Biography: Weidner, George L., Berks County, PA

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"Historical and Biographical Annals of Berks County", by Morten Montgomery

Surnames: Albright, Boyer, Culp, Fisher, Fry, Gilbert, Gruber, Heydt, Hoppes, 
Landis, Leaver, Reitnauer, Weidner, Wilson

Vol. II, p. 1211-12 - GEORGE L. WEIDNER, tax collector for Eshbach, Washington 
Township, Berks County, PA., and one of the best known residents of that place, 
where he has engaged in shoemaking since 1861, was born in Earl Township, near 
he Amity Township line, Aug. 17, 1836.

Jacob WEIDNER, his grandfather, lived in Earl Township, and was the owner of a 
large farm, the greater part of which was in Amity Township.  He was buried in 
a private cemetery on his land.  His death occurred prior to 1836.  He married
a Miss BOYER, and their children were:  George, Peter, Daniel, Jacob, Ann and
several other daughters, one of whom married Tobias FISHER.

Jacob WEIDNER, son of Jacob and father of George L., was born on his father's
farm in Earl Township in 1789, and died in 1847 on his own farm in Earl and
Amity Townships.  There were 150 acres of fine land in this farm, and the
buildings stood in Earl Township.  Mr. WEIDNER engaged in farming and was a
substantial citizen.  He was buried at Boyertown.  His wife, Polly LANDIS,
bore him children as follows: Martin, Elizabeth (LEAVER), Catharine (ALBRIGHT),
Ellen (unmarried), Samuel, David, Jacob, George L., John, Mahlon and Mary
(GILBERT).

George L. WEIDNER received his first schooling in the German pay school of his
native district, near Greshville, and later he attended the free school.  In
1852 he went to learn the shoe maker's trade with Abraham FRY, of Colebrookdale,
a trade he has followed in Washington Township since 1855.  In 1861 he came to
Eshbach and here he has since been at work, having made thousands of pairs of
shoes in his time.  Before the days of shoe factories he did a large business,
keeping three men constantly employed, and he became quite well-to-do.  He is
now one of the most substantial men of his vicinity, and is certainly one of
the most highly respected.  Since 1879 he has been tax collector of Washington
Township, and for ten years he was a supervisor.  In politics he is a Democrat.

With his family Mr. WEIDNER attends the Hill Church, of which he is a Lutheran
member.  He was a deacon, and at present is a trustee of the cemetery.  He is
one of the active workers in the church, and he collected much money for the
church.

In 1859 Mr. George L. WEIDNER was united in marriage with Sarah REITENAUER,
daughter of John and granddaughter of Frederick REITENAUER.  She was born in
1840.  The children born to them are:  Susan m. Enos CULP, of Phoenixville;
Elizabeth is the widow of Daniel GRUBER; Mary m. John HOPPES, of Barto; Ida m.
Wilson FISHER, of Allentown; Ella m. Edwin HEYDT, and lives in Washington
Township at the Montgomery County line; and Daniel lives at Weisstown, in
Colebrookdale Township, Berks County.