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| Notes for Johann George SPRECHER | ||||||||||||||||||
| Purchased land in Lebanon Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa. in 1763 from Chris Long, and was recorded in 1792 in Dauphin Co. following the settlement of his estate in 1790. http://berks.pa-roots.com/books/montgomery/s23.html Sprecher, Jesse M. p. 1113 Surnames: SPRECHER, MICHAEL, STOEVER, EVANS, PAULSGROVE, BABB, COLEMAN, PHILLIPPI, KERR Jesse M. Sprecher, painter and paper-hanger, with place of business at No. 102 North Eighth street, Reading, is one of the city's thorough and representative business men. He was born at Reading, Pa., Jan. 10, 1852, son of Solomon and Radosa (Michael) Sprecher. Like many other old families, the Sprechers have a tradition that the name was brought to this country by three bothers who were born in Germany. After reaching America they separated, one settling in Lebanon county, and one in Lancaster county, Pa., while the third located in Western Maryland. The Pennsylvania archives show the following facts in this connection: Hans Georg Sprecher, on ship "Pink," landed at Philadelphia, Oct. 17, 1732. His wife Cathrina was also a passenger on the same ship. Johan Christoph Sprecher, on ship "Patience," landed at Philadelphia, Sept. 16, 1748, and was then twenty-five years old. A second Hans George Sprecher came over the Atlantic on the ship "Janet," landing at Philadelphia, Oct. 7, 1751. Jacob Andreas Sprecher emigrated on the ship "Peggy," landing at Philadelphia, Oct. 10, 1754. Solomon Sprecher, father of Jesse M., had a half brother named George and it is claimed that the head of the Lebanon county Sprechers was named George, and in all probability one of the above mentioned Hans Georg Sprechers was the great -grandfather of Jesse M. The subject of ancestry is a very interesting one, and there are many who can claim a much less clear line than Mr. Sprecher. Frederick F. Sprecher, grandfather of Jesse, was born in Lebanon county, Pa., and is buried at hill Church, above Lebanon. In that vicinity he owned a large farm and conducted it throughout his active years. His three children were: Frederick, who lived on the homestead farm; Solomon; and Mrs. Jacob Stoever, who lived on an adjoining farm. Solomon Sprecher was born in Lebanon county, Pa., Feb. 8 1814, and died in November 1885, and was buried in the Charles Evans cemetery. He came to Reading in the spring of 1846, and followed the carpenter's trade, doing a large amount of work of a most substantial character, much of which stands practically unimpaired to the present day. He built a row of houses on Pine street above Fourth' a row on Fourth below Pine street, and Boas mansion at Fourth and Pine, the Kerper Building at Eight and Penn streets, and many others in all parts of the city as it was in his day. In politics he was a Democrat, and for twelve years served as a member of the school board of the First ward, then refusing reelection. He and family were members of the First Reformed Church, and he was on the building committee when the church was remodeled in the early eighties. Solomon Sprecher married Radosa Michael, who was born in the neighborhood of Rehrersberg, Berks co., Pa.., Feb. 12, 1812, and died Jan. 9, 1889, and is buried at the side of her husband in the Charles Evans cemetery. They had five children, namely: Mary, born Jan. 13, 1838, m. David Paulsgrove, and lives with her daughter in Reading; Darius M., born Jan. 131846, who is a well-known and skillful carpenter at Reading, and has a son, Harry F., who is foreman of a large machine shop in Chicago; Jesse M.' and two others died in infancy. Jesse M. Sprecher attended the public schools of Reading until he was sixteen, and then for two years he was salesman in a grocery business. At the age of eighteen he entered the shops of Leymaster, Leiling & Co., at Reading, where he remained six years, and became thoroughly informed workman in the trade of paper-hanging and painting. On April 1, 1876, he formed a partnership with Jacob E. Babb, under the firm name of Sprecher & Babb. This lasted until Aug. 1, 1883, when Mr. Sprecher began business alone at his present location. He carries a full line of wall papers, paints, glass, etc., and gives employment to twelve experienced men. There is no doubt of the fact that Mr. Sprecher enjoys the best trade in his line at Reading, and when contracts are to be given out for particular and artistic work, he is pretty sure to receive them. He has twice painted the Trinity Lutheran Church. On April 9, 1874, Mr. Sprecher was married to Rosa C. Coleman, a daughter of Owen and Catherine (Phillppi) Coleman, and they have had five children: Ida M. And Elmer M., surviving; while Charles O., Edwin J. and Willard S. died young. With his family he belongs to the First Reformed Church, of which he was both treasurer and deacon for three years. He has many social and fraternal connections. He belongs to Lodge No. 62, F. & A. M.; Excelsior Chapter, No. 237, R. A. M.; Reading Lodge of Perfection, 14th degree; Reading Commandery No. 42, K. T.; and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is a member also of Perseverance Council No. 19, Order of Independent Americans, of which he was secretary for the unusual period of thrity-nine consecutive years and then voluntarily retired, but he is still chairman of the board of trustees of the lodge and manages their finances. He belongs to Reading Council No. 46, O. U. A. M., of which he has been financial secretary for a quarter of a century. He was the organizer of Fidelia Chamber, No. 5, Knights of Friendship, passed all its chairs and also the chairs of the Grand Body of the United States. He was a personal friend of the founder of the order, Dr. Mark G. Kerr, of Philadelphia. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Last Modified New | Created 7 Jul 2015 using Reunion for Macintosh |