My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES RENO PITTENGER, star pitcher of the Boston National League Team, was born Jan. 12, 1872, in Greencastle, Franklin Co., Pa., son of John S. and Johanna (Gordon) Pittenger. His ancestors on the paternal side came from the North of Ireland, and the Gordons from one of the British Isles.

Mr. Pittenger received his education in the public schools of his native place, and from early boyhood has been devoted to the national game, beginning to play baseball like the other boys, on the vacant lots in his home town. His first professional engagement was in 1895 with the Carlisle Team, of the Cumberland Valley League, with which he played one season. The next season he signed with the Roanoke (Va.) Team, but soon after the season opened he was taken sick, and came home to Greencastle, Pa., to recuperate. He finished out the season with the Chambersburg (Pa.) Team, of the Cumberland Valley League, and the next season was with the Greensburg (Pa.) Independent Team, the following year signing with Brockton, Mass., of the New England League. At the close of this season he was sold to the Boston Team, of the National League, and “farmed” to Brockton for one year, and the following year was “farmed” to the Springfield Team, of the Eastern League. The next year he was “farmed” to the Worcesters, of the Eastern League, but at the end of two months was recalled to Boston, with which team he has since played. Needless to say, he is regarded as one of the leading pitchers of the country. Mr. Pittenger’s first game for Boston was against Brooklyn, an eleven inning contest, and although Brooklyn won, they got but three hits off of his delivery. The best game he ever played was against Pittsburg, in 1902, shutting them out without a hit. His record has been an unusual one.

On July 11, 1892, in Hagerstown, Md., Mr. Pittenger married Miss Viola Letta Biershing, of Hagerstown, daughter of Zachariah and Hannah (Coombs) Biershing, and two children have come to this union, Lela May (deceased), and Pearl Elizabeth. Mrs. Pittenger is a member of the United Brethren Church. In political sentiment Mr. Pittenger is a Republican.