My Genealogy Hound

THE GREGER FAMILY. The history of most of the early immigrants from European countries to the American colonies now forming the United States is largely a matter of conjecture, the searcher after information being usually able to obtain here and there a mere glimpse of what manner of men and women they were. Some of them brought with them, however, to the new homes which they sought to establish in the Western world, some credentials which enable the historian of the present generation to form some idea of the regard in which they were held at home and of the place in the community which they occupied. In the case of the Greger family, such credentials are in existence in the shape of the following certificate from the old country, now in the possession of Abraham Greger, of Oak Lane, in Philadelphia, given to the immigrant ancestor of the family, Johann Georg Krieger, showing that he was a desirable accession, whithersoever he went:
“We, an association of Masters, under oath, as also other brother Masters of our honorable flax-weaving trade, in the town of Genneisheim (Charpfaltz Province) do pretend to inform every person that Johann Georg Hagour, beloved brother Master of Blenheim (in a collection of Masters and in open body) has appeared before us and informed the meeting that his apprentice, Johann Georg Krieger, of Blenheim, desires a certificate from us to the effect that he has faithfully learned the linen weaving trade and that in his travels he could fruitfully serve himself with such a paper (which would also be a necessity to him). He, therefore, obligingly prays you may grant him the same, and in the custom of your body assist his hands as known by references to the minutes of the Masters’ Meeting, and also by dignified inquiry it is known to us that the recommended Johann Georg Krieger, on January 27, 1750, before us and in accustomed order entered his Master’s service, and afterwards on the same date anno 1753, was relieved of the same, on which occasion his Master not only deposited with us the most satisfactory certificate of his well learned trade, but also as we have ourselves noticed, in fact, he has always conducted himself religiously, industriously and without showing any displeasure as well becomes a good apprentice. We request, in accordance with these facts that all Masters of our aforesaid trade by virtue of this certificate attest will accept this Johann Georg Krieger as a workman, and also to assist him in every manner possible in his efforts to find fortune. We will reciprocate such action to the best of our ability.

“Given under our hand and seal at Genneisheim, January 27, 1753.
“MASTER JOHANNES EBERLE. (Seal.)
“M. FIEBEN LEISTER, County and Society Scribe.” (Translation.)

Beyond the meagre facts narrated above, there is no connected account of the life of Krieger, who is supposed to have settled in Philadelphia county, probably at Germantown, and finally drifted to the neighborhood where is now the flourishing borough of North Wales. Who the linen weaver married has not been learned. The family record contains the name of his son Abraham, born August 3, 1768, died November 30, 1854, married May 12, 1799. Mary Beeson, born January 11, 1775, died September 21, 1854. Both husband and wife are buried in Boehm’s churchyard, Blue Bell. Their children: George, born March 9, 1800; Jacob, born September 3, 1801; Charles, born November 20, 1803; Elizabeth, born March 12, 1806; David, born November 25, 1807, died March 23, 1891; Catharine, born May 29, 1810; Abraham, born June 16, 1812; Meredith, born July 28, 1814.

David Greger married, December 7, 1837, Catharine, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Harner Blake. He was a farmer by occupation, residing for many years on a farm on the Penllyn turnpike, near Blue Bell, not far from Boehm’s church, in a very fertile section of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. A biography of their eldest son, Jacob Blake Greger, follows this and gives all attainable facts as to himself and his family. David Greger and Catharine, his wife, are also buried in Boehm’s churchyard. The other children of David Blake: Abraham (2), born October 24, 1839, married, June 28, 1866, Johanna Cashen, daughter of Patrick and Maria Cashen O’Neill, the parents being from county Clare, Ireland. The children of Abraham and Johanna Greger; Mary Joseph, born March 10, 1868; David John, born April 11, 1870; Katharine Cecilia, born April 4, 1872; Elizabeth Marie, born May 30, 1874. The family reside at Oak Lane, in Montgomery county, adjacent to Philadelphia. John B. (3), whose biography appears elsewhere in this volume. Charles (4), sketch of whom also follows. David George (5), born May 22, 1849, died March 6, 1892; married, March 15, 1876, Catharine, daughter of Charles Weher and Mary Ann (Baker) Hallman, residents of Upper Gwynedd township, their children being: Charles Gilbert, born January 29, 1878; David Cyrus, born May 9, 1883; George Raymond, born January 1, 1885. Thomas Pennington (6), sketch of whom follows.