Bios: MOYER: Berks Co, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Marianne Wolfman marianne@ccnet.com USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ____________________________________________________________ From: Morton L Montgomery, "Historical and Biographical Annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania. Chicago, J. H. Beers & Co., 1909. p 1274-75 Surnames mentioned: Bliem, Brumbach, Deysher, Eshbach, Gerhard, Henrich, Hess, Kramer, Minner, Moyer, Muthart, Nester, Oberholtzer, Reitenauer, Yoder. Note: Surnames of related families have been capitalized, but are lower case in the original. MOYER. On April 27, 1790, (I) Martin MOYER (also spelled MYER) made his last will and testament, and he died the following year. His will is recorded in Will Book A, p. 212, and his wife Magdalena, and his brother George, were the executors. The only children mentioned in the will were George, Jacob and Conrad, of whom George was the eldest, and Jacob second. It is certain that there were several other children. The name appears in the early tax lists. In 1800 in Colebrookdale township were the following: John, $1.68; Conrad, $1.24; John, $.19; Samuel, $.12; and Jacob (estate), $.6. In 1805: John, $7.12; Conrad, $2.39; and Isaac, $.82. In 1809: John, $5.43; Conrad, $1.82; Isaac, $.59; and Martin, $.21. In 1805 two Moyers paid taxes in Earl township: John, $1.43; and Abraham, $.25; and in that same township in 1809 Henry MOYER paid $1.75. In April, 1829, Abraham MOYER made his will, and died the following October in Hereford township, leaving his wife Anna and children as follows: John, Abraham, Francis, Catharine (GERHARD), Esther (born 1784, died 1880, m. Daniel NESTER) and Nancy (m. Jacob NESTER). Casper MOYER (also spelled MEYER) was a taxable in Hereford township in 1758, and again in 1759, in the latter year paying 14 pounds. He is thought to have been the ancestor of many of the name in the southeastern part of the county. Among his sons were: Jacob, in 1744, an innkeeper in Colebrookdale township, and the father of a son, Jacob; George; and Martin. Tradition says that the Berks county Moyers spring from a common ancestor. (II) Conrad MOYER, son of Martin and Magdalena, in 1791 lived on his father's farm in Colebrookdale township, as is indicated by his father's will. His name appears in the above lists as a taxable of that township. (III) Joseph MOYER, son of Conrad, was born in 1791, and he lived in Colebrookdale township, 1-1/2 miles northwest of Bechtelsville, where he followed his trade of harness making, and also engaged in farming. He died in 1861, and is buried at Hill Church, to which he and his family belonged. He married Elizabeth REITENAUER, who was born at the store at Hill Church. Their children were: Charles; and Daniel, who lived in Hanover township, Montgomery Co., Pa., and had children--David, Elizabeth, Mary, William and Amandus. (IV) Charles MOYER, son of Joseph and Elizabeth, was born in Colebrookdale township on the old Moyer homestead, in 1825, and he died in the spring of 1907. He was a farmer during his active days, but the last 30 years of his life he lived retired at Bechtelsville. He owned the old homestead of 90 acres in Colebrookdale township, and this is now owned by his son, Tobias H. His ballot was cast in support of the Democratic party, and for some years he served as school director. He and his family were members of Hill Church until Bechtelsville church was built. Of the latter he was one of the organizers and a liberal contributor. He helped to organize the Hill Church Cemetery Company, and at the time of his death was one of its trustees. He was well and favorably known throughout his district. He married Anna HENRICH, daughter of Jacob and Anna (MUTHART) HENRICH. She died in December, 1906, in her 78th year. To Charles and Anna (HENRICH) MOYER were born the following children: Ephraim, of New Berlinville, Pa.; Joseph H., of Bechtelsville; Elizabeth (m. Alfred BRUMBACH); Tobias H., of Bechtelsville; William, of Colebrookdale township; Jeremiah H.; Frank, of New Berlinville, formerly county commissioner of Berks county; Olivia (m. Frank MINNER, of Allentown, Pennsylvania). (V) Joseph H. MOYER, son of Charles, and now vice president of the Farmers National Bank, Boyertown, was born on the old Moyer homestead, in Colebrookdale township, March 4, 1849. He attended the public schools, and was reared to farm work. As a young man he learned the cigar maker's trade, and followed it for two years. In the fall of 1872 he began in the produce business, and this he continued for five years with great success. In 1878 he opened up a coal, flour and feed store in Bechtelsville, and enjoyed a good trade until 1889, at the same time buying and selling lime, often as much as 40,000 bushels annually. His lime was sold in Lower Berks and Upper Montgomery counties. Mr. Moyer is an excellent business man, and has considerable executive ability. He was one of the founders of the Kensington Hygeia Ice Company of Philadelphia, which was founded in 1895; and he has since been one of its directors. He is a director and vice president of the Farmers National Bank, Boyertown. In 1875 Mr. Moyer erected a large brick residence at the corner of Main and Chestnut streets, and that has since been his home. Beyond serving as the first treasurer of the borough of Bechtelsville, he has always declined to hold office. He is officially connected with Trinity Union Church, of Bechtelsvillle. In January, 1873, Mr. Moyer married Annie B. OBERHOLTZER, daughter of John and Anna (BLIEM) OBERHOLTZER, of Washington township. To this union were born three daughters, namely: Odelia, who died in childhood; Annie O.; and Orpha O. Mrs. Moyer and the daughters belong to the new school of the Mennonite church, having membership in Hereford church. (V) Tobias H. MOYER, son of Charles and now owner of the Moyer homestead, was born in Colebrookdale township, Oct. 20, 1852. He attended township schools, and worked for his parents until 22 years of age, when he went to learn the carpenter's trade, following it four years. He then took to farming on the Moyer homestead of 100 acres, and for 30 years he has given it his attention. He also owns a farm near Bechtelsville of 160 acres, which he has stocked and now farms it himself. Since 1888 he has carried on a butchering business. In 1889 he moved into Bechtelsville and has since resided there. For six years he has been a deacon in Bechtelsville Reformed Church, and for some years he served the vestry as treasurer. On Oct. 2, 1875, Mr. Tobias married Emma R. HESS, daughter of David and Harietta (YODER) HESS. She died Nov. 19, 1899, aged 44 years, 10 months, 18 days, and is buried at Hill Church. She passed away suddenly at church during communion service on Sunday morning. One daughter was born of this union, Eva May, born April 22, 1896. On March 30, 1901, Mr. Tobias married (second) Katie A. KRAMER, born in Rockland township, July 21, 1879, daughter of Jonathan and Sarah (DEYSHER) KRAMER. They have two children: Edna K., born Feb. 3, 1903; Sallie K., Aug. 28, 1904. (V) Jeremiah H. MOYER, son of Charles and now a farmer and dairyman at Bechtelsville, was born in Colebrookdale township, July 14, 1856. He worked for his parents until he was 19, and then took to farming in his native township. After two years there he went to New Hanover, Montgomery county, where he farmed five years, and then located in Washington township, his home since 1884. For twelve years he lived in Bechtelsville, which he helped to incorporate into a borough. He was six years a member of the borough council. While living there he dealt to a large extent in horses and cattle. He made ten annual trips to western States to buy stock, and he has proved himself an excellent judge. In the spring of 1899 he moved upon the farm he now occupies. This consists of 87 acres of good land, all in fine condition. Mr. Moyer gives special attention to dairying, keeping about twenty head of cattle and shipping his milk daily to Philadelphia. In political affiliations Mr. Moyer is a Democrat, and since 1906 has been a school director. With his family he attends Bechtelsville Reformed Church. On Aug. 19, 1876, Mr. Moyer married Emma B. ESHBACH, daughter of George ESHBACH, after whom Eshbach Crossing was named. To this union have been born the following family: Charles, who died in infancy; Emma, who married Charles BRUMBACH; Jesse, of Marshalltown, Iowa; Mabel; Warren; Elsie; Harry; and Frank.