Tag: Census

The Rupert Family of Armstrong County Who Were They and How Am I Related to Them?

Kris Hocker on 23 Apr 2018

In going through my DNA matches I occasionally come across clusters of shared matches (matches who all seem to match each other). Sometimes I know how I am related to them, sometimes I’m able to tie them to a brick wall ancestor—as with Catharina (Nuss) Schneider, but more often I’m left with a bunch of “relatives” with no clue as to how we’re related.

Such is the situation I’ve found myself in with a cluster of matches who are all descended from the Rupert family of Armstrong County. Of the 25 or so in the cluster, about nine of them also match several of my known Hoover relatives. Christian and Caroline (Kinnard) Hoover were both born in Armstrong County, so this makes sense. But I’ve traced the Hoover line back to the immigrant Michael Huber and I’ve found nary a hint of a connection to the Rupert family.

What I have found is my Hoovers (and Thomas’ and Kinnards) living in close proximity to the Ruperts. Take the 1800 federal census enumeration for Buffalo Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, for instance.

1800 census for Buffalo, Armstrong, PA

1800 census for Buffalo, Armstrong, PA (click image to enlarge)

George and Christian Hoover are enumerated just above Peter Rupert.1 In 1810, George Hoover is listed fourteen lines after Peter Rupert Sr. and four lines before Peter Rupert Jr.2 Christian Hoover is enumerated with Catharine Rupert, Henry Rupert, George Rupert, Frederick Rupert, and John Rupert on the following page.3

1810 census for Kittanning, Armstrong, PA

1810 census for Kittanning, Armstrong, PA (click image to enlarge)

The 1820 census is listed in alphabetical order, so it will tell us nothing about locational proximity, but in the 1830 census the Hoovers are near the beginning of Plum Creek Township’s list and the Ruperts near the end.4 Philip Hoover and Thomas Kinnard—Christian and Caroline (Kinnard) Hoover’s parents—are living near Charles Rupert, Philip Rupert, George Rupert Sr. and Peter Rupert in 1840.5 This trend continues in the following years for several of my Armstrong County families—Hoover, Kinnard, and Thomas.

So, who were these Ruperts? Is there a connection that can be traced backwards from Armstrong County to earlier locations?

The Ruperts

The Rupert family is fairly well documented online. The Armstrong County branches are actually descended from two Rupert men—Heinrich Peter Rupert and George Carl Rupert—who arrived in Philadelphia on 2 October 1749 aboard the ship Jacob. They both married and settled in Northampton County, Pennsylvania.

Henry and George Rupert signatures

Henry and George Rupert signatures from ship Jacob (list C)

Each man had a son named Peter—Henry in 1755 and George in 1768. Peter (1755) married George’s daughter Elizabeth and Peter (1768) married Henry’s daughter Catharina. These two families both left Northampton County and immigrated to Armstrong County—first Peter and Elizabeth, then Peter and Catharina years later.

What’s the Connection?

My Hoovers came to Armstrong County via Westmoreland, Somerset and Dauphin counties, the Thomas family by way of Lancaster and Westmoreland counties, and the Kinnards by way of Philadelphia and Westmoreland counties. There doesn’t appear to have been a connection between these families, not in migration paths, nor in a pattern of interfamily marriage.

The DNA matches for whom I’ve been able to build trees can all be traced back to Peter (1755) and his wife Elizabeth through their children: Peter (1779), George (1780), Frederick (1784), Elizabeth (1785), and Jacob (1795). According to Ancestry’s estimates, these descendants match me in the 4th-6th and 5th-8th cousin ranges—so 5 to 9 generations back. Assuming, of course, that these estimates are correct and the DNA segments weren’t really passed along even further back.

The matching segments I share with these relatives range from 7.3 centimorgans to 34 centimorgans. Researchers estimate that about 40% of segments measuring 20 centimorgans date back nine generations.6

Unfortunately, cousin marriages abound in the early American Rupert generations. This elevates the likelihood that the DNA we all share is higher than usual for our actual relationship and the connection is further back than the estimated 6-10 generations.

George and Eva Elisabetha (___) Hoover and Garret and Maria Magdalena (___) Thomas were my 6G grandparents—eight generations back. Thomas and Maria (Fisher) Kinnard were my 4G grandparents—six generations back. If the connection is back eight generations or more I may not be able to find it. It is likely that it may not even be here in the United States.

Genetic genealogy can be very beneficial in confirming your research and aiding in identifying new areas of research. But sometimes, I’ll admit, it can be extremely frustrating, too.

Say What? Census Husband Swapping

Kris Hocker on 29 Jan 2018

Peter and Nancy (Weltmer) Hocker were married 29 March 1828 at Bindangle Church in Londonderry Township, Dauphin County. They ultimately settled in Upper Paxton Township and raised a family of nine children. Two of their sons—Peter Jr. And Martin—eventually left Pennsylvania, staying for a time in Wayne County, Ohio, before finally settling in Polk County, Missouri.

On 26 March 1854, Peter Jr. married Emeline Bogner in Dauphin County. 1 They had three children there before heading west. In June 1860, the family was living in Wooster Township, Wayne County.2

1860 Peter Hocker census record

1860 Peter Hocker census record

Martin Hocker married Julianna Best in Wayne County, Ohio on 20 December 1860.3 Like his brother, he was living in Wooster Township in 1860.4 Right next door to the Best family.5

1860 Martin Hocker census record

1860 Martin Hocker & Julia Best census record

By June 1870, after a brief stop back in Pennsylvania, both families were living in Greene Township, Polk County, Missouri.6 However, a funny thing happened during the census enumeration.

1870 Peter & Martin Hocker census record

1870 Peter & Martin Hocker census record

Did you catch it? The census enumerator put the wrong man as head of each household. If you ignore the given names of each, the facts are correct—age, wife’s name, children, etc.—but the brother’s names were attributed to the wrong household.

The 1880 census enumeration has each of the brothers attributed to the correct household. Martin7 and Peter8 were both living in Jefferson Township, Polk County, and were enumerated one household apart.

1880 Martin Hocker census record

1880 Martin Hocker census record

1880 Peter Hocker census record

1880 Peter Hocker census record

This sort of error is why we don’t rely on any one record to “prove” a fact, but instead locate, examine and assess as many records as we can for an individual over the course of their lifetime. Any one record may, in fact, be incorrect (or partially incorrect). When taken within context of the document record those errors can be easier to see.

Martin Hocker and Julianna Best had children:

  1. Henry D. Hocker was born 6 October 1862, Wayne County, Ohio and died 22 August 1922 in Bolivar, Polk County, Missouri. He married Jane L. Morris, Rosa A. Harris, and Lizzie Harris Lemmon.
  2. John Martin Hocker born September 1867 in Pennsylvania and died in California between 1916 and 1920. He married Mary Ella Russell 14 August 1898 in Polk County, Missouri.

Peter Hocker and Emeline Bogner had children:

  1. Sarah “Sadie” Matilda Hocker was born March 1855 and died between 1900-1910 in Bolivar. She married William Henry Shipley 5 February 1891 in Polk County, Missouri.
  2. Martin August Hocker was born 2 May 1856 and died 11 February 1902 in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri. He married Mrs. Emma (__) Haguewood 15 July 1883 in Bolivar.
  3. Elizabeth Leona Hocker was born 6 September 1859 and died 10 November 1888. She married William Moses Vest on 11 May 1876.
  4. Steven Earnest Hocker was born 25 December 1861 and died 8 October 1962 in Los Angeles, California. He married Laura Belle Jump 12 October 1891.
  5. Clara Jane “Chad” Hocker was born 10 August 1867 and died 8 December 1932 in Chelsea, Oklahoma. She married Reuben Charles Goff 24 September 1885 in Nevada, Missouri.
  6. Emma Margaret Hocker was born 28 September 1868 in Huron, Missouri and died 11 July 1930 in Bolivar. She married James Thomas Henson 27 April 1886.
  7. Martha Nancy Hocker was born 9 June 1871 and died 6 April 1956 in Batesville, Arkansas. She married Frank Meachum (or Mitchum).
  8. Mary Catherine Hocker was born 25 June 1873 and died 12 August 1917. She married Samuel H. Wilson 19 August 1894.
  9. Lewis Peter Hocker was born 22 February 1876 and died 14 January 1917. He married Chloe Grace Tateum on 4 September 1897.
  10. Lily Ann Hocker was born 18 September 1878 and died 17 November 1899 in Bolivar.

Old Fashioned Census Research

Kris Hocker on 11 Oct 2017

Old Fashioned Census Research

My pre-computer notes from the 1830 census microfilm

“Back in the day” before images were available online, researching census records meant a trip to the local NARA office or genealogical society to scroll through microfilm images. To make a copy to take home, you had to print from the microfilm image or copy the information by hand.

I have binders full of pages like this for families I’m researching. All headed for the shredder and recycling now…

Henry Schneider (1792-1860) In Search of His Family

Kris Hocker on 14 Oct 2015

Based on research that I wrote about in Joseph Snyder (1826-1895)—Who’s Your Daddy?, The Greulich Farm, and Part II: The Greulich Farm, I’ve determined that Heinrich Snyder was the father of Joseph Snyder, my 3x great grandfather. Henry died intestate, but deed records state directly that Henry was the father of Joel, Joseph, Lucianna, and Sophia.1 The farm research also showed that Henry’s wife Sarah was the daughter of Godfrey and Eva Wissler.2

But who were Henry’s parents?

Henry Snyder was enumerated in Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in the 18303 and 18404 census. The only other Snyder head of household I found in Upper Hanover in those census records was Catharine Snyder in 1830.5 Her household was comprised of:

  • 1 male, 10-15 (b. ca 1815-1820)
  • 1 female, 15-20 (b. ca 1810-1815)
  • 1 female, 30-40 (b. ca 1790-1800)
  • 1 female, 50-60 (b. ca 1770-1780)

Since Henry was born in 1792, it’s possible that Catharine Snyder was his mother and the others his siblings—if Catharine was born in the early 1770s.

Henry’s eldest child (that I know of), Joel, was born in 1823. It’s therefore possible that Henry, aged 28, was living with his parents in 1820. Were there any Snyder families in Upper Hanover in 1820?

Yes. There were Adam Snyder6, Jacob Snyder7, and Peter Snyder.8 The only household with a member in the 26-44 age group is Adam, but that individual is the eldest male, indicating that it’s likely Adam himself. So, I did not find a likely candidate in a Snyder household for Henry in Upper Hanover in 1820.

However, Henry was most likely in Upper Hanover Township or the general area by 1814. A Henry and Elizabeth Schneider took communion at New Goshenhoppen Reformed Church on Easter Sunday, 10 April 1814.9 They also attended services on the 1st and 2nd of April in 1815. Additionally, Jacob Schneider, aged 17, Catharine Schneider, aged 16, and Sara Wisler, aged 15 1/2 were confirmed on that weekend.10 Sara Wisler, of course, was Henry’s future wife.

Do Jacob (about 22) and/or Catharine (about 21) fit as members of Adam, Jacob, or Peter’s households in 1820? Let’s look closely at each.

Adam Snyder:

  • 1 male, <10
  • 1 male, 10-16
  • 1 male 26-45 [Adam]
  • 3 female, <10
  • 1 female, 10-16
  • 1 female, 26-45 [Adam’s wife]

Jacob Snyder:

  • 1 male, <10
  • 2 males, 10-16
  • 1 male 16-18
  • 2 males, 16-26
  • 1 male, 45+ [Jacob]
  • 1 female, <10
  • 2 females, 16-26
  • 1 female, 45+ [Jacob’s wife]

Peter Snyder:

  • 1 male 16-26 [Peter]
  • 1 female, <10
  • 1 female, 16-26 [Peter’s wife]

Both Jacob—as one of the males aged 16-26—and Catharine—as one of the females aged 16-26—fit nicely into Jacob Snyder’s household based on this census.11 There aren’t any members of Adam or Peter’s households that match in age, except Adam, Peter and their wives. While that might work for Catharine—if she married a Snyder, it definitely doesn’t for Jacob.

What about previous census enumerations? In 1810 there are two Jacob Schneider households in Upper Hanover, but only one matches the 1820 household.

Jacob Schneider:12

  • 4 males, <10
  • 1 male, 10-15
  • 1 male 16-25
  • 1 male, 45+ [Jacob]
  • 1 female, <10
  • 1 female, 10-15
  • 1 female, 26-45 [Jacob’s wife]

Jacob would have been about 12 years old in 1810 and Catharine about 11. Again, both fit—both Jacob and Catharine in the 10-15 age group. Henry would have been about 18 years old—and there is a male in Jacob’s household, aged 16-25, who fits him, too.

Jacob can also be found in Upper Hanover in 1800.13

  • 3 males, <10
  • 1 male, 26-44 [Jacob]
  • 2 females, <10
  • 1 female, 45+ [Jacob’s wife]

Once again, Henry (aged 8), Jacob (aged 2), and Catharine (aged 1) would all fit as members of this household.

Godfrey Wissler is found in Upper Hanover Township starting in 1790 when he purchased land through 1829 when his estate was probated. So we know his daughter, born in 1799, lived in the township her whole life. Given these census records, it’s possible that Henry did, too.

So, what does this mean? Does it prove that Jacob was Henry’s father and Catharine his mother?

No. The census records are suggestive of a possible relationship, but do not prove one. This is one of the difficulties with working with census records. Even if the record names all of the household members, it wasn’t until 1880 that each person’s relationship to the head of household was noted in the enumeration.

In this case, working with pre-1850 census records, only the head of household is named. We need to guesstimate who the household members could have been using the number of people in each age range. When we don’t know who the members of the family were, this means we have a number of holes to fill in.

Check back to see what I can find.

Geographic Center of US Population

Kris Hocker on 24 Jun 2014

The Census Bureau has created an interactive map that shows the geographic center of United States population as of each census, starting in 1790, through the last census (2010). The map also visually demonstrates the addition of states through the census years.

As you can see from the map, the American population has shifted west and the south over the past 120 years. This reflects the sweep of the American population to the frontier, pushing it onward as it was settled and new lands opened up.

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: James Benjamin Houdeshell (1842—1926)

Kris Hocker on 18 Jan 2014

James Benjamin Houdeshell

I’ve heard family stories about an ancestor who fought on both sides during the Civil War, but I didn’t really believe it. Two brothers fighting on opposite sides? Yeah, okay. But one man fighting for both sides over the course of the war? Seemed a little far-fetched.

James Benjamin Houdeshell

Benjamin and Phoebe (Mayes) Houdeshell

Wars are always justified as necessary to stand-up for our principals or our rights, or to fight evil, or protect the mother land. But it seems to me that when it came to joining up during the Civil War to fight for one side or the other, the reasoning was black or white. You either believed in the Rebel cause or you believed in the Union and the destruction of slavery. So, it doesn’t seem probable that one person would enlist in both armies—by choice—between 1861 and 1865.

And, yet, I think that’s exactly what Benjamin Houdeshell did.

According to Benjamin’s death certificate, he was born 13 March 1842 in Maryland and died 20 March 1926 in Rush Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania. He was 84 years old. His full name was James Benjamin Houdeshell.1 His obituary read:

Recent Deaths: Houdeshell – Benjamin Houdeshell, Civil War Veteran, father of John Houdeshell, of Curtin, and well known resident of the Philipsburg community, passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Thomas Passell, Saturday morning [20 March]. He had been in failing health for the past four years, death being due to infirmities of age. The funeral service was held Tuesday afternoon; internment in the Philipsburg Cemetery. Deceased, is a son of Adam and Mary Houdeshell, was born at Westmoreland, Virginia, on March 13, 1842, making his age 84 years and 7 days. He enlisted as a Private in Company I, Thirteenth Regiment of Maryland Infantry, February 24, 1865, and was mustered out at the close of the War. He was a woodsman and farmer, and for twenty years or longer has been residing in the Philipsburg region. The wife of the deceased was Pheobe Mayes, who died five years ago last August. Twelve children were born to the marriage. The surviving sons and daughters are: John, of Curtin; Mrs. Jacob Webb, of Windber; George, of Surveyor Run; Frank and Jacob, of Kato; Mrs. Thomas Passell, of North Philipsburg; Mrs. Daniel DeHaas, of Julian, and Mrs. Nora Blake and Mrs. Ernest Vinton, of Philipsburg.2

The military pension index card for “Benjamin Houdeshell” lists his death date as 20 March 1926 and place of death as Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania.3 So, it matches my 3x great grandfather’s death certificate. It also states that he served as a private in the 13th Regiment, Company I of the Maryland Infantry, mustering in on 24 February 1865 and out on 29 May 1865.

Benjamin Houdeshell Military Pension Index Card

Benjamin Houdeshell’s Military Pension Index Card

Fortunately, additional records for Maryland Civil War Soldiers are online at Fold3.com. Benjamin’s record for Company I, 13th Regiment includes his volunteer enlistment. He enlisted at Frederick, Maryland on 24 February 1865, stating that he was 19 years old, born in Hardy County, Virginia, and a laborer.4 The record also states that he was 5′ 6″ tall and had grey eyes, light hair and a fair complexion.

Benjamin Houdeshell Civil War Volunteer Enlistment

Benjamin Houdeshell’s Civil War Volunteer Enlistment

Neither the description nor his age on this record matches other information I have regarding Benjamin. Born in 1842, he would have been 22 years old, nearly 23, in February 1865. And the one photo I have of him shows him with dark hair. However, based on the information in his obituary and pension index card, this is the record of enlistment for my great great great grandfather.

So, there’s his Union service. What about his Confederate service?

The enlistment record states that he was born in Hardy County, Virginia. Census records for 1860 show Benjamin Houdeshell, aged 18, living in the household of Adam Howyshell (his father per his obituary) in District No. 1, Hardy County.5

1860 Adam Howdyshell

1860 US Census for Adam Howdyshell’s family

The household included:

  • Adam Howdyshell, aged 69, Farmer, born in Virginia
  • Mary “, aged 64, born Virginia
  • John Wm “, aged 28, born Virginia
  • George W. “, aged 21, born Virginia
  • Benjamin “, aged 18, born Virginia

On the next page are the households of:6

  • Adam Howdyshell Jr., age 40, Laborer, born in Virginia
  • Mary “, age 42, born in Virginia
  • Daniel “, age 13, born in Virginia
  • Sarah C. ” , age 11, born in Virginia
  • John W. “, age 8, born in Virginia
  • William E. “, age 5, born in Virginia
  • Daniel Howdyshell, age 37, Laborer, born in Virginia
  • Jane “, age 24, born in Virginia
  • Elizabeth “, age 7, born in Virginia
  • Benjamin “, aged 5, born in Virginia
  • Joseph “, aged 3, born in Virginia
  • Virginia “, aged 1, born in Virginia
  • Isaac Howdyshell, aged 23, Laborer, born in Virginia
  • Dorothy “, aged 58, born in Virginia

Adam’s household in 1850 included:7

  • Adam Howdyshell, aged 63, Farmer, born Virginia
  • Mary “, aged 49, born Virginia
  • John W., aged 18, Laborer, born Virginia
  • Isaac, aged 14, born Virginia
  • Westfall, aged 10, born Virginia
  • Benjamin, aged 7, born Virginia

A search of the Confederate Civil War Soldiers on Fold3.com turns up records for the 14th Regiment, Virginia Militia for Adam Howdyshell Jr., J. Benjamin Howdyshell and Westfall Howdyshell.

Adam Howdyshell Jr Enlistment J Benjamin Howdyshell Enlistment Westfall Howdyshell Enlistment

All three men enlisted on 17 September 1861 in Wardensville, Hardy County, Virginia. The names, approximate ages, and place of enlistment seems to indicate that these three men may very well have been the sons of Adam Howdyshell of Hardy County. They enlisted for the period of six months and it’s entirely possible that is all they served.

If, in fact, they are Adam’s sons (and it seems likely), then my great great grandfather, James Benjamin Houdeshell, served in both the Confederate and Union armies during the Civil War.

Why would he do that?

First, I have to think that he did not have any great convictions regarding slavery. Based on the 1860 census, the Houdeshells were not wealthy land-owners and, as far as I can tell, not slave-owners either. Adam’s real estate was worth $1,000 and he did not list any personal estate. I searched the slave schedules for Hardy County in 1860. It did not include the 1st district. Whether this was because there were no slave-owners there or it has been lost, I do not know. However, the county supposedly has a “rich African American history, with many free African Americans living there before the Civil War.”8

Additionally, he may have been a member of the militia prior to the war, serving as a home guard. The militia was ordered into service with the Confederate Army on 10 September 1861 by the governor of Virginia. The 14th “played a roll in Jackson’s January 1862 Romney campaign after which the 14th was assigned to the ‘region of their homes’.”9 That may be how he came to serve in the Confederate forces, rather than a voluntary enlistment.

On 6 November 1864, Benjamin married Phoebe Mayes of Snow Shoe Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania.10 That’s nearly four months before he enlisted in the Maryland Infantry on 24 February 1865. It’s possible he enlisted because he needed the money to support his family. I don’t imagine that there were that many jobs available during the winter in the mountains of Centre County. The government bounty—for which the record indicates he was eligible—might have been tempting to a young man in his position.

I don’t know what happened to Benjamin between his enlistment in September 1861 in the Confederate Army and his marriage in November 1864 to a Pennsylvanian girl. So, it’s hard to say with any certainty why he enlisted twice—in two opposing armies. But I bet it’s an interesting story.

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 second post for 52 Ancestors and is part of week three.

Friday Find: Benjamin W. Hocker’s 1920 Census Entry

Kris Hocker on 4 Oct 2013

Last week I posted a photo of Levi F. Hocker from his days in the Pennsylvania cavalry during the Civil War and mentioned that his brother Benjamin W. Hocker had supported his injury claim in his request for a pension in 1892. Going through the records I have on Benjamin W. Hocker, I realized that I’m missing a couple of census records—amongst other records—for him, including the 1900 and 1920 census enumerations. Fortunately, I was able to locate one of those records.

In 1880, Benjamin and his wife Margaret were living in Middlesex Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.1 This household included:

  • Benjamin W. Hocker, age 33, Farmer
  • Margaret Hocker, age 32, wife, Keeping house
  • Minnie S. Hocker, age 11, daughter
  • Adam S. Hocker, age 9, son
  • Lora L. Hocker, age 7, daughter
  • Helen A. Hocker, age 3, daughter
  • Frank Hocker, age 6 months (born Feb), son
  • Adam Hocker, age 77, father

I haven’t found Benjamin in 1900, but his wife Margaret and three of their children—Mary [Minnie] S., Helen A., and Morris G.—were living with her brother Frank Beltzhoover in Carlisle.2 In 1905, Benjamin received a patent for 160 acres in Berlin, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma and he can be found living there in 1910, working as a stock trader.3 He allegedly died in Berlin in 1925, but I did not find him there in the 1920 census.

Another check of the Bureau of Land Management records showed that Benjamin received a patent for 480 acres of land in Brown County, Nebraska on 13 April 1914.4 The land was located in the “south half of the southeast quarter of Section twenty-two, the east half of Section twenty-seven, and the west half of the southwest quarter of Section twenty-six in Township twenty-five north of Range twenty-two west of the Sixth Principal Meridian, Nebraska.” I looked at a map for the county and, based on the BLM’s plat map, determined that this land was likely in Chester or Calamus townships. Scrolling through the 1920 census for these precincts yielded a successful result:

Benjamin Hocker 1920 census entry

Click to enlarge

B.W. Hocker is listed as a 73 year-old rancher on line 84. He was born in Pennsylvania, owned his own home, and was widowed.5 His youngest son was living in nearby Blaine County, Nebraska in 19106 and 1920.7

Still looking for his 1900 census record. I’ve located his wife and all his children and he’s not with any of them. I haven’t found him through any of the census indices, so who knows how his name is indexed—if it is. I guess I need to locate all his siblings in 1900. He didn’t receive his land in Oklahoma until 1905, so it’s possible he’s still in Pennsylvania in 1900.

Not So Wordless Wednesday: Adam Hacker, 1810 Census

Kris Hocker on 19 Sep 2012

Adam Hocker 1810 Census

Adam Hocker 1810 Census There’s something so ironic about Adam Hocker’s 1810 census enumeration from Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. If I’m identifying the people correctly, the Christopher Ernst listed just after him is a relation by marriage to my Hoover ancestors who’d lived in Derry Township about 50 years earlier.

Christopher Ernst was the son of Johan Wilhelm and Eva Catharina (Bach) Ernst, formerly of Cocalico Township, the same place Adam was born. After Wilhelm’s death in 1750, Eva Catharina (Bach) Ernst married Michael Huber of Derry Township. They lived in Derry Township in the late 1750s, early 1760s, about the same time as my presumed ancestor Michael Huber (no known relation).

Christopher Ernst’s sisters Elizabeth and Catharina married Hoover brothers Jacob and Casper, sons of my presumed ancestor Michael Huber. Their older brother was George Hoover, of  Dauphin, Bedford, Westmoreland and finally Armstrong counties. Several of George’s daughters were born in Derry Township in the early 1760s. I believe I’m descended through George’s great grandson Christian Hoover.

The two families weren’t united in my ancestry until 1941 and yet this census shows two members of the families living in close proximity—if not next door to each other—in 1810, 130 years earlier!

Filling the Gaps Between Censuses

Kris Hocker on 15 Sep 2012

Census records are an invaluable source of information for family historians and genealogists. They are a go-to, record-of-choice for me when I start new research. However, they only occur every ten years. That leaves a lot of time uncovered. Even if you’re lucky and your research location includes state census records, there are still going to holes that need to be filled somehow.

Enter tax records. Everyone hates that tax man—our ancestors, too, I’m sure—but tax records can help to fill in the gaps between census enumerations.

In the Census

Take for instance, the example of my Hocker relatives in Cocalico Township. The census records for Cocalico Township for 1800 through 1820 include the following Hockers:

  • 1800
    • Frederick Hocker
  • 1810
    • Frederick Hocker
    • John Hauker
    • George Hocker
  • 1820
    • John Hocker
    • Jacob Houker

In Tax Records

The tax lists from Cocalico Township fill in the years between the census and provide glimpses of additional Hocker men. The Hockers listed in the township include:

  • 1800
    • Frederick Hocker
    • George Hocker
  • 1801
    • Frederick & George Hocker
  • 1802
    • Frederick & George Hocker
  • 1803
    • Frederick & George Hocker
    • Jacob Hocker
  • 1805
    • Jacob Hacker
    • Frederick Hocker
    • George Hocker
    • John Hocker
  • 1806
    • George Hocker
    • John Hocker
    • Frederick Hocker
  • 1807
    • Frederick Hocker
    • George Hocker
    • George Hocker
    • John Hocker
  • 1808
    • George Hocker
    • Frederick Hocker
    • John Hocker
  • 1809
    • Frederick Hocker
    • John Hocker
    • George Haker, inmate*
  • 1810
    • Frederick Hocker
    • John Hocker
    • George Hocker, inmate
    • George Hocker, inmate
  • 1811
    • John Hocker
    • Frederick Hocker
    • George Hocker
    • George Hocker Jr.
  • 1812
    • John Hocker
    • Frederick Hocker
    • George Hocker
    • George Hocker, inmate
  • 1813
    • John Hocker
    • George Hocker
    • George Hocker (crossed out)
    • Jacob Hocker, freeman*
  • 1814
    • John Hacker
  • 1816
    • Jacob Hocker
    • John Hocker
  • 1817
    • Jacob Hacker
    • John Hacker
  • 1818
    • Jacob Hacker
    • John Hacker
  • 1819
    • Jacob Hacker
    • John Hocker
  • 1820
    • John Hacker
Going through these listings you can see when men other than those named in the census records make an appearance. A Jacob Hocker first appears in the census in 1820. But the name appears in the tax records in 1803 and 1805, then disappears until 1813 when it appears on the tax lists as a freeman.

Do these records refer to the same man? Probably not. First, there’s the separation of 10 years between the appearances. Secondly, the first Jacob was a married land owner—the records indicate he owned 100 ares, while the second was an unmarried man.

Conclusions

Correlating these records with others—church records (birth, baptism, confirmation, communion, marriage and death), estate files and wills, deeds, etc.—will flesh out the story even more. Putting it all together, I can conclude that Frederick and George were probably brothers—sons of Johan Adam Hacker. Their youngest brother Jacob purchased about 100 acres in 1803, then sold it to Frederick in the spring of 1806. Jacob and his wife Elizabeth likely moved across the river to York County around this time.

Frederick’s eldest son John came of age about 1802 and likely married by 1804. He appears in tax records starting in 1805. His next oldest son George appears in the 1810 tax record, but I don’t know if  it’s him or his uncle in the 1810 census. Without the tax record, I wouldn’t have even known there were two men named George in Cocalico Township in 1810—and may have attributed children to one or the other that didn’t belong to them.

Frederick Hacker died in 1812. John refused his father’s property. His younger brother George accepted it, but didn’t—or was unable to—keep it. George sold the property in 1813. Meanwhile, their younger brother Jacob, who’d come of age in 1812, was listed in the 1813 tax list as a freeman.

Uncle George, who disappears from the tax record about this time, too, starts appearing in Church records in Schaefferstown (just to the north) by 1815 and is included in the 1820 census for Lebanon Township.

Tax records can help to fill in the holes and provide clues on where and when to look for other documents. A change from being listed as freeman to not might tell you when a man got married. An appearance in the tax list might also tell you when and where to look for deed records. Tax records won’t tell you everything you want to know, but they can help you build the story and verify that you’ve got the right person in other records.

Have you found your ancestors in tax records? What did you learn about them?

* Inmate and freeman are terms used in Pennsylvania tax records. An inmate is not a prisoner or someone locked up. In this case, it is a married man who owns no land. A freeman is a single man. You’ll sometimes see “single man” as a heading in the records, too. All men in the tax records are at least 21 years of age.