John Pancretius (Kershenstein) Kerschenstein (1868 - 1960)

Born 26 Dec 1868 in Cambria City, Pennsylvania, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Louisa (Jones) Kershenstein — married 10 May 1897 in St, Mary's Church, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, United States

Descendants

Died 4 Nov 1960 at age 91 in Raymond Hospital and Clinic Inc, Johnstown, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Matthew Koeppen [send private message]

Biography

Inventor of the 'Railroad Frog'

John was born on December 26, 1868 in Cambria City, Pennsylvania, United States (Census information from the Morman genealogical library indicates John's birthdate was December 26, 1868, not 1867, which is the date given on the baptisimal certificate from Immaculate Conception Chruch in Johnstown, PA, which is dated August 4, 1932^[1]).<He was the son of George Kershenstein and Margharetha Baumer and was christened on December 29, 1867; Cambria City, Johnstown, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States.

John married Louisa Jones on May 10, 1897 In St. Mary's Church, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, United States. Louisa is the daughter of William Jones and Margaret O'Neil and was born on October 7, 1875 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Unites States. Louisa died August 4, 1928 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, United States.^[2][3]

John and Louisa went on to have 9 children. (Listed with first and middle names) Margaret Mary, Adelaide Marion, Leo Joseph, Cyril John, Romayne Louise, William Allen, George Francis, Louise, and Ursula. ^[4][5] Child 6 ^[6]. Child 7 ^[7]

During 1900, John (31) and his wife of three years Louise (24) lived with their first daughter Margaret (2) lived, and a second child who is not listed on the census, but assumed to be Adalaide who was a newborn during 1899, at 235 Caliman Avenue (possibly Caleman), Johnstown City, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States; a rented house. Louise is listed as having two children and both were living. The birth month and year for the family members is listed as: John, Dec, 1868, Louise, October, 1875, and Margaret, February, 1898. Both of John's parents were listed as being born in Germany. Both of Louise's parents are listed as being born in England (which changes to Ireland on a future census). However, all household members are listed as being born in Pennsylvania. John was a laborer at the saw mill who was unemployed for two months in the current year and Louise was not listed as employed. John and Louise could read, write, and speak English.^[8]

RESEARCH NEEDED 1910 CENSUS

During 1920, John (50), his wife Louise (46), and their nine children who are Margaret (21), Adalaide (19), Leo (18), Cyril (15), Romayne (13), William (11), George (9), Louise (4 11/12), and Ursula (2 6/12), lived at 277 Decker Avenue in Johnstown, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States. They owned the house. John's parents are both listed as being born in Germany born and spoke German. Louise's parents are both listed as being born in Ireland and spoke Irish. All household members were born in Pennsylvania and could read and write (except two children Louise and Ursula). John and his son Leo both worked as machinists at the steel mill, while his was not employed. Their daughters Margaret, a stenographer at a private company, and Adalaide, a bookkeeper at a newspaper, were also employed. Four children were enrolled in school and are Cyril, Romayne, William, and George. All children in the household were listed as single.^[9][10]

During August 1928, John's wife Louise passed away.

During 1930, John (61), now widowed, his children Adalaide (30), Louise (15), Ursula (12), and Margaret now McCormick (32), and his son-in-law Frances McCormick (30) were living at lived at 277 Decker Avenue in Johnstown, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States. They owned the house valued at $8,000.00 and owned a radio set. John's parents are both listed as being born in Germany. All household members were born in Pennsylvania and could read and write, no one was a veteran. John's career was still active as a machinist at the steel mill; he retired later in the year. Adalaide was still a stenographer, but not worked at the gas company. John's son-in-law Frances was a postal clerk at the US Post Office. Both Louise and Ursula were still attending school.^[11]

During 1940, John (72), his children Romayne (34), Ursula (22), and Margaret McCormick (42), Son-in-law Francis McCormick (37), and Granddaughter Louise McCormick (9) lived next door to their previous residence, now at 275 Decker Avenue, in Johnstown, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States. John owned the house. John and his daughter Romayne were not employed, not seeking employment, with no employment history, and unable to work. Margaret McCormick was not employed, nor seeking work, but was listed as home housework. Ursula was listed worked 48 hours per week as a cashier in a hotel making $300.00. Francis, John's son-in-law, now worked at the steel mill as a draftsman making $2,100.00. No one in the household had additional income. John's granddaughter, Louise attended school.^[12]

John had several jobs during his lifetime. He was a constable for a while. He also worked in a real estate firm called Lacey and Lacey. He then began working for Bethlehem Steel. While there, he invented the 'Railroad Frog'^[13], a track switching mechanism for the railroad. John finished his working years at Bethlehem Steel and retired in 1932.^[14]

He passed away November 4, 1960^[15][16]

Obituary: KERSHENSTEIN - John P., 92, 275 Decker Avenue, died Nov. 4, 1960, in Raymond Hospital. Born Dec. 26, 1867, in Johnstown, son of George and Margret Kershenstein. Preceded in death by wife, former Louisa Jones, in 1928. Survived by these children: Margaret, wife of Francis McCormick, 275 Decker Avenue; Adelaide, wife of Russel O. Wissinger, Falls Church, Va.; Leo, Arlington, Va.; Cyril, Ferndale, Mich.; William, Detroit, Mich.; George, New Orleans, La.; Louise, wife of Edward W. Reese, Falls Church, Va., and Ursula, at home; also 12 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Pensioned in 1932 from machine shop in Lower Cambria Division, Johnstown Plant. Bethlehem Steel Company. Friends received after 7 p.m. Saturday in Stephen J. Conway Funeral Home Sung requiem mass at 10 a.m. Monday in St. Columba's Catholic Church. Internment at Grandview Cemetery.^[17]

Burial: Nov 7, 1960 at Grandview Cemetery in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. ^[18]

Sources

1. ↑ Descendants of George Kershenstein Family Notes - Gen No. 2
2. ↑ Descendants of George Kershenstein Family Notes - Gen No. 2
3. ↑ Marraige License[1]
4. ↑ Confirmed by grand daughter Louise Fisher June 30, 2018 via phone conversation with Koeppen-11
5. ↑ Descendants of George Kershenstein Family Notes - Gen No. 2
6. ↑ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Bureau of Vital Statistics; Certificate of Birth for William Allen Kershenstein; May 24, 1908; listed as sixth child in birth order; 277 Decker Avenue, Johnstown, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States; 20th Ward; Registration District Number 324; Primary Registration District Number 40; File Number 66906 (also stamped in center with 71454); Registered Number 573
7. ↑ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Bureau of Vital Statistics; Certificate of Birth for Not Named Kershenstein; April 23, 1910; listed as Seventh child in birth order; 277 Decker Avenue, Johnstown, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States; 20th Ward; Registration District Number 324; Primary Registration District Number 40; File Number 52032; Registered Number 488
8. ↑ 1900 US Federal Census; Johnstown, Cambria, Pennsylvania; Sheet Number 12; Supervisor's District No 13; Enumeration District 143. Ward 17; P 267 A
9. ↑ 1920 US Federal Census; Johnstown, Cambria, Pennsylvania; Sheet Number 23; Supervisor's District No 20; Enumeration District 203. Precinct 20.[2]
10. ↑ 1920 US Federal Census; Johnstown, Cambria, Pennsylvania; Sheet Number 23; Supervisor's District No 20; Enumeration District 203. Precinct 20. "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch; 14 December 2015), Pennsylvania > Cambria > Johnstown Ward 20 > ED 203 > image 45 of 62; citing NARA microfilm publication T625; Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d..[3]
11. ↑ 1930 US Federal Census; Johnstown City, Cambria, Pennsylvania; Sheet Number 17 A; P 224; Supervisor's District No 16; Enumeration District 11-82. Ward 20[4]
12. ↑ 1940 US Federal Census; Johnstown City, Cambria, Pennsylvania; Sheet Number 1 B; Supervisor's District No 84; Enumeration District 11-113. Ward 20; Block 204[5]
13. ↑ Patent Document for the Railroad Frog[6]
14. ↑ Descendants of George Kershenstein Family Notes - Gen No. 2
15. ↑ Descendants of George Kershenstein Family Notes - Gen No. 2; referring to source: Louise Kershenstein Reese
16. ↑ Familysearch.org: [7]
17. ↑ Johnstown Tribune, Johnstown, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States; November 5, 1960; P 12.
18. ↑ Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 29 June 2018), memorial page for John P Kershenstein (1867–4 Nov 1960), Find A Grave: Memorial #116657930, citing Grandview Cemetery, Johnstown, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, USA; image attached; Maintained by MPD (contributor 47800729) .

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