Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 88

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 88

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supervisor and overseer of the poor. He was an elder in the Chillisquaque Presbyterian Church seph Leh and grandson of Henry Leh. for about thirty years, up to the time of his death, which occurred July 19, 1903.

Henry Leh was a native of Chester county, Pa., and settled in Whitehall township, Lehigh county, when a young man, following farming there until his death. His children were: Daniel, Samuel, Reuben, Sallie, Joseph, Mrs. Herbeling and Susan Wright.

On Jan. 12, 1863, Mr. Cawley married Eliza- beth Koch. daughter of Jonas and Leah (Bach- man) Koch, and they had two children, James Benjamin and Florence Jeanette. The latter re- ceived her education in the public schools of the Joseph Leh was born in 1811, and died in home neighborhood and at Bloomsburg State nor- 1868. He learned boat-building, which he fol-

he died in 1806. From a letter written by his son John, which is remarkable for its beautiful Eng- lish, to his Aunt Anna, wife of Charles Babbing- ton, we learn that the father's name was also Thomas, and that the family were property own- . ers in Winsford, near Middlewich, Cheshire, Eng- land. Thomas Cawley, Jr., had one son, John, who lived at Springtown, Bucks Co., Pa., and who was the father of five children: John, Thomas, Jesse, and two daughters.

Jesse Cawley, son of John, born in 1786, died Sept. 25, 1840, aged fifty-four years. He married Margaret Rowley (born in 1782, died Sept. 27, 1840, aged fifty-eight years), and in 1836 they moved to Union county, Pa., purchasing a farm of three hundred acres near Winfield. There he continued to follow farming during his active years. He and his wife are buried at Lewisburg. that county. They were the parents of the fol- lowing children : James (1808-1841), Benjamin (1811-1887), Dubious, John, Charles (1827- 1871), Elizabeth (1824-1862) and Mary A. (1818-1888):

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lowed for about twenty years, making canal-boats, were born fourteen children, twelve of whom and he was later engaged on the railroad until his retirement, some time before his death. He mar- ried Polly Rex, daughter of George Rex, and they were the parents of nine children : Saralı, Josiah, Elias, Francis, Dennis, Sabina, Lucy, John and Josephine.

Dennis Leh attended school in North Whitehall township, Lehigh county, and after he commenced work was employed at "driving" on the Lehigh canal for nine years. He then learned the car- penter's trade, which he followed thirteen years, in 1880 settling at Milton, Pa., where he has re- mained to the present time. Here he has been engaged in the slate business, and by good man- agement he has built up a fine trade, now main- taining two yards, one on Broadway, in Milton, and one at the Philadelphia & Reading depot at Sunbury. He takes contracts for slating, and keeps from four to six men constantly busy, most of the churches and public buildings in this dis- trict having been slated by him. He is himself a good mechanic, and always endeavors to maintain high standards of workmanship in filling his con- tracts, a fact which undoubtedly accounts for the

steady stream of work which has come his way. 1775 was one of the earliest taxables in what was Mr. Leh was also for a time the owner of the Milton Paper Box Factory, located on Center alley, Milton, where he employs about ten girls and three men, the product being all kinds of paper boxes, for which there is a good local trade, though large quantities are also shipped else- where. This factory he sold in May, 1911. Mr. Leh has given many evidences of his enterprising and progressive disposition since settling in Mil- ton, where he is regarded as one of the valuable . and reliable citizens whose prosperity contributes as much to the community as to his own advance- ment.

On Feb. 17, 1873, Mr. Leh married Elmina Friese, daughter of Amos and Polly (Dengler) Friese, and they reside at No. 419 South Front street. They have had four children: (1) Jose- phine married William Nesbit and lives at Milton. They have two children, Laura and Helen. (?) Mary married Charles Walker and has two children, Dorothy and Catharine. (3) Deborah married Theodore Hendrix and has three children, Dennis, Lewis and Mildred. (4) Harvey married Jessie St. Clair and has one child, Elmer.

Mr. Leh is a member of the Reformed Church and in political conviction is a Republican.

are still living : Benjamin, Solomon, James, Uria, Henry, Frank, Amanda (inarried Willoughby Shoemaker), Elmina, Mary (married Llewellyn Bringer and is deceased), Lydia (married a Mr. Heimbach), Lucinda (married John Fenster- macher), Emma (married John Leh, brother of Dennis), Tewilla, and Isabella (who died young). .

FRANK E. KIRK, of Watsontown, has been identified with the Watsontown National Bank, of which he has recently been elected president, for over twenty years, and is otherwise prominently associated with local commercial and industrial affairs, being president of the Watsontown Brick, Clay & Produce Company, which gives employ- ment to about sixty men. He is a member of a family which was-in Northumberland county in the early days, but he himself is a native of Mon- roe county, N. Y., born Dec. 14, 1858.

The Kirk family has been in America since be- fore the Revolutionary period. Its founder in Am- erica came from Scotland and settled in Lancaster county, Pa. Moses Kirk, great-grandfather of Frank E. Kirk, was born in Scotland and before then Turbut township, Northumberland Co., Pa., having settled near the Warrior Run Church, on the farm later owned by Hiram Dunkel. He died before 1779, as his widow, Mary, was in Fort Freeland with her ten children when it was sur- rendered to the British and Indian forces that year. She was evidently a woman of character and unusual resource. During the conflict she was one of those who melted pewter and plate, all the metal that could be had, and made it into bullets for the men who were defending the fort. When it was surrendered, the terms were that the women and girls could go free, but the men would be held as prisoners of war, and in order to prevent any of her boys being retained she put dresses on them . and passed them out as girls. Her oldest son was sixteen at the time. The mother and her family reached Fort Augusta safely, and after peace was declared returned to the old home. They re- constructed the buildings and under her guidance cleared the land and improved it. Mrs. Kirk died Nov. 1, 1804, at the advanced age of eighty-four years, and is buried in the Warrior Run cemetery. We have little record of her large family, of only two sons, William and James. and the daugliter Mary, who died in 1849. Another, Mrs. Himrod. moved to Erie, Pennsylvania.

Amos Friese, father of Mrs. Leh, was born in Of the two sons mentioned, James Kirk was born in Northumberland county and there re- mained. He married Mary Foster, also a native of Northumberland county, and they had a family of ten children, all now deceased, of whom James died in 1851, at the age of thirty-six years ; Esther Lowhill, Lehigli Co., Pa., and died in 1906 in Al- lentown, that county, aged seventy-eight years. He was a stonemason, and followed that trade for many years, also engaging in butchering during the fall and winter seasons. His wife, Polly (Dengler), died in November, 1910. To. them died in 1844, at the age of thirty-two; Silas died

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in 1877, at the age of fifty-nine; Catherine mar- Frymeyer, and to them has been born one daugh- ried her cousin, John M. Kirk; Thomas, a farmer, ter, Margaret. The Kirk family are Presby- born March 15, 1821, in Northumberland county, terians, and Mr. Kirk holds membership in the died in 1891 (he was a member of the Warrior Watsontown Church. He is a member of Watson- town Lodge, No. 401, F. & A. M. Run Church).

William Kirk, son of Moses, was born in 1763. In 1829 .he sold the farm in Northumberland

MENGES. The Menges family has a large county which he had inherited from his father, representation in Northumberland county, whith- and the old deed for which was written on sheep- er Peter, the pioneer of the family in this region, skin and signed by William Penn. Moving to the came at an early day, settling in that part of what vicinity of Rochester, Monroe Co., N. Y., he pur- was then Turbut township now known as Lewis chased a farm upon which he passed the remainder township. The tract upon which he settled re- of his life, dying June 8, 1842. His wife, Jane mains in the family name to this day, being now (Knox), died in May, 1862. They were the par- owned by his grandson, N. Jacob Menges.

ents of the following children : James ; William, of Monroe county, N. Y .; George; Moses, who died In the Pennsylvania Archives (2d Series, Vol. XVII) there are five records of emigrations of in 1829 ; Sarah, MIrs. Benjamin Keiser : Elizabeth, persons of the name of Menges, viz .: (1) Conrad Mrs. Burnett; Nancy, Mrs. John Marshall; Jane, and John George Menges, the first of the name Mrs. Brooks; John M. ; and Mary, who resided in to arrive in this country, came from Rotterdam Michigan. All but William and Mary were dead in the ship "Albany," Robert Brown, master; in 1890. qualifying Sept. 2, 1749. (2) Wilhelm Manges (so spelled ) came in the "Dragon," Daniel Nicho-

John M. Kirk, father of Frank E. Kirk, was and received his education in the public schools. When a boy he removed with his parents to Mon- roe county, N. Y., where he followed farming

born Oct. 14, 1815, in Northumberland county, las, master; qualified Oct. 17, 1749. (3) Peter, J. Conrad, Hans Peter, Adam and John George Menges came in the brigantine "Sarah and Mary," Thomas Broderick, master, from Amsterdam; throughout his active years. On June S, 1843, he qualified Oct. 26, 1754. These five were probably married Margaret Burns, daughter of Torrence brothers or near relatives, and are likely the an- Burns, a native of Ireland who came to New York cestors of the Menges in York county, Pa., as in- State when a boy, and their union was blessed with dicated in the similarity-of the names prevailing in five children, Myron B., William T., John F., the family until the last generation, when the old Frank E., and Etta L. (deceased). Mrs. Kirk family names were dropped. (4) Heinrich Men- died in 1822 in New York State and Mr. Kirk ges caine in the ship "Chance," Charles Smith. returned to Pennsylvania, where on Oct. 28, 1873, captain, from Rotterdam, last from Cowes, and he married his cousin Catherine, daughter of qualified Nov. 1, 1763. (5) John George Menges James and Mary ( Foster) Kirk. Mr. Kirk died came in the "Brittania," Thomas Arnot, captain. at Watsontown March 30, 1890; Mrs. Kirk also from Rotterdam, and qualified Sept. 26, 1764.

died at Watsontown, where they are buried. They were members of the Presbyterian Church.

The will of one Conrad Menges, of Turbut township, Northumberland county. on record at

Frank E. Kirk received his education in the Sunbury, was made July 27, 1813, and probated schools of Charlotte. Monroe Co., N. Y., and re- Aug. 17, 1813. The name is signed in German. mained in his native State until 1884, in which His son Peter and son-in-law Simon Sim, of Tur- vear he settled in Watsontown. Northumberland but township, were exceutors. He came hither Co., Pa. He engaged in the hardware business, from Northampton county, where his name ap- which he continued for three years. In 1887 he pears on the tax lists. The property was divided became a director of the Watsontown National share and share alike among all his children. Bank, in 1900 was elected teller of that institu- namncly: Conrad, Margaret, Peter, Jacob. Chris- tion, and since June 15, 1909, has been president tian (son), Mary, Elizabeth, John, Solomon, and of the bank, succeeding Mr. Dentler, who died Catharine, the last named (who was one of the May 30, 1909, after a brief service in that posi- older members of the family) having died in 1813 tion, in which he had succeeded Thompson Bower. and left eight children, who received her portion, each getting $133.33. . He is also the head of the Watsontown Brick. Clay & Produce Company of Watsontown. manufactur-

Conrad Menges, of Northampton connty, was a ers of fire brick and all other kinds of brick, who soldier of the Revolution. in the 1st Company, 2d give employment to about sixty men. Their plant Pennsylvania Battalion. Col. Arthur St. Clair.

was erected in 1907 and is equipped with all the most modern machinery. This is one of the most founder of the family in Northumberland county,

important establishments in the place and a lead- ing factor in its industrial welfare.

Peter Menges, previously referred to as the was born in 1271, probably in Germany, and was in Berks county for some time before settling in

On Nov. 11, 1896, Mr. Kirk married Mary L. Northumberland county, about the time of Frymeyer, daughter of Potter and Ann (Wolfe) the American Revolution. It is said that

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brother of this Peter Menges settled in family of five children : Samuel, Jolin (deceased), Lycoming county, Pa., in the vicinity of Muncy. Michael (deceased), Catharine (married Levi He was a farmer, and owned a large acreage. Stahl) and Mary (married Ed. Stahl). Of this Paradise Valley, two and one half miles long and family, Samuel lived on one of the Menges home- about one mile wide, embraces four thousand acres steads for over thirty years, engaged in farming, of very fine agricultural land, originally taken up by Hunter and Patterson, pioncers of Turbul township. Part of this valley is now embraced in Lewis township. The descendants of Peter Menges still retain possession of his lands, about one thousand acres, being clustered in what is known locally as "Menges Valley," which forms the western portion of the fertile and beautiful aged seventy years, and his wife, Anna Elizabeth (Bausch), died Dec. 29, 1842, aged sixty-one years, seven months. They are buried at Tur-

and since 1907 he has been located on his present farm of eighty-five acres in Montour county. He inarried Elizabeth Helwig, and their children are Fannie, Isaac, Paul, George and Anna. Paul Menges, son of Samuel and Elizabeth ( Helwig) Menges, was born Jan. 20, 1880, on the homestead his father occupied in Lewis township, received his early education in the local schools, graduated Paradise Valley. This pioneer died Jan. 6, 1841, from the Turbutville high school in 1897, and later attended the Keystone State Normal school at Kutztown, after which he taught for two terms in Lewis township. On March 4, 1905, he mar- butville. Their family consisted of three sons ried Lizzie Troxell, daughter of George and Elmira and two daughters, all now deceased, nanicly: (Levan) Troxell, of Turbutville. (4) John, who Samuel ; Jacob; Peter; Catharine, who married lived in Lewis township before his retirement, is Gideon Beaver; and Elizabeth, who married Hiram mentioned fully below. (5) Daniel, also a resi- D. Dreisbach.

Samuel Menges, son of Peter, was born in Northumberland county June 6, 1800, and died Aug. 12, 1888; he is buried in the cemetery at Turbutville. In every respect Samuel Menges was one of the foremost citizens of Turbut town- ship in his day. As a farmer he met with remark- able prosperity, being ranked among the most sub- stantial men of his time, for he acquired posses- sion of eleven farms, giving each of his seven

dent of Lewis township, died Jan. 14, 1886, aged fifty-four years, two months, fourteen days. He married Sarah Bender, who died Oct. 29, 1866, aged twenty-seven years, nine months, twenty- nine days, the mother of two daughters, Annie and Emma J., and a son that died in infancy. (6) Peter R. is mentioned fully below. (7) Jacob settled in Seneca county, N. Y., where he obtained part of his father's farm, the whole tract compris- ing 244 acres : his sister Susan acquired the other

sons a large tract. He was the money lender part. Jacob Menges married Lucy Ann Ernst, of his district, possessed unusual foresight and and their family consists of two sons and four business ability, and showed excellent judgment in daughters, Clymer, William, Flora, Mary, Annie all his investments. He was a Democrat in poli- and Carrie. (S) Mary married Charles Rohn and tics, and served as supervisor of the township. In both are deceased. (9) Susan married George religious connection he and his family were Luth- Frankenfield and they settled in New York State. erans, and he was influential and active in the (10) One daughter died in infancy.

The farms of Benjamin, Isaac, John, Daniel elder, trustee and treasurer. All his ten children and Peter Menges, and of their sister Mrs. Mary were born to his first marriage, with Catharine Rohn, adjoin, and all were part of the holdings of (Rovenold), daughter of John Rovenold, of Lewis their father, Samuel, who owned nearly one thou- township, she dying March 21, 1861, aged fifty- sand acres, in what is popularly known as Menges eight years, seven months, three days. His second Valley.

church as in all other things, serving as deacon,

marriage was to Lucinda Berkestock, of Turbut Benjamin Menges, son of Samuel, was born township. We have the following record of his March 1, 1822, in Lewis township, on the farm family : (1) Benjamin, who lived in Lewis town- where Levi Stahl now lives. A lifelong farmer, ship, is mentioned in full below. (2) William he owned the farm of sixty-seven acres in Lewis lived in Lewis township and died Jan. 1, 1905, .aged eighty-one years, ten months, eight days. His wife, Sarah (Carl), died March 30, 1885, aged sixty years, eleven months, twenty-nine days. They had two children, one of whom is deceased, township where his son Edward S. Menges now lives, and there built the barn in 1874 and the brick residence in 1876. He died on that farm Feb. 7, 1910, and is buried in the cemetery at Turbutville. Mr. Menges served as supervisor of the survivor being Simon Peter Menges, of Tur- his township, was identified with the Democratic butville ... Susan A. Keller, wife of Simon P. party in politics, and originally belonged to the Menges, died June 26. 1893, aged thirty-four years, eighteen days. (3) Isaac, born Dee. 24, denomination. Lutheran Church, later joining the Reformed He held office in the Lutheran 1824, lived in Lewis township, and died June 23, Church. His wife, whose maiden name was Fietta 1907. He married Mary (Polly) Smith, born Rohn, was born May 25, 1825. and died Sept. 9. Feb. 6, 1812. died Feb. 23. 1890, and they had a 1823, the mother of eight children, six of whom,

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however, died young. The youngest two survive, building a gristmill on Blockhouse creek which he namely : Henry F. (of Bethlehem, Pa.) and conducted for a number of years. He died about Edward S.

1870, at the age of about seventy-two, and is

EDWARD S. MENGES, son of Benjamin, was born buried at Salem Church in Liberty township. . In Feb. 8, 1859, on the farm in Lewis township which religion he was a Lutheran. His wife, whose he is still cultivating, making his home on that maiden name was Kratzer, died several years be- place. He received his education in the schools fore him, and they were the parents of two chil- of Kiefertown, and he was reared to farming. He dren, Daniel and Betzy (Mrs. Milton Phelps). has been engaged in agricultural pursuits on his

Daniel Erdly, son of Henry, was born in 1820 own account at his present home since the spring on the homestead in Liberty township, and died of 1888, and has made a success of general farm- there in 1876. He farmed the old place, which ing, having a fertile and valuable tract. As pros- consisted of 140 acres, and was an industrious perity enabled him he has added to his holdings, man and a useful member of the community, hold- being now the owner of 150 acres, and his wife ing many offices at Salem Church, of which he owns 107 acres. He is a worthy representative of the enterprising and industrious family to which he belongs, and is a citizen much respected in his community.

was a Lutheran member. He is buried at that Church. In political sentiment he was a Demo- crat. His wife, Barbara ( Fick), daughter of John Fick, also of Liberty township, died in 1903, at the age of sixty-nine years. They had a family of six children : Mary, Mrs. Winton Belford; Wil-

In 1887 Mr. Menges married Ida Ellis. daugh- ter of John D. and Uranah (Litchert) Ellis, of Limestone township, Montour Co., Pa., and they liam, who died when eleven years old; John H .; have had one daughter, Ella, now the wife of John Oscar, of Tioga county; Frank; and Edith (de- .Plotz, a farmer of Lewis township; Mr. and Mrs. ceased), who married John Haggerty.

Plotz have one daughter, Grace. Mr. Menges and his family are members of the Reformed Church

at Turbutville. In political matters he is a Demo- reared to farm.life. He began farming for him- crat.

John H. Erdly was born March 28, 1858, on the homestead in Tioga county, where he was self in Turbut township, Northumberland county,

JOHN MENGES, son of Samuel, was born May where he remained for two years, at the end of 24, 1827, on the homestead, and began his educa- that time going to Milton, where he lived for tion in the local subscription schools, later attend- several years. He then came to his present place ing the free schools. He was reared to farm life, of sixty acres in Lewis township, one mile east of continuing to work for his parents for a period Turbutville, having lived there since 1900. In of twenty-seven years. When he began farming on August, 1882, he married Susanna Menges, daugh- his own account it was on one of his father's ter of John Menges, and they have had five chil- farms near Paradise Church, and he later obtained dren, Stella M. (who died aged fourteen years), this property from his father. It consisted of 106 Edith F., Mabel A., Raymond and Charles N. acres of valuable land, which he continued to Mr. Erdly and his family are members of the Re- cultivate until his retirement in 1894, in which formed Church. In politics he is an independent year he moved to Turbutville, his son Thomas Democrat.

Franklin Menges taking charge of the farm, which he rents from his father.

PETER R. MENGES, son of Samuel, was born on the homestead in Lewis township June 30, 1836, On Jan. 1, 1856, Mr. Menges married Dianah was educated in the township schools and trained Amelia Frankenfield, daughter of John Franken- to farm life. Working for his father until he field, of one of the lower Pennsylvania counties, reached the age of twenty-five years, he then mar- and they have had four children : Danicl, now of ried and began farming for himself on a place ad- Montgomery, Pa., who is engaged in the paper

joining the old homestead, which he purchased hanging business; John S., who died Jan. 15, from his father, continuing to reside there until 1893, aged thirty-three years, nine months, fifteen 1883, when he purchased a property in Turbut- days; Susanna, wife of John H. Erdly, of Lewis ville and engaged in the mercantile business. Aft- township; and Thomas Franklin, who farms his er conducting same about twelve years he sold father's homestead. Mr. Menges and his family out and retired, continuing to live, however, on are members of the Reformed Church, in which he the same premises. Until October, 1890, he was is a prominent worker, having served the congre- a director in the Farmers National Bank of Wat- gation as elder and treasurer. He was formerly sontown, at that time disposing of his stock and a deacon for six years in the Lutheran Church, on Nov. 1, 1890, organizing the firm of P. R. & refusing to hold office longer. Politically he is a member of the Democratic party.

R. F. Menges, returning to the general mercantile business. He was one of the organizers of the . Henry Erdly, grandfather of John H. Erdly, Turbutville National Bank, and is one of the heavy was a pionecr resident of Liberty township, Tioga stockholders of that financial institution. He has Co., Pa., where he followed farming and milling, his farm rented. 'On .Aug. 11, 1900, fire totally

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destroyed the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Menges, fashioned hig chimney, the stone wall of which is who escaped with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. Mr. Menges immediately rebuilt, upon the same foundation, putting up the comfort- able home they now occupy. He is a man of broad views, energetic, intelligent and enterpris- ing, and has taken an active part in the lines of interest which engage his attention. He has filled several public positions, having served at least two terms in the borough council, as overseer of the poor many years, and for a few years was post- master at Turbutville, from 1885 to 1888. In po- matters he and his wife unite with the Lutheran Church, of which he has long been considered one

18 inches thick from the foundation to the top. The house was remodeled by Jacob Menges, who made an addition to it. The present barn on the place was built in 1822. Mr. Menges was a Dem- ocrat in politics and served as supervisor of his township. He and his wife were members of St. James Lutheran Church, of which he served as deacon and trustee, and as member of the build- ing committee, and when the present church was constructed he furnished all the timber as his. contribution toward the work. His family con- litical affiliation he is a Democrat. In religious sisted of six children: Elizabeth, who died aged six years ; Catharine, who married Henry Shell and (second) George Walter ; Stephen Peter, now of the pillars, having served as deacon, elder, trus- of Turbutville, to which place he moved in 1911 tee and treasurer, and he was treasurer of the from Montour county, Pa. . (his wife Sarah A., building committee that remodeled the church edifice in 1910.

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 88

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