Tag: Family Research

Confederate History Month at Fold3

Kris Hocker on 13 Apr 2013

Fold3.com is providing free access to their Confederate records this month. My confederate ancestry is verrrry limited, but I thought I’d check it out.

Here are the enlistment papers for my ancestor James Benjamin Houdeshell, using the common alternative spelling of Howdyshell.

Benjamin Howdyshell enlistment papers

Benjamin enlisted in Company A, 14th Regiment of the Virginia Militia as private. He was 20 years old. He mustered in on 17 September at Wardensville, Hardy County, Virginia for 6 months. He traveled 36 miles to enlist.

The record just previous to Benjamin’s was for Adam Howdyshell. Adam enlisted in Company A, 14th Regiment, Virginia Militia on 17 September 1861 in Wardensville, Hardy County, Virginia with Captain Dinges for six months. He, too, had come 36 miles to enlist.

Adam Howdyshell Civil War enlistment papers

The record just after Benjamin’s was for Westfall Howdyshell. Notice how, once again, all the details match.

George Westfall Howdyshell Civil War enlistment papers

These men were likely Benjamin’s older brothers Adam and George W. Houdeshell. The three appeared at Winchester on the muster rolls  for September 10th through December 12th, 1861.

To the best of my knowledge, all three survived the war. Benjamin and George went on to marry sisters from up north—Phebe and Mariah Mayes from Snow Shoe Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania. Benjamin settled near his wife’s family in Pennsylvania while the rest of his family moved west to Ohio and Missouri.

I also found a record of a John Howdershell who was allegedly a member of the Imboden Rangers and took part in the attack on the the B&O railroad. But I do not know if this was a relative or even possibly their brother John W. Houdeshell. This John was captured on 28 Oct 1862 and sent to Cairo, Illinois on 13 Nov 1862.1

Michael Frantz of Lower Paxton Township

Kris Hocker on 13 Apr 2013

Peter Gardner patent land

Peter Gardner patent landOn 30 October 1860, Michael and Elizabeth Frantz of Swatara Township sold to Michael A Frantz 93 acres that had been part of a tract that Michael (the father) had inherited—along with his sisters Elizabeth and Mary—from their father Michael Frantz.1 Michael Frantz Sr. died in Lower Paxton Township (now Swatara Township) Dauphin County sometime between 25 June 1793, when he and his wife Franny sold land to Susanna Eaglea, and 17 October 1797 when his administrators John Nissley and Christian Frantz settled his administration account.2 Here’s what I found in the Dauphin County Orphans Court Book.

John Niesley and Christian France Administrators of all and singular Goods and Chattles Rights and Credits which were of Michael France late of Paxton Township deceased appeared in Court and produced their account upon the administration of the Estate of the said deceased duly passed before the Register from which there appears to be a balance in their hands of three hundred and seventy five pounds eleven shillings and eleven pence which account upon examination the Court do approve and allow and direct that the said balance after deducting thirteen shillings and two pence the expence of this Court be distributed according to Law

The Court appoint Christian France of Manheim Township in the County of Lancaster Guardian of the person and estate of Mary France a minor daughter under the age of fourteen years of Michael France late of Lower Paxton Township deceased during her minority.

Elizabeth France a minor daughter above the age of fourteen years of Michael France late of Lower Paxton Township deceased comes into Court and chooses Christian France of Manheim Township in the County of Lancaster Guardian of her Estate during her minority and the Court approve of and appoint the said Christian France her Guardian accordingly.

The Court appoint Jacob France of Manor Township in the County of Lancaster Guardian of the persons and estates of John France, Michael France and Veronica France minor children under the age of fourteen of Michael France late of Lower Paxton Township decease during their respective minorities3

I find it quite probable that Christian and Jacob Frantz—guardians of his children—were relatives, perhaps brothers, of Michael Frantz. John Nissley was likely the brother of Michael’s wife Feronica “Franny” (Nissley) Frantz.4

Michael and Feronica (Nissley) Frantz had children:

  1. Elizabeth Frantz (28 Mar 1780—2 May 1850)5 married Rev. John Mumma (11 Mar 1776—3 Aug 1859)6
  2. Mary Frantz (after 17 October 1783—?) 7 married Jacob Snavely
  3. John Frantz (after 17 October 1783—before 1807).
  4. Michael Frantz (22 May 1789—5 Jun 1866) married twice—first to Elizabeth Neidig, daughter of John and Mary (Bear) Neidig, and second to  Elizabeth Walters, daughter of Jacob and Anna (Stauffer) Walters
  5. Veronica Frantz (after 17 October 1783—before 19 May 1810).

Michael Frantz Jr. was the father of Anna Frantz, my 3x great grandmother and wife of Levi Hocker, who died mysteriously in 1876.

Surname Saturday: Emanuel John Wieder

Kris Hocker on 6 Apr 2013

Emanuel and Alavesta Wieder ca1915

My great great grandfather Emanuel John Wieder was born on 11 November 1855, most likely in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.1 He was the youngest son of Saulus and Anna (Mechling) Wieder of Lower Milford Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.

Emanuel and Alavesta Wieder ca1915

Emanuel and Alavesta (Dillinger) Wieder, ca 1915

On 10 June 1878, he married Alavesta “Vesta” Esther Dillinger, daughter of Willam D. and Helena (Person) Dillinger of Lehigh County. She was born 19 Oct 1857, likely in Upper Milford Township.2

E.J. Wieder, Sr. was initially a teacher and a farmer, but—due to health concerns, I believe—became a bank cashier, working his way up to bank president by 1929.3 He built a house on main street in Pennsburg in 1902 and moved his family from the farm in Lower Milford Township into town.4

He died of stomach cancer on 26 July 1929 in Pennsburg and was buried in St. Mark’s Union Church cemetery on the 30th.5 Vesta had died on 11 January 1923 in Pennsburg of angina and Bright’s disease. She was buried in St. Mark’s Union Church cemetery on the 16th.6

E.J. and Vesta had the following children:

  1. Edwin J. Wieder (29 March 1880—22 January 1960) married Mary Catharine Waage (27 October 1877—28 November 1970)
  2. Cora Anna Wieder (June 1886—1964) married Vallandingham S. Trumbore (23 October 1883—August 1968)
  3. John William Wieder (1 September 1887—November 1972) married Katherine Jane Gruelich (22 March 1887—September 1960)

Photo courtesy of John William Wieder Jr.

Friday Find: Henry Landis Renunciation

Kris Hocker on 15 Mar 2013

I’ve been working on the narrative for Martin Hocker (1768-1862) for my A Hacker-Hocker Family recently and I realized that I don’t have much information on his daughter Christianna, born 24 Nov 1808, who married Henry Landis.1

Henry is a common first name in the Landis family; so I’m reviewing documents and trying to piece information together. In my search of Dauphin County deeds, I found the following document.2

Henry Landis Renunciation
In it Henry Landis refused to take the property his father—Henry Landis Sr. of Swatara Township—left to him in his will. A standard enough document. But what caught my eye were the witnesses—Benjamin and Martin Hocker!

Benjamin Hocker was most likely the youngest son of Johan Adam Hocker Jr. of Derry Township. His older brother George—my 4X great grandfather—married Mary Magdalena Landis, daughter of Henry Landis Sr. of Swatara township, on 2 Mar 1819.3

I thought at first that Martin Hocker was likely the son of Martin Hocker Sr. of Derry Township. But then I did the math. Martin Jr. would have been only 17 in 1829. It’s far more likely that he was actually Martin Hocker Sr. If so, then it’s quite possible that this is the Henry Landis who married Christianna Hocker, Martin’s daughter, on 18 Oct 1825.4

While this doesn’t actually prove that this Henry married Christianna Hocker—there’s no mention of her in the deed—it does prove that Henry Landis Jr. was associated with Benjamin Hocker and Martin Hocker by June of 1829.

An Unexpected Christmas Gift

Kris Hocker on 26 Dec 2012

A Christmas card arrived from my mother’s first cousin once removed—a first cousin to both her mother and father—and in it was an unexpected Christmas gift. I’ve tried unsuccessfully to find my GG grandfather Gruelich’s immigration to the United States. Even though we know what year he came, I still couldn’t find the ship’s name or what happened to him after his arrival.

Well, Bill found it! George Jacob, Carl Greilich (Greulich) and Emma Greilich (Eva Greulich) arrived in New York City on 28 Jan 1856 aboard the ship Dorette from Bremen. George Jacob is listed as aged 33, a mechanic, Carl is listed as aged 17, a mechanic, and “Emma” is listed as aged 23, occupation unknown.

According to family lore, George Jakob—a half-brother to Carl and Emma—traveled to the U.S. with his siblings, but continued his journey and went on to South America. We don’t know where on the continent, however. Eva Catharina Greulich supposedly went on to Binghamton, New York and married.

1835 Guardian Petition for Anthony Parsons’ Children

Kris Hocker on 21 Nov 2012

Anthony Parsons Petition for Guardians

After learning that Anthony Parsons might be Sarah (Parsons) Leedy’s father, I decided to see if I could find more information on him. From his tombstone, I know that he died in 1834. So, I decided to see if I could find any estate records for him on FamilySearch.org.

The Pennsylvania Probate records on FamilySearch include will books and Orphans Court books for Perry County. I didn’t find a will for Anthony Parsons, but I did find two references to him in the Orphans Court books.

Anthony Parsons Petition for Guardians

January 1735 Petition for Guardians

The first is a petition on behalf of his minor children.1 In the January 1835 term a petition was made on behalf of George, Anthony, Sarah and William Parsons, the minor children of Anthony Parsons, late of Perry County by the mother Catharine Parsons. The petition states that they were all under the age of 14—therefore born after 1821—and requests the court to appoint a suitable guardian. George Parsons, quite possibly Anthony’s brother, was named as guardian.

The second reference was for the settling of Anthony’s estate. The Register of Perry County presented a copy of George Varns’ administration of Anthony’s estate to the court on 4 April 1836.2 There was a balance of $16.79 due to the administrator.

So far, the details are consistent with Anthony being the father of Sarah (Parsons) Leedy. What more can we find?

Out on a New Limb

Kris Hocker on 19 Nov 2012

Anthony Parsons (1793-1834)

I’ve come to the realization lately that in my zeal for researching the Hacker/Hockers and Huber/Hoovers, there are quite a few of my family lines that I haven’t done much work on. This weekend one of those lines opened up.

I just recently sent away for the death certificates of my 3x great grandfather Samuel K[rehl?] Leedy and his wife Sarah (Parsons) Leedy from my father’s side of the family and my 3x great grandmother Anna (Mechling) Wieder, wife of Saul Wieder, from my mother’s side of the family. That will finish up the last of my ancestors who died after 1906 when state-wide death registration began in Pennsylvania.

Anthony Parsons (1793-1834)

Anthony Parsons (1793-1834)

Coincidentally, I was going through my binders of gravestone photos I’ve taken, comparing what I have to what’s up on Find a Grave, when I saw a photo request for the gravestone of Anthony Parsons from Hill Cemetery in Perry County, Pennsylvania. Several years ago I’d visited the cemetery looking for Samuel K. and Sarah (Parsons) Leedy and taken photos of gravestones with surnames that I recognized. One of those was Anthony Parsons’. So, I uploaded the photo and several others I’d taken.

This led to a connection with a new cousin—and the information that Sarah (Parsons) Leedy’s father was very likely Anthony Parsons!

Now, maybe I’d have learned that when Sarah’s death certificate comes back, but maybe not. Anthony Parsons died 24 March 1834 at the age of 41 years 10 months and [24?] days. Sarah was born about 1833, so she never really knew her father. The informant for her death certificate may not have known the names of her parents. I’ll have to wait and see. But, in the meantime, I can research Anthony Parsons to learn all I can about him and his family!

Judge William Adam Hocker’s Obituary

Kris Hocker on 2 Nov 2012

Judge William Adam Hocker obituary in The Evening Independent of St. Petersburg, Florida from July 20, 1918.

“Judge Hocker Dies at Ocala
Distinguished Jurist Spent Last Winter Here and Made Many Friends

The many St. Petersburg friends of Judge William Hocker will regret to learn that he died last Wednesday. Judge Hocker spent last winter at Sunnyside, with the family of Joseph E. Hamilton, 417 Fourth street north, and made many warm friends especially among the older people. He was a dignified and learned man of the old Southern school. The Ocala Star gives the following sketch of Judge Hocker’s career and family:

Judge William A. Hocker was born in Buckingham county, Virginia in 1844, and was a son of William Hocker and Susan Mildred Lewis.

He served in Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry during the civil war. In November 1868, he was married to Gertrude Venable, and settled near Leesburg, Flas., in 1874, and moved to Ocala in 1892. He became a circuit judge for the fifth circuit in 1893 and continued to hold such office until 1901 when he was elected by the supreme court as one of its commssioners, and shortly thereafter was elected a member of the supreme court of Florida, which position he occupied for 12 years and retired a few years ago on account of failing health.

In 1909 he was married the second time to Mattie N. Glover of Roanoke, Va., who survives him. He is also survived by three children, William Hocker, of Ocala; Mrs. T. P. Drake of Yalaha, and Frederick R. Hocker, of Ocala. His eldest daughter, Mrs. C. P. Lovell, died in 1914. Eight grandchildren also survive him namely: Lieut. Charles P. Lovell, Gertrude Lovell; Elizabeth, Margaret and Lucretia Hocker; William and Trusten P. Drake Jr., and Clifton Montgomery Hocker.”1

George and Elizabeth (Hassler) Hocker

Kris Hocker on 29 Oct 2012

If you’re familiar with William O. Wingeard’s A German-American Hacker-Hocker Genealogy, you might have read the chapter on George Hocker (Frederick4, Johan Adam3, Christoph2, Stephen1). In it Bill freely admits that he had trouble continuing the family line from George and his wife Elizabeth. I’m not afraid to admit that he’s causing me some consternation, too.

George Hocker, son of Frederick and Catharina (Fuchs) Hacker, was born in Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania most likely sometime between 1785 and 1790. He was most likely one of the males under 16 years of age in Frederick Hocker’s 1790 census entry and the male 10-16 in Frederick’s 1800 census entry.1 When Frederick died intestate in 1812, his two eldest sons, John and George, were administrators of his estate. The eldest son John renounced his option to take his father’s real estate on 12 April 1812 and the Orphans Court awarded it to the next son George.2

George purchased 26 perches of additional land in Cocalico Township on 11 August 1812.3 On 1 April 1813, George and his wife Elizabeth sold this 26 perches to Jacob Studenroth.4 On 13 May 1813, George sold 150 acres of land formerly of his father’s estate to Michael & Jacob Stine.5 George of Cocalico Township, Lancaster County purchased 177 ¼ acres in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County from Andrew Fahnestock on 26 March 1814.6 George and his wife Elizabeth sold 16 acres of land in Lower Paxton Township, formerly of Andrew Fahnestock, on 4 July 1814 to George Firestone.7

So, a few years after his father’s death, George sold the family farm and moved his family to Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. George Hocker appears in the 1813 tax list for Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County.8 Susquehanna Township was formed in 1815 from part of Lower Paxton Township, and George is listed in tax records there from about 1816 through 1830.9

This provides a general location for the family during the years they would have had children. But who were their children?

Wingeard lists their children as Peter, George Jr. and Christina, but provides no sources for this information. I found several baptisms for children of George and Elizabeth Hocker in Zion Lutheran Church in Harrisburg and Shoop’s Reformed Church in Dauphin County. They included:

  • Catharine, born 11 May 1814, baptized 10 July 181410
  • Sara, born 10 October 1817, baptized 12 December 181711
  • Andrew, born 18 September 1819, baptized 26 December 181912
  • Daniel, born 10 April 1821, baptized 22 July 182113
  • Eli, born 25 August 1823, baptized 29 February 182414

I believe I found George Hocker in Upper Swatara Township—which adjoins Susquehanna Township—in the 1830 census.15 The household included:

George Hocker 1830 US Census

George Hocker, 1830 US Census, Upper Swatara Township

  • 2 males 5 to 10 (Daniel, Eli)
  • 1 male 10 to 15 (Andrew)
  • 1 male 20 to 30 (George or Peter?)
  • 1 male 30 to 40 (?)
  • 1 male 40 to 50 (George Sr.)
  • 1 female < 10 (?)
  • 2 females 10 to 15 (Sarah, Catharina)
  • 1 female 15 to 20 (?)
  • 1 female 40 to 50 (Elizabeth)

Based on this census, it would appear that George and Elizabeth may have had a son, born ca 1800-1810, and a daughter, born circa 1810-1825, in addition to the children listed in the baptismal records. While there may have been older children who were married and no longer at home, the male aged 30-40 is too old to have been a child of this couple. I haven’t been able to find this family in the 1810 or 1820 census records and I think, but am not sure, that they may have been back in Lancaster County in 1840. After that, I have no clues—no census, tax, death or estate records.

I’ve traced the family of Daniel Hocker and have marriage information for his sister Sara and brother Andrew. This information will be included in A Hacker-Hocker Family. It was not in A German-American Hacker-Hocker Genealogy. I also have information on George [Jr.] and Peter Hocker, but am in doubt about whether or not they belong to this family—they may belong to George’s uncle, Johan George Hacker and his wife Christina Miller.

I may also have to chase down the possibility that George had a son named John. The 1827-1830 tax lists for Susquehanna Township show, not only George Hocker, but also a single man named John Hocker. He would have been born circa 1806 (or maybe earlier), but would not have married prior to 1830. In 1830, both George and John’s names are crossed off the tax list, with a notation of “Pottsgrove” for George Hocker. Did they leave for Northumberland County? I’ve also noted entries for a single man George Jr. in 1828, 1832 and 1833 with the 1833 entry crossed off and “gone” written in. If these are all members of the same family—father and sons—then they all left Susquehanna Township by 1830 and 1833.

The consistency of entries for George Hocker in the Susquehanna tax records from 1816 through 1830, the 1813 Lower Paxton Township tax entry, and the 1814 land purchase in Lower Paxton—most likely in a portion that became part of Susquehanna Township in 1815—point to Frederick’s son George Hocker. What happened to him after 1830? And what was his relationship to the John and George Jr. in the Susquehanna Township tax records? These are questions I’ll be trying to answer. Stay tuned.