Surnames: REIGNER, NUNNEMAKER
S. Y. Reigner, the treasurer of the Reading Hardware Company, is a native of the State of Pennsylvania, born Aug. 11, 1859, in Boyertown. He obtained a good, practical education, and chose bookkeeping as his occupation. He was engaged in Philadelphia and Reading until 1894, in which year he first entered the employ of the Reading Hardware Company, in the capacity of bookkeeper. As such he continued till 1901, when he was promoted to the position of assistant treasurer. Three years later he was made treasurer and has proved himself a most efficient one, his services bring highly appreciated by the company.
On Oct. 3, 1888, Mr. Reigner married Miss Etta Nunnemaker, a native of Pottsville, Pa., and two children have been born to them, Blanche and Herbert. Both Mr. Reigner and his wife are members of Calvary Reformed Church and in both church circles and city generally they have many friends. Politically Mr. Reigner is ranked among the Republicans.
Surnames: REIMER, LAUER, SANDERS, PAUL, TOBIAS, SHALTER, HENS, HENSEN
Marx Reimer, engaged in the real estate business and formerly proprietor of the "Textile Inn" at Wyomissing, was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Prussia, June 18, 1869. He was educated in the local schools and also the high school, attending until he was twenty-two years old, and then he emigrated to America, arriving at Reading, Pa., Nov. 3, 1891. He worked first for the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company and after ward in different iron mills in Reading, in the State of Connecticut and in the Pencoyd works in Pennsylvania until 1894, when he entered the employ of Nolde & Horst, hosiery manufacturers of Reading, in their finishing department at Philadelphia, and he remained with them in that city until 1897, when they removed this department to their large plant in Reading. He continued working for them until January, 1903, when he removed to Wyomissing to take charge an possession of the "Textile Inn," a large and substantial three-story brick building with modern improvements, which he had erected in 1902, on a large lot of ground at the corner of Penn Avenue and Van Reed road, and he conducted this hotel in a successful manner until the spring of 1908, when he sold out to Frank Later. During 1907-08, he erected six houses on Hill avenue, Wyomissing, and has during the winter of 1909 established a real estate office in Wyomissing and secured the agency for a considerable number of lots and houses in that place.
In the incorporation of Wyomissing into a borough Mr. Reimer took a very active part; and at the first election in 1906 he was chosen one of the school directors. In April, 1907, Mr. Reimer and his family went to Germany, and there spent five months, visiting his old home and other points of interest. In 1899 Mr. Reimer married Mrs. Lizzie Sanders, widow of Nathan Sanders (who died in 1893), and by her had two sons: Robert Marx and Carl Friederich. His wife had a son, Elwood Paul, by her first husband.
Jonathan Tobias, father of Mrs. Reimer, was a farmer of Bern township, and was killed in Leinbach's stone quarry. He married Isabella Shalter, and by her had five children: Charles, Kate, Lizzie, Rose and Thomas (deceased).
Mr. Reimer's father was Hans Reimer of Schleswig-Holstein, who died at the age of thirty years. He married Margaretta Hens, of the same place, and upon his death the son Marx, who was still a small boy, was taken by the grandmother Hensen who brought him up and educated him.
p. 1424
Surnames: REINERT, MECK, BORTZ, YOUSE, SHADE, FREDERICK, LESHER, MENSCH, LOBACH, GEISINGER, ROHRBACH, NEIN
David M. Reinsert, a miller on Pine Creek, in Pike township, Barks county, was born in District township, Aug. 25, 1853, son of Samuel and Caroline (Meck) Reinert.
Peter Reinert, grandfather of David M., lived in Upper Milford township, Lehigh county, where he was engaged in farming. He married Maria Bortz, and they had twelve children, namely: Elizabeth, born 1800; George, 1802; Johannes, 1804; Jacob, 1806; Peter, 1807; Sarah, 1810; Charles, 1811, Andraes, 1814; Daniel, 1816; Henry, 1818; Samuel, 1821; and Esther, 1827.
Samuel Reinert, father of David M., was born March 11, 1821, was born March 11, 1821, in Upper Milford township, Lehigh county, Pa. He came in his young manhood to Berks county, where he followed the trade of a stone mason in connection with farming. He died in District township, aged seventy-six years, and is buried at Huff's Church. His first wife, Caroline Meck, was a daughter of Samuel Meck, a native of Ireland. She died in her thirty-eighth year, the mother of three daughters and three sons, namely: David M.; Amanda, m. to William Youse; Ananias, who lived in Rockland township; Simon, who lived in Pike township; Catharine, m. to E. Y. Shade; and Sarah, m. to Oliver Frederick. All except Catharine are living.
David M. Reinert received his education in the township schools. At first he attended the pay schools in District township, the last township in the county to adopt the public school system. He was reared to farming, and when seventeen years old learned the milling trade from William D. Lesher, who then conducted the Adam Mensch mill in Hereford township. He has ever since followed the milling business. In 1875 he came to his present place, and two years later bought the mill and the twenty-four acres of land at sheriff's sale. This has been a mill property for many years, being the first mill in this locality. It is said to have been originally the mill of Peter Lobach (who had two sons, Peter and Charles). The present mill was built by David M. Reinert in 1887, replacing a large, 85-foot long, stone building which served both as a dwelling and mill. On a post in the mill was the date 1765, and a letter "P,: which is said to have stood for "Patt," the name of the man who owned it after the Lobachs. Mr. Reinert does a general milling business. He abandoned the making of flour in 1903, and now only makes chops, etc. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religious faith he and his family are Lutherans. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle and the Knights of Friendship.
Mr. Reinert has been married twice. On Jan. 31, 1875, he m. Miss Dianah Geisinger, of Douglass township, Montgomery county, born Feb. 15, 1853, daughter of William Geisinger. She was burned to death Jan. 11, 1906, and is buried at Niantic, Montgomery county. On May 8, 1906, Mr. Reinert m. (second) Lillie L. Rohrbach, daughter of Henry and Mary (Nein) Rohrbach, native of Upper Milford township, Lehigh county. When Mr. Rohrbach was fourteen years old in 1848, he came to Reading, where he lived until his death. Mr. Reinert has a German Bible that bears date 1736, and was printed at Nuremberg, Germany. It is printed in two parts, has 4,300 pages, is illustrated, and is in good condition.
p. 1201
Surnames: REINERT, BORTZ, REPPERT, SHERIDAN, BOWER, DETEMPLE, BORDER, FLECKENSTINE.
Franklin B. Reinert, of Reading, has been engaged as a contractor and builder in that city since 1884. He is a natural mechanic, and though he never served an apprenticeship to any trade is a skillful worker in many lines.
Mr. Reinert is a member of an old family of Berks county, being a grandson of Peter Reinert, who was a large land holder, owning the famous Reinert Hill property. He was prosperous in business, and was considered very well-to-do for his day. He married Mary Bortz, and they had a family of thirteen children, namely: Elizabeth, George, Jacob, John, Andrew, Peter, Sarah, Charles, Daniel, Henry, Samuel, Hattie, and Mary (died small). The twelve who lived to maturity all reared large families. This family were Lutherans in religious belief.
Peter Reinert, son of Peter, was born in Berks county and was reared upon a farm. He continued to follow agricultural pursuits all his life, and lived to the advanced age of eighty-two years, dying in 1889. He married Sarah Reppert, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Sheridan) Reppert, and she survived her husband several years, passing away in 1895, at the age of eighty-five. They had children as follow: Elizabeth m. Thomas Bower; John and Jacob both died young; Aaron served as a soldier in the Civil war; Henry also served in that struggle; Charles; Daniel lives in Nebraska; Nathan lived in Lehigh county; Franklin B. ; and Sarah m. Nicholas DeTemple. The father of this family was a Lutheran in church connection, the mother a Catholic.
Franklin B. Reinert was born June 8, 1849, in District township, Berks Co., Pa., and there received his education in the common schools and the Kutztown Normal, which he attended in 1870 and 1876. He continued his studies until competent to teach, following the profession for a number of , and years, during which he was engaged at clerking in Henningsville in the summer months. He combined teaching and clerking in 1871, 1872, 1873 1875, and 1877. In 1878 he bought and built a home on his mother's homestead. In 1879 he came to Reading, where he has since remained. Though occupied at teaching and merchandising during his earlier manhood, he had always shown a decided predilection for mechanics, and his work has since been along that line. On his removal to Reading he became blacksmith's helper in the Philadelphia & Reading shops. In 1884 he commenced building operations, independently, and from that year until 1892 erected forty houses in all. His success in this work has been steady and noteworthy, the workmanship on every contract he undertakes being reliable and of a high grade. As previously stated, Mr. Reinert has never learned any one trade, but his aptitude is such that he can turn his hand readily to anything in the line of mechanics, from cleaning a watch to building a church. In 1887, at the corner of Tenth and Spring streets, he erected the first United Brethren church, for $800, and in 1900 he built the church at No. 1325 North Tenth street, for the American Salvation Army (this was later sold to the Primitive Methodist Conference for $2,500). In the latter church, the door sills and pavement in front and rear are of cement made from crushed rock and Portland cement. Mr. Reinert can also manufacture all kinds of cutlery, having a variety of accomplishments which he has found very useful in his work. Mr. Reinert is located at No. 1323 North Tenth street. He made the first cement flagstone pavement in Reading in 1892, in front of No. 1323 North Tenth street.
In 1879 Mr. Reinert was married to a daughter of William Border, and they have had two children: Leroy B., born July 11, 1884, who is married to Helen Fleckenstine, and had one child, William L. (died in 1908, and was buried in the first cement lined grave in Alsace cemetery); and Guy, born Sept. 26, 1892.
Mr. Reinert is a stanch Republican, and actively interested in municipal politics, though he has held no offices except that of assessor. Fraternally he is a member of Muhlenberg Lodge, I. O. O. F. On his sixtieth birthday Mr. Reinert devised to the Odd Fellows ground on the northeast corner of Fifteenth and Robeson streets, Reading, to be owned and controlled by them forever.
p. 676
Surnames: REINERT, FOCHT, HAFER, HARTMAN, HATFIELD, LEIDY, MILLER, ROMICH, SANDS, SASSAMAN, WEASNER, WENDLING
The Reinert family, of more than a century's residence in Berks County, PA., is worthily represented in the present day by Henry H. Reinert, of Boyertown.
John Reinert was a resident of Amity township, Berks County. His will, made in 1839 and probated in 1847, is on record in Volume 9, page 218. His wife Mary was living at the making of the will, and the following children are named in that document: Isaac; John; Elizabeth; and Catherine (m. Elijah Focht).
Peter Reinert, brother of John and great-grandfather of Henry H., lived in District Township, Berks County. His will, on record in Volume 10, page 600, was proved Nov. 19, 1859. His wife Maria was well provided for, and their sons, John and Samuel, were executors. Their children were: John, Samuel, Peter, Carl and Elizabeth.
Samuel Reinert, son of Peter and grandfather of Henry H., was born in 1790, and is buried in the old graveyard at Boyertown. He was a farmer and had an eighty-four acre farm in Douglass Township, Berks County. He built thereon a house and barn to take the place of those destroyed by fire one Sunday afternoon while his son was shooting, a spark igniting the straw roof. In 1811 he married Hannah Romich, born Jan. 15, 1791, died Feb. 13, 1864. Their children were: Mary m. Israel Weasner, and had no children, although they reared Israel Reinert to whom was given their property; Johannes (John), born April 23, 1816, died Feb. 25, 1852, the father of Harry, and Hannah and Israel (twins who were only two weeks old when their father died); David; Samuel died at Morysville, leaving Jefferson, Eton, Hannah, Harriet and Frank; Hannah m. Mark Sassaman, a relative of the late Judge Augustus Sassaman of Berks County, and they had children, Irvin, Eton, Curosy, Clayton, Alice and Annie (deceased).
David Reinert, son of Samuel and father of Henry H., was born in Douglass Township, and died at Englesville, April 6, 1907, aged eighty-three years, and was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Boyertown. By trade he was a carpenter, and followed it for some years in Douglass Township on the Reinert homestead, which consisted of eighty-four acres of excellent farming land, now the property of George Miller. David Reinert married Mary Hatfield, a sister of Samuel G. Hatfield, formerly county commissioner, and daughter of George and Mary (Geiger) Hatfield, of Douglass Township. They had eight children as follows: Samuel died unmarried; Sarah died at the age of seventeen; Henry H.; Frank died of typhoid fever at the age of nineteen while teaching school; Mary Hannah married Solomon Wendling, of Pottstown; John is of West Reading; David, of Gabelsville, is engaged in farming; Amanda m. Frank Sands, of Engelsville. David Reinert spent his last days with Mr. and Mrs. Sands in their pleasant home at Englesville. He was a man widely known and much respected and his loss was severely felt not only by his family, but throughout the neighborhood.
Henry H. Reinert, of Boyertown, son of David, was born in Douglass Township, July 17, 1852. When nineteen he began to learn the carpenter's trade, and followed it for sixteen years in Boyertown and vicinity. In 1888 he engaged in the produce business, and now conducts a huckster route, buying butter, eggs and poultry, and these he takes to Philadelphia weekly. He has a large retail trade there, and he has made a big success of his business. His home is in his own substantial brick house, and he and his family are in very comfortable circumstances. In politics Mr. Reinert is a Democrat, and for one year served as constable. In 1890 he was elected school director, and he served in this office for eighteen consecutive years, and still holds it. For many years he acted as treasurer of the board. Since its organization he has been one of the directors of the Topton Orphans Home. He and his family are members of the Lutheran Church, of which he was deacon and trustee, and he was president of the church council for two years.
In 1876 Mr. Reinert married Ellen Hartman, daughter of Daniel and Phoebe (Hafer) Hartman, of Douglass Township, and they have children as follows: Daniel, a veterinary surgeon at Girard, Erie Co., PA; D. Edward, who works with his father in the produce business; Annie R., m. to Daniel Leidy, of Boyertown; George W., of Boyertown; Ida a graduate of the Keystone State Normal School of Kutztown, class of 1906, who taught her first term of school at Greshville, and the following one in New Jersey, but is now stationed in Boyertown.
p. 1102
Surnames: REINERT, BOYER, HOFFMAN, LIVINGOOD, FOCHT, KLINE, GAUGER, ROTHERMEL, NAGEL, LEVAN, YOCOM, FIRING, SHIREY, MILLER, SCHAFFER, GROH, HOFFMAN, TRIEVEL
Samuel B. Reinert, a farmer living one mile north of Monocacy in Amity township, Berks county, was born there April 5, 1859, son of Isaac and Mary Ann (Boyer) Reinert.
John Reinert, grandfather of Samuel B., passed his earlier life in Douglass township, but later moved to Amity township, Berks county, his native township, and there he died in the fall of 1847. He owned the farm in Amity that is now the property of George Hoffman. By trade he was a wheelwright, and followed that calling some years. He married Mary Livingood, who survived him. Their children Were: Isaac; John, a painter, lived at Baumstown, in Exeter township; Elizabeth m. Elijah Focht; and Catharine m John Kline. The will of John Reinert was made Sept. 4, 1839, and is on record in Will Book 9, page 218.
Isaac Reinert, son of John and father of Samuel B., was born either in Douglass or in Amity township, and died near Baumstown, in Exeter township, Nov. 23, 1898, aged eighty-one years, his death being due to peritonitis. He was a tinker, but devoted most of his time to farming, owning the fourteen-acre tract on which he resided. He was a Lutheran member of the Amityville Church, and his remains were interred in the cemetery adjoining the church. He married Mary Ann Boyer, born April 28, 1825, daughter of Jacob Boyer, and she now makes her home with her son Samuel B. Mr. and Mrs. Reinert had children as follows: Franklin, of Amity; Mahlon, of Exeter; Sarah, wife of Jacob Gauger, of Stony Creek; Isaac, of Reading; David, of Birdsboro; and Samuel B.
Samuel B. Reinert obtained his education in the township schools, and was reared to farming. He began farm work on his own account in the spring of 1893 in Amity township, on the Abraham Rothermel farm, and was a tenant there for two years. He next rented the Reuben Nagel farm in Exeter township for one year. The following year he tenanted the Nathan Levan farm at Jacksonwald, after ward spending four years on the Elmira Yocom farm in Exeter. In 1900 he bought the Isaac Livingood farm, located one mile due north of Monocacy, consisting of sixty-six acres of fertile land-the best to be found in the township. He is very practical in his work, and has greatly improved the farm and buildings. He has two tenant houses which he has rented. His own house and barn are stone structures of the most substantial kind. The house was built during the American Revolution, and is in excellent condition, good for centuries yet. His farm implements are all of the latest improved patterns. Mr. Reinert and his family are Reformed members of Amityville Church.
Mr. Reinert has been twice married. He m. (first) Emma Firing, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Shirey) Firing, and to this union were born two children: Ida m. William Miller, of Richmond; and Rosa died small. Mr. Reinert m. (second) Malinda Schaffer, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Levan) Schaffer, and their children were: Odella m. Jeremiah Groh, of Amity; Emma; Elsie m. Ammon Trievel, of Amity; Helen; Samuel was gored to death by a mad bull Nov.1, 1907, at the age of eleven years, eleven months, five days; and Charles (a twin).
p. 835
Surnames: REINHART, ADAM, MUFFERT, FOLK, REITENOWER, DREIS, KIESER, MENGEL, ANGSTADT, STEWART, WILLIAMS, REIGEL, GROH, DAVIS, LESHER DUNKEL, DUPONT, WEIDNER, PRINTZENHOFFER, SWEIGERT, SCHLEGEL, ECKERD, FINK, BALTHASER, FRANCIS, LEIBY.
Charles Reinhart, engaged in the millwrighting business at Hamburg, Pa., and an honored veteran of the Civil war, was born July 23, 1845, in Greenwich township, Berks county, son of Samuel and Fietta (Adam) Reinhart.
John Adam Reinhart, founder of the family in America, emigrated on the ship "Union," which landed at Philadelphia Sept. 27, 1773. There were ninety-eight persons aboard, all of whom were German palatinates, and a number of these settled in Greenwich township, Berks county.
John Reinhart, grandfather of Charles, was born in 1798, and died about 1870. He lived about one mile north of Dunkel's Church, where he owned a small farm, and also followed his trade of shoemaker and was a good workman. He married Catherine Muffert, and they had these children: Polly died single; Peggy m. George Folk; Hettie m. David Reitenower; Elizabeth m. Daniel Dreis; and Samuel.
Samuel Reinhart was born in 1825 and died in 1876. He was a millwright and lived in Greenwich township, not far from Eagle Point, where he was the owner of a small farm, and was known as a good workman and thrifty citizen. Mr. Reinhart married Fietta Adam, daughter of Henry Adam, and to them were born: Miss Catherine; Charles; Daniel (m. (first) Annie Kieser and (second) Kate Mengel); Hettie (m. Samuel Angstadt); and (second) Pecky Stewart; William (m. Hettie Williams); and Emma (m. Peter Reigel).
Charles Reinhart attended the schools of his district until seventeen years of age, when he enlisted in the volunteer service of the United States army, as a member of Company F, 167th Pa. V. I., for a period of nine months, under Capt. Joshua Groh and Col. J. DePuy Davis, of Reading. He has an excellent war record, and among his engagements were: Deserted Farm, Suffolk, Va., and Gettysburg. He was honorably discharged, and draws a pension for injuries received in the service. After his return in 1864, he was apprenticed to Abraham Lesher, to learn the trade of millwright, which he has followed ever since, being at present employed by the Dupont Powder Company of Wilmington, Del. In political matters he is a Republican, and has served as councilman of Hamburg for six years, having resided in the borough since 1875. He and his family are members of the First Reformed Church, Hamburg.
Mr. Reinhart has been twice married, his first wife being Rebecca Weidner, daughter of Henry and Annie (Printzenhoffer) Weidner. To them were born children as follows: Bertolet m. (first) Alice Sweigert and (Second) Eva Sweigert; Henry W. m. Sallie Schlegel, and lives in California; and William m. Angeline Eckerd, and lives in Reading. Mr. Reinhart's second wife was Mary L. Fink, daughter of John and Caroline (Balthaser) Fink, and to this union there were born: Emma (m. Edward Francis), Samuel (who like his father is a millwright, and works at the same place), Mary F. (m. Charles F. Leiby), Miss Ida (at home), Charles H., Edna and Luella.
p. 1234
Surnames: REINIGER, MAYER, GOLL, REICH, SALTZMAN, EPPLER, LUPPOLD
Daniel J. Reiniger, one of the well known residents of Lower Alsace township, Berks county, who is extensively engaged in truck farming and wine manufacturing, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1856, son of George L. and Anna Maria (Mayer) Reiniger.
The grandfather of Daniel J. Reiniger was a wine manufacturer and stone mason of Wurtemberg, Germany, where he was married and had six children: George L. John, who emigrated to America and settled at Douglassville, Berks Co., Pa., later bought a farm near Stony Creek and died aged eighty-two years, his wife surviving him until eighty-nine years of age; they had six daughters and two sons. Sophia, who married John Goll, died in 1874, in Wurtemberg, her husband having passed away the year previous, after which their four children emigrated to America. Catherine died unmarried after emigrating to America in 1873. Margaret died at the age of eighteen years. Daniel, who emigrated to America, settled first at Douglassville, Pa., and later in 1860 went to Ohio, where be died, leaving nine children.
George L. Reiniger was born Oct. 11, 1814, in Wurtemberg, Germany, and in 1857 emigrated to America, settling at Douglassville, Pa., from whence he went to Unionville and then in 1859 to Lower Alsace township, where the remainder of his life was spent. His home there was purchased in 1863. Mr. Reiniger was married to Anna Maria Mayer, daughter of John and Maria Mayer, and to them the following children were born: Caroline died in infancy. Sophia, who married Henry Reich, both now deceased, had nine children, Lizzie, Henry, Katie, John, Mary, George (deceased), Daniel, George and an unnamed infant; six are living. Caroline (2) died in infancy. Lizzie died when nineteen years of age. Mary, who married Augustus Saltzman, both now deceased, had two sons, Augustus and Charles, of Reading. Frederick died in infancy. John L. was a resident of the old homestead, where he died at the age of fifty years, leaving five children, George L., Amelia, Mary, Rose and Frank. Daniel died in infancy. Daniel J.
Daniel J. Reiniger was one year old when the family emigrated to America and his education was secured in the common schools of Berks county. He assisted his parents until his marriage, since which time he has been engaged in truck farming and wine manufacturing. He gives his special attention to the latter, making about 8,000 gallons annually.
On April 29, 1879, Mr. Reiniger was married to Agnes Eppler, daughter of Michael and Catherine (Luppold) Eppler, and to this union there have been born eight children: Anna Maria, Elizabeth, William, Emma, John, Daniel, Agnes and Esther, all living at home.
The family are members of Kuendig's Lutheran Church of Reading. In politics Mr. Reiniger is a Democrat, and he has served as school director, declining nomination to other offices.
p. 1471
Surnames: REITNAUER, HANKEY, GABEL, UPDEGROVE, CLAUSER, STAUFFER, LORAH, WREN
Irwin G. Reitnauer, ice dealer and farmer at Boyertown, was born at Gablesville, Pa., Oct. 31, 1860. His education was received in the public schools of his native district, and in several terms' attendance at Prof. I. B. Hankey's private academy at Boyertown. He was reared in the family of Henry Gabel, where he lived until eighteen years of age, when he learned the miller's trade. Returning to Mr. Gabel's, he lived there for seven more years. In 1885 he engaged in the ice business at Boyertown, and this in connection with farming has since occupied all of his attention. He has a valuable tract of thirty-eight acres, well equipped with substantial buildings. For three years he farmed at Clayton, these three years being the only break in his continuous work at the ice business since 1885. He has two teams that visit Boyertown daily, and he employs four men, and has ten head of horses. Mr. Reitnauer is a man of executive ability and clear business perception. He is a member of Boyertown Lodge, O. O. O. F.; and Prospect Camp, Modern Woodmen of America, and the Red Men, at Boyer town. With his family he attends St. John's Lutheran Church at Boyer town.
On Jan. 1, 1883, Mr. Reitnauer married Ellen Updegrove, daughter of Reuben and Caroling (Clauser) Updegrove. Mr. Updegrove was for sixteen years stage driver between Reading and Shanesville. To this union have been born: Maggie, wife of Clinton Stauffer, of Boyer town; Edwin, who married Sallie Lorah, and lives in Colebrookdale; Annie, who married Reuben Wren, of Boyer town; and Miss Lizzie, at home.
In politics Mr. Reitnauer is a Republican, and has served as delegate to a number of county conventions. He was twice judge of election in Colebrookdale, and in the spring of 1908 was elected a school director in a district nominally Democratic. He has long been an active worker for his party, and he is well respected in his community.
p. 1543
Surnames: REITNAUER, ADOLPH, REIDENAUER, HERB, MAYER, MOSSER, FRY, GRUBB, WEIDNER, FRONHEISER, FENSTERMACHER, JACOB, HESS, ARNDT, MARSTELLER, WETZEL, GRUBER, SNYDER
John A. Reitnauer, of Huff's Church, Berks county, dealer in hardware, etc., was born Nov. 12, 1875, in Pike township, son of Daniel M. and Sarah (Adolph) Reitnauer.
The original spelling of this name, Reidenauer, is still used by many of the descendants in Berks county of the early ancestors. John A. Reitnauer is a descendant in the sixth generation from the first of the family to come to this country, Johannes Reidenauer, the line being traced to through Johannes, Jr., Frederick, John and Daniel M. Detailed accounts of the earliest generation appear elsewhere in this work.
Johannes Reidenauer, Jr., was born in Germany Dec. 26, 1723, and died Jan. 14, 1805. He married Elizabeth Herb, born 1732, died Jan. 20, 1808.
Frederick Reidenauer, son of Johannes, born Jan. 30, 1762, died Aug. 22, 1837. He married Aug. 28, 1787, Elizabeth Mayer, and to them were born seven children: Joseph (1789-1844), John, Jeremiah, Elam, Frank, and two others whose names are not recorded.
John Reidenauer, son of Frederick, married Susan Mosser, and they had children as follows: Gideon; Frederick; Charles, born Feb. 27, 1825, who lives at Eshbach, Pa., (he has sons, William, Daniel, and George); Daniel M.; Betzy, who died unmarried; Catherine, wife of Joseph Fry; Susan, wife of Philip Grubb; Sarah, wife of George Weidner; Polly, wife of John Fronheiser.
Daniel M. Reitnauer, son of John, was born in February, 1846, on the old Reidenauer homestead near Bechtelsville. He was reared to farming, and continued to follow that occupation until his retirement, in 1902, since when he has been enjoying in leisure the rewards of his early labors. He lives near Landis Store, in District township, where he owns a 103-acre farm. Mr. Reitnauer is a member of the Hill Church and a Democrat in politics. He married Sarah Adolph, born in January, 1846, daughter of George and Sarah (Fenstermacher) Adolph, who lived near Hill Church, and a family of six children were born to them: Mary, who married (first) Albert Jacob and after his death (second) William Hess; Alfred, a farmer on the old homestead; John A.; Susan, unmarried; Katie, who married Howard Arndt; and William, unmarried.
John A. Reitnauer received his education in the public school, attending in Pike, Washington and District townships. In 1896 he commenced to learn the tinsmith and stove businesses from J. H. Marsteller, at Huff's Church, remaining with him over a year, on the farm, and in 190 he engaged in the stove business on his own account, at Huff's Church, buying the good-will stock and fixtures of his old employer, Mr. Martsteller, who is now located in Reading. After two years in this business Mr. Reitnauer sold out to Charles Gruber and became a farmer on the Henry Wetzel place, where he remained for five years, resuming business in the spring of 1907. He carries a large stock of stoves, heaters and ranges, deals in hardware, paints and oils, all kinds of cast-iron water-troughs and hog-troughs, roofing, spouting and tinware, and has an excellent trade, giving conscientious value to all his patrons. He is an active young man and deservedly prosperous.
Mr. Reitnauer has taken considerable interest in the welfare of his community and its public administration, and he has been serving since 1906 as treasurer of Hereford township. In the spring of 1903 he was elected school director and served one term, refusing a renomination. He is a Democrat and a worker in his party; is also well known as a member of Castle No. 461, K. G. E., of Pleasantville, Pa.; and of Landisville Council No. 1007, Order of Independent Americans; and is a zealous member of the Lutheran congregation at the Hill Church.
On May 31, 1898, Mr. Reitnauer married Miss Clara Snyder, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Wetzel) Snyder, of Lehigh county, Pa., and two children have been born to them, Elsie and Bertha.