BIO:  John H. WELLENSIEK, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, York Borough, Pg 56

JOHN H. WELLENSIEK, whip manufacturer of York, was born February 10, 1825, and 
is the son of Herman and Catherine Wellensick, natives of Germany.  The subject 
of this sketch was born in Germany.  He remained at home and assisted his father 
on the farm until he was sixteen years of age.  He received the advantages of a 
common school education, and immigrated to this country in the year 1845, 
locating at York, and engaged as an apprentice to learn the whip manufacturing 
business.  He spent three and one-half years learning that trade.  He then 
learned the carpenter trade under the instruction of Lewis Kuehn, of York, and 
after finishing his trade he went to Philadelphia and engaged as carpenter and 
builder.  In a very short time he acquired a reputation that placed him among 
the leading builders of the city.  He remained in Philadelphia until 1875, when 
he then returned to York and engaged in the whip manufacturing business.  He 
leased a piece of ground for a term of years, and built a large brick building, 
put in the necessary machinery, and in a short time established quite an 
extensive business, having at the present several hands employed.  Mr. 
Wellensiek was married, November 23, 1860, to Miss Mary, daughter of Gottleib 
and Barbara Brietling, natives of Germany.  To this union were born six 
children:  Katie, Albert, Anna, John, Mamie and Harry.  Mr. Wellensiek is a 
member of the Lutheran Church, also a member of Walker Lodge No. 306, I. O. O. 
F., of Germantown, Philadelphia, Penn.