Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

RICK,
CHARLES

p. 431

Surnames: RICK, RUTH, WEISER, MADEIRA, AMMON, DUNDORE, TRATE,
O’HARA, ARNOLD, NICOLLS, PAULI, MUHLENBERG, WEILE, McCANDLISH

Rick Charles, a veteran of the Civil war who has been living
retired in Reading since 1904, was for many years one of the
proprietors of Rick Brothers’ foundry, also known as the Reading
Butt Works. Mr. Rick was born in October, 1840, in Bern township,
Berks county, son of Charles and Ellen Louisa (Ruth) Rick, and
grandson of John George Rick.

Herman Rick, great-grandfather of Charles, came
to America with his parents in the early part of the eighteenth
century, being then about twelve years of age, and after receiving
his education in the pay schools of Bern township, he engaged in
farming, at which he continued for the remainder of his life. Among
his children was John George.

John George Rick, son of Herman, married
Catherine Weiser, grand-niece of Conrad Weiser. Mr. Rick engaged in
farming in Bern township, and became a large land owner and highly
respected man. He was a member of the German Reformed Church, was a
Whig in politics, and was very patriotic and public-spirited.

Charles Rick, father of Charles, was educated in
the primitive schools of his day, and early in life conducted a
general store at Centreport and later at Peacock’s Locks, coming to
Reading in 1841, where he was engaged in a mercantile business and
in real estate operations. The latter years of his life were spent
in retirement. He died in 1878, and his wife in 1880. They were the
parents of the following children: Cyrus, for many years cashier of
the Farmers’ National Bank, and a member of the firm of Rick
Brothers, m. Emma Madeira; John, who died in 1900, was also a
member of the firm of Rick Brothers (m. Emma Ammon); Charles; Mary
m. Franklin Dundore, of Philadelphia, and had three children –
Charles, Frank and Ella; James, of the firm of Rick Brothers, now
proprietor of the Rick Knitting Mills of Reading, m. (first) Ellen
Trate, and (second) Julia O’Hara, and had five children by the last
marriage – James, Edward, Albert, Harrison and Julia; and Ellen m.
William A. Arnold, deceased, and had six children – William, John,
Franklin, Anna, Ellen and Mary.

Charles Rick was educated in the common schools
of his locality, and in 1857 graduated from the old high school.
Until the outbreak of the Civil war he clerked in various stores,
but in May, 1861, he went to the front, enlisting at Washington, D.
C., and was discharged in July, 1861. He then re-enlisted in
Company E, 128th Pa. V. I., becoming first sergeant, and was
discharged as first lieutenant after nine months service. On his
return to Reading, Mr. Rick entered the office of the general
superintendent, G. A. Nicolls, of the Reading Railroad as clerk,
and continued with that company until 1871, when he resigned to
engage in business with his brothers, who had founded, in 1867, the
business of Rick Brothers Foundry, or Reading Butt Works. He
continued in this business until his retirement in 1904, at which
time the firm sold out.

In 1868, Mr. Rick m. Emma A. Pauli, a native of
Berks county, daughter of Rev. W. A. Pauli, of the Reformed Church,
and to this union there have been born six children: Mary m. F. H.
Muhlenberg, and has four children -Hiester H., Charles R., Ernest
and Mary; Miss Grace; Mabel m. H. P. Weile, of Reading; Bessie m.
Lindsay McCandlish, and has one child, Jane. R.; Miss Florence is
at home; and Arthur is a member of the firm of
Hutchinson-McCandlish Coal Company, Reading.

Mr. Rick is a member of the Military Order of
the Loyal Legion of the United States; and of Chandler Lodge, No.
227, F. & A. M. He is a Republican in politics, and in 1874 he
was a member of the common council. He is a director of the Charles
Evans cemetery, the Reading City Passenger Railroad Company, and
the Mount Penn Gravity Railroad.

RICK,
CYRUS

p.544

Surnames: RICK, RUTH, WEISER, AMMON, PAUL, DUNDORE, ARNOLD,
MADEIRA, SHEPP, SPANG, TRATE, O’HARA

Cyrus Rick, who died at his home in Reading, Pa., in 1895, was one
of that city’s leading business men, and was for many years well
known in the manufacturing circles of Berks county as a member of
the foundry firm of Rick Brothers. Mr. Rick was born Sept. 2, 1837,
in Bern township, Berks county, son of Charles and Ellen Louisa
(Ruth) Rick.

Herman Rick, the great-grandfather of Cyrus,
came to this country with his parents in the early part of the
eighteenth century, when about twelve years old, and received his
education in the pay schools of Bern township, after leaving which
he engaged in farming, an occupation which he carried on throughout
life.

John George Rick, son of Herman, was also a
farmer, and he became a large landowner and influential citizen of
Bern township, where all of his life was spent. He and his wife,
Catherine Weiser (a grand-niece of Conrad Weiser), were members of
the German Reformed church, and in political matters he was a
stanch Whig.

Charles Rick, son of John George and father of
Cyrus, received his education in the early schools of his native
township, after leaving which he engaged in a general merchandise
business at Centreport and Peacock’s Locks. In 1841 he came to
Reading, where he was engaged in mercantile business and in real
estate operations for a number of years and where he lived retired
the remainder of his life. He died in 1878, and his wife, whose
maiden name was Ellen Louise Ruth, in 1880, both in the faith of
the German Reformed Church. They were the parents of children as
follows: (1) Cyrus. (2) John, who died in 1900, was a member of the
firm of Rick Brothers. He married Emma Ammon. (3) Charles, a
retired citizen of Reading and veteran of the Civil war, was also a
member of the firm. He m. Emma Paul. (4) Mary m. Franklin Dundore,
of Philadelphia, and had three children, Charles, Frank and Ella.
(5) James is mentioned below. (6) Ellen m. William A. Arnold,
deceased, and had six children, William, John, Franklin, Anna,
Ellen, and Mary.

Cyrus Rick was educated in the schools of his
native place, and at an early age he entered the Farmers’ National
Bank, of which he later became cashier, becoming widely known in
financial circles. On the establishment of the firm of Rick
Brothers he was made a member in 1873, and he continued as such
until his death, in 1895, in the faith of the Reformed Church.

In 1868 Cyrus Rick m. Emma R. Madeira, daughter
of William S. and Rebecca (Shepp) Madeira, and five children were
born to this union, four of whom are living; Ella (m. S. K. Spang,
and has two children, Emily and Mary), Anna, Mary and Charles.

James Rick, son of Charles and brother of Cyrus,
and a prominent business man of Reading, Pa., being at the head of
the Rick Knitting Company, was born in Reading in 1844. He was
educated in the local schools and served his apprenticeship with
one of the large carpenter firms. Later he engaged in
pattern-making, and also clerked for the West Reading Iron Company
in 1866. In 1867, with his brother John and Franklin Dundore, he
engaged in the hardware business under the firm name of Dundore,
Rick & Co., their plant being at Third and Buttonwood streets.
In 1869 Mr. Dundore withdrew from the firm and sold his interest to
Charles Rick, and then the firm changed to Rick Brothers, but the
last named did not take an active part. In 1873 one-fourth of the
interest was sold to Cyrus Rick, also a brother, as it was the
father’s wish to have his four sons together in business, but Cyrus
never took an active part in the management. In 1904 this property
was sold to the Keystone Hardware Company, and leased to the
Consolidated Hardware Company. In 1905 Mr. James Rick organized the
Rick Knitting Company, and has associated his sons with him in the
business. The firm was incorporated in 1906, and has one of the
successful industries of the city. The officers are: James Rick,
president; Edward Rick, vice-president; James Rick, Jr., secretary
and treasurer; and Albert Rick, a member of the board of directors.

Mr. Rick has been twice married. His first wife,
Ellen Trate, died in 1881. In 1883 he m. (second) Julia G. O’Hara,
and they have had six children, namely: Helen (deceased), James,
Jr., Edward, Albert, Julia and Harrison. Mr. Rick and family are
members of Calvary Reformed Church, in which he is a deacon. He has
always taken an active part in civic affairs, and from 1888 to 1892
served as a member of the board of water commissioners. He is a
member of several business and social clubs of Reading, including
the Wyomissing, Berkshire and Maiden Creek Fishing Clubs (of which
latter he was one of the organizers and has been president).

RICK, GEORGE
A.

608

Surnames: RICK, AMMON, DECHANT, WILLITS, CASE, HUNTER

George A. Rick, president of the common branch of the city councils
of Reading, is a native of that city whose connection with its
business and public life does credit to his birth and ancestry. He
is a member of an old Berks county family, being a descendant in
the fifth generation from Hermann Rick, the emigrant ancestor of
the family, who came to this country in 1712, when twelve years
old. From him Mr. Rick traces his line through John George,
Charles, and John Rick, the latter for many years a member of the
well-known firm of Rick Brothers, manufacturers of tacks and
builders’ hardware, which was established in the year 1867, and for
many years maintained its position as one of the leading industries
of the kind in Reading and elsewhere. John Rick married Emma C.
Ammon, and to them were born three sons and one daughter : George
A., John, Paul A., and Margaret Julia, the daughter dying on
September, 1904. Further details concerning the ancestors will be
found elsewhere.

George A. Rick was born in Reading, Oct. 23,
1877, and there received his education in the public schools. After
his graduation from high school, June 1, 1895, he entered the
office of William H. Dechant, civil engineer, with whom he remained
until May, 1898, on the 9th of which month he entered the army in
the volunteer service. He became a private in Company A (Capt.
Samuel Willits) , 4th Regiment ( Col. David Brainerd Case) ,
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, serving until Nov. 16, 1898; he
was sent to Porto Rico.

Upon his return to Reading after being mustered
out of the service, Mr. Rick engaged in the real estate and
investment business, which he has continued to the present time. He
is a director of the Colonial Trust Company.

In 1906 Mr. Rick was elected to represent his
ward in the common branch of the city councils, and in 1908 he was
honored with re-election for another two years’ term. Immediately
following his re-election, in April, 1908, he was elected president
of that branch of the city government, and he has occupied the
chair ever since. He is a Republican in political sentiment,
public-spirited and conscientious in the discharge of his duties,
and alive to the needs of his community in which his life has been
spent.

On Nov. 12, 1903, Mr. Rick married Margaret
Hunter, daughter of John and Marion Hunter, of Alva, Scotland. Mr.
and Mrs. Rick have two children, John Hunter and Margaret Marion.
Mr. Rick is a Lutheran in religious connection, holding membership
in St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

RICK,
JOHN.

p. 538 Surnames:
RICK, AMMON, WEISER, MADEIRA, PAULI, DUNDORE, TRATE, O’HARA,
ARNOLD, WHITNER

JOHN RICK, one of the Reading’s enterprising young business men,
who is a member of the firm of C. K. Whitner & Co., was born in
1880, in the city in which he now resides, son of John and Emma
(Ammon) Rick.

Herman Rick, great-great-grandfather of John,
came to this country with his parents in 1712, being then about
twelve years of age. He received his education in the pay schools
of Bern township, after leaving which he engaged in farming, an
occupation which he carried on throughout life.

John George Rick, son of Herman, was also a
farmer, and he became a large land owner and influential citizen of
Bern township, where all his life was spent. He and his wife,
Catherine Weiser, were members of the Reformed Church, and in
political matters he was a stanch Whig.

Charles Rick, the grandfather of John, received
his education in the early schools of his native township, after
leaving which he engaged in a general store at Centreport and
Peacock’s Locks, but in 1841 came to Reading where the rest of his
life was spent in retirement. He died in the faith of the German
Reformed Church in 1878, as did his wife in 1880. Their children
were: Cyrus, for many years cashier of the Farmers Bank and a
member of the firm of Rick Brothers, m. Emma Madeira; John;
Charles, a retired citizen of Reading and veteran of the Civil war,
was also a member of the firm, and m. Emma Pauli; Mary m. Franklin
Dundore, of Philadelphia, and had three children, – Charles, frank
and Ella; James, formerly a member of Rick Brothers and now
proprietor of the Rick Knitting Mills, Reading, m. (first) Ellen
Trate, and (second) Julia O’Hara, and had five children, James,
Edward, Albert, Harrison and Julia, all by the second marriage; and
Ellen m. William A. Arnold and had six children, William, John,
Franklin, Anna, Ellen and Mary.

John Rick, father of John, was for many years a
member of the well-known firm of Rick Brothers, which was
established in 1867, and discontinued in 1905. He died in 1900,
aged sixty-two years. Mr. Rick married Emma Ammon, and four
children were born to them: George, John, Paul and Margaret
(deceased).

John Rick was educated in the schools of Reading
and later attended a school at Lawrenceville, N. J., after which he
took a course at Stoner’s Business College, Reading. He served his
time at the machinist’s trade in the Philadelphia & Reading
railroad shops, and in 1905 entered the employ of C. K. Whitner
& Co., as clerk, being made a partner in January, 1907. In
March, 1905, Mr. Rick married Miss Carrie Whitner, daughter of C.
K. Whitner, and two children have been born to this union: Mary
Elizabeth and Horace Whitner. Mr. Rick is a member of Reading
Lodge, No. 115, B. P. O. E., and the Berkshire Club. His religious
connection is with St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church.

RICK, JOHN
G.

p 1222

Surnames: RICK, WELL, NAHM, CONN, KUERSTEN, BECKER, WEBER

John G. Rick, junior member of the firm of Kuersten & Rick,
manufacturers of high-grade hosiery, of Reading, Pa., was born in
1865, in Philadelphia, Pa., son of John G. and Elizabeth (Well)
Rick, natives of Germany.

John G. Rick, father of John G., came from
Germany to America in 1861, in a sailing vessel, and settled in
Philadelphia, where the remainder of his life was spent. In his
native country he had carried on weaving as a occupation, but after
coming to America he worked as a flange turner in Neaffe &
Levy’s shipyard, which afterwards became the Cramp shipyard. Mr.
Rick died in 1885, aged fifty-four years, while his wife, who
survives him, resides at No. 2905 Fairhill street, Philadelphia.
The children born to them were: Elizabeth, who died in infancy;
John G.; Emma, m. to Charles Nahm; Harry, m. to Elizabeth Conn; and
Matilda, single. In religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Rick were
Reformed. In politics he was a Democrat. Fraternally Mr. Rick was
connected with the Red Men, the I. O. O. F., and the Seven Wise
Men.

John G. Rick was educated in the schools of
Philadelphia, and at the age of thirteen years entered the employ
of Henry Becker & Co., for whom he worked for a period of
thirteen years. He was then associated with the Oak Mills Company,
for one year, and in 1892 came to Reading as superintendent for
Louis Weber & Co., and after this firm dissolved he formed a
partnership with Mr. Kuersten. Their first plant was located on
Cedar street, above Walnut, but since that time they have removed
to their present location, at the corner of Reed and Elm streets.
Here they employ 180 men, manufacturing medium and high-grade
hosiery, all of which is handled by jobbers.

Mr. Rick married Miss Sarah Conn, and to them
there have been born two children: Sarah and John G. Mr. and Mrs.
Rick attend the Reformed Church. In politics he is a Republican.

RICK, PAUL
A.

p. 1171

Surnames: RICK, AMMON, WEISER, MADEIRA, PAULI, DUNDORE, TRATE,
O’HARA, ARNOLD, BINGAMAN

Paul A Rick, a well-known young business man of Reading, Pa., who
resides at No. 201 Douglas street, was born in 1882, in the city of
Reading, son of John and Emma C. (Ammon) Rick.

Hermann Rick, the emigrant ancestor of this
family, came to this country in 1712, when twelve years old, and
received his education in the pay schools, after leaving which he
engaged in a general store business for some time, but later took
up agricultural pursuits, which he made his life work.

John George Rick, son of Hermann, was also a
farmer, and became a large land owner of Bern township, where he
and his wife, Catharine Weiser, were members of the Reformed
Church. In politics he was a stanch Whig.

Charles Rick, son of John George, and
grandfather of Paul, received his education in the primitive
schools, and after completing his studies engaged in a general
store business at Centreport and Peacock’s Locks. In 1841 he
located in Reading, where the rest of his life was spent. He died
in 1878, and his wife in 1880, both in the faith of the German
Reformed Church. Their children were: Cyrus, for many years cashier
of the Farmers’ Bank and a member of the firm of Rick Brothers, m.
Emma Madeira; John is mentioned below ; Charles, a retired citizen
of Reading and veteran of the Civil war, who was also a member of
the firm of Rick Brothers, m. Emma Pauli ; Mary, m. Franklin
Dundore, of Philadelphia, and had three children : James, formerly
a member of Rick Brothers and now proprietor of the Rick Knitting
Mills of Reading, m. (first) Ellen Trate and (second) Julia O’ Hara
; and Ellen m. William A. Arnold.

John Rick, the father of Paul A., was for many
years a member of the well-known firm of Rick Brothers, which was
established in 1867. He died in 1900, aged sixty-two years. He
married Emma C. Ammon, and had three sons and one daughter :
George, John, Paul A. and Margaret Julia (who died in September,
1904).

Paul A. Rick attended the public schools of
Reading, and was graduated from the Inter-State Commercial College
in 1899. He then accepted a position as bookkeeper with the
Farmers’ National Bank of Reading, and in this connection he has
continued to the present time.

In 1902 Mr. Rick married Pearl S. Bingaman,
daughter of Thomas and Martha Bingaman, and two children have been
born to them : Charlotte A. and John T. Mr. and Mrs.. Rick are
members of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. In politics he is a
Republican.

RICK,
WILLIAM

p. 552

Surnames: RICK, BEYERLE, DEPPEN, FISHER, HEIGHOLD, HUYETT, KLINE,
LAWSHE, NICOLLS, REINOEHL, SCHAFFNER, SHOMO, STAMM, YEAGER

William Rick, mayor of Reading for the term of 1908-11, was born
July 28, 1875, at the village of Millersburg, Bethel township,
Berks county. He acquired his preliminary education in the local
schools and at the Keystone State Normal School, after which he
entered Muhlenberg College at Allentown, Pa., and remaining there
three years, was graduated in June, 1893. He then began the study
of law by registering as a student in the law office of Jacobs
& Keiser, at Reading, and on Nov. 11, 1896, was regularly
admitted to practice before the courts of Berks county. He then
went to the Yale Law School, and graduated in 1897. Immediately
beginning active practice, he has continued with increasing success
until the present time, his offices being at No. 526 Court street.
Shortly after entering upon his legal practice, he identified
himself with the Republican party, and in appreciation of his
services was given the appointment of deputy controller of Berks
county by Joseph N. Shomo, who was appointed on May 22, 1901, by
the Governor, as the first controller of the county, a position
which he filled until Jan. 6, 1902. In 1904, in the organization of
the school board of that year, Mr. Rick was elected school
solicitor of the Reading school district, and served for the term
of 1904-’07.

In 1908 Mr. Rick was nominated for mayor of
Reading on the Republican ticket, being chosen in preference to
several other candidates. His Democratic opponent was Edward
Yeager, who had been Mayor three years before, and who was popular
with the community. A vigorous campaign was waged, Mr. Rick
conducting much of it himself and making numerous speeches. Though
Reading was normally Democratic by about 500, Mr. Rick was
triumphantly elected mayor by upwards of 1,800 majority, being the
youngest candidate ever elected to that position. Shortly before
his inauguration he formed a law partnership with Frederick W.
Nicolls, under the title of Rick & Nicolls, and, though he
spent part of his time in attending to his law business, devoted
himself principally to the intricate municipal affairs of the city.
One of the most remarkable local improvements during his term was
the completion of the Spring street subway, connecting the
northeastern section of the city with the north central, and
greatly expediting traffic and transportation which had formerly
been almost impossible between these districts except by a
circuitous route.

Mr. Rick has always had a good business head,
and it is as a business lawyer, seeing the common sense side of the
law and discarding its technicalities and inequalities, that he has
been particularly successful. His conduct of city affairs thus far
has also been on a strictly business basis, as well as of absolute
integrity. His business capacity is evidenced by his connection
with a number of local enterprises, being a director of the Berks
County Trust Company, the American Casualty Company, the Reading
Wood Pulley Company, and the Reading Saddle and Manufacturing
Company.

Mr. Rick, both as lawyer and public officer, has
always been animated by a keen desire to do his full duty to his
clients and to his constituents, and nothing is too laborious or
unpleasant for him to undertake in attaining this end. His courtesy
and patience are inexhaustible, and if his resentment is ever
aroused, it means that he has endured until endurance is no longer
right, and that the offender has been guilty of some utterly
indefensible action.

In 1899 Mr. Rick was married to Carrie B.
Lawshe, daughter of Abner Lawshe, merchant at Reading, and they
have one daughter, Margaret.

Mr. Rick’s father was Garrick Mallery Fisher
Rick. He was born June 15, 1831, in Penn township, at Centreville,
now Garfield. He attended the local schools during his boyhood, and
also a school in Chester county. Upon his return home he was
employed on a farm for a number of years, and then entered a
general store at Rehrersburg for the purpose of learning the
mercantile business, and in 1855 he embarked in business for
himself. He continued at Rehrersburg until 1860, and then moved to
Millersburg, where he carried on a large general store with
increasing success until 1884, when he retired, and lived in
retirement until his decease Oct. 10, 1908. For forty years he was
prominently identified with the business, financial and political
affairs of his section of the county, and exerted much influence in
the community. Upon his retirement from business, he was succeeded
in his business by his son, John George Rick. He was an active
member of the Lutheran Church for many years, and in politics was a
staunch Republican. He officiated as postmaster of Millersburg for
twenty-five years. He married Sarah Ann Beyerle, daughter of Dr.
George Beyerle, of Bernville. They had three children: John George
(m. to Clara Kline); Mary (m. to Harry A. Reinoehl, a lumber
merchant at Lebanon, Pa.); and William, the subject of this sketch.

Mr. Rick’s grandfather was John Rick, who
carried on a store and tannery at Centreville for many years. He
died in 1839, aged thirty-nine years. He married Elizabeth Fisher,
by whom he had eight children: Louisa (m. to William Schaffner);
Fayetta (m. to John Heighold); Garrick M. F. (m. to Sarah Beyerle);
Emma M. (m. to Cornelius Stamm); Lydia (m. to Amos Huyett); John;
Sidney, and George (m. to Mary Ann Deppen).

RICKENBACH, LEVI P.

p.
1026

Surnames: RICKENBACH, PHILLIPS, GAMBLER, HAINES, KESTNER, RINGLER,
BUNDT, KURTZ, FISHER, AHRENS, BUSHONG, MOSER , KOENIG, ROBERTSON

Levi P. Rickenbach, representing an old established family of Berks
county, was born in Ontelaunee township in 1838, son of Jonathan
and Mary (Phillips) Rickenbach.

John Rickenbach, the paternal grandfather, was a
farmer and landowner, whose whole life was given to agricultural
pursuits and who died on his farm at the age of eighty-six years.
His children were: Sallie, Phoebe, Elizabeth, Nancy, Franie,
Benneville, John and Jonathan.

Jonathan Rickenbach was born on his father’s
homestead in 1803, was reared to a farmer’s life. He became the
owner of the home place and like his father followed farming all
his life. His death occurred in his eightieth year. He was twice
married. His first wife was Mary, daughter of Sebastian Phillips,
and she died when only thirty-five years old, leaving three
children, namely: Rebecca, m. to the late James Gambler, and now
residing at West Leesport, Berks county ; Elmira, Mrs. John Haines,
of the same place ; and Levi P. The second wife was Annie Kestner,
who died at the age of eighty-six and to this union were born one
son and two daughters, as follows : Silas M., deceased, m. Mary
Ringler, and is a wholesale grocer on North Eighth street ; Salome
m. the late Llewellyn Bundt, of Leesport, and Lanita m. Samuel
Kurtz, and resides at Springmont.

Levi P. Rickenbach passed his boyhood like most
farmer’s sons, helping on the farm and going to the district
school. When old enough to learn a trade he went to work under John
Fisher at carpentry, and later was employed by Jacob Ahrens, who
became his father-in law. In 1866 Mr. Rickenbach came to Reading
and worked fifteen years with Mr. Bushong, thirteen with David
Moser, later with various contractors and builders of the city. He
is a most reliable and efficient workman and his services are
always in great demand by the builders of the city.

Mr. Rickenbach married in 1862 Miss Caroline
Ahrens, daughter of Jacob and Barbara (Koenig) Ahrens, a union
which was blessed with three sons. Oscar A., the oldest, a molder
by occupation, resides at home. Jonathan A. is a plater, and is
still a resident of Reading. L. Luther, a musician, teaches the
violin and mandolin and plays with the Philharmonic Band of
Reading, his instrument being the clarinet. He married Lottie
Robertson and lives in his father’s home, No. 141 North Fourth
street. Levi P. Rickenbach, while never an active political worker,
is yet a strong supporter of the Democratic party. He holds
membership in Trinity Lutheran Church.

Henry Ahrens, grandfather of Mrs. Rickenbach,
was born in Germany, and came to America when a young man. He was
well educated in English and German, and when he came to this
country he was brought by a sailor who wished to be taught the
German language. When they arrived in America, the sailor died and
young Ahrens having no money to return to the Old World, was
obliged to remain in America. He later settled in Berks county,
where he died.