 28, 1888, Mr. Lutz was married to Miss
Lena H. Schmeck, daughter of Amos and Amelia (Heckman) Schmeck, and
four children have been born to this union, namely: Katie E.,
Minnie M., Esther E. and John E.

LUTZ,
WILLIAM B.

p. 1143

Surnames: LUTZ, BORRELL, WEAVER, LAAS, HINNERSHITZ, HUNSBERGER,
HARTMAN, CLAY, WANNER, SCHMEHL

William B. Lutz, proprietor of the “Spring Valley Hotel,” at Spring
Valley, Pa., where he also operates a coal yard, was born Feb. 18,
1865, in Muhlenberg township, Berks county, son of William and
Caroline (Borrell) Lutz.

Jacob Lutz, grandfather of William B., was a
blacksmith of Alsace township, at what was known as Seidel’s shops.
There he spent his entire life, and died well advanced in years.
Among his children were: Godfried; Samuel; Jacob; William;
Fredericka, whose first husband was John Weaver; Amanda, m. to
Peter Laas; and Maria, m. to John Hinnershitz. In religious belief
the family adhered to the Lutheran faith.

William Lutz, father of William B., learned the
blacksmith’s trade with his father, and this he made his life work,
being engaged in this occupation at the time of his death, which
occurred in Muhlenberg township. He married Caroline Borrell, born
in Muhlenberg township, daughter of Jacob Borrell, and their
children were: John; William B.; Charles; Jacob; Samuel; George;
Catherine, m. to Percival Hunsberger; Susan, m. to James Hartman;
Emma, m. to James Clay; Annie, m. to Adam Wanner; and two who died
in infancy. In religious belief William Lutz was a Lutheran, while
his wife belonged to the Reformed Church. He was a Democrat in
politics and served as delegate to various county and State
conventions.

William B. Lutz received his education in the
schools of Muhlenberg township, and early in his life learned
blacksmithing and horse shoeing with his father, which he followed
for twenty years. He also engaged in driving a horse and cart while
the Pennsylvania Railroad was being built from Philadelphia to
Pottsville, but in 1901 disposed of his business interests to
engage in the hotel business, first renting the “Spring Valley
Hotel” for two years. In 1903 he purchased this property, where he
made a number of substantial improvements, and in the following
year bought Spring Park, which is located directly across the
street from the hotel, and is one of the best appointed places for
Sunday-school picnics, camp meetings and family re-unions in this
section of Berks county. Here he has also made a number of
improvements, including the erection of a fine dancing pavilion,
and has made the park one of the most popular in Muhlenberg
township. In addition to the foregoing, Mr. Lutz purchased the
Spring Valley Shooting Grounds, where the Spring Valley Gunning
Club has held several contests, and here a number of records have
been lowered. One of the longest live bird shoots ever held was
celebrated here in 1907, 1,200 live birds being shot, and gunners
from all parts of Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey
participating.

On May 31, 1890, Mr. Lutz was married to Annie
Schmehl, daughter of Lewis Schmehl, and to this union there has
been born one child: Pearl Amelia, who is attending St. Michael’s
Seminary, where she has carried away several prizes in musical
contests. Fraternally Mr. Lutz is connected with the K. G. E.;
Muhlenberg Lodge, No. 1085, I. O. O. F.; Reading Aerie, No. 66, F.
O. E.; Washington Camp, No. 168, P. O. S. of A., and the
Independent Gun Club, of Reading.