RETURN TO MAIN MINUTES PAGE

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OF TOBYHANNA TOWNSHIP
April 15, 2011
Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Road, Pocono Pines, Pa.

Speaker: Gene Kerrick: History of the Henning Family
Attendance: 45

The meeting was called to order by President Frederica Kaltenthaler at 10:15 a.m.

Minutes

The minutes of the previous general meeting were read by Freddie Kaltenthaler. No additions or corrections were forthcoming. The minutes were accepted.

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Barbara Fox gave her report, dated from February 7 to March 6, 2011, on the checking and savings accounts, CD accounts and building fund. No corrections or additions noted, report accepted as read.

New Business

The next meeting is May 11, the second Wednesday of May. Russ Cramer will give us much information on the Indians of the area from thousands of years ago during the stone age, and he is going to bring artifacts. Anyone may bring artifacts as well.

Flyers are available for “Sisters of Swing – Story of the Andrew Sisters” at the Shawnee Playhouse, Wednesday, June 22, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for reserved seats, and HATT makes a little bit of money on that. Lunch is on your own; several restaurants in the area.

The trip to the Pennsylvania Dutch Country is Wednesday, Sept. 14. The bus will leave from the St. Maximilian Kolby parking lot at 7:45 a.m. and return by 7 p.m. – a full day.

Russ Cramer gave a brief description of his talk scheduled for the next HATT meeting.

Nance Brown announced a library-sponsored one-day trip to Gettysburg on June 22. The cost is $50, and she invited anyone who would like to join this outing.

Rick Bodenschatz asked that we get our dues in, noted that there is about 50 percent renewal at present. New members are welcome. He announced the coming programs: August 9, summer lecture series with Fred Lehrer speaking on the history of Gen. George Custer, and December 10, a history of Christmas music and performance at Salem UCC.

Speaker | Gene Kerrick – Chronology and History of the Henning Family

President Kaltenthaler introduced Gene Kerrick, past president and charter member of HATT and local historian of family lore, to present the chronology and history of the Henning Family and present the artifacts.

Gene focused on the time line and genealogical display of the Henning family. His remarkable and in-depth research began in 1864 when Adolph, a farmer, and Louisa, his wife, arrived with their children traveling from Germany to New York.

He spoke of the cemetery monument to Louisa, erected by her children in Middle Creek Cemetery. Her husband’s grave is unknown at the present time.

Gene described the Hennings’ acquisition of land in the area, and the locations in relation to current sites. The large family continued to remain in the area, marrying locally and continuing to work in the region.

A Civil War photograph on display is a picture of PG, third son of Adolph, who enlisted at the age of 21. Gene also noted the Henning family connections to his wife, Ginnie, and his own family.

The Hennings worked in farming lumbering, a general store, and a hotel and later became Pocono Lake postmasters in the late ’50s and early ’60s. Gene described his exploration to local cemeteries, noting that a gravestone with a scene on it depicting a hunter and figures hiding in bushes depicts a feud rising from a shooting between the Hennings and Wilkinsons.

Questions and comments were called for from the floor. Mr. Ray Shoup brought a family Bible with a record that his grandmother wrote regarding Adolph Henning and his family’s arrival in New York, and showed pictures of the family homestead and the children.

After additional discussion, Freddie thanked Gene and then called for anyone who brought artifacts. Roger Whitney brought a document issued by the State of Massachusetts Bay that dated November, 17, 1776 to be paid to bearer for 48 shillings.

A bark stripper tool was presented that was used for harvesting hemlock bark to be used in the tanning process.

Emily Carter brought a video scope, and a postcard sent to an Arthur Henning.

Another artifact presented was a campaign button of Hannibal Hamlin on one side and Abraham Lincoln on the other side.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned and all invited to enjoy refreshments,

Respectfully submitted,
Virginia Foy, Secretary

RETURN TO MAIN MINUTES PAGE