BIO: Thomas M. BENNER, Huntingdon County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO

Copyright 2008.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm 
**********************************************************
__________________________________________________________________  

Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, page 135.
__________________________________________________________________ 

  THOMAS M. BENNER, Spruce Creek, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born on a 
farm near Houserville, Centre county, Pa., June 29, 1836. He is a son 
of Philip and Isabella K. (Edmundson) Benner. His grandfather, Philip 
Benner, Sr., was born in Chester county, Pa., whence he came with the 
brothers Houser, and settled in the vicinity of Houserville, Centre 
county. He embarked in the iron business, conveying his produce on pack 
horses to Pittsburg, where he disposed of it. He acquired thousands of 
acres of land, of which he bequeathed to his son, Philip, 1,800 acres, 
good and arable. He was commonly called "General" Benner," but it is 
not known how the title came to be conferred on him, whether through 
connection with the militia or the Continental army, or whether it was 
a mere soubriquet, which seems probable, as he adhered to the Society 
of Friends, who are conscientiously opposed to war. His wife was Ruth 
Roberts; they left a family of eleven children. Philip Benner, Sr., 
died about 1816. Philip Benner, Jr., was born, grew up and married at 
the Rock Iron Works. With a partner named Miles, he continued the iron 
works throughout his life. He also owned two good farms. Mr. and Mrs. 
Philip Benner had four children: William, wounded at the battle of Fair 
Oaks, and conveyed to Philadelphia, where he died; Ruth (Mrs. Hugh 
Wilson), Scottsville, Pa.; Thomas M.; Mary (Mrs. Peter Curry), Altoona, 
Pa. Philip Benner, like his father, was a Friend. He died in 1838 or 
'39, aged about forty-five. His wife survived him many years, dying at 
Mapleton, Pa., in 1892, aged ninety years.
  Left an orphan at the age of two years and a half by the death of his 
father, Thomas M. Benner attended school in his native place or at Rock 
Iron Works, only until he reached the age of thirteen. He then began to 
drive a team at the ore mines at ten or twelve dollars per month. He 
was a willing worker and an apt learner, so that he became of service 
in almost every department of mine labor. Finally, however, preferring 
a steady occupation, Mr. Benner learned blacksmithing, and has 
continued to follow that occupation from 1857 up to the present time, 
except during ten months of army service in defense of the Union. He 
enlisted in 1862 at Huntingdon, in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-
fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, preceded to the front, and took part in 
the battles of Antietam and Chancellorsville. During the remainder of 
his term of service he was for the most part of picket duty, a 
dangerous and exhausting part of the soldier's business. Mr. Benner's 
time of enlistment having expired, he was discharged at Harrisburg, 
Pa., May 18, 1863. He returned to his home and to his forge. After his 
marriage in 1858, he had resided for some time at Pennsylvania Furnace, 
then for nine months at Sinking Valley, Blair county, Pa., after which 
he set up his forge at Spruce Creek, and has continued in successful 
business at the same place ever since. His shop and dwelling, a 
pleasant and convenient home, are his own property. Mr. Benner is a 
Republican, and interested in politics, through not with any desire for 
office. He believes that religion consists of obeying the Golden Rule.
  Thomas M. Benner was married at Pennsylvania Furnace, June 10, 1858, 
to Catherine, daughter of Abraham Fiester, of Clearfield county. Their 
children, besides two little daughters who died in infancy, are as 
follows: Philip; William; John, deceased; Charles; Frank; Samuel, 
deceased; Thomas; Harry; Annie; Mary; and Emily.