My Genealogy Hound

EDWIN M. SHELLENBERGER, of West Point, was born in Towamencin township, Montgomery county, January 25, 1844. His paternal grandfather was Philip Shellenberger, who was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and died at an advanced age, his remains being interred at Hill Town Church. For many years he conducted a tavern. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Appel, was born in Bucks county, also lived to a ripe old age and was laid to rest in Hill Town Church cemetery. Their children were Henry, George, Jesse, Michael and John, all of whom are now deceased.

George Shellenberger, father of Edwin M. Shellenberger, was a native of Bucks county, born in 1792, and he lived to be about seventy years of age, his remains being then interred in Christ Church cemetery at Kulpsville, Pennsylvania. He married Catherine Zearfoss, who was born in Whitman township, Montgomery county, and died September 1, 1887, at the age of eighty-seven years. Her remains were then placed by the side of her husband’s in Christ Church cemetery. Her father, Benjamin Zearfoss, was a farmer and shoemaker and was buried at St. John’s church near Belfry, Montgomery county. His wife, who was also laid to rest there, bore the maiden name of Matilda Weaver. Their children were Catherine, Fred, Jacob, Benjamin and Lydia, the wife of Henry Bideman. They, too, are all deceased. The children born unto George and Catherine (Zearfoss) Shellenberger were: Edwin M., Hillery, George, Jesse, Aaron, Matilda, Lydia, Catherine and Elizabeth.

Edwin M. Shellenberger pursued his education in the public schools until about twenty years of age and then began farming on his father’s land, where he remained for about three years. He next purchased his present property at West Point, Montgomery county, where he has resided for twenty years. Here he was largely engaged in the production of vegetables and each week attends the Philadelphia market where he places his products on sale. He is a Democrat. He and his wife attend the Schwenkfelder church.

Mr. Shellenberger was married to Miss Mary Bookheimer, a daughter of Frederick Bookheimer. Both her paternal and maternal grandparents were early residents of Montgomery county. Her father was a farmer in Gwynedd township, Montgomery county, and died in April, 1885. Her mother is still living in Gwynedd township, at the age of seventy-eight years. Mrs. Shellenberger was born March 27, 1848, ancl was one of a family of eight children, the others being: Amanda, Addison, Elizabeth, Lydia, Samuel, John and Hannah. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Shellenberger have been born the following children: Howard, the eldest, born March 18, 1868, married Annie Bruner, a daughter of Mrs. Hannah Bruner, and they have one child, Elmer E. Howard Shellenberger is now acting as driver for Benjamin Frederick of West Point. Ida Jane, born October 28, 1869, is the wife of Irwin Quinn, a son of Mrs. Emma Quinn, and they reside at West Point, he being employed in the North Wales planing mill. They have four living children: Robert, Lawrence, Edwin and Hazel, and they also lost two. Jesse Shellenberger, born May 19, 1872, is an engineer in the employ of Henry Moyer, of West Point. He married Laura Allebach, a daughter of Joseph Allebach. Allen Shellenberger, born March 30, 1874, is employed by Harry Moyer at North Wales. He wedded Mary Booc, a daughter of Jacob Booc and they have a daughter, Grace. Lydia L. Shellenberger, born May 5, 1877, is the wife of Fred Galbraith, a son of Fred Galbraith, Sr. He is employed by the Fairview Creamery and they have one child, Mildred. George Shellenberger, born November 27, 1878, is a farmer of Worcester township, Montgomery county. Samuel, born December 17, 1884, is employed in a sash factory at Lansdale, Pennsylvania. Gurness, born September 5, 1886, is on a farm in Worcester township. Clarence, born August 20, 1889, is at home with his father.