Schoenberger Family Genealogy Notes - Arslanmb.org

orn 12.4.1767 v. IX) who is the son of Joh Nikolaus Schönberger. Together with Johannes
Schönberger and his Children was also Catharina Maria Weidmann whom Johannes Schönberger
married as his second wife. In this passenger list are also a lot of other very common
family names of the Odenwald for example Schmucker who came from Switzerland as well
and who are closely related with the Schönberger Family.
Because of certain documents it is apparent that Johannes Schönberger did very well in his new
country. After 30 years he was the owner of a considerable Farm, which was declared in his
will which he composed on august 5th 1818in Heydelberg (Pennsylvania). In this will he bequest
the house and 40 acres of land with all buildings on it. His son Georg was to be the
main inheritor who had to pay 50 pounds to his 4 sisters from his fathers first marriage .
The second emigrant Johann Georg Schönberger (born 27.5.1757) was even more successful. In
1785 the trip to the USA was already his second one. The first time he went in 1779 to the
USA to gain some information.( In 1779 he went with his nephew). It seems that he got married
during his first stay in America which lasted 4-5 years. Details could not be found. But
we know that in this time his son Peter was born (1782).
Joh. Georg first settled down in Lancester. Later where he started working in steel works in Huntingdon.
There he took advantage of his profession as a blacksmith. In the year 1808 he
owned his own steel works, and over the years until he died he became the owner of several
steel works. You can read on his Tombstone in Huntingdon "in memory of George Schoenberger
who departed this life Feb. 19, 1815, aged 58 years". Next to him his wife was burried
where you can read on the tombstone" in memory of Frances Schoenberger who departed
this life Feb. 15, 1816 aged 56 years." We do not know any further details about his wife.
Because the graveyard in Huntigdon is not any longer in use, the great grandson placed both
tombstones at a graveyard in Petersburg in 1953. After the death of Georg Schoenberger his
son started to run his fathers buisness. Peter Schönberger born in Lancaster1782 already finished
his medicine studies and was already a doctor. He had been working in Pittsburg for a
certain time, until he was called by his father to join his fathers steelworks.
Dr. Peter Schoenberger had the unusual gift and fortune that in every palce he considered appropriate
for a new steel work he was wholly successful. It did not take long and Dr. Peter
Schönberger was called to be the "iron king"of the USA.
Peter Schönberger was buried 1854 at the graveyard "Laurel Hill" in Philadelphia. His wife lived
out for 25 more years. She died march 4th 1879. Beyond the veil he left behind a considerable
capital. He was the owner of several steel works as well as other Industries, 10000 hectares
of land and a huge amount of money and securities.
His sons were far fewer successful than their father. They say some of the sons did a good job in
wasting the heritage. The three daughters where much more lucky. On of them Anna Maria
was married with Henry M.Watts. He was a politician and was working for foreign affairs.
Later he was the american ambassador in Vienna. The second daughter, Martha, married
John W. Duncan und the third one Elisabeth married Edward H. Lyte.
The heritage of the "iron King" gave his children the oppoirunity to act as high industrials and
businessmen. Their Families very able to afford a very luxurious life. The son in laws and