HENRY J. KLINGENSMITH. One full of years and possessed of the confidence of his fellow-citizens, who has passed away during the last decade, was the late Henry J. Klingensmith, of Gilpin township. He was a son of John and Catherine Klingensmith, and was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1802. The Klingensmith family is of German origin, and John Klingensmith (father) was a resident of Wesmoreland county until 1802, when he removed to Armstrong county, where he was engaged in farming until his death.
Henry J. Klingensmith was brought by his parents to what is now Gilpin township when he was but three months old. He was reared on his father’s farm and attended the subscription schools. Leaving school, he engaged in farming, which he followed as long as he lived. At the time of his death he owned the home farm of one hundred and seventy acres and about sixty acres of land in another part of the township.
On July 15, 1822, he married Fannie Heckman, daughter of Philip Heckman, of Armstrong county. They reared a family of twelve children, whose names were: Mary, Esther, Levi, Cyrus, Elizabeth, Susan, Henry, Abraham, Catherine, John, Gideon, Shiloh, ten of whom are still living; Esther, wife of Henry Isensee; Susan, Abraham and Gideon, all residents of Armstrong county; Levi resides in Michigan, Cyrus in Minnesota, Henry in Kansas, Catharine Dubois in Ohio, John in Texas. Of the seven sons, five of them enlisted and served in the Union armies during the late civil war. Mrs. Klingensmith resides on the old homestead and has reached the advanced age of eighty-nine years. She is very active for a woman of her age, and has been a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church for over half a century.
In politics Henry J. Klingensmith was a republican and served several terms as road supervisor of Gilpin township. He was an esteemed member of the Zion’s Forks Lutheran church, and, before he was incapacitated by old age from active service, served frequently as a trustee and as a deacon. He was noted for his benevolence and hospitality, and one were church ever turned from his door who sought food or shelter. He contributed freely to help the church and aid the worthy poor, and his loss was sincerely mourned by many who had been recipients of his charities.
Family Members
Parents
Johannes Phillip Klingensmith
1780–1859
Susanna Catharina Rosina Myers Klingensmith
1786–1872
Spouse
Frances Heckman Klingensmith
1801–1900
Siblings
Abraham Klingensmith
1828–1907
Children
Mary Ann Klingensmith Jack
1825–1866
Esther Klingensmith Isensee
1825–1912
Levi Klingensmith
1828–1915
Cyrus Klingensmith
1830–1910
Susanna Klingensmith
1833–1916
Sanford Klingensmith
1834–1842
John P. Klingensmith
1839–1913
Catherine Klingensmith Dubois
1841–1918
Gideon Klingensmith
1843–1924
Shiloh Klingensmith
1845–1868
