My Genealogy Hound

HORACE REIGNER, flour miller and dealer in agricultural implements, was born in Lower Pottsgrove township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1858. He is the son of Jesse B. and Angeline G. (Bickel) Reigner, both natives of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. They had four children: Horace; Mary J., wife of George Haws of Cedarville, Chester county, Pennsylvania; Ida K., wife of Jonas A. Klup of Chester county; Annie E., wife of Milton E. Dewalt of Royersford, Pennsylvania.

Jesse B. Reigner (father) was a farmer residing in Montgomery county during his early life. Later he removed to Chester county, where he now owns a farm. For the past thirteen years he has lived retired in Pottstown. He and his wife are members of the Reformed church. He was a school director for a number of years. Jacob Reigner (grandfather) was born in Philadelphia. He removed to Montgomery county in the early part of his life. He was a blacksmith and a farmer, and was supervisor for many years. His wife was Lydia Gilbert, and they had nine children, six sons and three daughters. He lived to an advanced age, as did also his wife. His grandfather, or the great-great-grandfather of Horace Reigner, was Johan Reigner, who came from Germany to this country, and was the founder of the American branch of the family. He died in Falkner’s Swamp, New Hanover township, Montgomery county. George Bickel (maternal grandfather) was born in Pennsylvania, and spent all his life in Montgomery county. His wife’s maiden name was Gilbert. They had three sons and three daughters. Both died at an advanced age.

Horace Reigner lived for twenty years in Chester county, South Coventry township. He was reared on the farm, and attended the district schools. He attended the Pottstown high school and Penn Hall Academy, and afterwards taught four terms. He started in the mercantile business in Pottstown on April 11, 1881 and continued in that for about five years. In 1886 he built a flour mill, which was destroyed by fire in 1898. He immediately rebuilt the mill, and the new building was completed the following May. In connection with the flour mill he conducts an agricultural implement establishment.

On September 25, 1880, Horace Reigner married Miss Sarah Catharine Roberts, daughter of William E. and Ann (Gotwals) Roberts. They had two sons: Lewis Evan and J. Harold. Mr. and Mrs. Reigner are members of the Trinity Reformed church. Politically he is a Democrat, and was school director for several years. He resides at 215 High street, where he built a home in 1889.

Mrs. Reigner’s mother was born in Union township, Berks county, and her father in Philadelphia. They had two children: Adelaide, wife of George J. Felker, of Morton, Pennsylvania; and Sarah Catharine, wife of Horace Reigner. Mrs. Reigner’s paternal grandfather was William Roberts, a native of Wales. His wife was Sarah Moore. They lived in Philadelphia and had six children. Mrs. Reigner’s maternal grandfather was Henry Gotwals, born in Pennsylvania. He was a farmer. His wife was Hanna Walters, and they had seven children. Henry Gotwals lived to an advanced age, and his wife to the age of ninety-six years.