Peter Wenner was born March 2, 1821, and educated in the schools of Salisbury township. He was reared on the farm, and remained there until after his father's decease, when he located at Allentown and entered the dry goods store of Joshua Schnurman. Afterward he engaged in the general store business for himself at Eighth and Hamilton streets, and later followed butchering with the Kramer family. He was one of the first members of the Allentown Cornet Band, and at the time of the great fire was an active fireman. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran church and of Alien Lodge, No. 71, I. O. O. F. He married Maria, daughter of Charles and Julianna (Miller) Kramer. She was born Aug. 16,1827, and died Oct. 19,1910. They had seven children.