Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

MOHN
FAMILY

p 728

Surnames: MOHN, MOON, MARSHALL, HEAN/HAIN, LEDY, ALBRIGHT, BAUTZ,
HATT, GEYER, FISHER, KEGERIZE, DEETS, SHULTZ, VonNEIDA, BURKHART,
GRILL, RUTH, GERNER, REDCAY, HENDEL, ADAMS, PALM, REDDIG, SHIRK,
ZELL, LUTZ, ROYER, LANDIS, SPATZ, BLANKENBILLER, HINNERSHITZ,
HORST, WEIMER, PRUTZMAN, HARBSTER, MATTHEWS, KERSHNER, SEITZINGER,
LEININGER, HUYETT, BOHLER, HENDEL,

Mohn Family. The founder of this early family in the history of
Berks county was Johannes Mohn, the great-great-grandfather of the
present generation. He was born at Hanover, Germany, in 1700, and
emigrated with his wife and four children to Pennsylvania in 1733.
In the Pennsylvania Archives (second series), Volume 17, page 83,
it appears that he took passage on the ship “Elizabeth” from
Rotterdam, and was qualified Aug. 27, 1733. On page 106 of this
publication the names of himself and family, and their ages, are
given as follows: Johannes Mohn, 33; Margaret Mohn, 44; Marica
(Maria), 10; Matiles (Magdalena), 8; Vernor (Werner), 6; Conon
Ludwig (Ludwig) 3*.

By the patent records of Pennsylvania it appears
that John Moon (Mohn) in 1737 took up a tract of 174 acres of land
in Cumru (now Spring) township, and in 1744 another tract of
seventy-one acres; and that, in 1750, he purchased forty-nine acres
from Dietrich Marshall (which was a part of 341 acres taken up by
Marshall in 1737). This land was situated along the Cacoosing
creek, in the vicinity of Fritztown. In 1758, he sold the tract of
forty-nine acres to his son Ludwig. He was a farmer by occupation.
He died in September, 1764, leaving a last will by which it appears
that his four children survived him, and that his two daughters had
become married-Magdalena to George Hean (Hain), and Maria to Jacob
Ledy.

His younger son, Ludwig, carried on farming in
the same vicinity until after the Revolution, and then removed to
Brecknock (now Sprint) township, where he continued farming
operations until he died in January, 1796. He married Anna Odilia
Bautz, and by his last will it appears he had five sons-John,
Ludwig, Henry, Daniel and Peter-and three daughter-Susanna (m.
Philip Hatt); Elizabeth (m. —- Geyer); and Margaret (m. Jacob
Albright).

Daniel, the fourth son, was born in the vicinity
of Fritztown, and when a young man accompanied his father to
Brecknock township, where he carried on farming until his decease
in 1846. He was married to Barbara Albright, and by her had twelve
children: Six sons: Daniel (m. Barbara Fisher), John (m. Elizabeth
Kegerize), William (described in this sketch), Benjamin (m. first
Harriet Deets, and second Sarah Shultz), Henry (m. Catharine
VonNeida), and Joseph (m. Catharine Burkhart); and six daughters,
Elizabeth (died unmarried in 1878, aged eighty years); Catharine
(m. Adam Grill), Sarah (m. first Philip Grill and second Simpson
Ruth), and Selina, Maria, and Polly (died young).

William Mohn (the third son and seventh child of
Daniel) was born at Mohn’s Hill Sept. 6, 1804. He was a farmer by
occupation, having purchased the homestead from his father and
cultivated it for a number of years; then he removed to Adamstown
and engaged in the business of manufacturing flour, having
purchased a gristmill and carried it on successfully for ten years.
He manifested much interest in religious affairs and became
prominent in the Evangelical Church, serving in all the principal
offices. He established a school and church at Mohn’s Hill, and
some years after his decease his son Jeremiah purchased the church
property, and in 1895 presented it to the congregation worshiping
there as a memorial to his parents, known since then as Mohn’s
Memorial Church. He died Jan. 23, 1889. He was married three times.
His first wife was Polly Gerner, by whom he had nine children,
seven sons (James G., Cyrus, Henry G., William G., Jeremiah G.,
Richard and John G.) and two daughters (Susanna m. Elias Redcay,
and Catharine m. George Hendel). The mother having died May 16,
1851, he was subsequently married (second to Margaret Adams, and
third to Mrs. Katie Palm, by whom had had no children.

Jeremiah Gerner Mohn, vice-president of the Penn
National Bank and prominently identified with the hat industry at
Reading as the senior partner of J. G. Mohn & Bros., was born
at Mohn’s Hill Nov. 1, 1839 (fifth son of William Mohn). His
education was acquired in the schools of Spring township, and at
Adamstown and Churchtown, in Lancaster county. In 1857, when
eighteen years of age, he began clerking in a general store at
Mohnsville, which was carried on by his cousin, S. K. Mohn, and
after remaining there three years accepted a similar position in
the general store of Mohn & Spatz at Gouglersville, where he
continued a year. While at the latter place, he cast his first vote
for President of the United States on Nov. 1, 1860, this having
been for Abraham Lincoln, in which fact he take a special pride.
For the next ten years he was engaged in stores at Reinholdsville,
Adamstown and Reamstown, filling for four years the position of
general manager and bookkeeper in the store of J. R. Reddig, at
Reamstown; then in 1870, he became the bookkkeeper and shipping
clerk in the hat factory of his brother-in-law, George Hendel, at
Reading, and after filling this position for a year and feeling
qualified to embark in the same business he joined his brothers
William, Richard and John in the purchase of this factory, and they
organized the firm of Mohn Brothers for the manufacture of wool
hats. [For his connection with this firm and with J. G. Mohn &
Bros, see following sketch of J. G. Mohn & Bros.]

For many years Mr. Mohn has been closely
identified with outer business enterprises at Reading. He is a
director of the Penn National Bank, serving as vice-president since
its incorporation in 1883; and also a director of the Reading Trust
Company since its incorporation, in 1886; and also a member of the
Board of Trade, having served as president in 1905 and 1906. In
politics he is a Republican, and as such represented the Third ward
in the select branch of city councils from 1888 to 1892.

Inheriting a strong religious nature, he has
taken an active part in the United Evangelical Church from its
inception in 1894, having previously, since his boyhood, been
connected with the Evangelical Church. He was chairman of the
building committee in the erection of the fine edifice of the First
U. E. Church at Eighth and Court streets, toward which he was a
liberal contributor. He is president of the board of trustees
(having been a member of the board continuously for thirty-seven
years), and he is the treasurer of the Missionary Society. He was a
delegate to the First General Conference, which was held at
Naperville, Ill., in November, 1894; and he has been a delegate to
the East Pennsylvania Conference from its first meeting in 1894 to
the present time. He has been the treasurer of the Albright
Collegiate Institute for twenty-nine years, and a member of the
board of trustees since its foundation; and, in appreciation of its
educational efforts, he in 1908 presented to this college the
three-story brick building and six acres of adjoining ground
(formerly the Behne mansion at Myerstown), which the institution
set apart for the use of the young women students and dedicated as
the Jeremiah Gerner Mohn Hall. He is also a member of the board of
publication at Harrisburg, and of the board of managers of the
Chautauqua at Lebanon; also president of the board of trustees of
the Reading Y. M. C. A.

Mr. Mohn married Jan. 28, 1865, Annie Shirk,
daughter of Henry Shirk, of Adamstown, and his wife Hannah Zell
(who was a daughter of John Zell); by whom he had a son, Charles
Ellsworth. His wife died June 4, 1867. He then, on Oct. 7, 1869,
married (second) Susanna, daughter of Daniel and Mary (Lutz) Royer,
of Lancaster county, and they had the following children: Ada Mary,
a graduate from the musical department of Albright College, who
married Herbert Landis (employed since 1898 by the Reading Trust
Company; Harry Scott, born May 17, 1874, and Howard R., born May
17, 1879, both dying in youth; and Elmer L. His second wife died
Aug. 29, 1883, and on Nov. 10, 1885, he married (third) Emma S.,
daughter of John H. Spatz, of Mohnton. He has had two children by
the wife last names: Maud, born Oct. 7, 1886, who died April 28,
1887; and Luella Faith, now being educated at Albright College.

Charles E. Mohn (son of Jeremiah G.) was born at
Reamstown, Lancaster Co., Pa., May 21, 1867. After completing the
public school course at Reading he entered Schuylkill Academy,
where he continued until June, 1883, when he entered his father’s
hat factory in order to learn the business. He passed through the
minor positions, then became a presser and afterward a hardener,
filling the latter position at the present time. He has been in the
employ of J. G. Mohn & Bros. continuously until the present
time, except for five years when he was a partner in the Mohn Hat
Company at Mohnsville. He married Eulalia Blankenbiller, daughter
of Joseph and Emma (Hinnershitz) Blankenbiller. They have one son,
Winfield H., now in school. He is a member of the First United
Evangelical Church at Reading.

Elmer L. Mohn (son of Jeremiah G.) was born Oct.
14, 1881, attended the schools of Reading, graduated from Albright
College in 1902 and from the Eastman Business College,
Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in 1903. He then engaged in the wholesale coal
business with offices at Philadelphia and Reading, in which he has
been very successful. He married Mary Elizabeth Horst, of Myerstown
(daughter of George H. Horst, cashier of the Myerstown National
Bank). She is a graduate of Albright College and of Swarthmore
College.

Richard Mohn, a member of the firm of J. G. Mohn
& Bros., was born on the old homestead at Mohn’s Hill Jan. 23,
1844. His education was obtained in the public schools of his
native township and later at Adamstown, Lancaster county. During
the progress of the Civil war, he enlisted on Feb. 23, 1864, in
Company B, 55th Regiment, P. V. I., and participated in the battles
of Cold Harbor and Petersburg, and of the Richmond campaign; and he
was mustered out of service with the regiment at Petersburg, Va.,
Aug. 31, 1865. After his return he worked in a grist-mill at
Adamstown which was owned by his brother Henry G. (who had been
previously employed there). He worked also in a hat factor at
Adamstown, where he had charge of the shipping and packing
department. In 1871, he went to Reading and became associated with
his brother in the manufacture of wool hats, under the firm name of
J. G. Mohn & Bros., and he has continued with the firm until
the present time. He has served as a director of the National Union
Bank of Reading for a number of years.

On Jan. 6, 1870, Mr. Mohn married Elizabeth
Prutzman, daughter of Samuel Prutzman, of Adamstown, and by her had
four children: Edgar P., who died in 1907; William R., manager of
the estate at Pine Grove of the late ex-Mayor Weimer of Lebanon;
Bessie A.; and Earl S., at home. In politics, Mr. Mohn is a
Republican. He served as a member of the school board from the
Tenth ward; and has been a member of McLean Post, No. 16, G. A. R.,
for many years.

John Gerner Mohn
was born at Mohn’s Hill, in Berks county, Nov. 19, 1846, and
received his education in the public schools of that vicinity and
at Adamstown, two miles distant. When seventeen years old, he
enlisted in the Civil war, having been mustered into the service at
Reading on Feb. 23, 1864, with Company B., 55th Regiment P. V. I.,
and he continued in the service with this regiment until it was
mustered out at Petersburg on Aug. 31, 1865. He participated in
several of the largest battles of the war, but was never wounded.
Upon returning home he learned the trade of hatting at St.
Lawrence, in Exeter township, in the factor of John and George
Hendel (the latter having been his brother-in-law), and he
continued with the firm until 1871. Having mastered the details of
the business, he united with his brothers William, Jeremiah and
Richard in carrying on the manufacture of hats under the firm name
of Mohn Brothers. [For his connection with this firm and with J. G.
Mohn & Bros. from 1871 to the present time, see the following
sketch of J. G. Mohn & Bros.].

Mr. Mohn married Cecelia A. Harbster, daughter
of the late William Harbster (whose sketch and portrait appear in
this publication) and Ellen Matthews, his wife, of Reading; and
they have a son, William Harbster (having also had three daughters,
who died young). They are members of the First Presbyterian Church,
in which he has served as one of the trustees since 1884. His wife
has been active in religious and charitable work in Reading for
upward of twenty years. She has taught a class in the Sunday-school
of the First Presbyterian Church continuously since 1885, some of
the children of the first pupils being in her class now; and she
has had charge of the mother’s meetings of the church for the past
sixteen years. She has been a member of the Widows’ Home since its
organization, in 1874, serving as one of its managers for the past
ten years. She has been prominently identified with the Ladies’
Auxiliary of the Y. M. C. A. for many years, serving as its
treasurer since 1892; and the charitable work of the Reading
Benevolent Society has received much of her attention since 1890.
Her husband has also been prominently identified with the Y. M. C.
A. as one of its managers for twenty-five year, filling the office
of treasurer for fifteen years.

Politically Mr. Mohn has been affiliated with
the Republican party from the time he attained his majority. From
1874 to 1876 he represented the Third ward in the common council;
and from 1876 to 1888 he represented this ward in the school board.
He has identified himself actively with a number of local financial
and business institutions, as follows: as director of the Keystone
National Bank, of Reading Hardware Company, and of the Consolidated
Hardware Company; president of the National Brass & Iron Works,
and of the Reading Screw Company. He has been a member of Chandler
Lodge, F. & A. M. No. 227, for forty years; and for many years
a member of Keim Post, No. 76, G. A. R.

William Harbster Mohn, Mr. Mohn’s son, was born
at Reading July 24, 1872, and educated in the public schools and at
Blairstown Hall, New Jersey. For a short time he was employed in
the hat factory of J. G. Mohn & Bros., and then entered the
National Brass & Iron Works in the mounting department. After a
thorough course of five years in this department he was promoted to
the position of foreman, and in 1902 became superintendent of the
plant. He filled the position of superintendent until 1908, when he
became associated with Edward Kershner under the name of Mohn &
Kershner, for the manufacture of foundry and art metal goods, in
which the firm have since been successfully engaged, employing
eighty hands. He married Hallie Adams (daughter of Daniel L. Adams,
founder of the Reading Radiator Works at Reading), and they have
two children, Kathryn and John Daniel. He is connected with the
First Presbyterian Church, in which he has taken a very active
part, and for thirteen years has served as treasurer of the
Sunday-school.

The firm of J. G. Mohn & Bros has been a prominent industrial
enterprise at Reading in the manufacture of wool hats for
thirty-five years. It is constituted of three brothers, Jeremiah G.
Mohn, Richard Mohn and John G. Mohn, who had acquired practical
experience in the business before starting for themselves.

In 1871, the brothers named and an elder
brother, William, purchased the hat factory of their
brother-in-law, George Hendel, which he had established at Reading
on Maple street, south of Chestnut, in 1867, and carried on until
that time, and they then organized a partnership under the name of
Mohn Brothers for the manufacture of wool hats. The firm began
operating with fifty hands and carried on the plant successfully,
with an annual production exceeding 10,000 dozen, for three years,
when the elder brother, the senior partner, died and the three
surviving brothers purchased his interest and reorganized the firm
on Jan. 1, 1875, under the name of J. G. Mohn & Bros.; and
since then, for upward of thirty years, this firm has been engaged
in the wool hat business at Reading with great success, increasing
their employes from fifty to three hundred, developing their annual
production form 10,000 dozen to 100,000 dozen, and extending their
trading relations to all parts of the United States and Canada and
also South American countries.

The firm’s first factory on Maple street was
destroyed by fire on March 17, 1875, but they rebuilt it the same
year, and after operating it until Jan. 1, 1881, sold it to the
Reading Fur Hat Company. In 1878 they purchased the old and
well-established fat factory of Kutz, Arnold & Co., on Eleventh
street, south of Chestnut, and then began to operate this plant in
conjunction with the Maple street factory and the Levan factory at
the rear of No. 1026 Penn street, which they had leased. The
Eleventh street plant was carried on very successfully with one
hundred and fifty hands until Sept. 6, 1892, when it was almost
totally destroyed by fire. They rebuilt it immediately and operated
it with increased energy and success until Feb. 13, 1899, when
(during a violent snowstorm and blizzard late in the evening, with
snow lying on the sidewalks and roof-tops two feet deep) a third
fire visited their large industrial establishment, verily “like a
thief in the night,” and caused a total loss. Undaunted, with
greater resolution than before, they rebuilt their factory,
introducing the latest and best machinery for the manufacture of
wool hats, and resumed operations with over two hundred hands; and
in 1905 they erected a large addition, which made their plant one
of the largest hat factories in Pennsylvania. It is recognized as
one of the important industries at Reading which has afforded
constant employment to a faithful little army of people, male and
female, old and young, and thereby contributed a considerable share
in the development of Reading.

Samuel Kegerise Mohn was born Nov. 21, 1824, in Cumru township,
Berks county, near Gouglersville, and after receiving a common
school education, pursued until he was sixteen years old, learned
the trade of miller at Adamstown, Lancaster county, which he
finished at the age of twenty-one years. In 1846 he accompanied his
uncle, Benjamin Mohn, who then established a grist-mill along the
Wyomissing creek at a point now called Mohnton, and he opened a
general store in this mill. He received the appointment as first
postmaster of the postoffice established at that place in 1857,
which was then named Mohn’s Store. He was engaged in the store
business for about fifteen years.

Mr. Mohn was brought up in the faith of the
Evangelical Church, becoming a member when sixteen years old, and
from that time on showed much devotion to its affairs, becoming in
succession class-leader, exhorter and steward. He assisted in
establishing Salem Evangelical Church at that place in 1849, and
has served as one of the trustees until the present time-a
continuous period of sixty years. He also took great interest in
the Sunday-school work, officiating for many years as
superintendent.

Mr. Mohn was married in 1847 to Susanna Spatz
(daughter of John Spatz, of that vicinity), and they had ten
children, five of whom reached maturity: Charles S. (m. Mary
Redcay), Susanna C. (m. John A. Bohler), Mary S. (m. John A.
Seitzinger), Ella M. (m. George H. Leininger) and Kate (m. Tyson L.
Huyett).

Mr. Mohn is a son of John Mohn, and grandson of
Daniel Mohn. For his antecedent history in the Mohn line, see
preceding sketch of Mohn family.

MOHN, HENRY
V.

p. 896 Surnames: MOHN, VON NEIDA, SCHMEYER,
VICKERT, MARK, VAN REED, ALBRIGHT

Rev. Henry V. Mohn, whose labors in the United Brethren and
Congregational Churches have made him well known throughout Berks
county, is now a resident of Shillington, Cumru township, and a
leader in public-spirited movements. He was born Aug. 9, 1842, in
Lancaster county, Pa., son of Henry A. and Catherine (Von Neida)
Mohn, and grandson of Daniel Mohn.

Daniel Mohn was born Dec. 24, 1767, at Mohn’s
Hill, Berks county, and there married Barbara Albright, born Feb.
25, 1773. In 1793 he purchased the homestead from his father, upon
which he erected two houses; the eastern one, built in 1828, is
still standing, being one of the landmarks of Berks county. His
son, Henry A., born Dec. 20, 1810, in Cumru township, acquired a
fair education and then learned the blacksmith’s trade at
Adamstown. For several years he carried on this business at Muddy
Forks, and then purchased a mill property, operating the mill in
connection with agricultural pursuits for ten years. He died at
Fritztown, Pa., June 18, 1866, and his wife, who bore the maiden
name of Catherine Von Neida, passed away Sept. 12, 1888.

Henry V. Mohn attended the public schools in his
youth, and in August, 1861, enlisted in Company H, 1st Battalion,
15th Untied States Infantry, in the regular service, under Captain
Curtis. He served three years and three months, and participated in
a number of battles, including Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga and
Mission Ridge, being wounded at Chickamauga in the left leg, and on
Aug. 7, 1864, Sunday afternoon, at Atlanta, Ga., in the elbow joint
of the right arm, the latter wound still causing him some
inconvenience. He was mustered out at Jeffersonville, Ind., in
1864, and returning to his home at Fritztown, Berks county,
attended the People’s Commercial College at Reading, from which he
was graduated. He then attended Westfield College in Illinois for a
period of two years, and on his return home entered the ministry,
his first charge being the Susquehanna circuit of the United
Brethren Church in Snyder county. After one year there Mr. Mohn was
appointed Sunday-school missioner, in which position he served two
years in eastern Pennsylvania, when he again entered the ministry,
serving the Harrisburg circuit, and being later at Columbia,
Allentown and Mt. Airy, Philadelphia. On account of throat trouble
he was obliged to retire, and returned to Allentown for five years,
at the end of this time accepting a call to Baltimore, Md., where
he continued for five years. In 1887 he returned to Pennsylvania,
and, locating in Reading, built the United Brethren Memorial Church
at the corner of Buttonwood and McKnight streets, over which he
presided for eight years. In 1892 Mr. Mohn located in Shillington
and erected his fine residence there, one of the finest structures
in Cumru township. He has been very much interested in all
movements which have had as their object the advancement of this
place, the first meetings of the organization committee to make
Shillington a borough being held in the study of his residence. He
is a clear, convincing, forcible speaker and is fearless in his
exposition of the Word of God. In political matters he is a
Republican.

Rev. Mr. Mohn was married (first) to Alvesta
Schmeyer, daughter of Tillman and Elizabeth (Vickert) Schmeyer, and
she died in 1874, the mother of three children: Naarah, John and
Harry, the latter of whom is deceased. Mr. Mohn was married
(second) to Emma Mark, daughter of Rev. j. H. and Hettie (van Reed)
Mark, of Allentown, and to this union there were born: William,
deceased; Rhoda R.; Mark, decease; Vaniah, deceased; Hervin,
deceased; Chester and Emma.

MOHN, WESLEY
D.

p 527

Surnames: MOHN, DEEDS, PEIFFER, BINKLEY, KLINE, FITTERLING, BEAR,

Wesley D. Mohn, merchant and contractor at Mohnton, Pa., was born
in Cumru township, Berks county, May 5, 1853, son of the late
Benjamin and Harriet (Deeds) Mohn.

Benjamin Mohn, who was born in Cumru township in
1806, learned the shoemaking trade when a boy, but later went to
farming. In 1846, he founded Mohnsville, now known as Mohnton,
building the first house at this place. He also erected a gristmill
in the same year along Wyomissing creed, engaging in this business
for about twenty years in connection with clearing his land, and
then he engaged in the manufacture of boxes, in which he was very
successful, to the time of his death. His death, caused by a fall
down a stairway, occurred in his eighty-third year, and he was
buried at the Mohnton cemetery.

Wesley D. Mohn attended the township schools,
and when a young man learned the blacksmith’s trade, and also the
wheelwright’s trade with Daniel Peiffer at Mohnton. He engaged in
the manufacture of wagons, and this he followed successfully for
twenty-two years, then engaging in contracting, in which he still
continues. He established his store at Mohnton in 1891, and this
has become the leading general store of Cumru township. In January
1906, Mr. Mohn admitted his son, H. Irwin, to partnership, and the
firm has since been known as W. D. Mohn & Son. From 1891 to
1897 Mr. Mohn was postmaster, this office having been established
by a cousin, Mr. S. K. Mohn. Mr. Mohn is also interested in many
other business enterprises, having been connected with the
Allentown & Reading Traction Co. since 1897, serving as its
treasurer in 1903; he has been a director and second largest
stockholder in that company since that time. At present he is
vice-president of that corporation. He is a director of the
Kutztown Electric Light & Power Company, one of the founders of
the Mohnton Water Company, and superintendent of the latter
industry. Mr. Mohn was one of the instigators in building the
Reading & South Western Electric Railway (connecting Mohnton
and Reading). He secured the rights of way for this road, and also
raised $30,000.00 in stock at Mohnton. This stock was paid back,
along with interest at six per cent., when the road changed hands.
Mr. Mohn is also senior member of the machine company located at
Carpenter and Cherry streets, Reading, known as W. D. Mohn &
Co. His interests are many and varied, and he is considered on of
the most substantial citizens of Cumru Township.

On March 1, 1873, Mr. Mohn married Sarah
Binkley, daughter of Jeremiah and Mary (Kline) Binkley, and to this
union were born children as follows: Margaret, a graduate of the
Keystone State Normal School in the class of 1901, has taught
school for several years; Irwin, in business with his father,
married Sarah Fitterling; Minnie A. is interested in charitable and
religious work; Clara E. married Adam Bear; Anna, a graduate of the
Keystone State Normal School, class of 1904, is now engaged in
teaching school; Wayne, a graduate of the Kirst College of
Stenography, is employed at the Mohnton store; and Pearl attends
the township high school. Mr. Mohn is a Republican in politics, and
his fraternal connections are with the K. of P., No 485; the K. G.
E., No. 211; and O. U. A. M., of Mohnton. He is faithful member of
the Zion United Evangelical Church, having been trustee thereof
since 1885, and a liberal supporter of the church.

MOHR, JOHN
H.

p. 1391

Surnames: MOHR, MADEIRA, WARTZ

John H. Mohr, deceased, who will be remembered by the older
business men of this section as a leading merchant of his day, and
who spent his life in Mohrsville, which town was founded by his
ancestors many years before, was born in that borough in 1804.

Mr. Mohr received his education in the schools
of his native place, and early in life his attention was turned to
the mercantile business, in which he was successfully engaged
throughout his life. His death occurred in the prime of his life,
in 1857. Mr. Mohr was married to Angeline Madeira, daughter of
Nicholas and Rebecca (Wartz) Madeira, and granddaughter of Michael
Madeira, and there were six children born to this union, as
follows: John J.; James N.; Lewis; Howard N., who is deceased;
Susannah M., and Anna, deceased.

In religious belief Mr. John H. Mohr was a
Lutheran, while his wife was connected with the faith of the
Reformed Church.

MOHR,
RAYMOND

p. 373

Surnames: MOHR, TRATE, FOCHT, BROOKE, CLINGAN, BEARD, GEYER

Raymond Mohr, the founder of the well-known firm of Raymond Mohr
& Son, of Birdsboro, this county, was a resident and business
man of that place for the long period of half a century, having
settled there in 1857. He made his early success as a contractor,
and builder, and later displayed equal ability in the undertaking
and furniture line, having for many years the only establishment of
the kind ever conducted in Birdsboro. His son, Edwin F. Mohr, has
succeeded his interest, having been associated in the business with
his father since 1895.

Mr. Mohr was born Sept. 30, 1834, near
Gibraltar, in Robeson township, this county, on his father’s farm,
the property at present occupied by Mrs. James Trate. Samuel Mohr,
his father, was a carpenter by calling, and had a great reputation
as a builder of barns, following the method then in vogue of hewing
the timber from the tree, and framing it together with tenon and
mortise, fastening each with pins instead of by the nailing process
which now prevails. Although Samuel Mohr had acquired little
education, he had a marvelous faculty of being able to designate
beforehand each stick and make an accurate general list of the
lumber that would be required for a building. His son, Raymond,
gave evidence of a mechanical turn, and the father taught him the
trade, making him as capable as himself in the ability to specify
requirements of materials for a building. The son became noted as
an excellent workman, rapid, and decidedly industrious. By his own
efforts he became a fine draughtsman, and in nearly every case
designed and made the general and detail drawings for the building
he erected.

After receiving some education in the township
school, Raymond Mohr came to Birdsboro in 1857. In 1858 he married
Mary, eldest daughter of the late Daniel Focht, of Robeson. Upon
deciding to make Birdsboro the scene of his life’s work, Mr. Mohr
purchased the lot where his late residence now stands, on Furnace
street, at a time when only two houses were on said street. He
erected his own house putting on all the weather-boarding and the
finish with his own hands. He then began the contracting and
building business, in which he soon developed a large trade. In one
year he erected for E. & G. Brooke, of the town, forty-eight
houses. He erected No. 1 and No. 2 blast furnaces for the Brookes,
the nail factory building, the mansion now occupied by George
Brooke, and a large addition to the present Birdsboro residence of
Robert E. Brooke. The two mansions erected by the late Mrs. M. T.
Clingan, at Clingan Station, were build by Mr. Mohr, as were also
many of the large store buildings and good class of residences in
the town. In his early days he erected the pipe mill and other
manufacturing buildings for Seyfert & McManus, at Reading. He
was especially capable in the erection of heavy work, understood
rigging and the use of hoisting apparatus, and was an excellent
handler of large forces of men.

Mr. Mohr’s father was an undertaker, and taught
his son the trade, and in 1860 Raymond Mohr engaged in the business
at Birdsboro. When he learned the trade only coffins were used as
the casements for corpses, and they were made by hand. The present
handsome finishings were unknown, and they were devoid of linings,
a bundle of shavings serving for a pillow. The lids were made of
wood and put on with ordinary wood screws. The best ones were
rubbed with wax to secure a polish, and a hot flat iron was used to
rub the melted wax to a gloss. There were no hearses, the coffin
being placed on a spring wagon, and around it sat as many of the
friends as could get into the vehicle.

When Mr. Mohr took hold of the business he at
once introduced improved methods, purchased the best up-to-date
outfits, and at the time of his death was equipped for the business
in a manner fully equal to the best city directors. In addition to
undertaking he engaged in the furniture business, conducting the
only store of the kind that the town ever boasted. This store he
designed and erected himself, adjoining his dwelling, and he always
made it a point to keep a stock and assortment equal to city
standards. He had a most active career, meeting with uncommon
success. Besides many other financial interests, he possessed at
the time of his death forty houses in Birdsboro, and owned property
in other places. His building business was the most extensive of
any in the county outside of Reading; his furniture store
controlled a trade almost as great as some of the big Reading
houses, and in his work as a funeral director he personally
supervised over five thousand funerals. He was one of the oldest
undertakes in continuous business in the county and his reputation
extended throughout Berks county and beyond.

Mr. Mohr was one of the leading citizens of
Birdsboro, identified with many of the public affairs of the place.
He served a term in the town council and could have held official
position many times had he permitted the use of this name. He was a
member if Neversink Lodge, No, 514, I. O. O. F., a director of the
Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Berks County, a member of the
State Funeral Directors’ Association, and of Friendship Fire
Company, No. 1, of Birdsboro. When St. Mark’s Lutheran Church was
instituted in Birdsboro he was one of the first members, and he
continued an attendant and a supporter of the cause until his
death. He was ever alert to progress in business, took an eager
interest in current events, and in the management of this varied
interest displayed an industry and activity comparatively
phenomenal.

Mr. Mohr departed this life Feb. 14, 1907,
leaving a wife and two children: Mary Louisa, now the wife of Reese
E. Beard, of Reading; and Edwin F., residing in Birdsboro, Pa. A
son, Louis Raymond, died Dec. 17, 1893, aged twenty-one years.

Edwin F. Mohr, son of Raymond Mohr, of
Birdsboro, was born April 29, 1875, in Birdsboro, and received his
education in the public schools. He has given all his working
years, to the business in which he is still engaged, and which he
learned thoroughly under paternal instruction, supplemented by his
own well-directed efforts. He took a course in the Massachusetts
School of Embalming, from which he graduated Nov. 18, 1898, and has
spared no pains to make the service from his establishment up to
the best standards anywhere. His methods and equipment are
first-class in every respect, and he has kept his business up in
every line. For some years he was engaged in the furniture
business, his stock of furniture and carpets equaling those found
at the large business centers. Very recently he relinquished this
department of trade, to give his entire attention to funeral
directing. He is progressive and enterprising, being one of the
most active young business men of the borough, and is broad and
generous in his dealings, whether in business or private life. He
is well known in his line, being a prominent member of the Funeral
Directors’ Association of Pennsylvania.

On June 23, 1897, Mr. Mohr married Miss Sadie
Geyer, daughter of Henry A. Geyer, of Birdsboro, and they have had
one son Raymond. Mr. and Mrs. Mohr are members of St. Mark’s
Lutheran Church, and in fraternal connections he is an Odd Fellow,
belonging to Neversink Lodge, No. 514, of Birdsboro, and Lodge 115,
B. P. O. E. Elks, of Reading. He is also a member for Friendship
Fire Company No. 1, of his native town. He is Republican in
political faith, and active in the work of the party, representing
it in county and State conventions from time to time.

Since Mr. Mohr has given his sole attention to
the undertaking business, he has kept pace with the leaders in that
line and is excelled only by directors of the large cities in
ability to conduct funerals. He knowledge is ever added to by the
investigation and adoption of the latest processes and his
painstaking and assiduous in his efforts to enhance his skill and
be a credit to his associates in the profession, and give
satisfaction to his patrons. He constantly improves his needed
paraphernalia, and never allows his equipment to deteriorate or
become incongruous with the times. As a consequence he has gained
for himself the respect of his competitors, and drawn to himself a
large clientele, in his local town and from a large radius in the
surround districts.

MOHR, WILLIAM
SHOEMAKER

p. 714

Surnames: MOHR, SHOEMAKER, ADDAMS, STITZEL, BOYER

William Shoemaker Mohr, a highly esteemed resident of Reading, Pa.,
and former cashier of the Citizen’s Bank thereof, was born at
Mohrsville, Berks Co., Pa., June 28, 1844, son of Charles H. Mohr.

The town of Mohrsville was founded by the
great-grandfather of William S. Mohr, who came from Germany and
settled in Berks county. His son, Jacob, was born at Mohrsville,
and was widely known as the tavern-keeper there.

Charles H. Mohr, father of William S., was also
born at Mohrsville, and when a young man learned the tanning trade,
later engaging in that business at his native place. However, he
finally disposed of his tanyard and engaged in the lumber business,
in which he continued until his death, in 1867, aged fifty-three
years. He married Sophia Kerchner Shoemaker, born in 1820 who is
still living and spends her summers at her country home at
Mohrsville, and her winters with her daughter, Mrs. Rebecca Addams,
at Reading. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Mohr,
were: Mrs. Addams, whose son, Charles P., is in the office of the
attorney general at Harrisburg; William Shoemaker; and Charles
Shoemaker, now deceased.

William Shoemaker Mohr attended the public
school of Mohrsville, and came to Reading in 1862, engaging with
the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company as an apprentice to
the machinist’s trade. After serving this time he was employed in
the paymaster’s office until 1887 as assistant paymaster, and in
April of the year following he was one of the original organizers
of the Citizens’ Bank, which was opened May 10, 1888, with these
officers: George D. Stitzel, president; Jerome L., Boyer,
vice-president; and William S. Mohr, cashier. This organization,
which was capitalized at 125,000, merged with the Second National
Bank of Reading Feb. 8, 1902. Since that time Mr. Mohr has retired
from active business, living at his home at No. 203 North Sixth
street.

Mr. Mohr was married Jan 23, 1873, to Miss
Catherine Stitzel, daughter of the late George D. Stitzel, who died
in 1905. Mrs. Mohr passed away Dec. 24, 1877. The only son of this
union died when three weeks old. In politics Mr. Mohr is a
Republican. He has served as secretary of the Tax Payers’ League
since its organization in August, 1905. He is a member of Trinity
Church, and is treasurer thereof.

MOLL,
CHARLES L.

p 545

Surnames: MOLL, BOLTZ, OBOLD
Charles L. Moll, who was the competent and faithful city
comptroller of Reading, Pa., is descended from German ancestry, who
came to America several generations ago, his grandfather, George
Moll, having been born in this country.

Alfred Moll, father of Charles L., was born in
Maiden-creek township, Berks county, raised at Strausstown, same
county, followed milling, and later engaged in farming. He married
Emma E. Boltz, daughter of Isaac M. Boltz. He served with the
famous 151st P. V. I., and was slightly wounded at Gettysburg. Two
sons were born to Mr. Moll: Lehman, who has charge of the stock of
the Hooven Mercantile Company, wholesale grocers; and Charles L.

Charles L. Moll was born at Strausstown, Berks
county, April 3, 1866, and was educated at the Bernville high
school and at the Eastman Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.,
from which latter institution he was graduated in 1884. He taught
school for six years in Berks county, and later engaged in the
grocery business, continuing therein in Reading for eleven years.
In 1899 he was elected city comptroller for a term of three years,
and was re-elected in February, 1902, his second term being readily
and heartily accorded him for the capable manner in which he had
discharged the responsible duties of the office. He was again
re-elected in 1905 for another term of three years. and continued
in office to the end of this term, when in 1908 he became the
secretary and treasurer of the Mt. Laurel Slag company, which
position he still holds.

Mr. Moll was married Dec. 4, 1886, to Catherine
Obold, the daughter of Elias Obold, a retired merchant and justice
of the peace of Mount Pleasant, Berks county. Six children were
born to this union: Alfred, with the Mt. Laurel Spring Water
Company; Abner, with the City Laundry Company; Lloyd, a graduate of
the Reading high school, 1909, now assistant shipper for the Barbey
Brewing Company; Herbert, with Orr & Sembower, learning the
machinist’s trade; and Florence and Russell, at school. Mr. Moll
belongs to the Order of Elks as well as a number of other secret
organizations. Politically he is a Democrat, but he is very popular
with men of all parties. He is a member of St. Stephen’s Reformed
Church.

MOLL,
WILLIAM B.

p. 842

Surnames: MOLL/MULL, RAUCH, BECHTEL, ZIMMERMAN, WETZEL,
BITTENBENDER, MOYER, STAHLER, SNYDER, MENSCH, HOFFMAN, DOLLMAN,
CHRISTMAN, HUFF, GERY, WILL, MILLER, DAUB, FISHER, KUETZ, BOSSERT,
SHIFFERT, BUTZ, LANDIS, SCHULER, SIESHOLTZ, FOX, LEESER,
MARSTELLER, LICHTENWALNER, MOHR, ASHTON

William B. Moll, merchant of Siesholtzville, in Hereford township,
was born there Feb. 1, 1843, son of Jacob Moll, and he is a member
of a representative old family of this district, descendants of
Georg Moll, as the name appears on his tombstone.

Georg Moll was a native of Wittenberg, Germany,
born March 21, 1750, and was eighteen years old when he came to
America on the ship “Minerva,” with 107 other passengers, landing
at Philadelphia in the fall of 1768. It appears that he soon
afterward located in Hereford township, Berks county, and in 1790
he was the head of a family in that district. His name on the tax
list that year was written John Georg Moll. In his will, which is
on record in the courthouse in Book 5, page 237, his name is
written George Moll. He was a property owner in the vicinity of
Huff’s Church. He died Oct. 27, 1810, aged sixty years, seven
moths, six days, and is interred in a private burial-ground on the
farm now owned by David Rauch, a quarter of a mile northeast of
Huff’s Church. Here are buried over one hundred pioneer settlers of
Hereford township who died prior to the establishment of Huff’s
Church in 1812, and the graveyard adjoining, including members of
the Huff, Bechtel, Zimmerman, Moll and other families.

Georg Moll was twice married, and in his will
provides for his second wife, Catherine, who is buried by his side.
She was born in 1757, and died Feb. 15, 1839, at the age of
eighty-two. In his will Georg Moll mentions these children:
Johannes, George, Thomas, Martha, Maria, Elizabeth and Anna. Of
these,

Johannes Moll, born in Hereford township Oct.
11, 1775, died Feb. 6, 1860, aged eighty-four years, three months,
twenty-six days. He was a carpenter and cabinet-maker, and owned
and lived in the house at Siesholtzville, now owned by David
Wetzel. He was a tall, slim man, well-known and respected, regular
in church attendance and a reader of the Bible. His wife, Elizabeth
(Bittenbender), born June 15, 1780, died April 23, 1842, aged
sixty-one years, ten months, eight days. They are buried at Huff’s
Church. Their children were: George; John; Christophel; Jacob;
Polly (m. Jacob Moyer and (second) Anthony Stahler); a daughter (m.
Jacob Snyder); Nancy (m. Peter Mensch); Susanna (m. Henry Hoffman);
Peggy (m. Peter Dollman and (second) Ephraim Christman); and Betzy
(m. Frederick Huff and (second) Michael Gery).

George Moll, son of George, was born in Hereford
township, where he lived and died. He was a farmer by occupation,
and owned a “two-horse” farm, now the property of John Will. He and
his wife, Eve (Miller), daughter of Jacob Miller, are buried at
Huff’s Church. They had children as follows: George; Jacob; Jonas,
who lived in “Devil’s Hole,” in Hereford; Thomas, who lived in
Reading; Judith (M. Reuben Daub and lived in Forge Dale); Elizabeth
(m. Lawrence Fisher, who is still living near Huff’s Church);
Sally, (died unmarried); and Abigail (m. John Kuetz).

Anna Moll, daughter of George, born April 6,
1785, died April 2, 1877, aged ninety-one years, eleven months,
twenty-seven days. She was the wife of George Huff.

Jacob Mull, son of George and grandson of Georg,
spelled his name with the “u.” He was born in Hereford, and lived
at different places in that township, working as a carpenter and
laborer, and died at the age of fifty-three years. His wife,
Catharine Bossert, was a daughter of Adam Bossert, who was over six
feet tall, raw-boned and exceedingly strong. Jacob Mull and his
wife are buried at Huff’s Church. Their children were: Charles B.,
Nathaniel, Henry, Jacob and William B.

Charles B. Moll, son of Jacob, born Jan. 1.
1831, has lived at Barto, Berks county, since 1863, and is engaged
as a horse and cattle dealer. In 1857 he married Sarah Shiffert,
and they have four children: Horace, Alfred, Andora and Agnes.

William B. Moll, son of Jacob, received a
practical education in the school of the home district. In his
fourteenth year he became a clerk in the store at Siesholtzville,
in the employ of Charles N. Gery, and on Feb. 12, 1872, he was
taken into partnership with Mr. Gery under the firm name of Gery
& Moll, which has continued up to the present time. They carry
a full line of general merchandise and enjoy their full share of
the patronage and good-will of the community. Mr. Moll is a
self-made man, and respected in his district for his industrious
career. For two terms he served as auditor of his township, to
which office he was elected on the Democratic ticket.

In 1870 Mr. Moll married Emalinda Gery, daughter
of Charles N. and Elizabeth (Moll) Gery, the former being Mr.
Moll’s employer and partner. Four children have been born to this
union: Katie m. James Butz; Minnie m. Harry Butz, brother of James,
and died in her twenty-seventh year; Sallie E., a graduate of the
Normal school at Kutztown, class of 1898, is an esteemed teacher in
Hereford township; William H., superintendent of the Norristown
Brick Company, m. Maime Landis, and lives at Norristown. This
family are German Reformed members of Huff’s Church, of which Mr.
Moll has served as deacon. He is a member of Camp No. 470. P. O. S.
of A., of Siesholtzville, and of Covenant Commander, No. 58,
Knights of Malta, of Alburtis, Pennsylvania.

George Moll, son of Johannes, and grandson of George, both
mentioned earlier in this sketch, was born in Hereford township,
June 27, 1802, and died May 16, 1877, aged seventy-four years, ten
months, nineteen days. He was reared at home, and worked at
carpentering with this father until he reached the age of
twenty-one years, after which he learned the tanner’s trade from
his uncle, Thomas Moll, at Geryville, in Bucks county. He followed
tanning until after his father-in-law died, when the farm now owned
by his son George came into his possession, and there he built the
present barn in 1836 and the house in 1840. The tanning buildings
were old, and he devoted all of his time to farming until a short
time before his death. He was a leading man in his township, owning
the old store and hotel property at Siesholtzville, and a farm of
seventy-five acres in Hereford township now owned by Sylvester
Schuler, and he had various financial interest, being an
enterprising man, and almost always successful in hi undertakings.
He left an estate of $25,000. He was a Reformed member of Huff’s
Church and liberal in his contributions to that body.

Mr. Moll was married three times, first to
Elizabeth Siesholtz, by whom he had nine children: Elizabeth,
Sarah, Molly, John, Samuel, and four who died young. By his second
Marriage, to Mrs. Ann (Fox) Leeser, he had one daughter, Lovina,
who became the wife of Daniel Marsteller. To this third union, with
Mrs. Anna (Lichtenwalner) Mohr (1804-1877), were born two children,
Reuben A., and George F.

George F. Moll, son of George, born July 13,
1844, began farming the homestead in 1877, when it came into his
possession. It comprises 150 acres of valuable land and has been in
the Moll family since 1832. Mr. Moll married Emma Aston, daughter
of Maberry Aston, a native of England, and to them have been born
three children: Mary M., Annie M., and Laura H.