My Genealogy Hound

PROF. J. SHELLY WEINBERGER. A few miles north of Quakertown, in Milford township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, are three Mennonite meeting-houses within a radius of less than a mile, there being no others of that denomination within several miles. The country is fine open land and is still known as the “Swamp.” Sixty years ago most of the people of the vicinity held to the faith of the Mennonites, and at a presidential election those who voted usually cast their ballots for the Whig candidate. Each meeting-house had its school-house attached, and the most advanced in knowledge was called upon to act as schoolmaster. The truest type of the Pennsylvania German was found here. The inhabitants were farmers with the exception of a few mechanics and store-keepers, and were noted for sobriety, industry, non-resistance and the avoidance of debt. Their over-cautious habits, however, prevented their taking the initiative in any new enterprise, and the fact that a thing was new was sufficient cause for its rejection. Hence their slow progress in earlier times. Amidst surroundings and associations of this character dwelt the Weinbergers in humble style, their library consisting of a Bible, a hymn-book, a prayer-book, and a few printed sermons.

Joseph Weinberger’s grandparents emigrated from the borders of the Rhine, in Germany, to this country. He married Mary Shelly. They had four daughters and a son. John Shelly Weinberger, named after his maternal grandfather, was the son.

Joseph Weinberger (father) could read and write German, and was highly esteemed because of his correct habits and resolute disposition. He died in the eighty-first year of his age. His grandmother became almost a centenarian.

Young Weinberger, born in 1832, was educated in the common schools of the vicinity, and when seventeen years of age he joined the West Swamp congregation, at the Mennonite church, where his parents had worshipped. In addition to subscribing to the creed, he promised to obey the regulations of the church, and to preach if the lot should fall upon him. Bishop John H. Oberholtzer was the district school teacher. Increasing parish labors absorbed his time, and when Weinberger was nineteen years of age, the Bishop asked him to take his place as teacher. Being favored by the local director, who promised to make the examination light, and to give him an opportunity to attend a boarding school a term before the district school commenced, and urged to accept by the Rev. Henry A. Hunsicker, principal of Freeland Seminary, the predecessor of Ursinus College, young Weinberger accepted and succeeded far above his expectations. When he was of age he resolved to take a collegiate course, and make teaching his life work. Funds were wanting, but his father finally decided to furnish the money, or rather half of it, taking a note for the remainder. He chose Yale College, where his classical teachers, Wayne MacVeagh and William L. Williamson, had just graduated. Two more years were spent at Freeland Seminary, in study, teaching and acting as prefect. In September, 1855, John Hunter Worrall, a senior, Joseph Alonzo Christman, a junior, Henry Royer, a sophomore, and Mr. Weinberger started for Yale.

Mr. Weinberger, who was the protege of Mr. Worrall, entered the freshman class of 1859. It numbered one hundred and fifty-three members. At the age of twenty-seven, he graduated with honors. The Monday following he took his place as teacher in Freeland Seminary, his department being ancient and modern languages. In two years he saved enough of his salary to pay his notes, and felt himself free.

Prof. Weinberger married Miss Emma Kratz, daughter of Jacob S. Kratz, of Plumstead, Bucks county. In 1863 he purchased a small farm, stocked, and moved on it, managing it successfully without interfering with his profession for a period of twenty-six years. A daughter, Minerva, was born October 1, 1863.

After Professor Weinberger had taught six years, the school was leased for five years to Adam H. Fetterolf, now Dr. Fetterolf, president of Girard College, Philadelphia. Mr. Weinberger became Mr. Fetterolf’s right-hand man. Before the lease had expired, the Seminary was sold to the board of directors of Ursinus College. Mr. Weinberger became a member of the faculty, saved for the college half the seminary students, and has rendered valuable aid to the Reformed brethren in their efforts to place the college on a firm basis. In addition to the degree of A. E. in 1859, and A. M. in 1867, both from Yale, he received the honorary degree of LL. D. from Ursinus in 1895. He was professor of Latin and Greek from 1870 to 1887, and professor of the Greek Language and Literature from 1887 to 1903. He was dean from 1892 to 1903. He began teaching in 1851, and taught consecutively forty-five years in the same locality.

Professor Weinberger has filled the following public positions: Judge of elections in Upper Providence by appointment of the court, when the new constitution of 1873 took effect, and re-elected the following year; committeeman from his district at the Montgomery County Centennial in 1884; first burgess of the borough of Collegeville; trustee in Trinity Reformed church, Collegeville, from 1861 to 1869; elder from 1870 to 1901, thirty-one years; teacher in the Sunday school at Collegeville for forty-five years. It was largely through his efforts that the doors of Ursinus were opened to women in 1881. He was a member of the committee that erected Bomberger Memorial Hall. He is the only one of the original faculty now connected with the institution. He retired from the professorship of the Greek Language and Literature and the deanship at Ursinus, September 1, 1903, still retaining the professorship of Greek Emeritus.

As township committeeman for the County Centennial, in two days he sold a hundred memorial certificates, and sent that money, the first for the enterprise, to J. A. Strassburger, treasurer. When the Centennial accounts were closed, there remained a balance on hand of $1,203.40, which, on motion of Professor Weinberger, was paid to the Montgomery County Historical Society in trust, to be invested in real estate security, which money became the nucleus of the fund with which the Society purchased its fine hall on Penn street, opposite the Court House, in Norristown.

Professor Weinberger has manifested his patriotism by teaching good citizenship, correct morals and fair dealing in business to all with whom he has come in contact, by precept as well as example. He has taken a deep interest in the forestry movement, aiding in the organization of the county association, and delivering addresses on the subject. Later he became president of the county branch, and continued in the position until it was merged in the state association, of which Professor Weinberger is a member. He has read many papers and delivered addresses at public meetings, including the following: Address at intercounty historical meeting of Bucks and Montgomery, at Ambler, June 10, 1886, on “Objective History;” address of welcome before the Farmers’ Institute at Collegeville, January 16, 1897; history of Freeland Seminary at its semi-centennial celebration in Bomberger Memorial Hall, in June, 1898; history of Trinity Church, Collegeville, and life work of its pastor, the Rev. Joseph H. Hendricks, D, D., read at the fortieth anniversary of his pastorate, April 6, 1902; addresses before the students and faculty of Ursinus College, on the following subjects; “Conscience,” “Success,” and “Grateful Remembrances,” all of which have been printed.

Professor Weinberger, although he is no longer young, maintains the vigor and energy of youth to a much greater extent than is usual in persons of his years. In his views he is pronounced. In politics he votes the Republican ticket, but his independence of character would always prevent him from bowing slavishly at the footstool of party allegiance. He aided in 1882 in breaking up the unit rule. He is a believer in civil service reform, as a matter of course. His teaching has always, as might be expected, carried with it a strong personal influence for good.

In 1889 Dr. Weinberger sold his farm on the Perkiomen to Francis J. Clamer, a distinguished metallurgic chemist and inventor. The day after making that sale he purchased a modest but handsome home on Main street, Collegeville, where he resides with his family.