Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

POHLIG,
LOUIS

p. 747

Surnames: POHLIG, BOHLMAN

Louis Pohlig, a well-known resident of Reading, who is engaged in
the Deppen Brewing Company of this city, as brewmaster, is a native
of Germany, born in Saxony, July 4, 1865, both of his parents dying
in that country.

Mr. Pohlig received his education in the place
of his nativity, and came to America in 1885, settling in Reading.
He attended a school of instruction on brewing in New York City,
then going to Reading, where he was second brewmaster for three
years. Returning to Reading Nov. 1, 1901, he engaged as brewmaster
with the Deppen Brewing Company, and has continued to act in that
position to the present time, brewing porter, lager beer, etc. In
religious belief Mr. Pohlig is a German Lutheran. He is a member of
the Turnverein, president of the German Central American Society,
and of the American and Philadelphia Brewmasters Association. In
his political faith Mr. Pohlig is a Democrat.

Mr. Pohlig was married to Marie Bohlman, a
native of Germany, and to them there have been born two
children,—Elsie and Marguerite.

POOLE,
ERNEST J.

p. 1636

Surnames: POOLE, DECKEN, NIST

Ernest J. Poole, of Reading, superintendent of the Carpenter Steel
Works, was born in Butler, N. J., son of Judson and Julia (Decken)
Poole.

Judson Poole, who was a blacksmith by trade,
later became a machinist and served as master mechanic in a large
plant at Sterling, N. Y. In his later years, however, he again took
up blacksmithing in Paterson, N. J. he married Julia Decken, whose
father owned valuable iron ore mines in New Jersey, the property
still being in the possession of the family. To Mr. and Mrs. Poole
were born two sons: George N., in the United States Navy, stationed
at China, and Ernest J.; and four daughters.

After receiving his education in the public
schools of his native locality, Mr. Ernest J. Poole learned the
blacksmith’s trade with his father, and later became a machinist.
He became a foreman in an old established works, and later accepted
the position of master mechanic with the Spalding & Jennings
Company, of Jersey City, N. J., which company was absorbed by the
trust in 1900. Mr. Poole then came to Reading, and was made
superintendent of the Carpenter Steel Works, this company, which
has 900 men in its employ, manufacturing high grade steel tools,
automobile parts, etc. It is one of the largest industries of
Reading, and under Mr. Pole’s able superintendency the business has
assumed large proportions. Mr. Poole is a man of decided executive
ability, a skilled mechanic, and one who is capable of managing the
great force of employees, with whom he is very popular. He is a
member of Reading Lodge No. 547, F. & A. M.; Foresters of
America, at Jersey City; and the Royal Arcanum.

In 1891 Mr. Poole was married to Catherine Nist,
and to them were born three children: Lillian M., Florence L. and
Ernest J., Jr.

PORTER,
ROBERT

p. 356

Surnames: PORTER, DECHERT

Robert Porter was the third President Judge of Berks county. He was
the eldest son of Gen. Andrew Porter, and was born at Philadelphia
Jan. 10, 1768. When only eight years old, the Revolution had begun
in earnest and his father had enlisted to serve the United
Colonies. Toward the close of the war, his father was colonel of
the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment of Artillery, and Judge Porter, when
only thirteen years of age, was enlisted in one of the companies
under the command of his father. At the conclusion of the war, he
resumed his studies at Philadelphia, and selecting the law as his
profession was admitted to practice May 15, 1789. After being
engaged in a successful practice for twenty years at Philadelphia,
he in 1810 was appointed president judge of the Third Judicial
District, which comprised the counties of Berks, Northampton and
Wayne. He filled this honorable position for twenty-two years, and
then, resigning his commission, retired to private life. He resided
at Reading, on the northwest corner of Fifth and Penn streets,
during his term of office. He died June 23, 1842, at Brookville,
Pa., aged seventy-four years. He was a man of profound learning and
superior legal attainments. Henry M. Dechert, Esq., of
Philadelphia, whose sketch and portrait appear in this publication,
is a grandson.

POTT,
WILLIAM

p. 1469

Surnames: POTT, MILLER, POTTS, SCHROEDER, WANNER, HEVERLING,
REIMERT, GOOD, DENTRICH, BINGAMAN, KNODERER, DAVIS, SEYFRIT,
POTTEIGER, KITTELMAN, HORNBERGER, GRIMES, FREEMAN

William Pott, a retired citizen of Spring township, Berks county,
and an honored veteran of the Civil war, is a native of Berks
county, born April 19, 1834, son of Jacob and Catherine (Miller)
Pott.

John Pott (or Potts, as the name was then), who
had settled in Amity township prior to 1754, was the
great-grandfather of William Pott. In 1754 he paid a federal tax in
Amity township, of fifteen pounds, which is evidence of the fact
that he was a large land owner. At the same time John Potts’
brother, Thomas Potts, lived in Colebrookdale township, where he
paid a tax of forty-five pounds. It is traditional that these
brothers emigrated together from Breisen (Preussen), Germany, but
this is uncertain, as it is also claimed they are Welsh. One of the
sons of these brothers in later years settled across the Blue
Mountains, now Schuylkill county, and became the founder of
Pottsville, the county seat and prominent mining town of the
anthracite coal district. Pottstown, a flourishing city of
Montgomery county, near Amity township, was also founded by a
member of this family, who were prominent in Berks and surrounding
counties during the latter part of the eighteenth century.

Johannes Pott, the grandfather of William, was a
native of Amity township, and died there, being buried at Amity
Church. His wife was a Schroeder, and they had these children;
Daniel, who was a bachelor, was drowned in the Tulpehocken, and
buried at Sinking Spring; Jacob was the father of William.

Jacob Pott was born in Amity township, March 12,
1804, and died April 1, 1883, aged seventy-nine years, nineteen
days. He is buried at Spies’ Church. He married Catherine Miller,
born Sept. 11, 1803, who died Nov. 23, 1873, daughter of John Adam
Miller, and to them were born these children: (1) Jacob m. Amelia
Wanner, by whom he had, — James, Jacob, George, Miranda, Valentine
and Edward. (2) John, deceased, m. Elizabeth Heverling and had
these children, — Sarah, Kate and Thomas, all deceased, and
Lizzie. (3) Isaac, deceased, m. Priscilla Miller of Spring
township, and they had these children, — Charles, Rebecca and
Kate. (4) Mary m. Henry Reimert, of Greenwich township. (5)
Catherine m. Peter Good, of Alsace township. (6) William. (7)
Charles M. m. Catherine Dentrich, of Alsace township, and resides
in Reading. (8) Daniel m. Hannah Bingaman, and has these children,
— George, Samuel, Daniel, Irvin, Charles and Sarah (deceased).

William Pott was reared upon the farm and as a
youth learned the carpenter trade, which he followed for some
years. Oct. 26, 1862, he enlisted from Berks county for nine months
service in Capt. H. H. Miller’s Co. E, 167th Regt., under command
of Col. C. A. Knoderer and DePuy Davis. The command was assigned to
the 1st Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, and proceeded to Suffolk,
Va., engaging in guard duty on the fortifications, and in an
expedition to the Black Water. They were also in action at Deserted
House, Jan. 30, 1863; at the Siege of Suffolk, Va., from April 12,
to May 4, 1863; and joined in pursuing Lee, retreating from
Gettysburg to the Rappahannock. Comrade Pott shared the fortunes of
the regiment in all of its movements and engagements and was
honorably discharged Aug. 12, 1863, at Reading Pa., by reason of
expiration of his term. After the war he was incapacitated for
several years because of sickness contracted in the war. In 1877 he
purchased a tract of somewhat more than an acre of land, where he
has since resided. In politics he is a Republican. He and his
family are Reformed members of St. John’s Church at Sinking Spring.

Mr. Pott was married April 4, 1858, to Mary
Seyfrit, born Oct. 22, 1837, daughter of John Seyfrit, of Spring
township. Mrs. Pott died May 20, 1907, aged sixty-nine years, six
months, twenty-eight days, the mother of these children: Albert m.
Maria Potteiger; Adeline m. Allen Kittelman; Charles; Catherine m.
John Hornberger; William died young; Mary m. George Grimes; Robert
died young; Eddie is single and lives at home; Ella m. George
Freeman, deceased; and four others died young.

POTTEIGER, AMOS W.

p. 644

Surnames: POTTEIGER, SHALTERS, SCHAEFFER, KISSINGER, HAAK,
WOBENSMITH, BEIDLER, RUTH, FOX, FISHER, AHRENS, REBER, ENGEL,
PFATTEICHER, SEIDEL, KIESZLING, GRING, GICKER, SCHMECK, YOST,
PARVIN, MILLER, BIRCH, BAER

Amos W. Potteiger, successful merchant and public-spirited citizen
at Reading for fifty years, was born Nov. 23, 1823, on a farm in
Bern township along the Tulpehocken creek, several miles from
Reading. He was educated in private schools at Reading and the
Unionville Seminary (situated along the Schuylkill river near the
Chester county line). After leaving school he worked on the
homestead farm until he became twenty-one years old, when he
entered the general store of Francis B. Shalters, at reading (Fifth
and Washington streets), as a clerk, where he remained one year and
then returned to the farm. While on the farm he taught school,
acted as a surveyor, and officiated as a justice of the peace until
1848, when he went to Reading to engage in the mercantile business
with John B. Schaeffer. Their store was situated on the north side
of Penn street, below Third (now No.251). After they had traded
together for a number of years, Mr. Potteiger became the sole owner
of the business, which he continued at that place until 1866.
Shortly before this time he had purchased a large property on the
south side of Penn street, above Third (now Nos. 310-312), where he
erected a large three-story brick building, which was the most
modern business at that time in Reading west of Fourth street. The
plate glass for the show windows was imported from France, and
their size attracted great public attention, they having been the
largest at Reading up to that time. For several years before his
death, Aug. 12, 1897, Mr. Potteiger was the oldest surviving
merchant at Reading. He was elected to common council from the
Northwest ward for two terms, from 1861 to 1864. While in council
he gave much attention to the topographical survey of the city
which was then being made; and he encouraged systematic numbering
of the houses throughout the city. Upon the removal of the public
market-houses on Penn Square, in 1871, he cooperated heartily with
other enterprising men in the western part of Reading for
establishing a private market-house to accommodate the patrons as
well as the farmers, which resulted in the erection of the large
and commodious market-house and the Grand Opera House on the south
side of Penn street, west of Fourth, and he officiated as president
of the corporation until he died. He and his son also erected the
large annex known as the Potteiger market-house in 1895. In the
establishment of a new post-office building at Reading by the
national government, 1887 to 1889, he acted as one of the
commissioners. In politics he was identified with the Democratic
party, in which he always took an active interest, but was never a
candidate for office.

Immediately after locating at Reading, Mr.
Potteiger became a member of the Trinity Lutheran congregation, and
he continued a very active member until he died. He officiated as
deacon, elder and trustee for nearly forty years, and during this
time also took great interest in the Sunday-school, teaching a
class the greater part of the time. When Muhlenberg College, at
Allentown, was established, he was a liberal contributor. He
officiated as a trustee until he died, and his son, Samuel N.,
became his successor. For many years he was the largest single
contributor toward the maintenance of this institution.

In 1849 Mr. Potteiger married Louisa Seidel
Kissinger. They had four children: Clara Amanda (m. to George E.
Haak); Samuel Newton; Emma (died when eighteen years of age); and
Luther (died in infancy). Mrs. Potteiger died Dec. 5, 1907, aged
seventy-nine years. Mrs. Haak took much active interest in church
and charitable work, having had official connections with the
Reading Hospital and Widows’ Home for many years. She died in 1905.

Mr. Potteiger’s father was John Potteiger, of
Bern township, who was engaged in farming and also dealt
extensively in cattle. He took an active interest in politics and
officiated as sheriff of the county from 1850 to 1853. When he
entered upon the duties of this office he moved to Reading, of
which he continued to be a citizen from that time until his
decease. He was born in 1803, and died in 1865. He married Sarah
Wobensmith of Reading, born in 1807, died in 1869. They had nine
children: Amos Wobensmith; Levi (m. to Barbara Beidler); William
(m. to Elizabeth Ruth); John (died in youth); Mary Ann (m. to
Benjamin S. Fox); Rebecca (m. to Henry B. Fisher); Catharine (m. to
William Ahrens); Sarah (m. to James T. Reber); and Amelia (m. to
Daniel Engel).

He was a lineal descendant of Martin
Pfatteicher, who emigrated from Germany in 1737, settled in the
upper section of Bern township (about two miles north of
Bernville), where he secured a large quantity of land, and carried
on farming until his decease, in 1791.

Mrs. Amos W. Potteiger’s father was Abraham
Kissinger, a farmer, born in 1792, died in 1864; he married Susanna
Seidel, born in 1795, died in 1875. Their homestead was located in
Bern township, opposite Reading and overlooking the Schuylkill
river. Her grandfather, also named Abraham, a farmer of the same
township, was born in 1750 and died in 1833. He was married to
Maria Angenisz Kieszling, born in 1752, died in 1838. Mrs.
Potteiger’s parents had nine children: Abraham S. (m. to Lydia
Gring); Rebecca (m. to Jonathan Gicker); Mary (m. to Benjamin
Schmeck); Elizabeth (m. to Samuel Kissinger); Louisa S. (m. to Amos
W. Potteiger); Washington S. (m. to Elizabeth Yost); Susan (m. to
William Parvin); Amanda (m. to James L. Miller); and Sarah (m. to
Charles S. Birch).

Samuel Newton Potteiger was born at Reading, and
received his education in the city schools and in Muhlenberg
College, from which he was graduated. Then he read law in the
office of George F. Baer, Esq., and was admitted to practice in the
several courts of Berks county and the State of Pennsylvania.
Besides carrying on the practice of the law since then, he has
given much successful attention to real estate and building
operations at Reading, being one of its largest builders, having
erected many rows of modern dwellings as well as the handsome
stone-front Potteiger office building at Nos. 535-537 Court Street,
built in 1904. He was one of the organizers of the Schuylkill
Valley Bank (adjoining the Potteiger store building) in 1890, and
since then has served as one of its directors; and upon the death
of his father, succeeded him as a director of the corporations with
which he had been connected.

POTTEIGER
FAMILY

p. 1593

Surnames: POTTEIGER/PFATTEICHER/BATTEICHER/BATTEIGER, MILLER,
MOUNTZ, HAAK, HAAG, NOLL, BABB, CONRAD, KAUFFMAN, SCHAEFFER, HUBER,
SCHMEHL, KLOPP, HARNER, UNGER, DIETRICH, BERNHART, HERR, MOYER,
MINNICH, BRIGHT, FILBERT, HAAG, BEIDLER, GRILL, LEINBACH, KOLP,
HIGH, PEACOCK, YOCUM, HESS, SHIRK, GRING, SPOHN, REBER, YOST,
SCHRACK, WEIDMAN, GAUL, GOCKLEY, MOHR, STEFFY, PHILLIPS, YODER,
BODY, LEADER, AHRENS, SHANNEMAN, GABLE, BITTING, RUTH, BROBST,
TYSON, POST, STIEFF, HODGE, SHERMAN, KERST, KOCHEL

The Potteiger–Pfatteicher, Batteicher– family of Berks county,
Pa., has been on record in this Commonwealth since Oct. 5, 1787,
when the ship “Townshead,” from the Fatherland, landed passengers
at Philadelphia. Among these passengers was Martin Pfatteicher, who
settled in Heidelberg township, Berks county. He died probably late
in November or early in December, 1791, as his will, made Jan. 19,
1791, was admitted to probate Dec. 20, 1791. [Will Book A., page
209.] He had one son, Martin, and five daughters, namely: Maria
Elizabeth, Maria Eva, Maria Catharine, Maria Eva Rosina, and
Susanna Catharine, the last named being the youngest in the family.

Martin Pfatteicher (Potteicher, Batteicher or
Batteiger), son of the emigrant Martin, was a farmer and owned a
large tract of land. The names of his wife and children are not
known.

In Will Book A, page 535, is the record of the
last will and testament of Adam Pfatteicher, said by tradition, to
have been a brother of Martin the emigrant. He was born Nov. 27,
1727, and died March 24, 1807, and is buried at Little Tulpehocken
Church. His will, made May 10, 1804, was entered April 6, 1807, in
it are mentioned his children: John Adam, John Michael, Conrad,
Jacob (known as “Herrgodds” Jacob) and Samuel.

John Adam Potteicher, son of Adam, born June 30,
1755, died March 24, 1827. His wife, Barbara Pfatteicher (spelling
of name taken from tombstone in Little Tulpehocken churchyard),
born May 8, 1761, died Nov. 8, 1821. They were the parents of three
children: Adam, who died young; John, mentioned below; and
Catharine (born Jan. 12, 1780, died Sept. 10, 1847), who married
Michael Miller (born Aug. 11, 1777, died July 23, 1830, after
thirty-one years of married life), both being buried at Little
Tulpehocken Church.

Herrgodds Jacob Botteiger, son of Adam, born in
1769, died in 1853. He married Barbara Mountz, and their son,
Johannes, born April 5, 1795, who married Margaretha Haak (or
Haag), became the father of eight children and died Aug. 27, 1858.

John Potteicher, son of John Adam, was born Aug.
30, 1783, and died April 25, 1858, aged seventy-four years, seven
months, twenty-five days.

He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence
and good judgement, and was prominent in the public life of his
day. For many years he was justice of the peace, and he served in
the General Assembly in 1831-34 and 1842-44 and was State senator
from 1847 to 1849. He married Catharine Noll, born Oct. 27, 1789,
who died Dec. 30, 1852, aged sixty-three years, two months, three
days. Eight children were born to them, as follows: (1) Daniel was
reared in Upper Bern township, and became a prominent man, holding
a number of county offices, serving as county surveyor, 1845-50;
clerk of Orphan’s court, 1854-57; clerk in Reading post-office,
three years. He died in Reading and is buried in the Charles Evans
cemetery. He married Maria Babb, and they had sixteen children,
eight of whom died young, those surviving childhood being Dr.
Jonathan B. (prominent man and noted surgeon of Hamburg, with an
enviable Civil war record, who has a son, George, also a physician
and surgeon), Alfred, Maria, Eli, Sarah, Catharine, Rebecca and
Augustus. (2) John married Eliza Conrad, and had ten children:
Hiram, Rancon, Lizzie, Catharine, Ellen, Emma, Calvin, John, Wilson
and Sydney. (3) William N., born Nov. 15, 1821, died Sept. 5, 1894,
aged seventy-two years, nine months, twenty days. For about six
years he lived on the old John Adam Potteicher homestead in
Jefferson township, and then purchased a part of it, on which he
erected a set of fine buildings, and there made his home for some
thirty-odd years, being a very successful and prominent farmer. He
was an honored citizen and always active in public affairs, making
a fine record as an official. For thirty years he served his
township as justice of the peace; from 1862 to 1864 he was an
Assemblyman. He retired in 1890, and moved to Reading, where he
died four years later, his wife surviving but one year. He married
Esther Kauffmen, born Aug. 16, 1830, died Nov. 14, 1895, aged
sixty-five years, two months, twenty-eight days, and they became
the parents of eleven children: Mary, who married Daniel Schaeffer;
Clara, who married George Huber; John, unmarried; Alice, who
married Edward T. Schmehl; Annie, who married Morgan Klopp; James,
who married Maggie Harner; Thomas (1865-1882); Sallie M., who
married William A. Dietrich (1866-1903); Nora E., who married James
H. Unger (1869- 1898); Rosa, who married William Bernhart; and
Ella, who married Dr. Walter Herr. (4) Samuel married Eliza Moyer,
and they have five children: Ann Matilda, Kate, Frank, George and
Madison. (5) Adam married Maria Schaeffer, and has two children,
Wilson and John. (6) Elizabeth married Jacob Minnich, and they had
two children, Adam and Ellen. (7) Catharine married Adam Bright.
They had no children. (8) Sallie married John Filbert, and had
three children: Heister; Frank, deceased; and Amelia.

Levi Potteiger, son of Sheriff John, was born
near Kissinger’s Church in Bern township, and he engaged in
agricultural pursuits and cattle droving in Berks county all his
life. He carried on an extensive business, and was known not alone
all over his own county but as far as Philadelphia. He married
Barbara Beidler, of Reading, and they had children: John; Abraham
Lincoln; Alice, who married John Grill; Annie, who married Calvin
Leinbach; Sallie, who married William Kolp; Nora, deceased; Irwin
and Alvin.

Abraham Lincoln Potteiger, son of Levi and
Barbara (Beidler), was born in Spring township April 19, 1861. He
attended the district schools in Spring and Bern townships, and at
the age of twenty-one began life for himself, first engaging in
butchering, a trade which he followed successfully at West Reading
and Shillington. In 1897 he located at Third and Walnut streets,
Reading, to carry on the same line, and then went into the hotel
business at Myerstown, Lebanon county, where he remained two years.
From there Mr. Potteiger went to Kleinfeltersville, where he also
spent two years. In 1902 he returned to Cumru township, taking
charge of the “Green Tree Hotel,” which he conducted with great
profit for four years. In the spring of 1906 he removed to his
father-in-law’s farm of 100 acres, near the “Three Mile House,” and
there he is still actively engaged in farming. In politics Mr.
Potteiger is a Democrat, and in religious faith he and his family
are Reformed, belonging to the Shillington Church. He is a member
of Reading Castle, No. 49, K. G. E., and of the Independent Order
of Americans at Shillington.

In June, 1883, Mr. Potteiger married Hannah C.
High, daughter of William P. High, and to this union have been born
three children: Florence H., Helen H. and Ralph H., of whom the
last named died in infancy.

Jacob Batteicher, grandfather of Charles W. Potteiger, of Reading,
and of the brothers Albert, Webster J., Charles E. and Samuel O.,
of Spring township, was born March 5, 1797, and died Nov. 22, 1854,
aged fifty-seven years, eight months, seventeen days; he is buried
at Kissinger’s Church, of which he was an official member. He was a
lifelong farmer in Bern township, also operating what is known as
the Potteiger Mill. He married Christiana Minnich, daughter of
Benjamin and Susan, born Sept. 9, 1799, died Sept. 19, 1873, aged
seventy-four years, ten days. They were the parents of seven
children: (1) Adam, born Jan. 14, 1825, died June 24, 1882, aged
fifty-seven years, five months, ten days, and is buried at
Hinnerschitz church. He lived near Leesport. He married Lovina
Peacock, and they had children, Catharine, Samuel, Adam, William,
Wellington, Emma, Mary, Kate and Nora. (2) Henry is mentioned
below. (3) Mary Ann married William Yocum, who lived at
Stouchsburg, and is mentioned at length elsewhere in this work. (4)
Ellen, born in 1839, died in 1903, married James Hess, of
Tuckerton, Pa. (5) Jacob is mentioned below. (6) Ann married Israel
Shirk, and had four children: Frank, Henry, Sallie and Mary. (7)
Another daughter married (first) Levi Gring, and (second) Israel
Shirk. The family were all Lutherans in religious belief, and the
father was a Whig in politics.

Henry Potteiger, son of Jacob and Christiana
(Minnich), was born in Tulpehocken township March 15, 1828, and
died March 20, 1896, aged sixty-eight years, five days. He was
early trained to farm work, and when he started out for himself it
was to engage in farming and droving.

He bought his cattle in the neighboring
counties, and many of them he shipped to Spring City, where he
disposed of them at public sale. He was a very well-known man, and
had friends wherever he went. About 1855 he came to Sinking Spring
and purchased a farm of about ninety-six acres, upon which he made
his home for twenty-eight years. This farm is now in the possession
of his son, Albert. In his political faith he was a Republican, and
in religious belief a Lutheran, for many years being an elder in
St. John’s Lutheran Church at Sinking Spring, and he is buried in
the cemetery there. He married Eliza Ann Yocum, who was born March
16, 1832, daughter of Daniel Yocum; she died Feb. 9, 1896, when she
was aged sixty-three years, ten months, twenty-three days. They had
twelve children: (1) Daniel married Lizzie M. Spohn, and they live
at Annville, Pa. He is one of the most extensive cattle dealers in
Lebanon and adjoining counties. (2) Franklin married Sarah Reber,
and lives in Spring township, where he conducts a large farm,
paying great attention to dairy products. Their children are:
William, Jennie, Hettie and Cora.

(3) Howard. (4) Albert, (5) Henry W. married Ida
S. Leinbach, and they reside at No. 200 West Oley street, Reading.
(6) Webster J. (7) Emma C. married Henry H. Yost, a farmer one and
one-half miles north of Sinking Spring. (8) Charles E. (9) William
died in infancy. (10) Samuel O. (11) Ellen E. married Charles
Schrack, formerly a railroad employe, but later in the wheelwright
business at Wernersville. (12) Agnes M. married Stephen Weidman, of
Sinking Spring, where he conducts a butcher’s stand.

In 1908, on the fifty-fifth birthday of the
eldest son, Daniel, the sons and daughters of Henry and Eliza Ann
(Yocum) Potteiger assembled at his home in Annville. Eleven of the
twelve children are living, and these were all present. The family
at that time included thirty grandchildren and eight
great-grandchildren.

Albert Potteiger, son of Henry, and a well-known
farmer of Sinking Spring, was born in the township where he still
resides Nov. 17, 1857. He was reared upon his father’s farm, which
as stated above, is now in his possession. For twelve years he
lived at Wernersville, where he was employed at different
occupations. In 1897 he became the owner of his present place of
seventy-two acres, and has since devoted his entire time to its
cultivation. He has all the latest improved machinery, and has some
fine live stock. He sells his butter and cream in Sinking Spring
and markets his fine fruit in Reading. In politics he is a
Republican. Socially he is a member of Washington Camp, No. 99, P.
O. S. of A., at Wernersville. On Oct. 18, 1883, Mr. Potteiger was
married to Miss Kate Gaul, born July 28, 1861, daughter of Henry
and Sarah (Gockley) Gaul. They have one child, Roy H., born Jan.
20, 1894.

Mrs. Potteiger’s grandparents were Dietrich
Gockley, born 1777, died 1845, and his wife, Eva Mohr, born 1784,
died 1851. They are buried at Hain’s Church.

Webster J. Potteiger, son of Henry, and a
well-known farmer and dairyman residing at Sinking Spring, was born
Dec. 9, 1861. He was brought up on the farm, and worked for his
father until he was of age. He then worked for four years in the
warehouse of Conrad D. Reber, of Sinking Spring, and at the end of
that time entered the dairy business. He has conducted a daily milk
route in Reading since 1897, and until the spring of 1904 purchased
his milk from other farmers, but that year he purchased the Joel
Steffy farm from Mrs. H. W. Potteiger, of Reading. His farm
consists of 115 acres of the best land in Spring township. The
buildings are of the very best, the barn is 46×108 feet in
dimensions, and everything about the place reflects the greatest
credit on the management. Mr. Potteiger has twenty head of cattle
and some excellent horses. The most up-to-date and approved methods
and machinery are used on his place. As a good Republican he is
keenly interested in public affairs, although his own business
leaves him no time for the holding of public position. He and his
family are members of St. John’s Lutheran congregation, and he
served as deacon for a number of years.

On Oct. 30, 1887, Mr. Potteiger was married to
Miss Sallie Y. Phillips, daughter of Reuben and Mary (Yoder)
Phillips, farming people of Leesport. Eight children have blessed
this union, namely: Herbert P., Reuben H., Clinton S., Grace E.,
Mary M., Mabel I., Granville Webster and Paul E. The members of
this family are all highly respected and hold an enviable place in
the community.

Charles E. Potteiger, son of Henry, is a farmer
and drover at Sinking Spring, residing on the farm on which he was
born Dec. 7, 1865. He acquired his education in the township
schools, and assisted his parents on the home farm until he was
twenty-one. For the following thirteen years he was employed as a
lineman for the railroad company. In 1902 he began farming, and for
two years continued this vocation in connection with droving. Since
1899 he has made his home in Sinking Spring. At the present time he
is dealing extensively in cattle, which he buys on frequent Western
trips by the carload, and disposes of at public sale in his
village. He is very enterprising and progressive, and is looked
upon as one of the successful men of Sinking Spring. Like all his
family he is a stanch Republican in his political views. He is a
member of Camp No. 282, P. O. S. of A., at Sinking Spring.

On May 24, 1890, Mr. Potteiger married to Miss
Kate H. Yocum, daughter of Benjamin and Catherine Yocum, of Sinking
Spring. They have one daughter, Helen Y.

Samuel O. Potteiger, son of Henry, and now a
popular rural mail carrier at Sinking Spring, was born in Spring
township on his father’s farm Aug. 16, 1868. He received a good
common school education in his native township and worked on his
father’s farm. In 1887 he learned the hat finishing trade with the
Hendels at Montello, this county, and this he followed until 1904,
when he was appointed rural mail carrier from the Sinking Spring
office. He was assigned to Route No. 2, which covers twenty and
two-tenths miles per day. In politics he is a Republican, and has
been active in public affairs, was a delegate to county convention,
and in 1900 was the census enumerator of Spring township.

Mr., Potteiger resides in his own comfortable
residence, which is on Lancaster avenue, and is surrounded by a
beautiful lawn. He is a good citizen and has many friends. He is
financial secretary of Camp No. 282, P. O. S. of A., a position he
has held since 1896; and he is Sir Knight Marshal of Loyal Chamber,
No. 43, Knights of Friendship, both lodges at Sinking Spring. He
and his family are members of St. John’s Lutheran Church, in which
he has been deacon and (since 1901) a member of the choir. Prior to
1898 he was a teacher in the Sunday- school, that year becoming
assistant superintendent, and he has also continued teaching a part
of the time since.

On May 20, 1887, Mr. Potteiger was married to
Miss Emma I. Body, daughter of Henry and Catherine (Leader) Body,
farming people of Bern township. Two sons and two daughters have
come to this union: Harry E., chief clerk of the Reading Shale
Brick Company; Walter L.; Helen Margarite, and Esther May.

Jacob Potteiger, son of Jacob and Christiana (Minnich), and brother
of Henry, mentioned above, was born Feb. 6, 1834, in Bern township.
Until he was sixteen years of age he lived on the home farm,
assisting as he could in its operation. He then began to learn the
shoemaker’s trade, which, however, he never followed. He engaged in
the buying and selling of cattle and horses, this continuing to be
his occupation as long as he lived. He died April 27, 1898, in the
faith of the Lutheran Church. In politics he was a Republican. He
married (first) Sarah Ahrens, born Feb. 2, 1835, and the children
of this union were: Charles W., Peter, born Jan. 7, 1863; Anna L.,
born July 23, 1861; Jacob B., born Jan. 7, 1863; and George W.,
born Dec. 15, 1865. Mr. Potteiger married (second) Eliza Shanneman,
born in Berks county, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Gable)
Shanneman, and to this marriage was born one daughter, Elizabeth,
Sept. 23, 1873, now the wife of Frank W. Bitting, of Shillington.
Mrs. Potteiger resides with her daughter.

Charles W. Potteiger, son of Jacob and Sarah
(Ahrens) Potteiger, was born in Bern township March 23, 1858, and
is now engaged as a wholesale and retail tobacconist at Reading. He
was educated in the common schools of Berks county, and at
Muhlenberg College, Allentown, and for five years was engaged in
teaching school in his native township. He then engaged in business
with his father, purchasing cattle throughout the Western states, a
business he later followed with John C. Potteiger, and still later
alone until 1888, when he was appointed revenue collector for the
First district of Pennsylvania. He served in that capacity until
1892, when he engaged in the jobbing and wholesaling of cigars, a
business he has carried on to the present time with much success.
He employs several salesmen in the conduct of his business, and his
goods are known for their excellence and uniform quality. His
factory is located at Sixth and Washington streets, Reading, with a
branch store at No. 510 Penn street.

In 1881 Mr. Potteiger married Miss Ida Ruth,
daughter of Reuben Ruth, and they have three children: Clarence,
Edna and Adeline. In fraternal connection Mr. Potteiger is a member
of Reading Lodge, No. 62, F. & A. M.; Excelsior Chapter;
Reading Commandery, No. 42, K. T.; Harrisburg Consistory; Reading
Lodge of Perfection; Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.; Lexington
Lodge, K. of P. He and Mrs. Potteiger attend Trinity Lutheran
Church. Mr. Potteiger is a stanch Republican, and was on the board
of public works for eight years, and chairman of the Republican
committee, as well as a delegate to the convention at Chicago that
nominated President Roosevelt. He is a member of the Republican
State Central Committee, and in 1908 was a candidate on the
Republican ticket for county commissioner. He has always been a
public-spirited citizen, and any movements having for their object
the welfare of the city or its citizens have Mr. Potteiger’s hearty
support.

Franklin S. Potteiger, who was a miller by trade, followed that
occupation for many years in Schuylkill county, and later removed
to Berks county, where he operated the well-known Heister mill. In
1866 he located in Reading, and died here at the age of
thirty-eight years. He married Susan Brobst, daughter of David
Brobst, and she now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Walter M.
Tyson, of Reading. To Mr. and Mrs. Franklin S. Potteiger were born
children as follows: James, a barber at Ninth and Franklin streets,
Reading; Edward, who died young; Albert S.; Mary, who married
Walter M. Tyson, city treasurer of Reading; and Franklin, who died
young.

Albert S. Potteiger, son of Franklin and Susan,
and proprietor of the Riverside Planing Mill, at Third and Bern
streets, Reading, was born in Schuylkill county, Jan. 25, 1863. He
attended the schools of Reading and Upper Bern township, at the
latter place taking a two years’ course in German. He then entered
the business college of E. E. Post, Reading, after leaving which he
engaged with the Penn Hardware Company., being employed in the
drilling and riveting department. He next learned the hat making
business with a Mr. Stieff, with whom he continued for some time,
his next work being with the Reading Iron Company. At the end of
two years he engaged in the planing-mill at Franklin and Carpenter
streets, later known as the Penn Planing Mill, where he remained
for eight years. He then took charge of the Reading Box Factory for
a year, after which he assumed charge of the old planing-mills. In
1894 Mr. Potteiger associated himself with Joseph Hodge, Isaac
Sherman and James W. Kerst, under the name of the Excelsior Planing
Mill, Hodge & Co., for general mill planing work. They located
at No. 133 Pearl street, and began with several hands. Mr.
Potteiger was president and general manager of this company, with
which he remained twelve years, at the end of which the business of
the company had so grown as to necessitate the employment of
sixty-eight hands. On March 14, 1896, M. Potteiger retired from
this company, and on June 1, 1896, he began his present business,
buying the building of the American Match Company, at Riverside,
and in fourteen days had his plant operating and receiving orders.
He has had a large and rapidly increasing trade throughout the
State, employing thirty-five skilled mechanics. The factory is a
large two-story building, 80×120 feet, and is fully equipped with
the latest planing-mill machinery.

In 1906 Mr. Potteiger married Catharine Kochel,
daughter of John A. Kochel, a well-known stone-mason who worked for
the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, and the Wilmington
& Northern Railroad Company. Mr. Potteiger is a member of the
B. P. O. E., Lodge No. 115, Reading; the K. G. E., and the Modern
Woodmen of America. Both he and his wife are consistent members of
the Lutheran Church, and are active in its work. They reside at
their pleasant home, No. 127 Spring street, where their many
friends are always welcome. Mr. Potteiger is independent in
political matters.

POTTEIGER, HOWARD W.

p.
1615

Surnames: POTTEIGER, WEIN, KALBACH, JAMES, SWOYER, HOFFA, MECK,
BIEHL

Howard W. Potteiger, a coach builder and general blacksmith of
Exeter township, who has been located in business at Jacksonwald
since March, 1899, was born in Exeter township, Feb. 7, 1872, son
of Cyrus and Anna (Wein) Potteiger.

Edwin Potteiger, the grandfather of Howard W.,
was a farmer of Spring and Exeter townships until his retirement,
when he removed to Reading, and there his death occurred. He
married Miss Sarah Kalbach, of Heidelberg township, and to them
were born these children: Henry, of Glenmore, Chester county;
Harrison, of Sparrow’s Point, Md.,; Morgan, of Annhurst, Dauphin
Co., Pa.; William, of Fort Washington, Pa.; Cyrus; James, of Victor
Hill, N. J.; and Levi, who was last heard of in the U. S. Navy.

Cyrus Potteiger was born in Spring township,
Berks county, and was twelve years old when his parents moved to
Exeter township. There the rest of his life was spent in
agricultural pursuits, his death occurring March 29, 195, at the
age of forty-seven years.

Mr. Potteiger also gave a great deal of
attention to veterinary work, practicing all over Berks county, and
won quite a reputation in this line. He was a Republican in
politics and served as supervisor of Exeter township for some
years. He was a member of Schwartzwald Lutheran Church. His widow,
who is still living, makes her home in St. Lawrence, Berks county.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Potteiger, namely: Clayton
H., a milk dealer of Reading; Emma m. Peter Meck, a machinist of
Reading; and Howard W.

Howard W. Potteiger received his education in
the public schools of Exeter township, and remained at home on the
farm until nineteen years of age, at which time he went to Reading
and entered the carriage establishment of George W. Biehl, to learn
carriage making and blacksmithing. After three years of that work
Mr. Potteiger went to Evan James to learn horse shoeing, and then
in company with Frank Swoyer formed a partnership and opened a
business at Black Bear, which continued for three years. Mr.
Potteiger then sold out and went to Neversink, where he engaged in
business alone for two years. In March, 1899, he came to
Jacksonwald and built his present establishment, with
blacksmithing, woodworking and painting departments. Mr. Potteiger
is an excellent mechanic himself and he employs three skilled
workmen. The high quality and fair prices of Mr. Potteiger’s work
have won him much trade, while his honesty and integrity have given
him a solid standing in the business world. Mr. Potteiger owns his
own home in Jacksonwald, a modern residence with all the latest
improvements, which he bought in 1899. In politics he is a
Democrat, while fraternally he is connected with Washington Camp
No. 230, P. O. S. of A., and the K. G. E., St. Lawrence, No. 463.

In 1892 Mr. Potteiger was married to Miss Lillie
E. Hoffa, daughter of Daniel Hoffa, of Exeter township, and to this
union there have been born five children, as follows: Grace I., Eva
E., Howard O., Erma M. and Myrtle V. The family are members of
Schwartzwald Lutheran Church.