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Below is a family biography included in the book, Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company. These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary. Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.
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SAMUEL H. SCHNECK, dealer in furniture, is one of Slatington’s substantial and well known citizens. Pennsylvania claims him as one of her own sons, for he was born in Crawford County, August 26, 1842. His father, Jonas Schneck, was a native of Lehigh County, whence he removed to Crawford County, and there his death occurred in 1844. He was a farmer by occupation. The paternal grandfather, Henry Schneck, was also a native of Lehigh County.
The progenitors of the Schneck family were originally from Holland, and coming here in an early day, were identified with the pioneer history of this county. All honor is due to the sturdy “sons of toil” who helped to make of Pennsylvania a loyal and progressive state. The mother of our subject, Magdelina Fry, was a native of Lehigh County, where her father, Peter Fry, was an early settler. Her death occurred in 1871, at the age of sixty-two years.
At the age of six years Samuel Schneck removed ith his mother to Lehigh County, where he secured a common-school education and engaged in work on a farm. In 1857 he went to Allen town, and was apprenticed to Price & Weaver for three years to learn the cabinet-maker’s trade. Immediately upon completing his apprenticeship, in the spring of 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Twenty-fifth Regiment (known as the First Defenders), being one of the very first to offer his services in defense of the Flag. He was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, serving for three months, and then joined Company A, Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, commanded by Col. E. C. Williams, of Harrisburg.
Mr. Schneck was then assigned to the Western Army, where he rendered valuable service, participating in about thirty engagements, the first important encounter being the battle of Perryville, Ky., October 8 and 9, 1862. He was with his company in the Carlton raid, through the states of Kentucky and Tennessee and into Virginia, where they cut off the supplies and burned the supply trains in December, 1862. He participated in the battles of Spring Hill (Tenn.), March 10, 1863; Trione (Tenn.), June 11, 1863; Shelbyville (Tenn.), June 28, 1863; Chickamauga (Tenn.), September 19-21, 1863; New Market (Ala.), October 6, 1863; Mossy Creek (Tenn.), December 26, 1863, and Dandridge (Tenn.), January 16, 1864. The same month he re-enlisted for three years. He afterward returned to Macon, Ga., and engaged in the battles of Briar Creek, November 28, 1864, Savannah, December 21, 1864, Johnson Station (S. C.), February 11, 1865, Benton ville (N. C.), March 19, 1865, and Raleigh (N. C.), April 12, 1865. At the battle of Bentonville he was wounded in the left knee. He was present at the surrender of Johnston, and was mustered out at Lexington, July 18, 1865.
At the close of the war Mr. Schneck returned to Allentown, where he remained for a short time, removing thence to Slatington in the spring of 1866. Here he embarked in the furniture business in partnership with David Jacobs, under the firm name of Jacobs & Schnek. Later he purchased Mr. Jacobs’ interest in the business, since which time he has conducted it successfully on his own account, and has built up an extensive and profitable trade.
In 1886 Mr. Schneck put up the building which he at present occupies. The main room is 38x74 feet in dimensions, and the store room forty feet square. Mr. Schneck makes a specialty of the complete outfitting of homes, and his success in this particular is well known, while his honorable, courteous treatment of his customers gives them a confidence in him which is never misplaced. He also handles a complete line of carpets in finest Wilton, Brussels, tapestry and ingrains, and carries a complete stock of rugs, oil cloths, mats and matting.
In politics our subject is an influential Republican, and has filled many offices of public trust. He has served as President of the School Board, and at present is Burgess of the town. Socially he is a member of Slatington Lodge No. 440, F. & A. M.; a charter member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and Past Commander of Samuel Kress Post No. 284, G. A. R. He is always interested in whatever tends to promote the welfare of Slatington and its citizens, and is one of its most influential men.
In 1868 occurred the marriage of our subject and Miss Maria Crossley, of Lehigh County. She is a daughter of Charles Crossley, of Pleasant Corners, in the county above mentioned. To this union have been born seven children, four sons and three daughters. Ella A. is the wife of Mr. Haldeman, of the United States Navy. Clinton C. is in business with his father. The others are Frederick E., Winnie M., Frank Samuel, Lulu M. and Lawrence J. Mr. and Mrs. Schneck are members of the Lutheran Church, and Mr. Schneck has been an officer in the church for a number of years. It is the desire of their friends that they may yet live to spend many useful and happy years in their beloved home.
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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the book, Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company.
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