Addams, William b. April 11, 1777 d. May 30, 1858 US Congressman. Twice elected as a Jacksonian Democrat to represent Pennsylvania's 7th District in the United States House of Representatives, he served from 1825 to 1829. Born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, he moved to Berks County in the early 1800s, and became involved in local politics for over 30 years. His elected and appointed positions included county auditor (1813 to 1814), as a member of the county commission (1814 to 1817), and associate county justice (1839 to 1842). From 1822...[Read More] (Bio by: Robert Edwards) Sinking Spring Cemetery, Sinking Spring, Berks County, Pennsylvania, USA
Burt, James Montross b. July 18, 1917 d. February 15, 2006 World War II Congressional Medal of Honour Recipient. A native of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, he entered service in Lee, Massachusetts. He served as a Captain in the United States Army, Company B, 66th Armoured Regiment, 2d Armoured Division. He was awarded his medal for action near Wurselen, Germany, on October 13, 1944. His citation reads-Citation: Capt. James M. Burt was in command of Company B, 66th Armored Regiment on the western outskirts of Wurselen, Germany, on 13 October 1944, when his...[Read More] (Bio by: K) Sinking Spring Cemetery, Sinking Spring, Berks County, Pennsylvania, USA
Specht, Paul b. March 24, 1895 d. April 11, 1954 Musician, Big-Band Leader. In the realm of popular dance music in the 1920’s, Berks County’s Paul Specht was one of the U.S.’s big three; the two others were VincentLopez and Paul Whiteman. So famous was Specht that he was chosen over Whiteman to play for Hoover’s 1929 inaugural ball. Additionally, his was the first orchestra to broadcast for RCA, the first to make a sound motion picture (DeForrest’s Phonofilms), and the first to broadcast over a nationwide radio network of 109 stations. Paul...[Read More] (Bio by: gmmix) Sinking Spring Cemetery, Sinking Spring, Berks County, Pennsylvania, USA
b. July 18, 1917 d. February 15, 2006