The Tale of Three Henry Petersons

 In researching my Fielding family (still working on outlining a blog post series on James Fielding), I stumbled upon a landmine of information where I once had a huge brick wall.  I am still processing the information, albeit slowly, because I am almost dazed by the sheer amount of information I have uncovered and don't have as much time as I used to to process the information.  This line has to do with my ancestress, Emeline Peterson, who married Henderson McDonald and was the grandmother to Nellie Fielding and my own great-grandmother.

Emeline Peterson, I have determined, was the daughter of Henry Peterson and Mary Ann Marson.  

But my trail didn't end there, nor did it start with her parents' names.  In fact, finding out Emeline's parents' names was one of the last things I discovered about her immediate family.

I should start at the beginning.  This is the tale of three Henry Petersons.  Keep in mind that I work backwards through history while reading this.

THE FIRST HENRY (1784-1841)

In trying to find out more about Emeline Peterson, I decided to research Sarah Peterson, the 35-year-old woman who was living with Emeline and her husband in the 1850 census (because I am a HUGE believer in the FAN club method of research when hitting brick walls).  I determined that Sarah was in fact Emeline's elder sister when I found Sarah's will from Allegheny County, Pennsylvania in 1874, in which Sarah Ann Peterson mentions that because her sister Emeline McLaughlin was well provided for, she chose not to bequeath her anything.  This will also mentions her cousin Lewis Peterson jr. as well as her uncle Peter Peterson, sister Elizabeth M. Cary and brother Franklin.

**Note here: this will also helped me uncover where Emeline went after Henderson's death, so she is no longer an elusive family member, but that's a blog post for another day.**

Using that information, I searched for these family members.  Lewis Peterson jr. was the son of Lewis Peterson sr., of course.  Lewis sr. and his brother Peter were prominent members in early Pittsburgh society, having opened L & P Peterson & Company in 1820, which was a tin, copper, and ironware manufacturing company.  Researching further, I found that the two were beneficiaries in their father's will in 1838 in Allegheny County.  Their father was named Henry Peterson, and he left items to his widow Hannah and seven surviving children; Henry, Lewis, Peter, Derrick, Maria, Ann, and Lydia.

Because I knew already that Lewis and Peter were the uncles of Emeline and Sarah, I knew I could rule them out as my ancestor.  That left me with Derrick and Henry jr. as the two candidates for the father of Emeline.  I then stumbled upon a notice in the Pittsburgh Gazette that summed up an 1852 civil suit between Sylvanus Lathrop and Ann Peterson, aunt to my Emeline.  In that summation of events leading to the civil suit, it stated that while Henry had a family in 1837, Derrick did not.  

What cinched the claim to Henry was a book that was written in several volumes over several years called The Morris Family of Philadelphia: Descendants of Anthony Morris (which I call the Morris book in shorthand).  In volume 3, on page 636, my ancestress Emeline Peterson was listed as one of several children of Henry Peterson and Mary Ann Marson.  Of course, I didn't take the book as full truth on my ancestry but verified that info with other evidence.  And I am still working on that other evidence.

**note here:  Even though I also write have written one myself, I don't take any written genealogies at face value, as there are too many mistakes and liberties taken.  If they are sourced, I verify  the sources used.... if not, I try to do the legwork myself.  I still use them as sources though.**

I also starting working up the Peterson line.  Henry Peterson sr. and Henry Peterson jr. both ended up in Allegheny County in what is now Pittsburgh, but neither one of them started there.  They both lived in Philadelphia in the early part of the nineteenth century, but Henry jr. was actually born, it appears, in Delaware, in Duck Creek Cross Roads in Kent County.  His mother was Henry sr.'s first wife, Margaret Morris, whose line the Morris book actually focuses on (and whose line I haven't worked on yet because I am still working the Peterson research..... but I'll verify the book info soon I hope).  

The first of my three Henry Petersons is still a bit of a mystery, though he is the only one of the three for which I have a birth AND a death date.   I am still trying to narrow down when and where Henry and Mary Ann Marson married, but it appears that they had two sons, Benjamin Franklin and John M, as well as the three daughters already mentioned; Sarah, Elizabeth, and Emeline.  Henry was a copper and tinsmith and established himself first in Philadelphia before moving to Pittsburgh.  What is curious however is that he died in Philadelphia in December 1841 at the age of fifty-seven from a plural effusion.  It is not known why he was back in Philadelphia, but he may have been visiting for one reason or another.  I am waiting on his probate record from Allegheny County as I type this to see what, if anything, was left in his records.  I also need to verify Mary Ann's maiden surname, as the only document that mentions is thus far is her entry in the Morris book.

THE SECOND HENRY (before 1760-1838)

The second Henry Peterson, known thus far as Henry Peterson Sr. was actually also a junior.  I have no date of birth for him other than he was born before 1760, as his census records indicate.  He was the child of Henry Peterson and Hannah Rothwell, though his mother's surname has not been verified (as the Morris book is the only document thus far that gives her surname).  

While it appears he lived in Philadelphia most of his life per city directory entries, census records, and deed and probate documents for his siblings and father, he appears to have died in June 1838 in Pine Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania according to his own probate records.  He also lived in Loudon County, Virginia for about ten years, as deed records and an advertisement he placed in the Virginia Journal and Alexandria Advertiser in 1787 indicate. It is not clear why he moved there, but a few of his children were born there.  His first wife was Margaret Morris, who died in 1828 according to the book, and he appears to have remarried, as wife Hannah is listed in his will, though as of yet I have no information on Hannah at all.  Henry, according to his will, had the seven aforementioned children, but the Morris book lists a couple that died young as well.  Further research will need to be done to prove this, however.

THE THIRD HENRY (died circa 1794)

This brings me to my third Henry Peterson.  Like his namesake, this Henry (who is actually the first Henry Peterson in my line if one goes chronologically) has no date of birth as of yet, but I do know that he died sometime between 6 September 1791, when he wrote his will, and 3 September 1794, when his will was proved in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. A 1774 Philadelphia deed states he was a merchant, and his will lists four children named Lydia, Henry, Peter, and Derick, which means the second Henry named his children after his siblings. 

Derick Peterson, son to this Henry and brother to the second, was a pretty famous guy in early Philadelphia history.  He appears to have been a captain in the Philadelphia militia during the Revolution, he owned a vast estate in what was then Lower Dublin Township (now part of the Holmesburg neighborhood in Philadelphia), and he and his brother Henry had a very public falling out over debts owned to him that brought up the bequeathment that was left to the brothers by their father in his will.  I am currently awaiting his probate records from the Philadelphia Register of Wills because so many of the other Petersons (including the first Henry Peterson) are mentioned in the abstract of his probate and I want to know what legacy he left to each of them. 

Because both the second and the third Henry Petersons lived in Philadelphia for a time, sorting records for them feels almost impossible in some instances without further research.  I have numerous records saved in various places in the hopes of being able to sort them out to the correct ancestor.  Add to that the repeating names for their children and one has a recipe for frustration in research.  But I power on because I like to write the stories of who my kin were and how they lived within the scope of history.

This tale isn't finished, and I like to think it never will be as long as I can find information on any of the Peterson family.

Sources: 

*note - I have chosen not to post a complete list of all the sources I have on all of my Henry Petersons because the research is ongoing.  For further sources, contact me*

"1800 United States Federal Census," online database, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 April 2021), Entry for Henry Peterson, Year: 1800, Census Place: Lower Dublin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Series: M32, Roll: 42, Page: 153, Image: 223, and Family History Library Film: 363345; citing Second Census of the United States, 1800: Population Schedules, Washington County, Territory Northwest of the River Ohio; and Population Census, 1803: Washington County, Ohio. NARA microfilm publication M1804 (1 roll).

"1830 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 April 2021), Entry for Henry Peterson, Year: 1830, Census Place: Pittsburgh West Ward Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Series: M19, Roll: 144, Page: 53, and Family History Library Film: 0020618; citing Fifth Census of the United States, 1830. (NARA microfilm publication M19, 201 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

"Abstracts of Wills Recorded in the Administration Books, Register's Office, Philadelphia", Publications of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, volume V no 3 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, March 1914), 295; online images, Google Books (https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Pennsylvania_Genealogical_Magazine/GMIxAQAAMAAJ : accessed 25 April 2021). Entry for Derick Peterson, administration Book N, page 242, 1829.

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 27-2B: 60-62, Lewis and Maria Peterson to Henry Peterson, recorded 19 October 1819; FHL microfilm 1497872.

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 27-2B: 104-106, Assignment of Lewis Peterson to Henry Peterson jr., recorded 13 Nov 1819; FHL microfilm 1497872

Clear, Helen, compiler, Deaths Gleaned from the Pittsburgh Christian Advocate 1834-1855 (New Brighton, Pennsylvania: Archives & History Ministry Team of the Western Pennsylvania Conference, United Methodist Church, 2000), 163; online file, Western PA Conference, The United Methodist Church (https://www.wpaumc.org/archives-sampler : accessed 18 April 2021).

Cushing, Thomas. History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania: Including Its Early Settlement and Progress to the Present Time, a Description of Its Historic and Interesting Localities: Its Cities, Towns and Villages: Religious, Educational, Social and Military History: Mining, Manufacturing and Commercial Interests: Improvements, Resources, Statistics, Etc. : Also Portraits of Some of Its Prominent Men and Biographies of Many of Its Representative Citizens, volume 1 (Chicago: A Warner & Co, 1889), 147

"District Couty - Sylvanus Lothrop vs. Ann Peterson et. al.," legal notice, Pittsburgh Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 29 March 1852, page 3; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 8 April 2021).

Harris' general business directory of the cities of Pittsburgh and Allegheny: and also of the most flourishing and important towns and cities of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Western New York, Virginia, &c. (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: A.A. Anderson, 1841), 46, "Peterson Henry copper and tin warehouse, Front n. Market d, h Springdale"; digital images, Detre Library & Archives, Heinz History Center, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 22 April 2021).

Haavik, Benjamin Knute. "Eden Hall: A Cultural Historic Landscape," (Master's Thesis University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1998), 17. 

Loudoun County, Virginia, Deed Book S: 143-145, William and Sarah Allen to Henry Peterson, recorded 13 Sept 1790; FHL microfilm 32305.

Loudoun County, Virginia, Deed Book X: 310-313, Henry and Margarett Peterson to Lee B. Gale, recorded 24 December 1796; FHL microfilm 32309.

Moon, Robert C. The Morris Family of Philadelphia: Descendants of Anthony Morris, volumes 1-5 (Philadelphia: Robert C. Moon, 1898–1909). (I used the copy currently on Ancestry.com, but various other copies are available on the internet)

"Pennsylvania Archives," database online with images, Fold3 (www.fold3.com : accessed 25 April 2021), Entry for Derick Peterson, volume 1, page 144, Muster Rolls Relating to the Associators and Militia of the City of Philadelphia; extracted from Thomas Lynch Montgomery (editor), Pennsylvania Archives (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Harrisburg Publishing Company, 1906).

"Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994," database online with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 10 April 2021), Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994 Allegheny Proceedings index 1788-1971 vol 33-34> volume 34, page 266, box 9; citing county courthouses in Pennsylvania.

"Pennsylvania, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 8 April 2021), Entry for Henry Peterson, probate date 13 June 1838, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Will Books, Vol 4, pages 26-27; citing Pennsylvania County District and Probate Courts.

"Pennsylvania, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993,"  (accessed 19 March 2021), Entry for Sarah A Peterson, probate date 28 Aug 1874, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Will Packets, Vol 17-19, 1874-1876, volume 17, page 584, number 307; citing Pennsylvania County District and Probate Courts.

"Pennsylvania, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993," (accessed 11 April 2021), Philadelphia > Wills, Vol W-X, 1790-1799> Vol X, page 106, Will of Henry Peterson (img 450 of 824); citing Pennsylvania County District and Probate Courts.

"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803-1915," database online with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 18 April 2021), Entry for Henry Peterson, died 15 Dec 1841; FHL microfilm 1,905,884; citing Philadelphia City Archives and Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book EF9: 643-648, Derick and Mary Peterson and Lydia McCalla to Henry Peterson, recorded 6 Dec 1802; FHL microfilm 21947.

"To the Printer of the Aurora," Aurora (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 19 April 1805, page 1; online images, GenealogyBank (www.genealogybank.com : accessed 10 April 2021).

"To the Public," Aurora (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 17 April 1805, page 1; online images, GenealogyBank (www.genealogybank.com : accessed 10 April 2021).

"Untitled," legal notice, The Pittsburgh Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 4 January 1840, page 2; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 8 April 2021).

Notable Women: Nellie Grant May Fielding Anderson

A year after I received it, I'm still working on the Civil War pension file of my second great-grandfather, James Fielding.  There is a great deal of information in the file, but alas, between working full time and other commitments, it's been slow going.  Eventually, I will finish the blog post I have already started to put together on his remarkable life.

In documenting each page of the pension file, I have come across the extraordinary life of his daughter, Nellie.  My pap's maternal aunt was a strong and notable woman in her own right.

I should mention that I don't have much on Nellie's ancestry past her parents.  After all, both sets of her grandparents, John Fielding and Martha Gibson, and Henderson McDonald and Emmeline Peterson, are both subjects of "Chasing the Elusive" blog posts I have done.

Nellie Grant May Fielding was born on 2 August 1872 in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania (which as I have mentioned before is now the Northside of Pittsburgh).  She was the fourth child and second daughter born to James Fielding and Sarah Virginia MacDonald.  At the time of her birth, the family was living at 186 Rebecca in Allegheny City's Fifth Ward, so this is most likely where she was born.  

As a child, she spent time in Cleveland, Ohio (and maybe a few other locations), as her father worked at the time as a traveling agent for a few publishing companies.  Her younger brother, Edward, was born in Cleveland, which leads to the assumption that the family did travel with James, at least to Ohio.

Younger brother Marcus was the subject of his own blog post as well.

On 19 January 1890, Nellie married Walter Black Anderson in Camden, New Jersey. He was a Scottish immigrant and the son of James Anderson and Balmain Black.  Both Walter and Nellie were seventeen years of age, and it is unclear why they traveled all the way to Camden from Allegheny City where they both lived.  Perhaps it was easier to get married there for them, being underage and all.  

***Note here: As of this blog post, I have ordered their marriage license from the New Jersey State Archives, but will need to wait to receive it.  If it has answers, I will update this blog post with them.**

Walter was trained as a bookkeeper and frequently moved about the general vicinity of Pittsburgh and Allegheny City, per his entries in the area city directories.  It is not known if Nellie moved with him or not, but the couple did have two children born in the area.  Nellie Balmain Anderson was born at 5 Jackson Street in Allegheny City on 5 Jan 1891 and George James Anderson was born on 14 August 1894 in Pittsburgh.  

By 1898, the family was living in Sharpsburg, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Walter died suddenly here on 20 November 1898 at the age of twenty-six, leaving Nellie a widow with two small children.  He was buried in Highwood Cemetery.  No record of his death was registered at the county level, and as death records were not required until 1906 by the state, it is not known what he died from.

Nellie moved back to Allegheny City after Walter's death, presumably to be closer to her parents, and took in boarders in 1900 to make ends meet.  She spent some time living in Pittsburgh but appears to have moved back into her father's home at 2704 Norwood Avenue in Allegheny City around the time her mother died in 1907.  It was in this house that she was enumerated in 1910, living with her brothers James and Edward.  She probably kept house for her father before he moved to the National Home for Soldiers in Dayton in 1909.

After her father died in 1913, Nellie was responsible for putting his last affairs in order, and as a result of this, she went into a small amount of debt.  Per records found in James' pension file, Nellie applied for reimbursement for expenses of $142.80 on 11 April 1913.  In the same document, she stated that her father was last paid his pension in December of 1912 and that James' home, in which she lived with brothers James, Edward, and sometimes Marcus, was worth $3200.  The house had been left to the children who lived in it at the time of James' death per his will, with their father noting they were to live together as long as possible.  Should the house have to be sold, James Henderson was to inherit $1500, which would be left in the hands of his uncle and James' younger brother John, who was the executor.  Marcus and Nellie both were to inherit $400, while Edward was set to inherit $250. (By contrast, Nellie's sisters Jennie, Emma, and Birdie only received $5 apiece.)

**tangent here: I wrote an article about Nellie's uncle John Fielding and the accident that cost him his leg.**

I'm not sure why Edward and Marcus were included in this stipulation in the will, but James Henderson was blind by the time his father wrote the will and was a feeble man.  In September of 1913, he suffered a stroke, leaving him paralyzed.  Nellie was his caretaker, and likely was taking care of both her brother and her father from the time of her mother's death in 1907 until James the elder moved to Dayton for better care.

Here is why I think Nellie was so notable.... as a widow herself, with two younger children, she managed to not only run her father's household for him when he was invalided but also took care of her eldest brother in his condition as well as her two younger brothers.  Per newspaper advertisements, the family also took in boarders to make ends meet, which added to her work.  She also did some of this while making a living for herself at a time when it was considered low-class for a woman to work outside of the home.

Because of the house, however, the family also ran into some problems.  In the aforementioned application for reimbursement that Nellie submitted, she listed the home's worth, which disallowed her claim due to the fact that the value of the real estate was sufficient to cover reimbursements Nellie had asked for, despite the fact that her father's pension money, which the family appeared to be living off of, had not been paid since December of 1912.  Nellie contacted her local Congressman, Stephen G. Porter, and apparently asked him to look into the matter.  He in turn wrote a letter in July of 1913 inquiring about the status of the final pension payments.

This began a letter-writing campaign between Nellie, Stephen G. Porter, and the commissioner of the Bureau of Pensions that lasted for many years.  Nellie mentioned her invalided brother and the rising costs to care for him but was told that since he was over the age of 16, he was not entitled to his father's pension despite his disabilities.  The commissioner continued to stand his ground, stating that because the house was sufficient enough to cover the costs of the debts Nellie held, they did not have to pay the accrued pension.  However, if the family sold the house, Nellie and James Henderson would have nowhere to live.

By 1920, it appeared that Nellie had ceased fighting the matter.  This was when it appeared she also went back to work, as she's enumerated in the 1920 census and listed in the corresponding city directories as a matron at the Bell Telephone Company in Pittsburgh.

It is not clear when the home finally had to be sold, but by 1928, a Bonomo family appears to have taken residence of the home.  James was sent to the St. Barnabus Free Home, where he was enumerated in the 1930 census and where he succumbed to chronic asthma on 13 December 1931.

Nellie took up housekeeping once more.  In 1930, she was enumerated in the census in the household of 55-year-old Harry Rushmore, a widower living in Swissvale, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania with his three children as their housekeeper.  Little else is known about her time spent here, however.

The 1940 census found her enumerated in the home of widowed Emma S. Eisenhauer on 3242 Orleans Street, living as a boarder, along with two other boarders.  This census listed that in 1935 she was living in the "same place" but not the "same house," so her stint as a housekeeper with Rushmore appeared to have been short.

Little else is known about her or where she lived or what she did until 24 February 1963 when she died from an intestinal hemorrhage due to a broken hip caused by an accidental fall at the Reformed Presbyterian Home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  She was 90 years old at the time and had outlived her parents, all of her six siblings, her husband, a son-in-law, and her only grandson, Walter Anderson, who died in a fiery crash outside Detroit, Michigan in 1949.  Her funeral was held at the Reformed Presbyterian Home three days after her death and then she was buried in Highwood next to her husband, having spent 65 years of her life without him.

One day I would love to see a photo of this formidable woman.  Did she look as strong as the research suggests she was or did she appear fragile?  Was she hardened by her life experiences or did she remain optimistic and flexible to the curveballs that were thrown her way?  I may never know, but she remains a notable woman in my eyes.

Sources Used:

"1900 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 July 2020), Entry for Nellie M. Anderson and family, Year: 1900, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 2 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Page: 12, Enumeration District: 0015, and FHL microfilm: 1241355; citing United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.

"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 July 2020), Entry for Nellie Anderson and family, Year: 1910, Census Place: Pittsburgh Ward 26 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: T624_1308, Page: 4A, Enumeration District: 0634, and FHL microfilm: 1375321; citing Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

"1920 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 February 2020), Entry for James H. Fielding and Nellie M. Anderson, Year: 1920, Census Place: Pittsburgh Ward 26 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: T625_1526, Page: 3B, and Enumeration District: 729; citing Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

"1930 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 February 2020), Entry for James H Fielding, Year: 1930, Census Place: Richland Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Page: 18A, Enumeration District: 0773, and FHL microfilm: 2341723; citing United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.

"1930 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 February 2021), Entry for Nell Anderson in the household of Harry Rushworth, Year: 1930, Census Place: Swissvale Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Page: 1A, Enumeration District: 0816, and FHL microfilm: 2341725.

"1940 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 February 2021), Entry for Nellie Anderson in the household of Emma S. Eisenhauer, Year: 1940, Census Place: Pittsburgh Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: m-t0627-03674, Page: 10A, and Enumeration District: 69-743; citing United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940. T627, 4,643 rolls.

Allegheny City, Registration of births in the city of Allegheny, 1878-1907 and index 1882-1907, volume 4: page 97, Entry for Female Anderson, born 15 Jan 1891.

Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "1880 United States Federal Census," database online with images, Ancestry.com Operation, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 July 2016), Entry for James Fielding and household; Year: 1880, Census Place: Allegheny Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1086, Family History Film: 1255086, Page: 132B, Enumeration District: 006, and Image: 0269.

"Anderson," death notice, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 26 February 1963, death notice for Nellie Anderson, page 22; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 31 January 2021).

Application for Reimbursement, certificate number 11390, deceased pensioner James Fielding, E, 155th Pa Inf., dated 11 April 1913; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent to Kelley Wood-Davis 29 Jan 2020 by Deidre Erin Denton, genealogist; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); Records Relating to Pension and Bounty-Land Claims 1773-1942, Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, RG 15; 2,807 rolls, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Atlas of the cities of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, and the Adjoining Boroughs (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: G.M. Hopkins, 1876); digital images, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 5 February 2021), Plate 10-11> viewed Rebecca Street in the 5th Ward of Allegheny City.

Central Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers Form No. 37, reporting death of James Fielding, pension cert no 11390, filed 21 Feb 1913; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

"Death Record," obituary, The Pittsburgh Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 7 October 1906, Page 6; Mrs. Sarah V. Fielding; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 31 July 2016).

"Died," death notice, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 22 November 1898, Walter Black Anderson, page 5; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 6 June 2020).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1872-1873 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1872), 169, "Fielding James, machinist, 186 Rebecca, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 July 2016).

Find A Grave, database with images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 1 February 2021), memorial page for Nellie Fielding Anderson, Find A Grave Memorial # 184299810, citing Highwood Cemetery (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), memorial created by FrankA.

Find A Grave, Walter Black Anderson, Find A Grave Memorial # 184299886.

Letter from Acting Commissioner E. C. J. to the Hon. Stephen G Porter, dated 11 August 1913; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Letter from the Commissioner of Bureau of Pensions to Mrs. Nellie Anderson, dated 14 May 1913; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Letter from E. C. Tieman, acting commissioner, to Hon. Stephen Foster, dated 18 June 1919; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington

Letter from G.M. Saltzgerber to Mrs. Nellie Anderson, dated 14 March 1917; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Letter from Mrs. Nellie Anderson to the Pension Agent in Washington D. C. dated 9 Jan 1917; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent to Kelley Wood-Davis 29 Jan 2020 by Deidre Erin Denton, genealogist; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); Records Relating to Pension and Bounty-Land Claims 1773-1942, Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, RG 15; 2,807 rolls, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Letter from Stephen G. Porter, Representative of the 29th District Pennsylvania, to G. M. Saltzgaber, Commissioner of the Bureau of Pensions, dated 31 July 1913; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Letter from Stephen G. Porter, Representative of the 29th District Pennsylvania, to G. M. Saltzgaber, Commissioner of the Bureau of Pensions, dated 2 June 1919; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

"Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003," database online with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 25 February 2020), Entry for male Child Fielding, born 20 April 1876 at 556 Hamilton, Cleveland; Cuyahoga > Birth registers with index 1872-1876 > image 204 of 288; FHL Microfilm number 1986157; citing County courthouses, Ohio.

"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 19 February 2020), Entry for James Henderson Fielding, died 13 Dec 1931, cn 112920; citing Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 July 2020), Entry for Nellie Anderson, died 24 Feb 1963.

Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1899 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1899), 131, "Anderson Nellie, wid, Walter B, h 188 Jackson, A(llegheny)"; digital image, Univerity of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 26 January 2021).

Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1900 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1900), 132, "Anderson Nellie M, wid Walter, 311 Jackson, A"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 January 2021).

Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1904 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1904), 186, "Anderson Nellie wid Walter V 2033 Center av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1905 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1905), 136, "Anderson Nellie wid Walter B 2033 Center av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

Pittsburgh directory, 1908 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1908), 129, "Anderson Nellie M wid Walter 2704 Norwood av A"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

Pittsburgh directory, 1909 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley,, 1909), 119, "Anderson Nellie M wid Walter 2704 Norwood av A"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

Pittsburgh directory, 1910 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1910), "Anderson Nellie M wid Walter B 2704 Norwood"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

Pittsburgh directory, 1912 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R. L. Polk & Co and R. L. Dudley, 1912), 112, "Anderson Nellie wid W V 2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

Pittsburgh directory, 1913 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co and R. L. Dudley, 1913), 113, "Anderson Nellie wid Walter B 2704 Norwood"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

Pittsburgh directory, 1914 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1914), 142, "Anderson Nellie wid Walter B 2704 Norwood"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

Pittsburgh directory, 1915 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1915), 147, "Anderson Nellie wid Walter B 2704 Norwood"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

Polk's Pittsburgh city directory, 1922 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co, 1922), 395, "Anderson Nell M (wid Walter B) Matron Bell Tel Co h2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 January 2021).

Polk's Pittsburgh city directory, 1923 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co, 1923), 392, "Anderson Nellie M (wid Walter B) h2704 Norwood"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 January 2021).

Polk's Pittsburgh city directory, 1924 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R. L. Polk & Co, 1924), 470, "Anderson Nell M (wid Walter B) h2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 January 2021).

Receipt of Payment for Funeral Services For James Fielding from Mrs. Nellie Anderson to R. T. Rodney, Funeral Director; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Reimbursement Card, Certificate number 11390, for invalid pensioner James Fielding; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

R.L. Polk & Co.'s Pittsburgh city directory, 1916 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co, 1916), 457, "Anderson Nellie N (wid Walter B), h 2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

R.L. Polk & Co.'s Pittsburgh city directory, 1917 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R. L. Polk & Co., 1917), 429, "Anderson Nellie M (wid Walter B), h 2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

R.L. Polk & Co.'s Pittsburgh city directory, 1918 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co, 1918), 436, "Anderson Nellie M (wid Walter B), h 2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

R.L. Polk & Co.'s Pittsburgh city directory, 1919 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co, 1919), 420, "Anderson Nellie m (wid Walter B), r 2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

R.L. Polk & Co.'s Pittsburgh city directory, 1920 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R. L. Polk & Co, 1920), 432, "Anderson Nell M (wid Walter B), h 2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).

"To let," advertisement, The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 22 August 1915, page 29; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 8 February 2021).

"United States Marriages," database online, FindMyPast (www.findmypast.com : accessed 5 February 2021), Entry for W B Anderson and Nellie G M Fielding, married 19 Jan 1890, Camden, Camden, New Jersey; citing all the United States marriage records that are currently on Findmypast.

"U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 26 February 2020), Entry for Marcus Fielding, born 2 Dec 1879; Registration State: Illinois; Registration County: Cook; Roll: 1452382; Draft Board: 02; citing United States, Selective Service System. "World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918". Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm.

Voucher circular questions for James Fielding, certificate number 11390, dated 5 July 1898; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.

Will of James Fielding (1913), Probate Records of Allegheny County: Will Book 120, Number 20, Page 34; Register of Wills, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Chasing the Elusive: Henderson McDonald

 I apologize for the lack of blogging in recent times.  I recently finished a rather large genealogy research project for an acquaintance that ended up consuming all of my free time until just before Christmas, and then took a short research break, as my mind had "fried."

In this new year, I am back to doing my research. I am starting off 2021 with another chasing of the elusive. I also will be updating the last chasing the elusive blog post I wrote in the next few days, as I found more information on Elizabeth Hager VanLuvanee Hause.

One of my paternal third-great-grandfathers was a man by the name of Henderson McDonald.  There is very little on him in regards to a paper trail, thus he remains one of my more elusive ancestors (as does his wife).  

Let's start at the beginning:

Henderson McDonald was born sometime around the year 1815 in Pennsylvania, according to the census records.  However, he could have been born as early as 1811, as a Henderson McDonald was baptized at the Derry Presbyterian Church in Derry, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania on 6 September 1811, per page 142 of the first volume of Notes and Queries: Historical, Biographical and Genealogical, Relating Chiefly to Interior Pennsylvania edited by William Henry Egle.  However, further research will need to be done in order to determine whether or not this is the correct Henderson McDonald.  I have a couple of emailed queries out but am waiting for replies.  For now, this record is merely a note to research as more records come available online.

Because of the lack of records to research at present time, it is unknown who his parentage was. 

At some point, he married Emeline Peterson, who was also born in Pennsylvania around the year 1821.  They probably married before September of 1839, as that was when their daughter Sarah was born.

The couple had three known children per census records, although the only census I have found that lists them all is the 1850 census.  The three known children are Sarah, who was born 1 September 1839, William, who was born around 1848, and Emma G, who was born in June of 1850.

Given the gaps in the years of the children, I am almost certain other children were born to the couple, but those children probably sadly died as infants or children before census enumerators could find them.

Here's where he becomes elusive, as he only listed in a handful of documents despite searching what is available online.

Henderson McDonald appears in two United States Federal census records.  In 1840, he is listed as the head of the household in Pittsburgh's South Ward, living with his wife, eldest daughter Sarah, and an unknown free white woman aged 20-29.  In this census, one person was enumerated as being employed in navigation of canals, lakes, and rivers. In 1850, he was listed as the head of the household, living in Allegheny City's Third Ward with his wife Emeline, children Sarah, Emma G and William, and a 35-year-old woman named Sarah Peterson, who was probably a sister or relative of Emmeline's.  In that census, he was enumerated as being employed as a clerk.

In February of 1844, his name appeared in a "List of Letters" that were waiting at the Pittsburgh Post Office.  The list ran for several consecutive weeks in the Pittsburgh Morning Post. 

He also appears only in one city directory for the greater Pittsburgh area.  That directory is Fahnestock's Pittsburgh directory for 1850, in which he is listed as Capt. Henderson McDonald, living on Federal Street in Allegheny.

1850 is the last known year for documents for him, as the trail runs cold after the directory listing and the 1850 census.  There are a few clues, however, in documents for his wife.

Emeline Peterson McDonald first shows up as a solo woman in the Directory for 1856-1857 of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Cities, when she appears as "Mrs. McDonald" working as a dressmaker on Craig Street near Ann Street.  She then appears in a handful of city directories living on Robinson Street and Fourth in Allegheny City's First Ward.  It is because of these listings that it is likely Henderson died between 1850 and 1856.

Emeline (whose name was spelled in a variety of ways including "Emily") also appears on the 1860 census with daughters Sarah and Emma, living in the First Ward of Allegheny city in the house of one Ann Aiken, where she was employed as a seamstress.

In November of 1861, Emeline's daughter Sarah married James Fielding in her home, according to a write-up in the Pittsburgh Presbyterian Banner. Conflicting information however gives the location of this home in both Sharpsburg (per a questionnaire James Fielding filled out later for his pension application) and Allegheny City (per the newspaper write-up itself done in March of 1862).  The minister who married the couple was one John Williams.  Aside from being a Presbyterian minister, little is known about him.

Emeline McDonald's last entry is in the Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1866/1867, where she appears living on 32 Fourth Street in Allegheny City.  After that directory, her trail also runs cold.

Searches to probate records from Allegheny County for both Henderson and Emeline yielded no hits, as did property records in the forms of deeds available as digitized images on FamilySearch and elsewhere.  Searches of the many newspapers digitized on newspapers.com, NewspaperArchive, and GenealogyBank have not yielded any death notices or notes of any kind on the couple.  The negative searches lead me to assume that the couple owned no property, and therefore had little to take through probate.  They also may have had a death notice in a newspaper that has not yet been digitized or lost to time (or even did not get noted at all).  Aside from daughter Sarah, who was my ancestress, little is known on the couple's children as well.  The trails for Emma and William also run cold.  

Perhaps one day there will be a brick removed in this giant brick wall that is my McDonald family and I will be able to continue the hunt backwards through the generations.  However, until then, I remain, chasing the elusive.

Update here (22 May 2021): I have picked up Emeline's trail and wrote a post about her second husband, Elmon Edward McLaughlin.

Sources

Ancestry.com, "1840 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 31 July 2016), Year: 1840, Census Place: Pittsburgh South Ward Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 441, Page: 373, Image: 764, and Family History Library Film: 0020536 (Entry for Henderson McDonald).

Ancestry.com, "1850 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 31 July 2016), Year: 1850, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 3 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M432_744, Page: 152B, and Image: 310 (Entry for Henderson McDonald and family).

Ancestry.com, "1860 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 31 July 2016), Year: 1860, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 1 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M653_1067, Page: 635, Image: 102, and Family History Library Film: 805067 (as Emaline McDonald and daughters).

Directory of Pittsburgh & vicinity for, 1858/1859 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: George H. Thurston, 1858), 165, "McDonald Emeline, widow of Henderson, h Robinson bl Darragh, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh & vicinity for, 1859/1860 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: George H. Thurston, 1859), 186, "McDonald Emeline, widow of Henderson, h Robinson n Canal, A(llegheny)"; digital image, Univeristy of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 11 January 2021).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1861-1862 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1861), 218, "McDondald Emily, widow Henderson, dressmaker, Robinson n Darragh, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (http://historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1863-1864 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1863), 236, "McDonald Emeline, wid Henderson, 46 Fourth"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1866/1867 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1866), 273, "McDonald Emma, wid Henderson, 32 Fourth"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 July 2016).

Fahnestock's Pittsburgh directory for 1850: containing the names of the inhabitants of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, & vicinity : their occupation, places of business and dwelling houses : also, a list of the public offices, banks, &c, 1850 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Geo. Parkin & Co, 1850), 61, "McDonald Henderson Capt. Federal, Al(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 July 2016).

"List of Letters," Pittsburgh Morning Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 22 February 1844, page 4; Henderson McDonald had a letter; online images, NewspaperArchive (www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 12 January 2021).

"Married," Pittsburgh Presbyterian Banner (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 22 March 1862, page 3; online images, NewspaperArchive (www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 12 January 2021).

"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 July 2016), Entry for Sarah V. Fielding; died 4 October 1907; Certificate number: 95518; citing Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Parents listed as Henderson McDonald and Emeline Petterson.

Voucher circular questions for James Fielding, certificate number 11390, dated 5 July 1898; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding sent to Kelley Wood-Davis 29 Jan 2020 by Deidre Erin Denton, genealogist; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); Records Relating to Pension and Bounty-Land Claims 1773-1942, Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, RG 15; 2,807 rolls, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Chasing the Elusive: Elizabeth Hager VanLuvanee Hause FOUND

I've been working on my Hager line lately and had come across another elusive: my maternal grandmother's aunt, Elizabeth.

*Note here: As of 13 January 2021, when I updated this, Elizabeth was no longer a Chasing the Elusive, as I FOUND her trail... so this has been edited to reflect that

Elizabeth Hager was born the third child to Christianna Huber and Jonas Hager (whom I already wrote a blog post on).  She was born sometime in August of 1888, in that not-so-sweet spot of time when Pennsylvania counties did not require birth registrations.  Pinning down a location for the family is also difficult, as Jonas tended to move his family between Bucks and Montgomery Counties as he found work.  She was likely born in either Bucks or Montgomery County.

What is known is Elizabeth was on the 1900 census with Jonas and Christianna and family in Hatfield Township, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, enumerated as eleven year old "Lizzie" and having had 7 months of schooling that year.

Sometime around the year 1905, Lizzie married Arthur VanLuvanee, the elder brother of Mary VanLuvanee (who married Elizabeth's brother George).  The couple had a daughter, Mary Elizabeth, who was born in Lansdale on 21 August 1905, per Montgomery County Birth registrations.  

Arthur was a moulder, and on the 1910 to 1940 census enumerations, the couple were found living in a series of homes in Lansdale, first on Third, then west Main, and finally settling at 30 Ridge Street, where they owned their own home.

Arthur died on 18 December 1945 at the home on 30 Ridge Street in Lansdale from heart problems, and great-great-aunt Elizabeth was the informant in his death record.

It was the last that I could find of her on ANY record. That has sincechanged

Daughter Mary married Kermit Detweiler and died 31 January 1965 in Norristown, and like her father, she was buried at Whitemarsh Memorial Park in Ambler, Pennsylvania.  Upon contacting the cemetery, however, I learned that Elizabeth was NOT buried with them.... so I continued to search.

Some interesting notes:  She is not listed on Arthur's draft cards for either World War One or World War Two as the next of kin.  Arthur's mother was his next of kin on the WWI card, whilst daughter Mary was listed as the person who would always know Arthur's address in WWII.  Why wasn't Elizabeth listed on either?

While those questions have not been answered, I have found out what happened to her. I had to thoroughly research her siblings to find out! (This is a great example on why using the FAN method for research does help!)

Sometime after Arthur died in December of 1945 but before brother Robert died in September of 1948, Elizabeth remarried a man by the name of Elmer Hause, as she's listed in Robert's obituary as “Mrs. Elmer Hause.” Elmer was born 29 March 1895 in Lansdale and had also been married before, although it appears his marriage had ended in divorce. He had a number of children with his first wife, though none with Elizabeth, as they were both in their fifties.

Just as though I have been unable to locate a record for Elizabeth's first marriage, I cannot find a marriage certificate for the couple, though I have searched through a number of Pennsylvania county indices that are available on FamilySearch.

What I do know is that the couple continued to reside in Lansdale on Ridge Street until Elmer's death on 9 November 1960 from cerebral thrombosis contributed by lung cancer. He died at the Eagleville Sanatorium in Lower providence Township, but his last known address, as well as the address of his wife, was 40 Ridge Street.

Elmer was buried at Whitemarsh as well, and in his obituary, which was found on Ancestry.com's Public Member trees, Elizabeth and daughter Mary (as Elmer's stepdaughter) were listed as survivors, along with Elmer's family from his first marriage.

It is currently unknown what happened to Elizabeth after Elmer's death. What is known is she passed away on 15 April 1970, though her death record has just been released to the Pennsylvania Museum and Historical Commission and therefore has not been viewed yet. (I tend to wait until the death certificates are online on Ancestry.com, as the copies are better).

It is also known that she WAS indeed buried at Whitemarsh Memorial Park with her second husband under the name Elizabeth Hause.

Sometimes one gets that wonderful little piece of information in which a brick wall comes crashing down, and thanks to her name in her brother's obituary, Elizabeth Hager Vanluvanee Hause is no longer a Chasing the Elusive!

Sources

"1900 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 January 2017), Entry for Jonas Hager and family, Year: 1900, Census Place: Hatfield Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1442, Page: 2B, Enumeration District: 0204, and FHL microfilm: 1241442.

"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 October 2020), Entry for Arthur Vanluvanee and family, Year: 1910, Census Place: Hatfield Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: T624_1377, Page: 17A, Enumeration District: 0082, and FHL microfilm: 1375390; citing Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

"1920 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 October 2020), Entry for Arthur Vanluvanes and family, Year: 1920, Census Place: Lansdale West Ward Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: T625_1605, Page: 11A, and Enumeration District: 103; Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

"1930 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 October 2020), Entry for Arthur Vanluranee and family, Year: 1930, Census Place: Lansdale Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Page: 10B, Enumeration District: 0054, and FHL microfilm: 2341816; citing United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.

"1940 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 October 2020), Entry for Arthur and Elizabeth Van Luvannee, Year: 1940, Census Place: Lansdale Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: m-t0627-03579, Page: 14B, and Enumeration District: 46-74; citing United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940. T627, 4,643 rolls.

Elmer Hause jr. Obituary, Koch Family2014 Public Member Tree; held by David Koch, 2013, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 January 2021). unknown newspaper clipping. Posted 9 March 2013 by David Koch, notations by Florence (Hause) Beckett, Elmer's sister.

Find A Grave, database with images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 16 December 2020), memorial page for Elizabeth Hager Hause, Find A Grave Memorial # 210030986, citing Whitemarsh Memorial Park (Ambler, Pennsylvania), memorial created by Lisa Phillips, photograph by Lisa Phillips.

Orphan's Court, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Register of births 1901-1908, V 324; Entry for Mary Elizabeth VanLuvanee, registered 10 Dec 1905; FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah; FHL microfilm 925502.

"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 October 2020), Entry for Arthur Vanluvanee, died 18 Dec 1945, cn 107184; citing Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, Ancestry.com, Entry for Elmer Hause, died 9 Nov 1960, cn 105997-60.

"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, Ancestry.com, Entry for Mary E. Detweiler, died 31 Jan 1965, cn 007169-65.

"Pennsylvania Death Indices," online index, Pennsylvania Historical Museum Research Commission (http://www.phmc.pa.gov/Archives/Research-Online/Pages/Death-Indices.aspx : accessed 4 January 2021), Entry for Hause, Eliza H, died 4-25-1970 in Lansdale, cn 040254.

"Robert F. Hager," obituary, Doylestown Daily Intelligencer (Doylestown, Pennsylvania), 28 September 1948, page 3; online images, NewspaperArchive (www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 16 December 2020).

"U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014," database online, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 December 2020), Entry for Elizabeth Hause, SSN 180-10-7962, dob 8 Aug 1888, date of death Aug 1970; citing Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration.

"U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 5 October 2020), Entry for Artur VanLuvanee, date of birth 20 Apr 1884; Registration State: Pennsylvania; Registration County: Montgomery; Roll: 1907293; Draft Board: 4; citing United States, Selective Service System. "World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918". Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm.

"U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942," database online with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 5 October 2020), Entry for Arthur VanLuvanee, born 20 Apr 1884; citing United States, Selective Service System. Selective Service Registration Cards, World War II: Fourth Registration. Records of the Selective Service System, Record Group Number 147. National Archives and Records Administration.

Men and Motorcycles: The Waldspurger Passion

My maternal grandfather (whom I affectionately called Granpop or Pop) Ernest Waldspurger had eight brothers, and he was the seventh of ten children in a staunch Catholic household.  His father, Edward C. Waldspurger, was the son of Florian Waldspurger and Marie Elizabeth Hans while his mother, Julia Ann Vautier, was the daughter of William John Vautier and Catherine Miller.

As one can imagine, with ten kids, there were a great deal of cousins for my mom to grow up with..... Lucky for me, I have communicated with a number of these cousins and have been gleaning stories throughout the years from them that I have been trying to write down for future generations.

A number of the stories involving my pop and his elder brothers involve motorcycles.... They were crazy for them.

Because my mom has SO many first cousins (and second cousins, etc. etc.), I have also been lucky that many of them are willing to share photos that back the stories.  And because the youngest of the brothers is still alive at one hundred years young, I have been able to ask him what it was like in this motorcycle crazy family.

I thought today I'd share some of these photos and stories:

My great uncles seemed to prefer Indian motocycles (since according to the History of the Indian Mortorcycle, there was no R in the word!), although a few of them did own early Harley Davidson bikes as well. 

Pop's six older brothers were William (Bill), Florian (Wally), Edward (Ed), Lawrence (Larry), Cornelius (Bud) and Francis (Frank).  I was told by my mom, a number of her cousins, and my still alive great uncle, that all of the older brothers did ride bikes (although I don't have a photo of Bud and a bike, nor my own pop).  So it was neat to find these photos of them on their bikes.....

Bill

Wally

Ed

Larry

Larry and Frank with friends and what I am told is a late 1920s Indian Inline, 1932

The "boys" used to drive my great-grandmother nuts, as they would clean their motorcycle parts in the kitchen and she'd have to be dodging them and the mess just to get dinner on the table.  As each of the boys got older and married and started to move into their own homes, they kept their motorcycle-riding traditions, and even played polo on their bikes!  Some of them were also founding members of the Lansdale (Pennsylvania) Motorcycle Club

The Motorcycle Club of Lansdale,Pennsylvania

1930 - Bill Moore, who later married my pop's cousin, Helen Guretse

I asked my great-uncle, who was the youngest of the brothers, if he got to ride bikes like his elder brothers did.  He replied back with a "no, never got the chance to."  When asked why.... he told me it was because of my pop.  In 1933, at the age of 19, my pop was on his motorcycle when he was involved in a VERY serious wreck that almost cost him his leg.  He was hospitalized for a great deal of time, and for the rest of his life he walked with a limp as a result.  Because of this accident, he did not get to serve his country during World War II like his two younger brothers (which I am told wounded him greatly) because no branch of the armed forces would have him.  He instead worked in the silk factories during the war, and then as a tool-and-die maker, serving that way.

One of my mom's cousins had this photo, which really hit home to me the severity of my pop's injuries.

My pop in the hospital in 1933

Anyways, after Pop was injured, my great-grandfather was scared that he would lose one of his boys.  He told ALL of his sons to get rid of their motorcycles, and they honored my great-grandfather's wishes.  The youngest son was only thirteen at the time, so there went his chances to ride the Indians and Harleys like his brothers.

Others in the family continued the tradition later in the years, but the early photos are my favorites.

Chasing the Elusive: Lewis Sheets

I am really working on another one of my illustrious ancestors, Jacob Sheets (which is taking awhile, hence lack of blog posts lately - I am also working on another project as well research wise, so my time is divided).  But in doing research on him, I have been thoroughly researching each of his children as best as I can, and came across a dead end in a few of his children, most noticeably Lewis F. Sheets.

Let's start at the beginning:

Lewis F. Sheets was born 9 Sept 1833 in Philadelphia, according to an affidavit his elder brother swore to.  He was the youngest child of Jacob Sheets (also Sheats), a Philadelphia boat builder, and his second wife Mary (likely with the surname Kelty).  Lewis was just fourteen years old when his father died in 1847, and his guardianship was awarded to one Samuel Kelty, who may have been a brother to Lewis' mother.

Note here: There are many variations in spellings for his names. Most notably on his first name it appeared throughout his life that he used Lewis and Louis interchangeably.  His last name was spelled a variety of phonetically correct ways.  Since spelling of names was not standardized in the time he lived, it can arguably be stated that any of the spellings is the correct one.

There is a great deal of family lore surround Lewis' father, which I will eventually get to when I finally write Jacob Sheat' blog post, but there is one major tale of lore that affects Lewis that I can share now.  it is said that Jacob Sheats was a gambling man and went so deep into debt that the youngest four children were farmed out to others for care since he could not afford to take care of them.  While I have not been able to find documents to support this family story entirely, I do know that one Catherine Field did raise Lewis' older sister Helen for a bit, which lends some credence to the story.

I have not been able to find him on the 1850 census.  His elder brothers (Joseph B. and Jacob S.) were enumerated in Upper Alloways Creek, Salem County, New Jersey and Northern Liberties, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania respectively.  His two surviving sisters (Deborah C. Sheets Whiteside and Helen M.D. Sheets) were both in Philadelphia County on the census, in Northern Liberties and Passyunk respectively.  It is not known who Lewis lived with though, and if he was enumerated with his own name or the name of the family he lived with.  It is something I keep searching for.

Around 1858, he married Evalene Hocker, who was born about 1837 to Charles and Mary Hocker.  The couple made their home in Philadelphia's 11th Ward near Pier 31, living at 155 Dana Street for much of

their married lives.  It was in this area that the couple had ten children; George, Mary H., Abraham Lincoln (who died young), a stillborn daughter, Charles Barnecoat, Edward M. (who also died young), Richard E., Jacob M., Francis and Emma H.

As a young man, Lewis worked briefly as a policeman, but spent more of his adult life as a stove moulder and then as an inspector at 20 South Seventh.  Newspaper articles form the time indicate the address was the Philadelphia City Gas Works,and an article regarding the company in April 1884 referred to one"Inspector Sheetz" giving a meter reading that was in excess.  The company for which he worked is still in existence today, and is still city run.

In 1886, he purchased a grave loot deed number 9160 at Odd Fellow Cemetery in Philadelphia.  His son Edward was removed to this plot, as he had died 21 October 1870.  Also noted as being removed to the plot were children Jacob and Lewis Miller, who were Lewis' young nephews via his sister Helen.

In September 1896, son Charles was involved in a fight just outside the Eleventh Ward Republican Club which resulted in a man's death.  He, along with two others, were charged with the death of Francis X. "Frank" Hollweck, but at the Court of Oyer and Terminer on 19 January 1897 the three men were found not guilty.

1901 was the last city directory in which Lewis Sheets was listed in Philadelphia, still living at 155 Dana (which was 155 Nectarine at this point, having had a street name change around 1897/1898), but working as a "collector."  The neighborhood in which the Sheets lived in was left to the wreckers sometime before 1923, and is now part of Interstate 95.

It appears that sometime after this point, Lewis and Evalene made the move to Cape May County, New Jersey, where they lived with daughter Mary and her husband Francis Hoffman.  On 8 August 1904, Evalene died in Rio Grande, a census designated area in Cape May County.  Her body was brought back to Philadelphia, where it was interred in the family plot at Odd Fellow Cemetery after a funeral at son Jacob's home at 143 Nectarine. (Daughter Emma was buried in the same plot just three years prior, having died from pyaemia following mastitis at the age of 20).

Lewis continued to live with his daughter and son-in-law after Evalene's death, having been enumerated with them in both the 1905 New Jersey State Census and the 1910 Federal Census.  

Here is where he gets elusive.......  He completely disappears off the radar after the 1910 Federal Census.  Mary and Francis Hoffman are enumerated without any mention of him in the 1915 New Jersey State Census, and since death record indices for New Jersey from that time period have been "lost", finding any record of his death remains elusive.  He was NOT buried in the Odd Fellow Cemetery plot with his wife per the cemetery records available, nor have searches of available online newspapers at my disposal (on Newspapers.com or Genealogy Bank) revealed a death notice.

So the search continues, and until then, he will remain an "elusive" to chase.....

Sources Used

"1870 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 May 2020), Entry for Louis Sheetz and family, Year: 1870, Census Place: Philadelphia Ward 10 District 32 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Roll: M593_1395, Page: 563B, and Family History Library Film: 552894; citing 1870 U.S. census, population schedules. NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.

"1900 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 May 2020), Entry for Louis Sheet and household, Year: 1900, Census Place: Philadelphia Ward 11 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Page: 2, Enumeration District: 0196, and FHL microfilm: 1241456; citing United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.

"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 May 2020), Entry for Francis Hoffman and family, Year: 1910, Census Place: Middle Cape May, New Jersey, Roll: T624_870, Page: 2A, Enumeration District: 0092, and FHL microfilm: 1374883; citing Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Affidavit of Joseph B. Sheets regarding descendants of Jacob Sheets, sworn 6 Feb 1852 in front of Robert Guestner, Justice of the Peace for Salem County, New Jersey, in Bounty Land Warrant Application number 91618-40-50, Service of Jacob Sheats (Capt. Henry Freas' Co., NJ Militia, War of 1812); Photocopy of affidavit provided by Robert Young in 2004 to Kelley Wood-Davis; citing War of 1812 Pension and Bounty land Warrant Applications, Record Group 15, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.

Affidavit of Samuel Kelty, guardian for Lewis F. Sheets (minor) affirmed 6 Feb 1852 in front of Robert Guestner, Justice of the Peace for Salem County, New Jersey, in Bounty Land Warrant Application number 91618-40-50, Service of Jacob Sheats (Capt. Henry Freas' Co., NJ Militia, War of 1812); Photocopy of affidavit provided by Robert Young in 2004 to Kelley Wood-Davis.

Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "1880 United States Federal Census," database online with images, Ancestry.com Operation, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 May 2020), Entry for Lewis Scheetz and family, Year: 1880, Census Place: Philadelphia Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1172, Page: 453B, and Enumeration District: 190; citing Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. (NARA microfilm publication T9, 1,454 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C

"City Directories for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania," online database with images, Fold3 (www.fold3.com : accessed 18 May 2020), various years and entries recorded; contact blogger for more details.

"Death Follows a Blow," The Times (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 25 September 1896, page 1; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 5 September 2020).

"Died," death notice, The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 4 April 1901, page 14; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 20 May 2020). entry for Emma Sheets Brady.

"Died," death notice, The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 10 August 1904, page 7; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 18 May 2020). entry for Evalene Sheets.

"Died," death notice, The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 8 February 1907, page 7; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 18 May 2020). Entry for Jacob M. Sheets.

"Gas Trust Committees," The Times (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 24 April 1884, page 2; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 5 June 2020).

"Held for Trial," The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 27 September 1896, page 17; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 5 June 2020).

"New Jersey State Census, 1905," database online with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 20 May 2020), Entry for Louis F Sheets in household of Frances Hoffman, , Cape May, New Jersey, United States; p. 14, line 17; FHL microfilm 1,688,593; citing Department of State, Trenton.

"Notes of the Court," The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 20 January 1897, page 12; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 5 June 2020).

"Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1669-1999," database online with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 22 May 2020), PA-Philadelphia> Philadelphia> Not Stated> Odd Fellows Cemetery, 22nd and Diamond Streets > Image 1100 of 1345, entry for Lewis Sheets, deed 9160, dated 1 June 1886; citing Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Births, 1860-1906," online database, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 18 May 2020), Entry for Abrm. Lincoln Scheets, 18 July 1862; bk 4 p 144; FHL microfilm number 1289307; citing Board of Health. Department of Records.

"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Births, 1860-1906," online database, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 18 May 2020), Entry for Chas. Barnecoat Sheets, 16 Oct 1865; bk 1865 p 275; FHL microfilm number 1289310.

"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Births, 1860-1906," online database, FamilySearch, Entry for Edward Sheitz, 12 Nov 1868; bk 1868 p 303; FHL microfilm number 1289312.

"Pennsylvania Births and Christenings, 1709-1950," database online, FamilySearch, Entry for Francis Sheets, born 19 Jan 1877; FHL microfilm number 2195605.

"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Births, 1860-1906," online database, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 18 May 2020), Entry for Richard E. Sheetz, 21 Mar 1871;bk 1871 p 41; FHL microfilm number 1289313.

"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803-1915," database with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 18 February 2020), Entry for Edward M. Sheets, 19 Feb 1870; FHL microfilm 1,994,724; citing Philadelphia City Archives and Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803-1915," database with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 18 February 2020), Entry for Jacob M. Sheets, 06 Feb 1907, FHL microfilm 1,319,490.

"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803-1915," database with images, FamilySearch, Entry for Sheets, 01 Mar 1864; FHL microfilm 1,986,424.

Petition to the Honorable L. Piraldo, Commissioner of the Pension Office for issue of bounty warrant to guardian of Lewis F.Sheets by W. L, Allans, dated 27 August 1853, in Bounty Land Warrant Application number 91618-40-50, Service of Jacob Sheats (Capt. Henry Freas'Co., NJ Militia, War of 1812); Photocopy of affidavit provided by Robert Young in 2004 to Kelley Wood-Davis.

Petition to the Pension Office regarding eligibility of claim of Helen F. Sheets as a minor child of Jacob Sheets, deceased filed by W. L. Weaver, esq. of Salem, New Jersey 5 June 1852, in Bounty Land Warrant Application number 91618-40-50, Service of Jacob Sheats (Capt. Henry Freas'Co., NJ Militia, War of 1812); Photocopy of affidavit provided by Robert Young in 2004 to Kelley Wood-Davis.

Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries, The Athenaeum of Philadelphia, Greater Philadelphia GeoHistory Network Interactive Maps Viewer (http://www.philageohistory.org/tiles/viewer/ : accessed 5 June 2020), viewed the area around 155 Dana on several maps, including present time map.

Taylor, Frank H. "In Nectarine Street," digital image, Library Company of Philadelphia (https://digital.librarycompany.org/islandora/object/digitool%3A67899: accessed 22 May 2020), Information on Dana Street, where Lewis Sheets lived; citing Frank H. Taylor Collection.

Chasing the Elusive: Mathilda Radtke

Every so often I revisit branches of my tree I may not have covered well in the past, and my Radtke branch is one of them.  As it stands right now, it consists of just one person; my paternal grandmother's paternal grandmother Mathilda Pauline Radtke.

What I know about her consists of just a few facts, gleaned mostly from sources created after her death. What is elusive about her is her origin.

Mathilda was likely born with the German spelling Mathilde, in some part of Prussia.  Because I know I have some Polish ancestry thanks to DNA testing, my assumption has been that she likely is my Polish ancestress, as she could have been born in Danzig, in what is now Poland but was part of Prussia for awhile.  However, I really have no proof of where in Prussia she was born.

I do know that she went by the nickname of "Tillie" most of her life.

Mathilda immigrated to the United States via Bremen and New York City aboard the S. S. Donau, which arrived at New York City on 8 May 1876 and was listed on the ship's manifest as Mathilda Rathke.  She came with an 18 year old Katherine Rathke, who was likely related to her in some way.  Because they were two young women traveling, it is possible that someone else on the manifest was also related to her, though at present it is difficult to determine who.

Tillie has been lost on documents until the 1880 census enumeration, so it is not known when or how she arrived in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  She does appear on the 1880 census working as a servant in the household of Daniel and Sophie Gehlbach, who lived 292 Franklin Street in the Sixth Ward of Allegheny City.  Sophie was the slightly elder sister of Christian Adam Pfeiffer Jr., who Mathilda married just a few years later.  At present, it is presumed the couple met because of the Gehlbachs.

Tillie and Adam, as he was known, were wed likely in late 1884, but it is possible they were married in 1885 as well.  Adam was the eldest son and third child born to Christian Adam Pfeiffer Sr. and Wilhemine Karoline Wild.  He was born 28 May 1853 in Kleinsachsenheim, Neckarkreis, Baden-Württemberg but had immigrated at the age of seven to the United States with his family.

Adam worked in the iron and steel mills that made Pittsburgh famous, working mostly as a mill laborer and a puddler.  Tillie kept the house.  The couple lived in what is now the Shadeland neighborhood on the North Side of Pittsburgh, but was then the Eleventh Ward of Allegheny City.  They first lived on Cliff Avenue, and then Shady Avenue before finally moving to Courtland Street, all in Allegheny City.

The couple had six children, but their two eldest children met with sad endings early on.  Their eldest, Mary, was born sometime in April 1885 and died 25 November 1885 from tabes mesenterica (tuberculosis caused by drinking tainted cow's milk).  Their second eldest was Christian Adam (the third) who was born August 1887 and died 28 January 1888 from convulsions.  Both children were buried at Union Dale Cemetery near Adam's parents.

The last four children fared better, and lived into their adult years. Adolph Reinhart (who went by his middle name his entire life) was born on 15 June 1888. Mathilda was born 4 January 1890.  John Frederick was born 4 June 1891.  The youngest son, Joseph, was born 22 September 1893.

Tillie's last known entry in a public record before her death was the 1910 Federal Census enumeration, where she was listed as the mother of six children, four of whom were living.  She had been married for 26 years, and had immigrated in 1876.  Her native tongue was German, as she is listed as having been from Germany (which technically was correct, given that Prussia had become part of a united Germany in 1871).

In November of that year, Tillie was stricken with cancer in her toe.  While treatable today, it was not as treatable in 1910, and by Christmas she had also come down with toxemia (blood poisoning) and on Christmas Day, 1910, she finally succumbed to her condition.

Her funeral was three days later, and was held at St. Thomas German Lutheran Church on Brighton Road.  A Rev. Dietrich presided as minister over her services.  She was then buried in Highwood Cemetery.

Not much is known about Mathilda aside from records, as the only link to her I had was my grandmother, who was born 11 years after Mathilda died.  She only had a few memories passed down from her family to give me.

Adam outlived his wife for 16 years, continuing to work as he was able and continuing to reside in their owned home on Courtland Street (the street was named Courtright Street in the aftermath of the annexation of Allegheny City to Pittsburgh in 1909 because apparently Pittsburgh already had a Courtland Street).  He died on 24 November 1926 from bronchial pneumonia, which was brought on by myocarditis and chronic bronchitis.  He was buried two days later after a funeral service held at his home, in which members of the Northside Lodge no. 75, Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers of America were invited along with family and friends.

Sources Used
"1900 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 August 2016), Entry for Adam Peiffer and family, Year: 1900, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 11 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1357, Page: 22B, Enumeration District: 0089, and FHL microfilm: 1241357; citing United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.

"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 August 2016), Entry for Christian A. Pfeifer and family, Year: 1910, Census Place: Pittsburgh Ward 27 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: T624_1308, Page: 13A, Enumeration District: 0657, and FHL microfilm: 1375321; citing Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Christian Adam Peiffer entry, Registration of deaths in the city of Allegheny, 1876-1907, v. 3: Page 188, Allegheny County City County Building, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

"Death Notices," death notice, The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 26 November 1926, Page 44. Death notice for C. Adam Pfeiffer; online images, Google News (https://news.google.com/newspapers : accessed 6 August 2016).

"Death Notices," death notice, The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 27 December 1910, page 14. Death Notice for Mathilda Pfeiffer; online images, Google News (https://news.google.com/newspapers : accessed 13 August 2016). 

"Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898," database, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 6 August 2016), Entry for Christian Adam , 05 Jun 1853; FHL microfilm 1,184,623. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NLMJ-FZ6).

Find A Grave, database with images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 9 August 2016), memorial page for C Adam Pfeiffer, Find A Grave Memorial # 62605678, citing Highwood Cemetery (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), memorial created by Sharon Deanne Kieffer, photograph by Rob and Debi Felten and Richard Boyer.

Find A Grave, database with images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 August 2016), memorial page for Mathilda P Ratdke Pfeiffer, Find A Grave Memorial # 62605777, citing Highwood Cemetery (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), memorial created by Sharon Deanne Kieffer, photograph by Rob and Debi Felten, also Richard Boyer.

John F. Pfeiffer and Elizabeth M. Bupp, (22 June 1921), Allegheny County Marriage Licenses: cn 6781; Department of Court Records, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania. Groom's parents listed as Christian and Mathilda Radke Pfeiffer. Father born in Germany and residing in Pittsburgh. Mother deceased.

Mary Pfeifer entry, Registration of deaths in the city of Allegheny, 1876-1907, V. 2: Page 181, Allegheny County City County Building, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

"New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 August), Entry for Adam Pfeifer and family; Year: 1861; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: M237, 1820-1897; Microfilm Roll: Roll 210; Line: 30; List Number: 376; Place of Origin: Württemberg. Port of Departure: Le Havre, France. Destination: United States of America.Port of Arrival: New York, New York. Ship Name: Zurich. The family is numbers 71-77.

"New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 August 2016), Entry for Mathilde Rathke; Year: 1876; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: M237, 1820-1897; Microfilm Roll: Roll 403; Line: 13; List Number: 374.

"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 August 2016), Entry for Adam Pfeiffer; died 24 Nov 1926; Certificate Number: 109152; citing Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 August 2016), Entry for Mathilda Pfeiffer, died 25 Dec 1910, Certificate number 126335; citing Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

"Pennsylvania Death Indices," online index, Pennsylvania Historical Museum Research Commission (http://www.phmc.pa.gov/Archives/Research-Online/Pages/Death-Indices.aspx : accessed 6 August 2016), "Pfeiffer, Christian A; ---- 101952; Pgh; Nov. 24."

"Pennsylvania, Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 August 2016), Entry for Adam Pfeiffer; Probate date: 24 Nov 1926; Estate and Proceedings Indexes, 1788-1971; Author: Allegheny County (Pennsylvania). Register of Wills; Probate Place: Allegheny, Pennsylvania; citing Pennsylvania County District and Probate Courts.

"Pennsylvania, WWI Veterans Service and Compensation Files, 1917-1919, 1934-1948," database online with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 August 2016), Entry for John F Pfeiffer, application number 112525 filed 13 Feb 1934, North Side, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; citing World War I Veterans Service and Compensation File, 1934–1948. RG 19, Series 19.91. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg Pennsylvania; Parents listed as father Adam C. Pfeiffer (deceased) and mother Mathilda Pauline Radtke (deceased), on son John's application.

Pfeiffer, Richard. Christian Adam Pfeiffer 1853-1926, Typed Family Tree of Adam Pfeiffer Sr.; supplied by Pfeiffer, Glenshaw, Pennsylvania, 2002. Sent via mail to Kelley Wood-Davis in 2002.

"United States Germans to America Index, 1850-1897," database online, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 13 August 2016), Entry for Adam Pfeifer, 04 May 1861; citing Germans to America Passenger Data file, 1850-1897, Ship Zurich, departed from Havre, arrived in New York, New York, New York, United States (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KD78-DHG); Citing NARA NAID 566634. National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

"United States Germans to America Index, 1850-1897," database online, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 13 August 2016), Entry for Mathilde Rathke, 08 May 1876; citing Germans to America Passenger Data file, 1850-1897, Ship Donau, departed from Bremen & Southampton, arrived in New York, New York, New York, United States (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KD72-94C).

Various Pittsburgh area directories found on Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org).  Contact blogger for entries 

Wood, Elizabeth Pfeiffer. North Carolina, to Kelley Wood-Davis, email, 31 December 2011, "Re: Hi!,"; privately held by Wood-Davis, 2018. emails from grandmother to granddaughter regarding questions.  References to Mathilda Pfeiffer being long gone before Gram's birth.

"Württemberg, Germany, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1500-1985," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 August 2016), Entry for Christian Adam Pfeiffer, Taufe (Baptism) 5 Jun 1853; Page 71; Custodian: Evangelische Kirche Kleinsachsenheim (OA. Vaihingen); citing Lutherische Kirchenbücher, 1500-1985. Various sources.