Michael Frantz (1789-1865) 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

I’ve written before about Michael’s parentage, but not very much about him. Michael Frantz Jr. was born 22 May 1789 in Paxton Township, Dauphin County.¹ He was the fourth child and second son of Michael and Veronica “Fannie” (Nissley) Frantz. He died in Upper Swatara Township on 5 June 1865 and was buried in the Churchville cemetery in Oberlin.²

On 19 March 1812, he married Elizabeth Neidig, daughter John and Mary (Bear?) Neidig³ who owned land adjoining his father’s. She was born 10 April 1790 and died 3 December 1821.⁴ She was buried in the graveyard on their property. After her death, Michael married Elizabeth Walter, daughter of Jacob and Ann (Stauffer?) Walter.⁵ She was born 20 October 1800 in Rapho Township and died 15 Sep 1882 in Swatara Township.⁶ Her family moved north into Swatara Township sometime between 1807⁷ and 1810.⁸

When Michael’s father died in 1797, his uncle Jacob Frantz was named as guardian of him, his brother John, and sister Veronica.⁹ His uncle Christian Frantz served as guardian of his older sisters Elizabeth and Mary. His uncles Christian Frantz and Jacob Nissley were the administrators of the estate.¹⁰  His brother John died before 1807 and sister Veronica likely died prior to 19 May 1810.¹¹ Michael served as the head of household in the 1810 census.¹²

On 19 April 1810, Michael purchased his father’s farm from his sisters for $2,000. It adjoined the Susquehanna River and lands of Jacob Nissley (likely his cousin), Jacob Eagley, John Neidig, and Henry Hagey.¹³ He farmed this land until his death in 1865. Michael was a member of the United Brethren Church. His ancestors—and likely his parents—were Mennonites.

Children of Michael and Elizabeth (Neidig) Frantz, born in Swatara Township:

1. Mary Frantz was born 28 November 1818. She married John Raysor.
2. Elizabeth Frantz was born sometime between 1812 and 1821. She married John Miller.

Children of Michael and Elizabeth (Walter) Frantz, born in Swatara Township:

3. Samuel Frantz was born 21 July 1825 and died 4 November 1908 in Mount Pleasant, Isabella County, Michigan. He married Catherine Hershey in 1847.
4. Anna Frantz was born 13 Sep 1828 and died 3 February 1918 in Harrisburg. She married Levi Hocker on 6 February 1851.
5. Michael Andrew Frantz was born 15 January 1830 and died 26 May 1917 in North Manheim Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. He married Barbara Anne Rush on 14 January 1861.
6. Fannie Frantz was born 10 May 1833 and died 16 November 1916 in Harrisburg. She married Abraham Hursh by January 1854.
7. Jacob W. Frantz was born 13 Jun 1835 and died 12 May 1906 in Florence, Marion County, Kansas. He married Emma Loveland about 1884.
8. John H. Frantz was born 21 January 1840 and died in 1904 in Florence, Marion County, Kansas.
9. Margaret “Maggie” Frantz was born 6 November 1837 and died sometime after 28 April 1910. She married Abraham Shirk after 8 June 1880.
10. Sarah Frantz was born 10 February 1842 and died 11 January 1851. She was buried in Churchville Cemetery.
11. Christian G. Frantz was born 8 March 1845 and died 13 March 1906 in the Dauphin County Alms House. He was a teacher and musician.

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This post is part of a blogging challenge entitled 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, created by Amy Crow of No Story Too Small in 2014. Participants were to write about one ancestor every week. I’m revisiting this challenge for 2017. This is my fifth 52 Ancestors post, part of week four.

• Category: Family
• Tag: 52 Ancestors, Paternal Line