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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania published in 1904 by T. S. Benham & Company and The Lewis Publishing Company; Elwood Roberts, Editor.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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SAMUEL E. BRECHT. The Brecht family are of German origin, the father of Samuel E. Brecht, John G. Brecht, having emigrated from Germany to the United States. Conrad Brecht (grandfather) was a resident of Wurtemberg, Germany, being a farmer and silk weaver. Among his children was John G., born on the homestead in that country. He was educated in the schools of the vicinity, coming with his father to the United States to escape being compelled to serve in the army. They located in Hatfield township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, where they engaged in farming. John G., on reaching manhood, married Catherine Ernst. They had the following children: Elizabeth, Jacob, Louisa, George, Abraham, Sarah, and Samuel E., subject of this sketch.

Samuel E. Brecht was born on the homestead in Hatfield, on what is now known as the Cowpath road. He was educated in the public schools, and removed with his parents to the state of Ohio, where he remained for a year, and then returned to Pennsylvania, locating for a time in Lancaster county, and later removing to New Britain township, Bucks county. The mother died in Lancaster county. The family removed finally to Franconia township, in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. Samuel E. Brecht started for himself in the trucking and marketing business. Later he bought a farm and went into the same business with his brother, John E. Brecht, who is now deceased. He then engaged in business as a commission merchant in Philadelphia, and continued that for some time with success. He married Miss Annie Hallman, daughter of Michael Hallman, of Skippack township, Montgomery county. Later he bought the farm of his father-in-law, and removed to it, conducting the commission and dairy business on a very extensive scale. This he continued for a time, and later he retired and removed to his present home in the borough of Lansdale. Mr. and Mrs. Brecht have the following children: Miriam, married, first, Wilson Bean, who died, and she married several years afterwards, Jacob Garner, they having two children; Annie (deceased) married Edmund Godshalk; and Mary, married Dr. VanHorn.

Samuel E. Brecht is an active Republican. He is a good financier, and has invested his money so as to realize the greatest possible benefit from it. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In religious faith he is a Methodist. He is liberal in his religious views and with his charities. He owns considerable real estate, and has always had good success with such investments. He is much respected by the community. He resides in a beautiful house in Lansdale, and is surrounded with all the comforts of life.

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This family biography is one of more than 1,000 biographies included in the Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania published in 1904 by T. S. Benham & Company and The Lewis Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

View additional Montgomery County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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