Jacob Schenkelberger Dead.
Well-Known German-American, Grand
Army Man and Former Pension
Agent Died Last Night
Jacob Schenkelberger died at the family home, 26 Otis Place, last evening, after an illness of three weeks. The cause of his death was uraemic poisoning. Notice of the funeral, which will probably be military in its character, will be given later.
Jacob Schenkelberger was born on May 7, 1835 and was therefore 63 years old. His native place was Harzheim, a town of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. When he was 9 years old he came with his parents to America. The family located in Buffalo and here Mr. Schenkelberger passed the whole of his life. His education was received in the public schools of Buffalo.
When he had reached young manhood he entered the employ of Solomon Scheu, who then owned a saloon in the old Hauenstein block at Mohawk and Main streets. After working for Mr. Scheu for several years, Mr. Schenkelberger became the owner of the business and then embarked upon a long career as a boniface, which made him known to nearly every man in Buffalo. He became noted for his hospitality and his good table when he conducted a restaurant in connection with the saloon, as in the case of the Music Hall and restaurant. Mr. Schenkelberger's saloons and restaurants were family resorts principally for people of German descent.
When the Rebellion broke out Mr. Schenkelberger enlisted in Wiedrich's Battery, which was composed exclusively of men of German blood, and was elected to a second lieutenancy in that organization. Mr. Schenkelberger proved himself a brave and gallant soldier. The organization left Buffalo on Oct. 16, 1861. Lieut. Schenkelberger was with the battery in all of its early fights -- Cross Keys, Freeman's Ford and the second battle of Bull Run. This last battle, which was fought on Aug. 30, 1862, ended Lieut. Schenkelberger's career as a soldier, for then he had one of his legs shot off close to the body.
After his recovery to health, Mr. Schenkelberger was appointed janitor of the 65th Regiment Arsenal, and held this place for two years. Then he returned to his former business, and took charge of the restaurant connected with Ziegler's brewery, at Virginia and Main streets. Here he remained for 15 years, and when he left this place it was to take the saloon and restaurant in Music Hall. This establishment Mr. Schenkelberger soon made locally famous as a family resort. Mr. Schenkelberger retained it until 1888, when he was appointed Pension Agent by President Cleveland. He held this position until 1893, and upon leaving the Pension Agency, Mr. Schenkelberger retired from active life.
Mr. Schenkelberger was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Military Order of the Loyal Legion, of the Saengerbund, of the Liedertafel and of the German Young Men's Association. He was a Protestant in religion and attended St. Marcus' Church.
Mr.Schenkelberger was three times married. His last wife, who survives him, was Miss Mary Ganther. His surviving children are Albert Schenkelberger of Boston, Mathilda, Emma, Clara and Oscar Schenkelberger. His only surviving brother is Charles Schenkelberger of Buffalo. Three sisters also survive, of whom the following live in Buffalo: Mrs. Peter Nauth, Mrs. Henry Wagner and Mrs. Louis Glass.
Buffalo Evening News, May 18, 1898, p. 7, col. 5
Buffalo and Erie County Public Library