My Genealogy Hound

EDWARD H. RENINGER, a history of whose life is herewith presented to the public, is Secretary and Treasurer of the Lehigh Valley Trust and Safe Deposit Company. He is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Allentown, April 23, 1857. He is the son of Aaron G. and Eliza (Schrieber) Reninger, natives of Pennsylvania. The father was for many years one of the prominent merchants of the city. The elder Mr. Reninger was a great benefactor to the community, being at all times interested in public matters. His death took place in March, 1894. His widow is still a resident of Allentown. The paternal grandfather of our subject, John Reninger, was a native of Pennsylvania, and one of the pioneers of Montgomery County.

Edward H. was the youngest but one in his parents’ family of five children, and received his early training in the common schools of Allentown. Later he entered the academy in that city, and completed his studies in Franklin and Marshall College at Lancaster, this state, from which he was graduated in 1878. Returning to Allentown, he entered the law office of Morris L. Kauffman, with whom he read law for some time, and was admitted to practice September 23, 1882.

After completing his law studies he began the practice of his profession in partnership with his preceptor, the firm name being Kauffman & Reninger. They are widely known throughout this county and are well established in business. Their large practice, however, was somewhat broken into in 1893 by the election of our subject as Secretary and Treasurer of the Lehigh Valley Trust and Safe Deposit Company, of which he took charge October 2, 1893.

The lady to whom our subject was married, April 24, 1884, was Miss Clara L., daughter of Henry and Rebecca (Saeger) Weinsheimer. In his political relations Mr. Reninger is a pronounced Republican. He served several years as Chairman of the Republican County Committee, and rendered efficient service on the School Board, of which he was a Director for ten years. Mr. Reninger has contributed largely to the financial prosperity of this part of the county, and with true public spirit has aided every enterprise that would in any way advance the welfare of the city. He was one of the parties who were instrumental in securing the location of the Adelaide Silk Mills in Allentown; the Iowa Barbed Wire Mill, which is one of the largest factories of its kind in the state; the Allentown Spinning Company, and the Allentown Hardware Works. He also aided greatly in the establishment of the Lehigh Valley Traction Company, and lent his influence toward securing the street railway lines in the city. With his good wife, he is a member of St. John’s Reformed Church, and has proved a valuable acquisition to the citizenship of this locality. Mr. and Mrs. Reninger have three children, a son and two daughters.