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View Tree for Peter ReishPeter Reish (b. 1761, d. May 10, 1837)

Peter Reish (son of Ulrich (Wollrich) Reisht and Maria Lichtie) was born 1761 in Cumru Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, and died May 10, 1837 in Union County, Pennsylvania. He married Susannah Shiffler.

 Includes NotesNotes for Peter Reish:
Notes for PETER REISH:

The earliest reference to Peter Reish is in his fathers will and the Berks Co. records. He, Peter Reish, was a Miller in 1791 with 1 horse and 2 cows. According to the 1792 tax records of Berks Co., Penna., he was the
owner of a grist mill.

The following references can be sighted from Berks Co., Penna.
vol. 17 page 93 May 10, 1800
vol. 20 page 51 June 14, 1803
vol. 23 page 364 April 5, 1809

Peter, his wife, and children moved to Union Co. about 1810. He purchased 150 acres and 69 perches from Mathew Irwin. He was then listed as a resident of Maiden Creek Twp., Berks Co., Penna. See Book D page 453
of Union Co., Penna.

Peter Reish was enrolled in 1782 as a private, in the 8th Company, (Captain Jacob Myers), 6th Battalion, Berks County Militia. According to the Military Accounts (Militia), Records of the Controller General, at the Division
of Public Record, he was also a resident of Cumru and Breacknock Township.

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Ancestor #: A201745

He never received a pension from the Federal Government because no record of this can be found.

Buried at the former Arthur Gardner Farm located about one mile south of Forest Hill, PA.
______________________

REISH WHISKEY

Since the time of Peter Reish, Sr., the Reish Family had been making spirits. The family was well known for very fine whiskey throughout central Pennsylvania. James Miller of Forest Hill, Pa. worked for Joel Reish for about fifty years as a distiller and fireman. He related a brief description of the process used by Joel Reish.

"Rye and barley arrived by the carload from various parts of the state. The grain was often inspected by Joel personally so that no garlic or other weeds could flavor the whiskey. The grain was ground and scaled at 180º F. Hops that were boiled in water were then placed in the grain. After yeast was added, the mixture was allowed to stand for 72 hours in large fomenters which were six feet high and four feet across. The mash was then pumped up to the second floor of the still house where it entered the still. The product that came off was as high as 140 or 150 proof. According to government regulation, the proof could not exceed 101 so water was added. A government inspector was there at the still house most of the time so that strict control was maintained."

"At the height of production, five 52 gallon barrels were produced every other day. The highest price obtained was $5.00 per gallon of which $1.10 was government tax."

Harry Seeman of Williamsport, Pa. was also a fireman for Joel Reish. The remains of the original still house can be seen from Jim Millers front porch. The still house burned sometime around 1900. It is said that the creek beside the still was aflame from the spirits. The nearby farmers got so drunk that they were unable to fight the fire. The still house was rebuilt and operated until prohibition. The business was never resumed after that.


More About Peter Reish:
Burial: Unknown, At the Arthur Gardner Farm West, Buffalo Township, Union County, Pennsylvania, (between Forest Hill and Mifflinburg}.
Military service: Revolutionary War: Private in Capt Jacob Myers Co, 6th Batt., Berks Co. Militia, 1782/.155

Children of Peter Reish and Susannah Shiffler are:
  1. Mary Elizabeth Reish, b. 1786, d. date unknown.
  2. Susannah Reish, b. 1788, Mifflinburg, Union County, Pennsylvania, d. date unknown.
  3. Catherine Reish, b. 1790, d. date unknown.
  4. John Reish, b. 1792, Mifflinburg, Union County, Pennsylvania, d. May 23, 1854, Union County, Pennsylvania.
  5. +Samuel Reish, b. 1794, Berks County, Pennsylvania, d. Aft. 1880, Miami County, Ohio.
  6. Peter Reish Jr., b. June 9, 1796, d. August 1, 1857, Penns Creek, Snyder County, Pennsylvania.
  7. Daniel Reish, b. February 5, 1800, Mifflinburg, Union County, Pennsylvania, d. October 12, 1847, Mifflinburg, Union County, Pennsylvania.
  8. Jacob Reish, b. September 6, 1805, d. November 18, 1858, Mifflinburg, Union County, Pennsylvania.
  9. Benjamin Reish, b. 1809, d. date unknown.
  10. Soloman Reish, b. January 4, 1811, d. April 24, 1894.
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