John Shank and Sarah Gardner

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Husband John Shank ^{1 2}

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           Born: 19 Apr 1847 - Elbenrode, Hesse-Darmstandt, Germany 2
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         Father: William Shank (      -Bef 1906) 2
         Mother: Catherine Swalm (      -Bef 1906) 2

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       Marriage: 1869 3

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Wife Sarah Gardner ³

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            AKA: Sarah Gardiner 1
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         Father: Ludwick Gardner (      -      ) 3
         Mother: Diana Mowry (      -      ) 3

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Children

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1 F Ida Elizabeth Shank ^{1 3 4}

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           Born: 1870 - Somerset Co, PA 3
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         Spouse: Louis Maier (1861-      ) 1
           Marr: 23 Dec 1888 1

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2 F Mary Meneta Shank ³

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           Born: 1871 - Somerset Co, PA 3
     Christened: 
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         Spouse: Mathew Remier (      -      ) 3

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3 F Annie Margaret Shank ³

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           Born: 1876 - Westmoreland Co, PA 3
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         Spouse: William Hockler (      -      ) 3

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4 F Hattie May Shank ³

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           Born: 1883 - Westmoreland Co, PA 3
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General Notes: Husband - John Shank

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He came from Germany to America with his parents and siblings when he was seven years old. He found his educational advantages very limited, owing to the exigencies of time and place, the schools being too far distant from his home and the snow in winter being so deep that he was often not able to make his way through to the little school house. In fact his entire schooling did not cover a period of more than six months in total. He assisted in the work of the home farm until he had attained the age of seventeen years, when he entered upon an apprenticeship at the trade of carpenter. Becoming a skilled artisan in the line, he always took great pride in the work of which he was a master, while he continued to be actively engaged in business as a contractor and builder until 1896, when he entered upon the duties of his office of justice of the peace. In the year mentioned he was elected justice of the peace for Unity township, and on the expiration of his term, in 1901, he was chosen as his own successor, in spite of the fact that he was a staunch adherent of the Republican party, while the township was strongly Democratic in its normal political status. On each occasion he was elected by a gratifying majority. In 1876 Mr. Shank took up his residence in Stahlstown, Westmoreland County, where he maintained his home until 1880, when he removed with his family to Jones Mills, whence, in 1887, he removed to Beatty Station which continued to be his place of abode for one year, after which time he was a citizen of Latrobe, where he had a pleasant home. In an official capacity Esquire Shank made his office justify the name, for he did all in his power to conserve peace and good will among those who have brought matters to him for adjudication. He counseled the adjustment of difficulties without recourse to litigation, and settled many cases out of court, thus saving expense to prospective litigants and the county, while friendship and good will have been restored in many instances in which the relations had become strained. He was prominent in the local councils of the Republican party, and always showed a zealous interest in the party cause. He was an indefatigable student and reader, was a man of broad and liberal views, and was able to converse fluently in both English and German, a facility which proved of great value to him in his official capacity. He was a member of the Lutheran church and was prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Heptasophs' conclave.
He was possessed with more than ordinary musical talent, and was master of the violin. In 1869 he met with an accident in operating a circular-saw by which he lost his thumb and several fingers on his left hand. For a time he had to abandon his favorite instrument, but finally began practicing by reversing the instrument to his right shoulder, thus employing the fingers of his right with which to finger the strings. After a practice of five years, he mastered the difficult task, and was again producing the soul-stirring music, both sacred and popular. He was a believer in the refining influence of music in the home circle, and successfully practiced it throughout his married life. As an expert violinist he took numerous medals and prizes.

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General Notes: Wife - Sarah Gardner

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She was reared and educated in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

1 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. II (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 290.

2 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. III (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 558.

3 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. III (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 559.

4 Lewis Clark Walkinshaw, A.M, Annals of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Vol. IV (New York, NY: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc., 1939), Pg 376.