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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
Contributed for use by the Armstrong County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/armstrong/)Armstrong County Genealogy Project Notice:
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