His family reportedly moved to Athens Co., OH in 1864 when John was 7 years old. John reportedly survived a bout of smallpox, but he was left with impaired hearing and joint problems. As a result, he wore his shoes in a loose-fitting manner.
In 1900, John Singer (43) owned a home in Proctor, Wetzel County, WV, where he lived with his wife Catherine (35) and children Christina (12), Maggie (8) and Frank (2). The older two children attended school. According to the census, Catherine had given birth to four children, one of whom was deceased. Everyone in the home was a native of West Virginia except John, who was born in Ohio. John and Catherine's parents were German. No occupation was listed for anyone in the household.
John became a furntire store operator and undertaker. He made coffins and his wife did the interiors.
Obituary, from the Wetzel Democrat, New Martinsville WV, 13 Mar 1903:
JOHN SINGER KILLED BY PASSENGER TRAIN #14 AT PROCTOR WED AFTERNOON OF LAST WEEK
Head Crushed & Leg Broken
John singer, the Proctor furniture dealer, who was well known at this place was struck Wed. of last week by the North bound passenger train #14 O.R.R. Division which passes here at 2:27 and almost instantly killed.
Mr. Singer had just left his place of business for the telegraph station and was walking up the track. The train as it came around the curve was too close upon him for escape, he made a step to one side, threw up his hands and the engine struck him.
He was thrown several feet and in lighting, his head struck a tie crushing the skull which caused his death. The only other injury was a broken leg.
Bystanders rushed to his assistance and he was carried to his house a short distance from where the accident occurred, but in a few minutes, he died. His wife was standing at the window of their home when the accident occurred and could see the approaching train and her husband’s perilous condition yet powerless to avert the fate.
The engineer threw on the air and reversed the engine, but the distance was too short and the enging struck Singer at almost full speed.
Mr. Singer was 40 years of age and leaves a wife and four children. The funeral services were held Friday morning at the St. Joseph church, German settlement. He was a member of the Catholic Church and was very highly respected.
Sources conflict on date of birth:
1862 -- Tom Singer
Feb 1865 - 1900 census (difficult to read; could be 1868)
Joseph did not appear in the 1860 census with his parents and siblings. He would have been about two years old. He was living with the family in 1870.
Joseph Singer is believed to have died of typhoid fever. He and his little daughters have no grave marker.
In the 1870 census, the eight year old child of George Singer was named Rosina.
According to notes of Tom Singer, Rose was regarded as a "natural healer" with some mysticism by the family. In 1907, she took her daughter Margaret (Magdelene) to New York for three years to study healing arts. Rose held seances in the back room; her signature "sign" was a floating rose.
Helen Artz died after falling from her mother's grasp.
Little Carol Artz, age two and a half, was inadvertently locked in a closet by hus grandmother, Helen Smith Singer. He was forgotten and smothered. Carol is buried in Troy Hill Cemetery with his mother.
At the time of the 1860 census, a 62 man named Joseph Johanning lived in the household of George Hart (?). A 14 year old named Mary was also living in the house. No last name was listed for her, but she was enumerated directly under Joseph Johanning, suggesting that her surname was Johanning. All three people were natives of Hanover.
In 1870, 77 year old Joseph Johanning, Sr. lived on the farm of his son, (Joseph) William Johanning (51) in Enoch Twp., Noble Co., Ohio.
His death record lists him as single (as opposed to married or widowed). His occupation was wagon-maker.
In 1870, 47 year old farmer Nicholas Sorg lived on a farm in Stock Twp., Noble Co., Ohio with hs wife, Kathrine (44) and children, John (17), Mary (16), Isaac (14), Henry (13), Peter (9) and Adam (7). John, Isaac, Henry, Peter and Adam attended school; Mary did not. John, Isaac and Henry list their occupation as farm laborer. The value of Nicholas' real estate was given as $3500 and his personal estate as $565. Nicholas and Kathrine were born in Hesse Cassel; John, Mary, Isaac and Henry were born in Pennsylvania; and Peter and Adam were born in Ohio.
In 1880, 56 year old widowed farmer Nicholas Sorg lived in Stock Twp., Noble County, Ohio with three of his sons: Peter (24), Henry (18), and Adam (16). (The ages, birth order, and birth places of the sons conflict with church records.) Adjacent farms in the census belonged to Joseph Forshey and Philip Schehl.The following note appeared in the "Fulda Locals" section of The Caldwell Citizens' Press on 29 Dec 1881:
N. Sorg, widower, returned from Pittsburgh with a life partner. Henry Saling, who
followed the same course, last week, bought a farm in Washington county near
Hohman's P.O.The 1930 census entry for Nicholas' son Peter states that his parents were born in "Germany Berlin."
The 1900 census entry for Catharina's son (Issac Eugene) Cain Sorg states that both his parents were born in Germany.
Records conflict on name and year of birth:
Johanna Sorg 7 Oct 1850 (Snider)
John Sorg Oct 1851 (1900 census)
John Sorg 7 Oct 1850 (tombstone)In 1900, 48 year old day laborer John Sorg lived with the family of his younger brother Cain. John was able to read and write English.
Tombstone inscription:
Oct. 7 1850 - July 3, 1905
s/o Nicklos and Catherine
In January 1920, 30 year old widower Jay Lehmiller lived in a house that he owned in the North Industry Precinct of Canton, Stark County, Ohio. His wife, Carrie, had died less than a year earlier. With him lived his three children, John J. (7), Mary Jane (5), and Louise K. (4 yrs 2 mos). Only John attended school. Jay was employed as a manager of a general store. Jay and his mother were born in Ohio; his father was born in Indiana.
Also living in the Lemiller home in 1920 were Jay's 60 year old widowed father, Jacob, and John's three unmarried siblings: Ruth (36), Hazel (33), and Karl (18).
In 1930, Jay Lehmiller owned a house worth $4500 on Main Street in the North Industry section of Canton, Ohio. With him lived his wife Anna M. (33), and three children from their previous marriages: Mary Jane Lehmiller (16), Edward J. Lung (14) and Mary E. Lung (12). All three children attended school. Also living in the household was Anna's widowed father, John H. Fisher. (70). Jay worked as the manager of a hardware store.
The 1900 census has Carrie's date of birth as Sep 1875, and her age as 25. Other records indicate that she was born in Sep 1884. Carrie attended school in 1900.
In 1910, 25 year old Carrie Singer lived with her parents and younger siblings at 2010 Greenfield St., Canton, Stark County, Ohio. She worked as a saleslady in a confectionary.
Obituary: Canton Repository, Feb 2002
Louise F. Lehmiller, age 86, of Canton, died Monday evening in the Pines Care Center following an extended illness. Daughter of the late Jay E. and Caroline (Singer) Lehmiller. She was a longtime North Industry resident, retiring from Massillon City Schools, where she was an art teacher at the Longfellow Junior High School. She was a 1933 graduate of Mt. Marie Academy and graduated from the University of Cincinnati and the Student Art League of New York City. A former member of the Canton College Club, Canton Women's Club and the Massillon Retired Teachers Assoc. Member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.She is also preceded in death by her stepmother, Ann Lehmiller; sister, Jane Patton; brother, John Lehmiller; half brother, Peter Lehmiller; stepbrother, Edward Lehmiller. Survived by one stepsister, Betty Davidson of Canton; one sister-in-law, Norma Lehmiller of North Industry; several nieces, nephews and cousins. A Memorial Mass will be held at the convenience of the family. There will be no public services. The Kreighbaum-Sanders Funeral Home on S. Cleveland Ave. is in charge of arrangements.
According to researcher Dale Schaadt (Schott), Adam Schafer and his family were from Intergiesel, Hesse Cassel, Germany. They sailed from Cuxhave, Germany on the ship "Plato" and arrived in Philadelphia on 9 Jul 1836.
The "History of Noble County, Ohio, 1887" names Adam Schafer as one of the early settlers (c. 1840s?) of Enoch Townhip.
At the time of the 1840 census, Adam Shafer lived in Enoch Twp., Monroe County, Ohio. The 1840 census does not list the individual names of people in the household, only a breakdown by age. The breakdown (and presumed names of the family members) is as follows:
1 - male 10 - 15 years old (John Adam Jr.)
1 - male 40 - 50 years old (John Adam Sr.)
1 - female 10 - 15 years old (unknown)
1 - female 40 - 50 years old (Elizabeth)
Adam was employed in agriculture. Neither he nor his wife could read or write. Nearby households in the census belonged to Mathias Schockling, Philip Snider, George Miller, John Shipner, and John Hill. Another name in this group is hard to read -- John J?saker.At the time of the 1850 census, 56 year old farmer lived with his 58 year old wife Elizabeth and 30 year old son Adam in Enoch Twp., Monroe Coumty, Ohio. The family's real estate was valued at $600. Elizabeth could not read or write. All three were born in Germany. The adjacent farms in the census belonged to Augustus Witsberger and Levi Duvall.
In 1860, 65 year old farmer Adam Shaffer lived in Enoch Twp., Noble County, Ohio with his 65 year old wife Elizabeth. Also living on the farm was 36 year old farmer Adam Shaffer Jr., his wife Elizabeth (30), and their two daughters Mary (2) and Sara (1).
In 1870, Adam and Elizabeth Schafer (whose ages are given as 84) lived with the family of their son, Adam, in Enoch Twp. Adam Sr.'s occupation is listed as "supported by son." Adam, his wife, and his son were all born in Hesse Cassel.
A female between the ages of 10 and 15 lived in the household of Adam Shafer in the 1840 census. She did not appear in any subsequent censuses with the family.
In 1900, 8 year old Frederick Blake lived with his parents and siblings on the family farm in Enoch Twp., Noble County, Ohio. He attended school for four months that year.
Fred Blake served in World War I. Details of his service record are:
Name: Fred A. Blake Serial Number: 3532423 Race: W Residence: R. F. D. 2, Box 58, Dexter City, O. Enlistment Division: National Army Enlistment Location: Caldwell, O. Enlistment Date: 22 Jul 1918 Birth Place: Dexter City, O. Birth Date / Age: 12 Feb 1892 Assigns Comment: 158 Depot Brigade to 10 Aug 1918; 333 Infantry to 18 Oct 1918; Co G 138 Infantry to Discharge Private Meuse-Argonne. American Expeditionary Forces 1 Sept 1918 to 27 Apr 1919. Honorable discharge 23 May 1919.In 1920, 27 year old Fred A. Blake was a boarder in the home of Louis Markham in Canton Twp., Stark Co., Ohio. Fred was employed as a rubber worker in a tire factory.
Fred's surname is misspelled "Beake" in the marriage record found in the online Stark County Probate Court index.
At the time of the 1930 census, Fred Blake (38) and his wife of 10 years Lydia (32) owned a farm in Nimishillin Twp., Stark County, Ohio where they lived with their two daughters, Grace (7) and Doris (6). Both girls attended school. The Blakes did not own a radio set.
According to the 1920 census, 21 year old, unmarried, Lidia E. Singer worked as a servant doing house work in the home of the David W. Lerch family at 979 Cleveland Ave. NW in Canton, Stark Co., Ohio. Mr. Lerch worked as the proprietor of a music store.
In "St. Mary's -- 150 Years -- Fulda, OH," author Dolores Snider states that Roy Schott married Edna Singer. Social Security number issued in Pennsylvania prior to 1951.
From The Republican Journal (Caldwell, OH newspaper) 15 Jan 1919
Edna Singer and Mary Warner spent Sunday with Mary Bing.
(Edna Singer and Mary Warner were first cousins.)Edna did not live with her parents at the time of the 1930 census. Edna's Social Security number was issued in Ohio prior to 1951. Her obituary appeared on pg 15 of the Yakima [WA] Herald Republic on 27 Jul 1970:
Mrs. Edna Mae Hayes, 68, of 3401 W. Yakima Ave. died Sunday [26 Jul 1970]
in Central Convalescent Hospital. Mrs. Hayes was born in Zanesville, Ohio and
came to Yakima in 1947. She was a saleslady at Draper's Department Store, and
Lou Johnson's Apparel for many years, retiring in 1964.
Survivors include her husband, Ray C. Hayes of Yakima, three brothers, Fred
Singer and Carl Singer of Cleveland, Ohio, and Joseph Singer of Caldwell, Ohio;
three sisters, Mrs. Laura Kirby of Cleveland Ohio, Mrs. Ida Briler (sic) of Louisville,
Ohio, and Mrs. Winifred Hill of Zanesville, Ohio.Another obituary was printed on page 16 of the same paper the next day:
Funeral services for Mrs. Edna Mae Hayes, 68, who passed away July 26 will be
conducted Wednesday July 29th at 1:30 p.m. in Shaw & Sons Chapel. Rev. Tucker
Thompson, pastor of Terrace Heights Community Baptist Church will officiate.
Interment in Terrace Heights Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be E. L Bingaman,
Robert Jones, Don Simonton, John Moore, Lincoln Shropshire and Richard Nesary.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Yakima County Sheriff's Posse.
Dates of birth and death (from Social Security Death Index) are not proven.
From The Republican Journal (Caldwell, OH newspaper) 15 Jan 1919
Edna Singer and Mary Warner spent Sunday with Mary Bing.
(Edna Singer and Mary Warner were first cousins.)Edna did not live with her parents at the time of the 1930 census. Edna's Social Security number was issued in Ohio prior to 1951. Her obituary appeared on pg 15 of the Yakima [WA] Herald Republic on 27 Jul 1970:
Mrs. Edna Mae Hayes, 68, of 3401 W. Yakima Ave. died Sunday [26 Jul 1970]
in Central Convalescent Hospital. Mrs. Hayes was born in Zanesville, Ohio and
came to Yakima in 1947. She was a saleslady at Draper's Department Store, and
Lou Johnson's Apparel for many years, retiring in 1964.
Survivors include her husband, Ray C. Hayes of Yakima, three brothers, Fred
Singer and Carl Singer of Cleveland, Ohio, and Joseph Singer of Caldwell, Ohio;
three sisters, Mrs. Laura Kirby of Cleveland Ohio, Mrs. Ida Briler (sic) of Louisville,
Ohio, and Mrs. Winifred Hill of Zanesville, Ohio.Another obituary was printed on page 16 of the same paper the next day:
Funeral services for Mrs. Edna Mae Hayes, 68, who passed away July 26 will be
conducted Wednesday July 29th at 1:30 p.m. in Shaw & Sons Chapel. Rev. Tucker
Thompson, pastor of Terrace Heights Community Baptist Church will officiate.
Interment in Terrace Heights Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be E. L Bingaman,
Robert Jones, Don Simonton, John Moore, Lincoln Shropshire and Richard Nesary.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Yakima County Sheriff's Posse.