BIO: William H. DENLINGER, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ WILLIAM H. DENLINGER, of the well-known firm of Denlinger Bros., wholesale jobbers in oil, with offices in Pittsburg and Philipsburg, is a citizen whose history and character are especially deserving of portrayal in a volume which aims to preserve the records of leading men. An able, energetic business man, he is actively interested in many important enterprises, while at the same time his public spirit is manifested in his hearty co-operation in the varied phases of local progress-social, political, and philanthropic. Our subject is a native of the Keystone State, born November 13, 1853, and is descended from an old Pennsylvania-Dutch family, his ancestors having located in Lancaster county at a very early period. His grandfather, Christian Denlinger, left that locality with two brothers, Martin and Henry, to make their homes in Blair county, Penn. The descendants of the brothers are now located mainly at different points in the West. Christian Denlinger settled near Hollidaysburg, and married Miss Jane Holliday, a member of the honored pioneer family for whom that city was named. Our subject's father, Christian Denlinger (2), was born in Blair county, in 1823. He had one brother, William, now a resident of Michigan, and formerly a prominent journalist of Weston, Penn. A half- sister, Elizabeth, married John Jones, of Westmoreland county, Penn., and died in 1865. Christian Denlinger (2) followed the carpenter's trade in early life, and later was for many years an official in the Allegheny County Work House. He was married in Pittsburg to Miss Fannie Shidle, a native of that city, born in 1825, who died in April, 1865, his own death occurring in June, 1891. The Shidle family is of Maryland stock, and James Shidle, grandfather of our subject, left his home in Baltimore to locate in Pittsburg, walking the entire distance on the old National turnpike. He was born in 1800, and died in 1879. His wife's maiden name was Elmira Crosby, and they had six children: Geter, John, Henry, James, George, and Fannie (Mrs. Denlinger). To Christian and Fannie Denlinger four children were born: Jennie, who died in infancy; Elmira C., wife of John Can Buskirk, of Pittsburg; William H., subject of this sketch; and James S., who was born January 2, 1856, and was reared in Pittsburg. He married Miss Alice Goff, and has four children: Fannie, William Holliday, Christian and Charlotte. William H. Denlinger received his education in Pittsburg, but as a boy he spent seven years in Minnesota, his parents having gone there temporarily. His unusual ability attracted attention before he had outlived his "teens," and he was appointed to the office of deputy gauger of Pittsburg, in which capacity he served for nine years. In 1879 he and his brother James S., formed the firm of Denlinger Bros., with the main house at No. 804 Duquesneway, Pittsburg. In order to accommodate their rapidly developing trade, they opened the branch office at Philipsburg in 1883, with W. H. Denlinger in charge. By his characteristic energy and tact he has greatly increased the scope of the business, and at the same time he has identified himself thoroughly with the interests of the locality which he has chosen for a home. Few men, perhaps none, are more active and influential in the various public and semi-public movements there, certainly no other man of his years can compare with him in this regard. He is president of the Board of Trade; president of the Citizens Building & Loan Association; was president of the Borough Council in 1896; a director in the Welivar Manufacturing Company, and president of the furniture factory. Mrs. Denlinger is a member of the Catholic Church, while Mr. Denlinger, though no member of any religious persuasion, is a liberal contributor to all. Socially, he and his accomplished wife are an acquisition to Philipsburg. He was married June 4, 1889, to Miss Nann M. McLaughlin, a native of Clearfield, born August COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 481 13, 1865. Her father, James McLaughlin, was formerly treasurer of Clearfield county. Two sons, William H., Jr., and James McLaughlin Denlinger have blessed this union. Mr. Denlinger is an active worker in the Masonic order, and is a past master of Moshannon Lodge No. 391; past high priest of Clearfield Chapter No. 228; and post E. C. commander of Moshannon Commandery No. 74. In politics he is a Democrat, but takes no active interest therein except for his friends. Christian Denlinger, our subject's father, served three years in the war of the Rebellion, as corporal in the Second Minnesota Battery of Artillery, was never wounded, but was taken prisoner near Shelbyville, Tenn., confined in Libby Prison a short time, and exchanged in the spring of 1864. At that time he was sick, and his son, our subject, went to Annapolis to visit him, and there entered the service of Dr. Vandegrift, surgeon-in-charge, as orderly, and served till the close of the war.