p. 1553
Surnames: DETAMPLE, HAWS
J. Edward Detample, who has for a number of years been connected with the Gibraltar Iron Works in the capacity of forgeman, was born May 30, 1873, in Robeson township, Berks county, son of Joseph and Mary Detample.
J. Edward Detample received his education in the common schools of his native locality, after leaving which he entered the forge as a helper, after two years arising to the position of foreman, which he has held with the Gibraltar Iron Works for the past seventeen years, with the exception of two years spent at Seifert's rolling mill. He is considered an expert in his line, and is respected by his fellow workmen and valued by his employers.
On Sept. 2, 1893, Mr. Detample was united in marriage with Miss Emma Haws, daughter of John Haws, and three children have been born to this union: Irene, Esther and Elsie. The family are members of St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church. In politics Mr. Detample is a Democrat.
p. 1547
Surnames: DETAMPLE, GRILL, DEISHER, BUCHER, WITMAN, REESER, MELCHER, HESS, GROSS, MOYER, VAN PELT, HAWS, EICHNER, ESHELMAN
Joseph G. Detample, a retired forgeman and truck farmer of Robeson township, who now makes his home in Gibraltar, was born in 1847, in Alsace-Lorraine, France, son of Nicholas and Catherine (Grill) Detample.
Nicholas Detample was reared and educated in Alsace-Lorraine, and in 1848 came to America, settling in the vicinity of the Blue Mountains, whence he subsequently removed to near Oley Church in Berks county, following his trade of forgeman in the old Spang furnaces. Later Mr. Detample moved to Rockland township, where he also followed his trade, but after his retirement, he went to live with his son in Robeson township, with whom he died in 1885 , at the age of seventy-four years old. Eleven children were born to Nicholas and Catherine (Grill) Detample, as follows: Elizabeth m. Edward Deisher; Peter m. Elizabeth Bucher; Catherine m. Amos Witman; Jacob m. Lena Reeser; Sarah m. Edwin Melcher; Nicholas m. Rebecca Hess; Annie m. William Gross; Joseph G.; and three died in infancy. In Religious belief the family are Catholics. In political matters Mr. Detample was a Democrat.
Joseph G. Detample obtained a good education in the schools of Berks county, which he left at the age of fourteen years to work at forges in different parts of the county where his father was employed. In 1864 Mr. Detample enlisted in Co. G. 198th Regt., P. V. I., serving until June 31, 1865, when he received his honorable discharge at a camp near Washington D. C. Mr. Detample was in every fight and skirmish in which his company participated, and had the record of a brave and faithful soldier. After the war he returned to Berks county, and in 1888 purchased a property of seven acres, which he improved and on which he set out 400 assorted apple and peach trees. He continued here until 1904, and since that time has been living retired.
In 1869 Mr. Detample was united in marriage with Mary Moyer, and five children have been born to this union: Jacob m. Mary Van Pelt; Edward m. Emma Haws; Joseph m. Catherine Eichner; Laura m. Charles Eshelman; and Herman is at home. In religious belief the family are Roman Catholics. Mr. Detample is a Democrat in politics, and his war record connects him with Keim Post No. 76, G. A. R., of Reading.
p. 1547
Surnames: DETAMPLE, EICHNER, BAUER
Joseph Detample, Jr., a well known and popular resident of Gibraltar, Pa., where he has spent all of his life, and where he is a forgeman in the pipe mill of the Reading Iron Company, was born April 23, 1876, in Gibraltar, Robeson township, Berks Co., Pa., son of Joseph G. and Mary Detample.
Joseph Detample, Jr., received his educational advantages in the public schools of Robeson township, and after leaving school he entered the Gibraltar Iron Works, where he worked at forging for seventeen years. He started at forty-two cents per day, was later advanced to sixty-five cents per day and then to eighty cents, and when work at this forge was discontinued he was earning wages of $2.50 per day. In 1907 Mr. Detample accepted a position with the Reading Iron Co.'s pipe mill, where he has since continued giving his employers the best of satisfaction. He is well and favorably known in his community, where he has many warm personal friends.
In 1902, Mr. Detample was married to Catherine Eichner, daughter of Charles and Frederica (Bauer) Eichner. Mr. and Mrs. Detample are Roman Catholics in religious belief, and attended St. Paul's Church of that denomination. In political matters Mr. Detample is a Republican.
p. 1020
Surnames: DETSCH, KRANZ, WAHINGER, STAIGER, LINK
John Detsch, who for many years was in the employ of the Reading Railroad, was born Aug. 4, 1820, in Niederasphe, Kurhessen, Germany, and died March 3, 1888 in Reading, Pa. He was a son of John and Catharine (Kranz) Detsch, and had one sister, Catherine. The father was a large land owner, and was engaged in the manufacture of potash.
John Detsch attended the academic schools of his native country, and came to the United States in 1848, first settling at Leesport, Pa., where he clerked in a hotel. He then removed to Reading, becoming an employe of the Reading Railroad, with which he was connected at the time of his demise. He was a Democrat in politics, and was fraternally connected with the Odd Fellows, the Harugari (a German social order), and Teutonia Lodge, F. & A. M., of Reading. He and his family were members of the Lutheran Church.
Mr. Detsch was twice married. In 1852 he married Mary Wahinger, a native of Germany, who died in 1861, leaving one son: John H., who lives in Reading, Pa. He married (second) in 1862, Anna Marie Staiger, born June 14, 1840, and to them were born two children: Dorothea and Amelia. Mrs. Detsch and her two daughters reside in their comfortable residence at No. 1133 North Ninth street, Reading, Pa. Mrs. Detsch was born in Endingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to the United States in 1854. She was a daughter at Johan Martin Staiger (a contractor and builder of the Fatherland, who was in comfortable circumstances) and his wife Dorothea Link. To Johan Martin and Dorothea Staiger were born children as follows: Anna, Johan Martin, Christina and Anna Marie.
p. 590
Surnames: BARD, BOAS, DETTRA, GREEN, REESE
Benjamin F. Dettra, one of the older members of the Berks county Bar, was born in Upper Providence township, Montgomery county, July 4, 1845. His grandfather, Abraham Dettra, was a farmer in Lower Salford township, that county, and his father, Abraham Dettra, was a farmer in Upper Providence township, same county. He died about sixty years ago. His wife was Sarah Boas, daughter of John E. Boas, who was an influential farmer and for many years justice of his township; Mr. Boas died in Chester county, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Dettra had four children, as follows: William C. died when thirty-seven years old; Andora married Samuel Bard, of Montgomery county, and died at the age of forty years; John B. is a builder of Montgomery county; and Benjamin F.
Benjamin F. Dettra attended the district school and Washington Collegiate Institute, where he prepared himself for work in the school-room as teacher. He served in the Civil war in the 129th Pa. V. I. and on his return home passed the next five years in teaching in the winter and working on the farm in the summer. He now decided to take up the law for a life work, and began reading in the office of the late Albert G. Green, being admitted to the Bar in April, 1875, and later to the higher courts. He has since pursued the practice at Reading. In addition to looking after a large private practice Mr. Dettra has at different times served as county and city solicitor, and as solicitor for the Board of School Controllers.
Mr. Dettra has always been alive to the public interest, is a supporter of the Democratic party, and holds membership in the Royal Arcanum and other insurance companies, and is a member of the Calvary Reformed Church of Reading.
On Dec. 25, 1869, Mr. Dettra married Emma Louisa Reese, daughter of William Reese, a farmer of Chester county. Four children have been born to this marriage: Emma V. died in October, 1903, aged twenty-four; Susan R. and Sarah M. are at home; and Paul Sterly was a member of the class of 1906 in the Reading high school.
p. 1503
Surnames: DETURCK, DETURK, GERBER, LEVAN, HOCH, HIGH, VEMAR, BERTOLET, BERTOLETTE, BRIEL, SHIREY HEFFER, HEEBNER, SCHAEFFER, WEISER, HAEFER, KERST, SHENKEL, KNABB, DEYSHER, GRIESEMER, ALTHOUSE, BUTZ, HECKMAN, DRUMHELLER, HILL, SPOHN, YOUNG, VAN REED, RHOADS, ALTENDERFER, LEIDY, BARTO, SNYDER, DEETER, HERBEIN, HOFFMASTER, BEAR, WHITNER, HERZOG, BOWERS, MOLL, MENGEL, BLATT, BECKER, GULDIN, HOLLENBACH, LETTERS, KLINE, GRIFFITH, TOBIAS, STEFFY, GIFT, BAKER, MULLEN, RIESER, UNGER, REBER, HIESTER, SEIBERT, GRIM, MILLER, GROFF, MOYER, WENTZEL, ZERBE, BALTHASER, SPANGLER, STRAUSS, BERTRAM, DEYSHER, MOLL, STERTZER, STOUDT, DRIES, TRIVITZ, MENGEL, ROTHERMEL, SUNDAY, ADAM, LUCKENBILL, BERTRAM, SEIBERT, ALTHOUSE, KLEE, REIST, STROH, EHMAN, ALTENDORFER, BORTS, BLATT, KERST, SCHMECK, REIFF, HARTMAN, KOCH, KERSCHNER, BRITZ, MARQUET, SMITH, KREBBS, BRUMBACH, GOODHART, GEIGLER, SHOLLENBERGER, LIVINGOOD, WELLINGTON, HERBEIN, , HEIN, JACKSON, MOSER, FINK, GEIGER, RHOADS, SASSAMAN, SHIVERS, MILLER, ROMIG, KINSEY, LYNCH, GREENAWALT, LEVAN, SCHAEFFER, HOLL, PYLE, WENTZEL, SCHMEHL, WEISER, RAHN, KUTZ, MERKEL, BERNHART, BECHTEL, DREIBELBIS, DICK, KRAEMER, IMMEL, EAGLE, LEWIS, BAER, MELOT, BIEBER, DRY, SHENKEL, YOUSE, VESCO, WAGNER, KOHLER, TALBOT, ORNER, BAGLEY, SHIREMAN, AVERY, CALDWELL, WEATHERSBY, ORNER, HAMMANS, BAGLEY, SHIREMAN, AVERY, CALDWELL, BABB, GROFF, FRANCIS, LORAH, MCLEAN, MATTHIAS, HILL, STRUNK, FREDERICK, HEFFNER, GRAEFF, EHST, LOUIS, GLASE, HOWELL, BUSH, WESTON, HEKL, BERNHARD, GLASE, KAUFFMAN, YODER, FRY, FEGLEY, HUNTER, MILLER,
(I) Isaac DeTurk, the first American ancestor of this old established American family, was born in 1686. He landed at new York with his sister Esther about 1707, settled at Esophus and was among the settlers of Quassick Creek, Dutchess Co., NY in 1709. But June 11, 1712, the Commissioners of Pennsylvania (province) issued a warrant to him for 300 acres of land out at a place called "Oley", of which locality this is the first mention. In this warrant he is mentioned as "late of Franklin-thal, in Germany." He was married to Maria Gerber (possibly in New York), who bore him three children: Catharine, who m. Abraham Levan; John, who m. Deborah Hoch or High; and Esther, who m. Abraham Bertolet. Maria (Gerber) DeTurk had been married previously to a Mr. Vemar, and had a daughter, who m. a Mr. Bertolet. Isaac DeTurk bequeathed his entire landed estate to his son John, who paid his sisters their proportionate parts according to appraisement.
(II) John DeTurk, son of Isaac, married May 13, 1740, Deborah Hoch or High, and twelve children were born to them, viz.: (1) Isaac, born Aug. 25, 1741, died young. (2) Daniel, born Sept. 18, 1742, m. Catharine Levan and had a daughter, who m. Jacob Briel, and had children as follows: Peter, Abraham, Daniel (married Mary Shirey) and Esther (m. (first) a Heffer and had Catharine, and (second) William Heebner). (3) Susanna, born March 27, 1745, m. a Schaeffer., (4) John, born Jan. 20, 1747, m. Elizabeth Bertolet. (5) Maria, born July 16, 1748, m. David Weiser, and had children, Abraham, Samuel, David, Debora, Esther, Anna (m. George Heaffer) and Jacob. (6) Samuel, born May 9, 1752, m. Anna Weiser. (7) Abraham, born March 18, 1753, died young. (9) Esther was born Feb. 9, 1755. (10) Philip, born April 30, 1757, m. (first) Esther Shenkel, daughter of Martin, and (second) Maria Hoch, daughter of Jacob, born Dec. 29, 1761. (11) Jacob, born Nov. 24, 1757, died young. (12) Debora, born June 12, 1761, m. Peter Knabb and had children: (a) John, who m. Hannah Schaeffer and they became the parents of Peter S., (who m. a Miss Deysher and had Cecilia and John); Cordelia, (who m. Jacob L. Griesemer and had six children, Debora m. Milton Althouse, Peter K. m. Katie Butz Ammon K. m. a Heckman, William m. Barbara Drumheller, Hannah M. Darius Hill, and Katie); and Debora (who m. (first) Nathan Young and (second) Jacob Spohn). (b) Samuel m. Mary Van Reed, and had two children; Mary (who m. (first) Levi Rhoads and had children Emma m. Henry Altenderfer and Rebecca m. Milton Leidy, and (second) William Snyder and had Henry and Rosa)and Debora (who m. Tobias Barto, and had Samuel, father of Maud). (c) Daniel m. (first) Hannah Deeter and had two children: Debora (who m. Ephraim W. Knabb, and had children, Daniel m. Amanda Herbein, and they were the parents of Milton and Debora; and Hannah m. Mahlon Hoffmaster) and Peter (who never married) Daniel m. (second) Sarah Hill and their three children were: Amanda (who m. William S. Bear); Amelia (who m. Calvin K. Whitner, and had two children Harry and Sallie) and Henrietta (who m. Daniel Hoch and had four children, Clara m. Jacob Herzog, Daniel, Charles and Kate). (d) Susanna died young.
(III) John DeTurk, son of John, was born Jan. 20, 1747. He married Elizabeth Bertolet and had children: (1) John m. a Miss Bower and had (a) Isaac (who m. Mary Moll, and one son, John, who m. Susanna Mengel). (b) Samuel (who m. a Miss Althouse) and (c) Elizabeth (who m. Samuel Blatt and moved to Ohio) (2) Abraham m. Elizabeth Becker (3) Daniel died young (4) Elizabeth m. George Guldin, and had (a) John (who m. Elizabeth Hollenbach, and their children were: Benjamin H. m. Annetta Letters, and their children were, William L., John Z., Benjamin H., and Bessie F.; Abraham m. Sallie Kline, and they had one daughter, Mary; Christianna, m. Benjamin Griffith and they had Isaac, Hetty, Charles and John; John H. m. Kate Tobias, and they had Laura, Gertie, Sallie and Lillie; Emma m. Rudolph Steffy, and they had Elizabeth, John and Annetta; Esther m. William Gift, and they had Charles, Mary, Kate, and Robert D.; and Isaac m. Leah Baker, and they had Christianna and Charles); (b) Charles (who m. Esther Mullen and had Henry M. m. Kate Becker and had Charles, Clarence, Minnie, Clayton, Hattie, Ira and Herbert; Mary m. Benneville Reiser, and had Kate, William and Henry; and Esther) (c) Abraham (who m. Esther Unger, and had Elizabeth m. Solomon Reber, and they had Albert m. Sarah Bertram, Milton m. Alice Heister and had one child, Caroline and Catharine m. Jacob Seibert, and had one child, Stanley); Maria m. John Grim and had Milton m. Alice Miller and had Lottie, Martha and John. Daniel m. Emma Schaeffer and had Robert, Albert, unmarried, and Annie m. Henry Hiester and had one child Martin; Susanna m. William Groff, and had Vilanda m. William Moyer and had one child Flossy; Isaac m. Susan Wentzel and had Clara M., Samuel, Sarah, William and Allen; Abraham m. Mary Balthaser and had Laura m. Jacob Spangler and had one child. Mary, Katie, Mary, Sarah and Jeremiah; Esther m. Alfred Unger and Jeremiah, m. Katie Strauss, and Calvin; Agnes m. James Bertram, and had Esther and Milton); (d) Henry (who married and lived in Ohio, deceased, left no issue) (e) Hatty (who died unmarried Jan. 15, 1887); (f) Jeremiah (who m. Catherine Moll, and had Amos m. Louisa Deysher; Jeremiah M. a Miss Stertzer and had Elde P. Herbert J. and Jeremiah A.; Sarah m. Solomon Stoudt and had Irvin, Mary and Emma; Mary; Kate; and Hetty m. William Dries) and (g) Elizabeth (who m. Samuel Trivitz and had Amanda; and Esther.
(IV) John DeTurk, son of John, m. a Miss Bower, and their children
were: (1) Isaac m. Mary Moll and had a son John, (who m. Susanna
Mengel, and their children were: Mary m. Adam S. Rothermel and had
Alice, Betty, Laura and Horace; Elizabeth m. Alfred S. Adam and had
Agnes, Lizzie, Samuel, Irwin, Pius and Alfred; and Susanna m.
(first) George Sunday and (second) Cyrus Luckenbill, and had
Wilhelmina, Cora, John, Nicholas, Even, and Annie) (2) Samuel m. a
Miss Althouse and had Rebecca (who m. John Klee, and a daughter m.
George Under); Susan (who m. Peter Herbein, and had Kate m. Henry
Reist and had Sallie, Peter and Frank; Albert, father of Harry and
Robert; Samuel m. Emma Stroh and had one son Albert; Lucy and
Amelia m. Robert Ehman); Sarah (who m. a Mr. Altenderfer and had
George) Daniel (who m. a Miss Borts and had George and Samuel)
Adam; and Solomon (who m. Amanda Knabb, and had Solomon and Nathan)
(3) Elizabeth m. Samuel Blatt and moved to Ohio.
(IV) Jacob DeTurck, son of Samuel, m. Esther Goodhart and their children were : (1) Frederick m. (first) Sarah Marquet, and (second) Rebecca Livingood, and by the first marriage had Wellington (who m. Kate Hein); by the second he had Emma (who m. Monroe Althouse), Rosa and Jacob (who m. Amelia Jackson) (2) Catharine m. Solomon Moser and had Calvin (who m. (first) a Miss Fink, and the name of his second wife is unknown); Amanda; Emma; and Edward. (3) Mary Ann m. (first) Jacob Geiger and had Ezra (who m. Dabille Rhoads and had Chester and Wayne); Wellington (who m. Amelia Sassaman); Jacob (who m. Emily Guldin); Lizzie (who m. _____); and Hetty; and she m. (second) Isaac Brumbach. (r) Benjamin G. m. (first) Susanna Hoch and (second) Rachel Pyle. (5) Jacob m. (first) Susanna B. Miller and (second) Emily Shivers,. (6) Joshua m. Martha Romig. (7) Samuel m. (first) Catharine Greenawalt and (second) Oranda Levan. (8) William m. Marcilla Schaeffer and had Merritt A. and Clay W. (9) Hetty m. Henry H. Holl.
(V) Benjamin G. DeTurck, son of Jacob and Esther (Goodhart) was born in Exeter township, Berks county, Oct., 12, 1829, and for fifty-one years lived on he old homestead. He was an agriculturist, and also engaged in the buying and selling of live stock. By his first wife, Susanna Hoch, daughter of Benjamin and Susanna (Kinsey) Hoch, he became the father of Morris H,., born Dec 29, 1860; and Alice H., born Aug. 30, 1862, who married Frank Brown, and had the following children-Elsie, Susan, Emmett, Clayton B., George and Morris. Mr. DeTurck married (second) Rachel Pyle, and two children were born of this union: Edwin P., born Nov. 5, 1871 who married Esther Wentzel; and Susan R. M., born Sept. 15, 1884.
(VI) Morris H. DeTurck, son of Benjamin G. and Susannna (Hoch) DeTurck, was born Dec. 29, 1860, on the old DeTurck homestead in Exeter township, Berks county. This farm at one time belonged to the father of Daniel Boone, and is with out doubt the birthplace of the distinguished pioneer. It consisted of more than 400 acres of good land, and on it in 1775 the elder Boone erected what was then the largest barn in Berks county. The story is told of him that he traveled on horseback all over the county, learning the dimensions of all the large barns, and then erected one larger than any other. This was standing for ninety-nine years, but in 1874 was replaced by a more modern as well as larger structure. The old one was so substantially built that it was necessary to undermine the walls in order to throw them down. Underneath the barn was a store house for fruit and grain. Close to the house is a never-failing spring of purest water. This farm came into the possession of the De Turcks in 1785, when it was purchased by Samuel De Turk, the great-grandfather of Morris H. and since that time it has remained in the possession of the DeTurcks. The stone house was built in 1812 by Samuel DeTurk, father of Jacob De Turck, grandfather of Morris H. George DeTurck owned the farm for a few years, and then sold it to his brother Jacob, who continued to own it until his death. At that time it was purchased by his son Morris H. became the owner. The farm now contains 187 acres.
Morris H. DeTurck now makes his home on the old Lynch farm in Union township, near Monocacy, which he purchased in 1901. It contains 212 acres, improved with a large stone house, surrounded by a well-kept lawn, besides two tenant houses, and a large Swiss barn, 48x108 feet. Mr. DeTurck cultivates both his farms and he frequently makes trips as far west as Iowa and Nebraska to purchase cattle and horses, which he disposes of in Berks and neighboring counties.
On Dec. 21, 1886, Mr. DeTurck married Miss Lydia
Alice Guldin, daughter of Washington and Lavina (Schmehl) Guldin,
of Exeter township. To this union have been born two children:
Morris G., born April 1, 1899, exactly one hundred years after the
birth of this great-grandfather, Jacob DeTurck, and on the same
farm in Exeter township; and Ruth Susanna, born Nov. 28, 1902. Mr.
DeTurck and his family are members of the Schwartzwald Reformed
Church of which he was an official member until his removal from
the parish in 1901.
(IV) Abraham DeTurk, son of Abraham, was born April 13, 1785, died Oct. 8, 1865. He m. Esther Levan born Dec. 24, 1785, died Sept. 25, 1847. Their children were: (1) Anna died young. (2) Catharine m. (first) Abraham Bertolet and had Horace, Anna and Catharine; and she m. (second) John Guldin and had Daniel, Abraham and John, (3) Josiah m. Maria Dick and had Jonas (who m. Kate High, daughter of Ezra and had one child, Nora); Anna (who m. Albert F. Kraemer and had Harvey, Esther and Edith); Frank (who m. Mary Griesemer and had Minnie, Jepporah, Mary, Ella, and Frank); Isabelle (who m. E. O,. Immel and had Norma, Raymond, Mabel and Mary); Emma (who m. James Bechtel and had John and Laura); Isaac (who m. Olivia Snyder and had Kate, Maud, Olivia, and James); and Albert (who m. Octavia Eagle). (4) Mary died young. (5) Daniel L. m. Deborah Knabb. (6) Esther m. Nicholas Dick and had Marcus (who m. Amelia Lewis); Susan (who m. Albert Wentzel); William; Anna; Lizzie; Eli; and Alvin. (7) Hannah died young (8) Susanna, born in 1832, lives at Friedensburg, Pennsylvania.
(V) Daniel Levan DeTurck, son of Abraham, was a prosperous farmer of Oley for upward of fifty years on the DeTurck homestead. He died in 1893, aged seventy-four years. He was married to Deborah Knabb, born 1834, died 1901, and they had seven children; (1) Esther m. (first) David S. Baer and had Ida, Francis, Jennie, Deborah and Emily; and she (second) Samuel Melot, and had Laura and John, the latter of whom died young. (2) Sarah m. Lewis P. Deturck. (3) Abraham K. is mentioned below. (4) Deborah m. Daniel Rothermel and had Clayton, Elmer, Ellen, Deborah, Horace and Daniel. (5) Horace died in 1881 aged twenty-four years (6) Ezra K. is mentioned below.
(VI) Abraham K. Deturck, Director of First National Bank of Oley and retired farmer residing at Friedensburg, was born in Oley township on the Deturck homestead, near Friedensburg, on April 22, 1852, son of Daniel and Deborah (Knabb) Deturck. He was educated in the local school and in the Oley Academy, and reared on a farm; and at the age of 30 years he engaged in carrying on farming operations on the homestead for himself, and he continued doing so in a very successful manner for near 20 years. In 1903 he built a fine two story brick dwelling house in the village of Friedensburg and since then he has been living there in retirement. He owns the superior homestead farm which comprises 204 acres, and is joint owner with his brother Ezra of several other fine farms in the township which are in a high state of cultivation. He assisted in organizing the First National Bank of Oley in 1907 and has since served as one of its directors. He is also a director of the Reading Hat Manufacturing Co.; and a trustee of the Union Cemetery at Friedensburg. he served as a school director of the township for four years. In politics he has been Republican. He and his family are members of the Friedens' Reformed Church. He is affiliated with the Freemasons at Reading, being a member of Lodge No. 62, and Reading Commandery No. 42, K. T.; also with the Minnehaha Lodge No. 154, K. of P., of Oley.
In 1881 Mr. Deturck was married (first to Kate M. Bertolette (daughter of Jacob of Oley), and after her decease (second) to Alice K. Herbein (daughter of Jacob Herbein and Susanna Knabb his wife), by whom he has two children; Daniel H. (graduate of Chicago Veterinary College, in practice at Birdsboro, Berks county); and Raymond (graduate of Keystone State Normal School in 1908)
(VI) Ezra K. Deturck, retired farmer residing at Friedensburg, was born on the Deturck homestead on Aug. 2, 1859, son of Daniel and Deborah (Knabb) Deturck. He attended the township school and the Oley Academy and was reared to farming until he became of age when he rented one of his father's farms adjoining the village, which comprises 128 acres and this he cultivated successfully until 1907 when he moved to Friedensburg. Upon the decease of his father in 1893, he became the owner of the farm; and in 1899 he erected a model barn.
In 1881, he was married to Alice Merkel,
daughter of Levi Merkel, farmer of Oley; and they have four
children; Eva M. (m. to Ammon Bieber); Deborah (m. to Horace Dry);
Marion M., and Levi M.
(IV) Philip DeTurck, son of Philip and Esther (Shenkel) DeTurk, was born May 30, 1782, and died march 5, 1861, and was buried on the home farm. He was a farmer near Friedensburg, and his farm passed to his son and to his grandson, Lewis, but is now the property of another descendant, Ella Kauffman, daughter of Ephraim Kauffman. Philip DeTurck married Maria Yoder, born April 24, 1786, died Jan. 19, 1864. Five children were born to them: (1) Anna m. Joseph Hoch and had children. (a) Aaron (died young); (b) Mary (who m. Dewald Kutz and had David, Morris, Annie, Susanna, m. a Fry, Ellen, Clara, George, Lydia and Kate); (c) Israel (who m. and had Termutha m. John H. Fegley) (2) Daniel is mentioned below: (3) Esther, born July 20, 1811, died Nov. 8, 1838; she married David Yoder and had children; (a) Sarah Ann (who m. Moses K. Graeff; and (b) Amelia (who m. William G. Ehst); (4) Martin m. Rachel Levan and had (a) Marks L; (b) Lewis P. (who m. Sarah DeTurk and had Philip, Calvin, Louis, Sallie, Martin, and Debora); (c) Esther (who m. Daniel Hunter and had Allen, Martin, Annie and Mary); (d) Martin S. (who m. Emma Miller); (e) Levi J. (who m. a Miller); (f) Rachel M. (who m. Irwin High, and had Morris, Irene and Keturah) (5) Lydia died young.
(V) Daniel De Turck, son of Philip and Maria (Yoder), was born in Oley township Dec. 3, 1808, and died Dec. 25, 1881, aged seventy-three years, twenty-two days. He was a farmer all of his active life and died just fourteen years after his retirement. In 1851 he built the present barn, one of the best in the township. The family cemetery, where his remains were interred, is on the old home farm. Mr. DeTurck was twice married. On Nov. 15, 1831, he married (first) Catharine Levan (born Oct. 29, 1809, died March 12, 1833), daughter of Daniel Levan and they had a son who was born dead. On Nov. 11, 1834 he married (second) Willi Levan (born Oct. 19, 1814, died Jan. 5, 1885); a sister to his first wife. They had three sons and two daughters, namely: A son that died in infancy; Naomi, born April 14, 1837, m. Gideon W. Hoch and had Clara (who died Oct. 24, 1886); Mahlon m. Susan K. Levan; Willi born Aug. 21, 1843 who married Ephraim H. Kauffmann, of Oley township and had two children, Ella C. and John; and Daniel P., born Dec. 4, 1851, who married Margaret Schollenberger, and died in 1898; he was the father of Mary (who died in infancy) Charles, Willi, Monroe C., and Daniel C.
(VI) Mahlon L. DeTurck, son of Daniel and Willi (Levan), was born in Oley township on May 28, 1840. He was reared on the farm one mile east of Friedensburg which belonged formerly to the Levan family and began farming in 1808, following this occupation for twenty-five years. At the end of that time he retired and moved to Friedensburg, where he was living at the time of this death, thirteen months later, April 27, 1894, when he was aged nearly fifty four years. He was very successful in his work, and became very well-to-do. In politics he was a Democrat, and for three years served as school director of his town. He and his family all belonged to Frieden's Reformed Church.
In 1867 Mr. DeTurck was married to Susan K. Levan, daughter of Daniel H. and Hannah (Kauffman) Levan, and granddaughter of Jacob and Esther (Hoch) Levan, both of Oley township. This old homestead of the Levan family, now in the possession of the fifth generation to live there, is owned by Elizabeth, widow of Jacob Levan. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. DeTurck: (1) Seth L. is mentioned in full below. (2) Chester, born in 1876, is a clerk in the P. L. Glase store. He married Hannah Kohler, born Dec. 20, 1874, who died Oct 21, 1906, the mother of one, Maurice. (3) Harry, born in 1880, lives in Oley township. He married Oct. 19, 1907, Charlotte Schmeck. (4) Fredericka is at home. (5) Cyrus L. died in the sixth year of his age. (6) and (7) twins died in infancy. Mrs., Susan K. DeTurck resides in a beautiful home on Main Street, Friedensburg. She has in her possession of the largest German Bibles in the county, containing Biblical Calendars and old-time maps of the Holy land, This is the old Levan Bible, and bears date 1748. She has another German Bible, with heavy wooden lids, printed in 1717, in Europe, and brought to America by Abraham Levan, the ancestor of this old French Huguenot family. Both Bibles contain old family records. The home which Mr. and Mrs.. Mahlon L. DeTurck built on their farm in 1886 is one of the most perfect in its appointments of an in this vicinity. It is a spacious mansion of sixteen rooms.
(VII) Seth L. DeTurck, son of Mahlon L. and Susan K., is an extensive farmer on his father's and grandfather's farm, and was born there Jan. 29, 1869, He was early trained to farming and this vocation he has followed since reaching man's estate. In the spring of 1893 he began farming on the old homestead, which he now owns, and which is a valuable farm in the heart of the fertile valley on Oley township. It consists of 184 acres of good arable land, well stocked, and his farm and home are always in first class condition. He has seven horses and upward of thirty head of cattle. His milk is all sold to the creamery. Mr. DeTurck is a man of fine physique, tall and well proportioned, with the clear healthy skin which right living and sunshine win. He is highly respected in his community. In politics he is a Republican and he was a delegate to the county convention when C. B. Cleaver, of Oley was made county commissioner. He and his family attend Frieden's Reformed Church.
On Dec. 15, 1892, Mr. DeTurck was married to Lillie Hartman, daughter of Levi and Mary Ann (Schaeffer) Hartman, and granddaughter of the late Capt. Henry Schaeffer of Stonersville, Eight children have been born to them: Frieda, Carrie, Edna, Marie, Mahlon, Willi, Levi, and Lillian May (born July 5, 1908)
The old family burial ground is at the back of
the house. It is large and surrounded by a fence. Family tradition
says that the Indian burial ground began immediately to the
northeast of this DeTurck, Weiser and Manwiller burial ground. The
Indian burial ground was also enclosed by a fence until 1895, when
this was removed Just across this meadow was an old Indian
settlement, and there the last wigwam stood at the outbreak of the
French and Indian war. Its last occupant had been fetched there by
others of his race from the Albany township district, and he proved
a very peaceable neighbor, often going for milk to Daniel Levan's.
He was once asked the signification of the blooming of the of the
peach trees in the fall, and he replied "It means war". Three days
later he was taken away.
(VII) Charles P. DeTurck, son of Daniel P., and one of the prosperous young farmers near Griesemersville, in Oley, was born on the farm where he now lives June 2, 1878. He was reared under the parental roof, and when twenty-four years of age began farming for himself. He owns a fine farm of 140 acres. The present barn was built in 1866 by his grandfather: the house which is an old landmark in the district, was a school building and the original structure was of logs; two additions have been made to it. Mr. De Turck keeps seven horses and twelve head of cattle. he belongs to Oley Castle, No. 119, K. G. E., and to Camp No. 480, P.O.S,. of A., of Manatawny. In politics he is a Democrat.
On May 11, 1901, Mr. DeTurck was married to Sallie Clouser, a daughter of Mahlon B. Clouser, of Griesemersville, and to this union have come two sons, Monroe C., and Daniel C.
p. 908
Surnames: DE TURCK, GREENAWALT, LEVAN, SMITH, FORBES
Sidney M. De Turck, merchant at Philadelphia and lineal descendant of Isaac De Turck, of Oley, was born at De Turcksville, Schuykill Co., Pa., Sept. 23, 1866, a son of Samuel G. and Catherine (Greenawalt) De Turck.
The founder if the De Turck family was Isaac, who settled in Oley in 1712. The grandfather of Sydney M., was Jacob De Turck, the fourth son of Samuel, who was the fourth son of John, who was the only son of Isaac, the immigrant.
Samuel G. De Turck was born in Oley township, Berks Co., Pa., near Friedensburg in 1835, and there grew to manhood on a farm, later moving to Sylliman, now De Turcksville, where he engaged in a general store business which he still carries on. He married Catherine Greenawalt, daughter of Amos Greenawalt, of Greenwich township, Berks county. She died in 1867, the mother of four sons: Howard, Horace, Lyman and Sydney Milton. In 1869 he m. (second) Leanda Levan Smith, widow of Jonathan Smith, and they had seven children, namely; Helen, Annie, Luta, Stella, William, Harry and Samuel, the latter of whom died in Cuba in 1899.
Sydney Milton De Turck was educated in the local schools and followed teaching in that vicinity from 1882 to 1887. He then served as clerk in the Schuylkill County to 1887. He then served as clerk in the Schuylkill County Prison until 1891, when he went to Philadelphia and entered the store of his uncle, Jacob G. De Turck, who was engaged in a wholesale upholstery and hardware business to No. 1009 Filbert street. He continued there as a clerk until his uncle's death in October 1901. In July 1902, he started into his present business, and has met with excellent success, his trade name being Sydney M. De Turck & Company.
In 1889, Mr. De Turck was married to Margaret E. Forbes, daughter of John Forbes, of Minersville, Schuylkill county, and they have one daughter, Genevieve.
Surnames: DE TURCK, MOLL, DEISHER, SEIDEL, BRIGHT
Amos M. De Turck, a well known resident and prosperous merchant of Tulpehocken township, was born Jan. 26, 1847, in Maiden-creek township, Berks county, son of Jeremiah and Kate (Moll) De Turck.
Mr. De Turck was educated in the common schools of his native district and assisted his father on the farm for various farmers in the neighborhood until his marriage, Nov. 23, 1872, to Louisa Deisher, daughter of Gereon and Helena (Seidel) Deisher. Mr. Deisher was a prominent business man of Tulpehocken township, at Wintersville, having previously resided in Perry township. Mr. Deisher while in Tulpehocken township carried on farming and later engaged in the mercantile business. Shortly after his arrival he was appointed postmaster at Wintersville, an office which he retained until his death in 1901. He was a prominent politician, but never served nor aspired to county offices. He served as school director and in other minor township offices, and was frequently appointed executor or administrator of estates, and served as guardian of minors.
After his marriage Mr. De Turck located on his father's farm, where they resided for eight years, and then removed to Wintersville, keeping the hotel and store for some time, when he subsequently gave up the hotel business, and one of the oldest stands in Berks county went out of existence. After residing for five years at the present store property, Mr. De Turck removed to his own property, about one mile away, which he cultivated for fourteen years, and then returned to the store, which he has since conducted.
Mr. De Turck is a brother if Jeremiah De Turck, present prison warden of Berks county, formerly clerk to city treasurer Bright. Like all the family he is a Democrat, but has never aspired to office. Mr. and Mrs. De Turck are members of the Reformed Church, where he served as deacon and elder for some years.
p. 1712
Surnames: DETURK, PYLE, GERBER, HIGH, KERST, GOODHART, HOCH, RHOADS, GRIESEMER, DICK,WENTZEL
Edwin P. Deturk, a farmer of Amity township, was born in Exeter township, Berks county, Nov. 5, 1871, son of Benjamin and Rachel (Pyle) DeTurk, and a descendant of Isaac DeTurk (born 1686, who emigrated to America in 1707) and his wife, Maria Gerber, through their son John (m. Deborah High), his son Samuel (m. Catherine Kerst), his son Jacob (m. Esther Goodhart) and his son Benjamin (m. Susan Hoch and Rachel Pyle). A complete history of the DeTurk family appears elsewhere in this publication.
Benjamin DeTurk, son of Jacob and Esther (Goodhart) DeTurk, was twice married. By his first wife Susan Hoch, he had two children: Morris H. and Alice H. By his second marriage to Rachel Pyle, he also had two children: Edwin P. and Susan R. M.
Edwin P. DeTurk was reared upon his father's farm in Exeter township, and obtained his primary education in the township schools. He later studied for some time at Stoner's Business College in Reading. He has been familiar with farm work from his early boyhood, and was less than nineteen years of age when he began buying cattle for his brother Morris H., then of Exeter, now of Union, township. He was engaged in buying throughout Ohio, Indiana, New York, West Virginia, and Kentucky. He began farming in the spring of 1899 on his own farm in Amity township, near the Exeter township line. This farm for about one hundred years was the Rhoads name, but Mr. DeTurk purchased it from Samuel Griesemer. It then consisted of ninety-seven acres, but to this has since been added various tracts until there are now 150 acres, all of good fertile and well watered land. In 1904 Mr. DeTurk built a good residence at Baumstown, where he and his family reside. In politics he is a Democrat. With his family he belongs to the Reformed congregation at Schwartzwald Union Church.
During the time he was engaged in the cattle business Mr. DeTurk traveled extensively. At one time he paid a visit to the Pacific coast, visiting points of interest en route, and he visited twenty-three States of the Union, and he has had many interesting experiences.
On April 5, 1900, Mr. DeTurk married Esther Wentzel, daughter of Albert and Susan (Dick) Wentzel, and they have one daughter, Dorothy Esther.
p. 1086
Surnames: DE TURK, BUTZ, WEIMAR, VEMAR, DE HARCOURT, LEVAN, HIGH, BERTOLET, ZINZENDORF, SCHAEFFER, WEISER, KERST, SHENKEL, KNABB, YODER, WAGNER, DEYSHER, KOHLER, RAHN
Eugene P. Deturk, a well-known merchant of Kutztown, Berks Co., Pa., who is engaged in the hardware business, was born Dec. 11, 1865, in Maxatawny township, Berks county, son of William and Elizabeth (Butz) De Turk.
The progenitor of the De Turk family in Berks county was Isaac De Turk, born 1686, who originally came from northern France, where was seated a wealthy and highly honorable family of the name of De Turk. They possessed peace and happiness, vineyards and wealth. Over their bright home, however, the dark shadows of adversity soon fell.
The family was Protestant, and when the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes sounded throughout France in 1685 it fell heavily upon this family. The heartless dragonades ravished their homes, while the government confiscated their property, and among those who escaped was Isaac De Turk, who with many others fled to Frankenthal, in the Palatinate. Seeing no hope of returning to his native home, he resolved to accept the gracious invitation of Queen Anne, of England to Huguenots and Palatines, to come to her dominions, and he arrived in the autumn of 1707 in New York. In this party was an accomplished young widow Maria Weimar (or Vemar) and her little daughter, Catherine, and to the former Mr. De Turk was married soon after their arrival in New York. They settled in Esopus, and were among the settlers of Quassick Creek, in Dutchess county, in 1709, soon after which time the commission of Pennsylvania (province) issued a warrant to him for 300 acres of land, out at a place called Oley, "of which locality this is the first mention." In 1721 he purchased another tract, adjoining his own, most of this land being in the possession of his descendants at the present day. Mrs. De Turk was the daughter of Jean De Harcourt, a prominent citizen of Muehlhausen, in Lower Alsace, and of the French nobility. Mr. and Mrs. De Turk had these children: Catherine, who married Abraham Levan; John, who married May 13, 1740, Deborah High; and Esther, who married Abraham Bertolet. In his will Isaac De Turk bequeathed his entire landed estate to his son John, who paid his sisters their apportioned parts according to appraisement.
John De Turk was born in 1710, and was a prominent Moravian. The visit of Count Zinzendorf and the holding of the third Moravian Synod at his place were important events. John De Turk had these children: Isaac, born Aug. 25, 1741, died young; Daniel B., born Sept. 18, 1742, married Catherine Levan and served as a captain in the Revolutionary war; Susanna, born March 27, 1745, married _____ Schaeffer; John, born Jan. 20, 1747, married Elizabeth Bertolet; Maria, born July 16, 1748, married D. Weiser; Samuel, born May 25, 1750 married Catherine Kerst; Abraham, born March 9, 1752 married Anna Weiser; Daughter, born Nov. 18, 1753, died young; Esther, born Feb. 9, 1755; Philip, born April 30, 1757, married (first) Esther Shenkel, and (second) Maria High; Jacob, born Nov. 24, 1759, died young; and Deborah, born June 12, 1761, married Peter Knabb.
By his marriage to Esther Shenkel, Philip De Turk had five children, namely: Philip, born May 30, 1782, m. Maria Yoder; John; Isaac, born Oct. 19, 1788, m. Lydia Wagner; Susanna, born July 15, 1790, died young; and Daniel, born Feb. 29, 1792, died young.
John De Turk, father of Eugene P., was born in Oley township, on the original De Turk homestead, March 18, 1829. His youth was spent upon the farm and he attended the pay school of his district for some years, acquiring a fair education. When a young man he located in Maxatawny township, where he purchased a good farm of 100 acres of land, living there until 1883, when he removed to Kutztown, and was there living at the time of his death, caused by a brief illness due to a cold, Dec. 24, 1898. He was a good man and an upright citizen. On June 3, 1860, Mr. De Turk married Elizabeth Butz daughter of Egedius Butz, and to them were born three sons: Alvin J. m. to Mary Koehler; Lewis B., m. to Lizzie Rahn; and Eugene P, Eugene P. De Turk obtained his early educational training in the public schools of his native locality, and later attended the Keystone State Normal school for a period of two years. In 1886 he began clerking in the general store at Kutztown, continuing in that capacity for seven years. On Nov. 1, 1892, Mr. De Turk embarked in the hardware business on Main street, Kutztown, and has prospered from the beginning. During the winter of 1903-04 he erected a large store on Main street, where he has been successfully engaged to the present time. He carries a more varied stock than any other hardware dealer of his district, and is a man of unquestioned integrity, enjoying the confidence and esteem of his fellow-townsmen. He and his family worship at St. Paul's Reformed Church of Kutztown. In Politics Mr. De Turk is a Democrat.
On Aug. 23, 1888, Mr. De Turk married Lizzie A. Deisher, daughter of John D. and Hannah (Koehler) Deisher and to this union these children have been born; John W.; Lawrence A.; Lloyd E.; Harry C.; Olivet H. E.; Lillian M.; Grace I.; George Deisher who died aged six months; and Charles A.
p. 492
Surnames: STETZLER, SHAPPEL, LIEB, MOLL, STOUDT, DEISHER, MOSER, DRIES, HOFFMAN, COLEMAN, ADAM, YERGER, HIETER, BUCHARD, ELY
Jeremiah Moll DeTurk, who has been warden of the Berks County Prison since 1904, was born in Maiden-creek township, Berks county, March 1, 1857, and received his education in the public school of the township and at the Keystone State Normal School. He then served as a clerk in general stores at Molltown and Schaefferstown in Berks county for four years, and conducted a store for himself at the latter place for four years. While residing at Schaefferstown he officiated as the assessor and tax-collector of Jefferson township for six years, and he was also elected one of the justices of the peace of that township on the Democratic ticket. In 1896 he filled the position of deputy county treasurer, and in 1897 and 1898 served as a clerk in the employ of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company. While filling this last position, the board of Prison Inspectors of the county elected him clerk of the prison and his services proved so highly satisfactory that upon a vacancy occurring in the position of warden in July, 1904, they elected him to serve as such for the unexpired term. His management of the prison affairs until the following December having been very successful, the board elected him for the succeeding term of one year, and his continued superior management has led to his annual unanimous re-election until the present time, notwithstanding his adherence to the Democratic party. He is now serving his sixth term. The grand juries of the county and the State Board of Public Charities have frequently commended his management of this public institution.
In 1881, Mr. DeTurk married Catharine S. Stetzler, daughter of Jacob Stetzler, farmer of Perry township, and Esther Shappel, his wife. They have six children: Elder (m. to Sallie Lieb), Herbert, Jeremiah, Edna, John and Elmer. Mrs. DeTurk has been the matron of the prison since her husband's incumbency as the warden, and the management of her department has been equally commendable. The family is connected with the Reformed Church. He has been a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle for twenty years, having joined the Castle at Schaefferstown while residing there.
Mr. DeTurk is a lineal descendant of Isaac DeTurk who located in Oley township in 1712, as one of the first settlers in that section of the county. His father Jeremiah was a son of Abraham, who was a son of John, who was a son of John, who was a son of the immigrant. The father was born in Exeter township in 1817, but was reared in Maiden-creek township on a farm which he afterward came to own and operate in a successful manner for thirty-five years. He died in 1891. He married Catharine Moll, of the same township (born 1817, died 1881), by whom he had ten children: Sarah (m. to Solomon Stoudt); Amos (m. to Louisa Deisher); Ellen (m. to Allen Moser); Mary and Catharine (single); Jeremiah M.; Esther (m. to William C. Dries); and three who died in infancy.
Jacob Stetzler (Mrs. DeTurk's father) was a son of Daniel Stetzler and Catharine Hoffman, his wife; and Daniel Stetzler was a son of Martin, all of Perry township. Jacob Stetzler's wife, Esther Shappel, was a daughter of Jeremiah Shappel, of Perry township. (See genealogy of Shappel family in this publication.)
Mr. DeTurk's mother was a daughter of David Moll of Maiden-creek township, who died in 1857 leaving eleven children: George, John, Daniel, Samuel, Peter, Catharine (above), Lucy (m. Charles Coleman), Elizabeth (m. Peter Adam), Diana (m. William Yerger), Lydia (m. William Hieter) and Mary (m. Henry Buchard). And her grandfather was Michael Moll, farmer of the same township, who died in 1810 leaving a widow Anna Margaret and eight children: John, Daniel, Michael, Henry, Peter, David, Catharine (m. Samuel Ely, Jr.) and Susanna.
p. 1576
Surnames: DEVLAN, SAUERBIER
F. D. Devlan, an artist of merit at Reading from 1860 to 1870 - was born at Paterson, New Jersey, Dec. 15, 1835. Soon after completing his education he went to Lambertville, where he was employed in the iron works until 1857, when they were closed on account of the general panic throughout the country. From childhood he manifested a talent for painting and when he was forced out of employment he located at Reading and devoted his attention to art. His brush produced a number of superior pictures, some of which are in Reading. He married a daughter of Jacob Sauerbier, of Reading. He died June 6, 1870.