Category: Family

52 Ancestors: John Nissley (c1722—1789) of Donegal Township

Kris Hocker on 13 Apr 2014

I’ve fallen a bit behind with my 52 Ancestors posts. Hopefully, I can get myself back on track.

I’ve been able to trace my ancestry back to Michael Frantz and his wife Feronica “Fanny” Nissley, through their son Michael and his daughter Anna, who married Levi Hocker. Fanny, I’ve determined, was the daughter of John Nissley of Donegal Township, who died before 19 July 1789 in Donegal Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.1

John Nissley

John Nissley of Donegal Township wrote his last will and testament on 8 June 1784 and it was proven on 19 July 1789.2 The abstract names his wife Mary and children: Feronica, Michael, John, Jacob, Abraham, Samuel and Martin. John’s wife was likely Mary Segrist, daughter of Michael and Anna (___) Segrist of Hempfield Township.3

John Nissley is listed in Donegal Township tax records in 1750, 1751, and 1756.4 He bought and sold land in Donegal Township between 1743/4 and 1774, according to the deeds I reviewed. He warranted 100 acres in Donegal Township on 23 May 1743/4 and another 50 acres on 29 April 1749. Both tracts were patented together as 173 acres on 23 May 1754.5 On 20 March 1764, he purchased 209 acres from Philip Kloninger, adjoining his patented lands, and patented it on 18 November 1771.6 On 23 August 1765, John warranted 274 acres, neighboring Jacob Eversole, Michael Shank, and Jacob Good.7 He patented another 79 acres, adjoining these lands on 23 October 1766, and 76 acres on 15 May 1768.8

On 22 November 1771, John sold his neighbor Peter Ruth 104.5 acres.9 He sold him another 104.5 acres on 31 Dec 1772.10 On 17 October 1774, he sold his son Michael 137 acres and his son John 112 acres.11

Based on John’s land purchase and tax records, he was born by 1722 at the latest.

Who Was John’s Father?

I found no record of John Nissley selling land previously owned by another Nissley—which may have helped me to identify his father. I’ve seen this “John” identified as “Hans Jacob,” son of Jacob and Maria (Funk) Nissley of Manheim Township in online family trees. However, I’m pretty sure that this is incorrect.

First the names are not a match. John ≠ Hans Jacob. According to German naming traditions, “Hans Jacob” would have been Jacob, and that is how Jacob, son of Jacob and Maria (Funk) Nissley is identified in records. Furthermore, Jacob’s wife was named Barbara, not Mary.

According to deeds regarding the settlement of his father’s estate, on 18 June 1752 Jacob (Jacob1) purchased 211 acres of his father’s land from his siblings—Henry (eldest son), Martin, Abraham Whitmore and Frena his wife, Jacob Brubaker and Mary his wife, and Valentine Metzler and Ann his wife.12 The next day, Jacob and Barbara Nissley sold Valentine Metzler 60 acres of the 211 Jacob had purchased.13

When Jacob Nissley of Manheim Township died in 1763, his last will and testament, dated 5 February 1763, named his two children Jacob and Barbara, and empowered Jacob to sell his lands.14 Jacob (Jacob2, Jacob1) sold two tracts—one of 120 acres and one of 16 acres—to Sebastian Graffe on 12 June 1776.

This deed explicitly states the inheritance of this land from Jacob Nissley, the original patentee, through his son Jacob to his grandson, also named Jacob, reading in part: “The said one hundred and twenty acres…being part of a tract of one hundred and fifty acres and allowance…confirm[ed] unto Jacob Nissley the grandfather of the said Jacob Nisely party hereto (by the name Jacob Nutt) in fee Who died seized in fee thereof intestate leaving several children…the eldest son Henry refusing to take and hold the premises… [they] were confirmed unto Jacob Niseley the second son.”

So, that’s a dead-end for determining the parentage of my ancestor. He may have been an immigrant himself or it’s possible he descends from Jacob1 Nissley’s brother John. Or perhaps he’s related to the “Martin Neasley,” who warranted land nearby in 1741.

This post is part of an ongoing, blogging challenge entitled 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, created by Amy Crow of No Story Too Small. Participants must write about one ancestor every week. This is my thirteenth 52 Ancestors post and part of week fifteen.

52 Ancestors: A Walk Down Memory Lane

Kris Hocker on 11 Apr 2014

When I went to Pennsylvania several weeks ago for my great-aunt, Betty Jean (Hocker) Wingeard’s memorial service, I had the good fortune to find my Grandmother on a talkative day. So, I took advantage of her good mood, asking questions and prompting her reminiscences of her childhood.

Hoover house at Pine Glen

Hoover house at Pine Glen

My grandmother grew up in the mountains of central Pennsylvania, up in Centre County. The family was living in Lescontes Mills in Girard Township, Clearfield County, where her father Clyde supported the family farming and working as a lumberman, when she was born. They moved to Pine Glen, Burnside Township in Centre County before she was 10 years-old.1

Clyde Leroy Hoover Sr. was born and raised in Pine Glen. So, with the move, the family returned to his childhood home. If you crossed the road and followed a path back through the woods, you’d eventually come out at the home of Samuel and Victoria (Walker) Hoover, Clyde’s parents.

The house they lived in2—while sizable enough for a family of 12 children—did not have electricity or running water. There was a well for water and an outhouse. Still is for that matter. When they needed water for cooking or washing, one of the children was sent either to the creek across the road or out back to the well. 3

When I asked about her favorite summer pastimes, she recalled that with chores there wasn’t a lot of free time. They baked their own bread, raised their own food—both animal and vegetable, harvested and preserved the food from the garden in the fall, and washed their clothes—and with 12 kids there was a lot of it—by hand. The girls worked in the house and gardens while the boys worked the farm and farm animals, hunted, and cut firewood.

But when there was time, she especially liked wood hikes (with her father, I believe), picnics, reading books from the library her mother ran from their front room, and splashing in the creek. The boys, she remembered, sometimes played baseball.

As she was talking, I realized the her childhood wasn’t so different than that of her parents and grand-parents and so on, even though she was raised in the 20th century. Even though I think of my grandmother as a “modern woman,” she gave me a close-up view of the lives of our ancestors, merely by taking a walk with me down memory lane.

This post is part of an ongoing, blogging challenge entitled 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, created by Amy Crow of No Story Too Small. Participants must write about one ancestor every week. This is my twelfth 52 Ancestors post and part of week fifteen.

52 Ancestors : The Last of Her Generation

Kris Hocker on 7 Mar 2014

Betty Jean Hocker Wingeard 2013

Yesterday was a sad day for my family. My grandfather’s last surviving sibling—Betty Jean (Hocker) Wingeard—passed away at the age of 90 years 4 months and 3 days.

Betty Jean Hocker ca 1924-25

Betty Jean Hocker, ca 1924-25

Betty Jean was born 3 November 1923 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She was the third daughter and fourth child (of five) of William Howard and Isabella Aitken (Smith) Hocker. She graduated from John Harris High School in 1941 and attended the Central Pennsylvania Business College.

On 24 April 1952, she was married by Reverend L. E. Barton at Epworth Methodist Church in Harrisburg to William Osbourne Wingeard Jr., son of William Osbourne and Edna May (Rudy) Wingeard. My great grandparents had concerns about Bill because he had been married and divorced previously, but Bill and Jean’s 46-year marriage was very happy. And Bill won the family over. Bill treasured Jean, calling her “the love of my live” in the blurb he wrote about her in his book on her ancestry, A German-American Hacker-Hocker Genealogy, which he also dedicated to her.

Betty Jean Hocker Easter 1949

Betty Jean Hocker, Easter 1949

During their marriage, Bill and Jean lived in various locations around Harrisburg and for a time in Montoursville in Lycoming County. Bill worked for Pennsylvania Power & Light and Jean worked for a number of companies, including the YMCA, Allison Hill Trust Company, Market Street Trust Company, and the Dauphin County division of the American Cancer Society. She also volunteered with the Methodist churches they attended, Meals on Wheels, and the Divine Providence Hospital in Williamsport.

Bill and Jean never had children. But they always had time for and were interested in their nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. To me, they were another set of grandparents.

All of my best childhood memories include Bill and Jean. Every summer when I was a child, my sister and I would spend part of our vacation with Grandma and Grandpa in Harrisburg. Grandma always saw that we got enough to eat—more than enough, actually (Is that a Grandma thing?). When Jean was there it usually included hot dogs—Jean loved hot dogs. And potato chips. And ice cream. A perfect meal to us children. Those meals brought back childhood memories for Jean of going to her grandparents’ farm in the summer and eating hot dogs and ice cream and riding in the wagon into town for treats.

Betty Jean Hocker Wingeard 2013

Jean Wingeard, 3 Nov 2013 (photo © Karen Hocker Photography)

During those summers, Grandpa kept us entertained, taking us fishing and playing cards. Bill and Jean would come over for lunch or supper and we’d play cards for hours. It didn’t matter what the game was, at some point Bill would throw down his cards and complain that Grandpa—rapscallion that he was—was cheating again. Jean would just shake her head, long accustomed to Grandpa’s tricks.

On several occasions my sister accompanied Bill, Jean, Grandma and Grandpa on one of their summer trips to the Jersey shore—something Grandpa and his sisters had also done with their Aunt Bess—aka Elizabeth Marian (Smith) Lutz.

Since Bill’s death in April 1998, Jean had faced a number of health challenges. She faced them all—no matter the severity—with a grace and dignity that was both inspiring and humbling. She wasn’t one to whine or bemoan the unfairness of life; she just quietly did what needed doing. “Kris,” she’d say, “it is what it is.” And she’d move on.

Family was important to Jean and she was important to her family. We love her and we’re going to miss her very much.

This post is part of an ongoing, blogging challenge entitled 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, created by Amy Crow of No Story Too Small. Participants must write about one ancestor every week. This is my eleventh 52 Ancestors post and part of week ten.

52 Ancestors: Joel Wolf (1810-1895)

Kris Hocker on 3 Mar 2014

My 3x great-grandfather Joel Wolf died 18 November 1895 in Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. He was 85 years, 5 months and 24 days old.1 He was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Allentown on Thursday, 21 November 1895.

Obituary
Joel Wolf died at his home, No 130 South Penn Street, at 2 o’clock yesterday morning of enlargement of the heart and dropsy, from which he suffered a long time. He was born 85 years ago in Upper Hanover township, Montgomery County. Sixty years ago was married to Elizabeth Krauss. They were parents of sixteen children, five of whom died. The mother and the following children survive: Henry, of Philadelphia; Edwin, Joel and Horace of this city; Daniel of Salisbury, Jonathan of Newberry, Lycoming County, Carolyn, wife of Charles Gierlich, of East Greenville, Emeline, wife of Joseph Miller of Bucks County; Sarah, wife of Albert Lentz of Allentown and Leanne and Elmira, single who reside at home. Besides these there are twenty-two grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. The deceased was a laborer by occupation and was thirty-five years a resident of Allentown. His wife is 81 years of age. The funeral will take place on Thursday morning at 10 o’clock. Services in Zion’s Reformed Church.2

Joel Wolf was born 25 May 1810 in Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania3, possibly the son of Jacob Wolf of Milford Township, Bucks County. He married Elizabeth Krauss, daughter of George and Christina (Schultz) Krauss, about 1831. Elizabeth was born 13 June 18144 and died in 1900.5

According to the Genealogical Record of the Schwenkfelder Families, Joel and Elizabeth (Krauss) Wolf had children:

  1. David K. Wolf, d. Aug 1832
  2. Emeline K. Wolf, b. 30 Mar 1837, d. 18 Apr 1910, married Joseph S. Miller
  3. Henry Washington K. Wolf, b. 1 Apr 1839 married, but no children
  4. Christina M. K. Wolf, b. 23 Sep 1840, d. 10 May 1864
  5. Susanna K. Wolf, b. 9 Nov 1841, d. 3 Jun 1863, married Charles P. Greulich
  6. George K. Wolf, b. 1843, d. 7 Aug 1844
  7. Caroline K. Wolf, b. 17 Feb 1845, d. 24 Apr 1915, married Charles P. Greulich
  8. Mary Elizabeth K. Wolf, b. 15 Sep 1846, d. 12 Jan 1868
  9. Leanna K. Wolf, b. 12 Mar 1848
  10. Edwin K. Wolf, b. 5 Jul 1849, d. 31 Jan 1914, married Emma Bealer
  11. Sarah J. K. Wolf, b. 26 Dec 1850, married Albertus J. Lentz
  12. Oswin K. Wolf, b. 8 Apr 1852, d. 2 Oct 1852
  13. Joel K. Wolf, b. 30 Oct 1853 [, d. 12 Feb 1937]
  14. Jonathan K. Wolf, b. 4 Mar 1855
  15. Daniel K. Wolf, b. 21 Mar 1857, married Lizzie B. Smith
  16. Horace K. Wolf, b. 16 Jan 1860, married Alice Trumbower
  17. Elmira K. Wolf, b. 14 May 1861

Joel’s daughters Susanna Krauss Wolf and Caroline Krauss Wolf were each married to my 2x great-grandfather Karl Philipp “Charles” Greulich, a German-immigrant and shoemaker, who settled in East Greenville, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Charles and Susanna were married on 30 November 1861. Susanna (Wolf) Greulich died 3 Jun 18636 and Charles married her sister Caroline on 17 August 1864.7

The Krauss family can be traced back to immigrant Anna (Heidrig) Krauss, who came to Pennsylvania in 1733 as the widow of Melchoir Krauss, arriving with the second group of Schwenkfelder families.

This post is part of an ongoing, blogging challenge entitled 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, created by Amy Crow of No Story Too Small. Participants must write about one ancestor every week. This is my tenth 52 Ancestors post and part of week nine.

52 Ancestors: Peter Deischer (1793-1861)

Kris Hocker on 18 Feb 2014

Last week I wrote about Joseph Snyder and my search for his father. This week I’m turning my attention to his father-in-law, Peter Deischer of Hereford Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania.

Peter Deischer was born 12 August 1793 and died 23 April 1861.1 He married Maria Trump2 by summer 1815.3 Maria (Trump) Deischer was born 22 August 1791 and died on 10 September 1874 (or 1875).4

The family resided in Hereford Township from 1820 through 1870, where Peter was a farmer. In 1820, the family was enumerated with “Peter Deisher” as the head of household:5

  • 2 males, <10
  • 1 male, 26-45
  • 1 female, <10
  • 1 female, 26-25

Adjoining households in the census list included Jacob Deisher, John Deisher and Henry Trump.

Ten years later, “Peter Deshard” was listed as the head of household and the family included:6

  • 1 male, 10-15
  • 1 male, 30-40
  • 4 females, <5
  • 1 female, 5-10
  • 1 female, 10-15
  • 1 female, 30-40

Nearby households of interest included: Jacob Deshar.

In 1840, “Peter Deisher” was the head of household. It included:7

  • 1 male, 40-50
  • 1 female, <5
  • 2 females, 5-10
  • 2 females, 10-15
  • 2 females, 15-20
  • 1 female, 40-50

Other households of interest on the page include: Jacob Deisher, George Deisher, Charles Deisher, and Michael Trump.

Peter’s household in 1850 had thinned out somewhat. It included:8

  • Peter Deischer, 55, M, Farmer, $1700 in real estate, b. in Pennsylvania
  • Maria Deischer, 56, F, b. in Pennsylvania
  • Amanda Deischer, 17, F, b. in Pennsylvania
  • Elmira M. Schulz, 3, F, b. in Pennsylvania
  • Charles Deischer, 31, M, Farmer, b. in Pennsylvania
  • Barbara Deischer, 25, F, b. in Pennsylvania
  • William Deischer, 10, M, b. in Pennsylvania

In 1860, “Peter Dysher’s” household included:9

  • Peter Dysher, 67, M, Gentleman, $2000 in real estate, $1000 in personal estate, b. in Pennsylvania
  • Mariah [ditto], 68, F, b. in Pennsylvania
  • Elmira [ditto], 12, F, b. in Pennsylvania, attended school within the year

Peter died in 1861. In 1870, Maria (Trump) Deischer was included in Charles Deysher’s dwelling:10

  • Deysher Charles, 53, M, W, Farmer, -, $2266, b. Pennsylvania
  • [Ditto] Barbara, 49, F, W, Keeping house, b. Pennsylvania
  • [Ditto] Charles, 7, M, W, Home, b. Pennsylvania, attended school within the year
  • [Ditto] Sarah, 4, F, W, Home, b. Pennsylvania
  • Deysher Mary, 77, F, W, Keeping house, -, $100, b. Pennsylvania, cannot write

Charles Deischer served as administrator for his parents’ estates. He did not file paperwork until 1875, after his mother’s death.11 There was some dissension in the family about Charles’ handling of the estate—in particular payment for the building of a barn on the farm. Charles expected the estate to pay for it as the farm was not rentable without a barn. His sisters did not recall discussing and approving it and the court was required to step in. As a result, the paperwork includes the names of several of his sisters and their spouses.

Based on the probate and census records, Peter and Maria (Trump) Deischer had children, as follows:

  1. Charles Deisher
  2. Clara Deisher, married Joseph Hallman
  3. Elizabeth Deisher, married David Gery
  4. Mary Deisher, married Everard Roberts
  5. Catharina Deisher, married Solomon Schiffert
  6. Judith Deisher, married Joseph Snyder
  7. Amanda Deisher
  8. Sarah Deisher, married Copeland G. Stichter

It’s possible there were more children born to the couple who did not survive. Church records would be a next step to find out. I’m also wondering if Peter was related to Daniel Deisher/Teysher who can be found in the 1790 and 1800 census records for Hereford Township and if Maria (Trump) Deischer is related to the Henry Trump who was listed just after Peter in the 1820 census. Two tantalizing prospects for additional research. Wonder what I’ll be able to find about them.

Peter and Maria (Trump) Deischer are my 4x great grandparents.

This post is part of an ongoing, blogging challenge entitled 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, created by Amy Crow of No Story Too Small. Participants must write about one ancestor every week. This is my eighth 52 Ancestors post and part of week seven.

52 Ancestors: Joseph Snyder (1826-1895)—Who’s Your Daddy?

Kris Hocker on 9 Feb 2014

For the longest time my Snyder family research has been stuck at my 3x great grandfather Joseph Snyder. According to his gravestone, he was born 2 January 1826 and died 4 November 1895 at the age of 68 years, 10 months and 2 days.1 I’ve found him in census records from 1850 through 1880, the last surviving enumeration before his death. But I still had no idea who his parents were.

Joseph Snyder and Judith Deisher tombstone

Joseph Snyder tombstone

I decided to see if I could remedy that.

The earliest record I had was the 1850 census. A Joseph Snyder, aged 23, is listed with the Amos Jacoby family in Rockhill Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.2 This Joseph was unmarried—my 3x great grandfather’s first child was born in 1856—and the correct age. A good match. Unfortunately, however, since Joseph wasn’t living at home in 1850, this record did not tell me who his parents were.

In 1860, Joseph was living with his wife and children in Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County.3 His household included: Joseph, his wife Judith (Deisher), children Irwin, Mary Jane and Henry, and an older woman, Elizabeth Schneider, aged 58. Was this his mother? If so, it seemed to indicate that Joseph’s father was most likely dead by 1860 and possibly by 1850.

Who Is Henry Snyder?

Meanwhile, I possess the original document for a 1830 mortgage between Henry Snyder and George Hillegas for 62 acres in Upper Hanover Township. Who was this Henry Snyder? Could he be Joseph’s father? Why would the family have this document after more than 100 years if he’s not related to us?

Looking through census records, I found Henry Snyder in Upper Hanover Township in 18404 and 1830.5 In both records, Henry’s household has a male of the correct age bracket to be Joseph—10-15 in 1840 and under 5 in 1830—and a female of the same approximate age group as Elizabeth Schneider from the 1860 census.

Could it be that simple? Were Henry and Elizabeth Joseph’s parents?

Where was Elizabeth in 1850? I found an Elizabeth Schneider in Upper Hanover Township in 1850, living in the Joseph Gery household.6 The age was off—56 years, instead of the 48, I would have anticipated. But it’s a possibility. If it’s the same woman and she was Joseph’s mother, then Henry was probably deceased prior to 1850.

So, I went looking in Montgomery County estate records for an estate for Henry Snyder who died before 1850. I found nothing that matched date and location.

Bummer.

Taking a break from that seemingly fruitless search, I was reviewing Snyders buried in New Goshenhoppen UCC Cemetery on Findagrave.com and came across Joel Snyder, a contemporary of my Joseph Snyder. Joel is buried in the same section as Joseph, a couple of rows away. Maybe a cousin, I thought.

Then I saw who his father was—Heinrich Schneider, who was also buried in New Goshenhoppen Cemetery. Could this be Joseph’s father? He was a match in age and location to the Henry Snyder from the 1830 and 1840 census records. Joel matched the older male child from those records, too.

The only problem was that Heinrich died in 1860 and his wife’s name was Sarah. However, Sarah died in 1852, so maybe Henry remarried.

As clue, it was worth a little research. Maybe I’d learn something useful—even if he wasn’t Joseph’s father.

A search for Henry in the 1850 census records turned up no match. I found no estate records for a Henry or Heinrich who died in 1860 in Montgomery County. I began to wonder if this was a dead end.

I did, however, find Henry in the 1860 census for Upper Hanover Township.7 His household included Sophia Schneider and Lucy A. Mock and her family—both women matching the age ranges of the young females in Henry’s household in 1840. Joel Schneider, too, was living in Upper Hanover Township in 1860.8

Okay. So, now I was more than a little frustrated. Without an estate record naming Henry’s children, I had no direct information linking Henry to Joseph. Who was the second male in Henry’s household in 1830 and 1840—the one who matched Joseph age-wise? Where was Henry in 1850? Why couldn’t I find him? The 1850 census record might tell me who that second male was. I needed to find it.

I decided to do what I always do when someone isn’t where I expect them to be in the census indices. I go back to the records. I scrolled page-by-page through the Upper Hanover Township 1850 census records. After torturing my eyes for 20+ pages, I finally found him—right where I expected him to be.

And I couldn’t believe my eyes!

Henry Schneider 1850 census

Right there on page page 417B, I found, not only Henry Schneider, but also Joseph Schneider.9 The 1850 census record for Joseph Snyder in Rockhill Township was not my Joseph Snyder. This was most likely my 3x great grandfather, living in the same location in which I’d found him from 1860 on. He probably lived there all his life!

Although the 1850 census does not include the relationship between the head and the other members of the household, Henry’s household in 1850 matches the 1840 and 1830 census enumerations, making it quite likely that Joseph is Henry and Sarah’s son. Additionally, Henry’s 1860 occupation—shoemaker—corresponds with the occupation included on the 1830 mortgage—cordweiner.10 He likely earned a living from multiple occupations–as many did back then—as both a shoemaker and farmer, and was recorded as a shoemaker after he retired from farming.

Furthermore, a little deed research may provide some additional information regarding proof that Henry Schneider is Joseph’s father. Some of Henry’s 1850 neighbors—William Keck, Jacob Styer, Solomon Steltz, and John F. Gerhard—were Joseph’s neighbors in 1860.

Given that I found no estate records for Henry, it’s possible that he sold or gave his estate to his children prior to his death. Henry was a farmer in 1850; Joseph was a farmer in 1860. Joel was consistently a mason or bricklayer in census records. Both Joel and Joseph went from no real or personal estate in 1850 to having both in 1860.

Conclusions

After several wrong turns and false starts, I’m pretty convinced that Henry Schneider (aka Heinrich Schneider) is Joseph’s father. Turns out—as is usually the case—I was the brick wall in finding Joseph’s father.

So, what did I learn from this exercise?

  • Check for alternate spellings. There may be a better match to your family member under an alternate version of their surname, ie. Schneider.
  • Don’t stop at the index. I got frustrated because I couldn’t find Henry in the 1850 census. FamilySearch is really good about matching alternate spellings on surnames in their index search. However, that won’t help you if the name is way off in the index. In this case, the family was indexed as “Sohneider” which doesn’t resemble Snyder at all.
  • Keep it simple. My maternal lines all seem to have a long history—well into the 20th century—in the Upper Hanover Township/East Greenville/Pennsburg area. I need to first rule out clues and possibilities in that general location before branching out to other areas.

I already knew all of this. Really, I did. But when your research is flowing along nicely with clues falling smoothly and easily into place, it’s easy to forget the techniques required for when it’s not. This search was a timely reminder.

This post is part of an ongoing, blogging challenge entitled 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, created by Amy Crow of No Story Too Small. Participants must write about one ancestor every week. This is my seventh 52 Ancestors post and part of week six.

52 Ancestors: Levi Hocker (1824-1876)—A Sad & Mysterious End

Kris Hocker on 4 Feb 2014

Levi Hocker portrait
Levi Hocker portrait

Levi Hocker (1824—1876)

 My 3x great-grandfather Levi Hocker was born on 17 January 1824, most likely in Swatara Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.1 His parents, George and Maria Magdalena “Molly” (Landis) Hocker, had been married for five years2 and had one other child, a daughter named Isemiah.3

His mother died the following winter on 22 February 1825.4 Her parents were also deceased,5 as was George’s father Johan Adam Hocker.6 Levi was likely raised by his father and, possibly, his grandmother Mary (Hershey?) Hocker, until George remarried. He married Catharine Cocklin, daughter of Jacob and Mary Margaret (Hoover) Cocklin, on 5 November 1835, when Levi was 10 years old.

Levi married Anna Frantz, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Walters) Frantz, on 6 February 1851. He was a farmer and the family lived in Upper Swatara Township. Levi and Anna had at least 9 children:

  1. Benjamin Franklin (17 Feb 1852—2 Dec 1919)
  2. Francis Michael (26 Jan 1854—1919)
  3. Mary Elizabeth (22 Aug 1855—25 Jan 1939)
  4. Emma L. (29 May 1857—14 Jul 1942)
  5. George Warren (8 Dec 1858—12 May 1868)
  6. Albert Curtin (9 Sep 1860—24 Jul 1940)
  7. Margaret A. (25 Jul 1863—1957)
  8. Herbert Hershey (9 Jun 1865-25 Jun 1946)
  9. John Edward (14 Oct 1869—1873)

On 31 October 1876, Levi mysteriously vanished from his home. Newspaper accounts state that he had gone to bed with his wife about 8 or 9 p.m., but when Anna woke around 2 a.m., he was nowhere to be found. One article stated:

Mr. Levi Hocker, a retired farmer of very considerable means, and unimpeachable character, well known in this city, disappeared mysteriously on Friday night. He retired with the family in good spirits about eight o’clock in the evening—no one having suspected anything, or noticed anything unusual in his conduct… No cause whatsoever is known for his very strange proceeding—no financial embarrassment. It is presumed that he is laboring under a slight aberration of mind.7

The writer described Levi as “about five feet seven inches, black hair and whiskers slightly mixed with gray, no moustache, dark eyes, about fifty-five years of age, wore a black soft felt hat, dark suit, no overcoat.”

His body was found the following April in the water at Fry’s dam, near Middletown.8 He died by drowning, a presumed suicide while “laboring under a fit of mental aberration.” He was buried 29 April 1877 in Churchville Cemetery.

I often wonder what happened. His family apparently saw no reason for his disappearance, no change in his behavior. But he’d lost two of his children—George and John—to early death, one just three years earlier.9 His father also died in November 1873.10 Would that be enough to drive him to suicide years later?

Or was there perhaps something else? His son Michael was listed as “idiotic” on the 1880 census11, but not the 1870 census12, perhaps indicating that his disability was not a lifelong condition. He would have been about 26—a few years younger when his father died—about the age when mental illness can emerge. Is it possible that Michael was having problems that impacted his father’s mental state? Without Michael’s medical records, I can’t be sure.

Regardless, Levi’s untimely death at the age of 52 was both mysterious—as we’ll likely never know what happened—and sad. He left seven children, the youngest only 11 years old, his wife and friends to try to understand his disappearance and apparent suicide, and to mourn his tragic death.

This post is part of an ongoing, blogging challenge entitled 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, created by Amy Crow of No Story Too Small. Participants must write about one ancestor every week. This is my sixth 52 Ancestors post and part of week five.

52 Ancestors: Rudolph Mulhollan (1766-1855)

Kris Hocker on 27 Jan 2014

My 3x great grandmother Susan L. (Mulhollan) Force was the daughter of John and Emily (Boileau) Mulholland.1 She was allegedly—I haven’t proven the connection, yet—the granddaughter of Rudolph and Mary (Weirham) Mulhollan.

I didn’t have much information on Rudolph and Mary, just the following from The Commemorative Biographical Record of Centre County, PA:

Rudolph and Elizabeth (Weirham) Mulhollan, paternal grandparents of our subject, natives of Ireland and England, respectively, came to America in an early day, and settled at Wallace Run, Centre Co., PA, there remaining until 1832, when they removed to Ohio.2

Not much to go on. I remember several years ago getting curious about the couple. They are one of the very few non-German couples in my ancestry. But when I searched, I couldn’t really find out anything about them. Fortunately, there are more records online today.

In Pennsylvania

Starting in Pennsylvania—since that’s where my relatives lived and so, too, did Rudolph until 1832—I found Rudolph in Boggs Township, Centre County in 1830.3 He was aged 60-70, placing his birth circa 1760-1770. His household included:

  • 1 male, 60-70 [Rudolph]
  • 1 male, 20-30 [George?]
  • 1 male, 15-20 [Hugh?]
  • 1 female, 60-70 [Mary]
  • 1 female, 15-20 [Nancy or Rebecca?]

Other Mulhollans in Boggs Township included John Mulhollan, aged 20-304, and William Mulhollan, aged 30-40.5 I found James Mulhollan in Bellefonte.6 I believe they were sons of Rudolph and that John was the father of Susan (Mulhollan) Force.

On 24 September 1824, a land warrant was issued for Rudolph in Boggs township.7  A survey for him was completed for 173 acres on 25 September 1824. A note on the survey states “There is an improvement on this tract said to have been commenced about the year 1804.” Whether or not it was Rudolph who first improved the land, I do not know.

Rudolph and family are also in Boggs Township in 1820.8 The household included:

  • 1 male, 45+ (b. bef. 1775) [Rudolph]
  • 1 male, 26-45 (b. ca 1775-1794) [William?]
  • 1 male, 16-26 (b. ca 1794-1804) [James, John?]
  • 1 male, 16-18 (b. ca 1802-1804) [James, John?]
  • 2 males, 10-16 (b. ca 1804-1810) [Rudolph & George?]
  • 1 male, <10 (b. aft. 1810) [Hugh?]
  • 1 female, 45+ (b. bef 1775) [Mary]
  • 1 female, 10-16 (b. ca 1804-1810) [?]
  • 2 females, <10 (b. aft. 1810) [Nancy & Rebecca?]

I did not find Rudolph in Spring Township—Boggs’ predecessor—in 1810.

Outside Pennsylvania

According to the history, Rudolph and Mary left Pennsylvania about 1832 and settled in Ohio. I believe I found them in the 1840 census for Perry Township, Wayne County, Ohio.9 Rudolph was 70-80, placing his birth circa 1760-1770, a match to the Pennsylvania Rudolph Mulhollan. His household included:

  • 1 male, 70-80 (b. ca 1760-1770) [Rudolph]
  • 1 male, 20-30 (b. ca 1810-1820) [Hugh?]
  • 1 male, <5 (b. ca 1835-1840) [Alfred, Hugh’s son?]
  • 1 female, 70-80 (b. ca 1760-1770) [Mary]
  • 1 female, 20-30 (b. ca 1810-1820) [Mary, Hugh’s wife?]
  • 1 female, 10-15 (b. ca 1825-1830) [?]
  • 1 female, <5 (b. ca 1835-1840) [Hannah, Hugh’s daughter?]

Mary (Weirham) Mulhollan died on 9 February 1844 and was buried in Redhaw Cemetery, Ashland County, Ohio.10 She was 73 years and 6 months old, placing her birth circa August 1770.

Rudolph and family were located in Perry Township, Ashland County in 1850.11 Rudolph, aged 81, was the head of household, but Hugh Monholin is listed as the farmer. Rudolph died 23 September 1855 and was likely buried in the West Carmel Cemetery in Charlotte, Carmel Township, Eaton County, Michigan.12

Hugh and family were located in Carmel township in the 186013 and 187014 census records. Hugh died 27 August 1870 and was buried in West Carmel Cemetery.15

A search for other Mulhollan family members revealed that Rudolph and Hugh were not the only ones to go west.

James Mulhollan was in Perry Township, Wayne County, Ohio in 184016 and he was in Carmel Township, Eaton County, Michigan in 185017 and 1860.18 He died in Eaton county in 1860 and was buried in Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte.19

George Mulhollan was in Canaan Township, Wayne County, Ohio in 184020 and Carmel Township, Eaton County, Michigan in 1850.21 By 1860, he was back in Canaan Township.22 George died 17 March 1867 in Canaan Township and was buried in Canaan Center Cemetery.23

I think that’s a pretty good start on the family of Rudolph Mulhollan. It’s certainly not complete if I want to prove the family connections, but it certainly provides enough information to suggest further research.

What do you think?

This post is part of an on-going, blogging challenge entitled 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, created by Amy Crow of No Story Too Small. Participants must write about one ancestor every week. This is my fourth 52 Ancestors post and part of week four.

7 Generations Born in Pennsylvania

Kris Hocker on 25 Jan 2014

It occurred to me recently that I’m the first Hocker in my direct line (me > father > grandfather > g. grandfather > etc.) who wasn’t born in Pennsylvania since my immigrant ancestor Johan Adam Hacker arrived in the colony in 1749. Since both my parents were born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvanians, it’s true for a number of my direct lines.

That’s not to say that there weren’t family members who left the state. There were. And that got me wondering who was the first born outside Pennsylvania in their lines. Here’s some of what I found.

  • Henry Wagner, son of Henry and Isemiah (Hocker) Wagner, was born in Ohio about 1851. Isemiah was the older sister of my 3x great grandfather Levi Hocker.
  • Mary, daughter of John and Catharine (Sterling) Hocker, was born near Salem, Randolph Township, Montgomery County, Ohio on 18 February 1841. John Hocker was the eldest brother of my 4x great grandfather George Hocker.
  • Anna Hocker, daughter of  Jacob and Barbara (Noll) Hocker, was born on 9 February 1844 in Ohio—probably in Perry County. Jacob was the next youngest brother of my 4x great grandfather George Hocker.
  • George Smith, son of David and Mary Elizabeth (Hocker) Smith, was born about 1861 in Iowa. Mary Elizabeth was the daughter of Johan Adam Hocker, brother of my 4x great grandfather George Hocker.
  • Emma A. Ricker, daughter of Alfred and Isemiah (Hocker) Ricker, was born about February 1866 in Whitley County, Indiana. Isemiah was the daughter of Johan Adam Hocker, brother of my 4x great grandfather George Hocker.
  • Henry D. Hocker, son of Martin and Julia (Best) Hocker, was born 6 April 1862 in Ohio. Martin was the son of Johan Peter Hocker, a nephew of my 5x great grandfather Johan Adam Hacker.
  • Steven Earnest Hocker, son of Peter and Emeline (Bogner) Hocker, was born 25 December 1861 in Wayne County, Ohio. Peter was the son of Johan Peter Hocker, nephew of my 5x great grandfather Johan Adam Hocker.
  • Harman Hocker, son of Martin Luther and Mary Ann (Brindle) Hocker was born about October 1856 in Ohio. Martin Luther was the son of Johannes “John” Hocker, nephew of my 5x great grandfather Johan Adam Hocker.
  • William Edward Hocker, son of John Benjamin and Mary Ann (Hess) Hocker was born 8 November 1855 in Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio. John Benjamin was the son of Johannes “John” Hocker, nephew of my 5x great grandfather Johan Adam Hocker.
  • George Henry Landis, son of Martin P. and Barbara (Hocker) Landis, was born 21 March 1870 in Falling Waters, Berkeley County, West Virginia. Barbara was the daughter of George Hocker, nephew of my 5x great grandfather Johan Adam Hocker.

What about you? Did your ancestors remain in one place or did they go in search of a better place?

52 Ancestors: Rachel Jones (1809-1897)

Kris Hocker on 19 Jan 2014

Amongst my grandfather Greulich’s things, I found the following newspaper clipping

4 Generations of Witmers

I believe it’s from the the Town and Country. It reads:

Another Four-Generation Group Of This Section

Witmer-Kline-Snyder-Greulich Freundschaft

The above illustration represents another four-generation group of a widely-known family — the Witmer-Kline-Snyder-Greulich freundschaft, of which the oldest, Edward J. Witmer, has died since the picture was taken, he having passed away at his home in Marlbrough township, near Finland, last Wednesday [24 January 1912], aged 78 years.

Mrs. Witmer, aged 75 years is the mother of Mrs. Henry D. Snyder, aged 51, of near East Greenville. Mrs. Witmer’s maiden name was Miss Lydia A. Kline. Mrs. Elmer C. Greulich, of near East Greenville, aged 33 years, is a daughter of Mrs. Snyder. The youngest in the group is Master Russell Roy Greulich, who was born July 23, 1910.

Mr. Witmer was a direct descendent of the famous Jones family of England. There is an interesting romance connected with the emigration to this country of Mr. Witmer’s grandmother. She was a typical English girl and exceedingly pretty and fearless. Crossed by her parents in a love affair, Miss Jones escaped from her home with the aid of her favorite saddle horse, and swam across the English Channel on horse-back and fled the country.1

I love this article because it creates a direct link from my grandfather, Russ Greulich, to his great grandparents—Edward J. and Lydia A (Kline) Witmer. It also provides clues to Edward Witmer’s maternal family line—the Jones family. The story of Miss Jones riding her horse across the English Channel is rather amusing and adds a dash of romance to the family story for all that it must be a total exaggeration.

But who was this “Miss Jones” and how does she connect to the Witmer family? Was she really Edward’s grandmother?

The Jones Family Connection

It turns out that the connection to the Jones family is actually much closer than grandmother—grandson. Edward Witmer’s 1912 death certificate lists his parents as John and Rachel (Jones) Witmer.2 Both parents were born in Pennsylvania. Making it unlikely that his mother crossed the English Channel on her trusty steed.

Edward was listed with his parents in the 1850 census for Milford Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.3 The household included:

  • John Witemer, 38, M, Huckster, $1200, Pa
  • Rachel [ditto], 39, F, Pa
  • Edward [ditto], 16, M, Farmer, Pa, attended school within the year
  • Henry [ditto], 15, M, Pa, attended school within the year
  • William [ditto], 11, M, Pa, attended school within the year
  • Mary Ann [ditto], 9, F, Pa, attended school within the year
  • Susan [ditto], 7, F, Pa, attended school within the year
  • John [ditto], 6, M, Pa
  • Able [ditto], 4, M, Pa
  • Milton [ditto], 2, M, Pa
  • Henry Jones, 70, M, None, Pa

John and Rachel are listed in the 18604, 18705 and 18806 census records for Milford Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. In each census their place of birth is consistently listed as Pennsylvania. In the 1880 census, Pennsylvania is given as the birthplace of their parents, as well.

John died 21 May 18857 and Rachel died 10 September 1897.8 They were buried in the Christ Church cemetery in Trumbauersville, Bucks County.

Rachel’s entry on Findagrave.com names her father as Henry Jones (1776-1854) which is consistent with the Henry Jones living with the Witmer family in 1850. In 1840, a John Widmer was living next to Levi and Lewis Jones in Milford Township.9 Lewis Jones is listed as one of the children on Henry Jones’ entry on Findagrave.com10 and there is a 50-60 year-old male living in Lewis’ household in 1840.11 So, it’s quite possible that Henry Jones was Rachel’s father and Lewis her brother.

Henry Jones

Henry Jones was born 15 July 1776 and died 10 December 1854, both most likely in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.12 He was buried in Christ Church cemetery in Trumbauersville. He is included in the 182013  and 183014 census for Milford Township. In 1830, his household included:

  •  1 male, 50-60 [Henry]
  • 1 male, 20-30 [Levi?]
  • 2 males, 15-20 [Lewis?, ?]
  • 1 male, 10-15 [?]
  • 3 males, 5-10 [Henry?, Abel?, Oliver?]
  • 1 male, <5 [?]
  • 2 females, 20-30 [?, Rachel]
  • 1 female, 15-20 [?]
  • 1 female, 10-15 [?]

Henry’s wife—possibly the “exceedingly pretty and fearless English girl”—must have died prior to 1830.

Henry’s household in 1820 included:

  •  1 male, 45+ [Henry]
  • 1 male, 10-16 [Levi?]
  • 2 males, up to 10 [Lewis?, ?]
  • 1 female, 26-45 [wife?]
  • 2 females, 10-16 [?, Rachel]
  • 2 females, up to 10 [?, ?]

In 1810, Henry can be found in the census for Hilltown Township.15 His household included:

  • 1 male, 26-45 [Henry]
  • 1 male, up to 10 [Levi?]
  • 1 female, 26-45 [wife?]
  • 2 females, up to 10 [?, Rachel?]

Henry Jones had a neighbor named John Hiller/Heller16, aged 26-45 in 1820 and aged 50-60 in 1830. In 1840, John Witmer, Levi Jones and Lewis Jones had a neighbor named John Heller, aged 60-70. It seems to me that I’m looking at the same physical location for these three census records, and thus there is a connection between Henry Jones and John Witmer, Levi Jones and Lewis Jones.

I’ll need to keep looking for clues to build a sound case that Henry is Rachel (Jones) Witmer’s father, but I’ve made a good start.

This post is part of an on-going, blogging challenge entitled 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, created by Amy Crow of No Story Too Small. Participants must write about one ancestor every week. This catch-up post is my third 52 Ancestors post and part of week three.