National German-American Day

Copyright 2014, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Today is National German-American Day, 2014.  

German-American day, celebrates, in part, German American heritage.  There is a short article about it on Wikipedia.

Man and I both have German heritage.  My lines include, but are not limited to, Halterman, Holsinger, Kessler, Lehman, Argobright (Ergebright).  Man's line include two strong German lines of Gerth and Ruthig, both of which spent a number of years in Canada before actually coming into the thumb area of Michigan.

Man also has the "Gehrke" blood, via his mother, grandfather and great-grandparents.  The clan left Germany in 1888 aboard the J.C. Pfluger bound from Bremerhafen to Honolulu. They lived on the island of Kauai until around 1904 when they moved on to the Oakland California area.  After living through the 1906 San Francisco earthquake the clan moved to Huron County Michigan, one son by 1909, the rest were found on church records in Huron County by the end of 1911.

The patriarch of the Gehrke clan was Karl/Carl/Charles Herman Gehrke.  The matriarch was Charlotte Louise Gruendemann-Grunbaum Gehrke (the story of her maiden name is long and convoluted and no, I am NOT sure it is Gruendemann-Grunbaum.)

Carl about 1910:

Charlotte about 1910:

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Sunday's Stories, 52 Ancestor Weeks, Week # 18, Anna Susan (nee Holsinger) Trumbo

Copyright 2014, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

This is week 18 of my participation Amy Johnson Crow's, once a week challenge to blog about one ancestor a week, tell their story, biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on that one ancestor. More about the challenge can be found at her Blog, No Story Too Small.

Anna Susan Holsinger Trumbo was born on September 28, 1866 at Long Meadows, Rockingham County, Virginia to Peter Preston Holsinger and his wife, Mary A. Kessler Holsinger.  Anna was one of six siblings and also had a half brother (by her father and his first wife).

Her birth record has been digitally edited for this format, and follows in two images, as the record spans two pages in the original record book.  As with many records in Virginia, the quality is not the best.

Anna married Charles Gratton Trumbo on January 11, 1895 in Rockingham County Virginia - - maybe.  Despite lots of serious and detailed searching, I have yet to locate a church record or a civil record of their marriage. A family Bible, reported to be that of Charles and Anna with a publication date of 1898 has their date of marriage recorded as January 11, 1896 at the residence of John F. Driver (who was a Brethren minister). I have several reasons to doubt that the marriage was in 1896, only one of which is the documented delayed birth registration of one of their daughters, which states the parents were married January 11, 1895.

Anna and Charles had six children. (There may have been 7 children, as there is family tradition of the birth of twins, one dying, one living to adulthood.  No proof has been found, and the family Bible makes no mention of such a child.)

Anna died on October 26, 1934 in the Plains Magisterial District, Rockingham County, Virginia.  She was buried two days later at the Linville Creek Church of the Brethren Cemetery in Broadway, Rockingham County Virginia.

* Additional source data can be obtained by contacting me, see the right hand column for a yahoo email address.

** 52 Ancestors Weeks Button courtesy of Amy Johnson Crow.

*** I use many resources to research, FamilySearch.org is a free site.  Ancestry.com is a pay site for which I pay, no discounts, etc.  None of these sites have asked me to review them, or use them.  See my Disclaimers page for further details.

**** Anna's photo courtesy of Paul G. Holsinger, M.D., compiler, "Descendants of David Holsinger of Virginia" published in 1969.)

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Tell Me About Yourself, Clues Inscribed In Stone

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

The Graveyard Rabbits carnival for November 2010 has a theme of "Genealogy On The Tombstone", the challenge continues:

"Does the tombstone tell a family history? Have we found some genealogy clues embedded in stone? Is there a brick wall breaker located in the cemetery? Show us the genealogy."

Thank you Diane Wright for suggesting this theme/challenge.  Diane writes several blogs including The Grave Yard Rabbit Travels Wright.

I know that all serious graveyard rabbits/cemetery visitors have seen literally hundreds of headstones, monuments and memorials with tidbits of clues.  Marriage dates inscribed in a heart in the middle of the stone.  Children's names.  It is quite common to find an inscription which includes the wife's maiden name, as well as the name of her husband. 

Here are three, all of these from my data base, therefore, kin of some sort of mine or Man's.

Above:  Lina L. Cameron

Daughter of

Wm. A. & Nancy D. Lassiter

April 20, 1892

Oct 24, 1964

Buried at:  Cedar Hill Cemetery

Suffolk, Virginia.

(Note:  I have no idea why I chose this stone in include in this post, because until I started writing this post, I had NO idea who Mr. Cameron was.  I decided to try a search at FamilySeach.Org.   Typed in Lina Wright (I knew she was married previously to a Otis Wright) and Cameron for the spouse's name, received 45,851 hits, but the first one, the VERY first one was for my gal.  I just love when this happens!  WAHHOO!  Now, I can do some research on John Maccullay Cameron, born 1878 in Canada.  I even have his parents names!  BINGO!  So, if you believe in fate, it was fate that I chose THIS stone to include in this post.  I created a memorial for Lina at Find A Grave in August 2010.)

Mother

Elzina S. Lashbrook

Aug 1, 1874

Jan 12, 1944

Father

Chester C. Lashbrook

Oct 22, 1871

Mar 14, 1954

Parents of Goldie Herbert

Farmers of this community for 50 years.

Buried at: Parker Cemetery,

Arkansas City, Cowley County, Kansas

Chester and "Zina" were married in Cowley County, Kansas.  They appear on the census in 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 in either Cowley County, Kansas or Kay County Oklahoma (which lies just south of Cowley County).  Chester's parents, Elzina's parents and Chester's brother are all buried in the Parker Cemetery.  I love how this stone gives their daughter's married name.  If I had not known who she was, it would be a great hint.  Chester has a memorial at Find A Grave, which I have been honored to maintain, thanks to Judy Mayfield for creating it and adding great photos.  (Note:  THIS photo is one I took, the photo on Find A Grave is one that Judy took.) There are links on his memorial to that of his wife and their parents.

Holsinger Cemetery

David From Germany

Michael Died 1819 Married Barbara in Germany

Peter Died 1855 in his 83rd Year  His Wife Elizabeth

Acres from Valentine Sevier

Aug 15, 1773

Blessed Are

The Pure

In Heart

Holsinger Family Farm

Holsinger Springs, Rockingham County, Virginia

This may be my favorite, as it is loaded with clues, err, data. I wrote about this cemetery before, as 4 generations of my ancestors are probably buried here.  This small cemetery is found on a quiet hill top with cattle grazing around.  This memorial stone, erected many years after the last burial here, tells us that the family was from Germany, and purchased the farm from Valentine Sevier*, and outlines the first 3 generations of Holsingers in America.  Great information to start researching with.  The Holsinger Family Cemetery can also be found at Find A Grave, I have added photos where I had them. One of the memorials added to the cemetery listing I have no information on, I see more research questions calling my name.

Yes, our genealogy can be and is carved in stone, and with any luck it is more than dates. 

See ya in a cemetery soon, I'll be looking for inscribed hints, won't you?

* Fun Note:  Valentine Sevier is reportedly the son of John Sevier, who would serve as the first governor of the state of Tennessee.

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Tombstone Tuesday, Birthday Observances, Samuel David Holsinger

Thornrose Cemetery, Staunton, Augusta County, Virginia.

Photo courtesy of Judith M. Boyers,

The Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library

http://www.friendsofallencounty.org/index.php

Samuel's obituary appeared in the November 10, 1964 issue of the Staunton Leader, Staunton, Virginia:

"Cities Second
Manager Is Dead

Samuel David Holsinger, Staunton's second city manager, died Monday (Nov. 9, 1964) at 8:40 p.m. in King's Daughters' Hospital. He was 87.

Mr. Holsinger served as city manager of Staunton from July 1, 1911 until Feb. 1, 1923, succeeding the city's first manager, Charles A. Ashburner.

Mr. Holsinger, who lived at 632 West Frederick St., was born March 2, 1877, son of the late Peter P. Holsinger and Mary Kessler Holsinger.

*****

Funeral services will be held at the graveside in Thornrose Cemetery Wednesday at two p.m. conducted by the Rev. J. J. Murray, D. D., interim pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Holsinger also was commissioner of revenue for Staunton from Feb. 1, 1923, when he was appointed by the late Judge Richard S. Ker, succeeding A. A. Eskridge, until Dec. 31, 1945. He was defeated in the Aug., 1945 primary election by George V. LaBonte.

Mr. Holsinger was born and reared in Rockingham County in the vicinity of Tenth Legion. He attended the public schools at New Dale and Tenth Legion, also the Broadway High School.

After graduating from West Central Academy at Mt. Clinton and from Dunsmore Business College of Staunton, he specialized in certain studies under a professor at the University of Virginia.

Before entering upon his long public career, Mr. Holsinger taught for a brief period at the West Central Academy and Dunsmore Business College.

*****

On April 1, 1908, he was appointed assistant to City Manager Ashburner. He served in this capacity until Jan. 1, 1911 when he became acting city manager, filling this post until July 1 of the same year when he was appointed city manager.

Mr. Holsinger served as agent here for the State Auto License Bureau for 30 years, having been appointed by Col. B. O. James in 1923. He held the state license bureau agency until his retirement in March, 1956.

Mr. Holsinger was a member of the Staunton Church of the Brethren. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees of King's Daughters' Hospital and was at one time vice president of the Association of Commissioners of Revenue for the state.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Irene Bishop Holsinger; **rest of names of survivors deleted, please contact this blogger for names**
A son, Eugene H. Holsinger, died Jan. 1, 1947.

The body will remain at the Fred Henry Funeral Home until the hour of service. The family requests that flowers be omitted."

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence.
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Tombstone Tuesday, Holsinger, Four Generations

This is the Holsinger Cemetery near Broadway, Rockingham County, Virginia.  This is the entire cemetery, noting that most researchers and historians are fairly sure there are additional graves here, unmarked. According to Rockingham County researcher, J. Robert Swank, the last burial was around 1900, Linda Holsinger, no stone marks her grave.

The inscription of the memorial marker reads:

Holsinger Cemetery

David From Germany

Michael Died 1819 Married Barbara in Germany

Peter Died 1855 in 83rd Year His Wife Elizabeth

Acres from Valentine Sevier

August 15, 1773

Blessed are the Pure In Heart

This memorial marker was erected in 1967 by Carson F. Holsinger, Earl C. Holsinger, Everett F. Holsinger and Dr. James R. Holsinger.

David Holsinger is my 6th great-grandfather.  No visible stone.

Michael, died 1819, is my 5th great-grandfather. No visible stone.

Peter, died 1855 is my 4th great-grandfather.  His stone is in pretty sad shape.

The inscription reads:

Here

{Rests the body}

Peter Holsinger

Who Died January

31, 1855 in the

83 year of his age

My {bed} is long

My grave is deep

Ere tell judgement I

must sleep.

Also buried in the Holsinger Cemetery is my 3rd great-grandfather, John Holsinger.

Our Father

John Holsinger

Died

Dec 3, 1890

Aged

74 yrs, 7 mos

5 ds

To Him, we trust, a place is given,

Among the saints with C{hrist in}

heaven.

The cemetery is represented at Find A Grave here.

The plot is in an open field and is said to have originally covered about 125 x 150 feet, and here lie 4 generations of my greats.

*  Words with {     } around them are believed to be correct, but, as you can see from the photos, they are rather hard to read.

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence.

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Ancestor Birthday Celebrations, Peter Preston Holsinger, Civil War Veteran

Peter Preston Holsinger was born October 6, 1837 in Rockingham County, Virginia, the son of John Holsinger and his wife Delila.  (Delila was either a Spitzer or a Cowan, research has failed to proved either maiden name.)

On October 21, 1860, Peter married Anna Catherine Spitzer, with whom he had 1 child.  Research has not shown us much more about Anna, her son was born just after the outbreak of the Civil War. 

Peter himself served during the Civil War, enlisting on March 1, 1862.  His compiled service records show that he served in Company H, 12th Calvary, Virginia.  According to his obituary, "He was twice captured and once wounded, serving 18 months in prison at Fort Delaware. Upon one occasion, he had his horse shot from beneath him."

Peter took as his second bride, Mary A. Kessler on Januay 16, 1866 in Rockingham County, Virginia.  Peter and Mary had 6 known children, their last born daughter, Louella Virginia, died before her 3rd birthday.

Peter and Mary are buried side by side at the Linville Brethren Church Cemetery, Broadway, Rockingham County, Virginia.

Peter was my great great grandfather .

*Photo courtesy of Paul G. Holsinger, M. D., in his work, Descendants of David Holsinger of Virginia, published in 1969.

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun, Genealogy Scavenger Hunt!

Randy Seaver at Genea-Musings comes up with some interesting challenges. Tonight it is a scavenger hunt.

Randy's challenge is in 2 parts:

1) Is there someone on your list of 16-great-great-grandparents that you don't have a census record for, and for which one should be available?

2) Tell us about it in your blog........While you're at it, give us a source citation for your census finding too

Ok Randy, this sounded good, as I have not done any significant research in well over a month. I did not participate in the 16 great greats, but, the assignment gave me a great excuse to stop everything else I was doing and RESEARCH!!!

So, I start looking at the list of the great greats, and what research chore I might have indicated on their individual to do list. Maybe I can delete some to do items from the data base, hmmm, that is always a very good thing!

Hezekiah Bowen, 1834-1908, to do list shows I am curious about some Emanuel County Georgia Land records. Hmmmm, lets skip that for the moment.

Martha Sikes, no to do items.

William H. Remley, to do list says, find maps for enumeration areas of Colleton County South Carolina. I want to see if I can figure out where in the county he lived. I love maps. But, lets skip that for the moment too.

Mariah Grant, no to do items.

Edward Dews, 1830 census and some more land records from Princess Anne County Virginia this time. I decide I am not ready to tackle the 1830 with all those tick marks, gonna skip the land records.

Martha Dews (his wife, maiden name unknown), no to do items. Ditto for Solomon Benjamin Eley, Sarah Anne Darden, Zachariah Z. Trumbo or Catherine (Kate) Dove.

Peter Preston Holsinger, Rockingham County Virginia. Oh, yea, here is some census work that needs doing. 1860, oooohhh, realize he is still enumerated in his father’s household, so get to take that off the to do list. Also need the 1900 census. This is when the bottom fell out, so to speak. Had NO trouble locating Peter, but, did have a bucket load of trouble trying to print from Ancestry. I still don’t know if it is my computer or Ancestry. My frustration level jumped through the roof and I decided that the dogs needed grooming more than I needed to deal with Ancestry, my computer and my printer or this challenge. So, I went and groomed. One dog looks a lot better, but I can guarantee, he was not happy with Ancestry, the computer or printer either!

Hour or so later, I returned to the torture chamber of Ancestry and census. Next on my list of 16 great greats was Mary A. Kessler, nothing indicated, ditto for Daniel Halterman and his bride Barbara Delawder, so I skipped on to Sellestine Whitmer.

I needed just about all census reports for Sellestine. In 1860 he is still enumerated with his father. I discovered I did not have the 1860, so, mucked around, figured out a substandard method of printing and filled in the blanks and eliminated another to do item. (The bonus of looking for Sellestine in 1860 is that I got his father’s report, but, I also found on the same page data for Philip Delawder, including 2 additional children not on the data base, correction of birth year on another of his children, birth year and place for his wife.) I hunted down the 1870 census for Sellestine, no surprises there, and again made a substandard printout of the report for my files.

At this point, it is late, I am tired, I am short of temper with printer, computer and Ancestry and the rest of this challenge will have to wait. I still need to locate for Sellestine the 1880, 1900 and 1910 census reports.

That leaves great great number 16, Sarah Bayse, but she has no to do items attached to her.

Yes, Randy, I source. But, I am going to skip this portion of the challenge for now. My views on sourcing may make the purists cringe. I have talked about sourcing* a few times already on my blog, and I know I will again in the future, so stay tuned.

Evening was not quite “Fun”, but it was interesting, and I did find 3 census reports, deleted several to do items from the data base and added some goodies to Philip Delawder’s family, even tho he is not a great great.

Now, I have to find a way to ask Man to have a lookie see at the computer set up and see if the difficulties are on my end.

* See Sourcing? anyone really sourcing?
Sourcing? anyone really sourcing? Post Script
Exact Science - - You’re Kidding, Right??