BIOS: William BERKEY, Stoystown, Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of 
Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, Biographical Review 
Publishing Company: 1899, ppg 113-114.

  William Berkey, a retired agriculturist of Stoyestown borough, a veteran of 
the Civil War, and one of the most respected citizens of Quemahoning township, 
was born in Conemaugh township, Somerset County, Pa., August 4, 1823.  But 
little is known of his remote ancestors.  His father, Jacob Berkey, was the 
eldest of the four children reared by Joseph Berkey, a farmer in the Paint 
township, Somerset county.
  Jacob Berkey was born in Paint, Pa., and was there brought up in the manner of 
the farmers' sons of his day, throughout his boyhood attending school during the 
winter terms, and at the other seasons doing his full share of work on the home 
farm.  On reaching man's estate he bought land in Quemahoning, where he was 
prosperously employed as a tiller of the soil until his death, at the age of 
seventy-nine years.  He took an active interest in the welfare of the town, and 
was universally respected.  In politics he was a Republican, and in his 
religious belief a Lutheran, influential in the denomination, and for many years 
a Deacon and Elder in the Lutheran church, to which both he and his wife 
belonged.  Mrs. Berkey's maiden name was Elizabeth Sadoris.  She was born in 
Quemahoning, a daughter of William and Catherine (Maurer) Sadoris.  She was the 
mother of nine children, of whom four are living, namely: William, the special 
subject of this sketch; Mary; Louise; and Jacob, Jr.  Mary, whose first husband, 
John Spiecher, died, leaving three children-William, Franklin, and John-is now 
the wife of Samuel Fleegle.  Louise is the wife of Gideon Berkebile, and has six 
children-Jane, Amzi, Howard, Fernandi, Martha, and Mary.
  William Berkey obtained his education in the common schools of Quemahoning, 
and while assisting his father acquired a practical knowledge of agriculture.  
In 1864 he enlisted for a term of nine months, or until the close of the war, in 
Company K, Ninety-third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Captain A. 
Gruber, and with his brave comrades saw some severe service, more especially in 
the various engagements in the vicinity of Petersburg, just before the surrender 
of General Lee.  On returning home he resumed farming at the old homestead in 
Quemahoning, where he met with eminent success, and accumulated a fine property, 
having been at one time the owner of eight hundred acres of land in this 
locality.  In 1883, having transferred his farm to his son, Jeremiah, he moved 
with his family to his present home in Stoyestown.
  On March 26, 1846, Mr. Berkey married Caroline Maurer, who was born June 8, 
1827, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Walker) Maurer, and a grand-daughter of 
George and Catherine (Coleman) Walker.  Mr. and Mrs. Berkey have had thirteen 
children.  The eight now living are: Albert, Herman W., Catherine E., Jeremiah, 
Jacob M., Amanda, Minerva, and Idella C.  Albert, the eldest, born February 27, 
1847, married Elizabeth Menser.  They have two children, namely: Irving, whose 
wife, Rose Kautz, has borne him two children-Ethel and an infant (deceased); and 
Luther.  Herman W., born March 16, 1849, married Elmira Grady, and has three 
children-Charles E., John W., and Naomi C.  Catherine E., born June 7, 1851, is 
the wife of John J. Bowman, and has six children-Nora I., Annie G., Mollie J., 
Carrie E., Olive P., and Royal C.  Jeremiah, born December 6, 1852, first 
married Annie Fisher, who died leaving three children-Harvey G., William A., and 
Carrie.  He afterward married Mrs. Mary E. Engle, born Bowman.  Jacob M., born 
June 18, 1856, now superintendent of schools in Johnstown, Pa., married Martha 
Lane, and has four children-Florence, Hilda, Paul and Lorene.  Amanda, born 
March 8, 1858, is the wife of Espy Trostle, and has five children-Carrie, Mary, 
Grace, William and Franklin.  Minerva, born May 16, 1860, is the wife of 
Valentine Muller, and has one child, Florence.  Idella C., born January 10, 
1870, is the wife of Franklin B. Ott, and has one child, Claude Russell.
  Mr. and Mrs. Berkey are both members of the Lutheran church, which he has 
served as a Deacon and Elder, having been very active in church affairs.  
Politically, he is a strong Republican.