Bios of George, & John ~ PA
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PAINTER, GEORGE WASHINGTON, p.1466
Surnames: PAINTER, LOOSE, SPAHN, SPANGLER, RICE, MILLER, TICE, SMITH, DUNDORE, GOCKLEY, SHOEMAKER, PEIFFER, KUNKLEMAN, MERTZ, STELTZ
George Washington Painter, foreman of the molding department of the Orr & Sembower Engine and boiler works, at Millmont, Pa., was born April 18, 1860, at Bernville, Berks, county, son of Rev. Joseph and Molly (Loose) Painter.
Jacob Painter, grandfather of George W., was a farmer and furnace worker in Chester county, Pa., where his death occurred. Rev. Joseph Painter, his son, was born Dec. 3, 1822, in Chester county but most of his life has been spent in Myerstown, where he has a fine residence on Main street. He was for many years engaged in the foundry business, in which he was very successful, and he is now living retired enjoying the fruits of his early labors. In politics Mr. Painter is a Republican, and he has served as county commissioner of Lebanon county, and school director of Jackson township in that county. In the United Evangelical Church of Myerstown he has held all the offices, was licensed a minister of the church, and has preached the Word in different sections of his own surrounding counties.
Rev. Mr. Painter married Molly Loose, daughter of John Loose, of Lancaster county, and to them were born eleven children: John, who m. (first) Mary Spahn, and (second) a lady whose first name was Martha; Jacob, who m. (first) Fannie Spangler, (second) Beckie Rice, and (third) Agnes Miller; Stephen, of Beverly, Kans., who m. (first) Sallie Tice, and (second) Barbara Smith; Joseph, who m. Kate Dundore; Anna, who m. Milton Gockley; George W.; Mary who m. John Spangler; Tillie, who m. John Shoemaker; Lizzie, who married George Peiffer; Samuel, who married; and an infant son.
George W. Painter was taken to Myerstown by his parents when three years old, and at that place he secured his education in the public schools. When fifteen years old he left school, and commenced to learn the molding trade in Myerstown, and this he has followed ever since. In 1894 he took charge of the molding department of Orr & Sembower's plant at Millmont, where he also has charge of the pattern department, having in his employ forty-five men. He resides in his own home in Millmont, and is also the owner of two fine properties on McKnight street, Reading. He is a Republican in politics, and fraternally is connected with Camp No. 65, P. O. S. of A., Lebanon, Pa.; Oley Lodge, No. 218, I. O. O. F., of Reading; and Mount Penn Encampment, No. 252. Mr. and Mrs. Painter are members of the United Evangelical Church of Myerstown.
On June 18, 1879, Mr. Painter married Adeline Kunkleman, daughter of John and Catharine (Mertz) Kunkleman, and to this union there were born six children: Joseph, who died in infancy; Laura M. who m. S. F. Steltz, a teacher of Reading; Martha, unmarried at home; Paul and Arthur, who died in infancy; and Myron E., at home.
PAINTER, JOHN R., p. 823
Surnames: PAINTER, THOMAS, LEWIS, BULL, MCCORD, EVANS, KEHR, ORR, SHEELER, BULL, POSEY, SCHICK, NAGLE, RASER, HALDERMAN, RHODA, ERNOLD, GRUBB, PAUL, CORT
John R. Painter (deceased), who for many years was one of Reading's prominent business factors, was born Jan. 19, 1823, in Chester county, Pa., son of John and Margaret (Thomas) Painter. The parents of Mr. Painter were also natives of Chester county, but they were of Scotch-Irish ancestry. The father was a farmer in moderate circumstances, who lived and reared his family in the neighborhood of St. Mary's, where he gave them every advantage in his power as to schooling and position in life. His children were: Frederick and Ezekiel (both deceased), Eliza (m. John Lewis), Sarah (now deceased, m. Thomas Bull), Annie (m. a Mr. McCord), Rachel (m. Lot Evans, and died at the age of ninety years), Margaret (m. John Painter), Catherine (m. John Kehr) and John R.
John R. Painter was still a child when his father died, in 1829, and only a youth when his mother passed away ten years later. His education was obtained in the common schools of Chester county and he supported himself by working for neighboring farmers until he was eighteen years of age, when he secured a position with the Isabella Furnace Company. There he learned the molder's trade, which he followed at Spring City, Philadelphia and Linfield, until 1867, when he was considered a competent and experienced man in this business. In the year mentioned Mr. Painter came to Reading, where in association with Jess Orr, Jasper Sheeler, Elijah Bull, Henry Posey, William Schick, Peter Nagle and others, he organized the Reading Stove Works. This firm did an immense business from the start, each member being skilled in the various departments of the industry. The plant was enlarged from time to time to meet increased demands and it became one of the largest stove foundries in Pennsylvania. Their trade connections covered the whole world. This company had the reputation of never having discharged a man who did his duty, and a remarkable fact is that workers were so anxious to enter the employ of this just firm that applications would be filed years ahead, many waiting for mechanics to die to fill their places.
In this company Mr. Painter's personality largely entered. While he possessed business keenness and executive ability of a high order, his character was that of a man of high principles and no man could ever rightfully accuse him of injustice. His charities increased in proportion to his means, and as he was wholly without ostentation, the world will never know the extent of his good deeds. His relations with his associates and with his army of employes were cordial and friendly and the latter knew that in him they always had a friend. Personally his tastes were simple and his happiest hours were those spent at his own fireside. His lamented death took place Dec. 12, 1883, after an illness of two years duration. His afflictions were borne with patience and forbearance. The death of such a man as John R. Painter was indeed a loss to Reading, where his memory will long remain green.
Mr. Painter was married (first) to Rebecca Raser, a native of Montgomery county, Pa., and they had seven children namely: Clara m. George Halderman, of Reading; Enoch T. is of the firm of Prizer & Painter, stove manufacturers; John is deceased; Brooks resides at Reading; Hannah, deceased, m. William Rhoda; Lewis lives in Chicago, Ill.; and Margaret m. Howard Ernold. Mr. Painter's first wife died in 1865, and in 1869 he m. (second) Rebecca Haller Grubb, widow of Henry Grubb, of Chester county, by whom she had one child, Ella, who m. Charles F. Paul, and they have three children-Dorothy G., Mary R. and Emily S. One child was born to her marriage with John R. Painter, Lydia, wife of Prof. Ambrose Cort, of New York City.
Mrs. Painter resides at No. 454 Douglass street. When a young girl she united with the Reformed Church, and she has been prominently identified with the work of that denomination to the present time. Mr. Painter was a member of St. Peter's M. E. Church. In politics he was a Republican. He was a charter member of Welcome Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Philadelphia