BIO: Benjamin F. ISENBERG, Huntingdon County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lana Clark 
<myclarkhistory@hotmail.com>

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 40-42. 
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B. F. ISENBERG, Huntingdon, Huntingdon county, Pa., youngest child of Abraham 
and Nancy Isenberg, was born at Spruce Creek, Huntingdon county, June 24, 
1844. He had six brothers: Thomas; Solomon; Miller; Joseph; John; and Samuel, 
all living at this writing except Thomas and John. He had three sisters: 
Susan (Mrs. Metz), of Williamsburg, Pa., deceased; Catharine (Mrs. Johnston), 
of Altoona, Pa.; and Dorothy (Mrs. Walls), of Frankstown, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. 
Abraham Isenberg are both of German extraction, their forefathers having 
originally come from Frankfort-on-the-Main, or its vicinity. 
  Mr. B. F. Isenberg is what is called a "self-made" man. He received but a 
limited education in the public schools of Spruce Creek, attending for one 
term what was then called a high school, taught during his school days by D. 
W. Wormelsdorf, Esq., now of Huntingdon. At the age of fifteen he began 
business life as a clerk for John Q. Adams, who kept a small country store on 
Spruce Creek. Mr. Adams also had a forge, in which he burned charcoal, 
instead of coke, the fuel generally used at the present time. Mr. Isenberg's 
engagement with him was for three months, or until Mr. Adams could get his 
collieries fairly started; but it was extended to six months. This time 
having expired, the young clerk took charge of a full set of double entry 
books, and of the store, of Messrs. J. F. Steiner & Co., at Philipsburg, 
Centre county, Pa. Steiner & Co. were extensive lumber dealers, on Moshannon 
Creek, one mile from Philipsburg. Mr. Isenberg had full charge of their books 
and their store, and kept the time for the men employed at the saw-mill, the 
timber jobs, the lumber-yards, etc. He served in this capacity for three 
years, receiving each year unsolicited promotion. For the purpose of learning 
the milling business, he then entered his brother Solomon's mill, at 
Frankstown, Blair county, Pa.; it was at that time a merchant and custom burr 
mill, the best in the county. Here Mr. Isenberg served a full apprenticeship, 
working full time. In those days the mill ran night and day; a "trick" meant 
one-half of the night and the whole day; in other words, eighteen hours was a 
day's work. 
  Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Isenberg found milling congenial 
employment, he was warmed with the patriotic devotion that inspired the young 
blood of his time, so that he made three attempts to enlist in the Union army 
during the war of the Rebellion, all of which were unsuccessful, because of 
his youth and the close surveillance of his friends. But the opportunity came 
at last, and on August 19, 1864, he laid down the mill pick and enlisted in 
the cause of the Union, joining the Ninth Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteer 
Cavalry; he has the honor and proud distinction of having marched with Gen. 
Kilpatrick in Sherman's army from Atlanta to the sea, and up through the 
Carolina states, until the close of the war. Mr. Isenberg was in every 
engagement in which his regiment took part during his term of enlistment, and 
has a record as a brave and patriotic soldier, which will always be the 
pleasure and pride of his posterity. Much interest is added to the history of 
this time of service by the fact of his having kept a diary of the time, 
complete from the beginning to the end. At the close of the war he resumed 
his place in Mr. Solomon Isenberg's mill, but shortly after, at the earnest 
solicitation of the president of the First National Bank of Huntingdon, and 
of his friends, he again laid down the mill pick to enter the employ of that 
bank. In those days a clerk in the bank was entry clerk, discount clerk, 
book-keeper, paying teller, receiving teller, etc., anything and everything, 
from fire builder to acting cashier. After an engagement of three years, and 
having received many unsolicited promotions, Mr. Isenberg retired from the 
bank, and bought an interest in the firm of Henry & Co., forwarding and 
commission merchants and dealers in general merchandise, lumber, coal, etc. 
Messrs. Henry & Co. had commenced operations in 1862, and did the largest 
business of the kind in the county; they ran a line of boats carrying iron 
ore, soft and gas coal and lumber eastward, and hard coal to the west, 
employing in some seasons as many as twenty five boats, In 1870, Mr. 
Isenberg's milling experience became available, the firm buying what was then 
known as the Warrior's Ridge flouring mill, situated in Portstown, a suburb 
of the borough of Huntingdon. Thanks to his practical knowledge of the 
business, this enterprise gradually developed from a 40-bbl. mill to the 
present mill of 250-bbl. capacity; the firm also gradually giving more 
attention to the mill and leas to their store, until 1892, when, after thirty 
years of activity, the old firm dissolved, Mr. Henry, the senior partner, 
retiring from business. Mr. Isenberg now organized a stock company, 
capitalized at $75,000, and known as the B. F. Isenberg Milling Co., to 
continue the milling business, and to conduct a coal and lumber yard. Mr. 
Isenberg is president and general manager of this company, and his eldest 
son, Frank McCahan Isenberg, is the secretary and treasurer. B. F. Isenberg 
has always taken a great interest in the milling business, not only locally, 
but throughout the State. He served for three years as secretary and 
treasurer of the Pennsylvania Millers' State Association, eight years as its 
president, and many years as a member of its executive committee. He was the 
leading spirit in the organization of the Pennsylvania Millers' Mutual Fire 
Insurance Co., in 1889, which has proved a grand success. Of this 
association, he was at the outset elected president, member of the board of 
directors, and a member of the executive committee, and has been unanimously 
re-elected every succeeding year. He served several terms as vice-president 
of the Millers' National Association of the United States. The history of Mr. 
Isenberg's business life is of the most honorable nature. The firm to which 
he belongs, the same for some thirty-five years, although under different 
designations, may boast of having conducted business during all that time 
without ever having had its books brought into court - never having either 
sued or been sued. Mr. Isenberg has a host of friends, and necessarily, after 
so long a business life, some enemies. He has always taken chances in 
business liberally, but legitimately, sometimes with success, sometimes at a 
loss. But he can claim with truth that he has never invested one dollar in 
speculation in stocks or in grain, and that in all his transactions, his word 
has been as good as his bond. 
  He has always been actively interested in the local affairs of his own town 
and county. He is a charter member of the Huntingdon Improvement Co., the 
Huntingdon Fire Co., the Huntingdon Club, and other organizations. He has 
acted in every capacity in the chairs of the Blue Lodge and Chapter; is a 
charter member and the treasurer of the commandery; being identified with 
Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 300, F. and A.M., Standing Stone Chapter, No: 201, 
R.A.M., and Huntingdon Commandery, No. 65, K.T. He is also a member of George 
Simpson Post, No. 44, G.A.R. Mr. Isenberg is a Republican; he has never held 
any political office, although he has frequently been importuned to do so. 
  B. F. Isenberg was married in Huntingdon in 1869, to Jennie, youngest 
daughter of John Kinney McCahan, who is of Irish descent. They have had three 
sons: Frank M.; Cloyd, who died when six months old; and Jesse M. Mr. 
Isenberg is a gentleman of domestic habits. He is of the Presbyterian faith, 
and has for years served the congregation at Huntingdon as trustee and 
treasurer.