MySource:BobC/Biography: John M. Schonour

Description

Extract of Book of biographies, this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Berks County, Pa., Biographical Publishing Co. (1898), pages 482-3, pertaining to John M. Schonour (1827- ).

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JOHN M. SCHONOUR, a leading citizen of Womelsdorf, Pa., formerly a large wholesale liquor dealer there, is a man whose life forms an excellent example of what may be accomplished by industrious and energetic work. Beginning his career as a poor unknown boy of thirteen years, without a cent in his pocket, but with a desire and ambition to get up in the world, he has steadily worked his way up until he was at the head of the large establishment named above, and in command of a large income. He is a son of John and Susanna (Marks) Schonour, and was born in Brecknock township, Berks County, Pa., March 15, 1827

His grandfather, Joseph Schonour, who was extensively engaged in farming in Cumru township, married Miss Shindle, and they reared a large family of children, one of whom was John, the father of our subject. John Schouour was born and always lived in Cumru township, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a well-to-do man, and was quite well known throughout the township. He was united in marriage with Susanna Marks, and they become the parents of the following children: Martha, who married Daniel Fitterling, a farmer of Cumru township, both of whom are now deceased: Sarah, deceased, was the wife of Levi Rathman, a carpenter of Heidelberg township; Elizabeth, a resident of Attica, Ind., married William Fox, now deceased; Mary is deceased; Joseph, a stonemason, died in 1893; John M., whose name appears at the head of these lines. Mr. Schonour passed to his eternal rest in 1836. His wife was called Home in 1875, at an advanced age.

John M. Schonour received a very limited education, attending a private school for about six months; at the age of thirteen years, he was bound out to Isaac Eshlman, a tailor of Sinking Spring, with whom he remained until he was twenty years of age. He then went to Pottsville, Pa., where he followed his trade for a short time, after which he went to Lancaster. He remained there for a time and then went to Smithsville, Ohio, where he plied his trade until 1848. In that year he returned to Sinking Spring and was employed in a general merchandise store, under the management of John Heffner, for about three years. He then went to Womelsdorf and work in a store owned by Eli Depllen, until 1857, when he embarked in the wholesale liquor business with John H. Sell. They conducted this business together for thirty years; in 1887, our subject became the sole owner, and conducted it alone until July 1, 1898, when he sold out to A. M. Young. He had an extensive custom throughout the state of Pennsylvania, and kept a salesman on the road the year around, and also did considerable traveling himself. He is a public-spirited man, and takes a deep interest in anything having for its end the advancement of the village in which he lives. Mr. Schonour also deals in real estate, and owns considerable property in Heidelberg township.

Our subject has twice taken marriage vows, his first wife was Sarah Schoener, a daughter of John and Henrietta Schoener of Womelsdorf, and they were the parents of seven children, namely: Mary, born February 14, 1853, died March 21, 1877; Emma was born November 20, 1854, find died May 30, 1880; Hattie R., deceased, was born June 30, 1856, and married Thomas L. Reed, who is living in retirement; Prof. John F., a talented musician and a graduate of a conservatory of music in Boston, Mass., was born June 18, 1858, and died September 24. 1882; Susie, who was born January 12, 1860, passed into the unknown beyond September 1, 1864; Charles Elmer. who was born November 26, 1862, died July 28, 1864; and Lillie S., who was horn December 28. 1864, and died four years later. 0ur subject was again united in marriage October 25, 1890, with Annie M. Hare of Cornwall, Lebanon County, Pa. This union was blessed by the birth by the birth of two sons: Thomas McLain, born August 12, 1891; and Mark H., born November 12, 1892. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, hut his estimable wife attends the Episcopal Church. He is a Republican in politics, and has been a member of the school hoard. He is also a director of the Keystone National Bank of Reading. Socially, he is a member of the following lodges: Lodge No. 307, F.&A.M.; Chapter of Reading; Commandery Knights Templar at Reading; Golden Rule Lodge, No. 159, I.O.O.F.; Hebron Encampment, No. 9, I.O.O.F., of Reading; and O.U.A.M. of Womelsdorf. Our subject is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, and is well read on all current subjects. He has done considerable traveling, and in 1883, he attended the Triennial Conclave of the Knights Templar in San Francisco, Cal., making a pleasure trip of it, spending several months in sight-seeing. In 1892 he was in attendance at the Conclave in Boston, Mass. Mr. Schouour has now retired from active life, and will spend the remainder of his life in ease.