School Bio

General Brensinger was former colonel of the old Fourth Regiment, National Guard. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1846. At the time of the Civil War he enlisted with the 124th Pennsylvania Infantry and served for four years, taking part in many important battles.

Following the war, he entered Lafayette University at Easton, Pa., graduating from there in 1870. He was appointed a teacher in a Phillipsburg school and later was made principal. In February, 1885, he left Phillipsburg and came to Jersey City as principal of School No. 3. He was appointed principal of the Teachers’ Training School when it was organized in 1896. When the training school was moved to School No. 17, on Duncan Avenue, General Brensinger was made principal of both schools.

General Brensinger was the dean of the male teachers in Jersey City and also senior principal. His work was often praised by the various superintendents under whom he served.

General Brensinger join the National Guard as a captain soon after he took up his residence in Jersey City, rising to the rank of general by brevet on his retirement. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, a Mason, and a Past Commander of the Washington, N.J> Commandery of Knights Templar. He also was a trustee of the Soldiers’ Home at Kearny, N.J. and a member of Van Houten Post, G.A.R. for thirty-five years.

In school work he has stamped his character indelibly upon the hearts and minds of thousands of young people who cam in contact with him. On December 9th, 1947 Public School 17 became the Joseph H. Brensinger Public School 17.