Descendants of John Benninger,Sr Generation No. 1 1

BENNINGER GENEALOGY, courtesy of Sylvia Mitchell, [e-mail], 14 July 2000

Descendants of John Benninger,Sr

Generation No. 1
1. JOHN¹ BENNINGER,SR was born Abt. 1770, and died 12/11/1848 in ? Vandergrift, Westmd. Co., PA. He married MARTHA ?.
Notes for JOHN BENNINGER,SR:

John Beninger built an iron furnace in Fairfield Twp., a short distance below Ross Furnace, on Tub Mill Creek in 1810. He also built a small forge on the same stream where the borough of BOLIVAR now stands. Both the furnace and the forge ceased to make iron soon after they were built, the forge ran until about 1816. When short of pig iron, it sometimes made bar iron direct from ore, which was obtained nearby. This furnace was named Hannah Furnace.

More About JOHN BENNINGER,SR:

Fact 8: Morrison Cemetery, Lower Burrell, Allegheny Twp., Westmd. Co., PA
More About MARTHA ?:

Fact 8: Morrison Cemetery, Lower Burrell, Allegheny Twp., Westmd. Co., PA

Children of JOHN BENNINGER and MARTHA ? are:

2. i. WILLIAM² BENNINGER,SR, b. 12/11/1803; d. 03/24/1887, 11:30 pm Allegheny Twp, Westmoreland County, PA.

ii. CATHARINE BENINGER.

iii. MARIA MAGDALENA BENINGER, b. 10/27/1811.

3. iv. JOHN BENINGER,JR, b. Abt. 1816.

Generation No. 2
2. WILLIAM² BENNINGER,SR (JOHN¹) was born 12/11/1803, and died 03/24/1887 in 11:30 pm Allegheny Twp, Westmoreland County, PA. He married (1) SUSANNAH ?. He married (2) MARTHA ?.
Notes for WILLIAM BENNINGER,SR:

To be researched further for a Peter Benninger immigrating to this country about 1742 to Philadelphia PA

I will try to translate the will of Wm. Benninger Sr. word for word as written:
7 WB 502

No 69 of 1887

Will of William Benninger Sr.

Deceased
In the name of God Amen. I, William Benninger Dr. of Allegheny *Tp County of Westmoreland and state of Pennsylvania being of sound mind and memory do hereby make publish and declare this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following hereby revoking any will written heretofore made by me. First I direct all my just debts and funeral expenses to be fully paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently may be after my decease. I give devise and bequeath to my beloved wife Susannah Benninger all my household furniture including every piece and part thereof. And if there be any part she may not desire my executors shall have power to sell such part and pay to her whatever money it may bring. And also for her use the dwelling house now occupied by me also the use of all buildings and garden belonging to said building. She shall also have pasture for two cows and a horse if she may wish to keep them and to have stabling in the barn and sufficient hay to keep them in good condition. She shall also receive yearly One Hundred and Fifty *bus. corn. One Hundred in *bus. Oats. Eighteen *bus. wheat and Twelve *bus. Potatoes. And if she removes from the farm she shall be paid One Hundred Dollars yearly instead of the above allowance, provided she relinquishes her claim to former allowance of pasture and grain. In either case only so long as she lives or remains my widow. I further direct that my wife shall receive no proceeds from my estate other than that hertofore mentioned. I bequeath to my grandson John Shearer Four Hundred Dollars and to my grandson Wm. James E. Shearer One Hundred Dollars to be paid when the money is made from the property. I direct that if my son Wm. Benninger wishes he shall have (100 acres) One Hundred acres of the farm (of the part on which the buildings are situated) the division line beginning line of John *Hutton and thence north to lands of Henry Lobaugh at the price of Fifty five Dollars per acre to be paid in four equal annual payments to my three children John Benninger Jr., Maria intermarried with James Pearsol and Catherine Elmira intermarried with John Simons his own share to be deducted from the price. the first payment to be made in one year from my death back payment not to bear Interest. And if he shall not wish to keep the above mentioned 100 acres the whole farm shall be sold within 2 years after my death or if he does keep the 100 acres, the remaining 72 acres shall be sold within 2 years also either at public or private sale as my executors may think best and the annual rent of farm shall remain unchanged within that time. After giving to my wife which is due to her the remainder if any to be equally divided *Hutton could be Hulton between my for children, John, William, Maria and Catherine Elmira.

I further direct if it is sold as whole or part that Two Thousand Dollars be set apart for the benefit of my wife of which she shall receive the One Hundred Dollars yearly before mentioned and after other bequests, the balance if any to be equally divided between my four children viz. John, William, Maria and Catherine Elmira except to such as I hold notes against which notes shall be divided from his or her share with out interest and redivision made. I also direct if at my death there remains in Bank or elsewhere any money to my credit it shall be equally divided between my for children, John Benninger, William Benninger, Maria Pearsol and Catherine E. Simons. And lastly I do nominate and appoint my said sons John Benninger and William Benninger to be the executors of this my last will and testament. In testimony whereof I the said William Benninger Sr, have to this my last will and testament contained on one sheet of paper and to this one sheet I have subscribed my name and affixed my seal this thirtieth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty six
* In this space the will was signed by

* William Benninger Sr. with a seal

Signed sealed and published and declared by the said William Benninger Sr. as and his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witness thereto

*signed in this space by

*Thomas J. Beale

*J. H. Benninger

And now April 18, 1887. Legally proved and approved same day Recorded and letters Testamentory

granted to John Benninger and William Benninger. the within named executors who were sworn before me.

*signed in this space by

*E. B. Houseman

*Register

Testator died March 24, 1887 at 11:30 P.M.

Oct 12, 1888 *declination of Wm. Benninger to take under the will filed
Written down the left side of this document is the following:

* ??? assignment of legacy of J. B. Shearer to John E. Faulk

J. B. Shearer to John E. Faulk recorded in Deed Book 112 page 433
*********

*Tp=Township

*bus.=bushels

*Hutton could be Hulton or Hullon

*signed in this space means the actual signature of said person or persons

after Oct 12, 1888 not sure but it may be this as stated above

More About WILLIAM BENNINGER,SR:

Fact 8: Morrison Cemetery, Lower Burrell, Allegheny Twp., Westmd. Co., PA

More About SUSANNAH ?:

Fact 8: Morrison Cemetery, Lower Burrell, Allegheny Twp., Westmd. Co., PA

More About MARTHA ?:

Fact 8: Morrison Cemetery, Lower Burrell, Allegheny Twp., Westmd. Co., PA

Children of WILLIAM BENNINGER and SUSANNAH ? are: These are Susannah’s step-children their mother was Martha (maiden name unknwn)

4. i. JOHN³ BENNINGER, b. 01/18/1833, Vandergrift, Westmoreland Co., PA; d. 07/29/1905, Allegheny Twp., Westmoreland Co., PA.

ii. WILLIAM BENNINGER,JR, b. 1840, VANDERGRIFT, ALLEGHENY TWP, WESTMD CO, PA.

iii. MARIA BENNINGER, b. 1842, VANDERGRIFT, ALLEGHENY TWP, WESTMD CO, PA; m. PEARSOL.

iv. CATHARINE ELMIRA BENNINGER, b. 1850, VANDERGRIFT, ALLEGHENY TWP, WESTMD CO, PA; m. SIMOUS OR JOHN DINVERS.

5. v. MARY M BENNINGER, b. 05/16/1827, Vandergrift, Westmoreland Co., PA; d. 03/03/1886, Shearersburg, Allegheny Twp., Westmoreland Co., Pa.

Child of WILLIAM BENNINGER and MARTHA ? is:

vi. SARAH ANN³ BENNINGER, b. 06/04/1837.

More About SARAH ANN BENNINGER:

Fact 8: Morrison Cemetery, Lower Burrell, Allegheny Twp., Westmd. Co., PA

3. JOHN² BENINGER,JR (JOHN¹ BENNINGER,SR) was born Abt. 1816. He married MARY GOLERAN?.

Children of JOHN BENINGER and MARY GOLERAN? are:

i. JOHN GOLERAN³ BENINGER, b. Abt. 1835.

ii. CYRUS BENINGER, b. Abt. 1842.

Generation No. 3
4. JOHN³ BENNINGER (WILLIAM², JOHN¹) was born 01/18/1833 in Vandergrift, Westmoreland Co., PA, and died 07/29/1905 in Allegheny Twp., Westmoreland Co., PA. He married LUCINDA?.

Child of JOHN BENNINGER and LUCINDA? is:

i. BENNINGER⁴.
5. MARY M³ BENNINGER (WILLIAM², JOHN¹) was born 05/16/1827 in Vandergrift, Westmoreland Co., PA, and died 03/03/1886 in Shearersburg, Allegheny Twp., Westmoreland Co., Pa. She married PETER SHEARER, son of JOHN SHEARER and MARGARET???.
More About MARY M BENNINGER:

Fact 8: 1887, Pleasant Hill, West Leechburg, PA

Notes for PETER SHEARER:

Peter Shearer was 77 years old at the time of his death according to the registration docket no. 2 page 152. Duration of sickness was 2 weeks. Peter suffered from Bright's Disease this is a kidney disease.

Received thru the Westmoreland County Courthouse, Register of wills and Clerk of Orphans Court Earl S. Keim,II. Chief Deputy was Taylor Troiano, Second Deputy was Loretta Raichel. Solicitor William F. Caruthers.
Relative fought in the American Revolution, War of 1812 and The Spanish American War and the Civil War.
Peter fought in the Civil War. C Corp R.A. Shearer was recruited in Latrobe or Ligonier for Co E Eleventh PA volunteers, serving 3 yrs during the Civil War. He was wounded 5-10-1864 and is listed as a veteran.

1860 Census in Westmoreland County, Allegheny Twp lists the household of Peter as below:

Value of

Value of Personal

Name Age Sex Occupation Real Estate Estate
Peter 30 M Farmer 2600. 895.

Mary 31 F

William J 3 M

John B 1 M

Sarah E 5 F

Margaret 30 F probably his sister

Margaret 65 F probably his mother

William 16 M

More About PETER SHEARER:

Fact 9: 12/27/1829, Pleasant Hills, West Leechburg, PA

Children of MARY BENNINGER and PETER SHEARER are:

i. MABEL⁴ SHEARER, m. RALPH YOUNG.

Notes for MABEL SHEARER:

Mabel (shearer) mother= Elsie Ramaley (married name)

Elsie - ? - possibly a Garrett ...Could Elsie be sister of Mary Garrett ??

Mabel possibly Peter's sister.

or could be sister to Mary M Beninger's mother
Check Mrs. Edgar Garner/Reimer- daughter of Mabel Shearer.

More About MABEL SHEARER:

Fact 1: Possibly Peter Shearer's sister.

Fact 8: Pleasant Hills Cemetery, W Leechburg, PA

ii. SARAH E SHEARER, b. Abt. 1855.
Notes for SARAH E SHEARER:

This is not Peter's daughter

6. iii. WILLIAM JAMES E SHEARER, b. 01/17/1857; d. 12/29/1901, W Leechburg, PA.

7. iv. JOHN BENNINGER SHEARER, b. 04/25/1859, Shearersburg, Westmoreland Co, PA; d. 07/31/1950, New Kensington, Westmd Co, PA; Stepchild.

Generation No. 4
6. WILLIAM JAMES E⁴ SHEARER (MARY M³ BENNINGER, WILLIAM², JOHN¹) was born 01/17/1857, and died 12/29/1901 in W Leechburg, PA. He married ANNA M 'SHEARER'.
More About WILLIAM JAMES E SHEARER:

Fact 8: Pleasant Hills Cemetery, W Leechburg, PA

More About ANNA M 'SHEARER':

Fact 8: Pleasant Hills Cemetery, W Leechburg, PA

Children of WILLIAM SHEARER and ANNA 'SHEARER' are:

i. ELMER K⁵ SHEARER, b. 06/19/1886; d. 06/21/1908. http://www.freelotto.com/LottoPicker/login.asp?FID=6056902066 http://www.freelotto.com/LottoPicker/login.asp?FID=6056902066

More About ELMER K SHEARER:

Fact 8: Pleasant Hills Cemetery, W Leechburg, PA

ii. INFANT 1 - W J E SHEARER, b. Abt. 1890; d. Abt. 1891, W Leechburg, PA.
More About INFANT 1 - W J E SHEARER:

Fact 8: Pleasant Hills Cemetery, W Leechburg, PA

iii. INFANT 2 - W J E SHEARER, b. Abt. 1891; d. Abt. 1891, W Leechburg, PA.
More About INFANT 2 - W J E SHEARER:

Fact 8: Pleasant Hills Cemetery, W Leechburg, PA

7. JOHN BENNINGER⁴ SHEARER (MARY M³ BENNINGER, WILLIAM², JOHN¹) was born 04/25/1859 in Shearersburg, Westmoreland Co, PA, and died 07/31/1950 in New Kensington, Westmd Co, PA. He married (1) MARY MACELFPATRICK. He married (2) MARY ANN GARRETT 07/12/1883, daughter of ROBERT GARRETT and ANN G.
More About JOHN BENNINGER SHEARER:

Fact 8: Pleasant Hills, West Leechburg, PA

Notes for MARY ANN GARRETT:

Allegheny City was Incorporated into the city of Pittsburgh in 1907.

More About MARY ANN GARRETT:

Fact 7: died in childbirth, along w/infant son

Fact 8: Pleasant Hills Cemetery, W Leechburg, PA

Children of JOHN SHEARER and MARY GARRETT are:

8. i. MARY MYRTLE⁵ SHEARER, b. 02/05/1884, Shearersburg, PA; d. 05/08/1951, Latrobe, Westmoreland County, PA.

ii. INFANT1 - J B SHEARER, b. Abt. 1885, New Jersey.

More About INFANT1 - J B SHEARER:

Fact 8: Pleasant Hills Cemetery, W Leechburg, PA

iii. SON OF J B SHEARER, b. Abt. 1886.
More About SON OF J B SHEARER:

Fact 7: died at birth

Fact 8: Pleasant Hills Cemetery, W Leechburg, PA

Generation No. 5
8. MARY MYRTLE⁵ SHEARER (JOHN BENNINGER⁴, MARY M³ BENNINGER, WILLIAM², JOHN¹) was born 02/05/1884 in Shearersburg, PA, and died 05/08/1951 in Latrobe, Westmoreland County, PA. She married (1) '' DUNLAP. She married (2) EDWARD BONAFACE NEUMANN NEIMAN, son of GEORG NEUMANN and ELIZA SEIGFRIED.
Notes for MARY MYRTLE SHEARER:

Mary Myrtle Shearer was raised by her Aunt Mabel Shearer and Uncle Ralph Young.((This is yet to be verified)) All we really know at this time was an aunt & uncle raised her. The reason is that her father John Benninger Shearer has no known sisters at this time.

She had bronchial asthma and a cardiac condition for approx. 1 year (She suffered with asthma for many years) before her death. Her certificate of death registered #194 file #46479 primary district 65-06-0. Date of birth on death certificate is listed as 02/08/1886. (My father told me that his family did not know the exact year of her birth. My grandmother also told me she was born in a leap year so that year should have been 02/08/1884 and she also told me that she was so small that she fit in a shoe box and they had to keep her warm near the warming oven.) Her tombstone reads 02/05/1886 the reason for the different dates is that no one can verify her birth date. This also applies to her age of 65 years 0 mos. 0 days??? on certificate, time of death was 9:05 P.M. on May 08, 1951. Mary died 9 months and a week after her father died. She died at the Latrobe Hospital in an oxygen tent, cause of death was heart condition. I remember when night she died my dad took me to the hospital to see her. Her death was hard for me since because I had spent a lot of time with her.
She live with Regis Neiman, her son after World War ll ended. In January 1949 she helped my mother move to Darlington after my father left her with six of us children until my mother could find a place to move. The reason was Regis had bought the house and had asked us to move so he and his wife Helen could move in. When she returned home to West Derry her and her sister-in-law had problems which was aggravated by Helen's mother. I don't know where my Grandmother lived until she moved in with her daughter Lucille Decker 19 days before she died. She did housekeeping for a Mr. Joseph Hacka on the corner of Ridge Ave. and St. Clair Street, Latrobe, PA and in Bradenville, PA. Before this she was a seamstress and a midwife..

More About MARY MYRTLE SHEARER:

Fact 4: Baptised

Fact 8: 05/1951, Pleasant Hills Cemetery, W Leechburg, PA

Cause of Death: Coronary Arterioclusion
Notes for EDWARD BONAFACE NEUMANN NEIMAN:

Mrs Mary Neiman was listed as the informant on his death certificate. Last address listed as: Lloyd Ave, 6th Ward, Unity Twp, Westmoreland Co. PA.

Edward's middle name was in honor of his father's friend The Rev, Boniface Wimmer, .O.S.B.
More About EDWARD BONAFACE NEUMANN NEIMAN:

Fact 1: laborer

Fact 5: 12/24/1871, St Vincent Archabbey Basilica, Latrobe, PA

Fact 7: 09/03/1926, Apoplexy, heart disease

Fact 8: 09/06/1926, St Vincent Cemetery, Latrobe, Westm'd Co, PA

Cause of Death: apoplexy, heart disease