Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

REBER,
CONRAD S. (M.D.)

p. 1056

Surnames: REBER, STOUDT, STEINER, BERGER, UMBENHAUER, KLINE,
SCHNEIDER, HIESTER, STRAUSE, LENGEL, GICKER, SMITH, KERPER, EBLING,
STUMP, BICKEL, LEVAN, FAUST, NAFTZINGER, ECKERT, BEYERLE, RUTH

Conrad Samuel Reber, M. D. Among the prominent members of the
medical profession in Berks county, Pa., none is more favorably
known in his locality than Dr. Conrad Samuel Reber, whose chosen
field of practice is the village of West Reading. Dr. Reber was
born Sept. 23, 1876, at Bernville, Berks county, son of William H.
and Fyetta (Stoudt) Reber.

John Reber, great-grandfather of Dr. Conrad S.,
was a farmer of Penn township, where he died in 1860, at the age of
eighty-five years, being a son of Valentine Reber, who is buried in
the old Union Church cemetery at Bernville. John Reber married
Salome Steiner, and they had a family of nine children, namely:
Conrad; Elizabeth; Samuel m. Catherine Berger; Eva m. John
Christian Berger; Sarah m. Peter Umbenhauer; Christiana m. Daniel
Kline; Catherine m. Michael Kline; Polly m. Daniel Schneider; and
Molly m. Jacob Kline. John Reber was buried in the old homestead
burial ground, still maintained, in which five generations of the
family, in a direct line, rest, namely: John, who died in 1860; his
son Conrad, his grandson William, his great-grandson John, and his
great-great-grandson Robert.

Conrad Reber, grandfather of Dr. Conrad, was a
farmer of Penn township, where he was born on the old homestead in
1798, the property being situated along the Northkill, about a mile
north of Bernville. He was an active member of the German Baptist
(Dunkard) denomination, and in that faith he died in 1872. He m.
Susan Hiester, daughter of Daniel Hiester, of Upper Bern township,
and they had a family of thirteen children: John, m. Caroline
Strause; William; Polly m. Joseph Lengel; Daniel m. Catherine
Gicker, (second) Elizabeth Smith, and (third) Mary Kerper;
Henrietta m. Harrison Stoudt; Elizabeth m. Michael Ebling; Joel;
Isaac m. Sarah Stump, and five died young. After the decease of his
first wife, Conrad Reber married Caroline Bickel, but no children
were born of this union.

William H. Reber, father of Dr. Conrad S., was
born in 1831, on the Reber homestead, where he was reared to
manhood, and spent his entire life there, dying in 1904. He married
Fyetta Stoudt, daughter of William Stoudt, of the same place, and
by her had seven children: Harrison m. Carolina Levan; Levi m.
Amelia Faust; Franklin m. Lillian Naftzinger; Annie m. Aaron
Eckert; Conrad S.; and two died young.

Conrad Samuel Reber received his preliminary
education in the local schools, and then attended Juniata College,
graduating from the commercial department in 1893, and the general
department two years later. Upon his return home, he taught school
in Penn township, in the Scull Hill school for three terms, and
with this additional preparation he selected the profession of
medicine for his vocation, and entered the office of W. G. Beyerle,
at Bernville, for the purpose of reading medicine under his
instruction. In 1899, he entered Jefferson Medical College, at
Philadelphia, and graduated in 1903, when he located at West
Reading. Here he has carried on a successful practice to the
present time, and in 1905 he erected one of the finest dwellings in
the place for his home and office.

Dr. Reber married Tillie E. Ruth, daughter of
Edwin G. Ruth.

REBER
FAMILY

p. 1043

Surnames: REBER, GRIME, SPANGLER, BATTEIGER, SHUBERT, MERTZ,
KETTERER, DE TURK, SEYFERT, HEILIG, CHRIST, SCHAUM, KAUFFMAN,
HENNE, FEICK, BERTRAM

Reber. (I) Jacob Reber, the ancestor of many of the Rebers of Berks
county, was born Feb. 4, 1760, and died Sept. 19, 1843, aged
eighty-three years, seven months, fifteen days. He owned a fine
farm in Bern (now Upper Tulpehocken) township, where he died. His
wife, Susanna, born Nov. 10, 1762, died Nov. 24, 1843, aged
eighty-one years, fourteen days. They are buried side by side at
the Zion’s Blue Mountain Church.

(II) Jonathan Reber, son of Jacob, born Feb. 21, 1802, died June 6,
1859, aged fifty-seven years, three months, sixteen days. He was a
farmer in Upper Tulpehocken township, owning a farm of about 160
acres near Strausstown, at the Blue Mountain Church. He is buried
at the Blue Mountain Church. He married Susanna Grime, born Aug.
27, 1803, died Jan. 7, 1871, and to them were born the following
named children: Charlotte, Jonathan G., Benneville G., Mary,
Solomon G., Catharine, Issabella, Percival G., Elias G., Adam and
Amilia. Of this family we have the following record:

(III) Charlotte Reber married Adam Spangler, who had a farm in
Snyder county, Pa., where he died. He is buried at the Keiser
Church. Mrs. Spangler died in Fremont, Nebr., and her remains were
brought East to the home of her youngest son, Adam, in Selin’s
Grove, Snyder county, where the funeral was held. There she was
buried, by the side of her husband. They had children: Jonathan,
Diana, Lewis, Charles, Frank, George, Clara and Adam.

(III) Jonathan G. Reber, born Dec. 30, 1828, died Jan. 22, 1897,
and is buried at the Blue Mountain Church. He was a successful
business man, carrying on until his death a furniture and
undertaking establishment at Strausstown. A member of St. Paul’s
Evangelical Lutheran Church, he took an active part in the work of
that congregation. In politics he was a Democrat. He married Sarah
A. Batteiger, born April 17, 1830, died Jan. 20, 1906, and they had
two children, of whom Caleb died at the age of two years. The other
was Commodore V. Reber, a well-known business man of Strausstown.

(III) Benneville G. Reber, born July 29, 1830, at Strausstown, Pa.,
died March 29, 1904, at No. 3711 Filbert St., West Philadelphia,
Pa. He married Sarah Ann Shubert, born Jan. 30, 1835, at Ardmore,
Montgomery Co., Pa., died Aug. 12, 1905, at Durham, Bucks Co., Pa.,
at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mertz. Both are buried in the
Ardmore cemetery. They had three children: (1) Clara M. Reber, born
Feb. 2, 1862, married Rev. J. A. Mertz, who has three congregations
in his charge. They have two sons: Paul Allen, the elder, now
(1909) aged nineteen years, is a junior at Ursinus College,
Collegeville, Montgomery Co., Pa., and the younger, John Ernest,
fourteen years old, is preparing for college at Riegelsville
Academy. (2) Charles Shubert Reber, born Feb. 3, 1863, at Ardmore,
Montgomery Co., Pa., lives at No. 3823 Hamilton street,
Philadelphia. They have a family of five children: Florence, Laura,
Charles, Jr., Clara and Edna. (3) George Ervin Reber, born June 16,
1868, at Pleasantville, Montgomery Co, Pa., lives at Palmyra, N. J.
He has two children, Marian and Horace.

(III) Mary Reber married Daniel Ketterer. They are buried in St.
John’s church cemetery, at Hamburg, Pennsylvania.

(III) Solomon G. Reber, born Feb. 5, 1834, died March 20, 1886. He
was a farmer in Upper Tulpehocken township, cultivating the land
now owned by his son Albert D. Reber, a tract of sixty-three acres,
upon which he resided until his death. He is buried at the Blue
Mountain Church. He married Elizabeth De Turk, born July 26, 1835
(daughter of Abraham De Turk), died June 15, 1906. They had a
family of three children: Albert D., Milton and Cassie M. Milton
Reber is a resident of Portland, Ind. Cassie M. is the wife of
Jacob Seyfert, a teacher and notary public of Strausstown, Berks
county.

(III) Catharine Reber married George R. Heilig, and they resided at
No. 739 Franklin street, Reading, Pennsylvania.

(III )Issabella Reber married Jonathan Christ, and they reside at
No. 612 Gordon street, Reading, They have two children, Thomas and
Lizzie.

(III) Percival G. Reber married Eliza Schaum, and to them were born
seven children: Caleb Webster, born Oct. 10, 1859, resides at
Wildwood, Mich.; Howard Lawrence, born Sept. 11, 1861, resides in
Vineland, N. J.; Charles Alvin, born May 8, 1864, lives out West;
James Wallace, born Aug. 22 1866, is deceased; Lillie Miranda, born
Nov. 14, 1868, lives in the West; Adam Henry, born May 26, 1871, is
deceased; Willie S., born July 12, 1874, is deceased.

(III) Elias G. Reber is buried in the Frieden’s Church cemetery, at
Shartlesville, Berks county.

(III) Adam Reber died while quite young, and he is buried in the
cemetery of the Zion’s Blue Mountain Church.

(III) Amilia Reber married Levi Kauffman and lives at Wyomissing,
Pa. They have four children, Byron, Laura, Lizzie and Stanley.

(IV) Commodore V. Reber, son of Jonathan G., was born May 2, 1861,
in Upper Tulpehocken township. He received his education in the
public schools, and then learned the furniture and undertaking
business under his father, for whom he worked until the older man
died, since when he has carried on the business on his own account.
Mr. Reber has a profitable patronage, and few men are more
respected in the community for sterling worth and honorable
character. He is an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, in
which he has been deacon and elder, and is at present secretary of
the Sunday-school. In politics he is a Democrat.

Mr. Reber married Diana R. Henne, daughter of
Moses and Leah Feick. They have no children.

(IV) Albert D. Reber, son of Solomon G., born Aug. 15, 1857,
attended the public schools during his boyhood and afterward
assisted his father with the work at home until he was twenty-one,
from which time he had entire charge of the farm, which he bought
after his father’s death. He has continued to make his home and
carry on the work there. The farm is a fertile tract, well-watered,
and under an excellent state of cultivation, which Mr. Reber is
well fitted to maintain. Besides his farming interests he does
considerable business as a dealer in fertilizers, in the sale of
which he has become well known throughout upper Berks county. In
the winter months he engages in carpet weaving, having learned this
trade from his father, and he finds a ready sale and steady demand
for the products of his loom. Mr. Reber has been quite active in
the church and in the affairs of the community generally. He served
as school director; for two years as president of the school board;
is a stanch Democrat and local party worker, having been a member
of the election board; is a member of the Lutheran Church, in which
he has held all the offices; and is a member of the P. O. S. of A.

Mr. Reber married Sallie Bertram, daughter of
Elias Bertram, of Strausstown. They have no children.

REBER FAMILY

p.
1239

Surnames: REBER, RABER, ROUSH, HAFFLY, LINGEL, RUHL, DE WALT,
BIEBER, GORDNER, HOY, KLAHR, SPOHN, KLINE, SAUL, BOYER, SMITH,
PERRY, WERTZ, ZIEGLER, EDDINGER, KELLY, WILGEROTH, LEVAN, STUBER

The Reber Family. The Reber family which is quite numerous in
Reading and in the northeastern section of Berks county, had its
beginning in Leonard Raver (Reber), who was a German Palatinate and
came to America prior to 1740. In that year he had already settled
in Windsor (now Perry) township, where he owned considerable land.
Warrants for land were deeded to him as follows: Oct. 11, 1750, for
ninety-three acres; April 5, 1775, another warrant was given him.
Prior to these dates he already owned land. In 1769 Leonard Reber
sold a tract of his land to George, his oldest son. He died prior
to May 1, 1777, leaving the following eleven children: George,
whose wife’s first name was Anna Elizabeth; Adam, of Northampton
county (now Weisenburg township, Lehigh county); John, of Berks
county; Frederick, of Northampton county; Leonard of Northampton
county; Dorothy (m. Henry Roush, of Berks county); Hannah (m. Jacob
Haffly, of Berks county; Elizabeth (m. Nicholas Lingel, of Berks
county); Christina (m. Conrad Ruhl); Catherine (m. Adam De Walt);
and Magdalena (m. Adam Bieber).

George Reber, the eldest son of Leonard, the
immigrant, obtained a warrant from the Province of Pennsylvania,
which bore the name of “Raversburg.” and was dated April 15, 1783.
He also on May 1, 1777 (after his father’s death), bought the
homestead, paying 100 pounds of lawful money to each of his sisters
and brothers as their share of the inheritance. He had a son named
Jacob, who had among his children two sons: Samuel and William.
Samuel Reber was a farmer and blacksmith in what is now Perry
township, where he owned ninety-six acres of land. He was a
Lutheran and is buried at Zion’s Church. His wife’s name was Esther
and their wedding trip was made on horse-back, as was the custom,
and they had these children: (1) Jeremiah, who had – Owen, Oscar,
Ann and Lillian: 92) David (1832-1906), who had, – Mary, Kate,
Arch, Edith, Samuel A., William H., Annie and Jacob; (3) Kate; (4)
Esther; (5) Abraham, who had one son, John; (6) an infant son; (7)
one whose name is not known; and (8) Ann, who died young. William,
the second son of Jacob Reber, was born in 1818, and died in 1890,
and was twice married, having by his first wife, one son, – Jacob,
and by his second wife, Ann Gordner, fifteen children.

Adam Reber, the second son of Leonard the
immigrant, lived for some years in Northampton (now Lehigh) county,
in Weisenburg township, but later returned to his native county, –
Berks. His son, George, the great-grandfather of Ira J. J. Reber,
of Mount Penn borough, was born in Bern township, where he was
engaged in milling, and died in Reading in his eightieth year,
being buried at the Charles Evans cemetery. He married a Miss Hoy,
and to them were born the following children: Polly, who died
unmarried; Catherine, m. to Daniel Klahr; Rebecca, m. to Samuel
Spohn; Augustus, who was a miller and died in Reading; Joel, who
settled at State Hill; George, who lived in Allentown for many
years, but died out West; Joseph; and Jacob, who lived and died in
Schuylkill county.

Joseph Reber was a native of Bern township, but
in later years removed to Maiden-creek township, where he operated
the Evansville grist mill until his death. He was married to
Elizabeth Kline, and to them there were born children as follows:
Mary m. Eli Saul; William is a clock-maker of Reading; Aaron, a
distiller by trade, is now conducting a grocery in Reading; Ella,
deceased, m. Harry Boyer, a car inspector of Reading; Joel K.;
Daniel, a clock-maker of Reading, has three children, – David L.,
Wesley and Howard L.; Sarah m. Irwin Smith, a wall paper dealer of
Reading; and Emma m. Samuel Perry, of Kansas.

Joel K. Reber was born in Bern township, Dec.
16, 1842, and in 1858 learned the painting trade in Reading, which
he has followed at intervals to the present time. In 1862 he
engaged in the wall paper business, opening a little store in
partnership with Henry Wertz, on Ninth street, near Washington.
Later he built at No. 154 North Ninth street, where he continued
alone until 1891, the year in which he purchased his present place,
No. 943 Penn street, where he has followed the business very
successfully ever since. He is a consistent member of Ebenezer
Evangelical Church of Reading, which he joined in 1877, and in
which he has served as trustee and steward for some years. In 1869
Mr. Reber was married to Catherine Ziegler, daughter of James W.
and Christiana (Eddinger) Ziegler, and to this union there were
born children as follows: Lillie m. Charles Kelly, a shoe-last
maker of Philadelphia; Minnie died in childhood; E. J. is at home;
Javan, a paper hanger of Reading, m. Minnie Wilgeroth; Ira J. J.;
Katie died in childhood; and Harry C. m. Carrie Smith and works as
a clerk in Reading.

Ira J. J. Reber was born June 25, 1880, in
Reading, received a good education in the city schools and the High
school, and left the latter to enter his father’s paper store, now
located at No. 943 Penn street, which he is now conducting. He
carries a full line of wallpaper and accessories doing the largest
business of this kind in Berks county. They also do considerable
painting, frescoing and decorating, and during their busy season
employ upwards of twenty-five skilled workmen. Many buildings in
Reading and the surrounding country bear evidence of the excellence
of Mr. Reber’s work, among them being churches, halls and public
buildings.

In politics this branch of the Reber family is
strongly Republican in national and state matters, while in local
affairs honesty and ability are considered before partisanship. Mr.
Reber is a member of the Mount Penn Board of Health, and is
fraternally connected with the P. O. S. of A., No. 163, Reading;
and the Knights of Malta, No. 47. He and his family are members of
Salem Evangelical Church, of which he has been a trustee for some
years, and where he is a teacher in the Sunday school.

On Aug. 6, 1901, Mr. Reber was married to Lizzie
Levan, daughter of George A. and Philibena (Stuber) Levan.

REBER FAMILY

p. 1298

Surnames: REBER, HAHN, SHOFER, ORBENGAST, HAAS, RATHMACHER, BICKEL,
RIEGEL, HAIN, AHRENS, FISHER, HIESTER, POTTEIGER, TOBIAS, MILLER,
MINNICH, EYRICH, GRING, RHOADS, ADAMS, HERBINE, REESER, RICKENBACH,
MOYER, WITMOYER, APPEL, DAVIS, BENDER, GERHART

Reber. The early home of the Reber family of Berks county was
Langenselbold, in Kreis Hanau, Regrersungbezirk Cassel, Germany. In
the old book at the Evangelical Church there appear the names of
four brothers, Johan Bernhard, Hans, Johan Conrad and Michael.
These were found there by Mr. James J. Reber, of Reading, in 1882.

The first named of these brothers, Johan
Bernhard, is recorded as having a son, Johannes Reber, who was
married Feb. 8, 1736, to Johanna Magdalena Hahn, daughter of Conrad
Hahn. To this union were born in Germany two sons: Johannes, Dec.
16, 1736; and Ludwig Freiderich August, Sept. 11, 1740. The
Pennsylvania archives contain a list of 30,000 emigrants, and among
them is Johan Bernhard Reber, from Rotterdam, Holland, on the “Snow
Two Sisters,” landing at Philadelphia, and qualifying Sept. 9,
1738, and of him no further records are to be found. However,
according to his passports Johannes Reber left his native land for
America April 23, 1742, bringing his family with him. His second
son Ludwig died on the voyage. Being a member of William Penn’s
Colony his first object was to find a suitable location, and he
selected a tract of land about six miles west of Reading, in Lower
Heidelberg township, at the bend of the Tulpehocken – a beautiful
but desolate valley now known as the Blue Marsh. He moved thither
with his wife and son, built himself a home which served the double
purpose of shelter and protection from the Indians and wild beasts.
This old building with its large square fire place in the center,
is still standing, the farm now being the property of Henry Shofer,
of Reading. He was naturalized May 13, 1768. Three sons were born
to him after his arrival in America, namely: Thomas, Valentine and
Peter.

Johannes Reber, son of Johannes, born Dec. 16,
1736, was twice married. His first wife was a Miss Orbengast, who
bore him two children, John and Magdalena. The maiden name of his
second wife was Haas, and of this marriage four children were born:
Nicholas, Abraham, Michael and Susanna.

John Reber, son of Johannes Reber (whose wife
was an Orbengast), became a farmer in Bern township. He married
Magdalena Rathmacher, and they had fourteen children, namely:
Magdalena, who married (first) John Bickel, and (second) Jacob
Riegel; Barbara, who married John Hain; Christiana, who became the
wife of John Ahrens; Elizabeth, who married John Fisher; Rebecca,
who became the wife of Yost Hiester; Susanna, who died unmarried at
the age of twenty-two years; Sarah, who married John Potteiger;
Joseph, mentioned below; John, who died young; Benjamin, who
married (first) Margaretha Tobias, and (second) Susanna S. Miller;
and John (2), Samuel, Jonas and Daniel, who all four died young.

Joseph Reber, son of John and Magdalena, was a
prominent miller and farmer in Bern township. He married Elizabeth
Minnich, and had eleven children: (1) James died young. (2) Elias
M., living at Tina, Mo., married Sarah Hain, and had five children:
Wilson, Louisa, John J., George and Alva S. (3) Maria married
Joshua Eyrich, and had twelve children: Charles, Frank, William,
Joshua, George, Aaron, Elizabeth, Emma, James, Calvin, John and
Sarah. (4) Eliza married Charles Gring, and has three children,
Calvin, Charles and Wallace. (5) Fietta married Henry Rhoads, and
their only child, George, died in infancy. (6) Harrison M., born
Sept. 7, 1833, married Amelia Fisher, and died Nov. 16, 1892, the
father of six children: Ellen, Joseph F., Mary E., Amelia, Kate and
Alice B. (7) Sarah married James Adams, and had one son, Tyson. (8)
Simplecius married Sarah M. Herbine, and had four children: Ellen
H., Emma N., James H. and Sarah. (9) Priscilla married William
Reeser, and had six children: Sarah, Ida, Obert, Ocky, Owen and
Laura. (10) Henry M. (11) Rebecca married Jacob Rickenbach, and had
eight children: Sarah, Clara, Ella, Annie, John, Solomon, Calvin
and Charles.

Henry M. Reber, son of Joseph and Elizabeth, was
born on the homestead farm at Reber’s Mill in Bern township, June
15, 1841. He grew to manhood there and was trained to agricultural
pursuits, giving his service to his parents until he was twenty-two
years old. He then entered the employ of Joseph Reber, and for some
years drove his mill team, and later continued in the same capacity
for his brother Elias, who succeeded Joseph in the business. In
1865 Mr. Henry M. Reber engaged in farming, commencing in
Heidelberg township, along the Tulpehocken, where he tenanted five
years. He then moved to Spring township in the Cacoosing district,
where he lived ten years, continuing to farm rented land in Spring
and Heidelberg townships until 1892, when he purchased his present
farm of eighty acres in Lower Heidelberg, in the Faust school
district. In 1892 he built the present frame house, and has it
equipped with all the modern devices for comfortable living. He has
twelve head of cattle and five horses, and a complete outfit of
up-to-date farm implements. In politics Mr. Reber is a Democrat,
and in religion he and his family are Reformed members of Epler’s
Union Church.

On Nov. 21, 1863, Henry M. Reber was married to
Mary Rickenbach, born in March, 1843, daughter of Solomon and
Rosina (Moyer) Rickenbach, of Rickenbach Station. The latter was
born in Germany, and at her death was buried at Epler’s Church. Six
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Reber: Solomon R.; Morris R., a
school teacher at Wernersville; Harry, who died aged twenty years;
Ella Nora, who married Aaron Witmoyer, a farmer of Lower Heidelberg
township; George R., unmarried and teaching school; and Calvin R.,
born April 14, 1880, at home.

Solomon R. Reber, son of Henry M., and now a
farmer near Shillington, in Spring township, was born Aug. 24,
1864. He was brought up familiar with the duties about a farm,
remaining at home until he was twenty-seven. In 1892 he began
farming one of the Shoup farms in Spring township, where he has
since lived. This farm consists of fifty-five acres of excellent
land, and Mr. Reber has a good equipment of modern machinery. He
has a herd of Holstein and Durham cattle, and some good horses. His
milk is sold wholesale, and shipped to Reading. While taking an
interest in public affairs, Mr. Reber is no politician. He stands
well in the community, being upright in his relations with his
fellowmen. He was confirmed at Epler’s Church, in Bern township, by
Rev. R. S. Appel, and is a Reformed member of Hains’ Church in
Lower Heidelberg, in which latter Church Mrs. Reber was confirmed
by Rev. W. P. Davis.

On Oct. 17, 1891, Mr. Reber was married to
Sallie G. Bender, daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Gerhart) Bender,
farming people of Lower Heidelberg township.

REBER,
HENRY C. G.

p. 1321

Surnames: REBER, BRIGHT, FISHER, GERNANT, O’REILLY, DUNBAR, LEVAN,
HAGENMAN, ERMENTROUT, BLAND

Henry C. G. Reber was born in Penn township, Berks county, Dec. 18,
1846, and departed this life in 1902.

The Reber family originated in Germany, and
there in 1736 was born Thomas Reber. He was an industrious and
painstaking man, and was highly respected. His death occurred in
1823. His children were: John, John Peter, Catharine, Magdalena,
Valentine, Anna Maria, Anna Margaretha, Elizabeth, Susanna and
Conrad.

Conrad Reber was born in Germany May 18, 1788,
and was the first of the family to emigrate to America. He became a
farmer in Berks county, Pa., where he died Sept. 27, 1854. He was a
director of the Farmers’ National Bank of reading. He married
Susanna Bright, who was born Feb. 14, 1789, and who died Oct. 5,
1847. Their children were: Thomas B., Mary Ann, Charles B.,
Bennwell B., John B., Daniel B., Anna, Levi B., Matilda and Henry.

John B. Reber, son of Conrad, was born Jan. 9,
1818, and died Feb. 2, 1894. He, also, was a director of the
Farmers’ National Bank of Reading. He was thrice married. By his
first wife, Sarah Fisher, he had two children, Mary A. and Levi F.
His second wife, Mary Gernant, also bore him two children, Henry C.
G. and Sarah M., of whom the latter married Simon P. O’Reilly, and
lives in Reading. Mr. Reber married for this third wife Montana
Dunbar; no children were born to this union.

Henry C. B. Reber was primarily educated in the
public schools of his native township. He was but twenty years of
age when he graduated from Franklin and Marshall College, at
Lancaster, Pa., which institution subsequently conferred upon him
the degree of A. M. He entered the office of Jeremiah Hagenman, who
afterward became President Judge, and on April 12, 1869, he was
admitted to the Berks county Bar. His rise in the profession was
phenomenal, and in a few years he was admitted practice in the
Supreme court of Pennsylvania and the United States District court
Mr. Reber had a large practice in the Orphans’ court, and was
frequently called upon to settle estates. He was often appointed
master in equity, and as such acquitted himself with great ability.
In 1874 he was elected district attorney by a large majority, and
as such served three years. It was during his term of office that
the great riot of 1877 occurred — a riot arising from a strike of
railroad employes, and had Mr. Reber done nothing else, his conduct
at that trying time, his indictment of guilty parties without fear
or favor, would have given him a record of which any man might be
proud.

Outside of his legal practice Mr. Reber had a
number of important interests. He was at one time a director in the
Farmers’ National Bank, and the solicitor of that institution. He
was the owner of considerable real estate, and was interested in
coal operations in Shenandoah. In his religious belief he was a
Roman Catholic, being a member of St. Peter’s Church.

Mr. Reber was married to Miss Mary C. Levan,
who, with an adopted son, LeRoy L., survives. Mrs. Reber makes her
home at the family residence on Eleventh street.

For several years before his death Mr. Reber had
been in poor health, but it had been thought that he was on the
fair road to recovery when the town was startled by the news of his
death, and the general feeling was one of sorrow at the loss of a
good man and a loyal friend. A special meeting of the Berks Bar
Association was held in the main courtroom, and many who had now
him spoke feelingly of his demise. Judges Ermentrout and Bland and
several others eloquently testified to the loss to the profession
and to themselves in the death of their personal friend — a lawyer
of high ability, a man of unimpeachable integrity, a companion and
friend genial and cheerful, who ever tried to scatter sunshine in
the lives of those about him.

REBER,
HORATIO K.

p. 1562

Surnames: REBER, STOUT, MASSER,

Horatio K. Reber (deceased), who for many years was a prominent
business man of Reading, being a pioneer in the electrical supply
and construction business, was born July 22, 1849, in Leesport,
Berks county, where he received a good common-school education.

Mr. Reber’s first employment was in the painting
business which he followed until 1883, in which year he engaged in
the electrical supply business on Sixth street, near Buttonwood.
Later he removed to near Penn street, on Sixth, and in 1888 located
at No. 651 Penn street, where the business was conducted by him
until his death, in 1901, since which time his widow has managed
the business, under the name of Reading Electrical Supply &
Construction Company. Mrs. Reber, who resides at No. 322 Windsor
street, also owns three other properties on Hudson street and one
on Pear street, is an able business woman, and under her
supervision the enterprise has grown to such proportions that six
mechanics are required to carry on its business.

July 1, 1873, Mr. Reber was married to Mary A.
Stout, daughter of Abraham and Hannah (Masser) Stout. Mr. and Mrs.
Stout were members of the Reformed Church. They had children as
follows: Milton; Mary A., m. Mr. Reber; James, and Elizabeth, and
four who died in infancy. Mrs. Reber is a member of the Christian
Church, to which her husband also belonged, and of the Y. W. C. A.
Mr. Reber’s fraternal connections were with the I. O. O. F., the
Knights of Pythias, the P. O. S. of A., and Mt. Penn Council, Royal
Arcanum; and in all of these organizations he was very popular. He
was an able business man, and was public-spirited to a high degree,
giving his support and hearty co-operation to any movement that
would be of benefit to the city or its citizens.

REBER, JAMES
B.

p. 910

Surnames: REBER, ROTHERMEL, MAYER, SCHEARER, MILLER, STRAUSS

James B. Reber, who has become well known to the people of Berks
county. Pa., as an educator, was born in Windsor (now Perry)
township, March 13, 1850, son of Joseph and Mary (Rothermel) Reber.

Joseph Reber, father of James B., was born in
Windsor township, where he learned the carpenter’s trade, following
this occupation for some years. He then removed to Hamburg, Pa.,
being there employed by the Philadelphia & Reading Railway
Company, for a period of twenty-five years as boss carpenter and
bridge builder. He was killed at Wayne Junction while working with
a force of men on a bridge. During the Civil war he served as a
sub-foreman in the construction corps. In politics he was a
Democrat. Mr. Reber was twice married, his first wife being Mary
Rothermel, daughter of Peter Rothermel, by whom he had these
children: F. Leonard; Annie died aged thirteen years; and James B.
The first wife of Mr. Reber died at the age of thirty-two years,
and he married (second) Susan Mayer, who bore him these children:
Joseph, Edward, Erastus, Samuel, Claude, Lewis, Minerva, Lilly,
Laura and Iva.

James B. Reber resided in his native township
until twenty-four years of age, with the exception of one year when
he lived in Hamburg. He was educated in the schools of his native
township and later at the Keystone State Normal school, which
latter institution he attended for two terms. Mr. Reber began
teaching in the fall of 1869, in a private stone dwelling along the
pike, north of Hamburg, and the next two years taught at Hoffman’s
school in the same district. The next six terms were spent at the
Windsor Castle school, Mr. Reber then removing to Upper Bern (now
Tilden) township, where he taught Fishers school for one term, and
Becker’s for three terms. At the end of that time he returned to
his native township, where he has resided ever since, teaching
Hoffman’s school for one term and one term at Engel’s. Mr. Reber
became an agriculturist and painter, and as such has since
continued, with the exception of the winter of 1896-97, when he
completed the unexpired term at Hoffman’s of his son, who met an
accidental death. Mr. Reber served his township faithfully for nine
years as auditor, and has been re-elected for the next three years;
and he has been drawn on many juries, both in Federal and local
courts. In politics he is a Democrat. He and his family are
consistent members of Salem United Brethren Church of
Shoemakersville, where he has served as trustee, steward, deacon,
secretary and treasurer, and for the last eight years as
class-leader. He represented the church at several annual
conferences and has been assistant superintendent of the
Sunday-school for a number of years.

Mr. Reber was married Aug. 15, 1874, to Susan C.
Schearer, daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Miller) Schearer, and
to this union there were born children as follows: Calvin A., born
Oct. 30, 1874, was a teacher and died by drowning while in
swimming, July 12, 1896; Lillie A. is a masseuse at Bethlehem, Pa.;
Laura L. married Charles Strauss of Bethlehem; Robert E., born Oct.
16, 1882; James A., born April 28, 1885; Elsie M.; Estella M.; and
Llewellyn G., born July 27, 1892, died on Feb. 25 1897, ten days
after his mother.

REBER, JAMES
T.

p. 343

Surnames: REBER, HAHN, SHOFER, KERSCHNER, POTTEIGER, TEMPLIN,
DEETER

James T. Reber, President of the Reading National Bank, and one of
the city’s men of capital, business and social importance, is a
descendant of one of the very old families of Berks county, Pa. On
account of its prominence and its numbers and wide distribution,
some of its members have taken justifiable pride in looking up its
early records. A well known citizen of Reading and a member of this
family, Morris B. Reber, has with careful research compiled a
volume which bears the title “Genealogy of the Reber Family,
descended from Johan Bernhard Reber, 1738.” From this interesting
work we quote as follows:

“The idea of preparing a genealogy of the Reber family was probably
suggested by the finding of the original passport of Johannes Reber
still preserved, who was, for a long time, believed to be the first
one of the large family of Rebers who emigrated to this country.
This passport shows that he came from Langenselbold, Germany, which
is situated in Kreiz Hanau, Regierungsbezirk Cassel, Konigreich
Prussia. While visiting in that part of the country, in 1882, Mr.
James T. Reber found recorded in the old church book of the
Evangelical Church (Rev. Frederick Hufnagle, Pastor), the names of
four brothers, Johan Bernhard, Hans, Johan Conrad and Michael
Reber.

“This church book dates back to the year 1563, so that it might be
possible to obtain the ancestors of these four brothers since the
sixteenth century. However, we have been satisfied to make a record
only from the earliest emigrant to this country.

“Johan Bernhard Reber, the first of these brothers, is recorded in
this same book as having one son, Johannes, mentioned below. The
Pennsylvania archives, containing the names of 30,000 early
emigrants, mention the arrival of John Bernhard Reber, from
Rotterdam, Holland, on the ‘Snow Two Sisters’, landing in
Philadelphia and qualifying Sept. 9, 1738, by swearing allegiance
to Great Britain. We can learn of nothing pertaining to his
whereabouts or life after his arrival in this country. The
passport, however, of the son who came to this country in 1742 is
still intact.

“Johannes Reber, whose date of birth is unknown, son of Johan
Bernhard, was married Feb. 8, 1736, to Johanna Magdalena Hahn,
daughter of Conrad Hahn. They had two sons born in Germany,
Johannes, Dec. 16, 1736, and Ludwig Friedrich August, Sept. 11,
1740. According to his passport, he left his native country for
America, April 23, 1742, bringing his family with him, although it
is known that the second son, Ludwig, died on board the ship. Being
a member of William Penn’s colony, his first object was to find a
desirable location. Having selected some acres of land about six
miles west of Reading, in Lower Heidelberg township, at the big
bend of the Tulpehocken, in a beautiful though desolate valley
known afterward as the ‘Blue Marsh’, he moved thither with his wife
and son, built himself a home which served the double purpose of
shelter and protection against the Indians and wild animals, his
only neighbors. This quaint old building, with its large, square
fire-place in the center is still standing on the farm formerly
occupied by Mr. Henry Shofer, of Reading.

“We find recorded in the Pennsylvania archives, that John Reber was
naturalized May 13, 1768, and also that he, like many others of the
early settlers, was concerned in numerous disputes regarding the
rights of ownership of their land. During the time that he resided
in this locality, he was blessed with an increase to his family of
three sons who were named Thomas, Valentine and Peter.”

James T. Reber is a descendant of John or
Johannes Reber mentioned above, who was the eldest son of Johan who
emigrated in 1742, and who continued to live in Pennsylvania after
his father’s death. Johan Reber was twice married and had six
children. Two of the brothers, Peter and Valentine, settled in the
west in the neighborhood of Lancaster, Ohio, where numbers of their
descendants may be found. The remaining brother, Thomas Reber, was
born in Pennsylvania in 1746, was married to Elizabeth Kerschner,
born Nov. 1, 1747, died Dec. 22, 1823, and he left ten children.

James T. Reber, the immediate subject of this
sketch, was born April 29, 1834, at Sinking Spring, Berks Co., Pa.
He was educated in the public schools and afterward engaged in the
hardware business for forty years, from 1853 until 1893, trading as
Bard, Reber & Company.

James T. Reber was married to Miss Sarah W.
Potteiger, Oct. 3, 1854. They have had seven children born to them,
of whom Benjamin died aged nine years, the survivors being: C.
Alice, wife of Joseph F. Templin, of Philadelphia, Pa.; Valeria E.,
wife of Isaac L. Deeter, in the Reading railroad service at
Reading; Morris B., for a time engaged in the real estate business
branch house, representing a large New York concern; Clara R.; and
James C., a manufacturer of Reading. The mother of these children
died Jan. 31, 1903, aged sixty-seven years.

In addition to the business interests already
mentioned, Mr. Reber has been president of the Reading National
Bank since March 14, 1893, the date of its organization. As one of
the city’s most responsible citizens he has been chosen for offices
of responsibility as his leisure time permitted, serving for three
years in the common council and for three years an unexpired term
as prison inspector. He is a Knight Templar Mason and an Odd
Fellow. Mr. Reber is prominent in the Reformed Church, in which he
has been an elder for many years, and for six years he has been
treasurer of the board of Home Missions. For more than twenty years
he has been a trustee of the Bethany Orphans’ Home; was treasurer
of the board of publication of the Reformed Church of the United
States for over twenty years; and has been a member of the board of
Home Missions of the Reformed Church for many years. In 1907 he was
elected trustee of Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster,
Pennsylvania.

REBER,
MORRIS B.

p. 896

Surnames: REBER

Morris B. Reber, now connected with the Bell Telephone Company, but
formerly secretary of the Acme Manufacturing Company, of Reading,
and later associated with the firm of Wood, Harmon & Co., of
New York, was born at Reading, Feb. 28, 1860, son of James T.
Reber.

Morris B. Reber was educated first in the public
schools at Reading and then attended the Myerstown College,
Palatinate College, and Franklin and Marshall College at Lancaster,
where he was graduated in 1881. After Leaving college Mr. Reber
engaged for a time in the hardware business and then went West
where he remained fourteen years, engaged mostly in the real estate
business in Minnesota. He then removed to Salt Lake City, where for
six years he did an extensive business in handling mining lands,
and mining stocks and serving as secretary of one of the great
developing companies of that locality. Returning to Reading, he
went into the bicycle business, becoming secretary of the Acme
Manufacturing Company, in partnership with his father, who was the
president and his brother James C., was treasurer and general
manager. After the company was absorbed by the bicycle Trust, he
retired for seven years. In 1901 he became connected with the firm
of Wood, Harmon & Co., the largest real estate agents in the
country. This firm owns 2,000 acres of undeveloped land in
Brooklyn, which is laid out in residence lots which are purchased
largely by all classes of investors all over the country. The
company also handles large blocks of territory in Reading and other
places and Mr. Reber is the superintendent of agents for Eastern
Pennsylvania and supervises the development of the company’s
business in this part of the State. He has quite recently accepted
an important position with the Bell telephone Company of
Pennsylvania, and is actively engaged in furthering the interests
of this company throughout this part of the State.

Mr. Reber is a member of the Reformed Church. He
belongs to the Goethean Society of Franklin and Marshall College.
He is a young man of enterprise, ability and all his ventures has
been remarkably successful.

REBER,
SAMUEL M.

p. 1254

Surnames: REBER, UMBENHAUR, BAER, BECKER, LESHER, SMITH, YEAGER,
RAUCH, HOFFMAN, SCHAPPELL, STAHR, KEIM, HARTMAN

Samuel M. Reber, one of the good, practical farmers and stock
dealers of Perry township, Berks county, was born on the old Reber
homestead in this township, March 3, 1845, son of Jacob H. and
Elizabeth (Umbenhaur) Reber.

Conrad Reber, great-grandfather of Samuel M.,
was a son of Leonard Reber, who emigrated from Germany prior to
1756. He was a taxable in Windsor township in 1759, being a large
land-owner, paying fifteen pounds tax. He was one of the founders
of Zion’s Union Church of Perry township. Conrad Reber had seven
children: George, John, Catherine, Susannah, Nancy, Sarah and
Maria, and died while several were still under age. John Reber of
this family was also a farmer, and owned the original homestead,
which then consisted of more than 200 acres of land. He was a
frugal man and was the builder of some of the structures still
standing on the farm. He married a Miss Baer and they became the
parents of these children: Jacob H., father of Samuel M., John;
Kate, m. Henry Becker; Sally, m. Samuel Lesher; and Mrs. Joseph
Smith.

Jacob H. Reber was born in 1804 and died in
1889, on the old homestead, where he had spent all of his life. He
and his family were Lutherans, belonging to Zion’s Church where he
was buried. Mr. Reber married Elizabeth Umbenhaur, daughter of
Jonas, and to this union there were born children as follows:
Jonas, who died in 1900, aged seventy-one years; Lovina, who died
in 1895, m. Daniel Yeager; Mary m. David Rauch; John, who died in
youth; Susannah, m. Joel Hoffman; Samuel M.; Beckie, m. Henry
Hoffman; and Catherine, m. Albert Schappell.

In his youth Samuel M. Reber attended a pay
school for several months during the year and after the
establishment of the public school system attended these schools
for several terms, his teacher being John Stahr, now deceased. He
was reared on the farm on which he now lives, and which he owns,
consisting of 145 acres of fine farming land. Mr. Reber owns also
five good horses and eleven head of cattle. He is a good, honest,
industrious citizen, liberal in his contributions towards church
and charitable movements. He and his family are members of the
Lutheran denomination, and attend Zion’s Union Church of this
township, where he was a deacon for several years. Mr. Reber
supports the Democratic party, but has never had political
aspirations.

Mr. Reber was married in 1877 to Elizabeth Keim,
daughter of Elias and Amanda (Hartman) Keim, and granddaughter of
John Keim. Six children were born to this union, namely: Annie
Susannah, Jacob S., Thomas S. and Robert J., all of whom died in
infancy; Lizzie A., born Nov. 27, 1887; and Alvin A., born Jan. 29,
1890. Both live at home and assist their parents in the work on the
farm.

REBER,
SIMPLECIUS

p. 766

Surnames: REBER, AHRENS, ADAMS, EYRICH, GRING, HERBEIN, MILLER,
MINNICH, REESER, RICHENBACH, ROADMACHER, ROSE, SCHOFFER, TOBIAS

Simplecius Reber, residing at No. 19 South Second street, Reading,
is descended from a family identified with Berks county since 1783,
when the paternal grandfather, Johannes, settled there.

Johannes Reber came to America from his native
Germany when a boy of only twelve years, and part of his education
was acquired in this country. From his very arrival he lived in
Bern township, and became one of the influential farmers of that
region. He owned very valuable land there and also operated a mill
for many years. He married Magdalina Roadmacher, and their children
were Joseph, Sally, Polly, Rebecca and Bessie, the last named of
whom married a Mr. Ahrens. So far as known, the family were members
of the Reformed Church. Mrs. Reber died in Reading, and her husband
died in 1847, aged seventy-six. He was a Democrat in his political
principles.

Joseph Reber, father of Simplecius, was born in
1802, at the old Reber homestead, and remained there nearly all his
life. He carried on the farm and operated the old Reber Mill,
situated on the Tulpehocken, but about 1874 he moved on to a small
farm which he had bought some time previously, and there passed the
last six years of his life, dying in 1880. His wife, whose maiden
name was Elizabeth Minnich, passed away five years before him, at
the age of seventy-two. They were the parents of ten children:
Elias, to whom the father gave over the operation of the farm and
mill; Maria, m. to Joshua Eyrich; Fietta, m. to Henry Rose;
Elizabeth, m. to Charles Gring; Harrison; Sarah, m. James Adams;
Priscilla, m. William Reeser; Henry; Rebecca, m. to John
Richenbach; and Simplecius. Most of the family belonged to the
Reformed Church. Joseph Reber was a Democrat like his father.

Simplecius Reber was born on the homestead in
Bern township, March 2, 1838, and received his earlier education in
the public schools of that section. Later he attended school in
reading. He remained at home helping in the work on the farm until
he was thirty-three years old, when he came to Reading and took a
position with the Stichter Hardware Company. After learning the
details of the business with this company, he engaged with the
Bright Hardware Company and remained with them fourteen years. In
1901 he left that firm and accepted a position with James A.
Schoffer, as engineer in his bakery and he still fills that
capacity.

On Sept. 26, 1857, Mr. Reber married Sarah A.,
daughter of Isaac Herbein. Their four children are: Ellen, m. to
Charles Tobias; Emma, m. to Storm Miller; James; and Sarah A. The
family belong to the Second Reformed Church, while in politics Mr.
Reber is a Democrat. Their home is at No. 19 South Second street,
Reading.