BIO: William H. DENLINGER, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  WILLIAM H. DENLINGER, of the well-known firm of Denlinger Bros., 
wholesale jobbers in oil, with offices in Pittsburg and Philipsburg, is 
a citizen whose history and character are especially deserving of 
portrayal in a volume which aims to preserve the records of leading 
men. An able, energetic business man, he is actively interested in many 
important enterprises, while at the same time his public spirit is 
manifested in his hearty co-operation in the varied phases of local 
progress-social, political, and philanthropic.
  Our subject is a native of the Keystone State, born November 13, 
1853, and is descended from an old Pennsylvania-Dutch family, his 
ancestors having located in Lancaster county at a very early period. 
His grandfather, Christian Denlinger, left that locality with two 
brothers, Martin and Henry, to make their homes in Blair county, Penn. 
The descendants of the brothers are now located mainly at different 
points in the West. Christian Denlinger settled near Hollidaysburg, and 
married Miss Jane Holliday, a member of the honored pioneer family for 
whom that city was named.
  Our subject's father, Christian Denlinger (2), was born in Blair 
county, in 1823. He had one brother, William, now a resident of 
Michigan, and formerly a prominent journalist of Weston, Penn. A half-
sister, Elizabeth, married John Jones, of Westmoreland county, Penn., 
and died in 1865. Christian Denlinger (2) followed the carpenter's 
trade in early life, and later was for many years an official in the 
Allegheny County Work House. He was married in Pittsburg to Miss Fannie 
Shidle, a native of that city, born in 1825, who died in April, 1865, 
his own death occurring in June, 1891. The Shidle family is of Maryland 
stock, and James Shidle, grandfather of our subject, left his home in 
Baltimore to locate in Pittsburg, walking the entire distance on the 
old National turnpike. He was born in 1800, and died in 1879. His 
wife's maiden name was Elmira Crosby, and they had six children: Geter, 
John, Henry, James, George, and Fannie (Mrs. Denlinger). To Christian 
and Fannie Denlinger four children were born: Jennie, who died in 
infancy; Elmira C., wife of John Can Buskirk, of Pittsburg; William H., 
subject of this sketch; and James S., who was born January 2, 1856, and 
was reared in Pittsburg. He married Miss Alice Goff, and has four 
children: Fannie, William Holliday, Christian and Charlotte.
  William H. Denlinger received his education in Pittsburg, but as a 
boy he spent seven years in Minnesota, his parents having gone there 
temporarily. His unusual ability attracted attention before he had 
outlived his "teens," and he was appointed to the office of deputy 
gauger of Pittsburg, in which capacity he served for nine years. In 
1879 he and his brother James S., formed the firm of Denlinger Bros., 
with the main house at No. 804 Duquesneway, Pittsburg. In order to 
accommodate their rapidly developing trade, they opened the branch 
office at Philipsburg in 1883, with W. H. Denlinger in charge. By his 
characteristic energy and tact he has greatly increased the scope of 
the business, and at the same time he has identified himself thoroughly 
with the interests of the locality which he has chosen for a home. Few 
men, perhaps none, are more active and influential in the various 
public and semi-public movements there, certainly no other man of his 
years can compare with him in this regard. He is president of the Board 
of Trade; president of the Citizens Building & Loan Association; was 
president of the Borough Council in 1896; a director in the Welivar 
Manufacturing Company, and president of the furniture factory.
  Mrs. Denlinger is a member of the Catholic Church, while Mr. 
Denlinger, though no member of any religious persuasion, is a liberal 
contributor to all. Socially, he and his accomplished wife are an 
acquisition to Philipsburg. He was married June 4, 1889, to Miss Nann 
M. McLaughlin, a native of Clearfield, born August

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  481

13, 1865. Her father, James McLaughlin, was formerly treasurer of 
Clearfield county. Two sons, William H., Jr., and James McLaughlin 
Denlinger have blessed this union. Mr. Denlinger is an active worker in 
the Masonic order, and is a past master of Moshannon Lodge No. 391; 
past high priest of Clearfield Chapter No. 228; and post E. C. 
commander of Moshannon Commandery No. 74. In politics he is a Democrat, 
but takes no active interest therein except for his friends.
  Christian Denlinger, our subject's father, served three years in the 
war of the Rebellion, as corporal in the Second Minnesota Battery of 
Artillery, was never wounded, but was taken prisoner near Shelbyville, 
Tenn., confined in Libby Prison a short time, and exchanged in the 
spring of 1864. At that time he was sick, and his son, our subject, 
went to Annapolis to visit him, and there entered the service of Dr. 
Vandegrift, surgeon-in-charge, as orderly, and served till the close of 
the war.