ONIAS MONINGER, one of the prominent citizens of Amwell township, was born August 24, 1837, on the old home farm in Amwell township, and, with the exception of two years, has always lived on the place of his birth. He is of German ancestry, his grandfather, John Moninger, having emigrated with his family from Germany to Hagerstown, Md., in 1801, and thence journeying to Washington county, located on the farm which is now occupied by Onias Moninger. He was a farmer and carpenter, and followed both vocations very successfully all his life, having a good farm of 130 acres. In politics he was a Whig, and among the first to organize and promote the cause of that party in Washington county. His children were Henry M., George, John, Jacob, Mrs. Mary Harshaman, Mrs. Catherine Harshaman and Mrs. Elizabeth Moore. John Moninger was born March 27, 1791, in Germany, and when nine years of age immigrated with his parents to America. His youth was passed in attending the rate schools, and assisting in farm duties. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. On September 28, 1814, he was united in marriage with Catherine Dagne, and to them were born eight children: John Michael (deceased), Mrs. A. S. Frazee, George W., Mary Garber (deceased), Mrs. Catherine Riggle, Mrs. D. L. Reynolds, Demas M. And Onias. Mr. Moninger passed his life in agricultural duties, and owned a farm of 186 acres. He was very successful, and managed a considerable amount of business in settling estates. Politically he was a Republican , and in religion was a member of the Disciple Church. He died in 1872, in his eighty-second year, and his faithful wife survived him but four years. Onias Moninger received his earlier education at the common schools, and afterward attended Pleasant Valley Academy five terms. He began teaching school at the age of twenty-one, and taught four winters in District No. 2, Amwell township. On June 24, 1865, he was united in marriage with Emily A. Leyde, of Ohio, and their union has been blessed with five children: Mary Florence, Netta C., John Wildon, Henry Herbert and Olive Leyde. Mr. Moninger is an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, and is always interested in local matters. He has served as assessor and clerk, and is now assistant assessor; all being positions requiring a man of good judgment and energy to acceptably fill , which Mr. Moninger has done. In 1890 a well was drilled on the farm, which proved to be a light gasser (about 300 pounds pressure), which he now has full control of, as he purchased the entire well, and is using it all through the house for both heat and light.

Text taken from page 647 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed May 1997 by Marion L. Smith of San Diego, CA as part of the Beers Project. Published May 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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