Henry Laudenslager Shop...
Henry Laudenslager’s Gunsmith Shop, Fair Oak, Snyder County, PA
Printed in the Daily Item Newpaper (Sunbury, PA), approx. 1962
Henry Laudenslager
Born: April 17, 1839 Penn Township, Union County, Pennsylvania
Died: March 22, 1912 Penn Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania
Buried: Row’s Cemetery, Salem, Snyder County Pennsylvania
Henry Laudenslager was the son of Valentine D. Laudenslager (born 1809). He was a nephew of gunsmiths William Laudenslager and Samuel J. Laudenslager. He married Susannah Knouse (born September 1848) on February 23, 1869. Henry served in the Civil War as a corporal with Company D of the 208th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Henry Laudenslager’s gunsmith shop stood just north of Salem at the corner of Salem Road and Fair Oak Road. It was built in the early 1800’s and continued to stand until the 1960’s when it was finally torn down.
Dalas Ewing reported Henry Laudenslager as a gunsmith in the Salem area in Snyder County around 1855 to 1900. He stated that “for a late maker he was a good craftsman.” He recalled an over & under swivel-breech rifle marked “H.L. 1861”.
Ref. “Gunsmiths of Snyder County” by Dalas Ewing
Henry Laudenslager is listed in the Snyder County tax records as a “Gunsmith” in Penn Township in the following years; 1862, 1863, 1864, 1868, 1869, 1870. His occupation is listed as “Laborer” in 1866 and 1867. He listed his occupation as “Carpenter” in 1871, 1873, 1876, and thereafter. In the early 1860’s tax records he is listed as being unmarried and living with his father, Valentine D. Laudenslager.
1860 Federal Census, Pennsylvania, Snyder County, Penns Township, Kantz P.O., p. 524
Valentine Laudenslager, age 50, occupation “Farmer”, born PA; Rachel, age 49; Henry Laudenslager, age 21, occupation “Gunsmith”, born PA; Lovina, age 19; Lydia, age 17; Esther, age 15; Louisa, age 9; Joel, age 6; Mary, age 4; Catherine, age 75.
1870 Federal Census, Pennsylvania, Snyder County, Penn Township, Salem, p. 11
Henry Loudenschlager, age 31, occupation “Carpenter”, born PA; Susan, age 21, born PA; Ulyssis, age 4/12, born PA.
1880 Federal Census, Pennsylvania, Snyder Co., Penn Twp., Salem, District 147 p. 17
Henry Laudenslager, age 41, occupation “Carpenter & Farmer”, born PA; Susanah, age 31; Ulysis H., age 10; Emma C., age 9; David V., age 7; Jordan H., age 5; Sarah E., age 4/12.
1900 Federal Census, Pennsylvania, Snyder Co., Penn Twp., District 178, p. 194A
Henry Laudenslager, age 61, occupation “Farmer”, born PA; Susan, age 52; David, age 27; Jordan, age 25; Emma C., age 20; Nora, age 17.
1910 Federal Census, Pennsylvania, Snyder Co., Penn Twp., District 152
Henry Laudenslager, age 70, occupation “Farmer”, born PA; Susannah, age 60, born PA; David V., age 37, born PA; Susan H. Maurer, age 12, “Hired Girl”.
Jacob Laudenslager
Born: November 16, 1828, Penn Township, Union County, Pennsylvania
Died: February 14, 1906, Cooper Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan
Buried: Otsego Township, Allegan County, Michigan
Jacob Laudenslager was the son of gunsmith John Laudenslager. Jacob Laudenslager left Pennsylvania for Ohio with his parents about 1834. He married Ellen Lillie (born abt. 1831). He left Ohio between 1870 and 1880 for Michigan. He settled in Otsego Township in Allegan County. Once in Ohio, and later Michigan, he was more active as a farmer than a gunsmith.
1850 Federal Census, Ohio, Portage County, Suffield Township, p. 423
John Loudenslager, age 47, occupation “Farmer”, born PA; Sally, age 46; Jacob Loudenslager, age 21, occupation “Gunsmith”, born PA; Lydia, age 19; John, age 15, occupation “Laborer”, born OH; Henry, age 13, born OH; David, age 7/12, born OH.
1860 Federal Census, Ohio, Portage County, Suffield Township, p. 2402
Jacob Laudenslager, age 35, no occupation listed, born PA; Ellen, age 28, born PA; Sophia, age 7; Jane, age 5; Amanda, age 3, born OH; Harmon, age 1, born PA.
1870 Federal Census, Ohio, Portage County, Suffield Township, Suffield Center, p. 9
Jacob Loudenslegger, age 41, occupation “Farmer”, born PA; Ellen, age 39, born PA; Sophia, age 19, born OH; Sarah J., age 16, born OH; Amanda, age 13, born OH; Harmon, age 11, born OH; Lydia, age 9, born OH; Lorinda, age 7, born OH; Ida, age 6, born OH; Sylvester, age 3, born OH.
1880 Federal Census, Michigan, Allegan County, Otsego Township, District 24, p. 44
Jacob Laudenslager, age 53, occupation “Farmer”, born PA; Ellen, age 49, born PA; Ida, age 15, born OH; Herman, age 21, occupation “Farmer”, born OH; Louis, age 21, “Daughter in Law”, born MI; David, age 13, born OH; Howard, age 6, born OH.
1900 Federal Census, Michigan, Allegan County, Otsego Township, District 21, p. 749
J. Laudenslager, age 71, born November, 1828, PA, occupation “Farmer”; Thomas Baum, age 23, “Grandson”, born OH; Floyd Baum, age 18, “Grandson”, born OH.
John Laudenslager
Born: April 10,1803 Penn Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
Died: September 14, 1879 Suffield Township, Portage County, Ohio
Buried: Eastlawn Cemetery, Suffield Township, Portage County, Ohio
John Loudenslager was the oldest son of John George Laudenslager & Mary (n. Kessler) Laudenslager. He was a first cousin of gunsmiths Samuel J. Laudenslager & William Laudenslager. John Laudenslager married Sarah Meyers (born 1804). He and his family moved from Union County, Pennsylvania to Ohio in about 1834. They first settled in Springfield Township in Summit County, Ohio. They then settled a 100 acre farm in Suffield Township in Portage County, Ohio. John was an active farmer and gunsmith for many years. John and Sarah had six children that reached adulthood. John’s oldest son Jacob also worked as a gunsmith for several years. Their son Henry died in 1861 while serving in the Civil War for the West Virginia Infantry Volunteers. John’s wife Sarah died in 1864. Sometime after Sarah’s death, and before 1870, John married a woman named Eve.
1850 Federal Census, Ohio, Portage County, Suffield Township, p. 423
John Loudenslager, age 47, occupation “Farmer”, born PA; Sally, age 46; Jacob Loudenslager, age 21, occupation “Gunsmith”, born PA; Lydia, age 19; John, age 15, occupation “Laborer”, born OH; Henry, age 13, born OH; David, age 7/12, born OH.
1860 Federal Census, Ohio, Portage County, Suffield Township, Suffield P.O.
John Loudenslager, age 57, occupation “Farmer”, born PA; Sarah Loudenslager, age 56, born PA.
Note: John & Sarah are living next door to son & gunsmith, Jacob Loudenslager
1870 Federal Census, Ohio, Portage Co., Suffield Twp, Suffield Center P.O. p. 21
John Loudensleeger, age 67, occupation “Farmer Retired”, born PA; Eve, age “56”.
Samuel J. Loudenslager (1812-1891)
1877 Map of Walker Township, Juniata County, Pennsylvania
Samuel J. Loudenslager’s Farm & Gunsmith Shop Location Highlighted
Source:
https://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pajuniat/walker.htmlSamuel J. Loudenslager
Born: November 1, 1812 Penns Township, Union County, Pennsylvania
Died: February 15, 1891 Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pennsylvania
Buried: Center Lutheran Church Cemetery, Center, Walker Township, Juniata Co., PA
Samuel J. Laudenslager was a skilled and prolific gunsmith. Samuel was the son of Johan Henry Laudenslager. He was the older brother of gunsmith Wilhelm “William” Laudenslager, and first cousin of gunsmith John Laudenslager. He was the nephew of Union County gunsmith Samuel H. St. Clair. It is believed that Samuel, as well as other Laudenslager gunsmiths, apprenticed under Samuel St. Clair in near Kratzerville in Jackson Township in Union County (now Snyder County). Samuel St. Clair’s sister-in-law, Catherine Kline, was the mother of Samuel & William Laudenslager. Union/Snyder County gunsmith John George Ulrich, a cousin on the Laudenslager’s, probably apprenticed under Samuel Laudenslager. The author has seen a rifle signed by Samuel Laudenslager on the top flat of the barrel, and signed by John George Ulrich on the bottom flat. Rifles made by Samuel Laudenslager range from very plain utilitarian rifles, up to fancy presentation grade rifles which feature engraved coin silver inlays, incised carving, four-piece patchboxes, on high-grade tiger maple stocks. Samuel also made several swivel-breech rifles, as well as heavy bench rifles for target shooting. All are well made and demonstrate Samuel’s talent and skill in the gun-maker’s craft.
Samuel J. Laudenslager married Ester “Hettie” Rowe (born September 27, 1817) in about 1838. Sometime between 1840 and 1850, Samuel & Hettie moved to Juniata County and settled on a piece of property in Walker Township just north of the Center Lutheran Church between Mexico and Thompsontown along the banks of the Juniata River. Together, Samuel & Hettie raised nine children, seven sons and two daughters. Their oldest son, Henry Laudenslager served in the Civil War, participating in the battles at Antietam and Gettysburg. After the war Henry and four of his younger brothers moved west. One brother, Ephraim, settled in Clyde, Sandusky County, Ohio. Henry, and three brothers, Joseph, Samuel Jr., and James continued west and became some of the earliest pioneer settlers in Sedgewick County, Kansas. In 1886, Henry founded the village of Maize near Wichita, Kansas and became a successful cattle rancher and farmer.
1840 Federal Census, Pennsylvania, Union County, Penns Township
Samuel Laudenslager,
1850 Federal Census, Pennsylvania, Juniata County, Walker Township
Saml. Loudenslager, age 40, occupation “Gunsmith”, born PA; E. Loudenslager, age 35; L. Loudenslager, age 11; H. Loudenslager, age 9; J. Loudenslager, age 7; S. Loudenslager, age 3; R. Loudenslager, age 5/12.
1860 Federal Census, Pennsylvania, Juniata Co., Walker Twp., Mexico P.O., p. 882.
Saml. Laudenslager, age 50, occupation “Farmer”, born PA; Ester, age 43; Louisa, age 19; Henry, age 17, occupation “Farm Laborer”; Joseph, age 15; Ephraim, age 13; Samuel, age 11; David age 6; Susan, age 4, James, age 2
1870 Federal Census, Pennsylvania, Juniata Co., Walker Twp., Mifflintown P.O., p.28
Samuel Loudenslager, age 59, occupation “Farmer”, born PA; Hettie, age 55; Samuel, age 22; David, age 16; Susanna, age 14; James, age 11
1880 Federal Census, Pennsylvania, Juniata County, Walker Township, District 136, p. 9.
Samuel Laudenslager, age 68, occupation “Gun Smith”, born PA; Hettie, age 62; David, age 25, occupation “Farm Laborer”; James, age 22, occupation “Farm Laborer”
Wilhelm “William” Laudenslager
Born: January 25, 1819 Penn Township, Union County, Pennsylvania
Died: October 25, 1882 Ridge Township, Wyandot County, Ohio
Buried: Bigelow “St. John’s” Cemetery, Ridge Township, Wyandot County
Wilhelm “William” Laudenslager was the son of Johan Henry Laudenslager. His older brother Samuel J. Laudenslager was one of the more prolific gunsmiths from Union / Snyder County, Pennsylvania. It is believed that William learned the gunsmith trade from his uncle Samuel H. St. Clair in Kratzerville near New Berlin, Pennsylvania along Penns Creek. It is said that William taught his younger cousin Henry Laudenslager the gunsmith trade.
William Laudenslager is listed in the Union & Snyder County tax records as a gunsmith in Penn Township in the years 1842, 1843, 1844, 1845, 1849, 1850, 1853, 1854, and 1855. Sometime after 1855 and before 1860, William moved to New Berlin in Union County, Pennsylvania where he continued to work as a gunsmith. About 1860 William moved to Bellevue in Seneca County, Ohio. By 1870 William had bought a piece of property in Ridge Township in Wyandot County, Ohio between Carey and Findlay. Here he did some farming and gunsmith work. It seems he may have only performed repair work on guns by this point in his life.
Dalas Ewing reported that William Laudenslager worked as a gunsmith in the Salem area (near Selinsgrove in today’s Snyder County) from 1842 to 1855. He recalled a rifle signed “W.L. 1851” attributed to William Laudenslager.
Ref. “Gunsmiths of Snyder County” by Dalas Ewing
William Laudenslager married Anna Rowe in 1841. Together they raised four children, two daughters and two sons.
1850 Federal Census, Pennsylvania, Union County, Penn Township, p. 52
Wilhelm Laudenschlager, age 34, born PA; Anna, age 34; Martin, age 8; Sybilla, age 5; Magdalena, age 3.
1860 Federal Census, Penn., Union Co., New Berlin Borough, New Berlin P.O., p. 952
William Laudenslager, age 41, occupation “Gun Smith”, born PA; Annie, age 42; Martin, age 18; Sybilla, age 15; Magdalena, age 13; Charles, age 8.
1870 Federal Census, Ohio, Wyandot County, Ridge Township, Carey P.O., p. 3
William Loudenslager, age 51, occupation “Farmer”, born PA; Annie, age 55, born PA; Martin, age 28, occupation “Farm Laborer”, born PA; Sebilla, age 25, born PA; Charles, age 17, occupation “Farm Laborer”, born PA; Sophronia Walker, age 7, born OH.
1880 Federal Census, Ohio, Wyandot County, Ridge Township, District 158. p. 3
William Laudensleigher, age 61, occupation “Gun Smith”, born PA; Emma, age 65, born PA; Savilla Pontius, age 34, “Daughter”, born PA; Anna Pontius, age 6, “Grand Daughter”, born OH; William Pontius, age 1.
Samuel H. St. Clair
Born: February 1, 1793 Pennsylvania
Died: January 1, 1849 Kratzerville, Jackson Township, Snyder County
Buried: Lutheran & Reformed Cemetery, Kratzerville, Jackson Township, Snyder County
Samuel H. St. Clair was a gunsmith in Kratzerville, in Snyder County, Pennsylvania ca. 1823-1840. He was uncle to the Laudenslager gunsmiths. Samuel St. Clair was married to Susanna Kline. Susanna’s sister, Catharine Kline was married to Johan Heinrich “Henry” Laudenslager, the father of gunsmiths Samuel J. Laudenslager and Wilhelm “William” Laudenslager. Samuel H. St. Clair marked his rifles in various ways. He inscribed in script letters “S*S” or “S. H. St. C.” or “S. H. St. Clair” or Samuel St. Clair”. He used several distinctive patchbox designs. His designs are also found on rifles made by the Laudenslager gunsmiths.
Dalas Ewing believed that many of the Laudenslager gunsmiths may have apprenticed under Samuel St. Clair in Kratzerville. Related gunsmith John George Ulrich may have also apprenticed under this master gunsmith.
In 1826, 1832, and 1835, Samuel St. Clair is listed in the tax records as a gunsmith residing along Penn Creek in Union Township (now Jackson Township) in Union County (now Snyder County).
John George Ulrich
Born: December 26, 1820 Kratzerville, Jackson Township, Union County, PA
Died: November 6, 1888 Shamokin Dam, Monroe Township, Snyder County, PA
Buried: Shamokin Dam Cemetery, Shamokin Dam, Snyder County, PA
John George Ulrich was a cousin of the Laudenslager gunsmiths. He worked as a gunsmith for many years in Shamokin Dam, Pennsylvania in Snyder County. He lived for a time in Walker Township, Juniata County, very close to gunsmith Samuel J. Laudenslager. It is likely that John George Ulrich learned the gunsmith trade from either one of the Laudenslager’s, or from their uncle Samuel St. Clair. The author is aware of a rifle that is signed by Samuel Laudenslager on the top barrel flat, and signed “JG*U” on the bottom flat of the rifle barrel. The author is also aware of a rifle that is signed “JG*U” on the top barrel flat between the back of the rear sight and the breech plug. This rifle possesses many of the same design features as rifles made by Samuel and William Laudenslager.
John George Ulrich was the son of Samuel Ulrich, born October 15, 1789, and Mary Magdalene Kline, born August 12, 1795. John George Ulrich married Sarah Row on February 25, 1845 in Juniata County. Rev. C. G. Erlemeyer performed the ceremony. Sarah Row was born March 5, 1819.
John George Ulrich served during the Civil War in the 7th Pennsylvania Infantry, 7th Regiment, in Company G. He mustered in on April 23, 1861, and mustered out as a First Sergeant on July 29, 1861 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
1850 Federal Census, Pennsylvania, Juniata County, Walker Township, p. 248
Geo. Ulrich, age 30, occupation “Gunsmith”, b. PA; Sarah, age 31; Francy, age 8; Sarah, age 5; Utica, age 4; Elizabeth, age 3.
1860 Federal Census, Pennsylvania, Snyder Co., Monroe Twp., Shamokin Dam P.O., p. 7
George Ulrich, age 39, occupation “Gunsmith”, b. PA; Sarah, age 40; Fiann, age 16; Savilla, age 15; Utica, age 15; Sarah, age 12.
1870 Federal Census, Pennsylvania, Snyder Co., Monroe Twp., Shamokin Dam P.O., p. 7
J. G. Ulrich, age 48, occupation “Gunsmith”; Sarah, age 48; Sophiah, age 25; Sarah E. age 22.
1880 Federal Census, PA, Snyder Co., Monroe Twp., Shamokin Dam P.O., p. 13
S. P. Hartman, age 40, occupation “Shoemaker”; Frannia, age 28, “Wife”; George E., age 2; George Ulrich, age 59, “Father in Law”, occupation “Gun Smith”
