John Silas Pancake

Notes:

http://www.usfamily.net/web/pankake/objsilp.htm

Obituaries of John Silas Pancake

Submitted by a descendant who wishes to remain anonymous.
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From an obituary from a newspaper of unknown origin, probably a Staunton Virginia paper. Looks like two articles put together.

Staunton, February 23. John S. Pancake died very suddenly last night about eleven o'clock from heart failure caused by an attack of paralysis.

This news will be a great shock to the many friends of Mr. Pancake in Staunton and elsewhere. Mr. Pancake was down town attending to his business as usual all day yesterday and was apparently in his customary health. He bade his family good night and retired shortly before eleven o'clock; in a few minutes it was noticed that he was breathing very heavily and a physician was hurriedly summoned. When Dr. Kenneth Bradford reached his side, however, Mr. Pancake had already ceased to breathe.

Mr. Pancake leaves his wife, who was Miss Margaret Gilkeson, and three children, Mrs. Herbert Smith [born Emily Vance Pancake, Romney, West Virginia], Miss Elizabeth Pancake [who became Mrs. Charles H. Watt of Thomasville, GA], and William C. Pancake, all of Staunton.

John Silas Pancake was born near Romney, W. Va., sixty nine years ago on November 5, last. He removed to Staunton about thirteen years ago, and with the late Max. W. Mercereau, organized the Valley Tie and Lumber Co. He retired from this concern some time ago, and began the limber business of John S. Pancake & Company, which he was still conducting at the time of his death. Mr. Pancake was also a director in the National Valley Bank, Vice President of The Gardner Extract Co., President of the Bellevue Orchards Co., and a director in the Larrimore Barge Company.

Mr. Pancake suffered a stroke of paralysis some time ago, and had been in failing health for a year and a half. No funeral arrangements have yet been made.

The funeral of John S. Pancake, who died Tuesday night at his home in Staunton was held from his late residence on East Main Street yesterday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock.

The service was conducted by Rev. A. M. Fraser of the first Presbyterian Church of which Mr. Pancake was an elder.

[list of pallbearers given]

Interment was in Thornrose Cemetery.

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Newspaper report from an unidentified newspaper in Staunton, Virginia. Probably the week after John Silas Pancake's death, which was Feb. 22, 1916.

Funeral of J.S. Pancake Thursday

John Silas Pancake, one of Staunton's most substantial and highly honored citizens, died at 11 o'clock Tuesday night at his home in this city. His health had been failing for more than a year, but he was at his office on Tuesday attending to business, and he seemed to be feeling better than for several days. He had retired for the night, and his death was very sudden, being caused by heart failure. The funeral will be held at 3:30 Thursday afternoon from the house, conduced by Dr. A. M. Fraser. Interment will be in Thornrose.

Native of West Virginia

Mr. Pancake was born on his father's farm near Romney, West Virginia, on November 5, 1846, the son of Joseph C. and Ellen D. Pancake, and made his home there until about 25 years ago, when he moved into Romney and entered the lumber business, meeting with marked success. On January 16, 1903 he moved to Staunton and with the late Max W. Mercereau, who came with him from West Virginia, he organized the Valley Tie and Lumber Co., which had a prosperous career, and which a few years ago he left to organize the firm of John S. Pancake & Co., which he conducted to the time of his death, doing a large business. He was connected with several other institutions, being a member of the board of the National Valley Bank, vice president of the Gardner Extract Co., president of the Bellevue Orchards Co., and a director of the Larrimore Barge Co.

In the civil war, Mr. Pancake served with distinction as a member of the 13th Va. Cavalry, Rossner's Brigade. He was a member of Stonewall Jackson Camp of this city, and served a term as commander of the camp.

Man of High Character

Early in life he united with the Presbyterian church of Romney, and when only about 27 years of age he was elected a ruling elder of that church, succeeding his father in that capacity, who in turn had succeeded his father as elder. On moving to Staunton Mr. Pancake united with the First Presbyterian church, of which he was elected an elder on Dec. 10, 1911, serving acceptably in that office to his death. On coming to Staunton Mr. Pancake was at once recognized as a man of force and of high character, and his influence in financial and business circles, and in religious circles as well, soon became marked. He was a liberal contributor to every good cause, and a ready friend to every one in distress or need. His sympathetic nature drew many friends to him, and few persons will be more missed or mourned by all classes of citizens.

Surviving Mr. Pancake of his immediate family are Mrs. Pancake, and two daughters, Mrs. Herbert McKelden Smith and Miss Elizabeth Gilkeson Pancake, and one son, William C. Pancake, all of Staunton. He leaves here also a nephew, Campbell Pancake, and in Romney, a brother, Joseph F., and a sister, Miss Sidney M. Pancake.

Family/Spouse: Margaret Gilkeson. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Emily Vance Pancake
2. Elizabeth Gilkeson Pancake

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 28 Aug 1860, Romney, Hampshire County, WV
• Occupation: 28 Aug 1860, Romney, Hampshire County, WV; Farmer, $24, 300, $19,000

Joseph married Ellen Davis in 1843. Ellen was born on 8 Feb 1824 in Westernport, Allegany County, MD; died on 7 Apr 1909. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Isaac married Sarah McNeill on 14 Mar 1796 in Hardy County, WV. Sarah (daughter of John Strother McNeill and Amy Parsons) was born in 1779 in Virginia, USA; died on 23 Oct 1861 in Hampshire County, WV. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Will: 23 Oct 1786, Hampshire County, WV
• Probate: 11 Sep 1793, Hampshire County, WV

Notes:

DEATH: Will proved 11 sep 1793 and was dated 23 Oct 1786. QUOTE THIS WILL. See page 7, Pancake Report #1, DRAFT.

FAMILY: He mentions unborn child when he wrote his will, which is probably Betsey. Since Andrew's wife was Elizabeth and no other child is named after her, our Betsey may be an Elizabeth called "Betsey". Also, there may be other evidence that she is the younger sister of the sons named in Andrew's will. For now, the names of the PANCAKEs who appear in Lawrence Co., OH have the same names as Andrew's sons, so this is something to consider with other facts that are known to further build a preponderance of evidence case. Our Betsey names two of her sons Abraham and Isaac, which are names of sons of Andrew and names of two of the PANCAKEs who show up in the early Lawrence Co., OH records.

RESEARCH: "Philip Pancake (Pankuch), son of Johan Peter Pancake (died April 20, 1772), who arrived from Rotterdam in the ship "Phoenix" Captain Reuben Honor, on November 22, 1752, and Rebecca, his wife; was a distinguished Revolutionary officer, residing in Dock Ward, Philadelphia... Married 1) Mary, who died August 10, 1783, and was buried in St. Michael's graveyard at 5th and Cherry Streets. On January 5, 1784, he married his second wife, Catherine Schuz, in Zion Lutheran Church...His only son, George, died in Philadelphia on September 11, 1798". [The PA Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. XLVI, Philadelphia: Publication Fund of The Historical Society of PA, No. 1300 Locust Street, 1922, page 72. Copy located at the Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, 974.8 B2Pm, Vol. 46.

MARRIAGE: Irish, Donna R., compiler, PA German Marriages and Marriage Evidence in Pennsylvania German Churches [Genealogical Publishing, Baltimore, 1982, p. 671. "Pfannenkuchen, Andreas, Ronningern, Elisabeth, m. October 16, [1759].Witnesses: Johannes Pfannenkuchen, HannaPfannenkuchen, Johannes Kraut, Philipp Roht."

TAX-LISTS: Hardy County, Virginia: Andrew: 1786, 1787, 1788, 1789, 1790, 1791, 1792, 1793 [Andreas or Andrew died in 1793], Hardy County Virginia Land Books (Tax Lists). Andrew was also listed for these years [WHY?] 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799 and 1800.

AKA Andreas Pfannenkuchen in German.

The Submitter for Volume 9, Tree 3765 provided the following contact
address:

RICHARD S WELTON
10512 FARNHAM DR.
BETHESDA, MD 20814

Andrew married Elizabeth Ronningern on 16 Oct 1759 in St Michael Zion Lutheran, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Elizabeth was born about 1740 in of Philadelphia, PA; died after 1810 in Hardy County, WV. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Will: 20 Mar 1806, Hardy County, WV
• Probate: 16 Mar 1809, Hardy County, WV

John married Amy Parsons in 1775 in Hardy County, WV. Amy (daughter of James Parsons and Elizabeth) was born in 1754 in Hardy County, WV. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]