~ JOHN K. BENNER

John K. Benner. Among the prominent residents of this county, who have accumulated largely of this world's goods through their own efforts, backed up by a conquering energy and perseverance, and who are now retired from the active labors of life upon a well-earned competency, is the gentleman whose name heads this biographical notice, and whose home is in the borough of Doylestown. He is a son of Michael and Sarah (Kober) Benner, and was born in Rockhill township, this county, June 5, 1845.

His grandfather was Henry Benner, who resided in Rockhill Township all his life, pursuing the vocation of a farmer. he died in 1850. He was married to a Miss Wambold by whom he reared a large family of children. Michael Benner was born in Rockhill township, Bucks County, in 1812, and was educated to agricultural pursuits, which calling he continued in his native Township until 1888, when he moved to Doylestown and lived the remainder of his life in retirement. He departed from this ife in 1889. He was an earnest and consistent member of the Lutheran Church of which he was a liberal supporter, and held many church offices. he was united in marriage with Sarah Kober, who died in 1880, and they reared a family of five children, of whom two sons are now living.

John K. Benner pursued his educational career in the district schools of Rockhill Township, remaining closely at home throughout his boyhood days, assisting his father about the farm. At twenty-one years he began to learn the trade of a shoe manufacturer, serving an apprenticeship with Daniel Horn; in 1872 he started in business in Bedminster Township on his own account. One year later he built a factory in Dublin, this county, which he successfully operated for a period of fifteen years; in 1888, he rented a store room of Frank Worthington in Doylestown, and there opened a general store, which he conducted up to 1896, when he closed out and retired. Mr. Benner started in business with but very little capital, and when he had made a number of pair of shoes, he would go out and sell them, in that way introducing his goods to a good trade; the first five years the shoes were made by hand, and because of their excellent quality he had no further difficulty in placing them on the market. As his trade picked up, he began to employ help, gradually increasing as the business increased, until he employed as high as 10 men, and during the latter part of his business career in that line, he went out on the road and sold his goods. He was ably assisted by his wife in the store in selling his goods, she being an expert saleslady, having had much experience in that line. Mr. Benner, although practically retired, occupies his time in representing the Bucks County Mutual Life Insurance Company. He has been very successful in all his business ventures, and his honorable, upright dealings in all transactions have won him a high place in the regard of the entire community.

Mr. Benner was wedded to Sarah Bean, of Quakertown, PA., who has proved a true help-meet, is a woman of many virtues, excellent qualities, and is beloved by all. This union has been blessed by the birth of five children: Henry Oscar, deceased; Samuel Edgar, a bookkeeper by profession; Lillie May, deceased; Herbert B.; and Austin B. In 1896 our subject erected his present residence, a handsome and commodious brick structure, with stone trimmings. Mr. Benner is a believer in education, is in touch with modern progress, and is in all matters a thoughtful and considerate gentleman. In business and private life, he has been equally successful, and is now reaping the justly earned rewards of a life well spent.

Page last updated: July 26, 2011

ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1864) 2nd Inaugural

With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan - to do all which may achieve a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.