Source: Pennsylvania, A History, George P. Donehoo, (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1926), p. unk.
Surnames: Lenker, Stoddart, Sherman, Baker, Drum, Yeager
Robert Willis Lenker, MD, assistant surgeon at the Pottsville Hospital, local surgeon for the Pennsylvania Railroad, and local examiner for the United States Veterans' Bureau for the Schuylkill Haven District of Pennsylvania, was born at Buckhorn, Pennsylvania, on December 11, 1880. His parents were Dr. Christian and Mary (Stoddart) Lenker, his father a physician in Schuylkill Haven since 1882. He had served four years and three months in the Civil War in the 19th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and had attained the rank of sergeant -- refusing a commission. He was under General Sherman in the famous "March to the Sea", and took part in the battles of Murphysboro, Stone River, Chickamauga, Orchard Knob, Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain and Atlanta. He retired in 1920, after having served as a member of the Schuylkill Haven School Board, and also as a member of the United States Pension Board for Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
Robert Willis Lenker graduated from the public schools of Schuylkill Haven and then from the Mercersburg Academy in 1899. He went to Gettysburg College, taking the scientific course, and received his Bachelor of Science degree there in 1903. Three years later the college bestowed upon him the honorary degree of Master of Science, following the study of medicine. In 1908 he graduated from Jefferson Medical College with the degree of Medical Doctor, and then served as interne for a year in the Pottsville Hospital. Immediately after this, he began practice in Schuylkill Haven, but soon removed to West Leesport.
When America entered the World War, Dr. Lenker volunteered his services and was commissioned a first lieutenant in the Army Medical Corps, on September 17, 1918. He reported to Camp Upton, New York, and was on duty there until discharged on May 31, 1919. He was first attached to the Infirmary, then engaged in embarkation work and afterwards as epidermologist in connection with the "flu" epidemic and camp sanitation. He received the rank of captain in the Officers' Reserve Corps (Medical), was also captain of the Medical Detachment, 213th Coast Artillery, Pennsylvania National Guard.
Following the war, Dr. Lenker opened an office in Schuylkill Haven and has remained there, located at No. 204 E. Main Street, where he has established a good practice and has made many friends. He was one of the organizers of the Robert E. Baker Post, No. 38, American Legion, and was its first commander. Largely through his energy this post now owns its fine headquarters' building. Later, Dr. Lenker was the Legion's District Deputy. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Pottsville, and the Hamburg Blue Lodge of Masons.
Dr. Lenker was married in Philadelphia on August 1, 1916 to May C. Yeager, of Reading, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Harry and Katherine (Drum) Yeager.
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