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The following is a copy of an newspaper obituary-
Funeral of Mrs. Park B. Shank
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The funeral of Mrs. Parker B. Shank, Sr. was held last Friday at 1:30 o'clock at Mt. Zion M.E. Church. Services were conducted by pastor Rev. Monroe Posten, who spoke from Psalms 119;130, " The entrance of thy words giveth light." The choir sang two selections. The flower bearers were Marguerite, Dorothy, and Nora Shank granddaughters to the deceased. Pallbearers were Fred Black, Harry Hart, Anson B. Ambler, Oliver D. Reese, George Gallagher and Elwood Flahart. Besides her husband she leaves the following children; William, Park and Thurman of Peach Bottom; Charles of Pilottown; Hattie, at home, Andrew of Oxford. Eight grand children also mourn her death, besides two brothers Clayton and Lewis Dorsey, of Groff's Mills. Her sister, Mrs. Howard Hensel, was mentioned in last week's issue as still living but she has been deceased many years
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This is a copy of a newspaper obituary.
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PARK B. SHANK DIES
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Well known Southern-end Man Dies Last Night
Park B. Shank, one of the best known men in southern Lancaster, died last night at about 9:20 o'clock, at his home in Peach Bottom. Death was caused by the infirmities of age after a brief illness.
The deceased, who for many years conducted a slate quarry and had worked as a slater, was actively engaged in business up to a few weeks ago. In spite of his advanced years he walked many miles to his work each day, placed roofs on some of the highest buildings. About four years ago he fell from the roof of a high building on which he was working in Oxford, but recovered from the effects of the fall within a short time.
Mr. Shank was one of the last old river pilots who ran rafts on the river. He conducted a coal and lumber business for a time and also had a general store. He was the owner of most of the land which will be needed for the building of the Conowingo Dam.
The following children survive; William, Parke Jr., Thurman, and Hattie of Peach Bottom; Andrew of Oxford, Charles of Quarryville. Funeral arrangements have not been completed.
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A copy of a second obituary from the Quarryville Sun Dated June 6, 1924
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PARK B. SHANK, SR.
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Well Known Slater and Raftsman Died at His Home At Peach Bottom.
Park B. Shank, died at his home at Peach Bottom Thursday evening at 9:20 o'clock after a illness of three months, beginning with pneumonia, death being due to cancer of the stomach. He was born in December 1837; therefore he was 86 years of age. Mr. Shank was a very kind neighbor, and ever ready to assist those in need. He was of jovial disposition and enjoyed joking with the young folks. In politics he was a Democrat. He was a native of River Hills, who lived all his life by the Susquehanna, and perhaps spent as much time on its waters as any man in the state. His father was a shoemaker and he learned the trade, but didn't stick to the last. He was to active for such stationary labors, and he " took to the river and woods " engaging in the lumbering and floating logs from away upstate to tide water. With rafting and lumbering business vanishing, Park became interested in the slate business and was associated with the famous Towsons who were slaters. For half a century he has followed the trade. Until a few months ago he would climb to great heights and work on steep roofs as nimbly as he did forty years ago. He was a remarkable man for his age, Having enjoyed good health until recently
His wife Dora Dorsey Shank, departed this life March 10th. He leaves the following children Willliam, Hattie, Park C., and Thurman, of Peach Bottom. Charles Shank of Pilot, Md., and Andrew of Oxford.
Funeral will be held from his late home Sunday at one o'clock with services at Mt. Zion M.E. Church at 2 p.m.
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This is a copy of an newspaper obituary.
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William Shank
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Veteran Susquehanna Ferry Boat Skipper Dies At Peach Bottom
Will Shank the last of the ferry boat skippers in Lancaster County was found dead at his home at Cherry Hill, near Peach Bottom at 5:30 p.m. yesterday. He was eighty-two years old.
Shank, residents of the community reported, lived alone but went in the nearby home of a niece, Mrs. Harry Steele, for his meals each day. His body was found by Mrs. Steele.
John Galbreath, deputy coroner, said death was caused by coronary occlusion, and placed the time of death at about 1 p.m. Tuesday.
Born at Fairfield Southern Lancaster County, he was the son of the late Park B. and Ladora Dorsey Shank. His late wife was the former Margaret Todd.
Early in life, and before construction of the Conowingo dam, Shank was a ferry boat operator who described his task as " poling the paddle wheeler" from Peach Bottom Lancaster County, to Peach Bottom York County, and back again.
Pilot for 34 years
Shank spent 34 years piloting the steam powered stern wheeler back and forth across the stream, hauling passengers who wanted to meet trains that were headed for Philadelphia, horse and buggies, horse drawn teams and cattle, until the old Conowingo bridge was built in 1925.
As a toll bridge it had little effect on Shank's ferry but when the toll was lifted he went out of business, sold his boat and went to work for the Fulton Twp. road department. This was just a year before work was started on the Conowingo dam.
Shank never again turned to the river for employment. He was a Fulton Twp. supervisor for the past 25 years and roadmaster for eight years. He was a member of the Penn Hill Friends Meeting, Fulton Grange 66. Drumore Lodge 509, IOOF, and Quarryville Lodge F.&A.M.
Surviving are a sister Hattie J. Shank, of Peach Bottom, and Andrew Shank, Oxford
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This is a copy of a hand written note:
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May 7, 1958 William Shank died, found at 4:30 P.M. lying on Davenport in his home at Cherry Hill, by M. Steele. Age 82 years 4 months and 25 days. Born Dec. 12, 1875 Buried Sunday 11 on Mothers' day.
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This is a copy of a newspaper obituary
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Mrs. William Shank
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Mrs. Margaret J. Shank, eighty two, wife of William Shank, Peach Bottom, who died at 1:05 am yesterday at Lancaster General Hospital was born in Southern Lancaster county, a daughter of the late Amos Evans Todd and Rebecca Jackson Todd. She was a member of Penn Hills Meeting and also the Drumore Flower Club. Her husband is the only surviver
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This is a copy of a newspaper article ( no date)
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Diphthria
This decided and oftimes fatal disease has prevailed to a considerable extent in the neighborhood of Fairfield, Drumore township, Lancaster county. Three children of Park Shank have been attacked with the disease; a son 2 1/2 years died about ten days ago, another, an interesting daughter, aged 4 years, died on Monday last. The other son, aged 6 years, is convalescent and hopes are entertained of his recovery.
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Oct. 27, 1952 Park C. Shank Jr. passed away on Monday eve at Seven o'clock in Lancaster General Hospital. Age 68 years 9 months and 8 days.
This is a copy of a newspaper obituary. -
PARK C. SHANK, PEACH BOTTOM POSTMASTER, DIES
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Park C. Shank, sixty-eight, of Peach Bottom, died at 7 pm yesterday at the Lancaster General Hospital after a long illness from a heart condition.
Born in Fairfield, he was a son of the late Park B. and Ladora Dorsey Shank and he was noted as being the oldest postmaster, acording to length of service, in Lancaster county, having severed the Peach Bottom office for 42 years.
He was a member of Washington Lodge 156, Free and accepted Masons, Quarryville; the Lancaster Chapter 43, F. and A. M. ; The National Leauge of District Postmasters, and the Lancaster County Postmasters Association.
Surviving is his wife Dora K. Shenberger, and one son, Albert M. Shank, of Lancaster. Also surviving is one grandson and these brothers and a sister; Harriett J., William and Thurman of Peach Bottom, and Andrew Shank of Oxford.
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This is a copy of a newspaper obituary ( hand dated April 14, 1923)
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Mrs. Charles B. Shank
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Mrs. Barbara R. Shank, wife of Charles B. Shank, age 32 years, died at her home, 38 1/2 West Orange street, Saturday morning at 6 o'clock after a illness of six months.
Besides her husband, one daughter, Kathryn, at home she is survived by the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. George Linderman, Turtle Creek; Mrs. Lucy Groff, Millersville; Mrs. Edwin Rankin, Slackwater; Mrs. John Thompson, this city; John, Millersville; two half-sisters and one half-brother; Elmer and Mrs. David Stauffer, Millersville; and Mrs. Musselman, near Elizabethtown. Funeral services will be held this afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Millersville Mennonite Church.
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This is a copy of a newspaper obituary
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Death of Grover Shank
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Grover Shank died at his home at Peach Bottom, Fulton township, from Tuberculosis, age twenty-eight years, Friday. He had been ailing quite a while and for the last year was able to do little work. The deceased is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Park Shank, of that place. The young man leaves his wife, who was a Miss Brenneman, of Millersville, and one child. His brothers and sisters are: William the ferryman at Peach Bottom; Charles, of Millersville; Hattie, wife of Elmer Willauer, of Peach Bottom, Thurman, Andrew, and Park all of that place. The funeral was held Sunday with internment at 1:30 o'clock at Mt. Zion M.E. cemetery at Fairfield.
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Alma Leaman Shank
Alma "Susan" Leaman Shank, 81 of 16 N. Center Ave, Leesport, formerly of Uwchlan Harrisburg and Pine Grove, died Tuesday at Reading Hospital after a long illness.
A homemaker, she was a member of St Paul's United Methodist Church, Pine Grove.
Born in Lancaster County she was the daughter of the late Elam and Ella Hall Leaman.
Her husband Ralph L. Shank died in 1981.
Surviving are a son Roger Shank of Kenhorst; a daughter Carol, married to Rodney Nagle of Leesport; four grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and a sister , Alda Knight of Lancaster.
She was preceeded in death by three brothers Elam, John and Eugene.
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Funeral Notice
SHANK - entered into rest in Reading Pa, on November 23, 1999,Alma"susan" Leaman Shank, widow of Ralph Shank, of Leesport, Pa formerly of Southern Lancaster County. in her 82nd yr. Relatives and friends are respectively invited to attend the funeral from the Ivan B. Dewald Funeral Home. 227 west 4th st, Quarryville, Pa on Sat. 2pm with Rev. Blake Deibler officiating. Internment in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Fairfield Pa Friends may call at Dewalds Sat from 1-until time of service.
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Shank Estate Set at about $18,000
Nevada State Journal (Reno, NV)
December 3, 1932
Walter J. Shank, former proprieter of the Mirror Barber shop, in Reno, who died November 25(?) in San Francisco, left an estate of about $18.000.
Shank�s brother and sister, Winfield S. Shank and Mrs. C Austin, yesterday field a petition for letter of administration in the estate. The estate consists of $5,439.95 personal property and real estate valued at $11,500.
A will left by Shank was also filed. It leaves $100 each to two sisters, Mrs. Anna Yocum of Seattle and Elizabeth Schneider of Gresham, Ore., and $50 each to two half-brothers, Howard and Clayton Shank of Minneapolis.
The remainder of the estate is willed to Mrs. Austin, Winfield S. Shank and Mrs. Warnsholdt. W. S. Shank and Mrs. Austin are named executors.
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December 17, 1998, Intelligencer Journal (Lancaster, PA)
WALTANNA S. SHANK, 83, RETIRED NURSE
Waltanna S. Shank, 83, formerly of Luther Acres, Lititz, died Wednesday morning at Spang Crest Manor, Lebanon, following a brief illness.
Mrs. Shank was an industrial nurse at the former RCA Corp., Lancaster. She retired from Lebanon Veterans Administration Hospital in 1980.
She belonged to Southern Lancaster County Historical Society, Lancaster County Historians and Nurses Alumnae Association.
An organizing and charter member of Octorara chapter of Daughters of the American
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Published on April 14, 1998, Intelligencer Journal (Lancaster, PA)
PARKER SHANK, 75, KIRKWOOD RESIDENT
Parker D. Shank, 75, of 47 John Drive, Kirkwood, died Monday at Ware Presbyterian Village, Oxford, after a brief illness.
He had been a block operator for Amtrak, Perryville, Md., for 43 years until retiring in 1984.
A veteran of World War II, Shank had served as a corporal in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army in Europe.
He was a member, past master and past treasurer of the Oxford Lodge Free & Accepted Masons.
Shank also was a member of the Oxford Senior Center and
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Copy of a newspaper obituary
DOROTHY J. SHANK OF OXFORD
Dorothy J. Shank, 64 of Hodgson st., Oxford died yesterday morning in Crozer Chester Medical Center, Chester, after a one-week illness. She was the wife of Parker D. Shank
Born in Phila., she was a daughter of the late Lawrence and Anna Watson Walker. She lived in the Oxford area the past 30 years and in southern Chester county all her life.
Mrs. Shank was employed as a clerk in Heran's store in Oxford for 18 years until 1967.
Besides her husband survivors include a daughter, Barbara A. Daily of Oxford, two grandchildren, two brothers, Robert Walker of West Grove, and Donald C. Walker of Oxford, a sister, Jean Walker of Oxford, two half-brothers, William Pedrick of Oxford and Frank Pedrick of Westville N.J., and a half-sister, Helen Hauf, of Missoula, Mont.
Graveside services were held Monday at 1pm in the Oxford Cemetery.
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- From The Lock Haven Express, Thursday, January 18, 1912:
- Charles A. Shank Dead
- Old and Respected Citizen of Renovo Passes Away Tuesday Afternoon
- Renovo, Jan. 18. - Charles A. Shank an old and highly respected Citizen of Renovo died Tuesday afternoon at his home on Tenth Street, of apoplexy, aged 71 years.
- Mr. Shank was born in Lancaster Co. and came to Renovo in 1869. He was employed in the PRR Company shops until 1910, when he was placed on the retired lists.
- The deceased is survived by the following children: Thomas of Harrisburg; Harry of Williamsport; Samuel, Monte and Mrs. Leon Smart of Renovo and Mrs. James Mander of Philadelphia.
- The funeral will take place Friday afternoon at his residence at 1:15 o'clock. Interment will be made im the Fairview cemetery.
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- From The Lock Haven Express, Friday, February 17, 1911
- Headline: Died While On Church Mission
- Mrs. Matilda Shank, of Renovo, while attending a meeting of a sewing society in the Trinity church parish house at that place on Wednesday became suddenly ill and died soon after the attack. She was apparently in good health after first reaching the parish house, but later appeared to faint. She gradually became weaker and when a physician arrived, life was extinct.
- Her husband and the following childre survive: Thomas Shank of Harrisburg, Harry Shank of Williamsport, Robert, Samuel and Monte Shank of Renovo, Mrs. L.L. Smart of Westport and Mrs. James Mander of Philadelphia.
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- From The Lock Haven Express, Monday, February 20, 1911
- Headline:Funeral of Mrs. Shank
- The funeral of the late Mrs. Shank was held Saturday afternoon and services conducted by Rev. J. D. Cook, pastor, of the Presbyterian Church.
- Sarah Laura Henninger Shank - Date of Death 3 Jul 1912
- From The Lock Haven Express, Saturday, July 6, 1912:
- Headline: Mrs. Harry Shank Dies in the Renovo Hospital
- Mrs. Laura Shank, wife of Harry P. Shank, died Wednesday evening at 9:45 o'clock at the Renovo Hospital after a long illness, being a patient in the hospital in that place the past three weeks.
- Mrs. Shank was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eli Henninger of McElhattan, this county, and was in the 40th year of her age. She was a very estimable woman, devoted to her family and respected by all who knew her.
- She is survived by her husband and eight children, namely: Esther, Maurice, Joseph, Harry, Elizabeth, Kathryn, Howard and Naomi; also by her parents, two sisters and four brothers.
- Funeral services were held this morning in Renovo by Rev. J. D. Cook and remains taken to McElhattan for interment.
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- From The Lock Haven Express - Friday, March 3, 1911:
- Mr. and Mrs. Leon Smart have removed from Westport to Renovo and will reside in the Shank House on Tenth Street.
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- In the May 16, 1889 edition of the Lock Haven Express:
- Harry Shank who lived at Renovo for 19 years, was called as a witness in "The Cleary Trial". This was a big murder trial wherein Charles Cleary was charged with the murder of Policeman Paul , Chief of Police of Renovo, on March 12, 1889. Harry testified that he saw Cleary drunk the night of the murder, that he knew Cleary and thought him to be a peaceable man. Just for the information, Cleary was found guilty; the case was appealed and he was again found guilty and sentenced to hang.
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- In the July 7, 1912 edition of The Grit:
- "Mrs. Laura Shank, wife of Harry P. Shank, died at the Renovo Hospital on Wednesday evening, aged 30 years. The deceased was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eli Henniger of McElhattan and was an estimable woman. She had been in ill health for some time. She is survived by her widower and eight children, viz: Esther, Maurice, Joseph, Harry, Elizabeth, Kathryn, Howard and Naomi. The Rev. J.D. Cook officiated at the funeral and the remains were taken to McElhattan for burial."
Janie's note: Obviously, the newspapers made errors - the name Maurice should have been Marvin (my grandfather), and Laura's age of 30 was incorrect and should have been 40 years.
and the obituary of Harry Shank in the March 16, 1930 edition of The Grit:
- "Shank, Harry - 61 years old, died at 6 o'clock last evening at his home at 826 Second Street. He leaves his wife and these children: Marvin, Harry, Joseph, Howard, Catherine, Esther, Elizabeth and Naomi. Funeral announcements will be made later."
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- From The Grit, Williamsport, PA, August 19, 1945:
- Shank - Mrs. Bertha Shank, a member of Grace Methodist Church here and a former resident of Montgomery, died Thursday at the home of John Stauffer, of Watsontown R.D.1, after four years of ill health. She is survived by three brothers, Herbert Beaver, of Watsontown R.D.; John, of Williamsport and Chester, of Montgomery. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. today at Snyder funeral home in Montgomery. The Rev. Harry L. Jarrett pastor of the Montgomery Methodist Church, will officiate. Burial will be in River Church Cemetery, Delaware Run.
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Newspaper Articles
This is a copy of a newspaper article Dated Friday July 20, 1920 From the paper called " The North American 149th year vol. 287 Top of page says PENNSYLVANIA (printed in Philadelphia)
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DOWN LANCASTER WAY
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Park Shank, Aged Slater, Of Peach Bottom, Sticks to his trade in the Garden Spot
LANCASTER, Pa., July 1, There's no more remarkable man in the county than Park Shank, of Peach Bottom, a native of river hills, who has lived by the Susquehanna for more than eighty-four years, and perhaps has spent as much time on it's waters as any man in the state. His father was a shoemaker, and Park learned the trade, but he didn't stick to the last. He was to active for such stationary labors, and he " took to the river and the woods, "engaging in lumbering and floating logs from away up state to tidewater. He became a proficient steersman, then a pilot, and his reminiscences of those days when Wash Whittaker fed a steer a day to riversman at his Peach Bottom hostelry are entrancingly interesting. They were stalwart men who traveled the river hills on narrow path, thru brambles, an a dogtrot from Port Deposit to Columbia and all points to the north, and the rugged Susquehanna in those days was navigable. Travel, of course, had its thrills. It wasn't a case of first-class or steerage distinction it was largely one of chance, and when a fellow boarded a raft he had full knowledge of the uncertainties of remaining on deck. With the rafting and lumbering business vanishing, Park became apprentice with the famous Towsons who were slaters and roofed buildings as far west as Cleveland. For half a century he has followed the trade. He climbs to great heights and works on steep roofs as nimbly as he did forty years ago, and it is not an unusual sight to see him on a house roof in Oxford when the mercury stands near 100, and the last winter, when it started toward zero, he was to be found on the sunny side of a big barn in Fulton township.
In these times, when people around and about us, and in Washington, D.C. are losing their heads with little provocation, and when the average person has less head to lose then their ancestors had, the level head and steady nerve of Old Uncle Park is inspiring. He has no thought of retiring, no idea of growing old. He goes to town regularly, mingles with young people, takes in the shows, votes the Democratic ticket whenever he has an opportunity, and works from sun to sun. Incidentally, he owns nearly all of Peach Bottom, except the river, and he has claims on it. He has slate quarries of his own, lumber and coal yards now rented to the Bradley Boys, woodlands and farms, tenant houses and store stand. Some years ago he plotted a little park, cleaned it of brush and threw it open to the public. It was indeed a beauty spot, but Peach Bottom went dry, the narrow gauge railroad suffered financial collapse, the members of Jerry Websters orchestra including the inimitable Dave Bradley, have joined old Black Joe in the land to which " all good Negroes go, " fighting is never indulged in and dancing is almost unheard of. In truth Peach Bottom has lost its social charm, but Park Shank remains and is the last link that binds Peach Bottom in the tradition with today.
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This is a copy of a newspaper article ( no date )
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It is reported that Park B. Shank, of Peach Bottom, has just been offered $80,000 for his mile of river front by the new power company, in contemplation of building of the big power dam at Conowingo. Shank is said to have agreed to take 100,000. Ten years ago this property would not have sold for one-twentieth of this amount, but things are different now, and if the rugged old river is to develop millions 'tis but natural that its banks should rise in value.
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This is a copy of a newspaper article. ( no date )
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PARK SHANK FALLS FROM ROOF
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Falling twenty-five feet from the roof of a house, Park B. Shank, the veteran slate dealer, of Peach Bottom, was badly jarred Thursday morning. Almost by miracle he was not killed or seriously injured, for he struck directly on a half finished wall which was being built for the porch. The accident occurred at the new house which E. W. Ruppert is putting up on Pine Street. Mr. Shank is the contractor for the slating of the roof and was helping lay it. To facilitate climbing this roof, a board with some cleats on it had been nailed to the roof. It was upon this board that the victim was walking just before dinner, when the nails pulled out, throwing him off the roof to the ground. James Harrison was working the porch wall and Mr. Shank shot by, just grazing his elbow, and landed in a pile of fresh mortar, on the wall. He struck on his side and it was thought he must surely have been killed. He was carried into the home of Dr. H. L. Patterson and physicians summoned. They found that, although badly bruised and lacerated, no bones were broken or other serious injury sustained. The shock so severe to Mr. Harrison that he too, was forced to quit work. Mr. Shank is over seventy-one years of age and one of the most active men in his entire neighborhood. He was removed to his home in Peach Bottom Friday evening.
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Pictures
- Alexander Shank 1772-1860click to view image
- Rachel Shank 1791-1872click to view image
- Back of above picturesclick to view image
- Back of above picturesclick to view image
- Joseph Shank click to view image
- Mary Ann Slavin Shankclick to view image
- Dorothy Shankclick to view image
- Dorothy Shankclick to view image
- Grover Shankclick to view image
- Dora, Dorothy, Ada Shank Thomsonclick to view image
- Home of Parker & Dora Shankclick to view image
- Dora Dorsey Shankclick to view image
- Dora Dorsey Shankclick to view image
- Andrew Shank & Park Shank (Brothers)click to view image
- Hattie Shank, (Dora Shenberger) Shank, Child, Sadie (Burk) Shank click to view image
- Andrew & Alice Shankclick to view image
- Parker D Shankclick to view image
- click to view image
Letters
- John Shank letter to parentsclick to view image pg 1
- John Shank letter to parents pg 2click to view image pg 2
- John Shank letter to parents pg 3click to view image pg 3
Family Bible
- Alexander Shank Family Bible click to view image pg 1
- Alexander Shank Family Bible click to view image pg 2
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Death certificates
From the US Federal Census Mortality Schedules Index:
Surname: ALEXANDER SHANK
Year: 1860
County: LANCASTER CO.
State: PA
Age: 87
Gender: M
Month of Death: MAY
State of Birth: IR
ID#: MRT317_13550
Occupation: WEAVER
Cause of Death: OLD AGE
