ALBERT JACOB BRUMBACH
Albert Jacob's Lineage:

Hermanus Emanuel Brumbach 1751 - 1803
***Jacob Brumbach 1780 - 1873
******William Brumbach 1814 - 1869
*********Albert Jacob Brumbach 1840 -

Albert was born at Brumbach's Woolen Mills in Exeter Twp., Berks Co., Pa., on Oct. 11, 1840. He was educated in the public schools and at Lee's Academy in Reading until he was 14 years old, when his father placed him in his woolen mills to practically learn the business.

Upon becoming of age he purchased the property, and it was soon (1864) destroyed by fire. It was immediately rebuilt upon an enlarged scale and named the St. Lawrence Mills, after a certain grade of woolen cloth which his father, William Brumbach, had begun to manufacture there in 1856, and to sell through a commission house in Philadelphia. The building is of stone, two stories high, and has three sets of machines run by steam as well as by water power from the Antietam Creek. Seventy hands are employed through commission houses and merchants in Philadelphia until 1870, and, until 1895, by traveling salesmen throught out the U. S. In the latter year Mr. Brumbach established a fine three-story factory employing 100 hands in Reading for the manufacture of trousers and vests, and has since been converting the St. Lawrence Mills product into these articles, for which he has a large and increasing demand.

In addition to successfully conducting the two plants above mentioned, Mr. Brumbach is extensively interested in other enterprises. He took an active part in establishing the Oley Turnpike from Black Bear to Pleasantville, acting as a director of the corporation until 1878, and as secretary since then. He was active in the building of the East Reading Electric Ry., in 1888, and continues to serve as its only president. He assisted in establishing the Penn National Bank, March 3, 1883, serving continuously as director, and as president since 1897--this bank in its April, 1912, statement showed resources of over two and a half million dollars. He is director in Reading Cold Storage & Ice Co. (1902), Printz Furniture & Carpet Co. 1907). He was prominently connected with the rebuilding of the Schwartzwald Church (1870) of which he is a member, and was secretary of its cemetery company until 1901.

He has affiliated with the Free Masons at Reading since 1861; has never sought or held public office; Republican; residence 1013 Penn St., Reading, Pa.

On Dec. 26, 1861 Mr. Brumbach married Sarah Ann Dunkel, born Jan. 26, 1839; daughter of Solomon and Elizabeth Althouse Dunkel of Exeter Twp., Berks Co., Pa. They had six children:

1. Ida Elizabeth, born Sept. 28, 1862; died May 11, 1907. She married Charles
Thomas Stockton Snyder.
2. Solomon A., born Aug. 8, 1864. He married Margaret Martin
Ermantraut.
3. William D., born Jne 11, 1866. He married Edwina Jack.
4. Albert D., born June 30, 1870. He married Carrie Esterly.
5. Katie Geneva, born April 9, 1874. She married William Joseph
Ermantraut, born June 15, 1873. He was the son of Joseph Clivis and
Mary (Krick) Ermantraut. Mr. Ermantraut was reared at Reading, Pa.,
received a common school education; was a machinest and resided in
Reading. They had no children.

6. Emma, born March 17, 1876. She married Custer Ammon, born at
Flourtown, Pa., Nov. 11, 1869, son of James S. and Susanna M.
(Custer) Ammon. Mr. Ammon graduated from the Boys High School, Reading, Pa.,
(1888), taking the medal for oratory. At age of 20 he was supt. of
his father's quarries; later went into the retail coal business under
the firm name of Ammon and Bro., and continued in it for 15 years.
He was a salesman for Hatfield and Hilles (wholesale coal dealers).
They resided in Reading and had no children.

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