My Genealogy Hound

FREDERICK FLECK, engineer, post office Wall, is a direct descendant of the “Hard Knight,” or Fleck of Bank, who flourished in Austria in 1114. He was born to John and Catharine (Adler) Fleck, at Bingen, on the Rhine, May 29, 1830. Seven years later they immigrated, and, after dwelling some years at Buffalo and other points, settled in Pittsburgh in 1840. John Fleck made the first lager beer in Pittsburgh, using yeast brought from Bavaria in a letter. He died in 1854, at the age of fifty-three, and his widow died thirty years later, at the age of seventy-three. There were two sons, John, the eldest, being deceased. Fred Fleck was taught brewing and cooperage, and when sixteen years old set out to see the world. He first visited St. Louis, then New Orleans, Mexico and the West Indies. In 1849 he visited his native land, and traced his ancestry from the public records. After traveling in France and England, he returned to Pittsburgh, and was married, in 1851, to Ida Phobe, a native of Saxony. She died in 1861, leaving a daughter, Elizabeth, now teaching at Wall’s station, where the family have lived since 1868. In 1852 Mr. Fleck became a fireman on the P. R. R., and four years later an engineer. He has hauled all sorts of trains, and never had an accident nor left his train. His handsome home, which he built, contains a choice library of over 250 volumes, to which he is constantly adding. He has filled some local offices, such as school director, etc., and is a lifelong democrat The family is associated with the M. E. Church. In 1864 Mr. Fleck married Annie E. McIntyre, a native of Greensburg, daughter of James and Annie (Funk) McIntyre, members of old Westmoreland families, of Irish and German extraction, respectively. Three children have blessed the second union: Charles B., ticket-agent at Wall’s station; Anna Mary and Katie Isabel.