My Genealogy Hound

BENJAMIN LONGANECKER, farmer; P. O. Potsdam; he was born in what is now Juniata Co., Penn., in 1817; his parents, Henry and Anna (Hart) Longanecker, were also born in the same State; there they were married, and in the year 1834, removed to and settled in Newton Township, this county, on 160 acres of land, on which they resided till their decease; his father died Oct. 1, 1872, aged 81 years 3 months and 11 days; his mother departed this life Dec. 25, 1863, aged 69 years 11 months and 14 days; they were parents of ten children, seven of whom are living, viz., Benjamin, David, Henry, Sarah, Anna, Fanny and Susan; the deceased are Esther, Isaac and Elizabeth. Our subject was reared on the farm, assisting in its cultivation until he was 24 years of age, and then began learning the smith’s trade, which he followed about twelve years. Dec. 13, 1838, he was married to Rebecca Welbaum; they have had six children, five of whom are living, viz., Sarah A., Jeremiah, Samuel, Joseph and Henry (twins); one died in infancy; Mrs. Longanecker departed this life July 26, 1848, aged 31 years 6 months and 9 days. His second marriage was celebrated with Magdalene Welbaum, April 4, 1850; they have eight children, viz., Caroline, Susanna, Ephraim, Davis, Ezra, Harvey, Ella and Willie; Mrs. Longanecker was born Nov. 1, 1825, and is a daughter of Abraham Welbaum, who came from Pennsylvania and settled here at an early day; he died Sept. 24, 1863, aged 60 years 6 months and 12 days; her mother, Rebecca, is now the wife of Emanuel Martin; to Mrs. L.’s. parents eleven children were born, eight of whom are living— Magdalene, Lydia, Fanny, Eve, William, Joseph, Levi and Rebecca; the deceased are Barbara, Obadiah and Amos; his first wife was a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Welbaum, whose sketch appears in this work under the head of Jacob Welbaum; after he abandoned the shop, he settled on the place on which he now resides, which was in March, 1856; he owns 310 acres of land, 70 of which is situated in Newberry Township; the land is all in a good state of cultivation and well improved; his buildings on the home farm are of more than ordinary character; a large house and commodious barn, with their pleasant surroundings, make his home a very attractive place; he has held some of the offices of the township, of which we mention School Director, Supervisor, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Longanecker are members of the German Baptist Church, he having been connected with it for a period of forty years, and is one of the Deacons of the church; she has been a member for twenty-six years; both are Christian people and take great interest in the welfare of the church; his children— Joseph, Henry, Sarah, Caroline and Susanna—belong to the same church; Samuel is a minister in the Christian Church and resides in Frederickstown, this county.