Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

ROW,
FREDERICK

p. 189

Surnames: ROW, MELCHER, MAURER, PRINTZ, BRADAGAN, EHRGOOD,
DARLINGTON, RHOAD, SANDS, BECHTEL, LANDIS, WILLMAN

Frederick Row, residing at No. 168 Clymer street, Reading, belongs
to a family that has been settled in Berks county for a century.
His grandfather came to Reading from Germany, and the two
succeeding generations have continued to make their home in that
city where the founder of the family settled and died.

John Row, father of Frederick, was a native of
Reading, born June 4, 1819. He became a shoemaker and followed that
trade during the winter months, while in the summer he made bricks,
working up to the last twelve years of his life. The house in which
his son formerly lived is constructed of bricks made by the father,
and was built in 1869. During the Civil war John Row served from
Oct. 23, 1862 to Aug. 12, 1863, in Company B. 167th Pa. V. I.,
under Capt. Melcher, but during his term of service was only in one
large engagement, that at Stillwater, Va., where the colonel of his
regiment was killed. Mr. Row married Miss Sarah Maurer, who
outlived her husband many years, passing away June 5, 1903, which
he died in April, 1887. Their children were as follows: Susan, Mrs.
Alexander Printz; William H., in the grocery business, and married
to Miss Sally Bradagan; John D., a plumber; Elizabeth, Mrs. N. L.
Ehrgood; Frederick; Mary, widow of T. R. Darlington; and Sallie,
wife of Jacob Rhoad. All are residents of Reading.

Frederick Row was born in Reading, Oct. 4, 1862.
He attended the public schools of the city, and was graduated from
the high school with the class of 1882. He learned the trade of a
machinist, and worked at that for over four years, but at the end
of that time he turned his attention to electricity, and has been
engaged in that every since. He spent a year and a half with W. G.
Sands, and then in 1889, went into business as an electrician on
his own account, having his shop in his residence. He is a skilled
workman and has built up a large patronage, having up to the
present wired 1,000 houses for the West Reading Building and Loan
Association, alone, besides doing all the work for the well-known
contractor, J. R. Bechtel. He is thoroughly established in his line
of work, and is one of the prosperous business men of Reading.

On June 14, 1904, Mr. Row married Miss Sallie M.
Landis, daughter of Joel and Catherine (Willman) Landis, of
Reading. Mr. Row has by no means confined his attention to business
alone, but is a prominent figure in local politics and in fraternal
circles. A strong Republican, he is now serving as judge of
elections for the Sixteenth ward, First precinct, and had been the
regular assessor of the Third precinct, Third ward, for eight
years. Since 1898 he has been a member of the Board of Trade. A
lifelong member and director of the Alumni Association, he is now
president of its board of directors, and also served one year as
president and two years as treasurer. As a Mason Mr. Row has
attained the 32d degree, and is a member of Reading Lodge, No. 549;
Reading Chapter; DeMolay Commandery, and Rajah Temple, and is
engineer and architect of the Lodge of Perfection, and has taken an
active part in the Sons of Veterans, in which for six years he was
assistant to the State adjutant, for one years assistant State
treasurer, and one years State treasurer. A man of active mind and
broad interests, Mr. Row has been a great traveler and has not only
made himself familiar with the greater part of his own country but
has also seen much of Europe.

ROWE,
JOSEPH ZERBE

p. 190

Surnames: ROWE, ZERBE, DAVIS, WALTER, GROFT, LEYENBURGER, KOCHER

Joseph Zerbe Rowe, one of Reading’s well known men, was born March
24, 1844, at Mt. Rock, Cumberland Co., Pa., son of Henry B. and
Elizabeth (Zerbe) Rowe.

Henry B. Rowe was a blacksmith by occupation, a
trade which he followed at Shippensburg until 1847, when he came to
Reading, being blacksmith at the County Home for two years. He then
opened a shop on North Third street, a the present site of
Kershner’s ice cream factory, and there continued until his death,
July 4, 1867, in the faith of the Baptist Church. In political
matters Mr. Rowe was a Republican. He was well-known throughout his
community as a man of worth, and was known to be a thorough workman
and skilled mechanic. Two sons were born to him and hi wife:
William, now deceased, who served as mayor of Reading; and Joseph
Z.

Joseph Zerbe Rowe was but two and one-half years
old when his parents located in Reading, and his education was
secured in the common schools of that city, which he left at the
age of thirteen years, at the time of his father’s death, to go to
work. When seventeen years of age he enlisted in Company H, 104th
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel W. W. H.
Davis, of Doylestown, Captain William Walter, who resigned, and
Captain D. B. Groft. He served three years and two months, and at
one time when taken with typhoid fever, was not allowed to be taken
to the hospital, but was cared for in the officers’ quarters, a
lieutenant of his regiment giving over his bunk to him until he was
able to be taken home. After six weeks he returned to his regiment,
although he could have easily obtained his discharge. After the war
Mr. Rowe returned to Reading and took up his business, which he has
continued to the present time, although his son has been in active
charge thereof since July, 1906.

Mr. Rowe was married in 1867 to Sarah
Leyenburger, of Newark, N. J., and the children born to this union
are: Henry, a blacksmith on Eighth street, Reading; Kate, who
married a Mr. Kocher, and has seven children; John W., who is
carrying on his father’s business; Joseph, of Elmira, N. Y.,
connected with the meat packing firm of Swift & Co.; and
Marcus, of the Duryea Power Co., Reading. Mr. Rowe was made a mason
in Chandler Lodge, No. 227, F. & A. M., and is a member of
Reading Chapter, Reading Commandery, and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N.
M. S. He is also connected with the Union Veteran League, No. 43,
of the United States. In political matters Mr. Rowe is a
Republican.

ROWE, WILLIAM GARBER

p.
491

Surnames: ROWE, VACHE, MAURER, SMITH, SCHOENLEY, BAER, BECHTEL

William Garber Rowe, who has been prominently identified with the
mining interests of the country for a period covering thirty-five
years, was born in Reading, Sept. 16, 1849, son of William Rowe and
grandson of John Rowe, a native of England.

John Rowe was an expert mining engineer, and
traveled almost all over the world. He came to America and opened
copper mines near Shannonville and Phoenixville, Pa., then went to
Australia to operate gold mines, and finally to Brazil, where he
died of yellow fever, when fifty-two years of age. He was known as
one of the most skilled engineers and prospectors of his time.

William Rowe, son of John, was born in England,
and came to America with his father when a lad of fourteen years.
He always engaged in the mining business, and like his father, was
very successful. He traveled through Cuba and Australia, and in
1849 went to California to engage in gold mining. He opened the
first iron ore mine of the Eastern Pennsylvania valley, which was
very successful, and he likewise operated in Berks, Lancaster and
Chester counties. He was very skilled in his profession, and was
known as one of the leaders thereof. Mr. Rowe died April 3, 1906,
having been for twenty-five years retired. He married Julia V.
Vache, who survived him and resided at No. 1040 Penn street,
Reading, until her death, Feb. 3, 1907, when more than four score
years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. William Rowe were born: H. T.,
engaged in plumbing on Penn street, Reading; Thomas M., a druggist;
Mrs. T. B. Maurer, of Long Beach, N. J.; Mrs. A. F. Smith; Misses
Mary M. and Jane A., at home; and William Garber.

William Garber Rowe attended the schools of
Reading, and under his father’s instructions became skilled in
mining. He has been actively engaged in that occupation since 1871.
For seven years he was superintendent of the Edge Hill Iron
Company, Pa., and operated mines in Orange county, Va. He was for
ten years at Barto and operated the Rhoads mines at Boyertown, and
was superintendent of the iron ore mines for the Reading Coal and
Iron Company. In 1901 Mr. Rowe, knowing the value of the ore
deposit in the location of Boyertown, bought up all the mining
properties, including the Phoenix or California mine, the Warwick,
Gable No. 1 and Gable No. 2, and the Lewis estate, in all covering
over 300 acres in fee simple and mineral rights.

They are a continuation of the large Cornwall
ore beds in Lebanon county, Pa., and next to them for quantity thus
far discovered. This is now owned by the Boyertown Ore Company.
They have title to the mineral rights under Boyertown from one end
of the borough to the other. Since 1902 this company, of which Mr.
Rowe is general superintendent, have conducted the mining
operations, and they have on hand large quantities of ore and are
shipping daily.

Much trouble was caused in the operation of
these mines in the past, and one of the most exciting of the
experiences was that of 1887, when William Garber Rowe and George
F. Baer were operating the Rhoads mine. A cofferdam was located
between this and the Phoenix operation. The superintendent of the
latter followed the vein of ore, and, it is alleged, broke through
this dam and continued this drift into the Rhoads property. One
morning at 7:30 o’clock, Mr. Rowe received a telegram at his home
in Reading, stating that the Phoenix miners were trying to take
possession of the Rhoads mine. He at once consulted with his
partner, then drove his trotter to Boyertown, covering the distance
in one and one-half hours. Upon reaching the scene Mr. Rowe went
underground and found the men in his mine. All were arrested and
taken before Squire Schoenley, of Gablesville, and held under bail
for forcible entry. The case was taken to court and Mr. Rowe won.

The most complete plant is the Gable No. 2 mine.
The shaft house is of structural iron, making it perfectly
fireproof. There is a double-acting first-motion engine of 300
horse power. Since Mr. Rowe assumed charge of the mine larger tanks
have been placed in the shaft, and by means of these 1,000 gallons
of water are ejected each minute, day and night, thus controlling
the coming water from all the mines. The company proposes to
install a new plant at the Warwick shaft similar to that at the
Gable No. 2, and thus opening up the operations which have been
lying idle for twenty years. Mr. Rowe also operates mines at
Gardner, Lehigh county, and Siesholtzville, Berks county.

Mr. William Garber Rowe married Zipporah E.
Bechtel, daughter of Abraham B. Bechtel, and she died in January,
1881, leaving two children: William A., who was associated with his
father in mining operations until his death, Aug. 6, 1908, when
thirty-two years of age; and Miss Leonore, at home. In politics Mr.
Rowe is a Republican. He is a member of the First Presbyterian
Church of Reading, and resides at No. 1156 Franklin street, that
city.

ROYER,
JEREMIAH W.

p. 192

Surnames: ROYER, WHITE, STUBER, WEAVER, ROYER, SHUMAN, BOLLINGER,
GEIP, WALTER, REED, NORTH, SWOPE

Jeremiah W, Royer, of Marion township, who is conducting the
well-known Marion Mills, at Stouchsburg, on the Tulpehocken, was
born July 13, 1852, in Jackson township, Lebanon Co., Pa., son of
Benjamin and Mary Ann (White) Royer.

The Royer family of Pennsylvania traces its
ancestry back to 1720, when Sebastian Royer and his four sons came
to America, the first settlement of this family being made on the
bank of a fordable river in Montgomery county, where the town is
named Royersford. Here two of the sons settled permanently, but the
father, being of a more roving spirit, removed to what was
Elizabeth township, in Lancaster county, on the site of the present
village of Brickerville, where Sebastian Royer spent the rest of
his life. His youngest son, Amos, settled in what was then Cocalico
township, but now Ephrata. He had four sons of whom Philip, the
second, also had four sons, namely: Abraham, Jonathan, Joseph and
Benjamin. Abraham had a son, Jacob, who was a farmer in West
Cacalico township, where he died when nearly seventy-seven years
old. His wife was Elizabeth Stuber, and their six children were:
William; Jacob; John; Henry S., who was born Sept. 25, 1829,
married Margaret Weaver, and had three children,–Lizzie, George,
(deceased), and Dr. Jacob of Terrehill, Lancaster county; Samuel,
of Mount Joy; and Abraham, deceased.

Joseph Royer, the third son of Amos, settled in
Manheim township, where his son, Joseph, Jr., was born in 1801 and
died in 1843. Joseph Royer, Jr., was married to Catherine Royer,
daughter of Joseph Royer of Clay township, and she died in 1876.
They were Dunkards in religious belief. Their children were:
Israel; Sarah; David; Joseph R., a leading confectioner of Manheim
township, who was born march 5, 1835, married Annie Shuman, and had
four children,–Minnie, Milton, Joseph C. and Clarence de Vaux;
Frances and Martin, who are deceased; and Tobias, a veteran of the
Civil war.

Samuel Royer, the oldest of Amos’ sons, had a
son Samuel, who died near Millway, March 22, 1897, at the advanced
age of ninety-nine years, ten months, twenty days, leaving an
estate of upwards of $250,000.

Johannes Royer, brother of Amos (both sons of
Sebastian the progenitor), settled in that part of Lancaster county
now embraced in Jackson township, Lebanon county, and is buried at
the Tulpehocken Meeting House. He married and among other children
had a son, Samuel, the grandfather of Jeremiah W.

Samuel Royer is buried at Tulpehocken Meeting
House. He was a farmer all of his life in Jackson township, Lebanon
county, where he became the owner of two large farms, and was in
comfortable circumstances. He married Nancy Bollinger, a daughter
of Christol Bollinger, and they had these children: John, who died
young; Samuel and Joel, of Jackson township; Jonathan, who died
young; Christian, of Jackson township; Benjamin; Catherine, m. to
Christol Geip; Anna, m. to Henry Bollinger; Mary, m. to Jonathan
Bollinger; and Daniel, of Richland, Pennsylvania.

Benjamin Royer, father of Jeremiah W., was born
in August, 1830, and died May 26, 1907, in his seventy-seventh
year, being buried on Decoration Day, at the Millback Dunkard’s
Meeting House. He was an agriculturist all of his life, and from
1859 until the time of his death he cultivated a twenty-five acre
tract in Millcreek township. Mr. Royer was a Dunkard in religious
belief, was a man of quiet demeanor, and was much respected in the
community in which he spent so many years. He married Mary Ann
White, daughter of Philip and Catherine (Walter) White, the former
of whom was of English extraction and a resident of Stricklertown.
Mrs. Royer was born in 1831, and died Jan. 15, 1907, aged
seventy-six years. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Royer were:
Jeremiah W.; Cyrus, who resides at Tamaqua, Pa.; Elizabeth, who is
unmarried; Jonathan, a farmer of Millbach; and Lucian, who operates
the old homestead.

Jeremiah W. Royer was reared on the home farm,
where he worked for his parents until his twentieth year, at which
time he learned the milling business, an occupation which he
followed for sixteen years at various mills in this section of the
country. In 1887 he commenced business on his own account at
Welker’s Church in Jackson township, and subsequently, April 1,
1889, he came to his present property, which he purchased in 1894.
Mr. Royer has been very successful in his milling operations, his
“Boss Roller” brand having a large sale in the coal regions, and
his “Just Right” brand enjoying an extensive local trade. Adjoining
his mill property he owns fifty-eight acres of land, which is a
very fertile tract, and on which his residence is situated. He is
scrupulously honest, and is held in the highest esteem by his
fellow-townsmen, who frequently see a sack upon his back as thick
as the miller and quite as long. Like “Jerry the Miller” of old,
“not one grain of over toll ever dropped into his bin to weigh upon
his parting soul,.” He is hard-working and industrious, and what he
has accumulated he has gotten through his own earnest, untiring
efforts. Mr. Royer is extensively engaged in dealing in wheat, and
during four months time in the summer and fall of 1907 he handled
twenty-six carloads of the cereal.

On May 15, 1875, Mr. Royer was united in
marriage with Polly North, daughter of Isaac and Susanna (Reed)
North, the former of whom was a well-known railroad engineer of
Newmanstown, where he is buried. Mr. and Mrs. Royer have been the
parents of these children: Herbert; Sallie, who died Nov. 15, 1896;
Vesta; Maggie, who married Irwin Swope, a farmer of Marion
township; Frederick; Milton, Emma and Sadie. All of the children
live at home except Mrs. Swope.

Mr. Royer is an independent Republican in
politics. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of
Good Fellows of Stouchsburg. He is liberal in his religious views,
and is a willing contributor to worthy religious movements.

RESEARCHER’S NOTES:

Amos (or Emig) was the oldest son, not the youngest son of
Sebastian Royer.

Philip Royer had 5 sons not 4. There was also a Philip jr. not
mentioned, who has descendants alive today. (Sebastian also had a
5th son, but he died in infancy.)

Joseph Royer, listed as the third son of Amos, is the actually the
third son of Philip.

Samuel Royer who died in 1897 with no heir, known to the family as
“Rich Sam” was the son of David Royer and Ann Miller, not a Samuel
Royer.

Samuel Royer listed as the oldest son of Amos is a mystery.
Neither Amos/Emig or Philip had a son named Samuel. Nor did the
brother Jonathan (of Philip) have a son Samuel. Sebastian had a son
Samuel who married Julian Schenk and lived in Warwick Township,
Lancaster Co.

The Samuel married to Nancy Bollinger is very confusing. Either
Montgomery or I have the wrong family in the wrong spot. I have
those children listed to that couple as belonging to Samuel Royer
and Maria Hernley, not Samuel Royer and Nancy (Anna) Bollinger. I
also have different birth and death dates for the Benjamin listed
but since I am not sure which family he really belongs to, I cannot
state it with assurance. I have 29 Samuel Royers in my files, which
doesn’t make it a simple matter.

Mike Ledo (MIKELEDO@aol.com)

RUBRIGHT, DAVID W.

p. 193

Surnames: RUBRIGHT, KISSINGER, WERTMAN, WINTER, RISSMILLER, ACHTEN,
KLOPP, DEWALT, SHEARY, KEIM, BAUSHER, SMITH, NOECKER, SHEARER,
MOYER, JACKSON, BEHMER, PHILLIPS, CARP, REED, WASHER, RICKENBACH,
HOFFMAN, KRUPP, SHADE, STOYER, DEISHER, UNGER, WHEELER, MARTIN,
BETZ, GERBER, MOSSER, HECKMAN, MADEIRA, RIM, WOLF, SCHEERER

David W. Rubright, proprietor of the Globe Dye & Bleach Works,
of Shoemakersville, Pa., and one of the leading and influential
citizens of that place, was born Sept. 19, 1856, in Perry township,
Berks county, son of Gabriel and Hettie (Kissinger) Rubright.

Jonas Rubright, the first of this family to
settle in Berks county, came from Wurtemberg, Germany, prior to the
Revolutionary war, setting in Centre township, where he owned the
tract now known as the Rentschler farm, and was an extensive
farmer. In later years he lived in Schuylkill county, where he died
in the Lutheran faith, and was buried at the Red Church. His wife,
who bore the maiden name of Catherine Wertman, was buried in the
Zion Church burial ground. It is not known whether or not Jonas and
Catherine Rubright had other children than George Philip.

George Philip Rubright lived in Windsor
township, where he operated a small farm and worked at the trade of
pump maker. He was twice married and the father of sixteen
children. Three of the four born to his first wife, Sallie Winter,
were as follows: Moses; Hannah, m. to John Achten; and Leah, m. to
John Klopp. Mr. Rubright’s second wife was Sarah Dewalt, and to
this union there were born twelve children, among whom were:
Sallie, m. to David Sheary; Gabriel; Joel, who settled in Ohio;
Matilda, m. to Stephen Keim; Paul, m. to Sarah Bausher, and father
of thirteen children, seven sons and six daughters; Katie, m. to
John W. Smith, by whom she has one child; Polly, m. to Jared
Noecker, and mother of seven children.

Gabriel Rubright was born Oct. 3, 1831, in
Windsor township, Berks county, and in youth attended the pay
schools of his district, which he left at an early age to learn the
trade of carpenter with David Shearer, his brother-in-law. He
learned pump making from his father, and for a number of years
worked at his trade in the boat yards, residing at Hamburg. In 1868
he removed to Frackville, Schuylkill county, and there he is still
residing, working daily at his trade. Mr. Rubright married Hettie
Kissinger, daughter of Abraham and Eliza (Rissmiller) Kissinger,
and to this union there were born children as follows: Elias died
in childhood; Alfred m. Priscilla Moyer; David W.; Amos m. Jennie
Jackson; Katie m. Louis Behmer; Mary m. Alex. Phillips; George died
in infancy; Morris was killed in the coal mines, Christmas day,
1893, aged twenty-four years, leaving a widow, Rosa Carp, and three
children; William m. Rosa Reed; Lizzie m. George Washer; Annie m.
Wilson Rickenbach; Jacob; and Edward, who married Lillie Hoffman.
Of the Kissinger family, to which Mrs. Rubright belonged, Mary is
deceased; Isaac was killed on the railroad about twenty-seven years
ago; Jacob m. a Miss Krupp, and has a son, Lee; and Ellen m. James
Shade.

David W. Rubright received his education in the
local schools of his township, and at Frackville, Schuylkill
county. He began work as a breaker boy in the coal mines, where he
picked slate for seven years during the summer months, attending
school in the winter time. In 1876 he returned to his native
township, and for four years worked upon the farm, but in 1880
began carpentering with Adam Heckman, of Shoemakersville, in whose
employ he continued for a period of five years. He then went to
Reading and for nine years worked for David Mosser, assisting in
building the rear five-story structure of Dives, Pomeroy &
Stewart, and a number of dwellings at Wernersville. For one season
he worked at Pottsville, Shenandoah and Mahanoy City, and continued
at his trade in nearly all of the villages and towns in Upper Berks
country. In 1895 Mr. Rubright went to Camden, N. J., and assisted
his brother-in-law, Wilson Rickenbach, in building boats and
pleasure yachts. After a few years he returned to Shoemakersville,
Pa., and acted as carpenter foreman for William Reeser in building
the large plant of the terra cotta works, sough of Shoemakersville.

In 1899 Mr. Rubright and F. V. B. Madeira formed
a partnership under the name of Rubright & Madeira, and engaged
in paper box manufacturing, but after the junior partner’s death,
Mr. Rubright sold the plant and good will to Henry Stoyer. In 1901
Mr. Rubright entered into business relations with William G rim,
under the firm name of Rubright & Grim, and engaged in the
bleaching business. This firm was successful from the start and Mr.
Rubright purchased his partner’s interest, later admitting David S.
Wolf into the firm, under the name of Globe Dye & Bleach Works,
and they bleach underwear for the following well-known firms: Globe
Knitting Mill of Shoemakersville, Pa.; Reading Underwear Company,
Reading; H. K. Deisher, Kutztown; George Unger, Boyertown; Macungie
Knitting Mill, Macungie; Lesher-Raig Knitting Company, Reamstown;
Wagner Company, Mohrsville; Moyer & Heissler, Orwigsburg;
Samuel Unger Estate, Pottsville; William F. Scheerer & Sons,
Pottsville; Ammon Brothers, Reading; Mohnton Knitting Mill,
Mohnton; Reading Underwear Company, Mill No. 2, Ephrata; Eagle
Knitting Mill, Leesport; Miller & Balthaser, West Leesport;
Manheim Knitting Mill, Manheim. The capacity is 5,000 pounds per
day.

Mr. Rubright is one of Berks county’s self-made
men. From a humble beginning in life he has worked his way up step
by step, until now he ranks with the successful men of his
community. He is the possessor of an enviable reputation for
honesty and integrity, and enjoys the respect and esteem of his
fellow citizens. In addition to being the leading stockholder in
the bleach works, Mr. Rubright owns considerable property in
Shoemakersville, and in 1906 erected two large brick houses on
Noble street, residing in one of them himself, while on of his
sons, who is in the employ of his father, resides in the other. He
owned the first automobile in the town. This is a Packard touring
car, which he bought in Philadelphia and rode home in it, being
able to manage it himself the next day.

Mr. Rubright was married to Miss Emma Wheeler,
daughter of Harry and Sarah (Unger) Wheeler, the latter of whom
died Feb 17, 1904, at the ripe age of ninety-three years, the
mother of ten children. To Mr. and Mrs. Rubright the following
children have been born: Mahlon W., born June 10, 1878, m. Clara
Martin, daughter of Israel and Caroline Martin, and has one son,
George, (Born Feb. 22, 1906); Jeremiah, born March 6, 1880, m. Nora
Betz, daughter of Samuel and Salena Betz, and has had two children,
Larue (born Nov. 21, 1906) and Helen May (born November, 1908, died
in infancy); Cora Emma, born Dec. 8, 1882, died in infancy; and
Edward D., born April 9, 1884, m. Sue Gerber, daughter of John and
Susan Gerber.

RUDY,
JOHN

p. 1120

Surnames: RUDY, STAHL, SEILHEIMER, DEXIMER, ROMICH, KISSEL, DEASE

John Rudy, a resident of Mount Penn, Pa., who is engaged in the
express, drayage and ice business, was born Feb. 10, 1862, in Hesse
Darmstadt, Germany, son of George and Maggie (Stahl) Rudy.

George Rudy, who was the foreman of large
stables in his native country, died there in 1872, when
thirty-eight years old, and his wife met her death by asphyxiation
at Hoboken, while on her way to visit her son. Mr. and Mrs. Rudy
had seven children: Andrew, of Reading; John; William, of Lancaster
county; Lizzie, wife of Henry Kissel, of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany;
Charles, of Lancaster county; Maria, who died at the age of eight
years; and Helena, who died when fourteen years old.

John Rudy was reared in his native country, and
was educated in the common schools. At the age of eighteen years he
entered the German army as a member of the 118th Regiment, 4th
Company, Infantry, “Gross Herzog Prince Carl,” and served three
months. In 1885, he married Maggie Seilheimer, born in Hesse
Darmstadt Dec. 17, 1864, daughter of Henry and Maggie (Deximer)
Seilheimer, and for three years thereafter they remained in that
country, Mr. Rudy being engaged in grape growing. In 1888 Mr. and
Mrs. Rudy came to America, and locating in Reading, he secured
employment with the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company. He
then purchased a thirty-five acre farm in Lower Heidelberg
township, on which he resided for two years, when he sold out and
removed to Exeter township, where for four years he managed the
vineyard of George Romich.

Mr. Rudy next located at Dengler’s P. O., now
Mount Penn, where he purchased a home, and since that time has been
engaged in the express and ice business. In politics he is a
Democrat. He is an ardent member of Union Fire Company, of Reading,
uniform rank, the Firemen’s Relief Association, Mount Penn Fire
Company (of which he was one of the organizers), and Union Fire
Company and Veteran Firemen’s Associations. He is a member of the
I. O. O. F., Mt. Penn Lodge, having transferred from Germania
Lodge, Reading; the I. O. O. F. Accident Association; the Fraternal
Order of Eagles, No. 66; the Eagles Mountain Home Association; and
the Exeter Live Stock Association.

To Mr. and Mrs. Rudy eleven children have been
born: John, born Dec. 17, 1886; Charles, Sept. 9, 1888; Katie, Oct.
18, 1891; Clara (died when eight years old); William, (died when
fourteen months old; George, April 5, 1896 (was drowned on Sept. 8,
1908, and his body was recovered three days later by Earl Dease);
Annie, May 5, 1807; Harry Jan. 20, 1900; Samuel, Jan. 20, 1901;
Ellen, Jan. 30, 1904; and Elmer, Aug. 27, 1905, (died in infancy).

RUHL,
CHRISTIAN H.

p. 551

Surnames: RUHL, MCLAUGHLIN, ERMENTROUT, RUNKLE, GLADFELTER,
STRICKLER

Christian H. Ruhl, attorney at the Reading Bar since 1875, and
President of the Berks County Trust Company since its organization
in 1900, was born at Carlisle, Cumberland county, Pa., Aug. 7,
1853. He was educated in the local schools, and at Dickenson
College, from which institution he was graduated in 1874. During
his course of study in the College he had entered the law offices
of Charles E. McLaughlin, Esq., at Carlisle, for the purpose of
taking up the practice of law as his profession, and shortly after
his graduation was admitted to the Cumberland County Bar (Aug. 24,
1874). Having decided to locate in a larger county, he selected
Berks country for his field of practice and removing to Reading was
admitted to the Bar April 15, 1875. He gradually secured an
increasing practice by his careful attention to business, and when
James N. Ermentrout, Esq. (member of the law-partnership of Daniel
and James Ermentrout), was elevated to the Bench Jan. 1, 1886, his
senior partner, Hon. Daniel Ermentrout (then in Congress form the
Berks District), selected Mr. Ruhl to take the place of his
brother, and formed the partnership of Ermentrout & Ruhl; and
this partnership continued in a very active and successful practice
until the decease of Mr. Ermentrout in 1899.

Mr. Ermentrout having been prominently
identified with the political affairs of the county during this
time, the legal business of the firm was attended to almost wholly
by Mr. Ruhl. Their business embraced an extensive practice in all
the local courts, and the prosecution of numerous cases and the
settlement of intricate estates having involved much litigation, he
came to attend the terms of the Supreme court annually during the
week set apart for Berks county. He began his practice before the
Supreme court in 1877. The State reports during a period of thirty
years show cases annually which were represented by Mr. Ruhl,
either for the plaintiff or for the defendant, and the paper-books
display his great care and ability in the preparation of his legal
contests. Besides appearing before the Supreme and Superior courts
of the State, he has also had considerable practice before the
District, Circuit and Supreme courts of the United States, which
has given him a wide acquaintance with the legal profession in many
States of the Union. He has been a member of the Pennsylvania Bar
Association as one of the delegates to the Universal Congress of
Lawyers which assembled at St. Louis, Mo.; and in 1905 to the
American Bar Association which assembled at Narragansett Pier, R.
I. During this time, from 1898 to 1905, he officiated as the
Register in Bankruptcy. From the time of locating in Berks politics
with the Democratic party and exerted a large influence throughout
the county in the nomination of candidates for office.

Mr. Ruhl has been identified with different
financial institutions of this community, either as counsel or
director, for many years: National Bank of Boyertown, Womelsdorf
National Bank, and East Reading Electric Street Railway Company. He
was one of the organizers of the Berks County Trust Company in
1900, and has since officiated as its president; also of the
Reading Glove & Mitten Manufacturing Company in 1898, and has
since served as a director.

In 1878, Mr. Ruhl was married to Elizabeth K.
Runkle, daughter of John Runkle, of Reading, manufacturer for many
years, who died in 1904, aged eighty-seven years. They have been
active members of the First Presbyterian Church since their
marriage. He served as a trustee of the congregation and as
superintendent of the Sunday-school for many years. They also
co-operated heartily in the successful establishment of the
Homeopathic Hospital in 1888, and the Young Women’s Christian
Association in 1898, Mr. Ruhl serving the former as secretary for
five years, and as president for twelve years, and the latter as
president since its organization.

Mr. Ruhl’s father, Jesse Ruhl, was born in 1812,
in Lancaster county, near Mt. Joy. He was a year old when his
parents moved to Cumberland county, about three miles east of
Carlisle, and engaged in farming. Upon the decease of his father,
he carried on the farm until 1865, when he removed to Carlisle, and
lived there in retirement until his death in 1891. He was married
to Mary Ann Gladfelter, daughter of George Gladfelter, of York
county, and they had four children: Joseph (farmer on the
homestead); George (for many years in business at Carlisle and died
in 1906); Catharine (m. to John H. Strickler); and Christian Henry
(the subject of this sketch).

His grandfather was Christian Ruhl, born in 1751
in Lancaster county, and brought up to farming. He removed to
Cumberland county in 1813, and besides carrying on farming was also
engaged in lumbering, milling and distilling until he died in 1850.

His great-great-grandfather emigrated from
Holland in 1743, and settled near Mount Joy, in Lancaster county.

RUNYEON, F.
G. (M.D.)

p. 196

Surnames: RUNYEON, GRIFFITH, BERTOLET, WOBENSMITH

F. G. Runyeon, M. C., a medical practitioner of No. 1390 Perkiomen
avenue, Reading, Pa., was born Sept. 1, 1881, in the city of
Reading, son of George O. and Ida (Griffith) Runyeon, natives of
Berks county.

Dr. Runyeon secured his early education in the
grammar and high schools of his native city, graduating from the
latter in 1898, after which he took post-graduate work at same
institution, entering the University of Pennsylvania in 1899. He
was graduated from this great institution in 1903, with the degree
of M. D., and he immediately entered the Reading Hospital where he
served as resident physician for one year. On July 1, 1904, he
settled in practice at his present office, where he has since
continued with such success. As the people of the community have
gained confidence in the Doctor, so has his practice grown. He is a
close student and skilled physician, keeping well abreast of the
times by his membership in the leading medical societies, including
the Berks County and Reading Medical societies, the Pennsylvania
Medical society, and the American Medical Association. He is a
member of the staff of the Reading Hospital, as assistant to Dr. W.
S. Bertolet. He is fraternally connected with the Kappa Sigma and
the Sigma Xi, of his University. His offices are well appointed and
equipped with all the latest and most highly improved
appurtenances.

On Dec. 28, 1904, Dr. Runyeon was married to
Miss Anna Wobensmith, and to them there has been born one child, A.
Margaret.

RUPP, JOHN
D. (DR.)

p. 187

Surnames: RUPP, RAUCH, McLEAN, HARTZELL, ROTH, SCHLEGEL, HAWKINS,
DRIES

Dr. John D. Rupp, practicing physician at Shoemakersville, Perry
township, Berks county, was born at Chapman’s, in Lehigh county,
Pa., Dec. 14, 1854, son of Benjamin and Mary Ann (Rauch) Rupp, and
grandson of Jacob Rupp, the latter of whom emigrated to America on
the ship “Crawford,” landing at Philadelphia, Oct 16, 1772.

Benjamin Rupp was born in 1800 at Chapman’s, and
was there reared to farming, a pursuit which he followed all of his
life, his death occurring in 1862. His wife, who had been Mary Ann
Rauch, daughter of John Rauch of Snyder county, was born in 1828
and died in 1901, and their children were: Harry, unmarried;
Benjamin m. Esther McLean; Dr. John D.; Mary m. Wilson Hartzell,
and Anna m. William Roth, the last two named being of Allentown.

Dr. John D. Rupp received his preliminary
education in the public schools of his native town, and having
prepared himself for the study of medicine, attended New York
Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1878. After
traveling for a time, he located at the village of Molltown, in
Richmond township, Berks county, in 1880 for the practice of his
profession, and he remained there in active practice for twelve
years, when he removed to Shoemakersville, where he has continued
to the present time, with much success.

In 1880 Dr. Rupp was married to Alice Schlegel,
daughter of Peter and Caroline (Hawkins)Schlegel of Fleetwood,
granddaughter of Abraham Schlegel, and great granddaughter of
Heinrich Schlegel, who was a son of the ancestor, Christian
Schlegel, who emigrated to America prior to 1750. Four children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rupp: Harry, who married Annie Dries, a
daughter of Cyrus Dries of Perry township; Mary; Blanche, and
Laura.

RUSH,
JACOB

p. 328

Surnames: RUSH

Jacob Rush, the first President Judge of Berks county, was born
near Philadelphia in 1746, and was a brother of the celebrated
artist and physician, Dr. Benjamin Rush. He received an excellent
preparatory education and then entered the College of New Jersey,
at Princeton, from which he was graduated in 1765. Immediately
after the State Constitution of 1790 was adopted, he was appointed
to preside over the Courts of the Third Judicial District, which
included the county of Berks. He afterward became president judge
of the First District (of which Philadelphia formed a part), and
held that position for many years until the time of his death. He
was a patriot of the Revolution, and in its darkest days stood firm
to its principles.

While president judge of the county he resided
in Reading, on the west side of South Fifth street, between Cherry
and Franklin streets. He died at Philadelphia Jan. 5, 1820.