Robert Ammarell Sr. ^{1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9}

   FamilySearch ID: L6PH-74X.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. He immigrated from Hamburg on the ship Robert Pier on 10 May 1854 to New York, New York, NY. ^{1 5 10}

2. He was naturalized Common Pleas Court of Berks County on 12 Oct 1863 in Reading, Berks, PA. ¹⁰

3. Occupation: farmer on 28 Jul 1891 in Bern Twp., Berks, PA. ¹⁰

4. He was described as 5 feet 8 inches, grey eyes, gray hair on 28 Jul 1891 in Reading, Berks, PA. ¹⁰

5. Book: Historical and Biographical Annals of Berks County, 1909. ¹
John B. Ammarell, a well known and highly esteemed resident of Bern Township, Berks Co, Pa., who is acting in the capacity of organist at Epler's Church, was born at Reeser's Mill, in Bern township, Aug. 25, 1862, son of Robert and Catherine (Beecher) Ammarell.

Frederick Ammarell, grandfather of John B., was a son of Frederick Ammarell, Sr., who died in Germany. The grandfather was born April 16, 1809, at Weimar, Saxony, Germany, and was educated in the schools of his native county, where he also learned the trade of a carpenter. He came to America in August, 1854, landing at New York after a voyage of eight weeks in a sailing vessel. For a short time he remained with relatives in that city, and then came to Northampton county, Pa., where he was engaged in boat-building, later, however, coming to Berks county and locating at Felix's Dam, in Bern township. He died at the home of his son in Bern township, Jan 3, 1886.

Frederick Ammarell married Rosalie Manz, who died in Germany when about sixty-five years of age, and to them the following children were born: Louisa married a Mr. Beck, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Robert; Charles died in infancy; Charles (2) of Reading, PA.; Lena married a Mr. Danz; and Alma married Draugott Hot.

Robert Ammarell was born Jan. 3, 1840, at Weimar, Saxony, Germany, and accompanied his father to America in August, 1854. In Newark, N.J., the youth learned the saddler's trade, but did not immediately take up that occupation. He traveled to Reading, Pa., walking part of the way and finishing the journey by rail, and soon thereafter became a canal-boat driver. He made only one trip, however, this consuming two weeks, after which he settled in Bern township, taking up his residence at the home of the widow of Samuel Althouse, where he lived for five years. He then lived for two years with George Zacharias, and on Sept. 14, 1861, was married to Catherine Beecher, who was born Aug. 9, 1838, in Bern township, daughter of John and Susan (Smith) Beecher.

After his marriage, Mr. Ammarell worked for Jonathan Reeser for three years, when he engaged in farming for himself for two years on a tract near Stouchsburg, in Marion township. The next quarter of a century, Mr. Ammarell spent on the Althouse farm in Bern township, and at the end of this long period of faithful, industrious effort, he took up residence on his own six-acre tract in Bern township, at Epler's Church, where he still lives. Since 1898 he has been conducting and operating a cider press at the "Leinbach Hotel," and during this season has a large and lucrative trade.

A Democrat in politics, Mr. Ammarell has served for nine years as school director, and has been supervisor for thirteen years. He is a Lutheran member of Epler's Church, in which he has served in all offices and is now acting in the capacity of elder.

He and his wife became the parents of the following children: John B.; Kate, born Oct. 22, 1864, m. James Reeser, and is living at Reading; George, born May 25, 1867, m. Emma Shadel, and resides in Ontelaunee township; Emma, born April 20, 1868, m. Mayberry Mengel, and lives in Reading; Mary, born Aug. 30, 1870, m. Lawrence Wagman, and lives in Muhlenberg township; Robert, born Dec. 25, 1871, m. Lillie Olinger, and is a railroad man of Reading; Harrison, born Aug. 25, 1874, m. Mamie Leib, and is now teaching Stoudt school, in Bern township; and Frederick, born Dec. 3, 1877, m Nora Aulenbach, and is a rural free delivery mail carrier, in charge of route No.2, from Reading.

John B. Ammarell received his preliminary mental training in the public schools, later spent two terms at the Kutztown State Normal School, and also attended the Mine Hole Summer School in Bern township for a time. Until twenty years of age he worked for his father, and 1880 received his license to teach from County Superintendent S. A. Baer. In 1882, under Prof. David S Keck, then county superintendent of schools, he received his professional certificate. In all he taught five terms, having charge of the Mine Hole, Mechanicsville and Epler schools in Bern township, and he then left the profession to take up farming, at which he was occupied for five years.

In 1890, Mr. Ammerell came to his present place, where he has charge of the church property, a tract of about ten acres, and is also engaged as organist of Epler's Church, Gernant's in Ontelaunee township, and Hinnershitz Church in Tuckerton. Mr. Ammerell's enterprise has extended in various directions, and he is engaged in the monument business, hiring three skilled workmen at his yard at the church. He belongs to the Lutheran denomination. He is secretary of the church, and is also secretary of the board of trustees of the cemetery.

In political matters Mr. Ammerell is a 'Democrat' and he has served very acceptably as township auditor, and school director for six years, part of which time he was secretary. He served as delegate to the State Democratic Conventions at Altoona and Harrisburg. In 1908 he was appointed clerk in the Berks county recorder's office, his duties being to transcribe old indexes, which in addition to being a very important task is a very large and tedious one. Fraternally he is connected with Camp No. 165, P.O. S. of A. at Leesport, which he has represented as State delegate several times; Leesport Castle No. 503. K.G.E.; and Leesport Camp, No. 9284, Modern Woodmen of America.

In 1882 Mr. Ammerell was united in marriage with Catherine R. Matz, daughter of John and Susan (Fisher) Matz, of Bern township, and three children have been born to them, namely: Winfield H., Raymond R. and John S.

Winfield H. Ammarell, M. D. , who has recently been elected resident physician at the Reading Hospital, is a senior in the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania. He was born Jan. 10, 1886, in Bern township, and attended the schools there until 1900, when he entered Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown. In the spring of the first year he received his first provisional certificate, under Prof. E. M. Rapp, and for two successive years he taught the Mine Hole school in Bern. In the spring of 1902 he entered the middle year class of the Keystone State Normal and was graduated from that institution in 1904. The following year he taught the Mechanicsville school in Bern.

While a student at Normal, Dr. Ammarell took great interest in Y.M.C.A. work. He was a delegate of the organization to Lebanon, Bucknell University, and to the Northfield, Mass., Students Conference in the spring of 1903. For two years he served as 'Eagle' correspondent at the Normal, doing excellent work. During the spring of 1905 he taught at the Perkiomen Seminary, Pennsburg, at the same time studying subjects along the medical line. In the fall of 1905 he entered the Freshman class of the University of Pennsylvania, Medical Department, at which institution he is now a member of the senior class. He is a member of the Omega Upsilon Phi fraternity, of the Charles K. Mills Neurological Medical Society, and is secretary of the Berks County Club of the U. of P. He is also a member of the Kappa Phi fraternity.

Raymond R. Ammarell, , a member of the sophomore class of Muhlenberg College, was born July 29, 1887, in Bern township, and attended its schools until 1903, when he was granted a township graduation diploma by Prof. E. M. Rapp. In the same spring he entered the junior class of Keystone State Normal and was graduated from that institution in 1905. While a student at Normal, Mr. Ammarell was a member of the Keystone Literary Society and an ardent supporter of the Y.M.C.A. In 1905 he served as a delegate to the State convention of the Y.M.C.A. held in Johnstown, Pa. After graduation, Mr. Ammarell taught the school at Mechanicsville, Bern township, for one year. The following year he was called to East Catasauqua, Hanover Township, Lehigh county, where he taught the grammar school very successfully for one year. In the spring of 1907 he was awarded his teacher's master diploma by the Normal School. While a teacher and during the summer months, Mr. Ammarell did special work in German and Greek. In the fall of 1907 he entered the Freshman class of Muhlenberg College at Allentown. He is a member of the Euterpea Literary Society and secretary of the Keystone Club.

John S. Ammarell, born March 1, 1898, in Bern township, is a student in Stoudt's Union School.

6. Cause of Death: Robert died at Reading Hospital due to chronic nephritis, 10 Sep 1921, Reading, Berks, PA. ¹¹

7. Residence: 704 N. 13th Street, Reading, Pa. On 10 Sep 1921 in Reading, Berks, PA. ¹¹

8. Obituary: Reading Times: Robert Ammarell on 15 Sep 1921 in Reading, Berks, PA. ⁶ AMMARELL -- In Bern Township, on the 10th inst., Robert Ammarell, aged 82 years. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral, without further notice, from the residence of his son, John Ammarell. Bern Township, near Epler's church, Friday at 2 p. m., Standard time. Services at Epler's church. Interment in cemetery adjoining.

9. Newspaper: Reading Eagle: Ammarell Reunion in Bern Church Grove, 2 Sep 1933, Reading, Berks, PA. ² The descendants of Robert Ammarell held their first reunion n Bern Church picnic grove. The organization resulted in the following being elected: President, John B. Ammarell; vice presidents, Alfred Kott, Robert Ammarell Jr.; secretary, Mrs. W. H. Ammarell; treasurer, Fred B. Ammarell.

The family council, consisting of grandchildren, was selected as follows: Dr. W. H. Ammarell, Samuel Reeser, Anna Degler, Edwin Mengel, Grace Kott, Kate Becker, Ruth Bagenstose, Allen Ammarell.

Dr. W. H. Ammarell spoke on the character and integrity of Robert Ammarell and his wife. John B. Ammarell read the family history. Lunch was served. Quoting contests were enjoyed.

Settled in Bern.

Robert Ammarell was born in Weimar, Saxony, Germany, Jan. 3, 1840, son of Frederick and Rosalie Ammarell. Robert Ammarell and his father migrated to America and arrived in New York August, 1854, after an eight-week voyage on a sailing vessel. In Newark, N.J., he learned the saddler's trade, but did not follow it. He traveled to Reading. Here he became a coal boat driver, making only one trip. He then settled in Bern township. Sept. 14, 1861, he married Catherine Beechert. He followed farming for a period of 27 years. He was school director for nine years and supervisor for 21 years. He was a member of the Epler's Lutheran congregation. He died Sept. 10, 1921, attaining the age of 81 years, 8 months and 7 days.

10. Newspaper: Reading Times: Ammarells Hold First Reunion, 4 Sep 1933, Reading, Berks, PA. ⁵ AMMARELLS HOLD FIRST REUNION
Descendants of Robert Ammarell Gather in Bern Church Grove
BERNE, Sept. 3 -- First reunion of the Ammarell family was held in the Bern church picnic grove. The founder of the family was Robert Ammarell, who came to America in 1854, and settled in Bern township. An address on his life and character was delivered by Dr. W. H. Ammarell. These officers were elected: President, John B. Ammarell; vice presidents, Alfred Kott, Robert Ammarell, Jr.; secretary, Mrs. W. H. Ammarell; treasurer, Fred B. Ammarell.
The family council, consisting of grandchildren, was selected as follows: Dr. W. H. Ammarell, Samuel Reeser, Anna Degler, Edwin Mengel, Grace Kott, Kate Becker, Ruth Bagenstose, Allen Ammarell.
Those Present
Following were present: Mr. and Mrs. John B. Ammarell, Mrs. Kate Reeser, Mr. and Mrs. George B. Ammarell, Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Ammarell, Mr. and Mrs. Harry B. Ammarell, Mr. and Mrs. Fred B. Ammarell, Dorothy Ammarell, Mrs. Robert Mengel, Mary Ammarell, Nancy Mengel, Wilson M, Mengel, Mrs. Charles Becker, Harry Becker, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ammarell, John Mengel, Dr. and Mrs. W. H. Ammarell, Mrs. Susan Bernet, Mrs. Alma Kott, Mrs. John D. Reeser, Richard T. Reeser, James E. Reeser, Mrs. Elsie W. Reeser, Dorothy Reeser, Earl Mengel, Alfred Kott, Mr. and Mrs. John Wegman, Betty Jane Wegman, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Griesemer, Harold Griesemer, Elizabeth Griesemer, Bertha Mengel, Luther H. Ammarell, Mary E. Ammarell, William Ammarell, Luther Ammarell, Jr., Melvin Mengel, Katherine Degler, Mrs. Anna Degler, Arthur S. Bagenstose, Mrs. Arthur S. Bagenstose, Fern E. Bagenstose, Carl L. Bagenstose, June M. Bagenstose, Mrs. Thomas Stevenson, Mrs. Marie Stevenson, Thomas, Donald, Richard and Lillian Stevenson, Alfred Kott, Jr., Helen Kott, Mrs. Grace E. Kott, Mabery W. Mengel, Robert R. Ammarell, Richard G. Ammarell, Russell Mengel, Roberta Mengel, Robert W, Mengel, R. Frederick Ammarell, Mary Rothenberger, Harry F. Ammarell, Robert L. Ammarell, Paul H. Ammarell, Mrs. Paul H. Ammarell, Mrs. Robert L. Ammarell, Mr. and Mrs. Allen A. Ammarell, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin A. Mengel, Alfred Mengel, Violet Mengel, Grace Mengel, Frank Reeser, Luther Reeser, Marie H. Ammarell, James H. Ammarell.

Robert married Catherine Beecher, daughter of John Beecher III and Susan Schmidt, on 14 Sep 1861 in , Berks, PA.^{1 2} (Catherine Beecher was born on 9 Aug 1838 in Bern Twp., Berks, PA,^{1 4 13 14} died on 25 Apr 1912 in Bern Twp., Berks, PA ^{4 13 14 15} and was buried on 30 Apr 1912 in Bern Twp.: Epler's Church Cemetery, Berks, PA ^{4 13 14 15}.)