Ranck, Peter, 1770-1851

Peter Ranck was a joiner, cabinetmaker, and innkeeper from Jonestown, Lebanon County, PA.

Born in 1770, Peter was the eighth of eleven children born to John Philip, Jr. and Magdelena Ranck. After his father died in 1784, Peter and his older brother, John, decided not to continue the family occupation of farming and took up the trade of joinery with an unidentified local craftsman. Early on, the brothers constructed and repaired houses. Afterward they built primarily case furniture, and Peter was particularly noted for his painted chests.

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