John App and Catharine Gross
Husband John App 1 2
Born: 22 Sep 1793 3 Christened: Died: 1876 3 Buried:
Father: Mathias App ( -1828) 1 2 Mother: Elizabeth Buck ( - ) 3 4
Marriage: 1817 3
Wife Catharine Gross 3 4
Born: Christened: Died: Buried:
Father: [Father] Gross ( - ) Mother:
Children
1 M Mathias App 4 5
Born: Christened: Died: Buried:Spouse: Harriet Snyder ( - ) 4 5 6
2 F Eliza App 2 5 7
Born: Christened: Died: Buried:Spouse: Rev. Henry Ziegler, D.D. (1816-1898) 5 7 8 Marr: 19 May 1844 - Selinsgrove, Snyder Co, PA 2
3 M Hiram App 4 5
Born: Christened: Died: Buried:Spouse: Catharine Hall ( - ) 4
4 F Anna A. App 4 5
Born: Christened: Died: Buried:Spouse: Harry Witmer ( - ) 4 5
5 F Mary Ann App 5
Born: Christened: Died: Bef 1898 Buried:
6 M Simon P. App 9
Born: Christened: Died: Bef 1898 Buried:
7 F Catherine "Kate" App 4 9
Born: Christened: Died: Buried:Spouse: Wesley W. Reynolds ( - ) 4
8 M George App 4 9
Born: Christened: Died: when twenty-two years old Buried:
9 M Isaac App 4 9 10
Born: 21 Oct 1824 - Selinsgrove, Snyder Co, PA 9 Christened: Died: 11 Apr 1872 - Selinsgrove, Snyder Co, PA 9 Buried:Spouse: Mary Holtzman (1825-1887) 4 9 10 Marr: 5 Dec 1848 - Berrysburg, Dauphin Co, PA 9
General Notes: Husband - John App
When yet a boy, he took a deep interest in his father's business affairs, attending faithfully to all the duties assigned him. During his youth he exhibited the qualities that distinguished him in after life. At the breaking out of the war of 1812, in accordance with his ideas of duty to his country, he wished to enlist, but his father refused to allow it because he was under age. He quietly submitted to parental authority, but a few months later, when the recruiting officer came around, John announced his intention of enlisting, and upon his father again objecting, he said: "To-day, father, I am of age, and now I shall enlist," which he accordingly did, joining the company of which Jacob Hummel was captain. When the company arrived at Marcus Hook, it was found that the army was deficient in supplies, and the government called for volunteers who were able and willing to furnish teams to haul supplies for the army. Among others John App responded to the call, and going home his father helped to furnish him a team with which he might assist in supplying the needs of the army.
Some time before his death, his father purchased several lots in Selins Grove on which he erected a substantial and commodious brick building for his future residence. When completed he put his farm in charge of his son John. The father died, and after his death, in 1836, John moved to town and occupied the house erected by his father, and here cared for his widowed mother until her death. John App pursued the business of farming until his death in 1876. Part of the time he operated two farms - the original one, in connection with the distilling of liquor for a number of years, the distillery having been established by his father, and a second farm, which he purchased adjoining Selins Grove on the west.
Whiskey was then a universal beverage, nearly everybody used it, even the clergy not being exempt from the habit. The result of its use was continual evil, especially in the harvest field, where the workmen often became intoxicated and were found lying in the fence corners; they would engage in personal brawls, and it was sometimes difficult to prevent a general fight. Seeing these sad results, and dreading the idea of having drunkards as his companions and associates, as well as fearing its degrading influence on his own nature, John App determined to effect a reformation, and in consequence became the first temperance reformer in the community. His still was at once abandoned. The use of whiskey was banished from his premises, and was to be used no more in his harvest field. He made known his determination throughout the neighborhood, saying that hereafter his harvests must be reaped without the use of whiskey, but adding that he would pay ten cents extra wages to all who would work without its use. This aroused a general opposition. His former hands declared they would not work for him. Even his pastor discouraged him, but he declared that rather than give whiskey again, he would go forty miles to find hands. The courage with which he maintained his position aroused the admiration of the more thoughtful, and the inherent nobleness in their characters "rose in majesty to meet his own" in his bold stand for higher morality. Some ten days before harvest Rev. Daniel Weiser, living in Selins Grove, came to Mr. App on a special mission of encouragement, assuring him that should the crisis come he would be ready to hang the preacher's mantle behind the entry-door, and assist in the harvesting of the wheat crop. By this time the news had spread to the adjoining counties, and words of encouragement came from Sunbury, Lewisburg, Mifflinburg and New Berlin, but not a whisper came from the towns of his own county - Middleburg, Freeburg, and Richfield - their citizens believed in free whiskey for all.
It was proclaimed that on a certain Monday morning the harvesting of the App wheat would be commenced, and a general invitation was extended, saying that work would be given to all, and that ten cents a day extra would be given to all who would work without the use whiskey. The eventful Monday morning came. At four o'clock in the morning a voice called at the outside of Mr. App's window wishing to know whether work could be had, and if it were true that ten cents a day extra would be given for doing without whiskey. "Yes, it is true," was the reply. "Well, we will work for you for the extra ten cents, and do without whiskey," then adding, "But we have brought our wives and daughters with us. Can they also have work?" "They shall have work," was the reply, "and an extra cup of coffee or milk, and five meals a day." By this time the whole community seemed to be pouring into John App's to see how the no-whiskey-in-the-harvest-field would succeed. Others came from the hills across the river from Selins Grove. Soon there were more applicants for work than could be accommodated. By eight o'clock fully fifty persons had eaten their breakfast. Of these fourteen cradlers, with two rakers and binders to each cradler, also a number with the sickle were employed. These were formed into two companies, and set to work in separate fields, and the rest were dismissed. The harvesting progressed rapidly and harmoniously, and was soon brought to a close. No-whiskey-in-the harvest-field had triumphed, and a new era for temperance reform was inaugurated. It was admitted that John App was the first victor in the local war against "King Alcohol."
Owing to the absence of schools, Mr. App failed to enjoy the advantages of an education, but by his own efforts and perseverance, after reaching manhood, he became a good reader, learned to write and acquired the elements of practical arithmetic, thus enabling him to keep his own accounts and manage his own business. Now that his children were growing up, he keenly felt the necessity of giving them a school education. There was no school in all the surrounding community, but Mr. App determined to have a school. He put up a building on his own premises and fitted it out as a school room, and employed a teacher, making himself responsible for the payment of his salary, thus becoming the "Father of English Schools" in that section. He invited his neighbors to send their children to his school free of charge. As the children all spoke German at home, and few, if any of them, understood English, and as the teacher did not understand German, the pupils must be taught English, hence the rule was laid down that no German should be spoken in the school room. How to speak English without knowing it was up-hill work, but, by dint of persevering effort, the pupils gradually learned to read and speak the English language. This was the first school building in that part of the country, and this was the beginning of English schools and the use of the English language by the young people.
Prior to 1843, preaching in the Lutheran Church at Selins Grove had been in German. For some time, however, the need of regular English service was felt to be a necessity. The young people were fast becoming English, and they must be provided with English preaching or be lost to the Church. The subject was agitated, and mainly through the influence of William Gangler, John App and a few others, the consent of the pastor, Father Shindel, was obtained to procure an assistant pastor to devote himself to the English interests of the congregation. Through the efforts of Rev. Dr. Reynolds, a member of the Pennsylvania Synod, and a professor of Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Penn., a young man, Rev. H. Ziegler, who had just been licensed by the West Pennsylvania Synod at Aaronsburg, was secured to accept the position. This was in the autumn of 1843. The only promise of support came from John App, and it was in these words: "We cannot promise you any regular salary for the present, but I will give you house room and board gratis." This was accepted, and Mr. Ziegler entered upon his work as assistant pastor. It was not long before German was entirely abandoned in the services of the congregation and English took its place. Mr. App lived to see abundant fruits of his efforts to introduce English preaching. (Of the two Lutheran Churches at Selins Grove the English preaching referred to was introduced at that time in the new or Second Lutheran Church (later Trinity) only.)
In the summer of 1857, Rev. H. Ziegler was engaged as an agent of Dr. B. Kurtz to assist Rev. P. Williard to canvass Perry county to secure funds for the location of the contemplated Missionary Institute (later Susquehanna Univer-sity). After the canvass was completed in Perry county, Rev. Ziegler laid a proposition before the council of the Second Lutheran Church of Selins Grove to make an effort to compete with Perry county and other places for the location of the Institute. The council called a meeting to consider the proposition, but after a brief discussion they were on the point of deciding that it would be useless to make an effort. John App now arose and addressed the meeting about as follows: "Don't be too hasty, brethren. Let us at least make an effort. I will give $1,500 to start a subscription." Thus encouraged the council decided that an effort should be made. Dr. B. Kurtz and Rev. H. Ziegler were invited to address the citizens of Selins Grove on the subject, and a day was appointed for that purpose. After the addresses a committee was appointed to canvass the town and vicinity for subscriptions. The result was that, in about ten days, $22,000 were secured. A committee of the board of managers of the contemplated Institute was now sent to Selins Grove to decide on its location. In view of the liberal subscription, it was agreed that Selins Grove held out the strongest inducement for its location. There was, however, one serious objection to its location here. A pool of stagnant water in the southwest end of the town was a constant breeder of malaria in the autumn of the year. This would make Selins Grove an unhealthy location for the Institute. A proposition was made to drain this pool. The right of way to make the drain was secured from the land holders. Mr. App now said to William Gangler, one of the owners of the lots through which the drain had to pass: "Now go ahead. Have the work done, and draw on me for the pay." The draining was soon accomplished, and the objection to the location of the Institute was removed. It was now to be located at Selins Grove. Mr. App thus secured its location by two liberal and opportune acts-the subscription of $1,500, and the making himself responsible for the payment of the cost of draining the stagnant pool. It must be said that whilst Dr. B. Kurtz was the founder and father of the Missionary Institute, John App was the instrument under God of its location at Selins Grove. His interest in the Institute did not cease with its location, but he continued to labor in its behalf, contributing liberally toward the endowment of the theological department, and also toward the erec-tion of five students' houses; indeed when-ever the Institute was in need of funds for re-pairs, etc., John App was always found ready and willing to come to its relief, and it never had a warmer or truer friend. From the time of its founding until his death he served on the Board of Directors. After eighty-three years passed in "the glory of a life well spent" the soul of John App passed fearlessly on
"Before that sapphire colored throne
And Him that sits thereon."
[CBRCP-CCUS, 1097]
He was born in Selinsgrove, Snyder County, Pennsylvania, in 1804. [CBEDC, 926]
1 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clinton, Union and Snyder. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1898), Pg 1096.
2 John A. M. Ziegler, Ph.D., D.D, Ziegler Genealogy (Huntington Park, CA: Glenn Printing Co., 1935), Pg 8.
3 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clinton, Union and Snyder. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1898), Pg 1097.
4 John A. M. Ziegler, Ph.D., D.D, Ziegler Genealogy (Huntington Park, CA: Glenn Printing Co., 1935), Pg 9.
5 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clinton, Union and Snyder. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1898), Pg 1099.
6 John W. Jordan, LL.D, A Century and a Half of Pittsburg and Her People, Vol. III (New York: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1908), Pg 221.
7 Mrs. Harold V. Linn, Daniel Smith - Pioneer Settler of Rockland Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania (Venango County, PA: Privately published, 1961), Pg 106.
8 John A. M. Ziegler, Ph.D., D.D, Ziegler Genealogy (Huntington Park, CA: Glenn Printing Co., 1935), Pg 7.
9 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clinton, Union and Snyder. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1898), Pg 1100.
10
—, Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania (Chambersburg, PA: J. M. Runk & Company, Publishers, 1896), Pg 926.
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