BIO: Benjamin F. ISENBERG, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lana Clark Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, pages 40-42. __________________________________________________________ B. F. ISENBERG, Huntingdon, Huntingdon county, Pa., youngest child of Abraham and Nancy Isenberg, was born at Spruce Creek, Huntingdon county, June 24, 1844. He had six brothers: Thomas; Solomon; Miller; Joseph; John; and Samuel, all living at this writing except Thomas and John. He had three sisters: Susan (Mrs. Metz), of Williamsburg, Pa., deceased; Catharine (Mrs. Johnston), of Altoona, Pa.; and Dorothy (Mrs. Walls), of Frankstown, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Isenberg are both of German extraction, their forefathers having originally come from Frankfort-on-the-Main, or its vicinity. Mr. B. F. Isenberg is what is called a "self-made" man. He received but a limited education in the public schools of Spruce Creek, attending for one term what was then called a high school, taught during his school days by D. W. Wormelsdorf, Esq., now of Huntingdon. At the age of fifteen he began business life as a clerk for John Q. Adams, who kept a small country store on Spruce Creek. Mr. Adams also had a forge, in which he burned charcoal, instead of coke, the fuel generally used at the present time. Mr. Isenberg's engagement with him was for three months, or until Mr. Adams could get his collieries fairly started; but it was extended to six months. This time having expired, the young clerk took charge of a full set of double entry books, and of the store, of Messrs. J. F. Steiner & Co., at Philipsburg, Centre county, Pa. Steiner & Co. were extensive lumber dealers, on Moshannon Creek, one mile from Philipsburg. Mr. Isenberg had full charge of their books and their store, and kept the time for the men employed at the saw-mill, the timber jobs, the lumber-yards, etc. He served in this capacity for three years, receiving each year unsolicited promotion. For the purpose of learning the milling business, he then entered his brother Solomon's mill, at Frankstown, Blair county, Pa.; it was at that time a merchant and custom burr mill, the best in the county. Here Mr. Isenberg served a full apprenticeship, working full time. In those days the mill ran night and day; a "trick" meant one-half of the night and the whole day; in other words, eighteen hours was a day's work. Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Isenberg found milling congenial employment, he was warmed with the patriotic devotion that inspired the young blood of his time, so that he made three attempts to enlist in the Union army during the war of the Rebellion, all of which were unsuccessful, because of his youth and the close surveillance of his friends. But the opportunity came at last, and on August 19, 1864, he laid down the mill pick and enlisted in the cause of the Union, joining the Ninth Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteer Cavalry; he has the honor and proud distinction of having marched with Gen. Kilpatrick in Sherman's army from Atlanta to the sea, and up through the Carolina states, until the close of the war. Mr. Isenberg was in every engagement in which his regiment took part during his term of enlistment, and has a record as a brave and patriotic soldier, which will always be the pleasure and pride of his posterity. Much interest is added to the history of this time of service by the fact of his having kept a diary of the time, complete from the beginning to the end. At the close of the war he resumed his place in Mr. Solomon Isenberg's mill, but shortly after, at the earnest solicitation of the president of the First National Bank of Huntingdon, and of his friends, he again laid down the mill pick to enter the employ of that bank. In those days a clerk in the bank was entry clerk, discount clerk, book-keeper, paying teller, receiving teller, etc., anything and everything, from fire builder to acting cashier. After an engagement of three years, and having received many unsolicited promotions, Mr. Isenberg retired from the bank, and bought an interest in the firm of Henry & Co., forwarding and commission merchants and dealers in general merchandise, lumber, coal, etc. Messrs. Henry & Co. had commenced operations in 1862, and did the largest business of the kind in the county; they ran a line of boats carrying iron ore, soft and gas coal and lumber eastward, and hard coal to the west, employing in some seasons as many as twenty five boats, In 1870, Mr. Isenberg's milling experience became available, the firm buying what was then known as the Warrior's Ridge flouring mill, situated in Portstown, a suburb of the borough of Huntingdon. Thanks to his practical knowledge of the business, this enterprise gradually developed from a 40-bbl. mill to the present mill of 250-bbl. capacity; the firm also gradually giving more attention to the mill and leas to their store, until 1892, when, after thirty years of activity, the old firm dissolved, Mr. Henry, the senior partner, retiring from business. Mr. Isenberg now organized a stock company, capitalized at $75,000, and known as the B. F. Isenberg Milling Co., to continue the milling business, and to conduct a coal and lumber yard. Mr. Isenberg is president and general manager of this company, and his eldest son, Frank McCahan Isenberg, is the secretary and treasurer. B. F. Isenberg has always taken a great interest in the milling business, not only locally, but throughout the State. He served for three years as secretary and treasurer of the Pennsylvania Millers' State Association, eight years as its president, and many years as a member of its executive committee. He was the leading spirit in the organization of the Pennsylvania Millers' Mutual Fire Insurance Co., in 1889, which has proved a grand success. Of this association, he was at the outset elected president, member of the board of directors, and a member of the executive committee, and has been unanimously re-elected every succeeding year. He served several terms as vice-president of the Millers' National Association of the United States. The history of Mr. Isenberg's business life is of the most honorable nature. The firm to which he belongs, the same for some thirty-five years, although under different designations, may boast of having conducted business during all that time without ever having had its books brought into court - never having either sued or been sued. Mr. Isenberg has a host of friends, and necessarily, after so long a business life, some enemies. He has always taken chances in business liberally, but legitimately, sometimes with success, sometimes at a loss. But he can claim with truth that he has never invested one dollar in speculation in stocks or in grain, and that in all his transactions, his word has been as good as his bond. He has always been actively interested in the local affairs of his own town and county. He is a charter member of the Huntingdon Improvement Co., the Huntingdon Fire Co., the Huntingdon Club, and other organizations. He has acted in every capacity in the chairs of the Blue Lodge and Chapter; is a charter member and the treasurer of the commandery; being identified with Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 300, F. and A.M., Standing Stone Chapter, No: 201, R.A.M., and Huntingdon Commandery, No. 65, K.T. He is also a member of George Simpson Post, No. 44, G.A.R. Mr. Isenberg is a Republican; he has never held any political office, although he has frequently been importuned to do so. B. F. Isenberg was married in Huntingdon in 1869, to Jennie, youngest daughter of John Kinney McCahan, who is of Irish descent. They have had three sons: Frank M.; Cloyd, who died when six months old; and Jesse M. Mr. Isenberg is a gentleman of domestic habits. He is of the Presbyterian faith, and has for years served the congregation at Huntingdon as trustee and treasurer.