Biography: Joseph Lybrand Stichter

Joseph Lybrand Stichter Joseph Lybrand Stichter, Merchant, was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, October 30th, 1813. He is a son of Peter Stichter and his second wife Elizabeth (Lybrand), and grandson of Conrad Stichter, who emigrated to America from Lubeck, Germany, in the year 1750, and settled in Reading. Peter Stichter was born in Reading, 1761, … Read more

Biography: Judge Dimner Beeber

Judge Dimner Beeber Philadelphia was entertaining the nation in honor of the one hundredth anniversary of her freedom when Dimner Beeber came to Philadelphia, and that city has been his home during the near half century of years which have since intervened, 1876-1922. Those years have given Judge Beeber the honors of his profession and … Read more

Biography: Nathaniel Ferguson

Nathaniel Ferguson Nathaniel Ferguson, Iron Manufacturer, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on November 20th, 1817. He is the son of John Ferguson, who emigrated to the United States at the commencement of this century. His son received his elementary education at the common school, and completed the same by attending the Moscow Academy, in … Read more

Biography: Nathan C. Schaeffer

Nathan C. Schaeffer Schaeffer, Nathan C., educator, was born near Kutztown, Berks со., Pa., Feb. 3, 1849, son of David and Esther Ann (Christ, pronounced Krist) Schaeffer, and grandson of Philip and Elizabeth (Fetterolf) Schaeffer. His great-grandfather, George Schaeffer, came to this country from Germany in 1750. One of his four brothers, Rev. William C. … Read more

Biography: Matthias Sheeleigh, 1821-1900

Matthias Sheeleigh, 1821-1900 Source: Proceedings of Pennsylvania-German Society, Volume X, 1899. Rev. Matthias Sheeleigh, D.D., was born at Charlestown, Chester Co., Pa. on December 29, 1821. He was the son of Jesse Sheeleigh, b. November 9, 1793, d. August 16, 1830 (married Mary Orner, b. May 3, 1796, d. April 3, 1876, daughter of Elizabeth … Read more

Biography: Mathias Richards

Mathias Richards Richards, Matthias. He was born in 1757; was a Judge of Berks County, Pennsylvania from 1788 to 1797; and a Representative in Congress from Pennsylvania from 1807 to 1811. Died in 1830. Lanman, Charles. Biographical Annals of the Civil Government of the United States During Its First Century: From Original and Official Sources. … Read more

Biography: Martin Luther

Martin Luther Martin Luther, M.D., Physician, was born March 16th, 1826, at New Holland, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He is the son of Dr. John Luther, now deceased, who was a prominent physician of that locality; was also very active in political life, and an influential and leading member of the Masonic body. His grandfather was … Read more

Biography: Ludwig Spang Filbert

Ludwig Spang Filbert FILBERT, Ludwig Spang, physician and inventor, was born in Berks county, Pa., March 12, 1825. His uncle, Peter Filbert, was the first mayor of Reading. His mother’s maiden name was Spang. Both the Filbert and Spang families have been prominent in Pennsylvania for many generations. When quite young he removed with his … Read more

Biography: Louis Richards

Louis Richards Lawyer and Law Writer. Louis Richards, law writer and member of the Bar of Berks county, Pennsylvania, was born May 6, 1842, at Gloucester Furnace, Atlantic county, New Jersey, of which his father, John Richards, was proprietor. The latter, a native of Berks county, came of a vigorous stock of Welsh descent, his … Read more

Biography: Lieutenant Colonel John E. Arthur

Lieutenant Colonel John E. Arthur Lieutenant Colonel John Elliott Arthur, of Reading, came to the 93rd Regiment as Captain of Company B, and was commissioned October 12, 1861, promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, September 1st, 1862, and was discharged on Surgeon’s certificate November 14, 1862. At the breaking out of the Mexican War he enlisted in … Read more