My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL Z. SCHWENK, superintendent of the Ellis-Keystone Agricultural Works, of Pottstown, was born in Limerick township, Montgomery county, near Sanatoga, on October 19, 1852. He is the son of David and Elizabeth (Zern) Schwenk.

David Schwenk (father) was reared in Limerick township, where he died in 1872, at the age of fifty-four years. His wife lived until 1897, and died at the age of seventy-three years. They were farmers. In religious faith they belonged to the German Reformed church. David and Elizabeth (Zern) Schwenk had five children, three sons and two daughters, four now living: Mary, widow of Jacob Gilbert, of Philadelphia; Abraham, of Gratersford; Emma, wife of Leonard Schurg, of Ringing Rocks; and Samuel Z.

Samuel Schwenk (grandfather) was a native of Pennsylvania, and was of a German family. He was a farmer in Skippack township, Montgomery county, and lived to be nearly seventy-five years of age. He married Rachel Smoyer, of Lehigh county, and they had eight children, five sons and three daughters. Abraham Zern (maternal grandfather) was born in the state of Pennsylvania, and was a shoemaker by trade. As is indicated by the name, the Zern family are of German descent. Abraham Zern lived to an advanced age, and left a large family.

Samuel Z. Schwenk was reared in Limerick township on the farm, and received his education in the schools in the vicinity of his home, where he lived until he had reached the age of maturity. When nineteen years of age he began to devote his attention to the carpenter trade, which he followed for a number of years. In 1873 he removed to Pottstown with his mother, and worked in the planing mill for some years. In March, 1879, he became connected with the Ellis-Keystone Agricultural Works, and has been superintendent of the company for twenty-three years.

On September 25, 1875, Samuel Z. Schwenk married Miss Clara Hillegass, daughter of William and Susan (Reigner) Hillegass. They had three children: Alice, died in infancy; J. William, a telegraph operator on the Pennsylvania Railroad; George A., a student in the Pottstown High School. In religious faith Mr. Schwenk is a member of the Reformed church, and his wife belongs to the Lutheran denomination. Politically Mr. Schwenk is a Republican. The family reside in a substantial home at No. 926 High street, which Mr. Schwenk built in 1872-3. Mr. Schwenk is a stockholder in the Iron National Bank, the Pottstown National Bank, the Citizens’ National Bank, the Security Company, of Pottstown, and the Pottstown Gas and Water Company.