HENN, SAMUEL

Portrait and Biographical Record ~ Pages 306

Kindly submitted by: Shirley Reese Siltala 

            SAMUEL HENN.  Among the names held in honor in Rittersville, that which introduced these lines has for many years occupied a prominent place.  Mr. Henn has borne an important part in the growth of the place, maintaining an unceasing interest in its prosperity and contributing to its upbuilding.

            Our subject was born in Lower Saucon Township, Northampton County, this state, July 10, 1823, and is the son of John and Catherine (Vanhorn) Henn, who were likewise natives of Pennsylvania.  The parental family included besides our subject Elizabeth, Josiah and Catherine.  Samuel was reared to manhood in his native place, and meanwhile attended the schools taught near his home.  He was very apt, possessing a quick mind, and being spurred on by the desire to become a businessman, he made rapid progress.

            The paternal grandparents of our subject originally came from Germany, and his father, John Henn, was a life-long resident of Northampton County and died about twenty years ago.  Samuel, of this sketch, began to learn the trade of a tailor when eighteen years of age, and after serving an apprenticeship of three years engaged in business for himself, continuing to follow that line of work for forty years.  He was one of the prominent tailors in Rittersville, and was for a number of years proprietor of a shop in Allentown.  For some time he owned a confectionery store in the latter place, and having been very successful in a financial way, is now living retired from active labor.

            Mr. Henn of this sketch was married July 7, 1846, to Miss Hannah Hunt, who was born in this county February 4, 1824.  She was the daughter of Alvin and Hannah (Trovst) Hunt, natives respectively of Connecticut and Pennsylvania.  Mrs. Henn is of English descent on her father’s side, while the ancestors of her mother came from Germany.  She was reared in the Nutmeg State, and received a good education in the public schools near her home.  After the removal of her parents to this county she taught school for some time.

            To Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Henn were born ten children, of whom the following are living:  Alice, the wife of T. G. Osenbach; Josephine, Mrs. George Breining; Marlo N. G.; Ida, the wife of Joseph Schnerring; Mary, Mrs. Ambrose Bechtel, and Sarah, the wife of John Mack.  In 1867 our subject came with his family to Rittersville, where he has made his home since that time, and here he has risen until he now occupies a prominent place.  He has done his share toward advancing the interests of the community, and his life has been a busy one.  He affiliates with the Evangelical Church, as does also his wife, and they give liberally towards its support.

           Submitted by Shirley Reese Siltala