Berks County, Pennsylvania"A & B" Surname Biographies
Berks County, Pennsylvania
"A & B" Surname Biographies
| A - B | C | D | E - F | G | H | I - K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L | M | N - P | Q - R | S | T - V | W - Z |
Name |
Biography |
| Ahrens, Howard E. | "Contractor; born in Pennsylvania. He conducted a general store and coal yard in Reading for a number of years; is now senior member of the firm H. E. Ahrens and Brother, general contrators, building water works and general railroad construction. Mr. Ahrens has served as a member of the Reading School Board, is president of the Reading and Allentown Traction Company and Kutztown and Fleetwood Street Railway, and a director of the Schuylkill Valley Bank. Address: Reading, Pa." Source: Who's Who in Pennsylvania: A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporaries, edited by John W. Leonard. Published 1908. Page 6. Transcribed by: Vicki Hartman |
| Ancona, Daniel F. | "Isurance agent, and lawyer; born in Reading, Pa., January 16, 1864; son of S. E. Ancona (formerly congressman from the Berks district) and Francisca E. Ancona. He was educatied in the public schools of Reading, Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., in the class of 1884, Franklin Oration. He was married in Reading, Pa., Sept. 17, 1893, to Sarah E. E. Bechtel, and they have four children: Paul, born in 1894, Fred, born in 1900; Syd, born in 1901, and Dan, born in 1907. He was admitted to the bar of Berks County, Pa., Norvember, 1886, admitted to the bar of Kings County, Washington, 1891, Fire Insurance agent of Reading since October 1891. He is a Democrat in politics, and a Lutheran in his religious views. He is a member of the Bar Association of Berks County, is a Mason and Elk; also a member of the Berkshire Country Club. Residence: 1579 Mineral Spring Road, Reading. Business address: Baer Building, Reading, Pa." Source: Who's Who in Pennsylvania: A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporaries, edited by John W. Leonard. Published 1908. Page 12. Transcribed by: Vicki Hartman |
| Ancona, John F. | "Underwriter and manufacturer; born in Reading, Pa., son of Hon. S. E. Ancona and Francisca E. (Feger) Ancona. He was educated in the schools of Reading, Pa. He married first at Washington, D.C., Sallie Flinn, who died; and in 1890 he married Catharine Stambach of Reading. He resided for several years at Hamburg, Pa., where he was a hat manufacturer, and before that in Washington, D. C. Mr. Ancona, several years ago, became interested in his father's insurance and real estate business in Reading, and also in manufacturing enterprises. He has been active in the Democratic politics of Berks County; served as a member of the Democratic County Committee for a number of years, and was then elected chairman, holding the office for seven terms; was elected County controller, and held the office several years. Address: Reading, Pa." Source: Who's Who in Pennsylvania: A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporaries, edited by John W. Leonard. Published 1908. Page 12. Transcribed by: Vicki Hartman |
| Ancona, Sydenham E. | "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 hld a clerical position with the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company in the office of the generla superintendent, then in the city of Reading. Mr. Ancona was elected to Congress at the November election, 1860, as a Democrat, and was twice reelected, thus serving three terms covering the exciting times of the Civil War, from 1861 to 1867. He was one of the representatives of Congress appointed in 1866 to attned the funeral of General Winfield Scott. Mr. Ancona was one of the organizers of the Reading Fire Insurance and Trust Company, serving as its secretary and treasurer for over thirty years, until the fire insurance business was sold to another company. He has since devoted much time and attention to traveling in the United States and foreign countries; is deeply interested in home institutions, and especially the Fire Department; president of the Hampden Fire Comapny from its organization; memeber of the Fireman's Union for many years; served also in the Reading School Board for a number of terms. Address: Reading, Pa." Source: Who's Who in Pennsylvania: A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporaries, edited by John W. Leonard. Published 1908. Page 12. Transcribed by: Vicki Hartman |
| Armour, Charles H. | Charles H. Armour, the well known agent of the Wilmington & Northern R. R., at Reading, has been identified with that company for many years, and is one of the progressive and highly respected citizens of the city. He is a son of John and Ruth M. (Jenkins) Armour, and was born December 20, 1854, in Cecil County, Md.
The Armour family is an old and well-known family of Maryland, where it has been established for many years. John ARmour, the father of our subject, and his three sons, Stephen L., Samuel H., and John A., were soldiers of the Civil War, and served for a considerable length of time, making excellent records for bravery and rendering valuable service to the cause of the Union. Charles H. Armour, the subject of this biographical sketch, was reared in his native town, but at an early age moved to Wilminton, Delaware, where at the age of sixteen years, he accepted a position with the Wilmington & Reading Railroad as a messenger. He was deprived of the opportunity of attending school, but, being a student by nature, he did not waste his spare moments, preferring rather to remedy his defects in education by reading and private study. By close application to his work, he was gradually promoted from his lowly position to the one he now holds. His first rise from messenger boy was to extra agent and operator, during which time he became a competent telegrapher, and then was transferred to Joanna, Berks County, Pa., where he remained as station agent for a period of five years. He then was given charge of the station at Birdsboro, where he faithfully discharged his duties for teh succeeding ten years, with the exception of one year spent in Reading, when he was cashier of the Wilminton Street R. R. He was next called to Reading as agent, where he has since held his present important and responsible position. His time being almost entirely taken up by his work, his vacations have been spent in travel, of which he is very fond. Travel has also served as a means of education, and being very observing, he has a good knowledge of Denver, Seattle, Portland, Oregon, Canada, Florida and New Orleans, in all of which he has vistied. He was one of the prime movers in the Sesqui-Centennial, which was celebrated in Reading, in June of 1898, being secretary of the Transpotation Committee, and a member of the Executive Committee, which arranged every detail for the mammoth jubilee. He was also chairman of the Signal Corps Committee, in which department he rendered efficient service during the celebration. December 10, 1876, Mr. Armour was untied in matrimonial bonds with Sue Shick, by whom he has four sons and one daughter, namely: George C., Jesse S., Ralph, Agness S. and Charles H. Fraternally, he is a past master of Union Lodge, No. 479, of Birdsboro; secretary of Readign Chapter, No. 152, R. A. M.; a past commander of DeMolay Commandery, No. 9, K. T.; and a member of Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. Source: Book of Biographies: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Berks County, Pennsylvania. Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo, N. Y., 1898. Pages 24-25. Transcribed by: Vicki Hartman |
| Aurandt, John Dietrich | Aurandt, John Dietrich, a minister of the German Reformed Church, was born on Maiden Creek, Berks county, Pa., 1760, and in his youth was apprenticed to a miller. In 1778 he enlisted as a soldier in the brigade of the Pennsylvania Regulars under Gen. Wayne. He continued in the army till 1781, whien he received an honorable discharge. He now resumed his business as a miller, but after several years turned his attention to farming. Meanwhile his mind had been strongly turned toward the holy ministry. He began by exhorting in meetings for prayer, studying privately as best he could. He was licensed to preach in 1806, and ordained in 1809. He settled in Huntington county, Pa. His field of labor extended east and west sixty miles, north and south from forty to fifty miles. Here he labored with apostolic zeal as a pioneer, laying the foundation of numerous and flourishing congregations. His travelling over these mountain regions of Pennsylvania was done on horseback. This was his first and also his last field of labor. His health failed toward the last, and sometimes for a short period his labors were interrupted; but he continued his work, though often amid much suffering, till near his end. He preached his last sermon the latter part of the summer of 1830, and died April 24th 1831, in the 71st year of his age. Mr. Aurandt's power of usefulness lay in extraordinary natural gifts, deep and earnest piety, rather than in acquired learning or intellectual polish. He was gifted with a good memory, quick perception, a ready flow of language and a clear enunciation. He preached only in the German language. Source: Cyclopaedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, by John McClintock, James Strong. Page 549. Transcribed by: Vicki Hartman |
| Bachman, Charles W. | "Physician; born in Reading, Pa., in 1856. He was educated in the public schools, graduating from the High School in the class of 1873; then attended Northwestern College at Naperville, Ill., graduating from that institution in 1876; commenced the study of medicine and was graduated from the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, as M. D. in 1881, when he began the proactice of his profession in Reading and is still in active practice in that city. Dr. Bachman took a post-graduate course in nervous diseases at the Philadelphia Polyclinic in 1889; was secretary for several years of the Reading Medical Association and of the Medical Society of the County of Berks, and has served as president of both organizations at different periods. He is also a member of the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and one of its district censors and a member of the American Medical Association. He is a member of the Board of Managers of the Reading Hospital and visiting physician to the Home for Widows and Single Women of that city. He is local examiner for the White Haven Hospital for Consumptives, as also examiner for several life insurance companies. Address: 140 North Ninth Street, Reading, Pa." Source: Who's Who in Pennsylvania: A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporaries, edited by John W. Leonard. Published 1908. Page 27. Transcribed by: Vicki Hartman |
| Bard, George W. | "Merchant; born in Ephrata Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1841; son of Adam Bard and Elizbeth Bard. He wa seducated in the public Schools. He engaged in business in Reading and is now a member of the Bard Hardware Company; director of the Penn National Bank, Reading Trust Company, and other interests. Enlisted September 18, 1861, in Co., B, 93rd Penna. Vol. Served in the ARmy of the Potomac, was discharged on account of expiration of term of service Nov. 20, 1864. Was married Sept. 21, 1871, to Irene Barber Wumme. Address: 27 South Ninth St., Reading, Pa." Source: Who's Who in Pennsylvania: A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporaries, edited by John W. Leonard. Published 1908. Page 38. Transcribed by: Vicki Hartman |
| Bard, W. Raymond | "Merchant; born in Tremont, October 26, 1873; son of George W. Bard and Irene B. Bard. He attended Reading High School, graduating with merit in 1889. He is treasurer of the East Reading Electric Railway Company, and member of the firm of Bard Hardware Company. He enlisted as private in the Fouth Pennsylvania Volunteers, trasferred to Reserve Medical Corps, U. S. A., promoted to aciting hospital steward, and served in the Porto Rican campaign, Spanish-American War. He is a Repulican in politics, and a Lutheran in his religious beief. He is president of the Reading Chorus, treasurer of the Humane Society of Berks county, treasurer of the Reading High School Scholarship Fund, ex-president of the Luther League of Pennsylvania, ex-secretary of the same for one term, ex-president of the Alumni Association of the Reading High Schools for two terms. Residence: 27 South Ninth Street, Reading. Business address: 800 Penn Street, Reading, Pa." Source: Who's Who in Pennsylvania: A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporaries, edited by John W. Leonard. Published 1908. Page 38. Transcribed by: Vicki Hartman |
| Beard, Elmer H. | "City engineer of Reading; born in Reading, Pa. He was educated in the public schools, and was graduated from the High School. Studied civil engineering and engaged in railroad work for a number of years. He served for a time as assistant supervisor of the Milwaukee, Lake Shore and Western Railway, and later held a smilar position on the Pennsylvania railroad. He served as assistant city engineer of Reading under S. S. hoff, and was chosen by councils as city engineer. Mr. Beard has been in charge of many important municipal problems connected with the extension of the house sewage system and providing an adequate disposal plant. Address: Reading, Pa." Source: Who's Who in Pennsylvania: A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporaries, edited by John W. Leonard. Published 1908. Page 48. Transcribed by: Vicki Hartman |
| Beard, Horace | Horace Beard, Secretary Newport & Sherman's Valley Rd. Office Newport, Pa. Born Aug. 19, 1859, at Robeson Township, Berks Co., Pa., being the son of Augustus Warren and Amanda Louisa Beard. He was educated at Uni9on Commercial College, Philadelphia, Pa. Entered railway service 1889 as secretary Newport & Sherman's Valley Rd., which position he now holds. Source: The Biographical Directory of the Railway Officials of America by T. Addison Busbey. Edition of 1893. Published Biennially By The Railway Age and Northwestern Railroader. Page 24. Transcribed by: Vicki Hartman |
| Becker, John M. | "Physician; born in Berks county, Pa., Oct. 16, 1858. He removed to Reading in 1864. HE was educated in public schools, afterward becoming a student in the office of Dr. N. B. Dundore, and he was graduated from the Jefferson Medical College as M. D. in 1862. Since then he has been located in Reading in the practice of medicine, and he is now president of the Reading Board of Health. Address: 332 North 9th St., Reading, Pa" Source: Who's Who in Pennsylvania: A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporaries, edited by John W. Leonard. Published 1908. Page 53. Transcribed by: Vicki Hartman |
| Bertolet, John Marshall | "Physician; born in Reading, July 16, 1857. His family is of direct Huguenot descent. He was educated in public schools and at the Kutztown Normal School; took up telegraphy and managed the Reading office of the Postal Telegraph and Cable Company in Reading. He was chosen teller of the Second National Bank, which he organized, but was unable to accept owing to his unexpected election as city treasurer. Dr. Bertolet had merely accepted the noinaion of the Republican party as a compliment and made no serious campaign, but won out to the surprise even of older politicians. He gave the office a reform administration, and ended the private brokerage business in loans done by former treasurers. He made use of his spare time by studying medicine at Jefferson Medical College, and graduating as M. D. in 1896, before the expiration of the term. He has since been engaged in the practice of medicine in Reading. he is physician to the House of the Good Shepherd, and one of the surgeons of the Reading Hospital. Dr. Bertolet is a member of the American Medical Association, Berks County Medical Society, Pennsylvania State Medical Society, and the Reading Press Club. He is also engaged in the manufacture of automobiles, ""The Berolet 40"" being named after him. Address: 1333 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading, Pa." Source: Who's Who in Pennsylvania: A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporaries, edited by John W. Leonard. Published 1908. Page 62. Transcribed by: Vicki Hartman |
| Bertolet, Samuel E. | "Lawyer; born in Reading, Feb. 17, 1877; son of Israel M. Bertolet and Annie E. (Ely) Bertolet. He attended public schools, Oley Academy, Schuylkill Seminary, Lebanon County, pennsylvania, Lafayette College at Easton, Pa., in the class of 1897, receiving the degree of A. B. and A. M. in 1900. He married in Reading, June 27, 1907, Anna Alexandrene Wilson, and they have one son: James Wilson Bertolet, born in 1906. He was admitted to Berks County Bar, Nov. 12, 1899; candidate for State senator, Republican Party, 1904; appointed referee in bankruptcy for Barkes County, by Judges McPherson and Holland of the United States District Court for Eastern District of Pennsylvania, on Jan. 2, 1905; reappointed Jan. 2, 1907. He is a Republican in politics, and a Presbyterian in his religious faith. He is a member of the Berkshire Country Club of Reading, Pa. Residence: 430 Elm Street, Reading. Business address: 536 Court Street, Reading, Pa." Source: Who's Who in Pennsylvania: A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporaries, edited by John W. Leonard. Published 1908. Page 62. Transcribed by: Vicki Hartman |
| Bieber, Walter B. | "Merchant; born at Kutztown, Pa., on Sept. 23, 1845. He was educated in the public schools and at Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.; became a professor at the Maxatawny Seminarey and succeeded his father in the mercantile business in 1884. he married at Ballietsville, Pa., June 1, 1876, Ella C. Mickley. Mr. Bieber assisted in organizing the Kutztown National Bank, and is still serving as a director. He was connected with the Kutztown Fair Association, and has been prominent in educational work, serving as school director. He was chairman of the building committee which erected the Topton Lutheran Orphans' Home. He is a Democrat and received the second highest vote for the Democratic Congressional nominiation in his district in 1896. Address: Kutztown, Berks County, Pa.
" Source: Who's Who in Pennsylvania: A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporaries, edited by John W. Leonard. Published 1908. Page 67. Transcribed by: Vicki Hartman |
| Birch, Robert S. | "Principal of the Boys' High School of Reading, Pa.; born in Reading, July 17, 1877; educated in the public schools of his native city and was graduated with the highest distinction from the Reading High School, June 28, 1894, after having the previous year won first prize as essayist; entered Princeton University and won the sophomore prize for essay, 1896; and was graduated as a. B. in 1898, with high honors in classics. Mr. Birch was instructor in history and classics in the Boys' High School of Reading, from June, 1808, until elected principal in June, 1902. Address: Reading, Pa. Source: Who's Who in Pennsylvania: A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporaries, edited by John W. Leonard. Published 1908. Page 70. Transcribed by: Vicki Hartman |
| Boas, Howard L. | "Secretary of Monticello Brick Works; born in Reading, Pa., April 29, 1864. He was educated in the public schools of his native city and at the Northwestern College, Naperville, Ill. Mr. Boas married in February 1884, Kate M., daughter of Mathias Harbster of Reading. He entered business pursuits early in life, and incidentally embarked in politics; was elected to the Select Council to represent the Seventh Ward, the heaviest taxpaying ward in Reading in 1896; reelected in 1900 and 1904, and was president of the Select Council. He served as vice-president of the Reading Sesquicentennial celebration in 1898. He is secretary of the Monticello Brick Works, capitalized at $2,500,000; secretary of the Reading Hardwood Company, employing 1,800 hands, and shipping its products to all parts of the world; director of the Keystone Hardware Company, and also of the Consolidated Hardware Company. Address: Reading, Pa." Source: Who's Who in Pennsylvania: A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporaries, Edited by John W. Leonard. Published 1908. Page 79. Transcribed by: Vicki Hartman |
| Brenesier, Charles | "Merchant; born in Reading, March 24, 1828. He was educated in local schools. Mr. Brenesier is a successful wholesale tobacco dealer, having been in the business for a continuous period of sixty years, and he has now associated with him two sons, Thomas and Charles, Jr. He is a large owner of real estate; is a director of the National Union Bank, Reading Trust Company, Reading Benevolent Society, Oley Turnpike Company, Charles Evans Cemetery, Manatawny Insurance Company, and the Reading Hospital. Address: 1019 Penn Street, Reading, Pa. Source: Who's Who in Pennsylvania: A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporaries. Edited by John W. Leonard. Published 1908. Page 95. Transcribed by: Vicki Hartman |
| Bridenbaugh, Samuel Held | Clergyman: born Jan. 28, 1849, at Sinking Valley, Blair County, Pa. Son of Henry H. and Susan (Sprankle) Bridenbaugh. He was educated in public schools, at Mercersburg Academy, in Franklin and Marshall Academy, Lancaster, Pa., and Franklin and Marshall College, whence he was graduated, with honor in 1872, and from the Lancaster Theological Seminary in 1875; he received A. B. in 1872: A. M. in 1875, and the D. D. degree from Franklin and Marshall College, 1896. He married at Chambersburg. Pa., Jan. 19, 1876, Lydia A. Bowman, and they have had three children, John H., born in 1877, George B., born in 1886. and Rev. Paul S. Bridenbaugh, A. M. , S. T. B.. who died Aug. 31,1904. He was ordained to the ministry of the Reformed Church in the United States in 1875: was pastor at Claysburg, Pa., one and one-half years. He taught at Martinsburg, Pa.. as principal of academy one year; and pastor at Berlin, Pa., eight years; Trinity Reformed Church; Bloomsburg, Pa., two years; Reformed Church of the Ascension, Norristown, Pa., five years, and of the Second Reformed Church, Reading, Pa., since 1892. During his pastorates at Claysburg, Berlin and Reading, succeeded in having erected at each place a beautiful church edifice. While pastor at Berlin he represented the Pittsburgh Synod as Synodical editor of the Reformed Church Messenger. Since 1893 he has been a member of the Board of Home Missions of Reformed Church. In 1896 and 1904 he was delegate from the Reformed Church of the United States to the Alliance of the Reformed Churches of the World, at Glasgow, Scotland and Liverpool, England. Has been a contributor to Reformed Quarterly Review and other Church periodicals. He is a member of the Goethean Literary Society and the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. Address: 228 South Sixth Street, Reading, Pa. Source: Who's Who in Pennsylvania: A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporaries, Edited by John W. Leonard. Published 1908. Transcribed by: Nancy Piper |
