Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

NAFTZINGER FAMILY

p. 470

Surnames: NAFTZINGER, HIX, HAINES, EPTING, REBER, SEYFERT, TOBIAS,
BAGENSTOSE, KLOPP, EPLER, HAMM, HARTMAN, WAGNER

The Naftzinger family now well rep-resented in upper Berks county
was founded here by (I) Matthew Naftzinger, who came to this
country from Switz-erland and settled in an early day in Bern (now
Upper Bern) township. He took up land, and passed the re-mainder of
his life on the property, being buried at the gable end of the barn
now owned by James M. Hix, in Upper Bern township, about one mile
due west of St. Michael’s Church, at the place where he made his
settle-ment. I

(II) Jacob Naftzinger, son of Matthew, took the farm of his father
and lived and died there, and he too, was buried in the home burial
plot. The farm then comprised 110 acres.

(III) Peter Naftzinger, son of Jacob, is buried at St. Michael’s
Church. He also owned the old homestead, where he passed his life.
He married Magdalena Haines, of Schuylkill county, Pa., and to them
were born the following children: Rebecca lives in Williamsport,
Pa.; Jacob died aged sixty-two years; Sarah is living in Centre
township; Isaac H. is mentioned below; Joseph died at the age of
twenty-seven years; Polly lives at Centreport, Berks county;
Fiaetta is deceased; Hon. Frank, of Tilden township, Berks county,
served in the State Assembly; Peter died young.

(IV) Isaac H. Naftzinger was born on the old homestead in 1845,
and passed his active years in farming, now living retired on a
place adjoining the homestead taken up by his great-grandfather. He
owns fifty-two acres of valuable land, and was engaged in its
cultivation until 1904, since when he has lived retired. Mr.
Naftzinger married Mary A. Epting, daughter of Henry G. Epting, of
Tilden township, and ten children have been born to this union,
namely: Harry E.; Lillie, wife of Frank S. Reber; Peter E.; Katie
A., who died when sixteen years old; Jacob E.; Mary, wife of Joseph
Seyfert; Sarah, who died when two years old; Fayetta, wife of
William Tobias; Polly, who married Jerome Bagenstose; and Rebecca,
who married Milton Klopp and resides on the old homestead.

(V) Harry E. Naftzinger, son of Isaac H., was born in Upper Bern
township Aug. 12, 1866, and attended the local schools. He is now
successfully engaged as a huckster. In politics he is a Republican,
and has held a number of township offices. He married Lillie R.
Epler, daughter of J. K. Epler, of Tilden, and they have two sons,
Isaac N. and William J. Mr. Naftzinger is a Reformed member of St.
Michael’s Church.

(V) Peter E. Naftzinger, son of Isaac H., was born Dec. 25, 1870,
in Tilden township. There he attended the local schools, and in
1888 began teaching, which profession he has since followed, being
well known in this connection. He is now teaching the West Hamburg
school in Tilden township for the sixth term. Mr. Naftzinger has
also been successful in business, in April 1906, having been one of
the founders of the firm known as the Berne Shirt Company, of which
he is the manager. His partners in this business from the beginning
have been his brother, Jacob E. Naftzinger, and Mr. John H. Hamm.
They are located at Bern Station, where they have a factory 26 x 46
feet in dimensions, and employ from forty to fifty hands in the
manufacture of all kinds of men’s and boys’ shirts. All the latest
improved machinery is employed in the production of their output,
which has a ready sale, the company dealing directly with the
retailers. The industry is an important one in this section,
providing profitable employment for so many, and the owners have
high standing in the community both personally and in a business
sense. Mr. Naftzinger is assistant postmaster at Berne.

Mr. Naftzinger married Miss Katie A. Hartman,
who died July 14, 1906, and is buried at St. Michael’s Church, in
what is now Tilden township. Two children were born to this union:
Florence R. and Esther R. Mr. Naftzinger is a Reformed member of
St. Michael’s Church and is now serving as deacon, and as a member
of the Consistory of that church. In fraternal connection he
belongs to Lodge No. 103, I. O. O. F., of Hamburg, Pa.; to the
Knights of the Maccabees at Shoemakersville; and to Camp No. 146,
P. O. S. of A., at Centreport.

(V) Jacob E. Naftzinger, son of Isaac H., merchant and postmaster
at Berne, Berks county, was born in Tilden township Nov. 22, 1873.
He received his education in the township schools, and was only
sixteen when he began teaching school, a profession he followed
altogether five terms in Greenwich, Bern, Tilden and Upper Bern
townships. For the next four years he was engaged in clerking in
Hoff & Bros. hardware store, in Reading, after which he went to
Milford, Va., where he embarked in business as a store-keeper. He
remained there eighteen months, and in 1899 bought out M. H.
Zimmerman, at Bern Station, Berks Co., Pa., taking over the general
merchandise business, which he has since conducted, being now at
the head of the firm of J. E. Naftzinger & Co. In addition to
the regular business of the general store they deal in country
produce, coal, etc., and ship dressed hogs and hides. On May 19,
1899, Mr. Naftzinger was appointed postmaster, the station being
known as Berne, and he has since served in that capacity, giving
general satisfaction to the community. He is also a member of the
Berne Shirt Company, manufacturers of men’s and boys’ shirts, and
is a prosperous and substantial business man in every way. Some
idea of the extent of his produce transactions may be gained from
the statement that in 1907 he shipped 18,000 bushels of apples and
15,000 bushels of potatoes. He has been a director of the First
National Bank of Hamburg since its organization.

Mr. Naftzinger married Esther N. Seyfert,
daughter of Franklin and Caroline (Wagner) Seyfert, and they have a
family of four children: Herman, Samuel, Wayne and Ruth. In
politics Mr. Naftzinger is a Republican. He belongs to St.
Michael’s Church, being a member of the Reformed congregation, and
socially holds membership in Vaux Lodge, F. & A. M., of
Hamburg; Lodge No. 103, I. O. O. F.; and Camp No. 442, P. O. S. of
A., of Centreport.

NAGEL, PETER
(COL.)

p. 434

Surnames: NAGEL, LINCOLN, JACKSON, COLEMAN

Col. George Nagel was born near Coblentz, Germany, about 1728, son
of Joachim Nagel. He came to Reading about 1755, and engaged in
blacksmithing. He served as an ensign in the French and Indian War,
and in 1763 he returned to Reading and resumed his trade. In 1771
he was elected sheriff of Berks county. When the Revolution
commenced he raised the first company in Berks county to fight for
American liberty. His company participated in the campaign at and
about Cambridge, Mass. He was a brave and true soldier, and rose to
the rank of colonel. Col. Nagel continued in the military service
until 1783, when he returned to Reading and engaged in the
mercantile business. He continued in this business until his death
in March, 1789. His remains were interred in the Reformed cemetery.
He married Rebecca, daughter of Mordecai Lincoln, of Exeter
township.

Captain Peter Nagel, a brother of the above Col.
George Nagel, was born near Coblentz, Oct. 31, 1750, and came to
Reading as a young man and learned the trade of a hatter under
Samuel Jackson, the first hat manufacturer at Reading. He followed
this occupation until 1807, first as a journeyman, then as a
manufacturer. During the Revolution he was prominently connected
with military affairs, and was a captain from 1777 to 1783. He held
various civil offices, including justice of the peace, coroner and
county treasurer. This latter office was subsequently held by a
son, a grandson, and from 1873 to 1875 by a great–grandson, the
late Dr. Hiester M. Nagel. He took an active part in the military
parade in 1794 in honor of President Washington, and held a
reception to the distinguished gentleman at his house, at the site
of the present post-office, to enable the citizens to meet the
“Father of his Country.” Capt. Nagel was a man of fine, commanding
presence, and nearly six feet tall. He died Nov. 30, 1834, and was
buried in the Reformed graveyard. Afterward his remains were
removed to the Charles Evans cemetery. His name appears frequently
as one of the church officers. Mr. William N. Coleman, a
well-known, citizen of Reading, now eighty-six years of age, is a
grandson of Capt. Peter Nagel. The latter possesses an excellent
oil painting of Capt. Nagel, which he prizes highly.

NAGLE,
HIESTER M. (M.D.)

p. 672

Surnames: NAGLE, FILBERT, RIESER, DAUPHIN, BOYER, BUKER, HAAGE,
NIETHAMMER, FRITZ

Hiester M. Nagle, M. D., deceased, for thirty-five years a
physician in Berks county, was engaged in the practice of his
profession in Reading from the close of the Civil war until his
death. During his residence in the city he was not only one of the
foremost medical men, but a citizen whose activities in behalf of
her progress and welfare were recognized and appreciated by all
classes.

Dr. Nagle was of German descent, a
great-grandson of Peter Nagle, who founded the family in America.
Peter Nagle settled in Berks county, where his son, Peter, was born
July 11, 1782. The latter married Susan Filbert, born April 23,
1785, and they had five children, namely: John F., Augustus W.,
Peter F., Henry and a daughter. The father of this family died May
2, 1846, and the mother May 26, 1854.

Peter F. Nagle, father of Dr. Hiester M., was
born in Berks county in 1808, and died March 25, 1869. He was a
physician and practiced first at Williamsport, Pa., later at
Milton, this State, thence moving to Reading. He was subsequently
located at St. Louis for a time, but returned to Reading to spend
his last years. To him and his wife, who was Miss Catherine E.
Dauphin, of Philadelphia, were born six children, two dying in
childhood. The others, Peter, Hiester M., Catherine and Joseph, all
reached maturity, but are now deceased.

Hiester M. Nagle was born at Williamsport, Pa.,
Dec. 23, 1834. In his boyhood he went to school in Reading, later
continuing his studies at Marshall College, Mercersburg, and at
Kessler’s Academy, all Pennsylvanian schools. He began his medical
studies in 1855 with his father, and later read under the direction
of Dr. Frank Rieser, of Reading. He entered the Medical Department
of the University of Pennsylvania, but after one year changed to
Jefferson Medical College, from which institution he was graduated
in 1857. His first two years of practice were passed in Exeter
township, Berks county, whence he went to Fleetwood, in the same
county, where he was established at the time the Civil war broke
out. On Aug. 14, 1862, Dr. Nagle left home to join the army as
assistant surgeon of the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served
until his discharge Aug. 13, 1865. He saw much hard fighting,
participated in the siege of Suffolk, and the battles of
Petersburg, Deep Bottom, Ream’s Station, Richmond, Darbytown Road,
Seven Pines, Newmarket Heights, Five Forks, Deep Creek, Amelia
Court House, and Appomattox Court House. On Dec. 17, 1864, he was
promoted to the rank of surgeon of the regiment, which rank he held
at the time of his discharge.

Returning to Pennsylvania, Dr. Nagle settled in
Reading, in which city he passed the remainder of his life,
building up a large and lucrative practice. His years were filled
with faithful and tireless service in the alleviation of suffering.
He was well known to his fellow practitioners, was a member of the
County Medical Society and the Pathological Society, and was also a
loyal supporter of Masonry, belonging to various Masonic bodies in
Reading., Lodge No. 62, Chapter No. 152, and Commandery No. 42. He
was likewise active in politics and found time to give much
personal service to the municipality. He was elected on the
Democratic ticket to the office of county treasurer, holding that
office from 1874 to 1876, was for two years a member of the city
council, and during his second year was its president. In July
1885, he was appointed examining surgeon for pensioners. Thus with
numerous interests, he accomplished an incalculable amount of good,
leaving a record of untiring service such as few men are able to
show. He died Jan. 30, 1893, and the esteem and affection in which
he was held were testified at his funeral, which was the largest
ever known in Reading.

On June 18, 1872, Dr. Nagle married Miss.
Lucretia Boyer, daughter of Henry B. Boyer. Their children were:
Harry died at the age of eighteen; Katie died in infancy; Frank
died at the age of five; Howard, a machinist, m. Elizabeth Buker,
and they have two children, Lucretia and Raymond; Paul; Charles,
who m. Sarah Haage, is one of the firm of the N. & N. Cigar
Company; Hiester C. is also a member of that firm, which consists
of the two Nagle brothers and John G. Niethammer.

Mrs. Nagle comes from a distinguished Berks
county family. Her grandfather, Daniel Boyer, was the founder of
Boyertown, one of the progressive boroughs of the county, was the
first merchant in the place, and his descendants still carry on
that line of business there. Henry B. Boyer, father of Mrs. Nagle,
was so engaged for a time, but moved to Reading, and for some years
was a merchant in that city. Later he went into the livery
business, which he followed until his retirement. He reached the
age of ninety years. His wife, whose maiden name was Susan Fritz,
died when seventy–two years old. Their children were: Frank, Mary,
Harry, John, George, Howard, and Mrs. Nagle. Those living are Mrs.
Nagle and her brother, George, the latter a resident of Oak Brook.

NEIN, DAVID
D.

p. 1586

Surnames: NEIN, NEUN, NINE, DILLIPLANE, MINER, LEINBACH, SCHWARTZ,
BERTOLET, HAAS, KLINE, WENTZEL, BENSON, CHRISTMAN, REIFSNYDER,
ACHEY, O’BRIEN, GLASSER, WILLIAMS, SCHAEFFER, YODER, EVAUL,

David Dilliplane Nein, a leading citizen of Mt. Penn, who is
engaged as a flour, feed, coal and lumber merchant. was born in
Oley township, Berks Co., Pa.. Sept. 16, 1858, son of Daniel K. and
Cather-ine (Dilliplane) Nein.

The German spelling of the name is Neun but the
most common modern spellings are Nein and Nine. Casper Neun came to
this country about the middle of the Eighteenth century and settled
in the Oley Valley, in Pennsylvania. In 1759 he was a taxable and
land owner in Alsace township, Berks county, and the federal tax
list in 1785 records him as the owner of 200 acres of land in Lynn
township, Northampton (now Lehigh) county, but it is not known that
he ever lived other than in Berks county. In 1781 he was assessed
on twenty acres in Exeter township, Berks county. On April 23,
1787, then a resident of Oley township, he made his last will and
testament, and this was recorded July 29, 1788. His wife Barbara
survived him and died in Oley, advanced in years, in 1800. Their
children were: Sylvester; Daniel; Catharine m., Frederick Miner, a
miller of Rockland township; Susanna m. Jacob Leinbach; Maria m.
Jacob Miner; Barbara m. Henry Schwartz; and Elizabeth m. George
Schwartz.

Daniel Nein, son of Casper, lived in Oley
township. The Pennsylvania archives show that in 1787 he obtained a
warrant for forty acres of land located in Berks county. He was
married Dec. 1, 1779, to Esther Bertolet, of Oley, who was born
Nov. 19, 1749, and died Oct. 5, 1792, and is buried in the Bertolet
graveyard on the homestead. She was the mother of four sons and one
daughter, which fact is recorded on her tombstone.

From the county records, it is learned that in
1865 David Nein died in Oley township and of his last will and
testament. made April 17, 1845, his son Peter was the executor. He
had a sister Mary, and sons David and Peter. In 1877 Esther Nine,
who died in Oley township, mentions in her will her sister Mary and
brothers David and Samuel, of whom the latter had three daughters:
Catharine, Harriet, and Sarah.

Daniel K. Nein, father of David D., was born in
Oley township in 1814, and died in 1890. He followed agricultural
pursuits all of his life. With his family he worshipped at the
Friedensburg Reformed Church, and is buried there. He was twice
married, his first wife being Mary Haas, who died without issue. He
m. (second) Catherine Dilliplane, and they had these children: Mary
Ann m. Daniel Kline , of Oley, Pa.; Amanda m. Augustus H. Wentzel,
of Gouglersville, Pa.; David D.; Daniel D., a member of the firm of
Nein & Fisher, of Lancaster, flour and feed merchants, who own
a large grain elevator. m. Nettie Benson; Emma m. George Christman,
a shoe and basket maker of Alsace; Esther m. Reuben Reifsnyder, a
basket maker of Ruscombmanor, and a veteran of the Civil war, in
which he lost a leg; Jonathan D. m. (first) Sarah Achey, and
(second) Sallie O’Brien, and has children, all by the first
marriage–Mary, Carrie, Ammon, Samuel, Luther and Jennie; and
Sallie m. (first) John Glasser, and (second) William Williams.

David Dilliplane Nein attended the public
schools of Oley, Exeter and Alsace townships, after leaving which
he spent nineteen years at farm work, ten years of which were for
his mother-in-law, three years for himself and six years for
Charles Wentzel. In the spring of 1888 Mr. Nein associated himself
in the flour, feed, coal and lumber business with Wentzel &
Nein at Mt. Penn, the firm continuing for about two years. In 1890
the firm became Nein Brothers, and this has continued to the
present time, Jonathan D. Nein, a brother of David D., being his
partner. The firm has a large and prosperous trade in Mt. Penn,
Reading and the surrounding country and the brothers are well and
favorably known. Their warehouse and office is a three story, brick
building, 44 x 71 feet, situated on the south side of Perkiomen
avenue, and here they carry a large line of stock, the extent of
their business necessitating the use of three teams. In politics
Mr. Nein is a Democrat. He was postmaster of Denglers from 1888
until 1902, in which year the town was incorporated and became
known as Mt. Penn, and he continued in the office until 1905, in
which year he resigned, having given universal satisfaction in the
office. He was one of the first councilmen of Mt. Penn, being
treasurer of that body, and with Dr. M. L. Bertolette as one of the
original founders of the Mt. Penn Suburban Water Supply Company, an
independent corporation which furnishes excellent water to the
borough. Fraternally Mr. Nein is connected with the Castle No. 463,
K. G. E., of St. Lawrence. Mr. Nein and his family are members of
Trinity Reformed Church of Mt. Penn, of which he was an organizer.

In 1877 Mr. Nein was married to Hannah B.
Schaeffer, daughter of Nathan and Catherine (Yoder) Schaeffer, and
to them have been born these children: Miss Ella lives in Oley with
a grand aunt; Wilson S., m. Ada Evaul; Jacob S.; Edith, Martha
Jane, Della, Viola, David, Jr., and Russell. Wilson S. Nein and
Jacob S. Nein entered into the coal, flour and feed business Aug.
26, 1907, under the name of Wm. Penn Coal Company, W. S. Nein and
Bro., No. 604 South Fifth street, Reading.

NEIN,
WILLIAM R.

p. 1671

Surnames: NEIN, RITTER, BERTOLET, KEMMERER, GRIESEMER, MANWILLER,
HARTMAN, BEIDMAN, BREINER, QUINTER

William R. Nein, a well-known resident of Womelsdorf, Pa., who is
proprietor of the “William Penn Hotel.” and a veteran of the Civil
war, was born June 8, 1844, in Exeter township, Berks county, son
of William and Mary (Ritter) Nein.

Daniel Nein, the grandfather of William R., who
was a carpenter of Oley township, built the church of Oley, and was
there buried. He married a Miss Bertolet, and to them were born the
following children: Peter, of Reading; William; Daniel, father of
David and John, of Mount Penn; Ephraim, who was the owner of the
Yellow House in Amity township; Benneville; Hannah, who married
Henry Kemmerer; Polly, who married Reuben Griesemer; and Hettie,
who died unmarried.

William Nein, father of William R., was born in
Oley township, Berks county, and died aged sixty-six years. He was
a cabinet-maker and undertaker by trade, and also owned a small
farm in Exeter township, where he died, being buried at the
cemetery at SchwartzwaId Church, of which he was a Reformed member.
Mr. Nein was a lieutenant in the State Militia for a number of
years, and was a substantial and highly esteemed citizen. He
married Mary Ritter, born in 1812, who died in 1868, and to them
nine children were born: Frank (who had two children, Albert and
Katie); Daniel (who also had two children, Samuel and Elizabeth);
William R.; Mary Ann, m. William Manwiller and had one son, Irwin);
Ammon (who had two daughters, Emma and Ella); Samuel (who had,
Samuel, Lillie, Isa, Irwin, William and Helen); Reuben, (who had
Katie, Harry and Jennie); Ephraim (who had seven children, Mamie,
Agnes, Eve, Amanda, Charles, Rosa and Robert); and Hannah, who died
unmarried.

William R. Nein received a limited education in
the schools of his native township, and from youth has been engaged
in agricultural pursuits. He worked for ten years with Benjamin
Ritter, whom he left to enlist in Company A, 128th Regiment,
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in November 1862, at Harrisburg,
Pa., and among others participated in the fierce engagements at
Antietam and Chancellorsville, at the latter place being taken
prisoner. He managed to escape at night, however, and made his way
back to the Union lines. He was honorably discharged May 19, 1863 ,
and re-enlisted in Company B, 205th Regiment, Pennsylvania
Volunteer Infantry, and during this enlistment was wounded in the
hip bone by a piece of shell at Fort Steadman, before Petersburg.
After a few days he rejoined his company, which helped to force the
surrender of General Robert E. Lee, near Burkesville Station. On
June 2, 1865, Mr. Nein received his discharge, at Alexandria, Va.
He was always a brave and gallant soldier, and performed his duties
faithfully and cheerfully.

Mr. Nein returned to farming in Berks county
after the war, but later learned the hatter’s trade, which he
followed for fifteen years at Reading, and then became proprietor
at Dengler’s (now Mount Penn) for three years, the following two
years being spent as proprietor of the “Three Mile House” in Cumru
township. In 1894 Mr. Nein took the “Center House” at Womelsdorf,
but in 1904 disposed of this stand and since that time has
conducted the well-known “William Penn Hotel” on High street. Mr.
Nein and his family are Reformed members of Schwartzwald Church, of
which he was a deacon for four years. In politics he is a Democrat.
He is a member of McClellan Post, No. 16 , G. A. R., of Reading;
the P. O. S. of A., of St. Lawrence; and the Knights of Pythias, of
Reading.

In 1868 Mr. Nein was married to Clara Hartman,
born Aug. 11, 1840, daughter of George and Christina (Beidman)
Hartman, of Earl township, and to this union have been born four
children: Alice H. (m. John Breiner, of Reading, has two children,
Sallie and Earl); Milford (a hatter of Reading, m. Emma Quinter,
and has six children, Iva, Geneva, Milford, George, Ammon and
Mary); Carrie D., unmarried, at home; and Millie V., also
unmarried, and at home.

NEWCOMET, ISAAC W.

p. 1384

Surnames: NEWCOMET, GOOD, BRUNNER, KLOPP, SPYKER, WEISER, BICKEL,
GRUBER, NEWCOMER, NEICOMER

Dr. Isaac W. Newcomet of Stouchsburg, Pa., was born in Bethel
township, Berks county, Oct. 8, 1842, and was reared upon his
parent’s farm, working there until he was fifteen years old, when
he began teaching at the Merkel school in Bethel township. He
taught in all three terms in Bethel, one in Jefferson, and one in
Ontelaunee (the latter the best paying township in the county). He
was a great success as a teacher. He was educated in the common
schools, the Reading Classical Academy (Then in charge of the late
Rev. William Good, at one time county superintendent, and later in
charge of Prof. D. B. Brunner). He then enlisted in the Independent
Battery, Ringgold Light Artillery of Berks county. This company of
144 men was attached to Gen. Couch’s brigade. He was in service
three months, and was mustered out in the latter part of June,
1863. After the expiration of his enlistment he returned to Reading
and became assistant teacher in the Reading Classical Academy,
teaching upward of two years. In April, 1866, he entered the
medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, and was
graduated in 1867. He afterward took a special course, becoming
very proficient, and in October, 1867, he located at Stouchsburg,
where he has since engaged in practice, having a large clientele.
He is well and favorably known in his district, and is frequently
called far beyond the confines of his own county.

In politics Dr. Newcomet is a Democrat. He is a
consistent member of Christ Lutheran Church which was organized in
1727, and is at present serving as an Elder. In his younger days he
was superintendent of Crosskill Mills Sunday-school, for several
years.

The Doctor resides on the main street in the
central part of town in his own residence, which was formerly a
Klopp property. He also owns the historic Spyker homestead on which
was in 1742 the colonial residence which is still standing and in
good state of preservation. Mr. Spyker was a co-patriot and worker
with Conrad Weiser.

Dr. Newcomet married Elizabeth S. Bickel,
daughter of Samuel and Mary A. (Gruber) Bickel. They have no
children. Dr. Newcomet is a member of the Berks County Medical
Society, and the State Medical Association. He is a member of
Williamson Lodge No. 307, F. & A. M., of Womelsdorf, and was a
charter member of the Order of Good Fellows of his town, of which
he was an official during its later years.

The Doctor’s emigrant ancestor was Christian
Newcomer — who came over from Switzerland on the ship “Francis and
Elizabeth,” which landed Sept. 21, 1742, at Philadelphia. On the
same ship with him came his wife and at least one son-Christian,
Jr., — whose name appears on the list of passengers of the ship.
In 1790 the elder Christian Newcomer was a resident in Conestoga
township, Lancaster county, when he had three sons above sixteen
years of age, and four sons under sixteen, and five daughters at
home, apparently fourteen in his family. Christian, Jr., and his
brother Peter were the oldest of the family, and lived in Bethel
township, Berks county, each one having a family of his own.
Christian Newcomer, Jr., had two sons and two daughters, and Peter
Newcomer had three sons and two daughters. Another of the
ancestor’s son was Wolfgang Newcomer. School teachers added the “t”
to the name.

Abraham Newcomer, grandfather of William W., and
Doctor Isaac, was a miller, as was Christian, Jr., his father. The
name of “Abraham Neicomer” appeared on his grain bags in his mill.
This mill was situated in Bethel township and was known as
“Crosskill Mill.” It was operated during the Revolutionary war
times by Christian Newcomer, Jr.

NEWCOMET, WILLIAM
WALBORN

p. 962

Surnames: NEWCOMET, WALBORN, MEREDITH, RICHARDS, CARPENTER,
KEYSER, BRITTON

William Walborn Newcomet, whose death in 1903 removed one of
Reading’s substantial and representative citizens, was prominent in
both business and public life. Mr. Newcomet was born in Marion
township, Berks county, in 1844, son of Samuel and Elizabeth
(Walborn) Newcomet.

Samuel Newcomet was a prominent agriculturist in
Marion township, but later sold his farm to engage in a merchandise
business. He was a Democrat in his political belief, and an active
worker in the ranks of his party. Mr. Newcomet was a Lutheran, as
was his wife, Elizabeth Walborn, and they were the parents of:
Isaac W., M.D.; Harry M. D., deceased, was a practicing physician
of Philadelphia for some years; John W.; Susan m. Frank Meredith;
Priscilla m. Simon Richards; Kate m. a Mr. Carpenter; Isabella m.
the Rev. Mr. Keyser; and William W.

William Walborn Newcomet received his early
education in Marion township and completed his schooling in
Reading. For a time he was in partnership with Mr. John M. Britton,
with home he contracted and built part of the Berks County
Railroad. After clerking for nine years in the “Merchants Hotel,”
he went into partnership with his brother, John W., under the firm
name of Newcomet & Newcomet, and for several years they were
engaged in the manufacture of cigars. During this time William W.
was appointed deputy warden, an office he held for seven years, and
he was then elected warden for a term of six years, dying in office
in 1903, aged fifty-nine years. In religious belief Mr. Newcomet
was a Lutheran. He was fraternally connected with the Knights of
the Golden Eagle and the Knights of Pythias, and was also a member
of Fire Company No. 3. Like his father he was a Democrat.

Mr. Newcomet was married to Sarah Keyser,
daughter of William Keyser, and to this union there were born two
children: Harry I., who graduated from high school in 1908, and is
now a student in the University of Pennsylvania; Florence E., a
member of the class of 1908, high school, and now studying nursing.

NEWKIRK, HARRY E.

p. 1431

Surnames: NEWKIRK, SHANEMAN, REINHART, DISHER, FRY, BURKEY,
LESHER, MILLER, BOWMAN, KNAUER, HUTTENSBEIN, FRANK, PORR

Harry E. Newkirk baggagemaster on the Pennsylvania Railroad,
making a daily run between Reading and Philadelphia, was born at
the family home in Reading, the eldest child of Samuel and Mary
(Shaneman) Newkirk.

The Newkirk family originated in Scotland and
from that land came Jacob Newkirk, the great-grandfather of Harry
E, who settled in Berks county, where he died on his farm in
Maxatawny township at the age of sixty-two. He married Mary
Reinhart, who died aged about sixty-eight years. They had the
following children: Jacob, Charles, John, Sarah (who married Jacob
Disher, of Oley township) and Mrs. David Fry.

Jacob Newkirk, grandfather of Harry E., was born
in Maxatawny township and in young manhood learned the carpenter
trade and assisted in the building of the Lebanon Valley bridge.
Later he worked as a wheelwright; he then came to Reading and for
eight years was employed at the car shops of the Pennsylvania road.
Still later he engaged in a contracting business which he followed
for a number of years and then bought land in Cumru township, near
Yocom’s Church. He was a good business man and made a success of
raising cattle and hogs. He also built canal boats while living in
Berks county. He later moved to Schuylkill county, where the
remainder of his life was spent in teaming and farming. He died at
the age of eighty-four years. He married Mary Burkey, now deceased,
and they had four children: Samuel, John, Almina, who married Henry
Lesher, and Jacob.

Samuel Newkirk, father of Harry E., was born
Sept. 21, 1840, in Upper Bern township, and his parents brought him
to Reading when one year of age. He learned the blacksmith trade in
boyhood and March 9, 1869, was engaged as a brakeman for the P.
& R. R. R. Co., working in that capacity for three years; for
four years was freight conductor, then went to the main line as
traveling dispatcher, a position he filled for sixteen years, when
he was appointed train-master for the main line of this company.
After seven years of service in the above position, he was
appointed yardmaster. He owns a comfortable home at No. 609 N.
Ninth street.

In 1861, Samuel Newkirk was married to Mary
Shaneman, daughter of Isaac and Harriet (Miller) Shaneman, and they
had the following children: Harry E.; Walter died young; A. Irene
m. Dr. D. Z. Bowman, now deceased; Harriet S. m. Dr. J. C. Knauer,
of Reading; Isaac died young Elizabeth; John died young; George A.,
a postal railway clerk, m. Laura Wesley; Frank C., a clerk at the
P.- & R. freight depot, m. Sarah Amole; Maude died young;
Marion is at home; Samuel Jr., is a machinist. Samuel Newkirk is
independent as to politics. Formerly he was a member of the
Reformed Church, but now belongs to the Washington street Mission.

Harry E. Newkirk was mainly educated in the
schools of Reading and Mahanoy City; then went to Philadelphia and
worked for his uncle, John B. Newkirk, of the firm of Eaton &
Newkirk, manufacturers of sash and doors, but returned to Reading
one year later and became a machinist apprentice with the P. &
R. R. R. Co., and after serving his full term, served eight months
as a journeyman. Before going to Philadelphia he had earned his
first money as a newsboy for the old Reading Eagle, ,first under
Reuben Huttensbein and later under Charles Frank.

On May 10, 1885, Mr. Newkirk engaged with the
Pennsylvania R. R., first as fireman, later as car inspector and
still later as fireman again, and then was freight brakeman for
three months, and served as extra brakeman on a passenger train,
following this until 1899, when he was appointed to his present
position, which he is filling until a vacancy occurs as passenger
conductor; his name heads the list of eligibles. Mr. Newkirk
married Lillie A. Porr, born at Shoemakersville, Berks county, a
daughter of Jonathan Porr. They have had three children, namely:
Ralph W., a stenographer, who fills a position as private
secretary; Roy H., died aged four years; and H. Earl, at school.

Like his father, Mr. Newkirk votes
independently, generally deciding for himself as to the merits of
the various candidates seeking office. In religious belief, both
Mr. and Mrs. Newkirk belong to the Lutheran Church.

NEWMAN,
NEWTON R.

p. 1610

Surnames: NEWMAN, DEAN, STOUT

Newton R. Newman, a well known contractor formerly of Reading, but
now residing at Canton, Ohio, was born in February, 1854 in the
State of Ohio, son of David S. and Mary Melvina (Dean) Newman. The
father was born in Ohio and was a farmer by occupation. The mother
belonged to a well-known family of West Virginia. The surviving
members of their family of seven children are: J. D., who is
engaged in silver mining in Colorado; S. D. , of Canton, Ohio, and
Newton R., the bridge contractor.

Newton R. Newman was educated at Portsmouth,
Ohio, and attended school regularly until eighteen years old going
to work on a farm at that time. He then learned bridge-building, at
Wilmington, Ohio, and for twenty-three years he was with the Wright
Iron Bridge Company of Canton, that State, where he was foreman for
three years. For three years he worked with the Dominion Bridge
Company, of Canada. Among the notable bridges of which he has been
contractor is the great bridge which crosses the Ohio, at Wheeling,
West Va.; and the 200 foot span bridge of Lewis and Clark county,
Montana, the metal for which had to be hauled sixty-five miles on
wagons through the foothills of the main range of the Rocky
Mountains. The north fork of the Sun river is the most rapid stream
in the Rocky Mountains, and it is across this mountain torrent that
Mr. Newman constructed this bridge, a remarkable feat of
engineering. So great an event was it that on the opening of the
bridge people rode a hundred miles to attend it and a band of music
came a distance of fifty-six miles in order to celebrate so
wonderful an accomplishment. At the time the newspapers gave great
credit to Mr. Newman for the completion of his difficult task. It
was the first bridge ever built in Lewis and Clark county, and its
location is known as the Old Hay Stack Butte. Still another large
contract successfully filled by Mr. Newman was the big steel
viaduct at Toronto, Canada, near the Reservoir Park, over the Don.
This structure is 120 feet above the ground, and is 800 feet long.
He built the steel viaduct and trestle work to the Windsor street
depot at Montreal, on which he worked continuously from the first
of August to the first of February, working many days when the
thermometer was registering thirty degrees below zero, in order to
complete the road in time for the great Ice Carnival. He completed
his contact in plenty of time for all trains to make use of it.

Mr. Newman secured, in 1905, the stupendous job
of putting up the extension of the Reading Car Works, which
involves the use of 2,200 tons of steel.

Large as this contract is he has filled one
still larger, this being the one he completed for the Calumet &
Hecla Mining Company of Michigan, in which he built up 5,000 tons
of steel. Mr. Newman was assistant superintendent of construction
on the immense bridge across the Mississippi river at Memphis,
where he built a truss span of 621 1/2 feet, this being the largest
truss span in the world of this kind. As may be judged Mr. Newman
has few superiors in his work, and as a bridge builder and
contractor he is known all over the country. His works speaks for
itself as to his ability. To the lay mind many of these vast
constructions before they became facts seemed like dreams of fancy.

In 1891 Mr. Newman was united in marriage with
Miss Anna Stout, of Manchester, Ohio. They have had three children,
of whom the only son died in January, 1903, aged ten years. The
survivors are Hazel and Doris. In politics Mr. Newman is an
independent voter. He was reared in the Baptist Church.