Mercer County PAGenWeb

William & David Klingensmith 


KLINGENSMITH----- The members of this family were probably armorers in Ancient days, as the meaning of the name would indicate---Klinge, meaning blades.

(I) William Klingensmith was born in Germany, and emigrated to America in the year 1823. He settled at Sharon, Pennsylvania, where he was a farmer and cattle dealer. Later he removed to Crawford county, Pennsylvania, where he followed the same occupations. At the expiration on two years he removed to Mercer county, and there was an active member of the Baptist church. His political affiliation was the Republican party. He married (first) Mary Bohman; (second) Margarete Hazon; (third) Sarah, a daughter of William Palm. The only child of the first marriage was: William, who was killed at the battle of Gettysburg. Children by the second marriage: Daniel, who went to Iowa at the age of twenty-one years and is now the owner of a large ranch; Harrison, deceased, lived in Greenwood township and married Helen Pearson; Millie, married William Sheppard, now deceased, and lived in Greenwood township; Mary, married Aaron Vonriper, and is living at Noble, Pennsylvania; Julia, deceased, married Hal Curtis, now living at Franklin, Pennsylvania. Children by the third marriage; Jennie, married William Baily and is living at Bradford, Pennsylvania; David D., of further mention; Elmer E., deceased; R_____M., married Ida Schwitzer, and is living in Los Angeles, California; Harmon, superintendent of the Chartiers Oil Company at Pittsburgh, married Margaret Catling, and is living in Bradford, Pennsylvania. Gant, living at Greenville, Pennsylvania, married Mollie Thompson.

 (II)  David D., son of  Wiliam and Sarah (Palm) Klingensmith, was born in Crawford County Pennsylvania, November 22, 1858 He acquired a substantial education in the public schools, and when he had attained manhood settled in Mercer county, Pennsylvania. Later he removed to Allegeheny county, Pennsylvania, where he is now living. He is a practical farmer, cultivating his farm along scientific lines, and is also engaged in the real estate business, of which he is making a decided success. At one time he was an active worker in the interests of the Chartiers Oil and Coal Company of Pittsburgh, but now gives more of his time and attention to the Bell Telephone Company of North Pittsburgh. At one time he was president of this company. His farm consists of one hundred and nine acres of well cultivated land, cultivated for general products. He has lived on his farm near Warrendale for the past ten years. he has been a member of the United Presbyterian church for the past thirty years, and gives his political support to the Republican party. Mr. Klingensmith married  Vinna Glass, of Mercer county, and they have one child,  Dolly June, now eleven years of age.


Source: (Genealogical and personal history of western Pennsylvania / editor-in-chief, John W. Jordan, Vol. 3, pages 1610-1611; Submitted by Sharon Merren)


Return to Biographies Index Page