Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 38

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co.
Number of Pages: 1024

USA > Pennsylvania > Northumberland County > Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2 > Part 38

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Peter Schlegel, brother of William, was born Oct. 12, 1786; came to Northumberland county from Berks county ; and died Feb. 1, 1864. His wife was Elizabeth (Rettinger) born Sept. 11, 1789, died July 16, 1866. They are buried at the Herb (Salem) church. They had sons Peter, David and another. Of these, Peter had five chil- dren, Joel, Milton, Elizabeth and an- other daughter. David's children were Samuel, Peter, - .and Charles.

John A. Schlegel, brother of Oscar, was born Sept. 7, 1872. Since their father's death the brothers have been partners. They are Lutheran members of St. Peter's church at Mahanoy, and in politics are Democrats. In 1896 John A. Schlegel married Jennie Starr, daughter of An- drew and Susanna (Blasser) Starr. They have three children, Mark F., Walter R. and Elmer A.

John Schlegel, son of William, was born in Washington township, Northumberland county, E. C. ROGERS, of Sunbury, was born at Dan- ville, Montour Co., Pa., Jan. 11, 1874, and re- where he died, aged ninety-two years. He was for many years a blacksmith in his earlier life, ceived his education in the public schools at that and built many iron bridges in his time, among place, after which he entered the factory of his which were the Wrightsville and Ringtown bridges, father, D. J. Rogers, and learned the trade of a double bridge at Reading and a large one at stone and granite cutting.

Buffalo, N. Y. Later he bought what is now the In June, 1901, he removed to Sunbury and en- James Ferster farm in Washington township, gaged in the stone and granite cutting business, where he farmed some years. Then he sold this and there he is now successfully producing high- tract and bought another farm, in Jordan, of 103 grade monuments, mausoleums and cut stone trim- acres, which was an Engel homestead, and there he mings for buildings.

lived many years. The last seven years of his life he lived with his son Daniel K., at whose home he died. His wife Sarah. daughter of Val- entine Klock, died July 13, 1883, aged sixty-eight years, seven months, three days. They had nine children, Wilhelmina, William, Charlotte, Jane, one of the pioneer families. Frank, Daniel K., Sarah, Rudolph and one that died in infaney.

Daniel K. Schlegel, son of Jolin, is a native of Jordan township where he is now a farmer on a 162-aere place. He was engaged as a blacksmith for twelve years, then learned the carpenter's

OSCAR W. PENSYL, member of the firm of Paul & Pensyl, butchers of Shamokin, Northum- berland county, was born April 20, 1877, in Ralpho township, this county, and is a member of

Jacob Pensyl (Bentzel), his great-great-grand- fatlier, was a native of Germany, and coming to America made his home in Northumberland eoun- ty, Pa., taking up fifty acres of land at the present site of the borough of Shamokin. ITis location was where the "Eagle Hotel" now stands. He aft-

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erward abandoned this place and took up a two- Mount Carmel: Bertha M., who died in infancy; hundred-aere tract in Ralpho township (where his Oscar W .; and Carrie F., deceased, who was the wife of Rutherford Hayes. "great-grandson, David R. Pensyl, later resided) to which he moved. He had one son, John.

John Pensyl, son of Jacob, was born in 1767 and was nine years old when his father settled at what is now Shamokin. He was a member of the Ger- man Reformed Church, one of the organizers and original members of the old Blue Church in Ralpho township, and donated an acre of ground for church purposes, the edifice of that congrega- tion being located thereon to this day. He died up- on the homestead in Ralpho township in April, 1849, at the age of eighty-two. John Pensyl mar- ried Barbara Hinkle, and to them were born five

children : Kate, who married Frederiek Lebic; Le- are both enterprising and hard-working young ah, who married John Fisher ; John, who was twice men, and they are not only winning material suc- married ; George, born Aug. 1, 1199 ; and Leonard.

Leonard Pensyl, son of John and Barbara stantial business men of the borough. That Mr. (Hinkle) Pensyl, was born May 11, 1804, on the homestead in Ralpho township. and died Oet. 1, 1883 (date is also given Oet. 31, 1884). He was a farmer by occupation. He was an active mem- ber of the German Reformed Church, which he served as deacon and elder for twenty-one years; in politics he was a Democrat. He married Eliza- beth Kaseman, daughter of Frederick William Kaseman, of Ralpho township, and to this union were born three children : Sarah A., born July 3, 1828, died Jan. 3, 1908, who was the wife of Dan- iel H. Adams, of Ralpho township; Daniel, who died Jan. 24, 1834, aged seven months, sixteen days; and David R.

David R. Pensyl, son of Leonard, was born Sept. 25, 1835, on the old Pensyl homestead, which he inherited, following farming there throughout his active years, exeept for a short time when he was in the mercantile business, which he started in 1857 and carried on for two years. He had over two hundred acres of land. Mr. Pensyl died Feb. 15, 1910, and is buried at the Blue eliureh. He was a member of that church, and socially was a Mason, holding membership in Shamokin Lodge, No. 255, F. & A. M. Though a Democrat in politics and interested in the suc- cess of his party, he never took any active part in its affairs or in publie matters of any kind.

In 1859 Mr. Pensyl married Carolina Fry, daughter of Joseph Fry, and eleven children were born to their union: Lenora, who is the wife of Alonzo D. Smink, of Shamokin, and has children. Florence ( wife of Robert Roth and the mother of two children, Robert L. and Harriet L.) and Reu- ben L. ; Joseph E., who lives at Paxinos, in Ralpho township ; Laura, wife of Joseph B. Hill, of Tharp- town, Pa. ; Leonard, a resident of Shamokin: Da- vid J., living at Weigh Scales. Northumberland county ; Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of George Burkert: Hannah, living at Mount Car- mel; Cora, wife of Frank Leader, a merchant of

Osear W. Pensyl received his education in the public schools of the home locality and was reared on the home farm. . He also learned the butcher's trade, and when nineteen years of age came to Shamokin, where he found employment with M. Croninger. remaining with him for a period of three years. Following that experience he was em- ployed by A. L. Witmer for six years, and in 1906. in company with Thomas H. Paul, he bought out James H. Straub, the well known buteher at No. 104 South Market street, where Paul & Pensyl are doing a profitable business. These young partners

cess but also high standing among the most sub- Pensyl is considered a reliable and trustworthy young man is evidenced from the fact that though he is a Democrat in a Republican ward-the Sixth -he was elected to the borough couneil in 1910. Socially he has numerous connections, holding membership in Lodge No. 355, B. P. O. Elks; the I. O. O. F. ; Jr. O. U. A. M .; K. of M .; Modern Woodman ; Our Band of Shamokin, and the Mer- chants Association.

On Dee. 25, 1905, Mr. Pensyl married Rosie L. Getz, daughter of George Getz, a well known resi- dent of Shamokin, and they reside at No. 104 South Market street, which property he purchased June 13, 1910.

JULIUS BEHRENT, farmer of Shamokin township, has not been a resident of that region as long as most of his neighbors, but he has made a place for himself among its substantial and respected citizens. He was born June 28, 1851, in eastern Germany. son of Louis and Augusta (Raher) Behrent. The father was a miller. and followed that oeeupation in Germany until his death, at the age of seventy-four years. The moth- er subsequently eame to America, passing the re- mainder of her days at the home of her son Juliu's, and dying June 19, 1900, at the age of seventy- eight. She was buried at Shamokin. Louis and Augusta Behrent had the following children : Amelia, Adelina, Annie, Leo, August, Lupold and Julius.

Julius Behrent learned the trade of miller and followed it while he lived in his native land. In 1843 he came to America, landing at New York City June 9th of that year, and he spent two and a half years there. in the employ of a railroad com- pany. From there he came to Shamokin, Pa .. where he was engaged at mining for eleven years, at the end of that time buying his present farm. in Shamokin township, from M. II. Kulp. This place consists of 190 acres, and Mr. Behrent has since

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devoted all his time to its cultivation, in which Mr. Marks married Ida A. Fegely, daughter of Isaac Fegely, and they have had two children, both of whom died in infancy. he has been very successful. His produce is dis- posed of at the Shamokin markets, which he at- tends. Mr. Behrent has not taken any part in the Cornelius Fegely, grandfather of, Mrs. Marks, was born in Berks county, Pa., and was a farmer by occupation, owning a large tract in Maxatawny township, near Bowers station. He died upon his His wife, Annie ( Heffner), is buried at public affairs of his adopted community, although he is interested in the general welfare and ready to support any measures for the universal good. He is a Republican on political questions, and in farm. religion a member of the Reformed Church, hold- Bowers. Their children were: Isaac, Mary (mar- ing membership at Shamokin.

Mr. Behrent married Wilhelmina Krum, also a native of Germany, daughter of Edward Krum. They have eight children, namely : Louis, at pres- ent living in Jersey City; Susan, married to Charles Dunkelberger ; Annie, married to George Bodsoskie; Frank, living in Jersey City; Minnie, town, Pa., Aug. 27, 1907, and his wife, Lydia C. at home; Edward; Martha, and Adeline.

J. WESLEY MARKS, of Ralpho township, storekeeper and assistant postmaster at Bear Gap, has done business in this section of Northumber- land county for a number of years and has a wide acquaintance here. He was born in Columbia . county, Pa., April 23, 1862, son of Jonas Marks and grandson of George Marks. His great-grand- father came from Germany and settled in Penn- sylvania. George Marks lived at New Media, Columbia county, and died there. He was a life- long farmer.

Jonas Marks, father of J. Wesley Marks, was born in Columbia county. He was a carpenter by trade and also followed farming. . In 1890 he went out to York county, Nebr., where he died in 1907. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Raup, died in Columbia county. Of their four children, Elizabeth. Ida, Minnie and J. Wesley, all but the last named are in the West.

ried Charles Kline) and James (died in Reading, l'a. ).

Isaac 'Fegely, father of Mrs. Marks, was born in Maxatawny township, Berks county, and followed farming and hotel-keeping, having a hotel at Mon- terey, in Maxatawny township. He died in Allen- (Leibensperger), died at Mount Carmel, Pa., March 24, 1899. They had children as follows: Ida A., Mrs. J. Wesley Marks; Mary A., wife of J. M. Christ, a merchant of Mount Carmel : Lou- isa, who died young ; and Harry C., who is living in New York City.

Benjamin Leibensperger, Mrs. Marks's maternal grandfather, lived near Zion's church in Maxa- tawny township, Berks county, and followed farm- ing. He and his wife Lydia (Guildin) are buried at that church. Their children were: Reuben : Caroline, wife of Thomas Breinig; David, living at Allentown ; Lydia C., who married Isaac Fegely : Susan, Mrs. James Fegely : Edward, who died young ; Allen, living at New Ringgold : Rebecca, unmarried, who is a teacher at Allentown : Ellen, Mrs. Sipe : Oscar, living at Allentown ; and Mary, widow of Nathan Wolbert.

SCHADEL. This family is said to be descended from Urban Schadel, who was a German by birth. J. Wesley Marks attended the public schools and was reared upon the farm. When nineteen years old he began clerking for J. K. Pensyl, with whom he remained five years, at the end of that period going to Mount Carmel, where he engaged in the wholesale liquor business. In that connection he in a woods. Coming to Berks county, Pa., abont the middle of the eighteenth century, when the Indians still roamed the forest and were his neighbors, tra- dition states that he located at a place in Green- wich township, where there was an apple orchard He had a son, Heinrich Schadel (spelled "Scheddel" on his tombstone), who was born May 24, 1761, and died Nov. 22, 1828. IIe was a man of small stature. His wife, Eve Leisen- ring. was a native of Berks county, born Jan. 3. 1769, and died April 7, 1856. Both are buried at Zion's Union Church, near Klingerstown-locally known as Klingers Church. There is also a out the store of Nathan G. Adams at Bear Gap, Klingerstown Church, the latter standing in the village.

became well known throughout this district, fol- lowing that line for nine years, after which he bought out the hotel at Helfenstein, Pa. He con- ducted it only . a short time, however, when he sold out and purchased the "Elysburg Hotel," which he carried on for four years. He sold that place to G. G. Adams, and on May 5, 1910, bought where he is now located. He is also assistant to Jacob Leisenring, the postmaster. Mr. Marks is Heinrich Schadel came from Berks county to Northumberland county, settling on the farm now owned by his grandson Moses, who is a bachelor. the farm having remained in the family name continuously. Some of the old buildings Heinrich a business man of substantial qualities, a good cit- izen, and enjoys high standing among his fellow men. He is a Republican in political connection and socially belongs to the Elks and the Sons of Veterans, both at Mount Carmel, being entitled. Schadel erected are now crumbling, the wall of a to membership in the latter organization through his father's service in the Civil war. house standing in a meadow being almost in mins. He was an excellent wood worker and mechante,

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making spinning wheels, reels, flax brakes, and years. Their daughter Catharine, wife of Morris various other devices fashioned of wood. His wife Emerson, died Jan. 17, 1846, aged twenty-six Eve (Leisenring) bore him fourteen children, as years. follows: Jonas; Solomon (1790-1857) : Gideon (1794-1848; wife Maria, 1795-1850) ; Ja- cob; David (1796-1876) ; Johannes (1:99-1862) ; George; Samuel; Daniel (1801-1833) ; Abraham L. ; Hannah, married to John Ossman; Catharine, married to Jacob Buffington; Mrs. Abraham Maurer; and one whose name is forgotten. All those whose dates of birth and death are . men- tioned are buried at Klingers Church, where many of the name are interred. Some of the others re- moved to other counties and climes. The family are all Lutherans.

Abraham L. Schadel, son of Heinrich, was born March 20, 1809, and died March 14, 1885. He was a farmer in Upper Mahanoy township, owning the farm now the property of his son Moses, as well as another farm across the township line in Upper Mahantango township, Schuylkill county, where another son, Harry S., now lives. He had a one- half interest in a farm adjoining the one now owned by his son Moses. He was a substantial man. His wife, Froenica (Schneider), was a daughter of Abraham and Evc (Batteicher) Schneider. They had four children: Moses S .; Catharine, who died aged seven years; Harry S .; and Ellen A., who died in infancy. .

CHARLES H. SWANK has been a contractor in Sunbury for a number of years, having followed his trade of stone mason as a journeyman for sev- eral years after settling in the borough, in 1871, and for a number of years as an independent worker. He was born Jan. 9, 1847, in Shamokin township, Northumberland county, son of Sol- omon Swank and grandson of Peter Swank.

Peter Swank, born in 1789, settled a mile north of Elysburg, in Ralpho township, this county, then known as Shamokin township. He followed farming. His death occurred in 1848, and he is buried at the Reed Church .. Like most of his family he was a Lutheran in religious faith, and he served as a member of the council of his church. His wife, Elizabeth, born in 1784, long survived him, dying in 1873. Their children were as fol- lows: William, born Feb. 15, 1813, died April 14, 1886, married Kaziah, born Oct. 19, 1817, died Dec. 28, 1893 (buried at Rced's Church) ; Peter ; Henry H., born Oct. 22, 1820, died Aug. 19, 1890; Solomon; Mary Ann, wife of Daniel Zimmerman : Lydia, wife of Daniel Vought; Eliz- abeth, born in January, 1815, who died July 14, 1884, unmarried.

Jacob Swank, brother of Peter, was born Oct. 16, 1791, and died July 14, 1863. His wife Mary, born June 15, 1790, died Jan. 18, 1877. Their son ' Peter died Jan. 14, 1853, aged twenty-two

Solomon Swank, son of Peter, was born in 1814 and died in 1849. He, too, is buried at Reed's Church. . He lived in Rush township, where he owned his house and a lot of some thirty acres, and he enjoyed a large custom as a shoemaker, be- ing one of the best known men of his trade in the locality. In those days shocs were made entirely by hand, and at the time of his death he had two apprentices, George Deibler and a Mr. Zimmer- man, the former being his brother-in-law. He was buried at Reed's Church, of which he was a prom- inent Lutheran member, as were many of the name living around Elysburg. A. large number of Swanks are buried at that church. He served as deacon, and on one occasion, when the church was locked as the result of some controversy, he crawled through a window and opened the doors. His wife, Mary (or Polly) Deibler, daughter of George and Elizabetlı Deibler, is buried in Pom- fret Manor cemetery at Sunbury. They were the parents of only one child, Charles Henry.

Charles Henry Swank received the educational advantages afforded by the township schools, which he attended for about two months a year. He was reared to farming, and learned the trade of stonemason in his young manhood. Coming to Sunbury in 1871, he worked as a journeyinan for Jacob Bartholomew about eight years and then be- gan contracting, in which he has been very suc- cessful. At times he keeps as many as nine men employed. Mr. Swank has done the mason work on a number of local school buildings, laid the foundation for the original U. B. church, put up the wall for the Sunbury Safe Deposit & Trust Company, the stone work of the Episcopal parish house, the East End hardware store, the D. R. Zartman store, and many other well constructed buildings in the borough. He has also done con- siderable work in another branch of his business, the laying of flagstone, having in one year laid thirty-seven carloads of flagstone, and he also deals in that commodity. He has prospered by good management and thrift, and has won respect by an honorable career of industry and honest dealing. He has served six years as constable in Sunbury.

In 1868 Mr. Swank married Maria Alice Bloom, daughter of Henry and Maria (Wolf) Bloom, and four children have been born to them: Prof. Ed- ward W. is engaged in teaching grammar school in Sunbury; Solomon F. died when five months old ; Mary died in her sixth month ; Lestie I. mar- ried Frank E. Ileddings and they reside in Sun- bury (they have one daughter Hazel A.). Mr. Swank and his family are members of Zion's Lutheran Church at Sunbury. He is a Democrat in politics.

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HARRY E. HAUPT, member of the firm of Bohner, a tract of about one hundred acres. He Haupt Brothers, butchers, of Shamokin, was born followed farming all his days. He died June in that borough, July 2, 1879, son of Benjamin 17, 1854. Mr. Lenker and his family were Luth- Haupt. The family history is given in full elsc- eran members of the Stone Valley Church and he served the congregation in various official eapaci- ties. Mr. Lenker married Catharine Snyder, daughter of John Dietrich Snyder, also of Lower Mahanoy, and she survived him many years, dy- ing Sept. 6, 1887, aged seventy-six years, three months, ten days. Two children were born to this union : Mary, who married Isaae Radel; and Jeremiah. where. He attended the local schools and under his father learned the buteher's trade, remaining with his father until the latter's death, after which he entered into a partnership with his brother William T. They have their place of business at the old stand at the corner of Mulberry and Mar- ket streets, Shamokin, and have established a large trade, in the groeery as well as the meat line. Mr. Haupt is a Republican in politics, a Lutheran in

Jeremiah Lenker was rcared to farm life until religion, and soeially a member of the Sons of Vet- he was seventeen, at which time he began to learn

erans, the I. O. O. F., the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of Pythias.

On Jan. 29, 1898, Mr. Haupt married Gertrude . ing, locating in Toad valley, in Lower Mahanoy E. Shuey, daughter of George and Sarah Shuey, of Shamokin, and they have had six children: his family to Limestone, in Upper Augusta town- Joseph H., Jr., Catherine (deceased), Sarah, Al- ship, where he was also located for six years. Re-

ma, Josiah R. (deceased) and Harry.

JEREMIAH LENKER, who has been a farm- er in Rockefeller township for a number of years, was born March 7, 1850, in Lower Mahanoy town- ship, this eounty, in which region the Lenkers have been settled for many years. Mr. Lenker is a son of George Lenker and grandson of Simon Lenker. al to Rockefeller township, but while in Lower

One Adam (or John Adam) Lenker, evidently the first of the family to settle here, was a native of Switzerland, born Dee. 12, 1765. He located in territory now embraced in Lower Mahanoy town- ship, and followed farming, the original home- stead upon' which he settled being the farm now owned by David Bohner. Hc died March 24, 1834, and is buried at the Zion Church in Stone Valley, as is also his wife, Anna Maria; she was born June 15, 1764, and died May 12, 1822. Their children were: Michacl, John Adam, Ja- cob, Polly (married John Witmer) and Mary (married William Schaeffer). Deseendants of the three sons named are still found in this region.

Simon Lenker. born Oct. 28, 1788, in Lower Mahanoy township, was probably of this same stoek, but whether a son of John Adam or not the records do not show. He owned a farm near Hiekory Corners (now owned by Samuel Latsha) and followed farming all his aetive life, dying April 28, 1852. His wife, Catharine (Dockey), born Dec. 17, 1789, dicd Dec. 10, 1871. They were Lutherans, and are buried at Stone Valley Chureh. They had these children : Simon, Jr., is buried at Herndon, Pa. : Isaac, born Jan. 22, 1818, died March 27, 1881, lived on the home- stead; George is mentioned later; Jonas owned a farm adjoining the homestead; Elizabeth died unmarried ; Catharine married James Yeagly.

George Lenker, son of Simon, was born Feb. 26, 1815, in Lower Mahanoy township, and there owned the farm now the property of Morris

the trade of tanner. IIc followed that occupation until 1880, in which year he returned to farm- township. After six years at that plaee he moved

turning to Lower Mahanoy, he farmned there for nine years, at the end of which period, in 1900, he settled on his present farm in Rockefeller town- ship. There he has a tract of thirty-six aeres, .located about two and a half iniles southeast of Sunbury, on the Plum Creek road. Mr. Lenker has taken no part in public affairs since his remov-

Mahanoy he served nine years as a member of the board of sehool directors. He is a Republican on political questions, and in religion he and his fam- ily are Lutherans, holding membership in Iin- manuel Evangelical Lutheran Church. During his residence in Lower Mahanoy he served many years as deaeon of his church.

On May 8, 1868, Mr. Lenker married Caroline Boyer, daughter of Benjamin and Catharine (Stein) Boyer, the former a native of Amity township, Berks Co., Pa., the latter of Hubley township, Schuylkill Co., Pa. When sixteen years old Mr. Boyer came with his parents to Stone Valley, in Lower Mahanoy township, where he lived and died. . He was an enterprising and pros- perous agriculturist, aequiring the ownership of three farms. Mr. and Mrs. Lenker have had six children : (1) M. Alma was born in Lower Ma- hanoy township and there received her early edu- cation, later attending Susquehanna University, at Selinsgrove, Pa. She began teaching publie school in 1892, receiving her first license from Prof. Ira Shipman, then county superintendent, and has tanght every term since, three terms in Lower Mahanov, three terms in Upper Augusta and nine terms in Rockefeller township. In 1901 she was granted a State teacher's permanent certificate. On Oct. 31, 1905. she was graduated from the Sunbury Business College, having completed a course in stenography and typewriting. She is an aecomplished pianist, and from 1891 has taught music, both vocal and instrumental. Her high

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reputation as a teacher has been gained fantry, with which command he saw active serv- ice, taking part in the engagement at Bermuda Hundred, in the Belfield raid on Dee. 10-11-12, 1864, next at Hatcher's Run, in Virginia (where the regiment remained one week, returning thenee to Petersburg), at the taking of Fort Steadman (1863), the taking of Fort Mahone (April 2, 1865) and the eapture of other forts. He married Arelia Sowers, who died in 1891, at the age of fifty-six years, and ten children were born to them : Charles H. is a farmer of Jackson township: George W. lives in Vaneouver, Wash .; John died in infancy: Ellen married Wesley Wolf, of Sun- bury; Robert L. lives at Herndon ; Elizabeth M. married William Geiger, of Sunbury; William F. is deceased ; Joseph M. is at Vancouver, Wash .;

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 38

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co. Number of Pages: 1024

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co.
Number of Pages: 1024