52 Ancestors – Page 2 – A Pennsylvania Dutch Genealogy

Martha Bartleson 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Kris Hocker on 11 Feb 2017

I wrote a post about my ancestor Rachel Jones, wife of Jacob Witmer, back in 2014. While I knew Rachel’s maiden name based on the death certificates of several of her her children,¹ I did not have information regarding her parents. At the time I postulated that Henry Jones was Rachel’s father, but I did not know the name of his wife. I’m still looking for evidence of who she was.

Assuming that Henry was her father, I determined that her mother died prior to 1830 in Milford Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.² Based on the 1820³ and 1810⁴ census enumerations, she was most likely born sometime between 1775 and 1784.⁵ Unfortunately, the pre-1850 census records do not list the names of the household members.

Martha Bartleson

I’ve seen Martha Bartleson listed as his wife online. I’ve never been sure just from where that information came, as no sources were provided. Recently, I came across a posting in a Find A Grave forum that included the following:

“I found Henry in the 1810, 1820 and 1830 censuses, 1810 in Hilltown, then Milford. His wife appears to be deceased by the 1830 census.

Are you familiar with the book, Morris Lewis and His Descendants, by Mary Jane Erwin? It was published by the Lewis-Jones Assoc. in 1936. It is very helpful through there are errors, of course. That is where I got the birth and death dates for Henry Jones. It contains this story about Martha: “In the early history of the settlement of New Jersey and the eastern border of Pennsylvania, it was customary for emigrants to bring their servants with them and allow them to work for the price of their passage after arriving here. Sometimes they had to work a long while until [their debt] had been cancelled. Undoubtedly, Martha Bartleson was tired of working. It is said she took one of her master’s horses, where she lived in New Jersey, mounted and rode until she reached the Delaware. The horse swam the river. She reached the Pennsylvania side. When dismounted, she turned the horse about, and it is supposed it returned to its owner, while Martha Bartleson made her way through the country to Hilltown, where she met and married Henry Jones.” [p 22, as related by John Davis, one of her grandsons]” ⁶

What really struck me about this story is its similarity to a story that was apparently passed down through the Witmer family. It was reported in an article on four generations of the Witmer family. It went:

“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.⁷”

Both versions are charming stories. The story from the forum posting does provide some clues to follow up on—as the Witmer story does not. First, there’s the name. Martha Bartleson. Second, the location—New Jersey. And third the fact of her indentured servitude.

Both stories seem to imply that Martha was an immigrant, though only the Witmer story states it as “fact.” And that could simply be referring to her mode of arrival in Pennsylvania, not necessarily her arrival in the United States. Indentured servants were not only immigrants. Sometimes families bound out children to pay debts or to provide for their care and education. Either way if she was a servant and ran away before the end of her term, I would think there should be a record of it.

To be honest, both stories strain my credulity. But as with most family stories, there is likely a kernel of truth in there. I just need to dig it out. Wish me luck!

52 ancestors in 52 weeks

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 seventh 52 Ancestors post, part of week six.

Jacob Walter (c1767-1840) 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Kris Hocker on 5 Feb 2017

According to William Wingeard’s A German-American Hacker-Hocker Genealogy, Elizabeth Walter, second wife of Michael Frantz Jr. and mother of my ancestor Anna (Frantz) Hocker, was the daughter of Jacob Walter and Anna Stauffer.¹ She was born 20 October 1800, probably in Rapho Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.²

I’ve been working on Jacob and Anna, trying to identify their family, but I haven’t gotten too far. Jacob and Nancy (as she was called) were living with their daughter and son-in-law in Upper Swatara Township in 1840.³ Jacob died there on 23 September 1840.⁴ Nancy died 5 March 1845.⁵ They were both buried in the Frantz/Hagy family cemetery.

Looking back through census records, Jacob and family were enumerated in Upper Swatara in 1840 and 1830⁶, Swatara Township in 1820⁷ and 1810⁸, and Rapho Township, Lancaster County in 1800.⁹ Assuming all the children in their household in these records were theirs, their family included:

Jacob Walter, born 1760-1770
Anna (Stauffer?) Walter, born 1770-1780
Male Walter, born 1790-1794
Female Walter, born 1790-1794
Male Walter, born 1794-1800 [Christian?]
Male Walter, born 1794-1800 [John?]
Female Walter, born 1795-1800
Elizabeth Walter, born 2 Oct 1800
Male Walter, born 1800-1810
Male Walter, born 1804-1810
Female Walter, born 1804-1810
Female Walter, born 1804-1810
Female Walter, born 1810-1815
Female Walter, born 1810-1815

Jacob and Anna received a marriage license from Lancaster County 18 April 1795.¹⁰ In the 1800 census, they had 3 boys and 2 girls under 10 in their household. Daughter Elizabeth wasn’t born until October, so she is not included in these five children.

In 1810, they had five males—1 male (1784-1794), 2 males (1794-1800), and 2 males (1800-1810)—and four females—1 female (1784-1794) and 3 females (1800-1810). By 1820, there were two younger males—one born 1794-1804 and the second born 1804-1810—and four females—two born 1794-1804 and two born 1810-1820.

So, either not all the children survived or they were not living at home in every census. It’s also possible that Ann was Jacob’s second wife. Several of the household members consistently show birth years prior to 1795 when Jacob and Anna married.

Jacob purchased 129 acres in Rapho Township from James Mayes (aka “Mease”) on 27 February 1790.¹¹ He sold three acres of this land 20 March 1795 to Jacob Otto.¹² He sold the rest of the land to Peter Lindemuth on 27 March 1800.¹³

He purchased 58 acres in Mount Joy and Donegal townships from Christian Bare on 2 May 1801.¹⁴ This land adjoined land of John Stauffer, deceased. He sold it on 17 April 1807 to Jacob Rohrer.¹⁵

Jacob patented 290 acres of land in Swatara Township on 31 December 1813. He sold 42 acres to Jacob Steigelman on 6 April 1815.¹⁶ He sold another nine acres to William Rutherford 22 May 1822,¹⁷ 20 acres to Daniel Page 2 April 1835,¹⁸ and 103 acres to Jacob Shuh on 2 April 1839.¹⁹ By my calculations, there are about 120 acres for which I need to account.

I have found no estate records for Jacob in either Dauphin or Lancaster County. If he still owned land at the time of his death, then there should have been a probate record dealing with the dispersing of the property to his heirs. It’s likely he sold the land prior to his death and the pertinent deeds were not recorded at the county Recorder of Deeds office.

I believe Jacob might have been the son of Jacob Walther of Rapho Township who wrote his last will and testament on 26 January 1789, naming his children: Andrew, Margaret, Magdalena, Peter, Baltzer, Barbara, Jacob, and Dorothea. I need to request this will from the Lancaster County archives as it is not available on FamilySearch.

52 ancestors in 52 weeks

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

Kris Hocker on 2 Feb 2017

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:

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

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

Samuel Frantz was born 21 July 1825 and died 4 November 1908 in Mount Pleasant, Isabella County, Michigan. He married Catherine Hershey in 1847.
Anna Frantz was born 13 Sep 1828 and died 3 February 1918 in Harrisburg. She married Levi Hocker on 6 February 1851.
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.
Fannie Frantz was born 10 May 1833 and died 16 November 1916 in Harrisburg. She married Abraham Hursh by January 1854.
Jacob W. Frantz was born 13 Jun 1835 and died 12 May 1906 in Florence, Marion County, Kansas. He married Emma Loveland about 1884.
John H. Frantz was born 21 January 1840 and died in 1904 in Florence, Marion County, Kansas.
Margaret “Maggie” Frantz was born 6 November 1837 and died sometime after 28 April 1910. She married Abraham Shirk after 8 June 1880.
Sarah Frantz was born 10 February 1842 and died 11 January 1851. She was buried in Churchville Cemetery.
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.

Lydia (Markley) Kline (1806-1890) 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Kris Hocker on 21 Jan 2017

Lydia (Markley) Kline was born 22 October 1806 in Pennsylvania and died 8 April 1890 in Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County, and was buried at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Pennsburg.¹ She married Philip Kline on 17 July 1825 in the New Hanover Lutheran Church in Gilbertsville.²

Philip Kline and Miss Markley marriage entry

According to the entry on Find A Grave for Lydia, her mother’s name was Hannah (Hartzell) Merkel (1777-1852). Hannah’s entry includes a transcription of the gravestone inscription naming her as the wife of Daniel Merkel.³

Who were Daniel and Hannah Merkel? Were they really Lydia’s parents? What evidence is there of the relationship? A connection between two entries in a database is not evidence. But it may be a lead.

Lydia died in 1890—too early for statewide or county death registration. Some counties recorded vital records before it became mandatory. However, I did not find death records for this period in Montgomery County listed on either FamilySearch’s list of vital records microfilms or the Pennsylvania State Archives’ list of microfilmed county records. So, that was out as a possible source for her parents’ names. The marriage listing didn’t even include her given name, referring to her as “Miss Markly,” let alone her parents’ names.

Since Hannah Merkel was buried in Bucks County, I decided to start with probate records in that county. I did not find an estate record for her around 1852 or so. There was a Daniel Markley who died intestate in 1823. Intestate means no will. However, since Lydia was born in 1806, she would have been only 17 in 1823. If Daniel was, in fact, her father, then there should have been Orphans Court records associated with his estate.

On 14 September 1830, Hannah Markley petitioned the Orphan’s Court to issue an inquest to partition Daniel’s property in Rockhill Township.⁴ This petition names Hannah and Daniel’s seven children as petitioners: Josiah Markly, Absalom Markly, John Markly, Benjamin Beaker [Baker] and his wife Catharine (late Markly), Philip Kline and his wife Lidia (late Markly), and Sano Markly and Hannah Markly, as represented by their guardian John Hartzel. The two lots were sold—one on 29 December 1830 to Abraham Housekeeper⁵ and the second 20 October 1831 to Daniel’s son Absalom.⁶ These Orphan’s Court records are consistent with what I know about Lydia. In 1830, she would have been 24 years-old and already married to Philip Kline.

An examination of census records for Daniel in 1810 and 1820 reveals the following households:

1810 US Census⁷

3 males, <10 [Josiah?, John?, & Absalom?, b. 1800-1810]
1 male, 26-45 [Daniel, b. 1765-1784]
2 females, <10 [Catharine?, Lydia?, b. 1800-1810]
1 female, 26-45 [Hannah, b. 1764-1784]

1820 US Census⁸

3 males, <10 [Sano?, ?, ?, b. 1810-1820]
1 male, 10-16 [Absalom?, b. 1804-1810]
1 male, 26-45 [Daniel, b. 1775-1794]
2 females, <10 [ Hannah, ?, b. 1810-1820]
1 female, 16-26 [ Catharine or Lydia?, b. 1794-1804]
1 female, 26-45 [Hannah, b. 1775-1794]

These census records are relatively consistent with what I know about Lydia, too. Given the fact that the household’s inhabitants are not named in these early census records, there is some guessing involved in identifying the inhabitants. We can’t really be sure of who is referred to by the numbers in each age group. The more we learn about the family members, the better our guessing becomes. But still…

At this point, it is plausible that Daniel and Hannah (Hartzell) Markley were Lydia’s parents. I haven’t done the due diligence to prove that there wasn’t another Philip and Lydia (Markley) Kline, but I’m reasonably sure I’ve got a possible match. I want to learn more about Daniel and Hannah’s other children. Family connections are the best way I’ve seen to locate additional evidence to prove or disprove a relationship.

So, we’ll have to see what more I can dig up. In the absence of contradictory evidence, I’m inclined to believe that I’ve found Lydia’s parents, though.

Philip Kline (1799-1877) 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Kris Hocker on 14 Jan 2017

When Lydia Amanda (Kline) Witmer died, her son Horace named her parents on her death certificate as Philip Kline and Lydia Markley.¹ So, I went looking for Philip and Lydia in census records.

I found the couple together in Marlborough Township, Montgomery County in 1860² and 1870,³ and Lydia in 1880.⁴

It took a little more work to find them in 1850—the only census that could list Lydia (Kline) Witmer by name with her family prior to her marriage in 1854. For that census, I had to scroll page by page until I found the household. The census taker had written their surname as “Klaen.”⁵ The household included:

Philip, aged 51, Farmer
Lydia, aged 44
Cornelius, aged 24, Shoemaker
Ledea, aged 14
Maria, aged 9

Further research showed that Philip was born 6 March 1799 and died 30 January 1877 at 2 p.m.⁶ He was buried in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church cemetery in Red Hill, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. His wife Lydia (Markley) Kline was born 22 October 1806 and died 8 April 1890.⁷ She, too, was buried at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church cemetery. The couple was married at New Hanover Evangelical Lutheran Church in Gilbertsville on 17 July 1825.⁸

Philip wrote his last will and testament on 24 December 1875.⁹ He named his “beloved wife Lydia” and five children: “son Cornelius Kline, Reuben M. Kline, Henry M. Kline… and my Daughter Eliza intermarried with Jonas Brey and Lydia intermarried with Edward Wetemer [Witmer].” He named his three sons as executors. The will was witnessed by George S. Mumbauer and William F. Reed and was proven on 7 February 1877.

Philip and Lydia (Markley) Kline had six children:

Cornelius Kline (3 Jul 1826-18 Feb 1914)
Elizabeth (Kline) Brey (15 Nov 1827-30 Oct 1917)
Reuben M. Kline (12 Dec 1832-12 Nov 1912)
Henry M. Kline (28 Apr 1834-17 Jun 1920)
Lydia Amanda (Kline) Witmer (26 Mar 1836-30 Mar 1926)
Susanna Maria Kline (15 Mar 1841-24 Dec 1853)

The Find A Grave entry for Philip Kline names his parents as Jacob Klein and Eva Heilig Klein, but that will be a post for another day.

The Early Life of Rev. Frederick Waage 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Kris Hocker on 7 Jan 2017

I’ve written before about my three times great grandfather Reverend Frederick Waage. However, I recently came across an article written about him by his son Reverend Oswin Frederick Waage (1845-1919). It was published in The Penn Germania in August 1912 and includes details regarding his early life.

Birthplace of Frederick Waage

Frederick, son of Claus Heinrich and Catharine Dorothea (Hoffmeister) Waage, was born on 17 August 1797 in Itzehoe in the Dukedom of Holstein, then part of Denmark and now Germany. He was baptized on 20 August 1797. According to his son, three of this sponsors were nobility: “General and Baron Cay von Ahlefeldt; Ernestine von Brokdorf, wife of the Private Counsellor; and the nobel lady Anna Sophia von Ranzau auf Güldenstein.”¹ His baptismal name as “Cay Frederic Sophus Waage.”

He started school early, attending a “Klipp Schule” when still a boy and learning to read. He greatly enjoyed reading and later in life accrued a large library that included not only theological literature, but also many of the great works of both fiction and non-fiction of his time in the original German or German translation.

A young Frederick Waage

From age eight, he went to the town school and was tutored “by the ‘Schreib und Rechnenmeister Nagel,’ who wore awhite powdered wig, and who was ever ready with the rod to punish misbehavior.” His next school was the Latin school in town where ear-boxing was the preferred punishment. While he applied himself eagerly to his lessons in class, he also learned from those around him in daily life. He became fluent in French due to interactions with those of Napoleon’s soldiers who were quartered in the town.

The eldest of three boys, he was the only one to survive to adulthood. By the age of fourteen, he had born the loss of his brothers and parents. An orphan, he became the ward of an uncle in Flensburg, in the north in Schleswig, in 1811. He was sent to a school there in town and boarded at an old monastery with the other students.

Flensburg 2015-08 img03 Evangelische Marienkirche.jpg

Evangelical St. Marien Church in Flensburg, Germany © A.Savin (Wikimedia Commons · WikiPhotoSpace)

On 7 April 1813, he was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at the Marienkirche (St. Mary’s Church) after receiving instruction from the Lutheran pastor Huesmann. This church is one of the main churches in Flensburg and was first mentioned in historical documents in 1284.² Today it is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

That August, at age sixteen, he went to study at the University of Kiel. The university was founded in 1665 by the Duke of Holstein-Gottorp as the Academia Holsatorum Chiloniensis.³ It was (and is) one of the oldest and most prestigious in Schleswig-Holstein.

Frederick was enrolled there for six years. “Here he applied himself strenuously to his studies, often working until two o’clock in the night. His close association with the professors of the university, and especially the influence of his pastor, the noble Claus Harms, greatly assisted him in acquiring a first class classical education, under these benign surroundings. The desire became strong to be active in some calling in which he might be a blessing to his day and generation.”⁴

A desire to see the world and avoid military service spurred him emigrate to America. In June 1819, he took leave of his homeland, booking passage on the ship Milo from Hamburg to Philadelphia. After his arrival in September, he met Rev. Jacob W. Dechant who introduced him to Rev. F.W. Geisenhainer. For two years, he studied with Geisenhainer until he could be admitted to the Lutheran Synod.

A elderly Frederick Waage

Frederick became a licentiate of the Lutheran Ministerium on 27 August 1822 and he was ordained 10 June 1828 at Reading. Between 1822 and 1829, he served in parishes in Bucks County, then Northumberland, Lycoming, and Columbia counties. In May 1829, he served the Lutheran parish that included New Goshenhoppen. Over the following years, he added churches and congregations, including a congregation at Charlestown, Scheetz’s church, Huber’s church in Montgomery County, and established at church at Ridge Valley.

He married Angelina Garber, daughter of Benjamin and Hannah (Reiner) Garber, in 1823 at Trappe Lutheran Church. They raised a family of ten children: Johanna, Charles Theodore, Angelina, Emma, Andora S., Theodora Rosalie, Franciska S., Oswin Frederick, Atha “Addie,” and Edwin Eugene, who died young.

Rev. Caius Frederic Sophus Waage (1797-1884)

Rev. Frederick Waage (1797-1884)

He retired in 1868, but continued assisting his successor, son Rev. O.F. Waage, for several years. Frederick died 23 August 1884 and was buried four days later at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Red Hill. His wife, Angelina (Garber) Waage, died 11 April 1897 and was buried with her husband. Both gravesites are marked by significant and unique gravestones.

“His independence of thought involved him in brisk controversies with leaders in his own denomination and with clergymen of other faiths, but he was held in high esteem by his congregations.“⁵

Revisiting a Writing Challenge in 2017 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Kris Hocker on 5 Jan 2017

In 2014, Amy Johnson Crow issued a writing challenge called “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” for genealogy bloggers. The challenge was to write about an ancestor every week. My participation was lackluster at best. While the challenge continued in 2015 or 2016, I didn’t participate.

Since my goals for this year are to write more than I did last year (50 posts) and to share more of my research, I’ve decided to revisit this writing challenge. Measuring myself against the stated goal will hopefully be the kick in the pants I need to get me to write more regularly and the need for writing material will result in me sharing more of what I’ve found on my many ancestors.

That’s the plan anyway.

First up, new details on the early life of Rev. Frederick Waage.

52 Ancestors: Lillian (Snyder) Greulich (1879-1947)

Kris Hocker on 3 Sep 2014

Lillian Witmer Snyder

Lillian Witmer Snyder, daughter of Henry D. and Saraphine K. (Witmer) Snyder, was born 26 October 1879 in Marlborough Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. In 1880, her family was living adjacent Saraphine’s parents Edward and Lydia (Kline) Witmer.¹ Both Henry and Saraphine were working as tailors, as was Saraphine’s mother, Lydia.

Lillian’s grandfather, Joseph Snyder, died on 4 November 1895. Her father and uncle Amandus were the executors of Joseph’s will. They sold Joseph’s farm to their brother Mahlon for $2700. He and his wife Clara, then, sold the farm to Henry, minus 40 square perches for himself.² The family was likely living there in 1900 with Henry’s mother, Judith.³ Henry was listed as a farmer. Lillian was aged 20, working as a dressmaker.

Elmer and Lillian (Snyder) Greulich (c 1901)

Lillian married Elmer Calvin Greulich on 21 September 1901 in East Greenville.⁴ At the time, they were both 21 years of age. Lillian was working as a teacher and Elmer was a cigarmaker. The school building where she taught was located across from the New Goshenhoppen Reformed Church and adjacent to her father’s farm.

Lillian and Elmer’s only child—Russell Roy Greulich—was born Saturday, 23 July 1910 when the couple was living in Upper Hanover Township, just outside East Greenville.⁵ In 1922 when he was 12, the family moved to Lansdale, Pennsylvania, where they stayed.

Elmer Greulich (1880-1947) and Lillie W. (Snyder) Greulich (1879-1949)

Elmer died Friday, 10 January 1947 in Lansdale of a coronary occlusion.⁶ He’d been blind and bedridden due to diabetes for several years before he died. He was buried on Thursday, 16 January 1947 at New Goshenhoppen Reformed Church cemetery. He was survived by his widow, a son, three grandchildren, three sisters, and a brother.

Lillian died Sunday, 13 February 1947 in Sellersville Hospital of acute left ventricular heart failure.⁷ She was buried with her husband on Thursday, 17 February.

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 twenty-first 52 Ancestors post and part of week thirty-five.

52 Ancestors: Isabella (Smith) Hocker (1893-1962)

Kris Hocker on 25 Aug 2014

William and Eliza Craig (Bonnington) Smith came to Pennsylvania from Edinburgh, Scotland about 1890, leaving their eldest two children with Eliza’s parents Peter and Elizabeth (Buchanan) Bonnington in Scotland until they were settled in Harrisburg.¹ William became a United States citizen on 12 January 1893.²

My great grandmother, Isabella “Isabel” (Aiken) Smith, was born Tuesday, 4 April 1893 in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.³ She was the third daughter and fifth Smith child. He older brother William was the first child born in the United States. He was born 28 March 1892.⁴ Her youngest brother, Robert Thomas Alexander Smith was born 7 April 1899.⁵

The family lived on Zarker Street in Harrisburg. William owned and operated an ice house on Howard Street.⁶ Given the proximity between the two, it’s likely that the family home was behind their business.

When Isabella was eleven years old, her father died of pneumonia on Thursday, 23 February 1905.⁷ He was fifty-three years old. Eliza was suddenly responsible for a family of five children, aged from nineteen to four years of age. I’m sure it was a difficult time for them all.

Isabella Smith and the telephone girls

Eliza remarried on 1 August 1908 in Harrisburg to Robert Owens Cochrane, an Irishman.⁸ He was a clerk for a steel company. In 1910, the family was living at 1934 Forster Street in Susquehanna Township, just outside the Harrisburg city limits.⁹ James and William were not with the family—James, I believe, died in 1905, but I don’t know where Willie was at this time. Isabella’s older sister, Bess, was working as a sales lady and Isabella was working as a telephone operator. By the time Isabella was nineteen, her hair had turned white from typhoid fever—which she had twice.¹⁰

William and Isabella (Smith) Hocker

On Tuesday, 13 October 1914, at age 21, Isabella married at Harrisburg, William “Will” Howard Hocker.¹¹ The youngest son of Albert Curtin and Lillian Ainsley (Leedy) Hocker, formerly of Harrisburg, Will was born Sunday, 17 August 1890 in Swatara Township.¹²

Will was a carpenter and general contractor for most of his life. At one point, however, he worked as a millwright at Aetna Explosives Company in Newton Hamilton on the Juniata River in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania.¹³ My grandfather told the story that one day his father had gone home for lunch, leaving his men at work at the mill. While he was at home, there was a terrible explosion. Grandpa said his father blamed himself for not being there to watch over his men.

Will and Isabella had five children:

Isabella Bonnington Hocker was born 20 May 1915 and died 13 July 2006. Bonnie married Harold McGowan Ruder on 25 April 1940 at Olivet Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg.
William Howard Hocker Jr. was born on 1 September 1918 and died 17 January 2008. He married my grandmother on 25 September 1941.
Anna Louise Hocker was born 10 September 1919 and died 23 September 1963. She married 14 August 1942 Willard Clair Hoover in Alexandria, Louisiana.
Betty Jean Hocker was born 3 November 1923 and died 6 March 2014. She married William Osbourne Wingeard Jr. 24 April 1953 at Epworth Methodist Church in Harrisburg.
Meriam “Mims” Elizabeth Hocker was born 20 September 1929 in Harrisburg and died 15 September 1999. She married January 1949 in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Isabella’s mother, Eliza Craig (Bonnington) Smith Cochrane, died Friday, 18 October 1946 in Philadelphia.¹⁴ Her second husband had passed away more the twenty years before. Eliza was buried in Paxtang Cemetery, Paxtang Borough, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

Isabella Aiken (Smith) Hocker

Isabella died Saturday, 21 July 1962 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She was buried in the Paxtang Cemetery on Tuesday, 24 July 1962.¹⁵ She was survived by her husband, five children, and fourteen grandchildren.¹⁶At the time of her death, she was a member of Epworth Methodist Church and taught in the church’s beginning department.

Will passed away Wednesday, 22 March 1967 and was buried Saturday, 25 March 1967, also in Paxtang Cemetery.¹⁷ He was survived by his son, three daughters, and fourteen grandchildren.¹⁸ He, too, was a member of Epworth Methodist Church. He was also a member and trustee of the local carpenter’s union and the Harrisburg Hunters and Anglers Association.

52 Ancestors: Daniel Bobb Sr. (1747-1833)

Kris Hocker on 19 Aug 2014

Daniel Bobb Sr. Daniel Bobb of Hereford Township wrote his last will and testament on Saturday, 26 May 1827 and it was proven on Tuesday, 19 March 1833 in Berks County.¹

It read:

In the name of God, Amen—

I Daniel Bob Senior of Hereford Township in the County of Berks and State of Pennsylvania, Miller, being advanced in years though in perfect health of body, and of sound mind memory and understanding, but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life, do make and publish this my last will and testament, in manner & form following, to wit:

First, it is my will that all my just debts and funeral expence by duly paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently can be after my decease.

Item, it is my will and I do order and direct that my son Daniel his heirs Executors or administrators, shall, in pursuance of Articles of agreement between us now in the hands of Joseph M. Thompson, dated the 12th day of December AD 1826 — and of a special bond, or bond of maintenance given me by my said son Daniel dated in April 1827; give and render unto my beloved wife Catharine, as follows, that is to say — first, the full & absolute possession of the dwelling house wherein I now reside, and the garden thereto belonging, he shall deliver so much manure into said Garden, and at such times as my wife shall order and direct, and shall keep said garden fence in repair, he shall find my said wife so much fuel as she may request, cut small, suitable for the stove, and deliver the same to her door, or into her house, as she my order, and shall keep the fountain pump at said house in repair. He shall deliver my said wife yearly & every year, ten bushels of merchantable wheat, twelve bushels of Rye, ten bushels buckwheat & six bushels of Indian corn, to be ready ground & delivered into her house as such times and in such quantities as my said wife shall order. He shall also deliver to such place as my said wife shall direct, six bushels of good potatoes, six bushels of winter apples, of her choice, on the premises of my said son Daniel; also apples for drying & for her own summer use. Also to barrels of cider, one swine well fattened & to weigh two hundred pounds or upwards, killed & nicely cleaned, seventy five pounds weight of good beef, ten pounds & well hatcheled flax, eight pounds of good [?], six pounds of good clean wool, & two [?] bushels of salt; and shall keep number and provide for my said wife an half dozen hens, and an equal number & year, to kill if she sees proper. He shall feed in winter and pasture in summer for my said wife, one cow, in the same manner as his own are fed & pastured. All and singular the aforesaid provisions for my said wife , shall however, cease I determine so soon as she shall cease to be my widow, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, —

Item I do give & devise unto my said wife Catharine, further, all my household & kitchen furnature; bedding linnen &c. included, one cow of her choice, of my stock of cattle; twenty five pounds of lawfull money of Pennsylvania, to be paid to her by my executors soon after my decease;d and the interest of six hundred pounds (which sum I do hereby order & direct my executors hereinafter named to place, or let remain on interest for that purpose) yearly & every year during her lifetime. And further it is my will and I do order and direct, that in case my said wife should become helpless, or not able to do her own work; that then and in that case my Executors shall find, and, out of my estate, pay, a maid to do the work for & wait, on, my said wife. —

After the decease of my said wife it is my will, that, her movables, if there by any, shall be equally divided among my six children, hereinafter named. —

And as touching all the rest and residue of my estate, not otherwise disposed of, as also (after the decease of my said wife Catharine) the six hundred pounds, which I have ordered to be put on interest for my said wife, I do give and devise to same to my six children, viz. Elizabeth intermarried with Isaac Kummerer, John, Daniel, Mary intermarried with John Beitler, Catharine intermarried with Samuel Reidnower and Sarah intermarried with John Landis, share and share alike — The several sums of money or other things with which I have charged my children, or of which I have kept a memmorandum, shall be taken into account, in making distribution of my estate, among my said children; but no interest shall be charged to my said children, on my book account, or bonds, notes &c. that I may have against any of them. —

And whereas my son in law Samuel Reidnower has become an intemperate drinker, and does not treat my said daughter Catharine as an affectionate husband aught to do, therefore it is my will I do order and direct, that so much of my estate as would in pursuance of this my will fall to my daughter Catharine, shall be placed, or remain in the hands of my son Daniel, his executors or administrators, in trust for my said daughter Catharine, who shall if he or they can put the same to interest, and pay the said interest, yearly to my said daughter Catharine, and I do hereby further authorize my said son Daniel, his executors or administrators, as trustees of my said daughter Catharine to pay here from time to time such sum or sums, of the principle in his or their hands, as he or they shall in their discretion, think, she may stand in need of or her circumstances may require —

In case my said daughter should become a widow, the said trustee or trustees, shall forthwith, pay my said daughter Catharine, the ballance of her portion, in their hands, in full, but is she should no become a widow, the said trustee or trustees shall at her decease pay the ballance in their hands, to the legal heirs or representatives of my said daughter Catharine — The foregoing shall not be so construed as to make my son Daniel pay interest on my said daughters money, unless he can put it out to interest

And lastly I do nominate constitute and appoint my said son Daniel & my son in law Isaac Kummerer, to be executors of this my will, hereby revoking all others wills legacies & bequests by me heretofore made, and declaring this and no other, to be my last Will & Testament — In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 26 day of May in the year of Our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and twenty seven.
Daniel Bob {seal}
Signed Sealed & declared by the said testator as his last will & testament in the presence of us
Henry Eshbach
Elijah Eshbach

Berks County Ss —On the 19th day of March AD 1835 Then appeared Henry Eshbach and Elijah Eshbach and being duly sworn according to law, did depose and say that they were present and saw and heard the Testator sign, seal, publish, pronounce and de- this instrument of writing as and for his last Will and Testament and that at the time of the doing thereof he was of sound mind memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge, observation & belief.
Jer. Snyder Dept Reg’r

Letters Testamentary in Common form were granted to Daniel Bob & Isaac Kummerer

Daniel Bobb Sr.’s 1833 last will & testament

Daniel Bobb Sr. was buried in Hill Church Union Cemetery in Boyertown, Berks County, Pennsylvania.² Daniel named his wife Catharine and six children in his will.

Elizabeth Bobb was born 23 Mar 1776 and died 30 Jun 1850.³ She married Isaac Kummerer. He was born 27 October 1769 and died 16 April 1838.⁴
John Bobb was born about 1766-1784.
Daniel Bobb Jr. was born 26 July 1780 and died 27 June 1866.⁵ Daniel married Anna Margaret Herb, daughter of Abraham and Anna Sibilla (Fuchs) Herb, on 7 July 1805 in Oley Hills, Berks County.⁶ She was born 1 Jan 1783 and died 21 December 1865.⁷
Mary Bobb was born before 1790. She married John Beitler.
Catharina Bobb was born 6 Oct 1790 and died 9 July 1867. She married Samuel Reitenauer.
Sarah Bobb was born between 1795 and 1800. She married John Landis.⁸

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 twentieth 52 Ancestors post and part of week thirty-three.

Tag: 52 Ancestors

Martha Bartleson