Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

MOSER,
HOWARD L

p. 1212

Surnames: MOSER, REESER, REBER, KERSCHNER, LONG, BLATT, RICHARDS,
TROXTLE, RAUDENBUSH, PHILLIPS, BERNHEISER, KURTZ, AMMON, DALTON,
BERNHEISEL, LEVAN, MENARD Howard L. Moser, a prosperous business
man of Cumru township, who is the proprietor of a mercantile
establishment at Noble and Fern streets, Oakbrook, Berks county,
was born April 20, 1863, in Bern township, son of Joseph K. and
Sarah (Reeser) Moser.

John Moser, the great-grandfather of Howard L.,
was a farmer in Bern township, having a large tract of land, about
300 acres, in the center of the township. He was born in 1782, and
died there in 1847. His wife, whose maiden name was Reber, passed
away in her seventy-fourth year. They are buried at Gernant’s
Church. Seven children were born to this couple, John being the
only son.

John Moser, grandfather of Howard L., was born
on the old homestead in 1803, and was a farmer all his life in Bern
township, where he died at the age of seventy-two years. He married
Mary Kerschner, of Virginia, daughter of Conrad Kerschner a pioneer
of Bern township, and she died at the age of sixty-eight years in
1878. Mr. Moser was a Democrat in politics, and in religious belief
belonged to Epler’s Reformed Church, which he assisted to build,
and in which for many years he was an official. His children were:
Reuben, who died unmarried; Joseph K.; John K., who died in 1902,
and who was twice married; Daniel, deceased, m. to Mary Long;
Sarah, m. to Daniel Blatt; Mary, m. to Daniel Ulrich; Elizabeth,
unmarried, who lives with her brother, Joseph K.; and Emma, m. to
Abraham Richards.

Joseph K. Moser, father of Howard L., was born
Dec. 30, 1833, on the old homestead, and attended the pay and
public schools of his native township. He was reared to
agricultural pursuits, and as a young man worked for two years on
the John Troxtle farm in Gibralter, Pa. He then located in Cumru
township, and for one year worked on the John Raudenbush farm,
later engaging in trucking for nine years. He then retired, and
lived in his pleasant home at Oakbrook, which he erected in 1884,
until his death Dec. 12, 1908. He was buried at Epler’s Church. On
March 27, 1857, Mr. Moser was married to Sarah Reeser, daughter of
Samuel and Mary Magdalena (Phillips) Reeser, of Bern township, and
to this union there were born children as follows: James R., m. to
Elizabeth Bernheiser, is an engineer on the Philadelphia &
Reading Railroad, and is living at Schuylkill Haven, Pa.; Morris
R., a manufacturer of candy at Wilkes Barre, m. Rosie Kurtz; Howard
L; Samuel, who has been an employe of the Reading Iron Co.’s pipe
mill for thirty years, m. Lillie Ammon, and resides at Oakbrook;
Sarah m. Charles F. Dalton, of Oakbrook; and Katie is also of
Oakbrook. Mr. Moser was a Democrat in politics, and a member of
Epler’s Reformed Church.

Howard L. Moser attended the public schools of
his native township, after leaving which he went with his parents
to Gibralter, and in 1872 came to Cumru township, where he engaged
in making fire brick, an occupation which he followed for a short
time. He then became employed at the Reading Iron Company’s
pipe-mill, where he continued for about eight years. In 1895 he
engaged in his present business at Fern and Noble Streets,
Oakbrook, carrying a fine line of general merchandise. He is an
excellent business man, and his enterprise and fair dealing have
won him much trade.

Mr. Moser was married to Emma Bernheisel,
daughter of Elias Bernheisel, and to this union two children have
been born: Corinne T. m. John Levan; and Floy at home. In politics
Mr. Moser is a Democrat, and he has served on the election boards
of his township. He is a member of St. John’s Reformed Church, of
Reading, where he has served as deacon since 1904. Fraternally he
is connected with the Independent Americans No. 252, and the
Knights of Friendship No. 128.

Elias Bernheisel, father of Mrs. Moser, was born
in 1840, and died Oct. 5, 1891, having for many years been an
official employe of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, at
Pawling, Chester county. His wife was Tumella Menard, daughter of
Jacob Menard, of Leesport, and eight children were born to the
union: Elizabeth, Emma, John, Lillie, Alfred C., Claude, Annie and
Howard.

MOSER,
SAMUEL H.

p 1230

Surnames: MOSER, KAUFFMAN, GINN, BECKER, BACKENSTONE, MARSH, SNYDER

Samuel H. Moser, a well-known farmer and representative citizen of
Bern township, residing on the old homestead, was born Dec. 24,
1862, in Penn township, near Garfield, Berks county.

Mr. Moser was about four months old when his
parents settled on his fine farm. He attended the schools of Bern
township and assisted his father as he grew older and when he
reached manhood rented the farm for some nine years. In 1894 he
purchased the property, which contains 160 acres of very valuable
land. It is very favorably situated not far from West Leesport and
extends on both sides of the highway. His handsome residence is
situated on one side and his substantial barn and numerous other
buildings are on the opposite side. He has made many improvements
and has his land under a fine state of cultivation. Mr. Moser was
married (first) to Catharine G. Kauffman, a daughter of David and
Elizabeth (Ginn) Kauffman. They had three children: Lizzie, m.
Henry Becker, residing at North Leesport; and Debbie and Edwin D.,
at home. Mrs. Moser died May 20, 1896, aged thirty-five years, one
month and twenty-six days. She was buried at Epler’s Church. Mr.
Moser was married (second) to Helen Backenstone, daughter of Henry
and Rebecca (Marsh) Backenstone, of Centre township, and they have
the following children: George D., Emma, Catharine, Herbert and
William. Mr. Moser is a member of Epler’s Reformed Church, in which
he has served as deacon and as elder. He is a Democrat in his
political views and has been one of the most active workers for his
party in this section. He has served on the election board and
since the adoption of the new law has served as treasurer of the
Bern township road board. In 1900 he was elected to the school
board and has always been interested in local educational affairs.
He is substitute rural free delivery carrier No. 1 of West Leesport
and was appointed by the regular carrier, J. L. Snyder. He has
frequently attended county conventions armed with credentials as a
delegate and is always faithful to the responsibilities entrusted
to him. Fraternally he belongs to K. G. E. Castle No. 503,
Leesport; P. 0. S. of A. Camp No. 165; and Ontelaunee Council, No.
985, 0. of I. A., Leesport.

MOSSER, BENNEVILLE G.

p.
1473

Surnames: MOSSER, MOHN, BICKEL, DUNKELBERGER, GEORGE, REMP, KOHL,
REBER, RAPP

Benneville G. Mosser, who owns and operates a thirty-eight acre
farm at Cedar Top, Cumru township, in connection with which he
follows hat making, was born Nov. 14, 1865, in Cumru township,
Berks county.

At the age of sixteen years Mr. Mosser learned
the hatting trade in Mohnton, and this he has followed in
connection with farming to the present time, having been employed
by J. G. Mohn & Bros., of Reading, since 1887. He owns a farm
of thirty-eight acres in Cumru township, as well as two dwellings
and his own residence. Mr. Mosser is progressive and modern in his
methods, and his success has been largely due to his integrity in
business dealings. He and his family are Reformed members of
Gouglersville Church. Mr. Mosser was married to Sallie M. Bickel,
born April 5, 1867, daughter of Frank and Mary (Dunkelberger)
Bickel, and to this union there have been born eight children, as
follows: Robert B.; Elmer B., who died in 19800, aged fourteen
years; Frank B., who married Bessie Reber, of Mohnton; Mabel B.;
Alice B.; Floyd B.; and infant daughter; and Sallie Belle.

Robert B. Mosser, the eldest son of Benneville
G., was born in Cumru township, Aug. 18, 1885, was educated in the
township schools, Reading Academy and Business College, from which
he was graduated in 1901, and the Reading Collegiate Institute,
which is under the supervision of Rev. Dr. J. V. George, and in
1903 was licensed to teach school by Prof. E. M. Rapp. Since that
time he has been engaged in teaching school in Cumru township,
beginning at Eshelman’s where he continued for three successive
terms, and since 1906 has been at Cedar Top. Mr. Mosser is a member
of Maine Chamber, No. 46, K. of F., of Mohnton, and like his father
is a Democrat in politics.

On June 23, 1906, Mr. Mosser was married to
Katie R. Kohl, born Aug. 3, 1888, daughter of Nelson S. and Ellen
(Remp) Kohl, and to them one son has been born, Robert Clayton.

MOSSER,
DANIEL A.

p. 179
MOSSER, HORNBERGER, MAJOR, MESSINGER, KISSINGER, GRILL, STAFFORD,
SCHABEL, ADAMS, BEIDLER, BARTO, BLOCH, WERTZ

Daniel A. Mosser, a contractor and builder, and
former hotel proprietor, now living retired in West Reading, was
born in Cumru township, July 7, 1842, son of John Mosser.

Nicholas Mosser, great-grandfather of Daniel A.,
came from Germany and settled in Brecknock township, Berks county.
Tradition says he was a brother of that Mosser around whom centered
the coal land litigation in Schuylkill county (mentioned in full in
Mosser family sketch). Besides several daughters, he had two sons:
Samuel, who died a bachelor; and John.

John Mosser, son of Nicholas, was born in
Brecknock township, and was buried at Wyomissing Church. He married
Maria Hornberger, daughter of Conrad, and their children were:
Polly m. Abel Major; John; Rebecca m. Reuben Messinger, and had
three children – John and Samuel, living, and Mary, deceased young;
Benjamin m. Polly Kissinger, and had two children – William and
Mary; Nicholas, Jr., m. Sarah Grill, and had children – Franklin,
Adam, John, Ben, Charles, Henry, Kate, Mary, Sallie and Amanda;
Daniel m. Catharine Stafford, and had children – James, Henry,
Augustus, Lydia, Catharine and Sarah; and Catharine (Kate) m. Jacob
Schabel, deceased.

John Mosser, son of John and father of Daniel
A., engaged in blacksmithing and farming near Mohnton, Pa., where
he owned a tract of thirty-eight acres. As chosen representative of
the Republican party he served as supervisor of Cumru township for
eight years. He is a Reformed member of Gouglersville Church, in
which he served as deacon and elder, and in many other ways. He
died May 12, 1895. He married Elizabeth Adams, daughter of Isaac
Adams, of Cumru, and their children were: Daniel A.; and Catharine
A. (m. Charles Beidler, of Cumru).

Daniel A. Mosser, son of John, was reared upon
the home farm, remaining there until he was twenty-two. Then, in
1864, he began the butchering business which he followed for
twenty-two years. He began at the Five Mile House, then went to the
Green Tree, and later to Reading, attending the Reading markets and
having a large trade. For four years he farmed a small tract of
thirty-eight acres on the line between Cumru and Spring townships.
In 1890 he became the proprietor of the “Farmers and Mechanics
Hotel” of West Reading, conducting it successfully for three years.
He then (1893) assumed the same relation to the “West Reading
Hotel,” which he bought and improved, practically rebuilding it. He
built up a large trade, the public finding in him the
accommodating, courteous host that insures a hotel’s success. In
1903 he sold this to the Lauer Brewing Company. Mr. Mosser has
engaged to a considerable extent in contracting and building, and
has erected a number of dwellings in West Reading, among them four
for himself. This includes his charming home at No. 539 Penn
avenue, and three at Cumru and Sixth streets. He also has building
lots and other real estate. Mr. Mosser is a stanch Republican, and
efficiently served as a representative of the Fifth ward in the
common council of Reading, in 1880 and 1881. He and his family are
Reformed members of the Gouglersville Union Church, of which he was
deacon four years.

On March 5, 1870, Mr. Mosser was married to
Amelia Barto, born Oct. 15, 1850, daughter of Benjamin and Anna
(Bloch) Barto (the former a shoemaker in Rockland township) and
granddaughter of John Barto. To Mr. and Mrs. Mosser have been born
twelve children, five of whom are still living: Emma, a graduate of
the University of Pennsylvania, m. Fred Wertz; Maggie died young;
John lived to the age of nineteen; Harrison and Allen both died
young; Edward is a machinist and lives with his parents; Elizabeth
is a stenographer with the Reading Hardware Company; Howard died
young; Wilson is a machinist and lives at home; Alice died young;
Daniel, Jr., and a daughter, twins, were born Jan. 1896, but the
latter was still born. Mr. Mosser is a man of strong personality.
He is five feet, eleven inches tall, and weighs 250 pounds. He has
decided opinions, which he is capable of defending intelligently,
and is a debater of no mean ability. Tenacious as he is of his own
opinion, he is always good-natured to those who disagree with him,
and he is a very companionable man, with many warm friends.

MOSSER, FRANKLIN GRILL

p. 1247

Surnames: MOSSER, MENGEL, FULDAY, BAKER, HOLLINGER, GAUL

Franklin Grill Mosser, one of the substantial men of Berks county,
who is postmaster and general merchant at Grill, in Cumru township,
was born on a farm in this township, Aug. 28, 1856.

Mr. Mosser’s educational advantages were secured in the schools of
his native township, where at the age of thirteen years he learned
the hatter’s trade, an occupation which he followed for seven
years. He then engaged in the hotel business at Mohnsville, during
the Centennial year, and continued in this enterprise for five
years thereafter. When twenty-five years of age Mr. Mosser engaged
in the painting business, which he followed for six years at
different places, and then accepted the position of hotel clerk at
the Merchants Hotel, Reading, where he became well and favorably
known. In 1902 Mr. Mosser built a dwelling and store building at
Grill, and opened the first store, where he has since built up a
large trade in groceries and general merchandise. Since June 4,
1904, Mr. Mosser has held the position of postmaster. In politics
Mr. Mosser is a stanch Democrat and for six years served his
township efficiently as school director. He owns a fine, large
dwelling in Mohnton borough, where he resided for twenty years
prior to coming to Grill. He is a member of Mohnton Lodge No. 485,
K. P., Knights of Friendship No. 146, of Mohnton, and Jr. O. U. A.
M., No. 186. He and Mrs. Mosser are members of Gouglersville Union
Church, of which he was a deacon for several years.

On Christmas Day, 1876, Mr. Mosser was married to Rebecca Mengel,
daughter of John and Catherine (Fulday) Mengel, and five children
have been born to them: Lillie m. George Baker, and has one child,
Annie; Sallie m. John A. Hollinger and has one child, Ruth; Katie
m. D. F. Gaul; John died in his fourth year; and Harvey A. was born
Jan. 10, 1891.

MOSSER, JOHN
G.

p. 1529

Surnames: MOSSER, HORNBERGER, MAJOR, ADAMS, MESSINGER, KISSINGER,
STAFFORD, SCHNABEL, GRILL, MOLER, MENGEL, BICKEL, WEIDNER, HATT,
KESSLER, SCHLICHTER, GRIFFITH, MILLER, LOUDERS, WANNER

John G. Mosser, a well-known citizen and substantial business man
of Cumru township, Berks county, who is carrying on an extensive
butchering business at Mohnton, was born Jan. 14, 1858, in Cumru
township, son of Nicholas Mosser.

Nicholas Mosser, great-grandfather of John G.,
came from Germany and settled in Brecknock township, Berks county,
and it is traditional that he was a brother of that Mosser, around
whom centered the great litigation for valuable coal lands in
Schuylkill county. Besides several daughters, he had two sons;
Samuel, who died a bachelor; and John. The latter was born in
Brecknock township, and is buried at Allegheny Church. He was a
farmer and owned land near Alleghenyville. He and his wife, Maria
Hornberger, daughter of Conrad Hornberger, had these children:
Polly, who married Abel Major; John, a blacksmith who married Betz
Adams, lived in Lancaster, later came to Cumru township, and died
in Spring; Rebecca married Reuben Messinger; Benjamin, who was a
laborer of Cumru township, m. Polly Kissinger, and also had two
children, William and Mary; Nicholas; Daniel, also a laborer of
Cumru township, m. Catherine Stafford, and had these children, —
James, Henry, Augustus, Lydia, Catherine and Sarah; and Catherine,
m. Jacob Schnabel.

Nicholas Mosser, father of John G., was born in
Cumru township, Berks county, Oct. 22, 1819. He attended the pay
schools of his day from thirty to sixty days each winter, and these
schools were from three to four miles from his home. Until
twenty-five years of age Mr. Mosser worked on his father’s farm,
and he then started out on his own account working on farms, at
carpentering and as a stone mason. From 1856 to 1896 he lived on a
small tract of land in Cumru township, and in the latter year
retired from active life and has lived ever since at Mohnsville. He
has always been an ardent Democrat, and for four years was
supervisor of Cumru township. His religious belief is that of the
Reformed Church, which he attends at Gouglersville, and he is elder
there.

In January, 1855, Mr. Mosser was married to
Sarah Grill, daughter of Adam and Catherine (Moler) Grill, and to
this union there have been born ten children: Frank m. Beckie
Mengel; John; Catherine m. Josephus Hornberger; Benneville G. m.
Sallie Bickel; Adam m. Emma Weidner; Henry m. Agnes Hatt; Charles
m. Maggie Kessler; Sallie m. Frank W. Schlichter; Mame m. Hiram M.
Griffith; and Amanda m. William C. Miller. Nicholas Mosser, the
father of these children, is one of the oldest men in Cumru
township, and is remarkably well preserved, possessing a marvelous
memory. He is a good conversationalist, and relates many
interesting incidents of the earlier days of Cumru township,
vividly recalling happenings of his childhood days. He can still
remember, and often points out the spot, where, when he was three
years old, his father shot a pet dog. Mr. Mosser furnished the data
for the foregoing record, on Jan. 3, 1907.

John G. Mosser attended the township schools and
was reared on the farm, and when a young man learned the hatting
trade, also working for some time as carpenter. In 1883 he became
head butcher at the County Alms House, a position in which he
continued for one year, and then engaged in butchering business,
which he has followed ever since at Mohnton. He has a large and
ever increasing trade, having two delivery wagons constantly on the
go, and his trade extends also into Reading. Carrying nothing but
first-class goods, and dealing always with honesty and fairness, he
has won the confidence and patronage of the community, where he is
known as a substantial business man and good citizen. Mr. Mosser is
a member of the Gouglersville Reformed Church, and for a period of
fourteen years has been trustee of the church. His fraternal
connections are with the P. O. S. of A., Camp 311, and the Nights
of Pythias, in both of which orders he is very popular.

Mr. Mosser married Emma Louders, daughter of
Daniel and Elizabeth (Miller) Louders, and to this union were born
children as follows: Charles, who is assisting his father, married
Miss Sidney Wanner; Minnie, who is a trained nurse, is at the
Homeopathic Hospital, Reading; Eva, who was a graduate of the Cumru
township high school at the age of fourteen years, being one of the
youngest of her class; Neoma, who is also a graduate of the same
school; Pearl and Alverta, attending school; and John.

Mr. and Mrs. Mosser and their pleasant family,
reside in their home in Mohnton, and are among the most highly
esteemed people in their community, where they have many friends.