John Jacob Blank

John Jacob Blank, a prosperous and progressive agriculturist, and a descendant of an old and honored German lineage, was born on the paternal estate, in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, March 2, 1842.

George A. Blank, grandfather of John J. Blank, was born about thirty miles north of Philadelphia, in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, in 1792. At the instance of his uncle, Jacob Berger, whose wife was Margaret Blank, sister of the father of George A., he came to Westmoreland county and resided with them for several years, they having no children of their own. Jacob Berger was a very wealthy farmer for his day, and was prominently identified with the affairs of the community. By dint of hard work and prudent management George A. Blank acquired sufficient capital to purchase a farm in Hempfield township, to which he added from time to time, and at his death in 1865 was the owner of about six hundred acres of land. He was a shoemaker by trade, having served his apprenticeship at Germantown, Pennsylvania. He was active and influential in local affairs, was an elder in the Lutheran church, and a firm adherent of Democratic principles. He married Catharine Shelley, who was a native of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and eleven children were born to them. Mrs. Blank survived her husband, passing away in 1875.

Jonas Blank, father of John J. Blank, was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. Having been reared on a farm he naturally chose that occupation for his life work, and continued the same until his retirement from active business, thereby gaining a comfortable livelihood, and a goodly competence for his declining years. He held all the local offices in the Lutheran church, in which body he held membership for many years. He, like his father, was a Democrat in politics. He married, in 1841. Charlotte Bierer, daughter of John Bierer, who bore him eleven children. Mrs. Blank is also a member of the Lutheran church, and in all the relations of life has performed her duties faithfully and well.

John J. Blank was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, and resided with his parents up to the time of his marriage, with the exception of two years spent in Venango county. After his marriage he settled on his present farm, in Hempfield township, and by making a practical study of the principles of good farming, has been enabled to realize a goodly profit from his labors. He is thorough-going, methodical and practical, and his farm is one of the best cultivated and most productive in that section. He served as supervisor of the township for three years. He is a member of the Greensburg Lutheran church, and a Democrat in politics, but his first presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln.

December 19, 1869, Mr. Blank was united in marriage to Miss Lavinia Kepple, who was born in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, December 9, 1841, daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Demer) Kepple. Their children are: Matilda, born October 4, 1870, wife of Jacob Kline, and mother of four children: Elizabeth, John, Wade, and Luella Mary Kline, Irwin B., born March 17, 1873; Valetta M., born June 27, 1875, died February 17. 1901; she was a teacher in the public schools from the age of seventeen years until her death at the age of twenty-five; Cora L., July 7, 1877; Jacob K., October 7, 1879; George A., December 9, 1881; Jonas P., August 2, 1887.

John W. Jordan, ed. History of Westmoreland County Pennsylvania Genealogical Memoirs, vol. II. New York: Lewis Publishing Co., pp 496-497.

Submitted by Nancy.