My Genealogy Hound

MICHAEL W. WAGNER, one of the most prominent farmers of that section of Montgomery county, was born July 1, 1833, in Lower Salford township. .He is the son of Jacob and Rebecca (Walt) Wagner.

Jacob Wagner (father) was a shoemaker for many years, and then engaged in farming, in which he was occupied to the time of his death. He died in the house now the residence of his grandson, Herbert B., having removed from Lower Salford to New Hanover about six years before his death. He was a Republican in politics, and held the office of school director for a number of years, as well as other minor offices. Jacob was a member of the Reformed church and Rebecca Wagner of the Lutheran church. They had seven children, all living, as follows: Mary, married Jacob H. Bergey, who is a farmer and resides in Lower Salford; Ellen married Samuel Heebner, a retired merchant also residing in Lower Salford; Sarah, married Edwin Brey, and resides in Perkiomenville, where he is a miller and coal dealer; Rebecca, unmarried, and residing in New Hanover; Martin, living in New Hanover township, where he is a retired farmer, his wife being Emma Smith; Jacob, married 3Iar~- Feather, living in New Hanover township, where he is a retired farmer; Michael W., subject of this sketch.

Michael Wagner (grandfather) married Mary Boger. They always resided in Lower Salford township, where he was a farmer and shoemaker. They died many years ago and were buried at Goshenhoppen cemetery. They were members of the Reformed church. He was a Republican in politics. The couple had six children, all long since deceased. The maternal grandparents were Frederick and Mary (Kruse) Walt, who resided in Upper Salford township, where he was a farmer and weaver, and a very prominent citizen. He was a Whig and Republican in politics. In religious faith the family were Lutherans, and were buried at Swamp church, as were the grandparents on his father’s side. All died at an advanced age. Mr. and Mrs. Walt had five children, all deceased. Jacob Wagner (great-grandfather) resided in Lower Salford township. He emigrated from Germany and settled in this county. His descendants are widely scattered.

Michael W. Wagner attended school until he was nineteen years of age. He then assisted his parents in farming until he was twenty-three years of age, when he married Annie, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Pennypacker) Bertolet. Samuel Bertolet was a miller and farmer, and died many years ago. He was a Republican in politics, and held the office of justice of the peace for many years, as well as minor offices. He was a member of the Mennonite church. The couple had nine children.

On his marriage, Michael W. Wagner engaged in farming in Lower Salford, where he remained six years. He then located where he now resides, rebuilding and improving the house and barn on the farm, which is one of the finest in that section of Montgomery county, containing sixty-one acres. He was a school director for many years, and still serves in that capacity. He is prominent in several corporations and is president of the Creamery Company. He is a member of the Knights of the Mystic Chain, No. 71, Fagleysville.

Mr. and Mrs. Wagner have had five children, of whom four survive: Samuel, married Catharine Grubb, and they reside in Berks county, where he is a miller and farmer, they having five children; Elizabeth, unmarried, and resides with her parents, being a dressmaker; Jacob, married Elma Feather, and they manage his father’s farm in New Hanover, having three children living and one deceased: Herbert, married Alice Steltz, and they reside in New Hanover, where he is a school teacher, being a graduate of the West Chester Normal School. They have no children.