Biographies

William H. Livingood William H. Livingood (23d J.D., Berks), born April 5, 1837; died October 22, 1906. Admitted to the Bar January 19, 1860. He was a son of Dr. John B. Livingood, of Womelsdorf, Berks County. Four of his brothers became memnbers of the medical profession, and another, Jacob S. Livingood, seventeen years his … Read more

William Heister Heister, William. Nephew of John and of Colonel Daniel Heister, was born in Bern Township, Berks County. He established himself in Lancaster County, where he cultivated a farm, and by his industry, honesty, and good sense, recommended himself to the popular regard. He was a member of the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Congresses; of … Read more

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

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

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

William M. Kaufman William M. Kaufman, Iron Manufacturer, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, July 24th, 1834, and is the son of John G. Kaufman, of Leesport, who is also extensively engaged in the same business. He was educated in various schools, including Buckman’s Academy at Clermont, continuing a pupil after it was removed to … Read more

William McIlvain William McIlvain, Manufacturer, was born in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, July 1st, 1807. He is a son of James McIlvain, a prominent agriculturist of that section, who also paid particular attention to the improvement of the breed of cattle, especially sheep. He was among the earliest and largest importers of the celebrated Merino sheep, … Read more

William Muhlenberg Hiester William Muhlenberg Hiester, Lawyer, was born at Reading, Berks county, Pennsylvania, May 15th, 1818. He is a son of the late Dr. Isaac Hiester, for many years a distinguished physician of Reading, and grandson, on the maternal side, of General Peter Muhlenberg of revolutionary renown. His mother, Hetty Muhlenberg, was the last … Read more

William Riland William Riland, Soldier of 1812, was born in Berks county, near Reading, August 19th, 1793. He is the son of Andrew Riland, a miller. He was brought up on a farm, about twelve miles from Philadelphia, and, at the age of sixteen years, went to work at the trade of blacksmithing, at Chestnut … Read more

Edward Biddle Edward Biddle (born 1738 – died 1779) was an American soldier, practiced law in Reading, and statesman from Pennsylvania. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1774 and 1775. Biography Edward was the son of William (1698 – 1756) and Mary (Scull) (1709 – 1790) Biddle. He was born in 1738 … Read more