My Genealogy Hound

AMANDUS C. MENSCH, a leading farmer of New Hanover township, was born there on March 7, 1850. He is the son of Peter and Anna (Moll) Mensch, both now deceased, she dying in 1898 at the age of eighty-two years, and he in 1901 at the age of eighty-eight years.

Peter Mensch (father) was a tailor and farmer, in accordance with the custom in that section of the county in his day, it being imagined that everyone must have a trade in addition to the occupation of farming in order to gain a livelihood for himself and his family. Mr. Mensch followed the tailor trade for more than thirty years, but he owned a farm at the same time. Peter and Anna Mensch had four children, all living, as follows: William A., a well-known farmer of New Hanover; John F., living in Pottstown; Albasena E., married John Heinbach, of New Hanover township, and is divorced from him, they having one child; she then married William Gilbert; Amandus C. (subject of this sketch).

Adam Mensch (grandfather) married Elizabeth Gruber. They resided in Berks county where they followed farming. In politics he was a Democrat, as are all the family. All are members of the Lutheran or Reformed churches. They had eleven children, of whom but two are living, Dr. Mensch, of Pennsburg, and Mary Garmer, residing in Lehigh county. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Mensch were John and Elizabeth (Biddenbreiden) Moll, who followed the occupation of farming, and lived in Berks county. He was also a cabinet maker. They had ten children, all of whom are deceased. In politics he was a Democrat. In religious faith the family were members of the Reformed church.

Amandus C. Mensch attended school until he was eighteen years of age, and then taught school. He entered the Boyertown Seminary and studied there for a time. In all he taught school for thirty-five years, and the record of his work is in the lives of his pupils. He was always an esteemed and worthy citizen.

In 1874 Amandus C. Mensch married Elizabeth, daughter of William and Maria (Yost) Zoller. Her father was a carpenter, and now lives retired in New Hanover township. Mrs. Zoller died in 1901, at the age of seventy-nine years. They had two children, Rosa Jane, unmarried; and Elizabeth (Mrs. Mensch). The children of Amandus C. and Elizabeth Mensch: Rosa A., married Levi Moyer, a farmer in Douglass township, and they have two children, Alice I. and Edna May; Ellen M., married Harvey Borneman, a commission merchant in Philadelphia, they having one child, Herbert W.; Harry William Cleveland, unmarried, and resides with his parents; Laura Jane, unmarried, and resides with her parents; Walter A., born 1897, attends the public schools; and two who are deceased.

Mr. Mensch is a Democrat, but not an office-seeker. The family are members of the Reformed church. He has a good farm which he has always cared for during the summer months when he was not occupied with his school work.