Frank C. Schrecengost
Frank C. Schrencengost, who has successfully conducted a livery at Rural Valley for the last ten years and more, belongs to a family which has been represented in Armstrong county for several generations. The family is of German origin, the first of his ancestors to come to America, Jacob (known as Yock) Schrecengost, having been a native of Germany. He settled in eastern Pennsylvania.
Conrad (or Coonrod) Schrecengost, Sr., son of Jacob, also born in Germany, was the great-grandfather of Frank C. Schrecengost. He came early to America, with his father, and lived for some time in Berks or Bucks county, Pa., removing west to what is now Armstrong county in the latter part of the eighteenth century. He purchased land in Kittanning (what is now Valley) township, and not only followed agricultural pursuits, but also mechanical work, being a gunsmith by trade. He could use a gun as well as make one, and was a noted hunter in his day. His death occurred at his homestead. He was a Federalist in politics and in religious belief a Lutheran, being a member of the church. His wife, formerly a Miss Zortman, was like himself a native of Germany. Of their nine children, six sons and three daughters, we have record of three sons: Coonrod, Jr., who married Susanna Oury; John; and Daniel.
Daniel Schrecengost, son of Coonrod, was born in what in now Valley township, where he passed most of his life. He cleared and improved a farm there, and for many years also kept a tavern at the old "Stone House" on the Kittanning pike. In his later life he removed to Rural Valley, remaining there until his death. He was a thrifty, industrious and prosperous man, followed his trade of gunsmith as well as farming and tavern-keeping, and acquired the ownership of three hundred acres in his native township. He was a stanch Republican and active in the work of his party in this locality, at one time being its candidate for sheriff of Armstrong County. For several years he held the office of constable. He was member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Mr. Schrecengost married Mary Crum, whose father was a German farmer of Plum Creek township, this county, and they had a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters: Emanuel Z., who was three times married, his wives being Sarah Hartman, Annie McCurdy and Mary Richards, respectively; Zephaniah C., of Plumville, who married Sarah Houser; Solomon s., who served during the Civil war (1864-65) in the army of the Potomac; Daniel W., of Indiana, Pa., who married Mary Ohlinger (he enlisted in Company M., 139th Pennsylvania Volunteers and served until the close of the Civil war; he was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness); Aaron C.; Margaret, who married Samuel Stoops; Mary, deceased; and Isabella.
Aaron C. Schrecengost was reared in his native township, and received his education in the public schools of the home locality. When he began life for himself he engaged as a huckster in Rural Valley and later he embarked in the hotel business there, conducting the "Travelers' Home" for several years. Then he commenced to do business as a mason contractor, in which line he continued until his death, July 12, 1904, when he was sixty-two years of age. He was a member of the M. E. Church, and a Republican in political opinion. On Dec. 20, 1877, Mr. Schrecengost married Catherine Hill, daughter of John and Catherine (Hill) Hill, of Cowanshannock township. Eight children were born to them, namely: Alice, Walter G., Frank C., John A., Jeannette M., Mayme R., Harry T., and Edna Pearl.
Frank C. Schrecengost was born Dec. 16, 1881, in Rural Valley, where he grew up and obtained his education, attending public school. In 1902 he embarked in the livery business, in which he still continues, his establishment commanding a steady patronage. He is a member of the M. E. Church, and socially belongs to the Fraternal Order of Eagles and to the Foresters. Politically he is a Republican. He is one of the substantial young business men of the town, and enjoys high standing in all the relations of life.
Source: Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and Present, J. H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed March 2001 by Thomas P. Cunningham for the Armstrong County Beers Project
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