Biography: Samuel Kramer

Samuel Kramer Samuel Kramer, Merchant, was born in Berks County Pennsylvania October 31, 1810. He is a son of Henry Kramer, and his paternal grandfather also bears the same name. He was educated in Robeson, Berks county. When seventeen years of age, he was engaged by his brother to assist him in the Windsor Furnace … Read more

Biography: Samuel Jones

Samuel Jones Samuel Jones, clergyman, b. in Bettws parish, Glamorganshire. South Wales, 14 Jan., 1735; d. in Philadelphia, Pa., 7 Feb., 1814. He was a son of Rev. Thomas Jones, who brought him to Philadelphia, 22 July, 1737. In 1738 Thomas, with a small colony of Welsh Baptists, founded the Tulpehoken Baptist church, Berks county, … Read more

Biography: Sydenham E. Ancona

Sydenham E. Ancona Ex-congressman; born in Lititz, Lancaster County, Pa., November 20, 1824; removed with his parents to Berks County at an early age, and was educated in the common schools of the county. Mr. Ancona married. May 20, 1848, Francisca E. Feger. He held a clerical position with the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company … Read more

Biography: Spencer Fullerton Baird

Spencer Fullerton Baird Baird, Spencer Fullerton. Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, February 3, 1823; graduated at Dickinson College; in 1846 he was made Professor of Natural Sciences in that institution; was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution in 1850: was the editor and translator of the ” Iconographic Encyclopedia,” 4 vols., 8vo, in 1851; author … Read more

Biography: Simon P. Light

Simon P. Light Born in the city of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and educated in the schools of that city, Lebanon Valley College, and in city law offices, Simon P. Light, a true native son, and a practitioner at the Lebanon county bar since admission, reviews a career compiled among the friends and acquaintances of a lifetime. … Read more

Biography: Sherman Henry Hoverter

Sherman Henry Hoverter Sherman Henry Hoverter, Reading, Penn. Born at Lebanon, Pennsylvania, December 24, 1866. Prepared for college in Philadelphia. Attended Lebanon Valley College, Class of ’82. Before entering Michigan engaged as professional accountant. At Michigan: Member of Jeffersonian Society; Keystone Club Court. Member of Patriotic Order Sons of America. Expects to practice in Reading, … Read more

Biography: Samuel Sillyman

Samuel Sillyman Samuel Sillyman, Coal Operator, was born in Hamburg, Berks county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1796. His family is of Scotch-Irish extraction, and assisted in the settlement of the colony. His father was born and reared in Northampton county, but after his marriage settled at Hamburg. The family consisted of five sons–viz., Thomas, Alexander, … Read more

Biography: William Kreitzer

William Kreitzer William Kreitzer, farmer of Jefferson township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Berks county, Pa., May 24, 1836, and is of German descent. Peter Kreitzer, his grandfather, was born, reared and married in Berks county, became the father of four childrenJacob, John, Elizabeth and Catherineand died in his native county. Jacob Kreitzer, son … Read more

Biography: William High Keim

William High Keim Keim, William High. He was born near Reading, Pennsylvania, June 13, 1813; educated at the Mount Airy Military School; rose by regular degrees to the rank of Major-General of Militia; in 1848 he was elected Mayor of Reading; in 1859 he was elected a Representative in Congress; was also Surveyor-General of the … Read more

Biography: William Hiester

William Hiester Hon. William Hiester, Legislator and Politician, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, October 10th, 1790. Some six members of his family had occupied seats in Congress, among them his uncle, General Daniel Hiester, who sat in the 1st, 2d, 3d and 4th Congresses from Pennsylvania, and in the 7th and 8th from Maryland, … Read more