My Genealogy Hound

HENRY WEIDNECHT is one of the active and energetic citizens of Easton, conducting a good business at No. 133 South Third Street. On his father’s death he succeeded to his meat-market and large trade, which he has since greatly improved. In all local improvements and affairs he takes a commendable interest, and among others is a member of the Building and Loan Association, which has for its object the advancement of real-estate enterprises which tend to benefit the city. At one time he was a member of the old Volunteer Fire Department, serving for about twenty-five years, or until the new system was inaugurated. He is also connected with the South Easton Water Works, and is a member of the Masonic Mutual Savings and Loan Association. During the late war he enlisted in the noble Fifty-first Pennsylvania Regiment, and was made Quartermaster-Sergeant of Company K. After serving for two months he contracted typhoid fever, and was sent home when it was expected that he would not live. However, he recovered and later re-enlisted in the Emergency Militia. Prior to his re-enlistment he had returned to his regiment at Fredericksburg, desiring to re-enter the regular service, but he found that they had left for the front, and it seemed best that he should join the Emergency Corps.

As the name would imply, the Weidnechts are of German origin, and our subject’s paternal grandfather, Charles, was formerly a resident of Baden, where he was interested in the raising of grapes. With his wife and family he set sail for America in 1816, and soon after reaching the shores of the New World located near Easton, where he engaged in running a farm. He was a Democrat, and in religion a Lutheran. He died at the good old age of eighty years. His wife, previous to her marriage Catherine Rates, bore him four children: Charles, George, Mrs. Mary Brinker and Mrs. Lizzie Baron. The great-grandfather of Henry Weidnecht, on his father’s side, was a Burgomaster, or Mayor, in a German city, and was a man of prominence and wealth.

The parents of our subject were Charles and Sarah (Spangenberg) Weidnecht. The father was born in the town of Kirndelsheim, Baden, Germany. He had meager educational advantages, but was a great reader, and became well informed on general affairs. He was only six years old when he came with his parents to the United States, and in his youth he learned the butcher’s trade at Easton, following this occupation up to the late War of the Rebellion. Though he was then over the usual age of admission to the service, an exception was made in his favor, as he was a man of strong constitution and endurance. He served valiantly for three years and three months in the Forty-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment, under Captain Griffy, and among other engagements in which he took part were those of Winchester and Shenandoah. His death occurred in 1874, while his wife passed away in January, 1890, aged seventy-nine years. He took quite an active part in the ranks of the Democratic party, and was called to act as a member of the Easton Council at one time, having been forced by his friends to accept the position, though he was averse to holding office. He was Past Master in Easton Lodge No. 152, F. & A. M., and belonged to the Odd Fellows society. For a while he was engaged in driving cattle and sheep to the New York and Philadelphia markets, and at the time of his death left a valuable estate. All three of his sons (John, Henry and Samuel C.) enlisted for the defense of the Union, and were members of the Fifty-first Pennsylvania Regiment. John, who resides in Easton, was a member of Company B, under Colonel Hartranft, afterwards Governor of this state. At the battle of Camden, on General Burnside’s expedition, he received a wound. His service altogether covered a period of three years. Samuel C., who served for the same time, was a member of Company B, with his elder brother, and was detailed to act in the Commissary Department at General Burnside’s headquarters. Mary O., the only daughter, became the wife of E. W. Drake, now deceased.

Henry Weidnecht was born November 26, 1840, at Easton, and here received his schooling. On completing his elementary studies he attended Professor Vanderveer’s Academy for a few terms. On beginning the practical duties of life he was employed by his father as an assistant, and continued with him until the latter’s death. Since that time he has carried on the business in connection with his brother Samuel, and numbers among his customers many of the best families of the place.

The home of our subject is at No. 131 South Fourth Street, and the lady who presides over its hospitality and extends a warm welcome to the many friends of the family was before her marriage Miss Louisa Campbell. The union of our subject and wife was celebrated December 24, 1864. They are members of St. John’s Lutheran Church, and have many sincere friends, whom they have made by their worthy attributes and kindness to all.

Mr. Weidnecht is a leader in the ranks of the Democratic party, and has served as delegate to state conventions on two occasions. At one time he was proposed as a candidate for Councilman from the First Ward. The vote was a tie, although the usual Republican majority is about eighty. A member of several of the leading local fraternities, he is identified with Easton Lodge No. 152, F. & A. M.; Hugh De Payen’s Commandery No. 19, K. T.; Amana Lodge No. 77, K. of P.; and Columbia Council No. 13, Sr. O. U. A. M.