Tag: Family Research

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.

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.

52 Ancestors: #1 Nora Melinda (Houdeshell) Hoover (1891-1965)

Kris Hocker on 11 Jan 2014

For some reason, I’ve been thinking about my great grandmother Nora (Houdeshell) Hoover a lot recently. I never had a chance to meet her, but from the few stories I’ve heard, I think I would have loved her. So, I thought I’d start my 52 Ancestors series writing about her.

Clyde & Nora (Houdeshell) Hoover

Clyde & Nora (Houdeshell) Hoover

Nora Melinda (Houdeshell) Hoover was the eldest daughter of George Westfall/Wesley Houdeshell and Lovina Caroline Force. She was born 25 October 1891 in Wooster, Cameron County, Pennsylvania.1 She died of an acute myocardial infarction, possibly brought on by complications of diabetes, on 11 May 1965 in Pine Glen, Burnside Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania and was buried 3 days later in the Advent Cemetery in Pine Glen.

Great grandma was one of 12 children, 10 surviving to adulthood. She grew up in rural Pennsylvania where her father worked as a lumberman and also supported his family by farming. According to family stories, when she was 16, her father told her she was to either get married or get a job. So, she took a job as a cook in a lumber camp. Apparently, that’s where she met my great grandfather, Clyde L. Hoover. They were married 16 April 1908 in Dubois, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania.2 He was 21 (nearly 22) and she was 16. Clyde and Nora were the parents of 12 children—seven sons and five daughters.

Nora was a believer in education. She ran a small library from her home in Pine Glen. Today, it probably would be the equivalent of a small personal collection, but it provided an opportunity for Pine Glen residents to experience the world of books. She also wanted her daughters to wait until they were 21 before marrying, probably so that they would have a chance to fully grow-up, get an education, and experience life a bit before settling down to raise their families. My grandmother was married a month after her 21st birthday.

During the war—World War II, I presume—she planted a pine tree for every Pine Glen boy who went off to war, including four of her sons. I wonder what she thought as she watched those trees grow.

Family stories also allege that great grandma had Indian blood. I think that story arose mainly because she had straight dark hair as I’ve found no reason to believe her ancestry was anything other than northern European. Perhaps, one day one of my Hoover or Houdeshell relatives will have a DNA test and we’ll get proof one way or the other.

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 post is part of week two.

Persistence Pays Off? Maybe. Maybe Not.

Kris Hocker on 13 Sep 2013

I wrote previously about finding information that Adam P. Hocker, son of George and Margaret (Prevost) Hocker of Buckingham County, Virginia, had served in the Company E of the 20th Virginia Infantry (Lee’s Guards) during the Civil War and died at the Battle of Rich Mountain. However, information I’ve recently located calls that into doubt.

The 1860 census indicates that Adam P. Hocker was a miller.1 This is fitting as I found an account, dated 8 May 1863, for the purchase of 180½ bushels of wheat by the Confederate Army in which “Mr. A.P. Hocker” was dissatisfied with the price of $487.35.2 A further note from 24 July 1863, signed by A.P. Hocker indicates that he received $812.25 for his wheat. On 19 January 1864, Adam appointed William Hocker as his attorney to receive any money due him from the Commissionary department of the Confederate States. So, during the war Adam was working as a miller and supplying wheat to the Confederate army.

Additionally, in looking up the members of Company E, 20th Virginia Infantry, the only name that looks close to “Hocker” was that of “E.T. Hocher.” E.T. signed up for 12 months service in Buckingham County on 20 May 1861 and appears on the muster roll for 30 June to 10 September 1861.3 The Battle of Rich Mountain occurred 11 July through 13 July 1861 in Randolph County, [West] Virginia.4 So, he likely would have been a participant at the battle.

I believe that “E.T. Hocher” may have been Edmund T. Hocker, son of George and Margaret (Prevost) Hocker and youngest brother of Adam P. Hocker. Ed reenlisted in the war on 9 February 1862 with Company H, 22nd Battalion of Virginia volunteers to serve the whole war.5  Subsequent records show him as Edmund T., Edward T. and E.T. Hocker. The muster rolls show him as serving through 1865 though he was injured 1 July 1863. Ed also survived the war, appearing in the 1880 census with the Nathan Payne family in the Slate River district in Buckingham County, Virginia.6 He died 23 December 1891.7

Adam’s brother, Amos H. Hocker, also served in Civil War. He enlisted on 7 February 1862 for one year as a private in Company K, 2nd Regiment Virginia Artillery.8 This regiment disbanded in May 1862. Amos then enlisted on 28 July 1862 for 6 months in Company C, 25th Battalion VA Infantry.9 He actually served through 1865. He was hospitalized for rheumatism from July to September in 1863. He also requested a 25-day furlough on 30 August 1864, but was present with his unit in November and December. He was apparently captured by the Union on 6 April 1865 in Nottoway County, Virginia—possibly at Sailor’s Creek when General Sheridan cut off nearly a quarter of the retreating Confederate Army—and sent to Point Lookout, Maryland. He was released on 13 June 1865.

So, it doesn’t look like Adam served in Company E of the 20th Virginia Infantry and didn’t die in the Battle of Rich Mountain. So, what happened to him?

The answer may lie in his brother Amos’ letter requesting a furlough in August 1864. Here’s what he wrote:

Camp 25 Va Batt

Chaffin’s Farm/30 Aug 1864

Col.

I respectfully ask a Furlough for Twenty-five Days under the following circumstances, to go to Buckingham County [?] my Father died during last year & willed me an amount in money, one third of which [I know not] between $5000 & $6000 I have already lost by reason of the act of Congress reducing the currency & my not being able to obtain a Furlough at the time to make an investment, one of my brothers has since died & left important business requiring my attention; the remnant of money left me was invested in Court Bonds, which the Shff informed me will now be paid & has avised [sic] to come & received the same I desire to make a permant [sic] investment of these funds which is the object of this application. I saw Genl. Ewell on yesterday & stated these facts to him who voluntary consented to approve Furlough for the time asked.

Very Respectfully

Yr Obs. Svt.

A.H. Hocker

Co. C 25 VA Batt

Did you see that? He wrote: “one of my brothers has since died…” Both of his younger brothers George W. and Edmund T. survived the war. Thus, Adam P. Hocker—his only other brother—died sometime shortly before 30 August 1864.

Persistence does pay off; but often it’s in unexpected ways.

Mystery Monday: In Search of My Hershey Family Connection

Kris Hocker on 9 Sep 2013

I’ve been focusing recently on some of my female ancestors for whom I have little or no information. With surnames like Leedy, Frantz, Landis and Hershey, these are well-established—and I would have thought—well-documented families. When it comes to my ancestors, not so much.

Take my 5x great grandmother Mary (Hershey) Hocker, for example. According to my information, “Sophia Maria Hershey” was born on 5 August 1769 and died sometime after her husband Johan Adam Hocker Jr. (died 1821), but before the final settlement of his estate on 1 April 1839.1 I’ve only seen her as “Mary Hocker” in documents, so I’m not sure about the name Sophia. I’ve been able to find out nothing about about her family.

About Adam and Mary

Although, I presume she and Adam were married prior to December 1787—their first child was born in August 1788—I do not have a marriage date or location for them. Adam was living in Harrisburg by that time.2 However, they could have met in Lancaster County before he left home.

Between their marriage and the late 1790s, Adam and Mary lived in Harrisburg.3 Adam was listed as a tavern owner, cordweiner, and tanner in tax lists during this period.4 They had five children before 1800: John, Anna Barbara, George, Jacob, and Benjamin.5

By 1797, the family had likely moved out of town to Derry Township as their fourth son Jacob was baptized on 12 February 1797 in Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hummelstown.6 Adam owned a farm near Hummelstown, along Swatara Creek. The couple had three more children while living in Derry Township: Johan Adam (III), Benjamin, and Elizabeth.7

Adam died in November 1821.8 In Dec 1821, Jacob Hocker was appointed guardian of his younger brothers, Adam and Benjamin.9 Adam’s estate was divvied up amongst his heirs with land in Derry Township going to sons John and Jacob, and land in Swatara Township going to sons George and Adam. John and Jacob eventually sold their piece to their youngest brother Benjamin before they left Pennsylvania for Ohio.10

Religion

Adam Hacker was a Lutheran. He was baptized in Emanuel Lutheran Church in Brickerville and was confirmed there in 1780.11 He was a deacon at Salem Lutheran Church in Harrisburg in 1790 and 1793. His connection to the Lutheran Church is consistent throughout his life.

I’m not certain about Mary’s religion. Her children were baptized Lutheran—Anna and George in Salem Lutheran in Harrisburg12 and Jacob in Zion Evangelical Lutheran in Hummelstown—and she was buried with her husband in the Lutheran church cemetery in Hummelstown. However, the early Hershey family were known to be Mennonites. Given her birth year of 1769, Mary would have been born to the first or second generation of Pennsylvanian Hersheys. It’s very likely that she grew up in a Mennonite household, assuming, of course, that her maiden name actually was Hershey.

Not all the Hersheys remained Mennonites. For instance, Johannes “John” B. Hershey was the son of a Mennonite minister, was himself a Mennonite minister, but left the faith to become an integral part of the United Brethren in Christ church. What’s particularly interesting about this is that Adam and Mary Hocker’s eldest son John left the Lutheran church—his two eldest children were baptized at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hummelstown13—and became a minister for the River Brethren (aka Brethren in Christ) in Randolph Township, Montgomery County, Ohio.14

While I don’t believe these are the same church, they both originated in the German spiritual revival of the late 1700s and the leaders of both were originally Mennonites.15 I wonder what led John Hocker to change religions. Obviously, he felt very strongly to not only leave the church he was raised in, but to become a minister in his new church, too. Perhaps, he was influenced by a member of his mother’s family? It’s certainly something to think about.

Conclusion

I’ve not been able to find a “Sophia Maria” or even an unidentified Mary in available Hershey family information. I don’t know that she actually was a Hershey since I have no source for Wingeard’s information.

If you have information on Mary’s parentage or insight into the Hershey family, please drop me a line. I’d love to hear what you have to say.

Update

Looking through my database, I found an interesting bit of information. John Hocker’s daughter, Christianna, married John Hershey, son of Jacob and Maria (Hertzler) Hershey, in Montgomery County, Ohio on 21 Oct 1852. John Hershey was a descendant of Jacob and Barbara (Hiestand) Hershey of Lancaster County and his parents Andrew and Maria (Acker) Hershey.

Persistence Pays Off

Kris Hocker on 30 May 2013

In working through my Hocker family research, I’ve eventually come to George Hocker of Slate River Mills and his family. George’s two eldest sons have provided me with more than their fair share of speculation and frustration.

The 1850 census for District 2, Buckingham County includes George and his family:1

George Hocker 1850 Virginia census
The household was comprised of:

  • George Hocker, 49, Male, Farmer, $13,000, b. Buckingham
  • Evalina Hocker, 35, Female, b. Buckingham
  • Adam Hocker, 26, Male, Miller, $25, b. Buckingham
  • Howel Hocker, 23, Male, Miller, $25, b. Buckingham
  • Amanda Hocker, 18, Female, b. Buckingham
  • George Hocker, 15, Male, None, b. Buckingham, attended school within the year
  • Edmund Hocker, 14, Male, b. Buckingham, attended school within the year
  • Margaret Hocker, 12, Female, b. Buckingham, attended school within the year
  • James Sudbury, 25, Male, Farmer, b. Buckingham, person over 20 years who cannot read or write

George Hocker 1860 census

In 1860, George and family and his son Adam are living in two adjoining households.2

  • Adam Hocker, 33, Male, Miller, $0, $4600, b. Virginia
  • George Hocker, 50, Male, Farmer, $15,000, $13,450, b. Virginia
  • Evaline T. Hocker, 45, Female, b. Virginia
  • George [W?] Hocker, 29, Male, Manager, b. Virginia
  • Edmund T. Hocker, 24, Male, b. Virginia
  • Margaret G. Hocker, 22, Female, b. Virginia

I haven’t been able to locate [Amos] Howell in the 1860 census. Since Adam’s age is more in line with Howell’s from the 1850, I’ve wondered if this is not Adam, but Howell, but census ages are notoriously inaccurate, so…

1870 Amos Howell Hocker census
In 1870, I’ve found Amos Howell Hocker. He was working as a farm manager in 1870 in Maysville, Buckingham County, Virginia.3 But I haven’t been able to locate Adam in 1870.

The 1850 census is the only record I’ve seen of there being two sons of George named Adam and Amos Howell. In my most frustrated moments, I’ve wondered if there really were actually two sons. Since I can’t find both of them in census records in the same year after 1850…

Well, I may have found my answer. Searching the web for random mentions of either, I hit upon “Buckingham County: The Battle of Rich Mountain” on the slate river ramblings… website. It quotes a speech supposedly prepared in 1884 in which the name “Adam Hocker” is listed amongst those Buckingham County men killed at the Battle of Rich Mountain on 11 Jul 1861.

Adam, an unmarried man in 1860, would have been likely to volunteer to fight a year later. If he died in 1861, that would explain why I’ve never found him in later census records.

Next steps: to prove that Adam joined Company E of the 20th Virginia Infantry (Lee’s Guards).

Irony in Genealogy

Kris Hocker on 13 May 2013

I suppose I shouldn’t by surprised by it. And yet…

When I started researching Mennonite families in Lancaster County, it wasn’t because I thought I was related to them. I started researching the Hoovers of Lancaster, hoping that I’d find some clue, some information, some connection that would lead me to more information on my ancestor George Hoover and his father Michael. I wound up researching the Hoovers’ neighbors, associates and friends to try to learn more about the Hoovers.

Along the way, I discovered that the people I was researching were Mennonites. Kind of a stretch to tie them to my Lutheran Hoover ancestors—at least in the immigrant generation. But by then, I’d invested so much time in the research, had started to build a sense of the community and connections between people, and… well, I was hooked. My ancestors may not have been members of this community, but, nonetheless, I was starting to feel connected to it.

Then I started to find some familiar surnames. However, I recognized these names from my Hacker/Hocker family research. Not too surprising, I guess. After all my Hockers did initially settle in Lancaster County. What was surprising was finding that these were Mennonite names. Landis. Hershey. Frantz.

So, this community that my ancestors didn’t belong to? These families that I wasn’t related to? They did belong and I am related. Just not in the manner I initially hoped.

Small world, huh?

Surname Saturday: Samuel Krehl Leedy

Kris Hocker on 20 Apr 2013

Once again it’s time for Surname Saturday. I’ve finished all my great great grandfathers, so it’s time to move back a generation This week I’m writing about my 3x great grandfather, Samuel Krehl Leedy, father of my 2x great grandmother Lillian Ainsley (Leedy) Hocker.

Samuel was born 30 October 1829, most likely in Buffalo Township, Perry County, Pennsylvania.1 He was the son of John and Catharine (Krehl) Leedy.2 Samuel died 19 March 1912 in Upper Mifflin Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania and was buried on the 22nd in Hill Cemetery near Buffalo, Perry County, Pennsylvania. He died of apoplexy. Samuel was a farmer.

About 1856, he married Sarah Parsons, presumably the daughter of Anthony and Catharine (Bowerman) Parsons, of Perry County. She was born in Feb 1833.3 I have death dates for her from 1926 through 1930, but nothing proven. She died sometime after the 1920 census enumeration where she was living with her daughter Grace and her husband William Hunt.4

Samuel and Sarah (Parsons) Leedy had children:

  1. Wilhelmina Leedy was born ca 1857 in Perry County. Minnie married Harry Delcamp and was living in Philadelphia in 1932 when her sister Mary (Leedy) Sheesley died.
  2. John Harbough Leedy was born 29 Oct 1858 in Perry County and died 2 Jun 1936. He married Emma Catharine Rouch on 17 Jan 1883.
  3. Kirk Leedy died Apr 1859 and was buried in Hill Cemetery.
  4. Lillian Ainsley Leedy was born 4 May 1861 in Perry County and died 20 Jan 1942 in Cumberland County. She married about 1881 Albert Curtin Hocker of Swatara Township, Dauphin County.
  5. Mary Leedy was born in Nov 1863 and died in 1932. She married Hiram Sheesley on 25 Feb 1886 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She died Saturday, 26 November 1932 in Fort Hunter, Pennsylvania.
  6. Grace Leedy was born 6 Oct 1865 in Perry County and died 6 Jun 1935 in Harrisburg. She married William Hunt on 27 Oct 1887 in Harrisburg.
  7. Samuel Kirk Leedy was born 20 Nov 1867 in Perry County and died 28 Jun 1946 in Roxbury, Pennsylvania. He married Mary (___).
  8. Ulysses S. Grant Leedy was born in 1871 in Perry County and died 14 May 1956 in Cumberland County. Grant married Mary C. (___) about 1905.
  9. Harry Leedy was born 28 Sep 1875 and died 2 Aug 1876. He is buried with Kirk Leedy in Hill Cemetery.