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John A. Hiester, alderman of the Sixth ward, Reading, and one of that city's most prominent and influential citizens, is descended from the Hiesters who have been prominent in Pennsylvania affairs for so many years. John Hiester, grandfather of John A., was a farmer of Berks county, as was also his son, Benneville, the father of the alderman. Benneville Hiester died in 1857, aged forty-two years. His wife was Sarah Brown, daughter of Daniel Brown, a well known farmer of Berks county. They had six children: Henry died in 1866, aged nineteen years; Daniel F. is a carpenter; Amanda married Isaac Menviller, a farmer of Berks county; Sarah m. James Keller, of Kansas; Emma m. Joshua A. Schlegel, of Topeka Kans.; and John A. John A. Hiester was born in Cumru (now Spring) township, Berks county, Sept. 21, 1846, and was educated in the public schools. When nearly twelve years old his father died, and, after working on a farm for a time, young Hiester went to Monroe county, where he had charge of a sawmill. Tiring of this he located in North Heidelberg and became a farmer. His friends elected him judge of election as well as a member of the school board. In 1882 Mr. Hiester removed to Reading and established a livery and boarding stable, and this business, still owned and managed by him has grown to large proportions. Mr. Hiester served efficiently as a director of the poor for nine years, so efficiently, indeed, that he was elected alderman of the Sixth ward of Reading, on the Democratic ticket (although the ward was largely Republican) in February 1903. While a resident of Bernville, in 1876, Mr. Hiester was elected chief burgess of the place although only thirty years old at the time. Mr. Hiester was married in 1872 to Catherine E. Weber, daughter of Z. Weber, a carpenter of Bernville. Ten children have been born to this union; Charles, who died at the age of three years; Mary M. has been employed in the U.S. Mint Service at Philadelphia since 1894; Martha m. Edwin Larum, a clerk at the Philadelphia and Reading freight station at Reading; John C. is a carpenter of Reading; Vernon was mustered out of the army in the summer of 1904, after serving three years, two years of which were spent in the Philippine Islands, where he was made provost sergeant; James D. and Herbert are at Reading; Eleanor is at home; and Arthur and Catherine are at school. Alderman Hiester belongs to Mt. Penn Lodge No. 65, K. of P.; K.G.E., No. 49; the Home Circle; the Literary Society; Schuylkill Fire Company, No. 12, and to the uniformed rank of this company. In his religious affiliations he is connected with the Reformed Church. The alderman has two offices, one being at No. 10 North Third street, and the other at No. 20, the same street. Source: Historical and Biographical History of Berks County, Morton Montgomery, p. 510 |