Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

SCHMECK,
FRANK H.

p. 1703

Surnames: HARTMAN, DETURCK, ESHBACH, HICKMAN, HEFFNER, BUSH,
LEADER, EIBACH, MATZ

Frank H. Schmeck, ex-sheriff of Berks County, Pa. who is now
residing at No. 1160 North Ninth street, Reading, was born in
Alsace township, Berks County, son of Henry and Mary (Hartman)
Schmeck.

Samuel Schmeck, grandfather of Frank H., was a
native of Alsace township, where he became a very prosperous
agriculturist, owning much property at the time of his death. He
and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church. In politics Mr.
Schmeck was a Democrat. They had the following children: John;
Samuel; Henry; Susan, who m. a Mr. Deturck; and a daughter who m. a
Mr. Eshbach.

Henry Schmeck, like his father, lived in Alsace
township, where he was a prosperous farmer, operating the farm
formerly owned by Samuel Schmeck. He died on a farm in Ruscombmanor
township. He was a Lutheran in religious belief, while his wife
Mary Hartman, belonged to the Reformed denomination. They had three
children: Valentine Washington, and Frank H.

Frank H. Schmeck was reared in his native
locality, and received his education in the public schools. After
the expiration of his term in office as sheriff of Berks county, he
operated a coal yard and stone quarry, also engaging in farming in
Amity township, as well as having a property in Maiden- creek
township, but is now living retired. In 1898 Mr. Schmeck joined
Reading Lodge, No. 62, F. & A. M. In the spring of 1907 Mr.
Schmeck was elected a member of the council of Reading from the
Sixteenth ward.

Mr. Schmeck was married to Catherine Hickman,
and the following children were born to this union: Henry m. Annie
Heffner; Oscar (deceased) ; Agnes . William Bush; Katie m. Elmer
Leader; Sadie m. Charles Eibach; S. Mabel died in Dec., 1907; Annie
m. William Matz; Grover; Laura; Minerva; Alice; Franklin; and two
died in infancy. In religious belief the family are Lutherans.

SCHMEHL,
ELIAS B.

p. 1328

Surnames: SCHMEHL, KELLER, SNYDER, BRIDEGAM, KNAUR, LORAH, HOFFMAN,
FREYBERGER, ANGSTADT, ENGLEMAN, SMITH, LASHER, MILLER, HECKLER,
ADAMS,

Elias B. Schmehl, who is well known as a millwright in Reading, has
been engaged at his trade there since the close of the Civil war.
He is a native of Berks county, born Feb. 28, 1840, in Ruscombmanor
township, son of Jacob Schmehl and grandson of Conrad Schmehl. The
latter settled near Barnhardts Tavern, in Berks county, and
followed farming. His wife’s name is not known. They had the
following named children: Jonas, John, Jacob, and Louisa (who
married Conrad Keller). Conrad Schmehl was a Lutheran in religious
faith.

Jacob Schmehl followed both the mason’s and
weaver’s trades, working as a stonemason during the summer season
and weaving carpets in the winter time. He passed all his life in
Ruscombmanor township. He married Barbara Bridegam, and to them
were born fourteen children, namely: Rudolph, who is deceased;
Rachel, who married Benjamin Snyder; Samuel, deceased; Charles,
deceased; Angeline, deceased wife of Jacob Knaur; John, deceased;
Lavina, deceased, wife of Charles Lorah; Louisa, deceased, wife of
Enoch Hoffman; Jacob, of Reading; Elias B.; Katie, who died young;
Amelia married Geo. Freyberger; Sarah, who married Daniel Angstadt;
and Jacob. The father of this family was a Democrat in politics and
a Lutheran in religious belief.

Elias B. Schmehl was reared in his native
township and during his boyhood attended the common schools. When
sixteen he found work as a farm hand, and continued thus for three
years, after which he was employed for a year in a stone quarry.
Then he served two years at the millwright’s trade, with Abraham
Lasher, before his enlistment, in 1862, for service in support of
the Union. He joined Company C., 167th Pennsylvania Regiment, under
Capt. P. Y. Engleman, was enrolled Oct. 2d, and proceeded with his
company from Reading to Harrisburg, thence to Washington, where
they boarded a transport for Fortress Monroe, later going to
Norfolk and Suffolk, where the regiment was stationed for six
months. They were next ordered North, to do guard duty along the
northern boundary, from Frederick, Md., to Gettysburg, Pa. Mr.
Schmehl was honorably discharged Aug. 11, 1863, and returned to
Berks county settled in Reading, where he began to work as a
millwright with Levi J. Smith. He remained with this employer for
seven years, during two of which he was foreman for Mr. Smith, and
in 1875 he engaged in business on his own account. Mr. Schmehl has
continued tin this line ever since, and in addition to numerous
mills of ordinary construction he has erected a number of iron
furnaces, forges and mills, as well as several graphite mills,
usually superintending the latter for some time after their
completion, to make sure they have been properly constructed for
successful work. His operations have been principally in
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland, and include work on mills of
almost every description. He has at times given employment to as
many as fifteen millwrights, his reputation for thoroughness and
reliability having won him an extensive patronage. He has
established himself in a substantial position among his business
associates by honorably filling his contracts, his work being his
best recommendation. From 1887 to 1893 Mr. Schmehl, in company with
James M. Miller, now general superintendent of the Reading Paper
Mills, carried on a general machine shop at Nos. 152-154 Court
street, this being at the rear of Mr. Schmehl’s residence, which is
at No. 145 Penn street.

On Oct. 6, 1866, Mr. Schmehl married Annie
Heckler, daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Adams) Heckler, and ten
children have come to this union, born as follows: Howard, Feb. 20,
1868; Heber, July 15, 1870; Wilson, Feb. 26, 1872; Elias B., Jan.
9, 1874 (died Dec. 25, 1874); Allen, Sept. 25, 1875; Pearl, June
28, 1879 (died Aug. 13, 1879); Webster, April 7, 1882; Adam B.,
Oct. 23, 1883; Mary Eve, Aug. 12, 1886; Robert P., June 13, 1891.
This family all belong to the Lutheran Church. Mr. Schmehl is a
Democrat in political sentiment, but he takes no part in public
affairs, giving all his time and energies to his business. He is a
member of Keim Post No. 76, G. A. R.

SCHMICK
FAMILY

p. 1151

Surnames: SCHMICK, SMECK, SCHMECK, MATTERN, BECKER, BROBST, HERMAN,
HAGER, MERKEL, ZIMMER, REIT, KOHLER, WITT, ELY, KLEINE, BREYFOGEL

Schmick. Casper Schmick (also spelled Smeck) in the old tax list in
1758, was the ancestor of this old and honored family, and the
father of Christian Schmick. As early as 1757 Casper Schmick was
taxed in Maxatawny township. In 1775 he paid ten pounds in the same
district.

Tradition states that Johannes Schmeck, of
Alsace township, Berks county, was a brother of Casper, and he died
in 1762, his last will having been made Oct. 24, 1762, and probated
Nov. 2nd of the same year. His wife Elizabeth and son Henry were
the executors. He left a large estate. His wife was to have among
other items of value, 300 pounds of lawful money. Son Henry
obtained one plantation, while son Valentine another. The two
daughters, Anna Clara and Anna Margaret both obtained large
legacies.

(II) Christian Schmick, son of Casper Schmick and great-grandfather
of Henry J. Schmick, was born Nov. 7, 1761, and was the first of
that name to settle in Maxatawny township. He built a stone house
in 1816, which is still standing, and in excellent condition. It is
occupied by Henry J. Schmick and family. His wife was Elizabeth
Mattern, born Dec. 2, 1768, died Aug. 22, 1848. Christian Schmick
died Dec. 30, 1944. He, his son Heinrich, and grandson William and
their wives are all buried in Hope cemetery at Kutztown Pa. Among
the children of Christian Schmick are: Heinrich; Casper, Jonathan
and Christian

Some very interesting information is gleaned
from old records regarding the purchase of certain lands by
Christian Schmick as follows: On March 20, 1795 Christian Schmick
bought from Godleib Becker forty acres, 117 perches, in Maxatawny.
On April 12, 1802, Christian Schmick bought thirty-four acres,
sixteen perches, from Jacob and Maria Brobst. On May 1, 1810,
Christian Schmick bought of Peter Mattern and wife, thirty-four and
one-half acres for 379 pounds and ten shillings. On May 1, 1810,
Christian Schmick bought of Peter Mattern sixteen acres, fifty
perches, for 196 pounds and ten shillings, this latter piece of
land being woodland.

(III) Heinrich Schmick, son of Christian Schmick and grandfather of
Henry J., was born April 26, 1807, on the homestead in Maxatawny,
and died July 24, 1897. He was a farmer, and in 180, built the barn
on the homestead property, the former barn having been destroyed by
fire in the fall of 1879. He was a well known man of Upper Berks
county, and an elder of St. John’s Reformed church, at Kutztown,
and very active in the work of that organization. On May 29, 1836,
he was married by the Rev. A. S. Herman to Anna Hager, born March
10, 1813, died March 18, 1878, and they had one son, William.

(IV) William Schmick, son of Heinrich Schmick and father of Henry
J. Schmick, was bon on the homestead Dec. 18, 1837, and died April
29, 1888, and is buried in Hope cemetery at Kutztown. He was a
farmer. He married Elizabeth Zimmer, born May 1, 1841, and they had
two children: Annie, m. to J. Richmond Merkel, of Bridgeton, N. J.,
principal of public schools of that city; and Henry J. Mrs.
Elizabeth (Zimmer) Schmick resides with her son, Henry J.

The history of the Zimmer family is also very
interesting. Mrs. Schmick is a daughter of Daniel and Caroline
(Reit) Zimmer, granddaughter of Johannes Zimmer and
great-granddaughter of Heinrich Rudolph Zimmer.

Heinrich Rudolph Zimmer was a native of Holland,
but came to American, settling in Greenwich township, Berks Co.,
Pa., where he became a farmer. His farm was later owned by William
Roth. Mr. Zimmer is buried at Grimville church, and his last
resting place is marked by a blue slatestone slab. He had four
children: a son whom tradition says disappeared, probably having
been killed by the Indians; Johannes; Margaret (Kohler) and
Catherine.

Johannes Zimmer, son of Heinrich Rudolph Zimmer
and grandfather of Mrs. William Schmick, was a native of Greenwich
township as was his wife, Rosa Witt, and they had children as
follows: Sally, John, Gideon, Rudolph, Solomon, Henry, Daniel and
Penrose.

Daniel Zimmer, son of Johannes Zimmer and father
of Mrs. William Schmick, was a shoemaker by trade. He was born July
22, 1809, and died at age of eighty-seven years. He married
Caroline Reit, born Aug. 1, 1811, daughter of George Reit. They had
children as follows: Anna Maria, born May 29, 1832; Johann Daniel,
Sept. 6, 1833; Hannah, Dec. 13, 1834; Amandus, July 13, 1836;
Amelia, Jan. 13, 1838; Catharine, Dec. 19, 1839; Elizabeth, May 1,
1841; Henrietta, Feb. 23, 1844 (died Feb. 8, 1853); Judianna, Aug
9, 1846, and Charlotte R., Aug. 27, 1849

(V) Henry J. Schmick, son of William Schmick, is a prosperous
farmer at Schmick’s Hill, in Maxatawny township, Berks Co., Pa.,
and was born Sept. 12, 1875, on the farm originally owned by
Christian and Elizabeth Schmick, his great-grandparents. Mr.
Schmick was brought up on the farm. When only twelve years of age
he had the misfortune to lose his father, and two years later he
began practical farming. After several years, however, he sold his
stock and removed to Chicago, where for two years he was in the
employ of the Union Stock Yards. His next change was made when he
came back to Berks county in December, 1896, and here he remained
until April of the following year when he again went West, and
traveled through Kansas and adjoining States. In 1898 he returned
to Berks county once more to make it his home, and in 1902 he
resumed his farming operations. His valuable property is the old
homestead which was willed him by his grandfather Heinrich Schmick.
This tract consists of 143 acres of good agricultural land, and
about sixteen acres of woodland. Mr. Schmick has a well-stocked,
well-improved farm and owns some very valuable machinery.

On May 29, 1900, he was married to Hettie K.
Ely, daughter of Clinton and Sarah (Kleine) Ely of Richmond, and
granddaughter of David and Clarissa (Breyfogel) Ely. One son has
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schmick, Harlon Ely. In politics Mr.
Schmick is a Republican, and he has always taken a deep interest in
local affairs. He and his family are members of St. Paul’s Reformed
church at Kutztown.

SCHMICK, GEORGE E.

p. 1171

Surnames: SCHMICK, STONE, MENGEL

George E. Schmick, of Reading, salesman for the Hamburg Broom
Works, was born on Port Clinton avenue, Hamburg, March 30, 1881.
His boyhood was passed in his native town, and his education was
received in the public schools. He graduated from the Hamburg high
school in the class of 1901. He then accepted a position as
traveling salesman for the Hamburg Broom Works, of which his elder
brother, Wilson E. is the proprietor. This position he filled about
one year, when he was appointed to a scholarship by Governor
William A. Stone, for the Pennsylvania Museum and School of
Industrial Art, at Philadelphia, where he took the illustrating
course, receiving his first certificate for Industrial Drawing in
1903. He left school in the spring of 1904 to teach drawing to a
private class in Reading. In the fall of 1904 he again began
traveling for the Hamburg Broom Works, which position he has since
filled with great ability. Mr. Schmick travels over Pennsylvania,
New Jersey, Delaware and New York City. He is very successful, and
has built up a largely increased trade.

On Nov. 24, 1904, Mr. Schmick married Miss
Lizzie Edna Mengel, daughter of George and Dinah (Mengel) Mengel,
farming people of Port Clinton, Pa. They began housekeeping in
Hamburg, where they lived until November, 1905, when they located
in Reading, moving into their own comfortable home at No. 326 West
Douglass street. Mr. and Mrs. Schmick are consistent and active
members of the Windsor Street Methodist Episcopal Church. In
politics he is independent. Socially he is a popular member of Camp
No. 78, P. O. S. of A. , of Hamburg, of which he is past president
; of Arcadia Chamber No. 20, Order Knights of Friendship ; of
Symmetry Lodge, No. 103, I. O. O. F., both of Hamburg ; and St.
John’s Lodge, No. 435, F. & A. M., of Reading, Pennsylvania.

SCHMICK,
HENRY J.

p. 1621

Surnames: SCHMICK, STRASSER, WAMPOLE, BANSHER, SEAMAN, EISENHAUR,
FEGLEY, KAHLER, MAYER, DIENER, HARTMAN, RISSMILLER, CASPER, FOX,
MATZ, MENGEL, EPLER

Henry J. Schmick of Hamburg was born near Dreibelbis, in Windsor
township, Berks county, son of Elias H. and Esther (Strasser)
Schmick.

Andraes Schmick, the progenitor of the family in
Berks county, who came from Plainfield, Warren Co., N. J., had
three children: Christian; John, who settled in the vicinity of
Sunbury, Pa., a wealthy landowner; and Mary, who married a Mr.
Wampole, and whose descendants now reside in Reading.

Christian Schmick, of this family, was a farmer
and cabinet maker of Upper Bern (now Tilden) township, having
formerly been located in Maxatawny. In 1830, he located in Upper
Bern, and there purchased twenty-one acres of land, later, in 1841,
securing another tract, making a total of eighty acres, this now
being owned by Jeremiah A. Bansher. He married Catherine Seaman,
and they had these children: Katie m. William Fegley; Benneville m.
Hannah Eisenhaur; and Elias. Benneville lived on a small tract of
his own in Maxatawny township, about one mile west of New
Smithville. He had six children: Alfred, Giles, Addison, Simon,
Matilda and Sarah.

Elias Schmick, son of Christian, was born July
23, 1820, in Upper Bern (now Tilden) township, and died March 20,
1901. He resided in Tilden township, along the railroad, and owned
a small farm, his winter occupation being butchering among the
farmers. He married Lydia Kahler, who died in 1896, aged
seventy-three years, and they had these children: Addison E.; S.
Matilda m. Edwin C. Mayer; J. Henry, m. Katie Diener; Kate m.
Michael Hartman; and Elias H.

Elias H. Schmick, father of Henry J., who is in
the employ of his son in the broom manufacturing business, was born
June 3, 1842, in Perry township, Berks county, and now resides in
Hamburg. He was married in 1865 to Esther Strasser, daughter of
Jonas and Katie (Rissmiller) Strasser, and they have these
children: Henry J.; Kate m. Jacob Casper; Harriet m. Richard Fox;
Wilson m. Gertie Matz; and George m. Lizzie Mengel.

Henry J. Schmick attended public school for but
a short time, commencing work when still a lad, in the brick yards,
where he remained three years. In 1882 he began working in the
Hamburg Rolling Mills, continuing there for some years, when he
engaged with the Pottstown Rolling Mills, being in this concern’s
employ until his twentieth year. At this time he went to work for
the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad as brakeman, and later as
fireman, and while thus employed he conceived the idea of the
patent fish plate, which was patented and was adopted by the
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Co., who are using it at
this time. In 1897, when but twenty-eight years old, he became
president of the Allentown & Kutztown Trolley road, but three
years later resigned in favor of his attorney. He remained on the
board of directors for one year longer, when he sold out his
interests for a large sum, and organized the Kutztown &
Fleetwood Trolley Company, of which he became president, remaining
at the head of this road until its sale to the Allentown &
Kutztown Company. Since this time Mr. Schmick has devoted all of
his attention to his inventions. He has invented various valuable
and useful machines, railroad joints, car couplers, and the
“radio,” a hoisting device, which was patented in 1905 and is now
being manufactured in Reading. He occupies a conspicuous place
among the financiers of his section of the country. He has risen
from a common laborer to one whose business dealings have brought
him into contact with such men as the Goulds and Depew of New York,
and his business dealings have been such as to win the respect and
esteem of those with whom he has been associated. He resides with
his family in Hamburg.

In 1889 Mr. Schmick was married to Molly Epler,
and they have these children: Minnie, Elias, Bessie, Mabel and
Harry, the latter of whom died in his ninth year.

SCHMUCKER, FRED A.

p. 1676

Surnames: SCHMUCKER, YOUNG, HAYDEN

Fred A. Schmucker, proprietor of the Penn-Troy Laundry, of Reading,
is a grandson of Joseph Schmucker, a farmer of Oley township and
later proprietor of the “Schmucker House,” located at the southwest
corner of Sixth and Penn streets.

Francis R. Schmucker, the father of Fred A., was
a graduate of Yale University. He at first practised law, but,
owing to failing health, was forced to abandon the legal
profession, and took up the study of medicine, which he practised
in Reading until his death, in 1902, aged sixty-three years. He was
a soldier of the Civil war, belonging to the 128th Regiment
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, with which he left as a
lieutenant, coming back as a captain. He married Emma C. Young,
daughter of William S. Young, of Allentown, a prominent shoe
manufacturer and real estate dealer. Nine children were born to
this union, four of whom are deceased, as follows: Elizabeth died
when six years old; and Hannah, Martha and one other died in
infancy. The survivors are: William Y., with the American Gas &
Coke Company, Camden, N. J.; Fred A.; Samuel L., an artist of
Philadelphia; Ralph C., with Curtis, Jones & Company, shoe
manufacturers of Reading; and Frank R., with the Choctaw Cotton Oil
Company, Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Fred A. Schmucker was born Sept. 2, 1869, in
Reading, and there attended the public schools, graduating from the
high school in 1884. He went to the College of Physicians and
Surgeons, New York (the medical department of Columbia University),
but suffering from eye trouble was compelled to give up his
profession. Prior to going to college, Mr. Schmucker had spent
seven months in the employ of the Penn Hardware Company, and two
years with the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, and on
returning to Reading in 1889, he was associated with the National
Bolt & Nut Company, for one year. Mr. Schmucker started the
Penn-Troy Laundry in 1892, being the manager and principal owner.
The laundry is incorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania, handles
over 50,000 pieces of laundry every week, and has a large express
business from outside towns, five wagons being necessary to handle
the local business.

Mr. Schmucker was married Sept. 28, 1892, to
Viola Hayden, daughter of Joel G. and Fanny J. Hayden, of Long
Island, N. Y. Three children have been born to this union: Margaret
and Mary Young, at school, and Emily. Mr. Schmucker belongs to the
Knights of Pythias, the Khorassans, the Royal Arcanum and the
Maccabees. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of which
he is a trustee. “The conditions of success in life are the
possession of judgment, experience, initiative and character,” and
Mr. Schmucker has been nothing if not a success.

SCHNABEL, JOSEPH GRATE

p. 732

Surnames: SCHNABEL, GRATE, ECKENROTH, ODIER, HARTMAN, BLANKENHORN,
FREEMAN, ASH, BUSH, BUTHROYED, RUFFNER, HILL, SONNON, SNABLE,
WHITE, MENGEL

Joseph Grate Schnabel, a venerable citizen of Cumru township, and a
survivor of the great Civil war, was born Jan. 22, 1831, in that
township, son of John and Susanna (Grate) Schnabel, and grandson of
Jacob Schnabel, and he died Feb. 9, 1908, in the seventy-eighth
year of his age.

Jacob Schnabel came to America from Germany, on
the ship “Priscilla,” arriving at Philadelphia, Sept. 11, 1749, and
some years after that date became a farmer in Cumru township, Berks
county, where he owned considerable lane, part of which was in
later years owned by his son, John. He was a Catholic in religious
belief, and was buried in consecrated ground in Reading. Jacob
Schnabel was the father of the following children: Jacob ; Joseph ;
Benjamin ; William ; Kate m. Lewis Eckenroth ; Betzy m. Harry Grate
;Polly m. Patrick Odier ; and Sally m. a Mr. Hartman.

John Schnabel, father of Joseph, was born in
1785, near Yocom’s Church in Cumru township, and died in 1860,
being buried at the Catholic cemetery in Reading. He was a
life-long farmer, and owned a tract of eighty-three acres, now the
property of Andrew Blankenhorn. Mr. Schnabel married Susanna Grate,
who died in 1856, in her eightieth year, and to them were born ten
children, as follows: Jacob ; Barbara m. Samuel Freeman ; Andrew ;
Joseph Grate ; John ; Catherine m. Solomon Ash ; Susan m. Ezra Bush
; Hettie m. John Buthroyed ; Elias m. Elizabeth Ruffner ; and Sarah
m. Henry Hill.

Joseph Grate Schnabel was reared in Cumru
township, and there he spent all his life. For many years he was
employed in the iron mines, but in 1896 he retired from active
life, erected a comfortable little home, where he lived with his
daughter, Clara, Mrs. John S. Sonnon, until death claimed him. On
Oct. 27, 1862, Mr. Schnabel enlisted under the name of Joseph
Snable , in Company C, 167th Pa. V. I., serving with the Army of
the Potomac until Aug. 12, 1863, when he received his honorable
discharge at Reading. He was a faithful and efficient soldier, and
during his service to his country bore his share of the hardships
of army life bravely and cheerfully. Mr. Schnabel was a member of
Keim Post, No. 76, G. A. R. ; and the Jr. O. U. A. M., No. 91,
Angelica. In political matters he was a Republican, and for six
years served as township supervisor, then resigning. With his
family he belonged to the Reformed congregation at Yocom’s Union
Church.

On May 4, 1854, Mr. Schnabel married Catherine
White, daughter of John R. and Elizabeth (Mengel) White, and to
this union were born four children: James, born Nov. 12, 1855 ;
Clara, May 30, 1858 (m. Dec. 31, 1887, John S. Sonnon) ; John W.,
March 12, 1860 (died March 21, 1860 ; and a son died in infancy
unnamed.

SCHNADER, JAMES F.

p. 1340

Surnames: SCHNADER, SAYLOR, KITZMILLER, KESSLER, SWEITZER, DEEDS,
JONES, GRATER, HARTZ, ZEAMER, WERTZ, VON NEIDA, RAMP FOLFINGER,
UNGER, BOWER

James F. Schnader, of Cumru township, Berks county, was born July
18, 1869, in Cumru township, son of Franklin K. and Fietta (Saylor)
Schnader.

The great-great-grandfather of James F. Schnader
was John Jacob Schnader, who was one of the organizers of the
Center Lutheran and Reformed Church of Lancaster county, the site
of which is the burial ground of many of his descendants. When he
settled four miles back of the Conestoga river, in the virgin
forest, all of the surrounding country was a wilderness and here he
at once commenced to clear land. At the time of his death, in 1829,
when ninety-five years old, he was the owner of 1,000 acres of
excellent land. He married a second time when seventy-five years of
age. Mr. Schnader was known as a remarkable man in many ways, but
was always highly esteemed for his many sterling traits of
character. His son, Balzer Schnader, born in 1765, at the old
homestead, married Barbara Kitzmiller. After marriage he located in
Franklin county, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for a
few years and then returned to his native township and became the
owner of a fine farm of 270 acres. He erected the first stone house
built in the neighborhood, the roof of which was of imported tiles
and the glass in the windows was but four inches square. Balzer
Schnader was the father of fourteen children, among whom were:
Jacob, born Dec. 25, 180-, died Nov. 13, 1861; Amos; William; John;
Sally; Betsy; James; Lydia; and Mary.

James Schnader, grandfather of James F., was
born Nov. 23, 1802, in Lancaster county, and died Oct. 5, 1872. For
some years he lived in Cumberland county, and in 1842 came to
Brecknock township, Berks county, where the remainder of his life
was spent. He owned a farm of 100 acres of land, which was highly
cultivated, and he was considered a substantial and representative
citizen of his day and community. He is buried at Allegheny Church,
as is his wife, both being members of that organization. James
Schnader married Susanna Kessler, daughter of Johannes Kessler,
born Feb. 10, 1805, who died Nov. 22, 1881, and they had these
children: Maria, who married John Sweitzer; Richard, who married
Angelina Deeds; Franklin, who married Fietta Saylor; John, who
married Amanda Jones; James, who married Anna M. C. Grater; and
Susanna, who married Samuel Hartz.

Franklin K. Schnader, father of James F., was a
gun-barrel manufacturer and farmer along the Wyomissing in Cumru
township, where he became a substantial and highly esteemed
citizen. Born in Brecknock township Jan. 1, 1831, early in life he
came to Cumru township, and this section of the country was his
home until his death, May 14, 1906. He and his family were members
of Gouglersville Church, of which he was a deacon and elder. Mr.
Schnader married Fietta Saylor, born in October, 1832, daughter of
John Saylor of Alsace township. Five children were born to this
union, as follows: Nathaniel S., born March 30, 1854, a gun-barrel
manufacturer of Cumru township, also conducting a cider mill which
manufacturers as much as 90,000 gallons annually, married in 1875,
Victoria Zeamer, daughter of Henry Zeamer, and to them were born
eight children, as follows: Mary, Charles, Frank, Katie, Carrie,
William, Gertie and Stephen; Henry, who married Mary Wertz, died in
1888, aged thirty-two years, seven months, eighteen days; Mary E.,
who married John A. Von Neida, of Bowmansville, Pa.; Adallia, who
married Samuel K. Ramp of Brecknock township; and James F., of
Cumru township.

James F. Schnader received his education in the
public schools of his native township, leaving them at the age of
sixteen years to learn the milling trade with John A. Von Neida, of
Bowmansville, Pa., with whom he continued for upwards of a year. He
then learned the painting trade with Frank Folfinger, of Mohnton,
with whom he continued for three years, working also for Mosser
& Pauling, painting contractors, for four years. Mr. Schnader
then worked for himself for two years and for four years at the
trade in Reading, then engaging in the milling business, at the
mill erected by his father, known as the Wyomissing Grist, which
was the first mill obtaining its power from the Wyomissing creek.
After the death of his father in 1906, Mr. Schnader came into
possession of the Schnader homestead in Cumru township, a tract of
forty-seven acres, on which property is the famous old gun-barrel
factory, where gun-barrels were manufactured during the
Revolutionary war, one of the oldest business places in the county,
and here also is situated the cider-press, where thousands of
barrels of apples are ground into cider annually. The present home
was built by his father in 1860. Mr. Schnader also owns
thirty-seven acres of heavily timbered land and his own home on the
road leading from Mohnton to Gouglersville.

In politics Mr. Schnader is a staunch Democrat,
and in the spring of 1906 was elected by a handsome majority to the
office of school director of Cumru township, which has thirty
schools. He takes a great interest in educational matters and is an
efficient man for the office. He and his family are members of
Gouglersville Union Church, belonging to the Reformed denomination.

In the year, 1894, Mr. Schnader was married to
Annie M. Unger, born Dec. 3, 1874, daughter of George and Annie
(Bower) Unger, natives of Wittenberg, Germany, and to them were
born children as follows: Sadie W., born March 21, 1895; Clara M.,
born July 26, 1897; James H., born Aug. 25, 1899; Annie F., born
Oct. 6, 1901; Wayne A., born Dec. 19, 1904; and Harland A., born
Jan. 17, 1907.

SCHNEIDER, AUGUST

p. 1514

Surnames: SCHNEIDER, HOUEY, HELLE, HERRMANN, HERZOG, BACHELE,
SCHISSLER

August Schneider, a well known business man of Reading, Pa., where
he has extensive brewing interests, was born July 16, 1855, in
Wurtemberg, Germany, son of Antone and Caroline (Houey) Schneider.

Mr. Schneider learned the brewing business with
his father in his native country, and worked there at his trade for
seven years, and was a brewmaster in Zurich, Switzerland. He came
to this country May 1, 1880, and for four years resided at
Philadelphia, where he had first located. He then went to Carlisle,
to accept a position as brewmaster, which he successfully filled
for two years, and then returned to Philadelphia, where he was
employed by the Bergner Engle Brewing Company. The succeeding three
years he was employed as brewing master in Bethlehem, Pa., and from
there went to Altoona, Pa., where he served in the same capacity
for Martin Helle, at the old Hickory Brewery. After four years with
this firm he went to Millville, where he was engaged as brewing
master for the Millville Enz Brewing Company. Feeling that he had
mastered all the details of the business with which he had been
connected for so many years, Mr. Schneider decided to enter the
brewing field on his own account, and subsequently organized the
American Brewing Company, of which he was manager for four years,
at the end of which time he went to Latrobe, Pa., and there
established the Loyalhanna Brewing Company, in partnership with
Philip Herrmann and others. This became a large corporation. He
served as superintendent and general manager of this company until
coming to Reading, April 8, 1907, when he purchased the Stocker
estate, now called Fairview Brewery, as well as the Augustiner
Brewery, where the famous Augustiner Beer is brewed, a beverage
that has since won great popularity. Mr. Schneider’s son, Joseph
A., is the brewmaster, and is a man of capability, being a graduate
of the Wahl-Henius Institute of Fermentology, Chicago, as well as
having much practical experience. He is consulted by his father in
all business matters, and by his sound judgment and aptitude of
mind has made himself an invaluable man in the managerial affairs
of Fairview Brewery. Since the Schneiders have taken charge of the
brewery they have built up a large business, and have increased the
value of the property by $40,000, making many improvements,
including the building of the bottling house, a structure 40 x 64
feet in dimensions. Mr. Schneider resides at No. 1700 North
Eleventh street, which was formerly the Stocker home.

Fraternally Mr. Schneider is a member of the B.
P. O. E., No. 905, of Latrobe; and the F. O. E., No. 1188, also of
Latrobe. Since coming to Reading he has joined the Reading Lodge of
Elks, No. 115, and Aerie No. 66, F. O. E. He has also become a
member of the Bavarians, the Liederkranz, the Family Circle and
other social clubs. He is a member of the German Catholic Church of
Reading, and belongs to the Knights of St. George, which he was
instrumental in founding in Latrobe before coming to this city.

On Jan. 19, 1878, Mr. Schneider was married to
Louisa Herzog, who was born April 7, 1856, daughter of Andrew and
Caroline (Bachele) Herzog, of Baden, Germany. Mr. and Mrs.
Schneider were married prior to coming to this country. Their
twelve children were as follows: Alfred A., born Dec. 7, 1878, died
Feb. 14, 1904; Otto E., born Dec. 7, 1879, died in infancy; Louise,
born Dec. 28, 1880, married John V. Schissler, of Latrobe, and they
have one daughter, Louisa Augusta; Frank J., born Dec. 26, 1883,
died March 28, 1884; Joseph A., born Jan. 24, 1885; Amelia C., born
April 7, 1887, died Feb. 16, 1889; Matilda K., born Sept. 29, 1889;
Charles F., born Oct. 29, 1891; Aloysius A., born April 7, 1894,
died Sept. 9, 1898; Wilhelmina P., born March 2, 1897; Julius H.,
born July 23, 1899; and Stella M., born Feb. 9, 1902.

SCHNEIDER, LEANDER

p. 981

Surnames: SCHNEIDER, BENKERT, RESH, GLASER, SMITH, FOLK

Leander Schneider, who resides at No. 1255 Spruce street, Reading,
Pa., is at present acting in the capacity of foreman of the
knitting department of the Pennsylvania Knitting Mills. Mr.
Schneider was born Oct. 29, 1860, at York, Pa., son of Andrew and
Elizabeth (Benkert) Schneider.

Andrew Schneider was a native of Germany, born
in 1820, and when a young man came to this country, settling at
York, Pa., where he engaged in brick manufacturing until an injury
to his leg in 1872 caused his retirement from active life. He
removed to Reading in this year, and here died in November, 1876.
Mr. Schneider married Elizabeth Benkert, also born in Germany, and
to them were born seven children: John, a moulder of Reading, m.
Mary Resh ; Annie m. John Glaser, an employe of the Philadelphia
& Reading Railway Company ; Leander ; Ellen m. George Smith, an
employe of the Reading Iron Works ; Andrew died single at the age
of twenty-three years ; Michael, a caterer of New York City, is
married ; and Miss Mary, resides in Reading.

Leander Schneider obtained his early education
in the parochial school at York, Pa., and later attended St. Paul’s
Catholic Church parochial school of Reading, after leaving which,
at the age of fourteen years, he began working for the Reading Iron
Works. After about three years with this company he became employed
by the Reading Hardware Works, where he started as an errand boy
and worked his way up to the foremanship of the japanning and
bronzing department, continuing in the service of this company for
a quarter of a century. In the summer of 1901 Mr. Schneider became
“all-’round man” for the Pennsylvania Knitting Mills, and he has
continued with this concern to the present time, now being foreman
of the knitting department. In political matters Mr. Schneider is a
stanch Democrat, and takes an active interest in his party’s
success, for ten years being register assessor of the Second
precinct of the Tenth ward. He is fraternally connected with
Commandery No. 271, Knights of St. John of Reading ; and Court
Conrad Weiser, Foresters, also of Reading. He and his family attend
St. Paul’s Catholic Church.

On April 20, 1884, Mr. Schneider married
Margaret Folk, born Jan. 29, 1861, daughter of Henry and Hannah
Folk, natives of Germany, and to this union there were born three
children : Joseph, who died in infancy ; and Elizabeth Ellen and
Catherine Cecilia, at home.