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Capt. John A Hiester, of Reading, enjoys the distinction of being the only boat-builder on the Schuylkill canal. He has been running excursion boats since 1869, at present owning the two pleasure steamers "Rosie" and "Carrie," and he has been regularly in the employ of the Schuylkill Navigation Company since 1869. He had previously been engaged on work for that company from 1864, working with his father until the latter's death. The business interests of father and son have been closely associated with the history of the canal and navigation company. Captain Hiester was born in Berks county in 1844, and he has lived in Reading since he was six months old, his parents, William an Elizabeth (Adams) Hiester, having moved hither at this time. His mother was a daughter of Isaac Adams, who owned an oil mill on the Tulpehocken creek. William Hiester was engaged as a boat-builder in the early days of the Schuylkill canal and did work for the Schuylkill Navigation Company for many years, carrying on an independent business. He built craft for boatmen as far north as Troy, N. Y., and was considered one of the most reliable boatbuilders in this part of the country. One of his masterpieces was the famous "Regulator," which he built for the Philadelphia & Reading Company, and he constructed a number of pleasure boats which gave him a reputation along the Schuylkill. He was the first owner of a steamboat on that river, the "J. L. Stichter," which plied between Reading and High's Woods. Mr. Hiester was killed in 1878, and was survived by his wife and two children. Three children were born to them: John A.; Julia, who died aged thirteen years; and Sarah, unmarried, who makes her home with her brother. The father was a member of the Reformed Church, a Republican in politics, and a Mason and Odd Fellow in fraternal connection. John A. Hiester was educated in the common schools of Reading, and early began to learn boatbuilding under his father, who trained him thoroughly in his life work. In 1864 he began work for the Schuylkill Navigation Company, and regularly entered the employ of that Company in 1869, and he has built and repaired many canal boats during his long career in this line, often handling as many as five hundred boats in one season. The first boat owned by the Captain was the "J. L. Stichter," formerly owned by his father, which he rebuilt and renamed the "Escort;" her length was 55 feet, beam 14 feet, 4 inches; his next boat, the "Gazelle," also built by his father, was 65 feet long, 14 feet, 4 inches across the beam; later he owned the "Pearl," 62 feet long, beam 14 feet, 4 inches; all these boats drew 3-1/2 feet of water. Captain Hiester built the "Valley Forge" (for a Mr. Shaw of Valley Forge), length 65 feet, beam 13 feet, draw 3-1/2 feet; the "Atlantic," length 65 feet, beam 13 feet, draw 3-1/2 feet; the "Martha Washington" (for Caleb, Ruth and Robert Hanna, of Conshohocken), length 65 feet, beam 14 feet, 4 inches, draw 3-1/2 feet; the "Golden Eagle," length 73 feet, beam 16 feet, 10 inches, draw 3-1/2 feet; the "Mayflower," length 26 feet, beam 7 feet, draw 2-1/2 feet; and the "Iowa," length 47 feet, beam 10 feet, draw 4 feet. Since 1903 the Captain has limited his operations to the repairing of canal boats for the Schuylkill Navigation Company. Captain Hiester has a reputation on the river and canal which for many years has insured him steady and remunerative patronage. Having following his work from boyhood he is familiar with all its phases, ready for any emergency, and always the capable and reliable workman, able to do any of the varied tasks which are in the course of his work. He is well known in Reading, where he affiliates with the Masons and Odd Fellows, belonging to Chandler Lodge, No. 227; Excelsior Chapter, R. A. M.; Reading Commandery, No. 42, K. T.; and Vigilance Lodge, No. 193, I. O. O. F. He is a Republican in political opinion. In 1863 Captain Hiester married Elizabeth Wagner, daughter of Valentine and Rebecca (McKinney) Wagner, and to them have been born ten children, seven sons and three daughters: William Henry Wagner, who is a boatbuilder and framer, working with his father; Charles Franklin, a boatbuilder in the employ of the Schuylkill Navigation Company; George Washington and Jonathan G. G., both of whom are boatbuilders; Julia M., who married Philip Tumney (both are deceased); John Harrison, a boatbuilder; Carrie, wife of Irvin Peacock; James A. Garfield; Albert Arthur; and Rosa, married to Harry Markley. All of this family are members of the Reformed Church. Source: Historical and Biographical History of Berks County, Morton Montgomery, p. 716 |