In 1870, 24 year old farmer John Gerst Jr. lived in Enoch Twp., Noble County, Ohio with his wife Mary A. (28) and son Alexander (1). Living with the family were John's younger brother Leonard (19), their father John Gerst Sr. (69), who was infirm. Also enumerated in the household was eight year old Barbara Mantel, who attended school that year. The relationship between Barbara and the Gersts is not known at this time. Everyone in the household is listed as being born in Ohio except John Sr. (Hesse Cassel). John's farm was worth $4200, and his personal possessions were valued at $1550. Adjacent farms in the census belonged to Leonard Schoeppner and John Sternagle. Another Gerst, John D. Gerst, lived two doors away. The relationship between John D. Gerst and this family is not known at this time.
At the time of the 1880 census, "John Gharst Jr." (34) lived in Enoch Twp. with his wife Mary Ann (38) and children Alexander (11), George (9), Charles (7), Mary (5), Eva (3), and twins Henry and Peter (1). Another child, Lene, born between Mary and Eva, must have died prior to the 1880 census, since she is not listed with the family. Also living in the household was John's 79 year old father, John Sr. Neighboring households in the census belonged to John Jr.'s brother Philip Gerst, and to Magnus Weaver (Weber).
In 1900, 54 year old farmer John Gerst lived on a farm that he owned in Enoch Twp., Noble County, Ohio with his 58 year old wife Mary and four of their children: Alic (30), Lizzie (19), Joseph (17), and Barbara (15).
The 1870 census incorrectly gives Mary Ann's birthplace as Ohio; she was born in what is now West Virginia.
The census states that all ten of Mary Brahler Gerst's children were alive in 1900; however, church records show that she had eleven children. Date of death are not known for her daughter Lene.
Lene Gerst's birth is listed in St. Mary's Church records, but she does not appear with the family in the 1880 census. She would have been about five years old at the time. It is presumed that she died prior to 1 Jun 1880.
From the "Fulda" section of The Caldwell Ctiizens' Press, 8 Mar 1883:
Birth -- to John and Mary Ann Gerst, a son.In 1900, 19 year old Joseph Gerst lived and worked on the family farm with his parents and several siblings.
Joseph Gerst's obituary appeared in The Times Recorder (Zanesville, OH) newspaper on August 19, 1950.
Joseph Gerst, 67, of Athens, died there at 1 o'clock, Thursday
afternoon, following illness. He was a son of the late John and
Mary Ann Braehler (John and Mary Ann Brahler Gerst) of fulda
and a member of St. Mary's Catholic church at Fulda.
Surviving are one sister and two brothers, Mrs. Andrew Snider,
and Peter Ferst (sic) of Youngstown, and Alex Gerst of Fulda, in
addition to a large number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 9:30 o'clock from the
St. Mary's Catholic church in Fulda, with Rev. Fr. B. J. Mattes,
officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's cemetery. The Estadt funeral
home in Caldwell is in charge of arrangements.Joseph Gerst never married. At the time of his death, he had been a resident of the Athens State Hospital for nearly 29 years.
According to Dale Schott, Joseph and Mary Schaub travelled to America from Bremen on the brig "Weser" together with the Kraft family. The ship arrived on 3 Sep 1838. This conflicts with the 1850 and 1900 census entries for Joseph's daughter, Mary (Maria) Schaub Hohman, which state that she came to America in 1848. She would have been about eight years old at the time.
At the time of the 1850 census, 49 year old farmer "Joseph Shaup" lived in Enoch Twp., Monroe County, Ohio with his wife Mary (49) and daughters Mary (11) and Elizabeth (9).Joseph and his wife were born in Germany and the girls were born in Virginia. Adjacent farms in the census belonged to Michael Blake and Augustus Witsberger.
In 1860, 58 year old farmer Joseph Shob lived in Enoch Twp., Noble County, Ohio with his 57 year old wife Mary. Both were born in Hesse. Also liveing in the household are children George Schott (11), Jasper Schott (7), and Mary Schott (2). All the children were born in Ohio. The two boys both attended school. The census taker clearly spells the parents names as "Shob" and the children as "Shott." The adjacent households in the census were that of the parish priest, Rev. J. W. Bruemmer, and Michael Schott.
Although Delores Snider places George, Kasper, and Mary in the Schaub family, researcher Joann Schoeppner Cummings has convincingly demonstrated that these are the children of Jacob Schott. They are listed with Jacob Schott in the 1850, 1870, and 1880 census (the latter two in Washington County). And even when they do appear with the Schaub family in 1860, their surname is clearly spelled Schott. Also, Joseph Schaub and Jacob Schott lived only three farms apart in the 1850 census.
Researcher Dr. Tom Singer says there is an estate settlement for Joseph Schaub in Caldwell that says Joseph Schaub bought caskets for little ones, but died before he paid for them. It is not known who the caskets were for.
In 1870, 69 year old widow Mary Schoup lived with the family of her widowed daughter, Mary Lori in Enoch Twp., Noble County, Ohio. Mary Schaub apparently owned the farm, since all the property valued in the census is listed in her name ($1200 real estate, $290 personal). Mary Schaub's birthplace is listed as Hesse Cassel.
On 25 Jan 1883, the Fulda column of The Caldwell Citizens' Press reported:
By the appearance, Mr. Ehlerman has bought a great deal of tobacco. He
is packing in two houses, and about twenty girls are engaged by him. John
Bramhall and Brahler are the packers.From the same paper, on 7 Jun 1883:
Marton McBride, John Brahler and others cut two bee trees in the
neighborhood of John Warner's in Stock township last week.From the Fulda column of the Caldwell Citizens' Press, 26 Jul 1883:
John Brahler, Jr. is building a new blacksmith shop at Fulda. Henry
Brahler, his brother, cut his leg with an ax last Thursday while scoring
timber.On 9 Aug 1883, the "Fulda" column of the Caldwell Citizens' Press reported
John Brahler, Jr. has his new blacksmith shop nearly finished, and
will commence work next week. He is going to Wheeling this week
to buy iron.In 1884, John Brahler owned one of two blacksmith shops in Fulda. The other was owned by John Noll.
This note appeared in the Fulda column of The Caldwell Citizens' Press on 20 Mar 1884:
John U. Brahler, August Dimmerling, and Philip Gerst went to Wheeling
Monday morning.In the Caldwell Citizens' Press on 29 May 1884:
William Johanning and John U. Brahler sold a brand new wagon which they
put up for $75 to Joseph Werner. Can't beat that.From the same paper on 19 Nov 1885:
John U. Brahler and wife moved into their new residence Monday.In 1900, blacksmith John U. Brahler lived on a farm that he owned in Enoch Twp., Noble County, Ohio with 35 year old wife Joanna and their six children: Phelix J. (13), Urban (8), Rosa (7), Oswald (6), Sophia (4), and Agnes (6 months).
At the time of the 1910 census, John U. Brahler (47) and his wife Hannah M. (45) owned a farm in Enoch Twp., where they lived with their children Urban H. (18), Rosa L. (17), Oswald J. (16), Sophia M. (13), Agnes (10), Edward (9), Isabelle M. (7), Saraphia M. (5), Freda M. (3) and Bernard J. (5 mos). Oswald, Sophia, Agnes, Edward and Isabelle attended school. Eleven of the Brahlers' twelve children were still living. The house next to the Brahlers' was the rectory of Father Oienk.
The following Golden Wedding Anniversary announcement appeared in The Zanesville (OH) Signal newspaper on October 18, 1935
TO ATTEND WEDDING
Many people from Caldwell and community are planning on being in
attendance at the double golden wedding celebration which will be held
Sunday, Oct. 20, at Fulda, when Mr. and Mrs. John Brahler and Mr. and
Mrs. John Miller celebrate their golden wedding anniversary, both couples
being married at the same time and with the same ceremony.John Brahler's obituary was published in the Zanesville Times Recorder on 30 Jun 1944. The microfilm is faint and difficult to read.
JOHN BRAHLER IS SUMMONED
CALDWELL, O. - John U. Brahler, 75 (?), widely known retired farmer
and blacksmith of Fulda seven miles east of Caldwell died at the family
home late Wednesday following an extended illness. His wife Johannah
Miller Brahler died two years ago.
The Brahler home was widely known for its hospitality during the life
of Mrs. Brahler and best known for the fine dinners served on special
occasions to various groups throughout Noble county.
Mr. Brahler was a devout member of St. Mary’s Catholic church and
had spent his life in that community. He was a son of John and Elizabeth
Brahler. Four sons and four daughters survive. They are Felix Brahler of
Louisville, O., Urban Brahler of Canton, Bernard Brahler of Cleveland,
Edward Brahler of Malverne, I., Mrs. Beda Hill of Fulda, Mrs. Albert Crock
of South Olive, Mrs. William Madison of Cleveland and Mrs. Walter Noll
of Zanesville.
The brothers and sisters are George Brahler of Canton, Charles Brahler
of Youngstown, Henry Brahler of Zanesville, Mrs. Andrew Archer and Mrs.
August Gerst of Youngstown, and Mrs. Barbara Schott of Berne.
Funeral services will be held from St. Mary’s Catholic church at Fulda on
Saturday at 9 a.m. conducted by Rev. Father B. J. Mattes followed by burial
in St. Mary’s cemetery. The body ahs been removed from the Estadt funeral
home to the home in Fulda.
Another obituary appeared on page 1 of the Louisville [OH] Herald on 6 Jul 1944:
FULDA -- John U. Brahler, 83, a retired village blacksmith, died Wednesday,
June 28 at his home at Fulda, near Caldwell, after an illness of one year.
Surviving are four sons, Urban of Canton, Edward of Malvern, Bernard of
Beach City, and Felix of Louisville; four daughters, Mrs. Beda Hill of Fulda, Mrs.
Albert Crock of South Olive, Mrs. William Maddison of Cleveland, and Mrs.
Walter Noll of Zanesville; three brothers, George of Canton, Henry of Zanes-
ville, and Charles of Youngstown; and three sisters, Mrs. Lewis Schott of Fulda,
and Mrs. August Gerst and Mrs. Andrew Arthur [sic, Archer], both of
Youngstown.
Services were Saturday at 9 a.m. in Immaculate Conception church here, of
which he was a member, and burial in the church cemetery.John Brahler's wake was held at the family home for three days. On the day of the funeral, the casket was carried (not driven) to the nearby church. Some of John's granddaughters accompanied the funeral procession carrying flowers.
John' Urban Brahler's daughter Rose Hill was the informant for his death certificate. John's father's name (also John Brahler) is on the death certicate, but the name of his mother, and the birthplaces of J. U.'s parents are listed as "unknown."
John Miller and Catherine Michel were married in a double-wedding ceremony with John's niece, Johanna Miller and John U. Brahler on 20 Oct. 1885. Even though John Miller was the uncle of Johanna Miller, he was only two years older than his niece.
The census states that six of Joanna Brahler's seven children were still living in 1900, and 11 of 12 were alive in 1910. The Brahler's son Martin died in infancy in 1898.
Hannah Miller was a large, heavyset woman who suffered from "dropsy" (swelling or edema in the extremities).
The following report appeared in The Caldwell Press 22 Dec 1915:
Mrs. John U. Brahler of Fulda, fractured both bones in her left leg on
Thursday of last week as a result of falling down the cellar steps. The
fractured bones almost protruded through the flesh. Dr. Weinstein of
Summerfield reduced the fracture and the patient is getting along quite
well at this time.It's fortunate that the broken bones did not actually break through the skin of Hannah's leg. At the turn of the century, compound fractures frequently resulted in amputation, and sometimes death.
The following article appeared in the Zanesville Times Recorder on 7 Sep 1933:
LITERARY PROGRAM WILL BE GIVEN BY FULDA GRANGE
CALDWELL, O., Sept. 1 - The ladies of the Fulda Grange will sponsor
the literary program to be resented at their regular meeting on Friday
evening, September 8, at 8 o’clock.
Greeting song, Marie Miller; reading, “A Farmer’s Wife is Queen,” Mrs.
Elizabeth Michael;; Talk on Cooking, Mrs. John U. Brahler; dialogue,
“Selling Stock,” Emma Snider and Helen Hill; reading, “Grumble Corner
and Thanksgiving Street”; play, “A Pretty Hat,” Mollie Rohrig, Marie Miller
and Hlen Noll; reading, “A Boy’s Sermon,” Amelia Crum; dialogue, “Part-
ing,” Lurina Michael and Silvina Miller; reading, “Rose High School Kids,”
Rose Crock; Orange Stunt and Red and White Handkercheif Drill, by the
ladies of the grange; play, “The Darkies Insurance Agent,” Sophia Estadt
and Clara Schott; Closing song.
From the Newark [OH] Advocate, 19 Oct 1935 (pg 2):
Caldwell, Oct. 19 - Mr. and Mrs. John Brahler and Mr. and Mrs.
John Miller will celebrate a joint golden wedding anniversary Sunday.
The two couples were united in marriage on the same day, with the
same ceremony, and are living to enjoy the golden wedding celebration.
The following obituary for Johanna N. (Miller) Brahler appeared in the Times Recorder on Feb 21, 1942.
MRS. BRAHLER, 78, TAKEN BY DEATH
CALDWELL, O. -- Mrs. Johanna N. Brahler, 78, wife of John W.
Brahler, died at the family home in Fulda, six miles east of Caldwell,
Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock following an illness.
Mrs. Brahler was the mother of 12 children, nine of whom are living.
They are Felix of Lewisville; Urban of canton; Mrs. Rose Hill of Fulda;
Mrs. Agnes Crock of South Olive; Edward of Malverne; Mrs. Sarah
Madison of Shaker Heights; Bernard and Mrs. Freda Noll of Zanes-
ville. There are a number of grand and great-grandchildren.
Her brothers and sisters are: Mrs. Hugo Antony of Coldwater; Mrs.
Clara Gerden of Dayton; William Miller of Braddock, Pa.; Ignatz Miller
of Zanesville.
Funeral services will be held at St. Mary's Church, Fulda, Monday
at 10 a.m., with Rev. Fr. B.J. Mattes saying mass. Burial will be in St.
Mary's cemetery in charge of the William Estadt funeral home.
Another obituary for Hannah Miller Brahler's appeared in The Louisville [OH] Herald on 26 Feb 1942:
MRS. JOHN U. BRAHLER
Mrs. Hannah Brahler, 76, wife of John U. Brahler, died Friday night
in her home at Fulda. She was the mother of Felix Brahler of near
Louisville.
Funeral services were held Monday morning in the Immaculate Con-
ception church at Fulda, and burial in the church cemetery.A third obituary was published in the Zanesville Signal on 21 Feb 1942:
MRS. JOHN BRAHLER FUNERAL MONDAY
Funeral services for Mrs. John W. Brahler, 78, of Fulda, Noble county,
who died yesterday at her home, will be held at 10 o'clock Monday
morning at St. Mary's Catholic church, in Fulda. Burial will be made in
the church cemetery.
Surviving are her husband; five daughters, Mrs. Freda Noll, of Zanes-
ville; Mrs. Rose Hill and Mrs. Isabella Schott, both of Fulda, Mrs. Sarah
Madison, of Shaker Heights, and Mrs. Agnes Crock, of South Olive, four
sons, Bernard, of Zanesville, Edward, of Malverne; Felix, of Lewisville,
and Urban, of Canton, two brothers, Ignatz Miller, of Zanesville, and
William Miller, of Braddock, Pa.; two sisters, Mrs. Hugo Anthony, of
Coldwater, and Mrs. Clara Gerden, of Dayton, and a number of grand
and great-grandchildren.
The body was taken to the William Estadt funeral home.
From the Fulda column of the Caldwell Citizen's Press, 7 Jun 1883:
John Schoeppner caught a large swarm of bees last Friday.In 1900, 42 year old farmer John Schoeppner lived on a farm that he owned in Enoch Twp., Noble County, Ohio with his 37 year old wife Rosa and ten children: Leonard (18), Lizzie (17), George (15), Mary (14), Gregore L. (13), Hannah B. (10), Amelia (9), Anna (5), Clara (3) and Frona (5 months).
Obituary:
PROMINENT FARMER DIES NEAR FULDA
CALDWELL - John Schoeppner, 81, father of Mrs. Henry Estadt,
South Cumberland street, and a prominent retired farmer, died at the family
home near Fulda, Thursday afternoon following an illness of several weeks.
He suffered a stroke of paralysis in June from which he never recovered.
Mr. Schoeppner was born in Noble county on the same farm where
he died. He was the son of Leonard and Elizabeth Miller Schoeppner, promi-
nent German settlers in the Fulda community. He was a member of St. Mary’s
Catholic church.
His wife died three years ago. Surviving are the following children,
Mrs. Estadt, Caldwell; Edward Schoeppner, Harriettsville; Vena Schafer,
Youngstown; Leonard Schoeppner, Mrs. Mary Fox, Mrs. Clara Prussers,
Mrs. Sophia Berdnard, Mrs. Amelia Nau and Leo Schoeppner, all of Canton;
Joseph Schoeppner and Albert Schoeppner of the home; 70 grandchildren; a
number of great-grandchildren; one brother, George Schoeppner, of Fulda,
and two sisters, Mrs. Caroline Schockling of Fulda and Mrs. Barbara Yester
of Lowell.
Funeral services will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic church in Fulda
Saturday morning. Rev. Fr. B. J. Mattes will officiate. Interment will be in the
church cemetery.
On 11 Nov 1880, the "Fulda" section of The Caldwell Press reported:
Last Tuesday John Schoeppner was married to Miss Rosa Brahler at the church here.
The ceremony was very imposing, to those who have never witnessed a Cathalic {sic)
marriage, it is interesting.The census states that 10 of Rosa Brahler Schoeppner's 11 children were still living in 1900. Her son William died at birth in 1891. Two more children, Veronica and Anna, would die within the next two years.
Rosa Brahler Schoeppner's obituary appeared in the Times Recorder (Zanesville, OH) on December 10, 1935.
MRS. SCHOEPPNER OF NEAR FULDA, IS CALLED FROM LIFE
CALDWELL, O. Dec. 9 -- Mrs. Rosa Brahler Schoeppner, aged 73, one of
the Fulda vicinity's most highly esteemed residents, passed from life Sunday
afternoon at 3 o'clock, at the family home, following a three days' illness of
complications. Mrs. Schoeppner was the daughter of the late John and
Elizabeth Brahler and lived her entire live near Fulda. She was a devout
member of St. Mary's Catholic church at Fulda, and the mother of 14 children,
three of whom are deceased. she was united in marriage to John Schoeppner
55 years ago. Besides her husband the following children survive, Leonard
Schoeppner, Mrs. Mary Fox, Leo Schoeppner, Mrs Amelia Nau, Mrs Clara
Pruser, Mrs Sophia Bernard, all of Canton; Mrs. Elizabeth Estadt, Caldwell,
Edward Schoeppner, Harrietsville, Mrs. Dena Shafer, Youngstown, Joseph
Schoeppner, Sarahsville, and Albert of the home.
The following brothers and sisters also survive John Brahler, Mrs. Barbara
Schott, Fulda, George brahler, Canton; Henry brahler, Berne, Charles Brahler,
Mrs. Mary Gerst, and Mrs. Mary Anna Archer, all of Youngstown.
Last rites will be held from St. Mary's church at Fulda, Wednesday morning
at 9 o'clock, with Rev. Fr. J. W. Mattes reading requiem mass, and interment in
the church cemetery with William Estadt in charge.Rosa's death certificate incorrectly identifies Fulda as the birthplace of both of Rosa's parents. The informant for the death certificate was her son, Albert.
In 1900, 34 year old day laborer George Brahler lived in a house that he owned in Enoch Twp., Noble County, Ohio with his 32 year old wife Maggie and five children: John (10), Emma (8), Clemmence (6), Bertha (4), and Clarence (2). Twins Clyde and William were born a day too late (02 Jun 1900) to be enumerated in the 1900 census.
In 1910, George Brahler (42) lived with his wife of 22 years, Maggie (42) in a rented home at 1933 Fairfield Street, Canton, Stark Co., Ohio. Living with them were their 9 children Otto J. (20), Emma (18), Clemens J. (17), Bertha (16), Clarence (12), twins Clyde and William (9), Earl (6) and Julia (3). Also living with them was Maggie's sister, Julia Huffman (26) and boarders William Tronsberg (30) and Leo Steffner (23). George worked as a pressman for an enamel co., Otto as a spring fitter in a spring shop, Emma as a wrapper for an enamel co., Clemence as a polisher in a machine shop and Bertha as a saleslady in a novelty store. William Tronsberg worked as a sorter for an enamel co., and Leo Steffner as a machinist in a machine shop. Clarence and the twins attended school. All members of the household except William Tronsberg were born in Ohio. William Tronsberg was born in Pennsylvania.
The 1913 Directory for Canton, OH lists six members of the Brahler family living at 1321 Dueber. One of those is George B. Brahler. (This is the only source of his middle initial.) His occupation is listed as "worker." The younger children of George and Maggie Brahler -- Julia, 6, Earl, 9 and twins Clyde and William, 13 -- are not listed in the directory.
At the time of the 1920 census, George Brahler (54) owned a home at 1521 Dublin Ave. in Canton. He lived with his wife Marguerite (51) and their eleven children Otto (30), Anna (28), Clem (26), Bertha (24), Clarence (22), Clyde (19), William (19), Earl (16), Julia (12), Evelyn (9), and Martha (7). The youngest four children attended school. George worked as a grinder in a bearing factory. Two doors away lived the family of fellow Fulda descendant Ernest Singer, son of Ignatius Singer.
In 1930, George Brahler (64) owned a house worth $3800 at 1521 Dublin Ave., Canton, Stark County, Ohio. Living with him was his wife Margaret (62), and their unmarried adult children Clarence (32), Earl (26) and Evelyn (20). Also living in the house was a 27 year old boarder named George Lilbert. The family did not own a radio set. George was employed as a polisher in a bearing factory. George's children, as well as the boarder, all worked in the bearing factory. George's son Otto, who also worked in the bearing factory, lived a few doors away.
George Brahler was still living in Canton at the time of his brother John's death in 1944.
Delores Snider's records conflict: There are two Margaret Huffmans, born 20 years apart:
1) Margaret, born 1847, dau. of Henry Huffman, and
2) Margaret, born 1867, dau. of John HuffmanPage 107 states that #2 is the wife of George Brahler. Page 29 states that #1 is the wife of George Brahler.
This researcher believes that page 29 is incorrect. If Margaret was born in 1847, not only would that make her nearly 20 years older than her husband, it would mean she was 57 years old when her youngest child was born. This seems highly unlikely.
There is also a problem with the birth date: Page 107 gives Margaret's birth date as 29 Feb 1867. Since 1867 was not a leap year, there was no Feb 29.
The 1900 census indicates that George Brahler's wife, Maggie, was born in Feb 1868. The census also states that five of Margaret's six children were still living on 01 Jun 1900. Church records show only five births for Maggie. It is not known when the deceased child was born, but the biggest gap in the births was between Maggie's marriage to George Brahler in Nov 1887 and the birth of her first recorded child, Otto John, in Jan 1890.
The 1913 Directory for Canton, OH lists six members of the Brahler family living at 1321 Dueber. One of those is Maggie, wife of George B. Brahler. Her occupation is listed as "worker."
The 1900 census lists five closely spaced children for Maggie Huffman Brahler. It also states that she had given birth to a total of six children, five of whom survived. The deceased child was not found in church records for St. Mary's in Fulda, OH. The deceased child was either a twin of one of the other children, or was born before Adolphus/Otto.
In 1930, 20 year old Evelyn Brahler lived in Canton, OH with her parents and two older brothers. She was employed as a mail clerk in a bearing factory.
Martha Brahler did not live with her parents at the time of the 1930 census. She would have been about 18 years old at the time.
On 28 Jun 1883, the Fulda column of the Caldwell Citizens' Press reported:
Henry Brahler [age 16] is ill with the mumps.From the Fulda column of the Caldwell Citizens' Press, 26 Jul 1883:
Henry Brahler cut his leg with an ax last Thursday while scoring
timber.From the 1900 census: 33 year old blacksmith Henry Brahler lived in a rented house in Carlisle Village, Stock Twp., Noble County Ohio with his 24 year old wife Lena and their two children, Fronie (2), and Andrew (1). The census states that Henry and his parents were born in Ohio, but other evidence suggests that both his parents were born in (West) Virginia. Henry could read and write English.
In 1910, 43 year old Henry Brahler lived in Noble County, OH with his 32 year old wife Lena and five children.
The enumeration of the family in 1920 is unusual, to say the least. The first oddity is that the family is listed twice in the census of Marion Twp., Noble County, Ohio: once on page 9A as family 14-16 (taken 26 Jan 1920), then again two pages later on page 10 B as family 44-47 (taken 26 or 27 Jan 1920). Both entries have a nearly identical note on the left edge of the page under the family number. Unfortunately, the note is illegible. The surname is spelled slightly differently in each entry: Brealer in the first case and Breuler in the second. (This may be due to difficulty reading the handwriting.) The adjacent families in the two entries are different: Warton and Fowler in the first enumeration, and Robinson and Williams in the second.
The most unusual facet of the family's entry in the 1920 census, though, is the lving arrangements. Divorced blacksmith Henry Brahler (52) is a boarder in the household of his remarried ex-wife, Lena Hopper (42) and her 28 year old husband Bruce Hopper. Henry and Lena's two youngest children, Pearl (14) and Edna (12) Brahler lived in the household. Both girls attended school. Bruce Hopper was a coal miner; Henry Brahler was a blacksmith. Everyone in the household was born in Ohio, as were their parents. In both census entries for Bruce Hopper there is an illegible entry in the "year of immigration to the US" column. The entry looks like "MH."
Henry's blacksmith shop was located in Carlisle. He was one of two blacksmiths in town, the other being Henry Hill.
From the Noble County Leader, 23 Jan 1923:
SUMMERFIELD -- Henry Brahler went to Zanesville the latter part
of the week to visit relatives for a few days.Henry was living in Zanesville at the time of his brother John's death in 1944.
The Zanesville Times Recorder carried a photo of Henry Brahler on page 24 on 5 Mar 1951 with the caption "Has Birthday." The caption read:
Henry A. Brahler, above, was 84 years of age Thursday March 1, and in
honor of the occasion he was a guest of honor at a family dinner held at
the home of his daughter, Mrs. H. E. Pryor at 611 Echo avenue. Mr.
Brahler is a native of Berne in Noble county. He is a retired blacksmith
and has been a resident of Zanesville the past 15 years.A year later (4 Mar 1952), the same paper reported:
Henry A. Brahler, of 611 Echo avenue, Saturday observed his 85th
birthday anniversary.On 27 Feb 1953, pg 1-D of the Zanesville [OH] Times Reporter recorded:
A card shower is being planned for Henry Brahler of 611 Echo Avenue who
will celebrate his 86th birthday Sunday.On 03 Mar 1953, the same paper reported:
86TH BIRTHDAY FOR MR BRAHLER
Mr. and Mrs. Pearl Gooden of Buckeye Lake entertained with a family dinner
at their home Sunday in honor of the 86th birthday of Mrs. Gooden's father,
Henry A. Brahler of 611 Echo Avenue, this city. Mr. Brahler is a retired
blacksmith from Berne.
Among those preset were Mr. and Mrs. Harkace E. Pryor, Mr. and Mrs.
Ralph Bunting and children, Ted and Darlene, Mr. and Mrs. William
Carpenter, and Mr. and Mrs. Stanley A. Sheck, all of Zanesville, the guest
of honor, the host and hostess and their daughter Cleo.
Mr. Pryor, Mrs. Bunting, and Mrs. Gooden are daughters of Mr. Brahler.
Another daughter, Mrs. Jack Speer of Barstaw, Calif., was not present.Henry Brahler's obituaries:
NONAGENARIAN DIES SUNDAY IN HOSPITAL
Henry Brahler, 90, of 611 Echo avenue, who was a blacksmith for
many years, died at 6:50 Sunday night in Good Samaritan hospital
following a lingering illness. He had been bedfast more than three
years.
He was born in Noble county, and had been in Zanesville about 20
years. He was a son of the late John and Elizabeth Brahler and was a
member of the St. Thomas church and its Holy Name society.
Surviving are four daughters, Mrs. Pearl Gooden of Buckeye Lake,
Mrs. Hark Pryor of the home, Mrs. Ralph Bunting of 654 Spangler drive,
Mrs. Robert Hartley of Barstow, Calif.; 10 grandchildren and 11 great
grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Gerst and Mrs. Ann Archer, both
of Youngstown, and several nieces and nephews.
A son, Andrew, and his wife, Lena, six brothers and three sisters pre-
ceded him in death.
The body is at the Putnam chapel of the Bolin-Bryan funeral home
where friends may call after 6 tonight.FUNERAL THURSDAY FOR HENRY BRAHLER
Services for Henry Brahler, 90, of 611 Echo avenue will be held at 9
o’clock Thursday morning in St. Thomas Catholic church. Burial will
be in Mt. Olive.
Mr. Brahler died Sunday night [4 Aug 1957]. The body is at the
Putnam Chapel of Bolin-Bryan funeral home where friends may call
after 6 o’clock.
By 1900, 24 year old Helena Thompson Brahler had given birth to two children, both of whom were alive at the time of the census. Lena and her parents were born in Ohio. She was able to read and write.
When Lena's son Andrew was killed in France in World War I, his military record stated that his mother, Lena Hopper, of 219 Harrison St., Zanesville, was notified of his death.
In 1920, Lena Hopper lived with her husband Bruce Hopper (28), a coal miner, her two youngest children Pearl and Edna, and her ex-husband, Henry Brahler.
In 1930, "Lena Brahler" (54) lived with her daughter and son-in-law Edna and Frank White in Zanesville. Also residing in the house was Lena's sister, Margaret Thompson Sorg (62) and 35 year Bruce Hopper, who is listed as an unmarried boarder. Lena is identified as a widow, despite the fact that both Henry Brahler and Bruce Hopper were still alive.
Lena Brahler lived in Zanesville at the time of her mother's death in 1932.
Lena Brahler’s obituary was published in the Zanesville Times Recorder on 5 Apr 1933:
BRAHLER FUNERAL THURSDAY
ST. THOMAS CHURCH
Funeral services for Mrs. Lena E. Brahler, 57, of 703 Dresden road, who died Monday night in Good Samaritan hospital, will be held at 9 o’clock Thursday morning at St. Thomas Catholic Church. Burial will be made in Zanesville Memorial Park.
Surviving Mrs. Brahler are four daughters, Mrs. Pearl Gooden, Mrs. Harkace Pryor, Mrs. Ralph Bunting and Mrs. Orrie Lewis of this city, eight grandchildren, three brothers and three sisters, Joseph, Ernest and William Thompson, Mrs. Adam Sorg, Mrs. Henry Ritterbeck and Mrs. Lawrence Jones, all of Noble county.
On 31 Mar 1937, the following memorial notice ran in the classified ads on page 10 of the Zanesville Times Recorder:
In sad and loving rememberance of our
dear mother, Lena Brahler, who passed
away four years ago today;
Dearest mother, how we miss you since
From this earth you passed away;
Our heart is still aching for you
As we think of you today.
Her children
Frona, Cora, Pearl & EdnaSources conflict on date of death:
3 Apr 1933 - calculated from obituary
31 Mar 1937 - calculated from memoral notice
Served in WWI:
**Name: Andrew J. Brahler
Serial Number: 1517163
Race: W
Residence: Zanesville, O.
Enlistment Division: National Guard
Enlistment Location: Zanesville, O.
Enlistment Date: 21 Feb 1916
Birth Place: Noble Co, O.
Birth Date / Age: 18 2/12 Years
Assigns Comment: Co A 7 Infantry ONG (Co A 145 Infantry) Feb 21/16 to Oct 27/17; Machine Gun Company 145 Infantry to Sept 27/18. Private Feb 21/16; Private, first class May 11/18. Meuse-Argonne; Defensive Sector. American Expeditionary Forces June 15/18 to Sept 27/18. Killed in Action Sept 27/18.
Notified Lena Hopper, mother, 219 Harrison St., Zanesville, O.
Volume #: 2
Fedelis Brahler is not listed with the surviving siblings in the 1944 death notice of his brother John U. Brahler. The fact that his young children lived with their grandmother in 1900 suggests that Fidelis and Caroline may have been deceased.
Caroline's children John and Clara lived with their widowed grandmother at the time of both the 1900 and 1910 census. Their parents, Caroline and Fidelis, may have died prior to 1900.
At the time of the 1900 and 1910 census, John Brahler lived with his widowed grandmother Barbara Herbst in Braddock, Pennsylvania. John, who did not attend school in 1910, was employed as a fitter in the electric works.
On 5 Jun 1917, 23 year old John Hogo Brahler of 724 Helena Ct., Braddock, Pa registered for the US military draft. He state that he was born on April 1st, 1894 in Noble County, Ohio. John was a fitter of (track?) work at the Westinghouse Electric Mfg. Co. in East Pittsburgh, Pa. He was single and had no dependents. John was described as being of medium height and build with blue eyes and light hair.
John's name is on the Herbst family monument in the St. Joseph section of Braddock Catholic Cemetery. The monument is marked with a "Woodmen of the World" memorial. Woodmen of the World was a fraternal organization that became a life insurance company. Up until 1935, when a member died, the society would donate $100 toward burial expenses if the family allowed the society's emblem and/or wording to appear on the tombstone.
At the time of the 1900 census, three year old Clara Brahler lived with her widowed grandmother Barbara Herbst in Braddock, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. She also lived with her in the 1910 census.
In 1920, 23 year old Clara Brahler lived with her maiden aunts, Mary Herbst (35) Katherine Herbst (38) and Cecelia Herbst (33) in a rented home at the rear of 114 Corey Ave. in Braddock Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Mary was not employed, Katherine worked as a presser in a laundry and Cecelia and Clara as armature winders in an electric plant. All members of the household were born in Ohio, Mary's parents were born in West Virginia.
In 1900, 35 year old farmer Louis Shott lived on a farm that he owned in Enoch Twp., Noble County, Ohio with his 29 year old wife Barbara and their five children: Arthur (9), Oscar (8), Harry (4), Urban (2), and Cora (7 months).
At the time of the 1910 census, Louis Schott (45) lived with his wife Barbara (39) and their six surviving children: Arthur E (19), Oscar J (18), Urban P (12), Cora M (10), Bertha C (8), and Stella M (6).
In 1920, 55 year old farmer Louis Schott lived with his wife Barbara (48) on a farm they owned in Enoch Twp., Noble Co., Ohio. Living with them were their daughters Bertha (18) and Stella (16). All members of the household were born in Ohio as were Barbara's parents. Louis parents were born in German. Adjacent farms were owned by Simon and Elizabeth Crum Warner and John and Sylvia Roehrig Saling. Other nearby farms included those of Sebastian Dimmerling and Henry Hohman.
In 1930, Louis (65) and Barbara (59) Schott rented a farm for $5 a month in Enoch Twp. Adjacent households in the census belonged to their daughter Barbara Schott Burkhart and Louis' first cousin once removed, William Beda Schott.
Louis Schott's obituary appeared in The Zanesville (OH) Signal on December 5, 1936 HEART ATTACK FATAL TO LOUIS SCHOTT CALDWELL -- Louis B. Schott, 74, well knows farmer of Enoch township
was found dead in the barn of his home Saturday. He was believed to have
been stricken by a heart attack after completing the morning chores. He was the son of Nick and Caroline Schott and was born and reared in
Enoch township. He was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic church. Surviving are his wife, Barbara Brahler Schott and six children Arthur of
Mechanicsville, Iowa, Erwin of Iowa, Oscar of Beverly, Mrs. Cora Sorg of
Carlisle, Mrs. Stella baker of Lewisville, Stark county, and Mrs. Bertha Burk-
hart of Fulda. one sister, Mrs. Miller of Harrietsville, also survives. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 9 o'clock at St. Mary's Catholic
church in Fulda, by the Rev. Fr. B. J. Mattes. Interment will be made in a
nearby cemetery.
Obituary:
SERVICES TUESDAY FOR LOUIS SCHOTT
Funeral rites for Louis Schott, 74, farmer of Fulda, near Summerfield in Noble County,
who was found dead Saturday morning in one of the barns on his farm, will be held Tuesday
morning at 9:30 at St. Mary's Catholic church at Fulda. Interment will be in the church
cemetery.
According to reports, Mr. Schott had been in his usual health and his death was an
unexpected shock. A sudden heart attack was blamed for his sudden passing. He was well
known in the community where he died, having spent his entire life there.
The deceased is survived by his widow, Mrs. Barbara Schott, of the home; three sons,
Arthur of Lisbon, Iowa; Oscar of Waterford, and Urban Schott of Fondulac, Wis.; three
daughters, Mrs. Cora Sorg of Summerfield, Mrs. Bertha Burkhart of Fulda, and Mrs. Stella Miday of Lewisville, Stark county, and 21 grandchildren.
Obituary:
SISTER OF LOCAL RESIDENT DIES
Mrs. Barbara Schott, 76, of Fulda, Noble county, died Wednesday evening [02 Apr
1947] at the Memorial hospital in Marietta. She was the widow of Louis Schott who
died in 1938. Born in Fulda, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Brahler, she was a life-
long resident of that community.
Surviving are three sons, Oscar Schott of Waterford, Arthur Schott of Lisbon, Ia., and
Urvan of Tacoma, Wash.; three daughters, Mrs. Cora Sarg of Summerfield, Mrs. Bertha
Burkhart of Caldwell, and Mrs. Stella Miday of Louisville, O.; two brothers, Henry
Brahler of this city, and Charles Brahler of Youngstown; two sisters, Mrs. Maryann
Archer and Mary Gerst, both of Youngstown; 22 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 10 o'clock Tuesday morning at the St. Mary's Catholic
church with burial in the church cemetery. The body will remain in the McCurdy funeral
home in Beverly.
In 1910, Charles A. Brahler (36) and his wife Rachael M. (34) owned a home at 935 Woodland Ave. in Youngstown, Ohio. Living with them were their children Stella (15), Brunetta (13), Matilda (8), Alfred J. (4), and Thelma (7 mos).
The 1930 census page (at ancestry.com) on which the family of Charles Brahler is enumerated was not available when checked in Jan 2003. The family data have been reconstructed from the 1930 index.
In 1930, John (54) and Rachel (53) Brahler lived in Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio with children: Bernette B. (33), Matilda E (28), Alfred J. (23), Thelma M. (20), William O. (19), and Dorothy B. (15).
Charles Brahler was still living in Youngstown at the time of his brother John's death in 1944. Charles' death certificate states that he was a carpenter.
Bernetta Brahler never married.
Matilda Brahler never married.
Alfred Brahler never married. He was employed as a lumber truck driver prior to his death.
Thelma Brahler never married.
On 10 Jan 1895, the Caldwell Ohio newspaper reported:
Alex & August Gerst, Frank Ritterbeck and Herman Fox spent
the holidays in Wheeling.At the time of the 1900 census, August Gerst (28) lived in the household of his brother-in-law and sister, Max and Matilda Weber at 890 Tod Avenue, Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio. August's wife Mary (22) and children Elinor (2) and Gallus (1) lived with them, as did his other sister, Marian (24). August was employed as a hand in a planing mill. His cousin John Scheetz and family lived next door.
In 1910, August (38) and Mary (33) Gerst owned a mortgaged home at 224 Emerald St. in Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio. They lived there with their children Eleanora (12), Gallus (11) and Albert (7). The two older children attended school. August worked as a teamster... he drove a brewer's wagon. August's cousin Charles Gerst lived next door, and several other Fulda natives lived in the neighborhood.
The family still lived at 224 Emerald St. at the time of the 1920 census. Household members were August (47), Mary (42), Elenor (22), Gallus (20) and Albert (17). None of the children attended school. August was a self-employed teamster who owned his own wagon.
In 1930, August Gerst (58) and his wife Mary (52) lived in a house that he owned at 361 S. Schenley Ave. in Youngstown. Their house was worth $6500. They did not own a radio set. August was employed as a gardener. Several related families lived nearby: Emma (Aldenhoven) Scheetz, widow of Frank Scheetz, and August's great-nephew, Leo Peter Gerst. August's daughter and son in law, Eleanor and Patrick Joyce lived in the next house enumerated in the census.
A brief note about August Gerst's death appeared in The Zanesville Signal on 16 Jan 1938:
BROTHER DIES
Friends in Caldwell have been notified that August Gerst, formerly
of the Fulda community and brother to Leo Gerst of near Caldwell
passed away at his home in Youngstown, Monday morning.
Alternate first name: Maryann Agnes
By the time of the 1910 census, Mary Brahler Gerst had given birth to four children, three of whom were still living.