The Philadelphia Schembs

Peter Schembs of Philadelphia

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The Story of Peter Schembs

Peter Schembs (*1837 Laubenheim, +1893 Philadelphia) emigrated in 1859 at the age of 24 years. While his initial objective may have been to go to Ohio, he soon settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the founder of the Philadelphia Schembs. His story is told in the following parts:

Peter Joseph Schembs (*1837, +1893)
Emigration
Marriage to Sarah
Religion
Occupation
First Home
Children of Peter and Sarah
Sarah's Death
Peter's Second Marriage to Catharina "Kate" Meitzler
Children of Peter and Kate
Move to 9 South 16th Street
Move to 1603 Vine
Move to 1712 Race Street
Peter Dies
Kate's Later Residences
Descendants of Peter Schembs

Peter Joseph Schembs (*1837, +1893)

Peter Schembs, the emigrant founder of the Philadelphia Schembs, left few tracks in the first two years he was in the United States. The early census data identified Peter as from Hesse Darmstadt and born about 1835 (C1870/C1880). From the German records we now know that he was born in 1837 in Laubenheim. Peter was fourth child (first son) of Valentin and Barbara Spies Schems of Laubenheim.

The first record of Peter in Philadelphia is the 1863 City Directory when he is residing on Market Street in the 9th Ward, 27th District. He is listed as Peter 'Schemps.'

In the 1870, Census he is recorded as Henery Schembs rather than Peter Joseph. Based upon the ages and names of his children, and his age and place of origin, it is clear that Henery and Peter are the same person. This is the only instance of the name Henery. All other references are to Peter or Peter Joseph.

There is no record of Peter having become naturalized, although this may have occurred. Based upon the time of his arrival in the U.S. it is likely that he might have served in the Civil War, but no record of this exists either (1).

1870 Census for the 9th Ward, 27th District of Philadelphia

"Henery" Schembs is listed in Row 13, shown as 35 years old, a hairdresser by profession and owning his home with a value of $3,000. He is from Hessen Darmstadt. His wife Sarah is from Ireland and a housewife. The transcription is easier to read.

Emigration

There is a record of a Peter Schemps as a passenger aboard the ship Wursata which arrived in New York on October 17, 1859. He was listed as being 22 years old from Hessen Darmstadt and destined for Ohio. Nine years had passed since the first Laubenheimer emigrated – Jacob Schembs to Peoria, Illinois. In 1859 two more sought their fortunes in the new world – Martin Schembs, the brother of Jacob, and Peter Joseph Schembs, the second cousin of Jacob. Martin and Peter Joseph emigrated at different times. There were no other 'Schemps' or Schömbs by other spellings aboard the Wursata with Peter.

A close look at the 1860 Census does not show Peter in Philadelphia at the time, but this could be consistent with a late 1859 emigration.

Marriage to Sarah

In about 1861, Peter married an Irish emigrant with the first name Sarah (*1835, +1871). The timing of their marriage is based upon the dates of Peter's immigration and the birth of their first child in 1862. Sarah was two years older than Peter. Her maiden name is not known, nor is information about her emigration or family.

Religion

Peter and Sarah were Roman Catholic. They are buried in the (Old) Cathedral Cemetery on Lancaster Avenue at 48th Street. Also buried at Cathedral Cemetery are three Schembs infants, all of whom died before their first birthdays. Based upon their places of residence, the Schembs probably attended the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul on Logan Square. The cornerstone was laid September 6, 1846, with dedication on November 20, 1864. It is also possible that they were members of St. Patrick's Church. (6)

Information on Peter's marriage to Sarah, as well as other religious records might be available at the Philadelphia Archdiocesan Historical Research Center in Wynnewood.

Occupation

Peter was a barber according to census and city directory references. He appears to have operated his business from his residence the entire time in Philadelphia. In 1870 there were two other barbers who boarded at the Schembs home and apparently worked for Peter. They were William Woodward and George Collinbagh, both 20 years old and born in the U.S.

By 1880 there were two different barber/boarders at the Schembs home. They were George Fiegenschuh, age 20, and August Claus, age 16 (born in Pennsylvania). The family also had a servant, Lizzie, who was 12. (C1880)

A potentially confusing situation existed during the late 1800's. Another German immigrant, Peter Shimm, was a brewer and founder/owner of one of the numerous breweries in Philadelphia. In the 1867 City Directory, the brewery was located at 1106 West College Avenue. The Shimm Brewery carried on into the 20th Century. The Philadelphia Schembs have commented on the confusion between Peter Schembs and the Peter Shimm Brewery.

First Home

2216 Market Street in 1995 with a new façade. The address is the left section of the building as you face it. The middle section which is now the antique store to the right was the original 2218 and 2220.

Peter and Sarah lived at 2216 Market Street as early as 1863. The location is two blocks east of the Schuylkill River and eight blocks west of City Hall. Just across the Schuylkill on Market is the 30th Street Station. The house still stands today, although the facade in the picture is new. The houses today are occupied by businesses, at least on the ground floors. The size of the house is 14 feet wide and 96 feet deep. At the time the entire block was rowhouses of identical size according to the plat. The houses were side by side and back to back.

Peter may have rented when they first moved into 2216 Market. The first evidence of his ownership is dated July 30, 1864, when the deed was transferred from William Simes to Peter J. Schembs. The value of the home was $3,000 (C1870). The first record of a mortgage is dated 1883.

Today the blocks between 21st and 23rd Streets on Market are about the only blocks which have not had some considerable redevelopment between the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. As seen in the photograph, the house at 2214 Market has been demolished. 2218 and 2220 have been combined into a single building and are the location of Antique Fair, owned by Hank Armstrong and his partner. They also own 2216 which they bought in about 1966 for $12,500 in a state of desperate repair. The first floor tenant is Madeline McCall, Custom Made Lamp Shades.

Two blocks to the east on Market today are the IBM twin 35-story towers, one of the numerous impressive office complexes in downtown Philadelphia.

Children of Peter and Sarah

Peter and Sarah Schembs had three children. The first, John Joseph Schembs, was born November 28, 1862, (5) in Philadelphia; the second, William Henry Schembs, on August 25, 1865 (5); and finally Mary V. Schembs was born in about 1868. John grew up to become a dentist, William to become an accountant, and Mary to wed a doctor, W. Wallace Fritz. The children epitomized the American dream and the reason for much of the migration from Europe to America at the time.

Sarah's Death

Sarah was pregnant with their fourth child during 1870. The child was stillborn and was buried on December 26, 1870, at Cathedral Cemetery. In the records it is listed as the 'Shemps' child. Because the child had not been baptized, it is not buried in the family plot but rather in the western perimeter of the Cemetery which, according to the superintendent, was "unconsecrated ground reserved for the unbaptized and people of mixed marriages." While connotations of our English words have changed, I believe that in 1870 this meant non-Catholics.

Unfortunately Sarah had contracted pneumonia during the pregnancy and died January 2, 1871 (3). William H. Hooper, MD, completed the report. Sarah was buried at Cathedral Cemetery on January 4, 1871 in a plot purchased by Peter (4). The cemetery records have her as Sarah Schemps, age 36. Later to be buried in the same plot were two young children from Peter's second marriage, then Peter and finally an Anne Campbell. It is not clear who Anne Campbell is, although she might be the future mother-in-law of Jacob Valentine Schembs (*1879).

Sarah's untimely death left Peter with three young children, ages 8, 5, and 2.

Peter's Second Marriage to Catharina Meitzler

With a family to raise, Peter wasted no time in findinga new wife and mother for his children. On July 20, 1871, Peter Schemps and Catharina Meitzler (*1853~1922) were married by Reverend John G. Wiehle of the German Reformed Church (5). The Reformed Church was an independent denomination springing from the time of the Reformation in sixteenth century Germany. Reverend Wiehle was pastor of Salem Reformed Church located at N. American Street near Green. (27) N. American is between 2nd and 3rd Streets. In the marriage license Peter listed his age as 36 1/2 years, Catharina as 18 years. A Jakob Holz witnessed the marriage. (45)

Catharina, who in later references is called Catharine and "Kate," emigrated from Darmstadt in 1868 (C1900). She apparently lived in Philadelphia for three years before she and Peter were married, although no reference to her family (or any Meitzlers) is found in the City Directories. Her date of birth is stated differently in various documents. While this is not unusual, the information is as follows:

Document	Age	(therefore) Birth
Marriage (5)	18	1853
1880 Census	26	1854
1900 Census		1853
1910 Census	60	1850
1920 Census	74	1846

Why Peter and Catharina were married in the German Reformed Church is an interesting question. Most likely it is because they were unable to be married in the Catholic Church. Sarah had been buried in the Catholic Cathedral Cemetery six months earlier. Peter would later be buried in the Cathedral Cemetery.

Children of Peter and Catharina "Kate"

Peter and Catharina's first child, Magdalene, was born a year later on about June 18, 1872. She died at age eight months in March, 1873 (4). She was buried at Cathedral Cemetery with Peter's first wife, Sarah.

Apparently it was common to re-use favorite given names, as infant mortality was a fact of life. Therefore when Peter and Kate's second child, another daughter, was born she too was named Magdalene (*1874). Then in 1875 a son was born, Peter Joseph. He too died as an infant on July 4, 1876, the day of the country's first centennial, and was less than ten months old (4). He was buried in the Cathedral plot with Sarah and his sister. The death notice in the Philadelphia Inquirer dated July 7, 1876 read:

PETER J. SCHEMBS On the 4th instant, Peter J., son Peter J. and Catharine Schembs, aged 9 months + 13 days. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral this Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock from his parents residence, No. 2216 Market Street. To proceed to Cathedral Cemetery.

To be buried in the family plot at Cathedral the children would had to have been christened previously by the Church.

Another son was born in April, 1877, and was named Peter Joseph Schembs. Then in 1879 Jacob Valentine Schembs was born. The 1900 Census reports that Kate was the mother of six children, three of whom were living at the time. If this is correct, then Peter and Kate apparently had one more child who also died prior to 1900.

The exact dates of birth of the five children are somewhat in conflict. For example the second Magdalene could have been born as early as 1874 (C1880 and C1910) or as late as 1876 (C1900). The 1880 Census data makes the most sense given that pregnancies take nine months.

Move to 9 South 16th Street

The corner of 16th and Market today is the Core States Bank Building. The classic City Hall building is in the background.

By 1885, Peter and Kate moved to a new residence at 9 South 16th Street. Whether it was for more space, or to get more into the business district for trade purposes is not clear. In 1885 John was still living at home, and had begun his dental practice possibly out of the home on 16th Street. They appear to have retained ownership of the Market Street property and probably rented on 16th Street initially.

The South 16th Street home is in the block occupied today by the Core States Bank, one of the tallest downtown buildings and just a block from City Hall. In the photograph the Core States Building is on the right and the old landmark City Hall on the left with Market Street approaching City Hall.

Two of the most telling records of Peter's assets are the November 29, 1890, deed transfer agreements entered into with Caldwell K. Biddle. On the same date, Peter J. Schembs transferred to Caldwell the properties at 2216 Market and 9 South 16th Street, with a companion document transferring the same properties from Biddle to Katharina Schembs. While the documents (2) are very difficult to read, it appears that Schembs mortgaged both properties in the total amount of $10,000 and possibly bought the 9 South 16th home at the same time. If this was the situation, then the second transfer from Biddle back to Kate Schembs was undoubtedly held in escrow until the mortgage was satisfied.

Move to 1603 Vine

However, before the Biddle transactions in 1890, Peter and Kate had moved again. This time to 1603 Vine Street where they lived until 1892 or 1893 (CD1890,CD1892). By this time John and William had moved out of the home. The 1603 Vine property was owned by a Caroline Lippincott and her sisters-in-law, having inherited the property from Margaret Meredith Lippincott.

The 1603 address was razed for the construction of Interstate 676 which traverses downtown along the centerline of the old Vine Street.

Move to 1712 Race Street

1712 Race Street

During 1893 the Schembs moved again, this time to a home on Race Street immediately behind the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. The site today is the location of a six story glass-facade office building, but probably typical of the time are the 4 story apartments to the left.

Peter Dies - February 14, 1893

Peter Joseph Schembs passed away on February 14, 1893, of congestion of the lungs (3). The funeral was directed by James McGinnis, Undertaker, with burial at Cathedral Cemetery on February 18th. Peter was buried in the plot with Sarah and the two children that he had with Catharina who had died as infants. The plot is at the far western end of the Cemetery -- Section S, Range 9, Lot 4.

The death notice in the Inquirer (7) reads:

SCHEMBS - On February 14, 1893, Peter J. Schembs, aged 60 years.
The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral on Saturday morning at 8:30 o'clock, from his late residence 1712 Race Street. Solemn requiem mass at the Cathedral. Internment at Cathedral Cemetery.

Unmarked Graves of Peter Joseph and Sarah. The graves are just to the left of the left block marker along the road.

I have not done adequate research to assess what Peter passed along to his heirs. He had no will, so his estate was handled in administration. The administratrix was Katharina Schembs, his wife. The formal process declared his estate to be worth less than $75.00. However, through the deed transfers involved in the Biddle transaction it is likely that there was equity in the properties which had been transferred to Kate in November, 1890.

Kate's Later Residences

Catharine continued to live at 1712 Race for a few years after Peter's death (CD1895), but by 1900 moved to 1620 Wallace, about six blocks north of the Race Street residence. Kate's children lived with her, as they did for the rest of her life. In 1900, living with Kate were Magdalene (*1874), Peter II (1877), and Jacob (*1879) as well as at least eight boarders (1900C).

The 1600 Block of Wallace in 1995

Following the death of Peter (*1835), Kate earned a living as a boarding house operator.

The boarders were both men and women, ranging in age from 25 to 52 and mostly born in America. Their occupations included secretary, engineer and salesman. Today the home at 1620 Wallace is being redeveloped. Other homes along the 1600 block are complete as shown in the photograph, and their redevelopment possibly portrays how Wallace Street looked back in 1900.

Peter Joseph II married in 1903 to a Louise B. They continued to live with Kate and the others at 1620 Wallace (CD1905).

By 1910 the family moved again, this time to 621 North 17^th, just around the corner from the Wallace home. Today there is only a partial facade of the North 17th address. But again Kate had boarders. There were at least five boarders ranging from age 21 (medical student) to 43 (telegraph operator at the B&O Railroad). Magdalene, Peter Joseph (called Joseph in the Census) and Louise B., and Jacob Valentine (called Valentine in the Census) lived with Kate in the rented home. (C1910)

By 1915 (CD1915) the family moved to 1707 Francis, two blocks to the north. Apparently Louise B. and Peter are no longer married, or at least Louise no longer lives with the family. Jacob Valentine, age 36, is living at home.

In 1920 they are still at 1707 Francis, but Magdalene has moved out and Jacob Valentine has married a Mary E. Campbell. Jacob and Mary have two children in the house. There is only one lodger, a Samuel Scott who is a 43 year old single teacher from Canada.

Catharina must have died between 1920 and 1925. By 1925 (CD1925) Peter Joseph and Jacob Valentine have moved to different addresses and Kate no longer appears in the City Directory. I have not been able to locate a record of her death or her burial. In 1923 she would have been 70 years old. There was not a record of her burial at Cathedral Cemetery.

It is likely that Catharina is buried with at least one (Peter Joseph would be the most likely) of her children. Possibly they are buried at New Cathedral Cemetery in North Philadelphia, although it is not clear that they were Catholics in good standing. I wrote the Reformed Church asking what information they might have, but other than confirming the marriage of Peter and Catherina they were of no help.

The map of downtown Philadelphia shows the various homes where Peter and his wives lived from 1863 until 1923. They are all very close with the farthest being 12 blocks from City Hall and 6 blocks from the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul.

Legend:	1.	2216 Market		Philadelphia Landmarks:
	2.	9 South 16th
	3.	1603 Vine	A.	Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul
	4.	1712 Race	B.	City Hall
	5.	1620 Wallace	C.	Independence Hall
	6.	621 North 17th
	7.	1707 Francis

Downtown Philadelphia showing the various homes of Peter Joseph Schembs

Descendants of Peter Joseph Schembs

8.1.....John Joseph Schembs (*1862, +1937)

John Joseph, the eldest child of Peter and Sarah, was a dentist by profession. The first record of his career is in 1885 as a 23 years old. He was living with the family at 9 South 16th Street and possibly practicing from the same address. A year later, John married Emily "Emma" M. Shea (*1868, +1934) who was 18 years old at the time. Her father, James L.A. Shea signed the minor's consent to marry. Emma was born August 30, 1868, and was living with her parents at 1136 Tasker Street prior to the marriage. (5)

By 1890, John appears to be operating his practice from an address at 1530 Vine Street which was also their home. Shortly after 1900, John moved the practice to 310 Perry Street, but continued to live at 1530 Vine. He stayed at 310 Perry for more than 20 years, taking his son John Jr. into the practice. By 1930, about the time of John Sr's retirement they moved the practice to 1530 Chestnut, Room 310.

The various homes of John and Emma were:

Year	Address
1890-93	1530 Vine
1894	317 Budd (possibly with his brother William)
1905	1530 Vine
1910-15	1141 Erie Avenue
1920-25	3656 North 21st Street
1930	14 North Troy Avenue, Ventnor NJ (40)

John was a very stern individual. He ran a tight ship. Emma, in contrast, was very easy going. She was strong in her religious faith and well liked. They had a closely knit family. (32) Emma and John are buried in Ventnor, New Jersey, a suburb of Atlantic City.

An article in The Courier News from 1912 describes a boating incident of Doctor John Schembs. While this incident is probably about Dr. John, the father, it could be about Dr. John, the son. The father would have been fifty years old, the son twenty-five.

John and Emma had seven children, the eldest of whom died at eight years of age. She together with three of her sisters are buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon PA.

Legend:
1.	Walter Schembs (1891-1980)
2.	Marian Schembs (1897-1977)
3.	"Emma" Schembs (1868-1934)
4.	Celine Schembs (1896-1964)
5.	Adele Schembs (1894-1950)
6.	John Schembs II (1887-1936)
7.	John Schembs I (1862-1937)
8.	Lillian Schembs (1901-1968)

The Family of John Joseph and Emma Schembs, circa 1915 in Ventnor NJ

From John's obituary of John we learn a little more about the family.

Children: (7)

7.1.....Mary E. Schembs (*~1886, +01.05.1895)

The exact date of birth of Mary is not known. She was buried May 2, 1895. The people at Holy Cross would only say that she was about eight years old at the time of death, which was confirmed in her obituary.

7.2.....John Joseph Schembs II (*1887, +1936)

John, the second child of John and Emma, followed in his father's path becoming a dentist and joining him in his practice. John II actually aspired to become a medical doctor, but his father wanted him to become a dentist and would not let him finish the MD education. (8)

In 1916, John Jr. married Dorothea Miller (*1887, +1956) in Philadelphia. They lived at the following addresses:

Year	Address
1920	113 Grayling Avenue
1925-1930	Narberth PA
1935	Grayling & Windsor, Narberth

In contrast to his father, John II had a 'devil may care' attitude. He compensated for his short stature, about 5'2", with his outgoing personality and straw hats. He was several inches shorter than Dorothea. He loved to party and died before his 50th birthday. (32)

Children: (2)

2.1.....Emily Marie Schembs (*1917, +1989)

Emily Marie was outgoing like her father. She married Nelson Carmen Huber (*1914, +1974) who was a descendant of the Wharton family, very much Mainline. Nelson was an interior decorator, working on Cypress Gardens in Orlando among other projects.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Emily Harvey Huber (*1940)

Emily went to high school in Ocean City where she was a cheerleader. Following graduation she worked for the Prudential, then in banking before marrying Elwood Franklin Hudson (*1931). They later moved to Richmond and had three sons.

Children: (3)

3.1.....John Steven Hudson (*1969)

3.1.....Gary Leonard Hudson (*1971)

3.1.....Richard Elwood Hudson (*1974)

Following her divorce, Emily Marie married Dr. Fred Wood, a veterinarian. They moved briefly to Louisiana, Texas, Chicago and Los Angeles before settling in Ocean City in about 1952.

2.2.....John Joseph Schembs III (*1922)

John followed the more characteristic Schembs trait of being a private person. Like his sister, Jack has an excellent sense of humor which he probably got from his father. (32)

Jack married Hazel Leadingham (*1922, +1968). Jack's career was in the food industry with Kraft Food and later Ireland Coffee. Following Hazel's death he married Carolyn Rapine (*1918).

7.3.....Walter Eugene Schembs (*1891, +1980)

Walter, the second son of John and Emma, became an attorney and practiced in Philadelphia. At age 24 he was listed in the City Directory as a student and living at home. At 29, Walter still lived with his parents, but was associated with the law firm of Johnson & Gilkyson.

By 34, Walter had set out on his own, forming a partnership with a Samuel L. Borton. Schembs & Borton was located at 904 S. Girard, and later at 21 (or 12) S. 12th Street.

During his early life Walter lived at:

Year	Address
1925	3542 North 19th
1930	407 Glen Echo Road, Germantown
1935	5805 Morris, Germantown
1942	229 Stoneway Lane, Merion

When Walter was 31, he married Josephine Levering. They were married at least 10 years, but then divorced. Before 1942 Walter married Marie E. McGee (*1907, +1979).

According to his registration papers in 1942 for WWII, Walter was 5'7" tall, hazel eyes, gray hair and weighed 194 lbs.

Walter and Marie are buried in the McGee family plot in Holy Cross Cemetery. Walter was a private person, who did not stay close to the family. (32)

7.4.....Adele Schembs (*~1894, +1950)

Adele lived with John and Emma until they moved to Atlantic City. At age 34, Adele married Victor Donahue (*1890, +1939). At about the time of the marriage she was living at 3248 North 17th (at Westmoreland) which was an apartment with 25 tenants.

Adele and Victor had no children (8). Following Victor's death, Adele moved to Ventnor to be with her siblings. She and Victor are buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Philadelphia with Adele's three sisters, Mary E., Celine and Lillian.

7.5.....Celine Schembs (*~1896, +1964)

Celine did not marry nor did she work (8). She lived with her parents in both Philadelphia and New Jersey.

7.6.....Marian Schembs (*1897, +1977)

Marion did not marry either (8). She too lived in Ventnor NJ, but is not buried at Holy Cross.

Marian was both a good student (valedictorian of her class) and a good teacher by profession, teaching the first grade. When she was about 30 she still lived with her parents at 3656 N. 21st. In 1935 she was teaching at Sartain School and living at Edgewood Manor. She lived many years with her close friend, Helen Hazlett in Germantown. (32)

Marian was a strong Catholic and very well read. Her personality was excitable, but she was generous. You always checked with Helen to see if it was a good time to come visit Marian. (32) Later in life she moved to Ventnor to be with her sisters.

7.7.....Lillian Schembs (*~1901, +1968)

The last child of John and Emma, Lillian also did not marry (8). She also did not work and lived at home with John and Emma, moving with them to the Jersey shore.

8.2.....William Henry Schembs (*1865, +?)

William Henry began his career as a bookkeeper, apparently first working for a coal company at 429 Walnut (CD1885). In his marriage application to Evelyn "Eva" Rothermel (*1866, +20.02.1916) in 1886, William identified his employment as bookkeeper.

4115 Powelton -- Third Home From the Corner

By 1895, he was a superintendent at POS, 38th Street north of Market. Apparently this was actually the position of Postmaster. (8) In 1900 he was a cashier in a bank at 3938 Market (C1900). By 1915 he had gone into real estate brokerage and was a manager at Wyoming Real Estate (CD1915). On his son's marriage application he identified William Henry's occupation as 'broker.' William later was President and owner of a bank, but lost it during the Depression.

When William and Eva were married in 1886, Eva was 20 years old and Charlotte Rothermel signed the parent's consent for the minor to marry. Charlotte lived at 1618 Cherry. Eva's father was deceased at the time (5). They were wed on September 15, 1886, in a ceremony conducted by John S. Sands, Minister of the Gospel. I was not able to locate his church affiliation. The marriage ultimately was not successful and there may have been a bitter parting. (9)

William moved out of his parent's home following his marriage in 1886. After that time the various residences for William were:

Year	Address
1890	59 Bell
1892	317 Budd
1895	315 North 42nd Street
1900	4115 Powelton
1910	3801 Poplar
1915	425 Northeast Boulevard

Seven months after the death of his wife Eva, William remarried. Eva passed away in February 1916. William married Mary Murphy Eppenhimer (*1871 Ireland), also a widow. Mary was the daughter of William and Elizabeth Donnan (family name unknown). The date of the wedding was 26 September 1916. William was fifty years old, Mary forty-five. They married in New York City which is somewhat curious. Perhaps Mary was living in New York. It is not known where they lived thereafter.

Children: (4)

4.1.....William Henry Schembs, Jr (*1887, +1971)

William Jr also went into bookkeeping and spent his career with the Pennsylvania Railroad, about 48 years. His first marriage to Carolyn Myers (*1888, +1985) was brief. They had one child.

Children: (4)

4.1.....James Edward Schembs (*1909)

We have the Baptismal Record for James in September, 1912. From it we have his birth date of 23 May. The godfather was James P. Stanford. Note the headings of the columns which are in German.

James Edward has lived his entire life in Philadelphia. His legal middle name, Page, was not a favorite of Jim's and he decided he preferred Edward.

In 1930 he was living with his mother, Carolyn, at 5323 N. Howard. He later married Augusta M. Schanz (*1906, +1977), who passed away in 1977. Jim retired after 30 years as a purchasing agent with Progress Lighting and one of its affiliates.

William divorced Carolyn and married May Agnes McGuckin (*1891, +1962). May also had been previously married and had twin sons from her previous marriage, John and Thomas, born in 1911. Together William and May had three children.

4.2.....Robert William Schembs (*1914)

Robert William Schembs (*1914) married Florence Rapp (*~1923~1956). His employment was with a manufacturing or possibly foundry company. Robert and Florence had two daughters who died as young children and two sons.

2.1.....Robert Daniel Schembs (*1947)

Robert married Donna Florentino (*1957) and together they have had two children.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Michael Schembs (*1974, +1992)

Michael died tragically from a gunshot during an argument and fight in 1992. The story was reported in the Philadelphia Daily News.

2.2.....Donna Teresa Schembs (*1977)

2.2.....David William Schembs (*1950, +1994)

David married Lillian Titlow (*1952). They have three children.

Children: (3)

3.1.....David William Schembs, Jr (*1980)

3.2.....Kara Schembs (*1984)

3.3.....Timothy Schembs (*1987)

Following the death of Florence, Robert later married Grace Powell (*1915, +1977) who passed away in 1977.

4.3.....Margaret "Ruth" Schembs (*1915)

Ruth was the second child and only daughter of William and May. Ruth worked most of her life, first at the Pennsylvania Railroad, then with the phone company. She married John Thomas Kenney (*1903, +1966) who was with Westinghouse in the manufacturing area. Ruth and John had two sons.

Children: (2)

2.1.....John Thomas Kenney Jr (*1946, +1990)

John married Sharon Martin (*1949).

Children: (3)

3.1.....Sean Michael Kenney (*1975)

Sean and Dawn recently had their first child, a daughter.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Cristalin Kenney (*1994)

3.2.....Caitlin Bridget Kenney (*1982)

3.3.....Brie Coleen Kenney (*1983)

2.2.....Robert Michael Kenney (*1954)

Robert married Sue Ellen Scherzer (*1953).

Children: (1)

1.1.....Robert Michael Kenney II (*1990)

Following the death of John, Ruth later married Walter Tricker (*1919). Walter retired after 41 years as an engineer with the Pennsylvania Railroad and its successor companies, Penn Central and Conrail.

Ruth enjoys painting and collecting miniatures.

4.4.....Richard Francis Schembs (*1927, +1976)

Richard was in the U.S. Navy in World War II, stationed in Panama. He married Regina "Ginnie" Anne Paul (*1928) and went to work for the Pennsylvania Railroad after the War. He too was in the accounting area, for a total of 27 years with the Pennsy at the time of his death. Ginnie attended St. Monica's Commercial College and was with Strawbridge and Clothier for 34 years. They had two sons.

2.1.....Richard Francis Schembs, Jr (*1950)

Richard married Susan Frances Stranix (*1955). They have three children.

Children: (3)

Adam Kyle Schembs (*1979)

Brooke Anne Schembs (*1981)

Erik Ryan Schembs (*1983)

2.2.....Charles William Schembs (*1953)

Charles Schembs married Kathleen Allen (*1955).

Children: (2)

2.1.....Angelique Marie Schembs (*1975)

2.2.....Terrance P. Schembs (*1985)

4.2.....Valentine Joseph Schembs (*1890, +1969)

Valentine was the second son of William (*1865) and Eva.

At age 20, Valentine was working for the Pennsylvania Railroad and boarding at the home of Edward and Mary Goekler on Edgewood Street. He ultimately became Head Clerk for the Pennsy which is the Accounting Manager. Valentine married Rachael C. Fortney (*1887, +9.04.1915 Philadelphia).

Children: (3)

3.1.....Guy Carlton Schembs (*1912)

Guy married Dorothea Staib (*1914, +1981). Guy spent most of his career in the retail sales of rugs and carpeting.

Dorothea passed away in 1981, after which Guy married Doris Cardwell (*1920). They spend time regularly at the Jersey shore where they have a second home. Guy has given up his earlier hobbies of collecting stamps and coins.

Whey Guy was about three, Rachael passed away and Valentine remarried, this time to Pauline Mary Haberele (*1897, +1990).

By 1915 Valentine moved to 592 Summer, and in 1920 lived at 214 North Salford. In 1920 living with Valentine and Pauline was Edith Salmon, age 16 and a waitress in a hotel. Edith was a niece of Pauline.

Valentine and Pauline then had two more sons, Valentine Jr. and Norman.

3.2.....Valentine Joseph Schembs, Jr (*1918, +1988)

Valentine, Jr married Mary Teresa "Tess" Stromberg (*1917). Val, like his father, spent a career working for the Pennsylvania Railroad. Val and Tess had one son.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Barry Charles Schembs (*1949)

Barry married Margaret Inheteveen (*1949). They had three children.

Children: (3)

3.1.....Valerie Marie Schembs (*1970)

Children: (1)

1.1.....Brandon Schembs (*1990)

3.2.....Vanesa Schembs (*1973)

3.3.....Timothy Schembs (*1976)

3.3.....Charles "Norman" Schembs (*1921)

Norman was the third son of Valentine Joseph Schembs (*1890). He was named for his Uncle Norman and, like his Uncle, has always gone by his middle name.

In 1942, as he was preparing to go overseas, Norman married Mary Ann McGuire (*1921). During the Second World War, Norman was in the U.S. Army and served in Africa and Salerno where he was seriously wounded.

Valentine and Pauline are buried at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery in Springfield, PA.

4.3.....Charles "Norman" Schembs (*1894, +1995)

"Uncle" Norman was the third son of William Henry and Eva. He was the Schembs senior citizen, having had his 100th birthday in December, 1994. He was treated to a birthday celebration dinner with close family members and friends at a nearby restaurant. Unfortunately Norman passed away in April, 1995.

In 1910 Eva Rothermel Schembs and son Norman lived with John and Mary Pittroff at 5939 Market Street. Norman was a clerk at a woolen mill.

In 1920 Norman and his wife Bertha Stevenson (*1899~1951) lived with Bertha's parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Stephenson in Camden, New Jersey. Also living with the Stephensons was Norman's younger sister, Dorothy Schembs (*1903, +?).

Following the accidental death of Bertha Stephenson Schembs, Norman married Pauline Everett (*1899, +1975). Pauline passed away in 1975.

Uncle Norman had a long career with the U.S. Postal Service where he was a finance examiner. Norman retired from the Postal Service in 1952.

4.4.....Dorothy Schembs (*1903, +?)

Little is known about Dorothy. She may have married and had descendants.

Later in life William Henry (*1865, +?) married a second time. I do not know the name of the second wife but believe that they had no children. (9)

8.3.....Mary V. Schembs (*1868, +After 1920)

Mary was the last child of Peter Joseph and Sarah. She married W. Wallace Fritz (*1872, +?) on September 26, 1894. At the time of her marriage to Wallace at age 26, Mary lived at 1712 Race Street with Kate, her stepmother (5). The marriage ceremony was conducted by Reverend John F. McQuade at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia (5)(CD1894).

They had one son, Wallace Jr., and lived at 215 17th Street in Philadelphia. (C1900) Wallace was a physician. The marriage ended in a divorce prior to 1910. (C1910) In 1910 Mary and Wallace Jr. lived at 1928 Wallace Street where Mary was a keeper of an apartment house. She may have owned the property. The location was two blocks west of the 621 North 17th residence of Kate at the time.

Children: (1)

1.1.....W. Wallace Fritz, Jr (*1898, +?)

Wallace married Lillian Ruth Horn (*1897). In 1920 they owned their home at 477 Gearhard Street in Philadelphia. Mary, Wallace Jr.'s mother, lived with them.

At this time it is not known if Wallace and Ruth had children, and therefore more descendants of Peter Joseph Schembs.

8.4.....Magdalene Schembs (*18.06.1872 Philadelphia, +15.03.1873 Philadelphia)

8.5.....Magdalene Schembs (*1874, +19.01.1919 Philadelphia)

Magdalene was the first child of Peter and his second wife, Kate, to reach adulthood. Little is known about Magdalene. In 1900, at age 26, she lived with Catharina at 1620 Wallace. No occupation was given. In 1910 she still lived with her mother at 621 North 17th Street, again with no occupation stated. She died in 1919 at age 42 and is buried in the Westminster Cemetery in Philadelphia. The Interment record gives her address as 1707 Francis Street and closest relative as Katherine Schembs, her mother

8.6.....Peter Joseph Schembs II (*21.09.1875 Philadelphia, +04.07.1876 Philadelphia)

8.7.....Peter Joseph Schembs II (*1877, +?)

Peter was the second son named for Peter Joseph, the immigrant. At various times he is referred to as Peter, Peter J, and Joseph. He appears to have lived with his mother until she passed away in the early 1920's. Peter II was a florist by trade for most of his career as evidenced by the various City Directories which also give his residences.

	Occupation	Residence
1900	druggist	r 1620 Wallace
1905-10	florist	r 621 N 17th
1915-20	salesman	r 1707 Francis
1925	florist, 2953 Ken	r 1707 Francis
1935	florist	r 3132 Weymouth

In 1903 Peter Joseph (*1877, +?) married Louise B. (*~1877, +?). Her maiden name is not known. Louise B. was a dentist and lived with Peter and Kate at 1620 Wallace, then at 621 N 17th Street. In 1920 and 1925 Louise B. lists her address, both business and residence, as 1834 Wallace, two blocks to the west. Apparently Peter and Louise were no longer together.

Peter, in 1920, is listed in the Census as living with his mother and as being single. In 1925 Peter gives a different address. (CD1925)

8.8.....Jacob Valentine Schembs (*1879, +?)

Jacob was the last of the children of Peter and Kate. J.V. is referred to in various places as Valentine and as Jacob. Like his brother Peter (*1877), Jacob was a florist.

In 1915 Jacob married Mary E. Campbell (*1885, +?). At the time Jacob was living at 1707 Francis with his mother and Mary was living at 2431 West Garnet. Jacob was 35 and Mary 29 years old. She was the daughter of Bernard and Hanna Crosby Campbell. Jacob and Mary were married by Willard Beaton, Magistrate.

Jacob listed his occupation in 1910 and 1915 as being salesman (CD1910/1915). In 1920 Jacob and Mary lived with Catharina at 1707 Francis with their two daughters.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Catherine C. Schembs (*1916, +?)

2.2.....Magdelene Schembs (*1919, +?)

Nothing is known of Catherine and Magdelene. It is quite likely that one or both of them married and had descendants. It is also possible that Jacob and Mary had other children after 1920.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] At the moment I have lost the footnote references. When located they will be inserted.

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