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- HENRY J. LIMBERT, who is properly ranked as one of the self-made men of Centre county, began his career at the foot of the ladder in life, without other resources than his own indomitable will and steady, plodding industry. From a humble position he has risen to that of one of the representative men of a more than ordinarily intelligent community. He was born August 10, 1834, four miles west of McKees Falls, in what is now Snyder county, Penn., but was then Union county. His parents were John and Catherine (Wise) Limbert, the former a son of Peter Limbert, a farmer by occupation, and the latter a daughter of Frederick Wise, a carpenter.
When a young man John Limbert came to Centre county, and being a carpenter by trade aided in the construction of the "Miller Hotel" in Madisonburg. While thus employed he fell from the roof to the cellar, and it was thought he was killed, but he finally recovered. At that place he was married in 1833, and at once removed to Union county, where he worked at his trade until the early "fifties," when he returned to Madisonburg. There he followed carpentering for a time and later worked at day labor.
He died at the ripe old age of seventy-eight years; his wife passed away when over eighty-five years of age, and they now sleep side by side in the Madisonburg cemetery. Both were active and prominent members of the Reformed Church, with which he was officially connected, and his political support was ever given the Democracy.
Henry J. Limbert is the oldest in the family of seven children, the others being Rebecca, wife of Aaron Smull, of Rockville, Centre county; John, a hotel keeper of Dauphin county, Penn. ; Frederick, a retired farmer of Aaronsburg, Centre county; Benjamin, a resident of Gregg township. Centre county; Catharine, wife of Jacob Frank, of Madisonburg; and Samuel, who makes his home in Lock Haven, Penn. The education of our subject was all acquired in German schools, and at the age of thirteen he was obliged to lay aside his books and earn his own livelihood. He obtained employment with a farmer near McKees Falls, Snyder county, where he received only his board and clothes the first year, and, in addition, $36 the second, and $48 the third. Later he was with another man who gave him $60 per year, his time there being passed principally at work in the woods. Before he had attained his eighteenth year he began learning the carpenter's trade with his father, with whom he came to Madisonburg, and when he had mastered the business began work with John B. Shaffer, serving as a journeyman until 1860. In connection with different partners he then engaged in business for himself until 1863, when he resolved to try his fortune alone, and was very successful in his undertaking until the fall of 1876, often employing as many as fourteen hands, and in the summer of 1868 paying out as much as $2,500 for wages. In 1877 he embarked in farming, which he continued until the spring of 1892, when he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits as a partner of Benjamin Roush, but four years later returned to his farm, where he is now living.
In Rebersburg, Mr. Limbert was married March 20, 1856, to Miss Caroline Long, who was born in Berks county, Penn., January 12, 1835, a daughter of George and Polly (Deck) Long, and they have six children, as follows: Josiah A., a resident of Seneca county, Ohio; Harvey M., of Bellevue, Ohio; John D., of Madisonburg, Centre county; George E. , a German Reformed minister of Grove City, Mercer Co., Penn.; William H., a school teacher of Rebersburg; and Ann E., at home.
In Madisonburg, Mr. and Mrs. Limbert began housekeeping in an old dwelling which he had purchased, together with four lots, having paid $60 down, and going in debt for the remainder of the amount. He borrowed many pieces of the furniture, and was compelled to borrow the money to purchase the remainder of his scanty household goods; but as time advanced and he prospered in business, he was able to build a substantial and commodious residence in Madisonburg in 1860, which was neatly and tastefully furnished. There the family made their home until their removal to the farm in the fall of 1875. This adjoins the village and comprises ninety-two acres, which he has converted from a wooded, stony tract into richly cultivated fields, taking from it as many as 3,000 loads of stone. How- ever, it is now one of the most desirable farms in the locality, and adjoining it he also owns seventy-five acres of timber land. The success that he has achieved in life seems almost marvelous, as from a humble position he has worked his way upward until to-day he is one of the most prosperous and substantial citizens of Miles township. A man of the strictest integrity and honor, Mr. Limbert is able to look the whole world in the face with a clear conscience. He and his excellent wife are both prominent members of the Reformed Church, in which he has served as elder for several years. His political support is unwaveringly given the Democratic party. [1]
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1834 - 1901 (66 years)
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