My Genealogy Hound

JOHN E. PENNEPACKER, one of the best known citizens of Schwenksville, where he lives retired, is a native of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. He was born in Limerick township, April 3, 1845. He is the son of Isaac and Esther (Boyer) Pennepacker.

Isaac Pennepacker (father) was born in what is now Skippack township, but was then Perkiomen, May 11, 1817. He died in Perkiomen township, May 22, 1868. He had a brother Samuel, born April 22, 1809. Isaac Pennepacker was a farmer throughout his life, and a prominent and well known member of the community. He paid some attention to stock raising, and attended market in his younger days. In politics he was a Republican, never missing an election, but did not care for the emoluments of office. Both he and his wife were members of the Reformed church. His wife died January 12, 1868. She was the daughter of Charles and Sarah Boyer, both natives of that section of the county, he a weaver by trade as well as a farmer. He resided in Frederick township, and was a strong Democrat, but never sought or held office. The children of Charles and Sarah Boyer: Esther, mother of Mr. Pennepacker; Elizabeth, Mrs. Peter Roth. The children of Isaac and Esther (Boyer) Pennepacker: John B., subject of this sketch; Charles, died at the age of nine years; Sarah, died unmarried at the age of twenty-one years.

John Pennepacker (grandfather), born November 11, 1781, married Mary Snyder, born September 5, 1788. He was born in what is now Skippack township and reared at Pennypacker’s Mills. When he had grown to manhood and was married, he removed to a tract of land owned by his father near the old Pennepacker homestead. Later it was sold, and he removed to Limerick, buying a large farm on which he spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1858. He was a blacksmith and farmer by occupation, and a good business man. In politics he was a Whig, but never held office. He was a member of the Reformed church, although several of his brothers and others of the family were Mennonites. His wife survived him, dying at the age of ninety years. She was the daughter of John Snyder, a well known farmer and distiller of apple whiskey. John Pennepacker’s children: Samuel, and Isaac, father of John B. Pennepacker. Samuel Pennepacker (great-grandfather) had the following children: John (grandfather); Samuel, Benjamin, Jacob, Abraham, Daniel, and William. Peter Pennepacker (great-great-grandfather) was the son of Hendrick Pannebecker, the immigrant. Peter married Elizabeth Keyser, of Germantown.

Hendrick Pannebecker (great-great-great-grandfather), the immigrant, was a native of Holland. He was born March 21, 1674, and died April 4, 1754. He was born at the village of Flamborn, in Holland, and emigrated to America. He was a man of considerable learning, and was a surveyor for William Penn. In 1699 he married at Germantown, Eve, daughter of John Peter Umstat (Umstead). He made a purchase on Skippack Creek, December 5, 1702, upon which he settled, and in 1708 purchased 204 acres more in the same vicinity. He was naturalized in 1731, and prior to 1746 resided for a time in Limerick, where his wife died. He then returned to Perkiomen township, dividing the greater portion of his estate among his children, who were: Martha, born 1706; Adolph, born 1708, died 1789; Peter, born 1710, died 1770; John, born 1713, died 1784; Jacob, born 1715, died 1752; Henry, born 1717, died in 1792. Martha, the oldest child, became the wife of Anthony Vanderslice. The Pennepackers, descendants of Henry, are a very numerous family in Montgomery and Chester counties, Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker having traced the family history to its remotest origin. The members of the family are among the most influential and respected citizens of this section of Pennsylvania.

John E. Pennepacker was reared to farm pursuits, and educated in the public schools of the vicinity. He remained with his parents until he reached the age of manhood. He married in 1867, and settled on the homestead as a farmer. He remained there as a farmer until 1893, when he retired from active life and went to live at Schwenksville. He owns three tracts of land- the home farm of 129 acres; 135 acres in Limerick township, and another well improved farm in Hatfield township. He carried on the general farming which his ancestors had followed before him, and was well known for his excellent knowledge of the routine of farming. He is the owner of considerable bank stock, is a Republican in politics, but has never sought or held office.

He married, January 5, 1867, Elizabeth Wagner, born in Frederick township, Montgomery county, September 19, 1843. She is the daughter of Jonas and Esther (Snyder) Wagner, both belonging to old families of Montgomery county. Mr. Wagner was a farmer. His wife was a daughter of Jacob Snyder, who owned and operated a mill in addition to his occupation of farming. Both are now deceased. Their children: Michael and Henry, farmers; Jacob, watchmaker and silversmith; Milton, a silversmith employed with his brother; Jonas, also a worker in silver; Mary A., Mrs. Kahn; Amanda, Mrs. F. Fegley, she being deceased; Matilda, died at the age of fourteen years; Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Pennepacker. The children of Mr. and Mrs. John B. Pennepacker: Isaac, who farms the homestead; Jonas, a merchant at Schwenksville; Mary, married Dr. W. H. Knipe, of Limerick Square; Elizabeth, unmarried; Sarah, unmarried. The parents and children are members of the Reformed church, in which Mr. Pennepacker has been an elder since 1888. Mr. Pennepacker and his wife are in the enjoyment of health and a sufficiency of this world’s goods. Their home in Schwenksville is an elegant brick residence with all modern improvements. The couple are enjoying the reward of a well-spent life.