| Benjamin
Price Rentch was educated at Mercersburg College under the able tuition
of the Rev. Drs. Higbee and Nevin. From the former he received special
instruction on the violin. Mr. Rentch also attended Franklin and Marshall
College at Lancaster, Pa., but did not complete a graduating course, because
of failing health. He was married by the Rev. M.L. Shuford, Jan 22, 1863,
to Laura L. Blackford, who was born Nov. 18, 1837, in Washington County,
Md., along the banks of the Potomac River opposite Shepherdstown, WV.
The daughter of Franklin and Elizabeth (Miller) Blackford. Elizabeth Miller
was a daughter of Jacob Miler, who married Catherine Rench, by whom he
had children; Laura L.; Helen V.; who married the Rev. Benjamin Wooden,
of the Methodist Church; Mary C.; who died unmarried; William Henry, of
California; and John Franklin, also of California. Benjamin settled at
marriage in Funkstown where he resided until 1870; then ine years spent
in Virginia. He returned to the Funkstown District in 1879. At his death,
9-26-1900, he owned about 600 acres of land in the Funkstown District,
wither he came from Virginia. After his death, his widow removed to Hagerstown.
They had eleven children. Benjamin P. Rentch was a member of the Reformed
Church, to which organization his wife also belonged. In politics he was
a Democrat, and served one term as County Commissioner. He was President
of the Washington County Agricultural Association; held stock in the Downsville
Turnpike and had other valuable interests. |
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