Zephaniah (Zeph) Brinker

  General Notes:

From the Westmoreland County biographies:

ZEPHANIAH BRINKER, a prominent citizen of Westmoreland county and one of the prominent, influential and pioneer business men of Scottdale, is descended from a stock distinguished for ability, integrity and usefulness. He was born in Penn Township, Westmoreland County, Pa, December 18, 1841, and is son of Col. Paul and Naomi (Berlin) Brinker. Among the early settlers of Westmoreland, who came from Berks county was Jacob Brinker, grandfather of Zephaniah Brinker. He was of German descent and was a leading citizen and prominent man in a community which was particularly noted for the thrift, energy and economy of its inhabitants. Jacob Brinker settled in what is now Penn township and purchased a valuable tract of land in the “Manor of Denmark,” which was one of the two reservations of land made by Penn in Westmoreland county in 1700, for himself and his heirs. Jacob Brinker was one of the founders of the old and well-known Manor Reformed church. By his active efforts, large contributions and donations of land he secured the erection of the first Manor church building, which was finished about 1815. He was a democrat in politics, but took no active part in political matters and was one of the most highly respected of the early settlers of the county. His son, Col. Paul Brinker (father), was born in 1807 and died June 12, 1884. His education was obtained in the schools of his neighborhood, and early in life he engaged in farming, which he followed for many years. Jacob owned eight hundred acres of land. Paul Brinker became possessor of one-half. He soon acquired a high standing , based upon his excellent merits as a man and a citizen. In all of his dealings and intercourse with his fellow men he was honorable and just. He possessed unusual military talents, spending thousands of dollars in military affairs to be successful, and was soon called into the military service of Pennsylvania, where he served successively as lieutenant, captain, major and colonel. While serving as captain he uniformed his company of one hundred and one men at his own expense. Throughout a long life of activity and usefulness he lived above reproach and when he passed away left a wide circle of friends to lament his death. He married Naomi Berlin, a daughter of Jacob Berlin, who was an early and widely-known citizen of Franklin township, to which he came from Berks county, this State.

Zephaniah Brinker was reared in Penn township, received his education in the common and select schools and on attaining his majority engaged in farming, which he followed for five years. In 1874 he removed from manor to Scottdale, where he became one of the pioneer settlers of that place and opened the second butchering establishment and meat market of the town. He also engaged in other business enterprises with his usual energy and success. After fifteen years of close and steady attention to his various business interests he was compelled by ill health to seek rest, and accordingly removed in 1888 with his family to the mountainous part of Somerset county, Pa. After two years residence in that section he regained his health and in March 1890, returned to Scottdale. He then embarked in the grocery business, which he has continued in until the present time, and to which he intends to add dry goods and engage in the general mercantile business upon an extensive scale. Mr. Brinker owns considerable real estate and is the proprietor of the “Brinker Square,” which is well situated for commercial purposes and is worth over $15,000.

On October 10, 1868 (1867), he married Mary E. Lauffer, of manor. To their union have been born five children, of whom three are living: Wilson M. Myrna May and Susa Fern. The two who died were Carlton Sherwood and Logan Elvi.

Politically Mr. Brinker is a democrat in principle. He is a member of the United Brethren church, but was reared in the faith of the Reformed church. Zephaniah Brinker is plain, unassuming, modest, but quick to think and act and possessed of a courage that knows no defeat.

Zephaniah married Mary Elizabeth Lauffer, daughter of Jacob F. Lauffer and Susannah Cribbs, on 10 Oct 1867. (Mary Elizabeth Lauffer was born on 2 Mar 1848 in Harrison City, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania and died on 15 Aug 1938.)