Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 37

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co.
Number of Pages: 1090

USA > Pennsylvania > Northumberland County > Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1 > Part 37

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"He inust have been of a very retiring dispo- sition. In perusing some old files of Carlisle pa- pers, beginning with September, 1814, to June, 1839, embracing a period of twenty-five years. I never came across his name a single time. There were a great many meetings published, some po- litical, others 4th of July celebrations, some re- ligious, some social and others business meetings, where in many cases the names of those present at the meeting or gathering were published, but his name never appeared a single time. It is stated that he could never learn to master the English language very well. which might have been a reason for him to absent himself from public gatherings, but during the first half of the present century a great deal of German ( Pennsylvania Dutch) was spoken in Cumberland county, and if he was not able to speak the English very plain there is no doubt he had plenty company of that he was a Democrat. He died March 28, 1889. in kind, during the time he lived near Carlisle.

"After having reached a good ripe age he died eighteen days.

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family. We have mention of three: Hiram: Jobn, from which he was graduated in 1889, two years of Winfield, Union Co., Pa. ; and Henry, of Sham- okin, Pa. By his second wife, Eve Conrad, born Jan. 26, 1810, died Dec. 22, 1876, Mr. Renn had four children : (1) Isaiah J., born May 30, 1812. in Lower Augusta township, grew to manhood there, receiving his education in the public schools, and like his father followed butchering and farm- ing, working at his trade for twenty-five years. He also sold farm implements. He was a prominent Democrat of his locality, was elected justice of the peace in 1881 and served five terms, was overseer of the poor and township auditor, and represented his district in the Legislature two terins, being first elected Nov. 4, 1890. In his active years he occupied a most influential position in the con- munity. He died Feb. 21, 1906. In 1863 he mar- ried Melinda Kauffman, daughter of Daniel Kauff- On June 11, 1896, Mr. Renn married Jennie S. Knisely, daughter of Henry Kniselv, of Steelton. Pa., and they have had one son, Roland R. The family are members of the United Brethren Church at Harrisburg. man, of Lower Augusta township, and he and his family are members of the Lutheran Church. (2) Samuel C. lived in Lower Augusta township, and is now an old resident of Sunbury. (3) Mary L. married Lewis Evarts, and they live in Shamokin. (+) Ira T. was the father of the Renn brothers mentioned at the opening of this article.

Ira T. Renn, son of Jacob, was born Dec. 14. 1850, on his father's homestead in Lower Augusta township, and received his education in the local schools. Learning the miller's trade, he followed it for a number of years, after which he began farming and stock dealing, owning the place in Lower Augusta which now belongs to his son Ro- land. There he passed most of his life, prosper- ously engaged in farming. For six years he lived on the old Adam Renn farm in Jews Hollow. He was an enterprising man. and owned some fine stock. Mr. Renn died on his farin in Lower Au- gusta. Dec. 29, 1896, and is buried at the Lutheran Church in that township. He was an active mem- ber of that church, serving as deacon and elder, and was also interested in the success of the Demo- cratic party, to which he rendered considerable service in his locality without caring for the ma- terial rewards of office or power.

In 1869 Mr. Renn married Rachel Kauffinan, whose father, Daniel Kauffinan, late of Lower Augusta township, settled on a 150-acre tract in that township which he bought from the Silver- wood family, large landowners in that section. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Renn: Roland D .; Bertram I. ; Clayton Jacob, deceased : Amos S., of Lower Augusta township; Ira T .: Grover Cleveland, of Lower Augusta township. who married Frances Martz, daughter of Samuel V .. Martz: Franklin F., born July 30, 1888, who died May 8, 1889.

after which he entered the Eastman Business Col- lege, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., graduating there- from in 1891, the same year he entered; he took the commercial course. After teaching school for a number of years in Northumberland county Mir. Renn went into the railway mail service, in 1894. and has since been engaged in that work, his run being on the main line of the Pennsylvania road between New York and Pittsburg. He makes his home in Harrisburg, but still owns the homestead farm in Lower Augusta township. Mr. Renn has never lost his taste for reading, and he lias a nice library. He is especially interested in agricultural and horticultural works, literature on stock rais -. ing, and history, and he has traced the family genealogy on both the paternal and maternal sides.

BERTRAM I. RENN. son of Ira T., was born July 13, 1812, in Lower Augusta township, was reared on the farm and received his education in the pub- lic schools. He began railroading when a boy of fifteen, and followed that work successfully for a number of years, traveling all over the United States. His last railroad position was that of vard- inaster at Chicago for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway Company. but though he was doing well he resigned and returned East, buying an eighty-acre farm in Rockefeller township. in his native county. After farming there for two years. he nioved to Sunbury, Dec. 14, 1909, selling his farm at that time, and in November, 1910. dis- posing of his farm stock. Upon his removal to Sunbury Mr. Renn embarked in the fish, oyster and produce business at No. 455 Market street. handling fish and clams all the year round and oysters and sea food in season. He also carries a line of cigars and confectionery, and during the summer months sells ice cream and soft drinks. He enjoyed a good trade from the start, and in 1910 purchased a business place at the corner of Third and Walnut streets. Mr. Renn is a most obliging dealer, and by his enterprising methods and accommodating ways has drawn an excellent class of patrons.

On Feb. 25, 1896, Mr. Renn married Mary E. Bason, who is from Newport, Perry county, Pa .. danghter of John and Jane (Zeiders) Basom. They have one child, a daughter. Lillian R. L.

IRA T. RENN. son of the late Ira T., was born March 16, 1880, in Lower Augusta township. and was reared on the farm. Ile first attended the

ROLAND D. RENN, son of Ira T., was born March local public schools, and later was a pupil at Sel- 25, 1870, in Lower Augusta township, and received. insgrove ( Pa. ) Academy. and he was only seven- his early education in the common schools. Later teen when licensed to teach by Prof. Ira Shipman. lie attended the Normal school at Bloomsburg, then county superintendent. He taught for three

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terms, two in his native township and one in Little noted for his strength and locally known as "Big Mahanoy township, but farming has always been Foot." On one occasion he was held up at a bridge his principal occupation. He assisted his father in Schuylkill county by a husky Irishman, who and mother until 1901. after which he tarmed a told him he could not pass. Renn said, "Yes, I year at home on his own account, in the spring of will pass," picked up the Irishman and threw him bodily over the bridge: he died of his injuries. During the Civil war Mr. Renn enlisted for three years' service, in Company H, 14th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and had served nineteen months when honorably discharged, because of the close of the war. His wife, Margaret Fry, was born Oct. 24, 1814, in Alsace, France, of which place, her father, Jacob Fry, was also a native. She was twelve years old when she came with her parents to Pennsylvania, the family locating first in Clinton county, at. the "Block House." and thence removing to Schuylkill county and later to Northumberland county, where they lived for two or three years. Returning to Schuylkill county. 1902 settling in Rockefeller township, where he purchased the Urias Malick homestead. This prop- erty consists of eighty-three acres of the best land in the township, and there Mr. Renn has since re- sided and engaged in farming. : He is an energetic young man, public-spirited and interested in the social welfare of the community as well as in its material progress. He has served in local offices, and has taken part in the work of the Lutheran Church at Hollowing. Run, of which he and his family are members, having acted as a member of the church council. He is at present superin- tendent of the Sunday school at Augustaville. Politically he is a Democrat. Mr. Renn has been

quite active in the Odd Fellows fraternity in his Mr. Fry made a permanent settlement there, fol- seetion, one of the leading members of Augusta Lodge, No. 614, of Augustaville, which he repre- sented at the Grand Lodge for seven consecutive terms.

On Oct. 3, 1900, Mr. Renn married Mary E. Barrett, daughter of James and Mary ( Burns ) Bar- rett, formerly of Selinsgrove and later of Lewis- burg, Pa., where Mr. Barrett died. Mr. and Mrs. Renn have two children : F. Fay and Harold W.

NICHOLAS W. RENN. who is engaged in farming in Lower Augusta township, Northumberland county, was born in that township April 25, 1858. son of John Renn and grandson of Philip Renn.

Philip Renn was born in Pennsylvania and was the pioneer of this family in Northumberland county, having settled there at an early day in the history of Rockefeller township, on the farm now owned by the Flemining sisters. It comprises about one hundred acres, and Philip Renn built the barn still standing there. He prospered in his farming operations, doing fairly well for that day. He was a Pennsylvania German, and spoke both German and English. He is buried at the Stone Church, one of the oldest churches in that sec- tion. His family, two sons and three daughters, was as follows: Betzy married John Cornell, who came from Bucks or Montgomery county and lived in Rockefeller township: Henry lived in Iowa: John lived in Lower Augusta township : Tina mar- ried John Flemming and they lived on the Philip . Renn homestead, where both died: Sarah married William Ross and they lived in, Rockefeller town- ship.

lowing farming until his death. Mrs. John Renn died in 1906 at Williamsport, Pa. Ten children were born to her and her husband: Barbara mar- ried Andrew Baldy and (second ) Edward Picker- ine: Sarah married Abraham DeWitt : Maria mar- ried Samuel Beck: Catharine married Frank Hil- bush; Elizabeth married Henry Eisenhuth: Re- becca married Osburn Difford: Emna married Harry Olnistead : Malinda married Peter Crissin- ger : Delila married Galen DeWitt : Nicholas W.

Nicholas W. Renn was educated in the public schools and began working on the farm for his parents at an early age, continuing thus until he reached the age of twenty-eight years. He then married, and for nine years worked among farm- ers, after which he began working upon the home- stead of his father-in-law, Isaac Feaster, in Lower Augusta township. In June. 1905, he purchased this property, which consists of fifty acres. the present buildings on which were erected by Mr. Feaster. Mr. Renn follows general fanning, and occasionally attends the Sunbury and Shamokin markets. Though he devotes all his attention to his business affairs, he has found time to serve his township as school director and inspector. in which offices he gave excellent satisfaction. He is a Re- publican in politics. By thrift and industry he has attained a substantial position, and he is 'a respected citizen of his community.

On March 2. 1886, Mr. Renn married Losenia Feaster, daughter of Isaac and Charity (Shipman) Feaster, and granddaughter of Jacob Shipman. Mrs. Renn was born Sept. 5, 1856, and died Feb. 2, 1895, aged thirty-eight years. Mr. Reun mar- ried her sister, Mrs. Addie Thomas, widow of S. D. Thomas, who died April 10, 1894, at the age of forty-two years. Mr. Renn had no children by either union. Four children were born to Mrs.

John Renn, son of Philip, was born March 3, 1812, on the Renn homestead in Rockefeller town- ship, and lived for the most part in Lower Au- gusta township, where he had a tract of five acres. upon which place he died March 25, 1893. Ho is buried at the Mountain Presbyterian Church. He Ren's first marriage, Elva. William. Mand and was a laborer, and was a man of powerful build. Martha.

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JAMES FOX, for many years one of the lead- had a family of four children: Estella, Kimber, ing agriculturists of Ralpho township, where he Howard and Ethel. had the largest fruit farm in Northumberland CHRISTOPHER C. Fox, son of James and Eliz- county, was a native of Columbia county, Pa., abeth (Campbell) Fox, was born Oct. 4, 1860, born Feb. 28, 1813, in Catawissa township. The near Elysburg, Northumberland county. He was family was early in Berks county, this State, educated in the public schools of his native town- where Mr. Fox's grandfather was born. The lat- ship and at Elysburg Academy, and remained up- ter had a family of nine children, six sons and on the farm until he reached the age of eighteen three daughters.

years. At that time he became engaged in the

Jacob Fox, father of the late James Fox, was mercantile business with his brother Obadiah. born in Berks county, and died in 1851 in Colum- They were at their original location for three bia county, Pa., whither he had removed when a years, after which they were out of the business young man. He was a stonemason by trade, and for two years, in 1884 settling at Mount Carmel, went to Catawissa, Columbia county, to fill a con- where they conducted a general store, under the tract he had obtained to build a church. Upon

firm name of O. P. Fox & Brother. They did a the completion of the contract he remained there, successful business until the death of Mr. Obadiah having taken a liking to the place, and he later P. Fox, May 4, 1908, after which Christopher C. purchased a farm in Catawissa township upon Fox closed out the mercantile establishment and which he made his home, cultivating his land and embarked in the real estate line in association with also continuing to follow his trade. He was thus C. H. Robins. They have acquired a profitable engaged for many years and became very well patronage and are doing a live business.

On April 18, 1895, Mr. Fox married Hattie M.

known in that section, where he made many friends. His wife, Rachel (MeIntire), died in Jones, daughter of Thomas and Rebecca (Gra- 1836. They had the following .children : William, ham) Jones, of Philadelphia, and they are the Daniel, Hannah (wife of Isaac Irwin), Mary E., parents of the following children: Ernestine D .. .

Russell J., Marion W. and Benjamin H. Mr.

Price, James and Jacob.

James Fox, son of Jacob, spent his early life Fox is a Methodist in religious connection. On upon the homestead farm in Catawissa township, political questions he is a Republican.

Columbia county, receiving a common school edu- cation in the locality. Soon after the death of his

CHARLES F. BLANK, senior member of the father he . removed to Northumberland county, firm of Blank & Gottshall, who have a large mill- where he passed the remainder of his long life. ing business at Sunbury, owning and conducting In connection with his brother-in-law, John the City Roller Mills, was born Oct. 31, 1831, in Campbell, he purchased a tract of 426 acres, upon Upper Saucon township, Lehigh Co., Pa. He is part of which he established his home, becoming a son of Jacob Blank and a descendant of John one of the best known and most substantial cit- George Blank, who founded a family now num- izens of Ralpho township. He was one of the erous in Lehigh county, especially in the eastern most enterprising farmers of his district, and made portion. The 1910 city directory of Allentown, a specialty of fruit raising, having the largest that county, gives the names of thirty-two Blanks. fruit farm in the county. In politics he was a Re- publican, in religion a member of the Presbyterian this family of whom we have record, was born in Church. He died Oct. 16, 1902, in his ninetieth ycar.

John George Blank, the earliest ancestor of 1729 and died in 1799. He came to Saucon town- ship, Northampton (now Lehigh) county, about 1750. He married Elizabeth Steinmetz, daughter

In 1840 Mr. Fox married Elizabeth Campbell, danghter of Obadiah Campbell, and she died long of Valentine Steinmetz, and after the death of before her husband, passing away in 1880. Mr. his father-in-law succeeded to and settled upon and, Mrs. Fox are buried at the MeIntire church his estate. taking up his residence on the site later in Columbia county. They had a family of eight occupied by John H. Lanbach. The number of children, namely: George W. and Isaac N. died his children cannot be determined, but it appears young: Obadiah P. is mentioned below: Isabella there are several branches of Blanks even in the married William Cherington : Joanna now resides territory now embraced in Lehigh county. His at Bloomsburg. Pa. : William is also a resident of son John George Blank had nine children. of Bloomsburg: Mary J. lives at Bloomsburg : Chris- whom we have the following account : George died topher C. is a resident of Mount Carmel.

unmarried: John married Esther Clemmer and siding in Coopersburg. Lehigh county), Edwin H .. Benjamin (both residing in Allentown), Eliza

OBADIAH P. Fox. son of James, located at had six children. George, Charles HI. (both re- Monnt Carmel in 1884 and was among the early successful merchants there. He died at Mount Carmel Mav 4, 190S, aged sixty-one years. Mr. (married William P. Weidner) and Elamina Fox married Elizabeth Campbell. daughter of (married Simon Troxel) : Jacob married a Miss Duncan Campbell, of Rush township, and they Hintenbeutel, but nothing is known of his de-

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scendants; Abraham married Mary Bah! and was and feed, cement, plaster, and similar commodities the father of Jacob, John G. and Abraham, who in large quantities. Their principal brands of reside in Upper Saucon township, Mrs. John Lau- flour are "B. & G.'s Best," "Flaky Loaf" and bach, of Saucon; and Mrs. John Metzger, of Allen- "White Cloud," the daily capacity of the flour- town; Charles married Priscilla Fry and resides milling equipment being two hundred barrels of at Bethlehem, Pa. : David died unmarried; Mary wheat, seventy-five barrels of rye, seventy-five bar- married Jacob Bahl and resides at Bethlehem: rels of buckwheat and cornmeal. They manufac- Lydia married Nathan Eberhart and died without ture cattle and poultry foods, about forty tons of issue ; Sarah married David Schneider and re- chop daily, and the B. & G. Chick and Hen Food sides at Emaus, Lehigh county.

has a large sale not only in the Lehigh Valley but Jacob Blank, father of Charles F. Blank, was also throughout the Middle States. Their hay born in Saucon township, Lehigh county, and shed is 40 by 60 feet in dimensions, the grain ele- died in 1864. He is buried at Zionsville church, vator has a capacity of 40,000 bushels, and a large in that county, having been a member of the Re- warehouse is included among the many conven- formed congregation of that church. He was a iences of this well equipped establishment. Twen- wheelwright, learning the trade early in life, and ty-five men are given regular employment. The followed it at Emaus until his death. Mr. Blank Salisbury township, Lehigh county, and she sur- products, which have the reputation of being of · married Sarah Groman, whose father lived in the highest excellence, are not only in steady demand locally and over the coal regions, but vived hini many years, dying in 1906, at the age find a. ready sale all over the eastern part of the of seventy-five. She is buried at Emaus. Eight children, five sons and three daughters, were born country. Blank & Gottshall have shown their en- terprise in the completeness of their plant, which

to this union : Wilson died at the age of six years; is admirably located, facing the Susquehanna riv- John is a resident of Emaus, Pa .: Charles F. is er and running parallel with the Philadelphia & mentioned below : James was drowned when about Reading tracks, from which a switch connects with seven years old; George died in 1902 at Bethle- the mills: there is also a siding connecting with hem, Pa. (he had sons James and Harvey) ; Mary the Pennsylvania lines. An engine of 150 horse Alice married James Camburn, of Philadelphia, power supplies the motive force for the operation and died in 1909; Sarah married John Reinbaugh, of the mills and the power for the electrical con- of Lehigh county, Pa., and died about 1910; Anna married Paul Eisenhart, of Emaus. veniences and comfort of the fine residences which the partners have erected on adjoining property.

Charles F. Blank was reared and educated in As member of a firm whose enterprise is reckoned his native county, attending school at Emaus and upon as a substantial factor in the prosperity of Allentown, to which latter place the family re- Sunbury, Mr. Blank is one of the most respected moved when he was thirteen years old. He worked and valuable citizens of that borough. He is an at various vocations until he reached the age of intelligent and public-spirited man, as effective a eighteen years, when he commenced to learn the worker in other fields as in business circles.

carpenter's trade at Cetronia. Lehigh county,

On Ang. 10, 1872. Mr. Blank married Ellen following same, as well as millwrighting, which Jane Lentz. daughter of Josiah and Miranda work he began in 1875. He engaged as mill- (Shearer) Lentz. the former a lifelong resident of wright in the employ of others until 1888, being the vicinity of Allentown. Mr. and Mrs. Blank foreman for four years for the Wolf & Ha- had one daughter, who died in infancy. They are maker Company, then of Allentown. Since that active in the work of the First Reformed Church time he has been in partnership with William B. of Sunbury, and Mr. Blank is a member of Mac- Gottshall, who was also formerly with the Wolf lay Lodge, No. 632, F. & A. M., of Sunbury. & Hamaker Company and like himself a miller of thorough experience. Messrs. Blank and Gott- EDWIN E. HOLLENBACK, D. D. S., has shall came to Sunbury in the employ of a Cham- been practicing dentistry at Shamokin through- bersburg firm to remodel the historic old Haas out his professional career, having begun in com- . mill, from the burr to the roller system. They pany with his father, one of the oldest established soon leased the property and began operations on dentists in the borough.

their own account, remaining at that place until Dr." Reuben Hollenback, the father, was born 1895, when they completed the building of the Sept. 1, 1841, in Lower Augusta township, near large mill they have since occupied. They have a Sunbury, Northumberland county, son of Daniel three-story building 40 by 230 feet, with a two- and Elizabeth (Sherry) Hollenback. He received story addition 115 by 50 feet. as well as other his early education in the public schools and was buildings. among which is a large engine house. reared in his native locality, being trained to farm- Their business has extended, in both volume and ing, which he followed until twenty-one years old. scope, until there are now many interests besides Meantime he had also taken up teaching, that flour milling. the firm handling all kinds of flour stepping-stone to so many of the higher profes-

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Dr. Hollenback married Jessie Hoskings, of

sions, being thus engaged for six years, one year in his native township, the rest of the time in Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and they have three Coal and Shamokin townships. His older brother, children: Alfred, Martha Doreas and Annie G. Dr. D. S. Hollenback, had entered the medical The family home is at No. 117 Marshall street. , profession, and he, too, had aspirations' toward such a career, which led him, while teaching, to take up the study of dentistry, which he began under the tuition of Dr. B. F. Van Boskirk, of

GEN. CHARLES M. CLEMENT, a leading lawyer of Sunbury, was born there Oct. 28, 1855, son of Gen. John Kay Clement. ' His ancestors Selinsgrove, Snyder Co., Pa. However, he was were Friends, the Clements having been prominent members of that Society in England.

not in a position to devote himself to it entirely for a number of years. In 186+ he located at Shamokin, where he was engaged as engineer at the Big Mountain colliery two years, at the end

Gregory Clement, the earliest ancestor of whom we have record, was a member of Parliament in 1646 and was one of the famous body of Regicides, of that time resmning teaching. which he con- and with four others was hanged. When Gregory tinued, along with his dental studies. imtil 1868. Clement was arrested, in 1660, his son James He then commenced practice in Shamokin, but escaped, and emigrating from his native land came not being quite satisfied with his attainments he to America, landing on Staten island. Snbse- entered the Dental College of Pennsylvania, at quently he located near Camden, in Camden (then Philadelphia, from which he was graduated March Gloucester) county, N. J. He became a large 1, 1877. Dr. Hollenbaek built up a large practice land owner and surveyor and his descendants also by his skillful and conscientious work, and de- followed that occupation for a number of genera- servedly won a place among the leading profes- tions. He married Sarah Field, and their children sional men of Shamokin. Moreover, without soliei- included a son Jaeoh.

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 37

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co. Number of Pages: 1090

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co.
Number of Pages: 1090