In 1870, 20 year old Sebastian Witzberger lived and worked on his parents' farm in Elk Twp. (Harriettsville), Noble Co., OH.
By the time of the 1880 census, Sebastan Wertzberger (31) had moved to Fox Settlement in Ludlow Twp., Washington Co., Ohio. He lived there with his wife Susan (31) and sons William (5) and James (1). Sebastian worked in a livery stable. The census indicates that he was disabled" "Fingers of ??? hand gone." Oddly, the census states that Sebastian and William attended school that year. Neighboring households in the census belonged to Patrick Fox and Christopher Roundhouse.
In 1900, Sebastian (52) and Susan (51) Witsberger rented a home at 117 Alley 16 (near Jacob St.) in Wheeling, West Virginia. They lived with their children George (14) and Mary (9). Sebastian was employed as a day laborer. Living nearby were the Singer, Kuntz, and Yeager families. Relatives of these families (though not necessarily of these households) would later intermarry.
At the time of the 1910 census, Sebastian (61) and Susan (61) Bertsberger rented a home at 1612 McCullough Street in Wheeling with their children August (32), James (29), Charles (27), George (23), and Mary (19). Sebastian was employed as a night watchman in a mill. All of his sons were also employed. Interestingly, two of the sons -- August and Charles -- are listed as being married, although there is no sign of their wives and children in the census. Another son -- James -- is listed as being "in U.S. Army." August and Charles were both also enumerated with their own families elsewhere in the 1910 census. One wonders if the census taker was given the names, ages, and occupations of all of the children, regardless of whether or not they actually lived at home.
The father of researcher Dennis Witsberger believes that Sebastian may have had another child named Jane, but no evidence of this child has yet been found.
The 1900 and 1910 census records state that all five of Susan Witsberger's children were living at the time of the census. Susan and her parents were born in Ohio.
Susan has not been found in the 1920 census. She may have died before that time.
James is listed in his parents' household in Wheeling in the 1910 census. His occupation, however, is "in U.S. Army."
Mary Witsberger died fairly young.
Delores Snider gives name as Joseph Adam Burkhart. Dennis Witsberger and the 1870 and 1880 census have name as John Adam Burkhart.
In 1870, 30 year old Bavarian-born farmer John A. Burkhart lived in Elk Twp. (Harriettsville), Noble Co., Ohio with his wife Elizabeth (25), son Charles (1), and nephew Louis Witzberger (8). John Burkhart's farm was next to that of his in-laws, Augustin Witzberger.
At the time of the 1880 census, 40 year old farmer John A. Burkhart still lived in Elk Twp., Noble Co., Ohio with his wife Elizabeth (34) and sons Charles J. (10) and Henry A.(9). Several other people lived with the family: nephew Simon Burkhart (15), farm laborer Frederick Rum (?) (62), and John's older sisters Margaret (44) and Barbara (48). John's father-in-law August Wertzberger was listed two households away in the census.
The family still lived on a mortgaged farm in Elk Township when the 1900 census was taken. The household consisted of John A. Burkhart (63), his wife of 33 years Elizabeth (54), and John's two unmarried sisters, Barbara (71) and Magdalena (67). According to the census, John came to America in 1866 and was a naturalized citizen. His sisters immigrated in 1872; they were not citizens and could not speak English. John's elderly sisters' occupations are listed as "farm laborer." They are the only women on that census page who have an occupation.
Alexander Burkhart is not listed with the family in the 1880 census.
In 1870, 10 year old John Witzberger lived and worked on his parents' farm in Elk Twp. (Harriettsville), Noble Co., Ohio. He was the only one of August Wertzberger's children who attended school that year, but he could not read or write.
In 1900, John A. (40) and Margaret (36) Witsberger owned a house at 1705 Wood St. in Wheeling, West Virginia. Living with them were children Louis Joseph (15), Stella V. (13), John C. (11), Benjamin (10), Katherine (6), Joseph A. (4), Robert (3), and Henry W. (7 mos). Only Stella, John and Benjamin attended school that year. Also living in the household was Margaret's 31 year old unmarried brother, Henry Burkhart. John and his brother-in-law were both employed in a rolling mill.
In 1910, the family lived in the same house in Wheeling. The household consisterd of John A. Witzberger (50), his wife of 26 years, Margaret (46), and children Benjamin (19), Catherine (16), Joseph (14), Philip (12), Henry (10), and Margaret (8), as well as a niece, Clara Witzberger (21). The youngest four children attended school. John and Margaret were born in Ohio. All of the children, including Clara were natives of West Virginia. John worked as a foreman in an iron mill.
At the time of the 1920 census, John Witzberger (59) and his wife Margaret (55) still lived at 1705 Wood St. in Wheeling with their children Philip (22), Henry (20), and Margaret (18). John worked as a box maker in a box factory. Also living in the house, but listed as a separate family were Robert and Catherine Meintel (both 25) and their son Robert. Catherine, who was born in WV to parents from Ohio, may have been the daughter of John and Margaret Witzberger.
In 1930, John and Margaret Witzberger's house at 1705 Wood St. was valued at $3500. Their unmarried son Henry lived with them, as did their granddaughters Gertrude (20) and Hilda (17) Witzberger, daughters of Louis Witzberger. John worked as a laborer in a cooper shop. Unlike most of their neighbors, the family did not own a radio set.
In the 1910, 1920 and 1930 census records the Witzbergers were listed near or next to the family of Frank Joseph Burkhart, the brother of Margaret Burkhart Witzberger.
In 1900, eight of Margaret's nine children were living at the time of the census. By 1910, she had given birth to eleven children, two of whom were deceased.
John C. Witzberger's Social Security number was issued in Illinois prior to 1951.
In 1910, Benjamin Witzberger (18) lived with his parents and siblings in the family home at 1705 Wood St. in Wheeling, West Virginia. He worked as a stogie maker in a cigar factory.
Joseph F. Witzberger’s Social Security number was issued in Ohio prior to 1951.
In 1920 Phillip Witzberger (22) lived with his parents and siblings in the family home at 1705 Wood Ave. in Wheeling, WV. Philip was employed as a helper in a tin mill.
At the time of the 1920 census, 20 year old Henry Witzberger lived with his parents and siblings in the family home at 1705 Wood Ave. in Wheeling, WV. Henry worked as a baker in a bakery shop.
In 1930, Henry was still living with his parents in Wheeling. He was a self-employed barber. He was not married.
In 1920 18 year old Margaret Witzberger lived with her parents and siblings in the family home at 1705 Wood Ave. in Wheeling, WV. Margaret was employed as a clerk for a hardware company.
In 1870, eight year old Louis Witzberger lived and worked on the farm of his sister and brother-in-law, John and Elizabeth Burkhart. Louis Witzberger's parents were on the neighboring farm. Louis did not attend school that year.
In 1880, Louis is listed as 16 year old Joseph Wetzberger in his parents' household in Elk Twp., Noble County, Ohio.
At the time of the 1900 census, Louis (37) and Matilda (31) Witsberger owned a home at 134 19th St. in Wheeling, Ohio County, West Virginia. They lived there with their children Annie (11), Ella (8), Emma (6), Edward (4), William (2) and Joseph (1). The oldest three children attended school. Louis was employed as an "armator" at a sheet mill.
In 1910, Lewis (48) and Tildia (42) Witzberger owned a home at 1712 Wetzel St. in Wheeling. Matilda had given birth to eight children, two of whom were deceased, and four of whom lived with the couple. Those four were Edward (14), Lawrence (12), Erwin (10), and Regina (4). The three boys attended school. Also living with the family was a boarder, Charles Blair, a native of Ohio. Louis Wirtzberger worked as a nealer in a tin mill. Living next door was fellow Fulda native Joseph Singer.
According to the 1900 census, her parents were born in Germany. At the time of the census, all six of Matilda's children were living. By 1910, she had had two more children. Six of her eight children were living in 1910.
Matilda Kuntz Wertzberger died in a fire while burning trash. Daughter Emma took in the younger children after her mother's death.
In 1900, William Witsberger (31) rented a portion of his mother's house at 187 14th Street, Wheeling, WV. He lived there with his wife of nine years, Minnie C. (30) and their children Katie (9), William (6), Albert (4), and Nettie (2), and his sister-in-law, Josephine Burkhart (26). William was employed as a box maker.
In 1900, William Witsberger (31) rented a portion of his mother's house at 187 14th Street, Wheeling, WV. He lived there with his wife of nine years, Minnie C. (30) and their children Katie (9), William (6), Albert (4), and Nettie (2), and his sister-in-law, Josephine Burkhart (26). William was employed as a box maker.
According to the census, all four of the children that Minnie had given birth to were still living in 1900. Minnie's father and mother were born in Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively.
In 1930, 35 year old unmarried Albert A. Witsberger rented a home on Stone Church Rd. in Triadelphia, Ohio County, West Virginia. He lived with a 50 year old lodger named Edward Vogelsberg. Albert was employed as a farmer on a poultry farm. He owned a radio set.
In 1880, 48 year old unmarried Barbara Burkhart lived with the family of her younger brother Joseph.
In 1880, 44 year old unmarried Margaret Burkhart lived with the family of her younger brother Joseph. Researcher Charlie Burkhardt has this name listed as Magdelena.
Living in New Carlisle, OH in Feb 2002.