My Genealogy Hound

HENRY B. YOHN, who was a well-known hotel keeper of Lower Pottsgrove township, is the son of Henry (deceased), and Sarah (Burns) Yohn. He is a native of Pottstown, where he was born May 4, 1840.

Henry Yohn (father) was a resident of Pottstown and Lower Pottsgrove. He was a mill-wright by trade, but also followed the occupations of farming and butchering. During his later years he was employed as gardener in the public school yards of Pottstown. He died at the age of sixty-five years, and was buried at Mount Zion cemetery. Mr. Yohn was a Republican in politics, but took no very active part in public affairs. Henry Yohn (grandfather) was a miller by trade, and operated a mill in Lower Pottsgrove township for many years. He died at an advanced age, leaving a number of children, having had seven in all. He was a very prominent resident of the township.

The parents of Henry B. Yohn had nine children, of whom seven are living: 1. Charles, married Hannah Lewis. They live in Easton, Pennsylvania, where he is master mechanic of the Broad Top Mountain Railroad Company. They have three children. 2. Henry B., subject of this sketch. 3. Mary, married Michael Steier. They live in Pottstown, where Mr. Steier is engaged in driving omnibuses. They have five children. 4. Kitty (deceased). 5. Sarah, married Watson Albright. They live in Pottstown. Mr. Albright is employed as an engineer in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. The couple have three children. 6. Emma (deceased) married Dr. Levengood, of Altoona, who is also deceased. Three children survive them. 7. William, who went west thirty-five years ago and has never been heard of since. 8. Matilda, residing in Pottstown, married Milton Detwiler, a butcher by occupation. They have six children. 9. Elma died very young.

Henry B. Yohn had very limited opportunity for education, having attended school only thirty days during his entire life. He took up the occupation of boating on the canal when a mere boy, and followed it steadily for a dozen years. He then turned his attention to railroading for a year or more. Having secured employment as an iron worker he continued that occupation for thirty-one years. At the end of that time, in 1891, he purchased the property of the Ringing Hill Hotel, one of the most popular public houses in that section of Montgomery county.

Mr. Yohn married, December 26, 1861, Phoebe, daughter of Francis and Sophia (Zollers) Garber. The parents resided in Pottstown, where he followed the occupation of carpenter and builder. Both have been deceased many years. They were Lutherans in religious faith. Mr. and Mrs. Yohn have had but one child, who died very young. In politics Mr. Yohn is a Republican, being active in support of the party. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Pottstown Lodge. Mr. Yohn added very much to the attraction of the Ringing Hill Hotel, having put all the buildings in perfect repair, provided a very large dance floor, and otherwise improved it.

In January, 1904, he sold his hotel, and in April removed to Pottstown, where he now resides, at 421 Cherry street.