The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1892-04-20
The Late Jacob Wenk, Sr.

D1ED.-Jacob wenk, sr., at his home in
Tionesta Boro, April IA, 1892. He died
from no disease in particular; it was
simply old age. He began falling in
health about four years ago, and since
then the decline had been gradual until
two weeks before his death, when his
condition became serious, and from that
time the end approached rapidly.
Mr.. Wenk was born at Rennda, Hesse
Castle, Germany, August 4, 1912, and so
was aged 70 years, 8 months, and 10 days.
He came TO this country in 1916, and on
Oct. Goth Of that year settled at what is now
Tionesta. AT that time the place had only
a few houses in it, and of all the early
settlers now resident in the village, Mr..
Wenk was the earliest and the oldest with
one exception.
Four or five years before he left Ger
many he bad been united in marriage with
Dorothea Lawrence, widow of Hartman
Lawrence. Not long after he located at
Tionesta his family came, and here he re-
mained until his death. He was a shoe
maker by trade, and followed this busi-
ness up to five or six years ago. A history
of his life during the years that followed
his coming to this country would be the
same as that of all The old settlers here.
Those were days when "conquering the
Wilderness meant more than a nicely
rounded rhetorical phrase; days when the
"battle for bread" was a stern reality. He
built house here on a property he had
acquired soon after his family came, and
not long afterward, it was burned. 1t is
hard for us of this generation to realize
what battle was fought and what con-
quest was made for us by those whom we
call "old settlers"
Mr.. Wenk was a member of the Re-
formed Church. At that time, as we'll as
now, in Germany it was an exception for
any person not to belong to some church
organization. Then, as now, at about the
age of Ia it was customary for the children
of each family to be confirmed, and thus
connected with the church. So it was
with the deceased. For over 81 years he
lived a consistent member of the church
to which he had been united so early in
life. The long time spent in the Masters
service, the many occasions for putting to
the test the promises that never failed,
were the occasions for such an assurance
of the future that he entered it without
hesitancy or fear, but with firm reliance
on Him who in so long pilgrimage had
always been faithful.
Three of his children and step-son are
living. They are, Mrs. q. g. Butterfield
Ferdinand and Jacob f. Wenk, and
William Lawrence, all of Tionesta. His
wife, Dorothea, died February 2S, 1890.
Jacob Wenk was man well respected
and esteemed by those who knew him,
and he was quite well known throughout
this part of the county. He was quiet,
unsssuming, and unobtrusive. He took
neighbors, and cared to have it by making
the effort to win it. He appreciated a
courtesy shown, or favor extended, and
did not forget it, He was straightforward
in manner and in speech, and truthful.
He was patriotic and loyal to his adopted
country. He was good citizen, faithful
husband and good father. No father was
willing to do more for his children, always
jealous of, and careful for, thoir welfare.
| Ohly plcdodHI aiiu plo9Seu hohhOiloS ie-
main to his children of a father called
away so full of years and these years SC
full of labor and solictude for those he
loved.
On Saturday, April l6, at P. NJ, at his
late home, Rev. J. ". McArinch conduct.
ed the funeral services. The pail bearers
were, G. w. Robinson, j. G. Dale, A. B
Kelly, ]. A. Proper, Eli IIoleman, d. S
Knox. The body was taken to Riverside
Cemetery and there laid away to await the
judgment, and the resurrection to a new
life that even old age can not destroy.