Cyrus K. Ahrens, a substantial business man of Exeter township, Berks county, who is proprietor of the Esterly P.O. Fertilizing Company, was born May 2, 1844, in Ontelaunee township, son of Henry and Nancy (Xoennig) Ahrens. Cyrus K. Ahrens was educated in the public schools and in 1862 he left home to learn the harness-maker's trade in Friedensburg, with Jonathan Cleaver. This business he followed on and off until 1874, working in Allentown, Easton and Philadelphia, and finally in Washington D. C., where he was employed as U. S. hostler. He had, however, enlisted in July, 1863, for three months service in the State militia, and after his services returned to Reading, where he again engaged at his trade. He bought the business of Amos Seidel, which he sold in 1867 and entered the Philadelphia and Reading rail mill, where he worked until 1874. In 1876 he embarked in the fertilizer business at his recent location, and this enterprise he has enlarged and improved until his plant is one of the leaders in its line in Berks county. He has given his entire attention to this business, and has made a decided success. In 1896 he erected his present residence, one of the finest homes in St. Lawrence, which he has fitted with all modern improvements. In politics he is a Republican. In 1866 Mr. Ahrens was married to Hannah Haas, daughter of John Haas, of Freystown, and to this union there have been born six children: Charles, a machinist of Coatsville; Harry, a steam fitter with the Monitor Boiler Company, of Lancaster; Clara, who married James Esterly, of Reading; Kate, who married Bert Bupp, a grocer of Reading; Lillie, who married John Spotts, of Fleetwood; and Nettie, at home.

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