Biographies

Nicholas Paris Mervine Although not himself a native of Altoona, Pennsylvania, Nicholas Paris Mervine has practically never known any other home but this city, having come there at an age when even the most childish of associations are yet to be formed. Since that time he has become most closely associated with the community’s life … Read more

Philip Greth Smith (1810-1879) Philip Greth Smith was born in Bern township, Berks County, Pa., in 1810 and educated at Mt. St. Mary’s College, Maryland, reading medicine with his brother-in-law, Dr. Daniel Deppen, of Bernville. In the fall of 1835 he married Louisa G. Allgaler, of Reading, and moved to Lebanon, where he engaged and … Read more

Philip Gunckel Philip Gunckel was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, April 7, 1766, and learned the trade of milling. In 1793 he married Katarina Schaeffer, born July 12, 1766, also in Berks County, Pennsylvania. In 1796 he moved his family to Center County, Pennsylvania, built a mill, and became proprietor of Millheim, Pennsylvania. In the … Read more

Reynold Keene Reynold Keene, elected 1781, resigned 1790; eleventh Secretary (1783 and 1786) and the seventh President of Board of Managers. He was born on the Island of Barbadoes about 1738 and was the son of Peter Keene. He passed most of his life in Philadelphia and was elected to represent the city and liberties … Read more

Samuel C. Ermentrout Physician: born in Reading, Pa., March 28, 1844. He was educated in the public schools, and the Reading Classical Academy, and was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania as M.D. in 1866. He married Emma Keppleman of Reading, eldest daughter of John Keppleman, an iron founder. He served in the Civil War … Read more

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

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

Samuel L. Young Samuel L. Young, Lawyer, was born in Rockland. township, Berks county, Pennsylvania, September 24th, 1822. He is a son of Daniel Young, who was engaged in the iron business as manager of the works of General Daniel Udree. He was at one period Prothonotary of Berks county, and in 1851 was elected … Read more

Samuel R. Rittenhouse Samuel R. Rittenhouse, M.D., of Reading, Pa., was born near the Trappe, Montgomery county, Pa., January 16th, 1832. His father, Jacob D. Rittenhouse, was a farmer in Montgomery county, Pa. He was a man of full, robust habits, and died of apoplexy, April 17th, 1843, in his sixty-first year. His paternal ancestors … Read more

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