Tag: Surname Saturday

Surname Saturday: Albert Curtin Hocker

Kris Hocker on 10 Nov 2012

Albert Hocker family

My great great grandfather Albert Curtin Hocker was born 9 September 1860 in Swatara Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.1 He was the fourth son of Levi and Anna (Frantz) Hocker. Albert was only 16 years old when his father died of an apparent suicidal drowning. Levi disappeared one night in October 1876. His body wasn’t found until the following April. It must have been very difficult for his family as they waited through the winter to learn whether or not he was still alive.

In 1881, Albert married Lillian Ainsley Leedy, daughter of Samuel Krehl and Sarah (Parsons) Leedy. Lilly was born 4 May 1861 in Perry County, Pennsylvania.2 Lillian was their fourth child and second daughter. She was one of nine children.3

Albert C. Hocker and children

Albert C. Hocker and children: Levi, Albert Jr. and Anna

Albert was a carpenter, farmer, and huckster. My grandfather told me stories about his grandfather falling asleep coming home from his rounds selling vegetables from a cart and his horse bringing him safely home. He and Lillian owned a house in Upper Swatara Township—now part of Harrisburg—and ran a store from the front room.

They moved to a farm near Newville, Cumberland County sometime after 1900.4 Albert died on 24 July 1940 in Cumberland County of a coronary thrombosis (heart attack). He was buried on 27 July 1940 in Paxtang Cemetery, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.5

Lillian died on 20 January 1942 in Cumberland County due to coronary sclerosis and cerebral arteriosclerosis.6 She was also buried in Paxtang Cemetery on 23 January 1942.

Albert Curtin and Lillian Ainsley (Leedy) Hocker had the following children:

  1. Ethel Pearl Hocker was born 4 May 1882 and died June 1948. She married Harry Thomas Allen, then Wesley Edward Foster Jr.
  2. Krehl Samuel Hocker was born 12 February 1885 and died 7 July 1935. He married Opal Emma Luehrs.
  3. Levi Ainsley/Ainsworth Hocker was born 19 October 1886 and died in May 1965. He married Mary Curran.
  4. Albert Curtin Hocker Jr. was born 1 August 1888 and died 18 September 1935. He married Bena May Frey.
  5. William Howard Hocker was born 17 August 1890 and died 22 March 1967. He married Isabella Aitken Smith.
  6. Anna Frantz Hocker was born 9 November 1892 and died in 1961. She married Vernon Hastins Yinger.

Surname Saturday: Jacob Huber Family

Kris Hocker on 28 Apr 2012

Jacob Huber was born circa 1698, and likely immigrated in 1717.1 He appears on tax records for Conestoga Township, Chester County from 1718 through 1725, settling on Pequea Creek on a tract of land in Conestoga and Martic Townships (now Pequea and Providence) which adjoined Ulrich Huber’s land. He warranted 105 acres.2 It was surveyed 28 Jan 1733. He is listed with four children in Lancaster County on a reconstructed 1732 census of Mennonite families.3

Jacob & John Huber Martic & Conestoga Township Tracts

Jacob & John Huber Martic & Conestoga Township Tracts

Jacob likely died sometime prior to 23 Nov 1739. Hans Boyer, a neighbor, patented his land on 26 Nov 1739.4 Boyer’s survey refers to Jacob Huber’s tract as belonging to the Widow Hoober. This tract of 105 acres was patented to John Huber on 2 Oct 1744.5 The survey refers to this tract as being of “Barbara (the widow of Jacob) Hoover… in right of Martin Kendrick and John Heer.6 John Hoover patented an adjoining tract of land, containing 110 acres, on 25 May 1756. This tract was surveyed in 1738.7,8

If you go by Davis’ 1732 reconstructed Mennonite census, then Jacob and Barbara (___) Huber had at least four children prior to 1732. Davis provides two possible birth years for Jacob—1675 and 1698. I do not know which is his most recent determination, however I am inclined to go by the 1698 date. A 34-year-old man is far more likely to have four children living at home than a 57-year-old—assuming, of course, the validity of the Mennonite census listing.

To date I have found only one possible child for Jacob and Barbara (___) Huber:

  1. John Huber was born at or before 1723, probably in Lancaster County.9 He died sometime prior to 30 Apr 1785, possibly in 1784.10,11 He married Barbara (___) likely before 1751. Barbara died sometime after 30 Apr 1785. The couple had the following children:12
    1. Henry Huber was born ca 1740-1750 in Conestoga (now Pequea) Township, Lancaster County. He married Mary (___), possibly Newswanger, prior to 30 Apr 1785.13,14 If his wife’s maiden name was Newswanger, then the couple was living in York County by 4 Jun 1798.15 Henry Hoover and Mary Newswanger had children: John, Christina, Abraham, Susan, Barbara, and Elizabeth.
    2. Abraham Huber was born circa 24 Sep 1752 and died 4 May 1825 in Conestoga (now Pequea) Township, Lancaster County. He was buried in Old Byerland Cemetery in Pequea Township. He may have married Anna (___), possibly Anna Huber, daughter of Jacob and Barbara (___) Huber Jr. of Martic Township. He was a farmer and a Mennonite and lived all his life on property he purchased from his father’s estate.16 Abraham had children: Barbara, Mary married Abraham Huber, John, Abraham Jr., Anna married Martin Snavely (brother of John below), Christianna, and Elizabeth. Except for Mary and Anna, his daughters never married.
    3. Christian Huber was likely born prior to 1755 in Conestoga (now Pequea) Township, Lancaster County17 and died sometime between 1820 and 1830 in Martic (now Providence) Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.18 He may have married Anna (___), born 5 Apr 1762 and died 21 Feb 1845.19 Christian may have had two sons: Christian Huber Jr. and John Huber. Their administrator, Abraham Huber, son of John Huber, purchased land from the Orphans Court in 1892 that is similar in metes and bounds to the land Christian Huber [Sr.] received from his father John’s estate in 1792.
    4. John Huber was born before 1759 in Conestoga (now Pequea) Township, Lancaster County. He was single in 1790.20 No more is known about him.
    5. Jacob Huber was born before 1764 in Conestoga (now Pequea) Township, Lancaster County. He married Margaret (___), possibly Margaret Shank, daughter of Christian & Barbara (Good) Shank.21 If so, Jacob and Margaret had children: Christian, Esther married John Snavely (brother of Martin above), Jacob, and Abraham.
    6. Peter Huber was born circa 1760 in Conestoga (now Pequea) Township, Lancaster County. He likely died sometime after 25 Jul 1818.22 He married Mary Huber, daughter of John & Mary (___) Huber of Martic Township and granddaughter of Henry and Catharine (Good) Huber. Peter and Mary had children: Peter Jr., Esther married Jacob Eshleman, Barbara, Anna, and John.
    7. Anne Huber was born prior to 1764 in Conestoga (now Pequea) Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. She married a Brenneman who likely died prior to 30 Apr 1785.23
    8. Frena Huber was born prior to 1764 in Conestoga (now Pequea) Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. She was named among the children of John & Barbara Huber in the deed where the widow and children sold land from John’s estate to his sons Peter and Christian Hoober.24
    9. Barbara Huber was born prior to 1764 in Conestoga (now Pequea) Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. She was named among the children of John & Barbara Huber in the deed where the widow and children sold land from John’s estate to his sons Peter and Christian Hoober.25

Jacob Huber may have been—depending on the birth year—either the elder brother or father of Ulrich Huber of Conestoga. He may have been related to either or both Henry Huber’s of Martic/Conestoga townships. If Joanne M. Hoover is correct in her assumptions, then Jacob, Ulrich, Henry (presumably the elder, d. ca 1757), Christian Huber of Heidelberg Township, York County, Pennsylvania, and Ann (Huber) Keny were all siblings as named in Christian’s will.26 It is certainly a possibility. However, there were other men of these names living in York County to whom Christian’s will might have been referring.

Jane Evans Best indicates that Jacob may have been the son of Hans Heinrich Huber and Barbel Suter, baptized 30 Jun 1698 in Hausen, Switzerland.27 If she is correct, this would make him the brother of one of the Henry Huber’s of Martic/Conestoga township and possibly a cousin of Hans Huber of Earl Township and his son Jacob Huber who settled nearby in Martic (now Providence) township—just up the Pequea, in fact.

Surname Saturday: Rev. Frederick Waage

Kris Hocker on 31 Dec 2011

Rev. Frederick Waage (1797-1884)

Caius Frederic Sophus Waage (aka Frederick) was born 17 Aug 1797 in Schleswig, Holstein, Denmark.1 He studied at the University of Kiel in Germany and came to the United States in 1819.2

Rev. Frederick Waage (1797-1884)

Rev. Caius Frederic Sophus Waage (1797-1884)

The Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Montgomery County Pennsylvania states about him:

Frederick Waage (father) was born in the Dukedom of Holstein, Denmark, on August 17, 1797, where he profited by attendance upon the excellent schools for which that country is noted, and completed a course of study in the University at Kiel. At the age of twenty-two years he came alone to the United States and located in Chester county. Young Waage had a strong desire to enter the profession of the ministry. He accordingly took up the study of theology and kindred subjects under the tutelage of Rev. Geisenheimer, a Lutheran minister of Chester county. After making a thorough preparation for his chosen work, he was ordained as a minister of the Lutheran church and for sixty years zealously labored in the cause of the Divine Master. For a number of years he was stationed at Milton, Northumberland county, and in 1829 took charge of St. Luke’s church at Pennsburg, where he remained for forty years, supplying at the same time five other churches of the neighborhood, being assisted by his younger son. His marriage resulted in the birth of three sons and seven daughters: Hannah, deceased; Charles T., subject; Angeline, deceased, was the wife of Dr. Edwin Beiber; Fannie, who wedded Isaac Crouse of Crousedale, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania; Andora, became the spouse of Charles Gaston, an attorney of St. Paul, Minnesota; Emma, deceased, was the wife of Charles Gilfillan, also of St. Paul, Minnesota; Fannie who married Charles Gilfillan, the widower of her sister; Rev. O.F., who was born February 4, 1845, at the old Lutheran parsonage near Pennsburg, was educated in the Bucks County Normal and Classical schools under the direction of Rev. Dr. Horn, of Quakertown; graduated from Gettysburg Lutheran seminary, and at once entered upon the work of the ministry, taking his father’s entire charge and has ever since been actively and zealously engaged in the work of his profession; Edwin, died at the age of five years.

Rev. Frederick Waage died on August 23, 1884, at the age of eighty-seven years. His widow still survives.

Frederick Waage married about 1823 Angelina Garber. The couple had children:

  1. Johanna “Hannah” Waage was born ca 1825 and died bef 1890.
  2. Dr. Charles Theodore Waage was born 22 Oct 1827 in Milton, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania and died 6 Mar 1921 in Pennsburg, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He married twice, first to Mary Ann Heisler. The couple had four children: Ida (1854-bef 1890), Emma Josephine (1856-1869), Eugene H. (1860-aft 1930), and Charles Frederick (1862-1863).

    He married second Lydia S. Eshbach, daughter of Henry M. and Catherine Lydia (Bobb) Eshbach. The couple had one child: Mary Catharine (1877-1970), my great grandmother.

  3. Angeline Waage married Dr. Edwin Beiber.
  4. Emma Waage was born ca 1833 in Pennsylvania and died bef 1867 in Minnesota. She married Charles D. Gilfillan
  5. Anndora S. Waage was born ca 1836 in Pennsylvania. She married Charles Gaston. The couple had at least three children: William G. (1861—?), F.W. (1869-?), and Hugh P. (1872-?).
  6. Theodora Rosalie Waage was born in Nov 1839. She married Isaac Yeakel Krauss on 8 Oct 1861. The couple had children: Nevin, Elmer Frederick (1862-aft 1904), Florence Sarah (1864-Jan 1917), Edgar Anthony (1867-?), Charles Oswin (1869-?), and Isaac Walter (1878-?).
  7. Franciska S. Waage was born ca 1842/4. She married Charles D. Gilfillan after her older sister’s death. The couple had children: Emma C. (ca 1869-?), Fannie S. (ca 1871-?), Charles O. (ca 1873-?), and Fred J. (ca 1875-?).
  8. Oswin Frederick Waage was born 4 Feb 1845 and died 7 Aug 1919 in Pennsburg, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He married 22 Jun 1869 Hannah Young Schelly, daughter of Dr. Joel Y. and Hannah (Young) Schelly. The couple had a son Frederick Oswin Waage on 26 Oct 1877. A doctor, he died at Fort Bliss, Texas during the influenza epidemic in 1918.
  9. Atha “Addie” Waage was born 26 Apr 1847 and died 5 Oct 1928 in Pennsylvania
  10. Edwin Eugene Waage was born 13 Sep 1849 and died 23 Sep 1854 in Pennsylvania.

Surname Saturday: Force

Kris Hocker on 21 May 2011

My Force family connection is through Jefferson Force (aka Forcey). He was born 9 Dec 1833 in Centre County, Pennsylvania and died 20 Oct 1910 in Burnside Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania.1 He was buried in Advent Cemetery in Pine Glen. When his wife, Susan (Mulhollan) Force, provided information for his death certificate, she did not know the names of his parents, nor where they were born. To this day, it’s still a mystery. One I’d really love to solve!

His obituary states:

“Died at his home in Pine Glen on Thursday, October 20th, Jefferson Force, a well known and respected citizen of that place, aged 76 years, 10 months and 11 days. During the Civil War, he was drafted in 1864 and received an honorable discharge in 1865. He was married to Susan Mulholland in 1857, with whom he spent a long and happy life. Mr Force was a charter member of Messiah Church, of that place and always remained steadfast to the church of his choice and served its teachings. He leaves a large circle of friends to mourn his loss. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. E.A. Meredith.”2

Jefferson Force served in the 45th Pennsylvania Infantry Volunteers, Company E, IX Corps, 1st Brigade, 1st Division during the Civil War. When he registered for the draft in June 1863, he was 33, married and living in Burnside Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania.3 He enlisted on 20 Dec 1864 at Troy, Pennsylvania and mustered out 17 Jul 1865 at Alexandria, Virginia.

He married Susan L. Mulhollan, daughter of John and Emily (Boileau) Mulhollan, on 22 Mar 1857. The couple had 14 children:

  1. Wilhelmina Force was born 29 Oct 1857 and died 5 Nov 1921. She married Robert Alexander Askey
  2. Catherine E. Force was born 13 Sep 1859 and died 9 Mar 1899. She married Albert Gilmore
  3. Hannah M. Force was born 1 Sep 1861 and died 1 May 1938. She married Johnson Watson
  4. Agnes E. Force was born 1 Sep 1863 and died 16 Jul 1934. She married John Thomas Fye
  5. Carrie Amanda Force was born 23 Aug 1865 and died 3 May 1934. She married William Henry Meeker, son of Henry Rinehart and Angelina (Loy) Meeker.
  6. Martin Force was born 6 Feb 1868 and died 24 May 1945. He married Delilah N. (Hamilton) Harte
  7. John Force was born 16 Jan 1870 and died 27 Aug 1890.
  8. Lovina Caroline Force was born 28 Jan 1872 and died 28 Oct 1964. She married George W. Houdeshell.
  9. Mary Alice Force was born 28 Jun 1873 and died 12 Oct 1913. She married Richard Whiles
  10. Martha Ellen Force was born 9 May 1875 and died 10 Aug 1934. She married Jacob Whiles, then Wilson Smeal.
  11. Lucy Malinda Force was born 26 Sep 1876 and died in Mar 1960. She married William Emerick, then John King.
  12. George W. Force was born 6 Jan 1878 and died 10 Jan 1878.
  13. William E. Force was born 14 Sep 1883 and died 9 Oct 1883.
  14. Albert M. Force was born 4 Sep 1884 and died 5 Sep 1884.

I am looking for information on Jefferson’s parents and siblings. Other Forces of approximate age to be siblings in the area include:

  1. George W. Force, born 4 Dec 1829, married Hannah Bickel; In 1850, George W. was living with the William & Mary Tate family, Spring Township.
  2. Anna Force, born 8 Mar 1832, died 1 May 1833
  3. Martin V. Force, born 12 Dec 1835, died 28 May 1902, married Sarah Beightol in 1867; in 1850, Martin V. was living with the John M. & Mary Barnhart family, Howard Township.
  4. David Force, born 28 Jul 1837, married Mary (___); In 1850, David was living with the Jackson & Elizabeth Watson family, Howard Township.
  5. Agness F. Force, born 8 Apr 1839, married Adam Shope[?]; In 1850, Agnes was living with the George & Amey Cline family, Howard Township.
  6. Philip Force, born 8 Apr 1839; In 1850, Philip was living with the John & Barbara Neidic (Neidie?) family, Liberty Township.

I have not been able to locate Jefferson in the 1850 census. He would have been 17 years old. Other Force families in pre-1850 census records include:

  • 1840: Matthew & Thomas Forcee in Clearfield County; Joseph Force in Clinton County
  • 1830: Joseph & Thomas Force in Centre County; Matthew & Thomas Forcee in Clearfield County
  • 1820: George & Thomas Force in Centre County

One possibility is Isaac (1780-1 Nov 1843) and Mary “Polly” (d. 1846) Force. If you have any information on this couple, please drop me a line!

Surname Saturday: Henry Huber Family

Kris Hocker on 1 Jan 2011

There were two Henry Hubers living near Pequea and Beaver Creeks in the Martic/Conestoga/Strasburg/Lampeter township area in the mid-to-late 1700s.1 This post is about the family of the Henry Huber who married Catharine Good, daughter of Jacob Good.

Huber/Hoover/Hoober land patents

Huber/Hoover/Hoober land patents

Jacob Good patented 106 acres on a branch of Beaver Creek in Martic Township (now Providence), Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in the right of Michael Shank on 12 Apr 1740. (see B3 on map)2 He warranted another tract of 75 acres, also on Beaver Creek, on 24 Jan 1733.3 He did not comply with the conditions of the warrant and 68 acres were warranted to Henry Hoober on 14 Apr 1740. (see B4 on map)4 Both of these tracts are shown as being patented on 15 Apr 1740 to Henry Hoober on the Providence Township Warrantee Map.

Jacob Good wrote his last will & testament on 12 Sep 1739; it was proved 22 Jan 1741. In it he mentions his wife Barbara, brothers Peter and John, sisters Feronica Nisley, Margaret Metz, Ann Strum, and son-in-law Henry Hoover.5

Henry Hoover also patented a tract of 171 acres in Martic Township (now Providence) on 13 Nov 1744. (see B5 on map)6

Assuming he was at least 21 years of age in 1740 when he patented land, Henry was born ca 1719, quite likely before. He married Catharine Good sometime before her father wrote his will in 1739, possibly before 1736. He may be the “loving friend…Henry Huber” named in the 1757 last will & testament of Henry Huber, who owned the adjoining property. (see B1 and B2 on map)7 He was also likely the “loving friend Henry Hoover” appointed by neighbor Johan Jacob Hoover as an executor of his will along with Jacob’s sons John and Martin. (see A1, A2, A3 on map)8

Henry and Catharine (Good) Hoover had at least 3 children:

  1. Jacob Huber, born bef. 1736 and died bet. 13 Mar and 9 Jun 1788, Martic Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.9,10,11 Jacob married Barbara (___) before 1764. His will names his six children, as follows:
    1. Henry Huber, born ca 1764, possibly the Henry Huber who married Anna Margaretta Boyer, daughter of Henry & Elizabeth (___) Boyer.
    2. Jacob Huber Jr., born ca 176612
    3. Barbara Huber, born ca 176813
    4. Christian Huber, born ca 1771-177414
    5. John Huber, born ca 1771-177415
    6. Martin Huber, born ca 1774 (aged 16 by 25 Aug 1790)16
  2. John Huber, born bef. 1746 and died bet. 19 Apr 1794 and 21 Apr 1810, Martic Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania 17 John married Mary (___) before 1770.
    1. John Huber Jr.18
    2. Mary Huber, born bef. 1786, married Peter Huber, son of John and Barbara (___) Huber, grandson of Jacob and Barbara (___) Huber of Martic Township.19, 20
    3. Barbara Huber, born ca 1770-1780 and died bef. 16 Jun 1841, never married21, 22
    4. Christina Huber, born ca 1770-1780, never married23, 24
    5. Esther Huber, born bef 1802 and died 15 Mar 1832, never married25, 26
    6. Abraham Huber, married Mary (___)27
    7. Ann Huber, died before 1 Jan 1828, never married28
    8. Susanna Huber, born ca 1790-1794, never married29, 30
    9. Elizabeth Huber, born ca 1790-1794, married Henry Krieg sometime bet. 1825 and 3 Mar 183431, 32, 33
  3. Daughter Huber (possibly Barbara), married Jacob Huber.34 This Jacob may be Jacob Huber Jr., son of Johan Jacob and Anna (___) Huber, grandson of Hans Huber of Earl Township. Johan Jacob and Henry Hoover were neighbors and, presumably, friends.

Surname Saturday: Deysher

Kris Hocker on 25 Dec 2010

Judith Snyder Death Certificate

I just recently got the death certificate for the last of my direct ancestors who died after 1906—the year Pennsylvania started registering births and deaths at the state level, as opposed to the county level. Her name was Judith (Deysher) Snyder.

Judith Snyder Death Certificate

Judith (Deysher) Snyder Death Certificate

Judith was the widow of Joseph Snyder.1 She died of paralysis on 17 May 1906 and was buried on the 24th at the New Goshenhoppen Church Cemetery in East Greenville, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. She was born on 15 Aug 1830 to Peter Deischer and Maria Trump in Pennsylvania.

Judith married Joseph Snyder circa 1855 and had children:

  1. Irwin Oscar Snyder, b. 13 Jan 1856, d. 27 Oct 1919
  2. Mary Jane Snyder, b. ca 1857/8
  3. Henry D. Snyder, b. 3 Mar 1859, d. 30 Sep 1931
  4. Clement D. Snyder, b. 8 Mar 1862, d. 23 Aug 1911
  5. Mahlon Snyder, b. 16 Sep 1865, d. 4 Jan 1921
  6. Amandus D. Snyder, b. 15 Aug 1868, d. 20 Sep 1932
  7. Mary Snyder, b. ca 1871
  8. Ida D. Snyder, b. ca 1876, d. ca 1938

An examination of 1850 census records showed a Peter and Maria Deisher, ages 55 and 56, in Hereford Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. 2 Presuming this is the correct Peter and Maria, then Judith likely had a brother Charles and a sister Amanda. The household was:

  • Peter Deisher, age 55, M, Farmer, $1700, Pennsylvania
  • Maria Deisher, age 56, F, Pennsylvania
  • Amanda Deisher, age 17, F, Pennsylvania
  • Elmire M. Schuby, age 3, F, Pennsylvania
  • Charles Deischer, age 31, M, Farmer, Pennsylvania
  • Barbara Deischer, age 25, F, Pennsylvania
  • William Deischer, age 10, M, Pennsylvania

Peter Deischer can be found in Hereford Township in the 1820, 1840, 1850, and 1860 U.S. census records. He likely died sometime between 1860 and 1870 as Maria shows up in the 1870 census in Charles Deysher’s household.

I’m looking for more information on the family of Peter Deischer and Maria Trump, their children and their parents.