My Genealogy Hound

CHRISTIAN BEENER, a retired business man, who resides at No. 557 Kohn street, was very successful in the accumulation of property. He is emphatically a self-made man. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, March 29, 1843. He is the son of Henry and Christian (Schiefer) Beener, both natives of that section of Germany, from which he came. The couple had five children, all sons, of whom four are now living, as follows: Jacob, of Norristown; Christopher, in the west; Christian; and William.

Henry Beener (father) was a farmer and came to America, March 29, 1856, locating in the vicinity of Montgomery Square and coming into the possession of a hundred acres at that place. He died there in 1873, aged seventy years. His wife died two years later, aged seventy years. Both were members of the Lutheran church. He was forced into the regular army in Germany, according to the practice in that country, and served six years as a soldier.

The paternal grandfather of Mr. Beener was a farmer and the proprietor of a large vineyard on the Rhine in Germany. He died there well advanced in years, leaving a number of children.

The maternal grandfather also died in Germany. He was a shoemaker by trade and had several sons and daughters.

Christian Beener was thirteen years old when he came to America, and well remembers the trip, which was made in a sailing vessel, the voyage across the Atlantic requiring three weeks. He lived with his father at Montgomery Square until he was sixteen years old. He then came to Norristown to learn the trade of butchering, serving five years, and starting for himself in 1863. He followed that occupation in Norristown until 1897, and then sold out. Since then he has lived retired and now looks after his property interests, which are very extensive in Norristown and its vicinity.

In 1865 he married Miss Mary Hoffman, daughter of Jacob and Louisa Hoffman. They had nine children, seven sons and two daughters, as follows: Emma, Mary, David, Christopher, Christian, John, Harry, Frank and William. Emma married Martin Ruth, of Norristown. They have two children, Arthur and Mary. Mary married Martin Eskroff. They live in Philadelphia. David died at the age of twelve years. Christian married Miss Reed. They live in Norristown, he being a plumber by trade. John is a machinist in Atlantic City. He is also married. Harry is a machinist and resides with his parents as do also those not otherwise mentioned, except Christopher, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Beener are members of the Lutheran church.

Politically he is a Democrat but he has never taken a very active interest in politics. Mrs. Beener’s parents were also born in Wurtemberg, Germany. They had nine children. Her parents, after coming to America, lived first at New Orleans a short time, then moved to Ohio, and from Ohio came to Pennsylvania by wagons in 1854, before the railroads were built. They settled in Gwynedd, Montgomery county, where they became owners of a large farm. Both are now deceased.