Commonly referred to as Peter. Paul Miller Ruff's translations of the German Church Records show several instances when he is listed as John Peter.
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Peter probably died in Jan. of 1864. The only record of his death so far discovered is the date of his will probate. The location of his final resting place is not yet known but thought to be in Churchville Lutheran.
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The body of His Will: "In the name of God Amen. I, Peter Klingensmith of Monroe Township, Clarion County, State of Pennsylvania, being old and feeble and in the decline of health although in the [state?]of a sound mind and judgment do make my last Will and Testament as follows, To my wife Susanna I give and bequeath all my real estate and personal property to have hold and enjoy for and during her natural life, on condition that she remains on the farm where I now live withy the privilege of selling such stock, that is horses, cows, sheep or as may be cumbersome to her or in case she should hand in need. At the death of my wife I give and bequeath to my son Daniel, his heirs and assigns, the farm on which I now live and the twenty four (24) acres of land which I have lying East of this in Monroe Township Clarion County bounded by lands of Henry Keiffer, David Craig, John Clover and others on conditions that he pays one thousand dollars ($1000) to the rest of my five children their heirs and assigns, that is, each one two hundred dollars ($200) payment to be made at the death of my wife Susanna or five years after my death. All the debts against me remaining [unreadable]at my death to be paid out of my personal property. At the death of my wife Susanna all the rest of my property is to be equally divided among my six children their heirs and assigns and if my daughter Elizabeth stays on the place and takes care of my wife until her death, she shall have one hundred dollars ($100) over and above her heirship for her trouble, but if she leaves the place before the death of her mother she shall only come in as an equal heir with the rest. I also appoint my son John Klingensmith and Henry Gathers (of Monroe Township) to be the executors of this my will. I declare this to be my last will and testament in the presence of God and these witnesses, made this thirtieth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty three.
Signed and sealed in the presence of: Samuel R. Travis, Jonathan Beihl, Henry Gathers."
The will was presented to the Registrar on Jan 28, 1864 and registered on Feb. 11, 1864
SOURCE: Clarion County Will Book B, pp 2,3.
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Peter Klingensmith was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. In 1811, he and his wife, whose maiden name was Susannah Kifer, came to Clarion county and settled near Madison Furnace. They took up a piece of government land along the Clarion river, all in forest, built a log cabin, covered it with bark, and at night they blew a horn so the wolves would cease their howling; they brought their flour on horseback from Parker's Landing, following a blazed trail. He sold this land, when drafted to war, to a Mr. Corbett. The following year they returned to Westmoreland county, where he learned the business of milling, which he followed for a number of years. In 1824 they came again to Clarion county and settled on what is now called the Cribbs farm in Monroe township. After a few months residence there the family home was established in Williamsburg and later on Cathers farm in Clarion county. Thence the family removed to Reidsburg and eventually settled permanently on a farm in the vicinity of Williamsburg. Mr. Klingensmith was drafted to serve in the war of 1812, but by the time he reached headquarters and reported for action the war was ended. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religious matters a devout Lutheran. His wife belonged to the German Reformed church. Children of Peter and Susannah Klingensmith: John, Samuel, Esther, Michael, Elizabeth, Mary, Daniel, mentioned below. In the early days John, the
eldest child, was placed by his mother in a barrel, so that he would not be bitten by rattlesnakes while she was performing her household labors.
SOURCE: John W. Jordan, LL.D. "Genealogical and Personal History of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania". 1912. CD.
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An article of agreement made and concluded this fifth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight betweeh Henry Kifer Senior of Westmoreland County, PA of the one part and Peter Klingensmith of Armstrong County of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Kifer doth hereby grant and bequeath unto said Klingensmith all his right, title, interest and claim of in and to a certain tract or parcel of land situate in Clarion Township, Armstrong Co. bounded by lands of Adam Kifer, John Knepps, Amos Williams and containing one hundred acres and allowance the said Klingensmith to have possession on the ___day of the date hereof and in consideration of the same there shall be at the death of the said Henry Kifer or at the time of the apportionment of his estate among his heirs deducted from the portion of the said Klingensmith (he being a legal heir by his wife, Susanna, being a daughter of the said Henry Kifer) the sum on one hundred fifty dollars. In witness whereof the said parties have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and date first above written.
SOURCE: Armstrong County Deed Book, Vol. 7, pg. 127. (recorded Jan 31, 1831)
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Family Members
Susanna Kifer Klingensmith
1788–1875
Children
John Klingensmith
1809–1893
Esther Klingensmith
1813–1844
Samuel Klingensmith
1815–1900
Elizabeth Klingensmith Kifer
1824–1910
Mary Polly Klingensmith Gathers
1828–1902
Daniel Klingensmith
1829–1899
