BIOS: Charles SHANK, Stonycreek Twp., Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading 
Citizens of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, 
Biographical Review Publishing Company: 1899, pp 223-224.

  Charles Shank, a well-known and prominent citizen of Stony Creek, Pa., 
for many years, and up to a recent date extensively engaged in the lumber 
business, was born in this town, May 23, 1834, son of Daniel and Eva 
(Keller) Shank.  Christian Shank, Sr., his great-grandfather, of whom but 
little is known, came from Hagerstown, Md., at an early day, and was one 
of the original pioneer farmers of Stony Creek.
  Christian Shank, Jr., the grandfather of Charles was born in Hagerstown, 
Md., but was reared and educated in Stony Creek.  He subsequently spent 
the first years of his married life in Canada, but returned to the States 
in time to take an active part in the War of 1812.  He afterward removed 
to Worcester County, Ohio, where he was employed in tilling the soil until 
his death, at an advanced age.  To him and his wife, whose maiden name was 
Raymond, seven children were born, two girls and five boys, Daniel being 
the fourth son.
  Daniel Shank was born during the residence of his parents in Canada, in 
1812.  He spent his boyhood and youth in Ohio, but afterward learned the 
carpenter's trade in Stony Creek township, and here followed that 
occupation several years.  Of a deeply religious nature, imbued with the 
spiritual faith which dominated the United Brethren, he became a somewhat 
noted preacher in that denomination, and for twenty years labored 
professionally in Somerset County.  Losing his voice, he subsequently went 
to Nebraska in search of renewed vigor, and was there engaged in 
agricultural pursuits until his death, at the venerable age of eighty-two 
years.  He married Eva, daughter of Jacob and Eva Keller.  Eight children 
were the fruit of their union.  Six of them survive: namely, Charles, 
Harmon, David, Mary, Kate, and Sarah.  The mother, who was a devout member 
of the United Brethren church, died at the age of seventy-eight years.
          Charles Shank obtained his early education in the common schools of 
Stony Creek, and in his early manhood learned the carpenter's trade from 
his father, with whom he worked a few years.  He was afterward engaged as 
millwright in the vicinity until March, 1864, when he enlisted as a 
private in Company H, One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania 
Volunteer Infantry.  Going directly to the front with his regiment, he 
participated in the battle of Cold Harbor and the siege of Petersburg, 
besides being in several skirmishes.  Just before the close of the war he 
was stricken with a fever and taken to the hospital in Alexandria, Va.  He 
was afterward transferred to the Philadelphia hospital, and when able to 
travel was there given discharge.  He at once returned to Stony Creek, 
where he has since been closely identified with the leading interests of 
the town.  In 1870 he formed a copartnership with Josiah J. Walker, and, 
purchasing a saw-mill and a planing-mill, carried on an extensive and 
remunerative business in lumber manufacturing and dealing, under the firm 
name of Shank & Walker, until January 1, 1899, when he sold out his 
interest in the concern.
          Mr. Shank was married November 27, 1857, to Mary Brant, daughter of 
George and Elizabeth (Meyers) Brant.  After a wedded life of nearly two 
score years she passed to the world beyond on August 21, 1897, leaving no 
children.  She belonged to the Reformed church, while Mr. Shank is a 
member of the United Brethren church.  Mr. Shank is a decided Republican 
in politics, and has often served his fellow-townsmen in offices of trust.  
Mr. Shank is a member of the Somerset Lodge, No. 333, Knights of the 
Golden Eagle, Shanksville, Pa., R. P. Cummings Post, No. 10, G.A.R., of 
Somerset, Pa.; and J.U.A.M., of Shanksville, Pa.