It has not been proven that the daughter of Johann George Singer and the wife of David Kuntz are the same person.
alternate spelling: Burchard
It has not been proven that Margaret, Eva and Catherine are sisters. All three were born to Marcus Burkhart and his wife (Anna) Barbara Burkhart. (Barbara's maiden name and married name were the same, although the spelling may have varied.) It is possible that there was more than one Barbara Burkhart married to a Marcus Burkhart.
(Yes, wife's maiden name is the same as husband's surname.)
"linen maker"
Name on christening record: Franciscus Josephus Singer (IGI)
The passenger list of the American ship Harvest shows passenger # 214 was an 18 year old apr 1847. German man named Joseph Sunger (umlaut over the u). The ship sailed from Rotterdam and arrived in Baltimore on 27 pr 1847. No occupation was listed for Joseph, and the list showed no destination for him other than Baltimore. Joseph eventually (after 1850) traveled to Monroe county, Ohio, where his uncle, Jacob Singer lived.
In 1860, 35 year old Hessian-born farmer Joseph Singer lived in Jefferson Twp., Noble County, Ohio with his 22 year old wife, Mary and their two daughters, Elizabeth (3) and Lena (1).
At the time of the 1870 census, 42 year old farmer Joseph Singer lived in Enoch Twp., Noble County, Ohio with his wife Mary (32) and children Lene (11), John (9), George (7), Apolonia (5), and Minos (3). The two oldest children attended school. Also living in the household was Joseph's 74 year old infirm father, Michael Singer. Adjacent farms in the census belonged to John Cunningham and John Mercer.
Joseph must have been aware of his impending death, for he drew up his will just eight days prior to his demise.
Noble County death records state that Joseph Singer died of "queezy." Tthis might be "quinsy" or tonsillitis. Family legend has it that doctors requested an autopsy, but were refused by Joseph's wife. When there was a question of his grave having been disturbed, she had his body exhumed, inspected, and re-buried.
The 1860 census gives Mary Miller Singer's birthplace as Ohio. Ms. Snider gives birthdate as 4 Aug 1838, Tom Singer has 2 Oct 1838 and 24 Aug 1838 in different places in his notes.
In 1880, 42 year old widow Mary Singer lived in Enoch Twp., Noble County, Ohio with her children John (19), George (17), Aplona (14), Magnus (12), Lawrence (11), Mary (7), and Joseph (4). All of the children except Joseph attended school. No occupation is listed for anyone in the household. Mary was born in West Virginia, and all of the children were born in Ohio. The children's late father was born in Bavaria, according to the census. Adjacent households in the census belonged to John Beddinger and John Cornett.
Mary, widowed, moved to Allegheny Co., PA in the spring of 1881. initially the family loved at 134 Chestnut St. In Jun 1881 they moved to 459 E. Ohio St. Two of the previous residents of 459 E.. Ohio -- Barbara Snieder (45) and John Sneider (20) died within a week of each other in October 1881. Mary Miller Singer and her daughter were likely housekeepers in this home. They died in February 1882 in a "black smallpox" epidemic. When she contracted smallpox, Mary Miller Singer was isolated in her home; her family kept her company by talking to her from a distance. According to the notes of researcher Thomas Singer, one of Mary's children recalled, "As we were taking mother's body to Nunnary Hill for burial, we saw many bodies lined up along the river (on River Ave. next to the Allegheny River). Many rough boxes sat on prospective grave sites awaiting the busy grave-diggers."
Family tradition has it that when Elizabeth was about three years old, she was left aloe with her younger sister while her parents went to workl in the fields. Elizabeth's clothing somehow caught fire from the open hearth and she died as a result of the burns.
Sources conflict on date of birth:
5 May 1865 -- Tom Singer
5 Mar 1865 -- Dolores SniderWhen it was discovered that Appolonia had black smallpox (or hemorrhagic smallpox), she was taken to the "pest house" on Nunnery Hill, where she died.
According to researcher Thomas Singer, John George Miller, his wife and their two oldest children came to the United States between 1834 and 23 Oct 1836. Family tradition states that they came to New York and settled for a while in Wheeling.
At the time of the 1840 census, George Miller 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 (Joseph)
1 - male 30 - 40 years old (John George)
1 - female under 5 (Mary)
1 - female 5 - 10 years old (Anna Catherine)
1 - female 30 - 40 years old (Barbara)
George Miller was employed in agriculture. Neither he nor his wife could read or write. Nearby households in the census belonged to Adam Schafer, Philip Snider, Mathias Schockling John Shipner, and John Hill. Another name in this group is hard to read -- John J?saker.At the time of the 1850 census, 37 year old German born farmer George Miller lived in Enoch Twp., Monroe County, Ohio with his wife Barbara (41) and children Joseph (20), Catherine (16), Mary (12), Elizabeth (9), Barbary (7), Elisie (5), and Adam (3). None of the children attended school. Adjacent farms in the census were those of William Young and Andrew Herbst.
In 1860, 61 year old farmer George Miller lived in Enoch Twp., Noble Co., Ohio with his 57 year old wife, Barbara and three children: Elizabeth (19)., Adam (12), and Eliza (14). George and Barbara were born in Hesse, and all three children were born in Ohio. All of the children attended school. Neighboring farms in the census belonged to George Miller's son, Joseph, and to Michael "Nicholas" Blake.
In 1870, retired farmer George Miller (70) and his wife Barbara (60) still lived in Enoch Twp. Adjacent households in the census were still those of George's son, Joseph and Michael "John" Blake.
Records conflict on date of death:
16 Feb 1879 Snider, citing church records
16 Feb 1878 Noble County, OH death record
"Genealogical and Personal History of Western Pennsylvania"pg. 1392, listing families who settled in Allegheny Co, PA, lists daughter Barbara. States that her mother, Barbara Scheep Miller, was born in Germany, died in Noble Co. at age 76. According to the 1870 census, Barbara Schieb Miller could not read or write.
In the 1880 census, a 67 year old widow named Mary Barbara Miller lived alone in Enoch Twp., Noble County, Ohio. Although the age is off by a few years, it is believed that this is Barbara Scheib Miller. There are no other Miller widows named Mary or Barbara in this age bracket in the records of St. Mary's Church.
Fourteen year old Philomena Miller does not appear with the family in the 1850 census. It is presumed that she died prior to that time.
In 1860, 12 year old Adam Miller lived with the family of his sister, Catherine Musher (Mercer) in Jefferson Twp., Noble County, Ohio. Adam attended school that year.
Sources conflict on date of birth:
abt 1852 or 1853 -- 1880 US census
June 1850 -- 1900 US censusAccording to researcher Thomas Singer, John Smith received a good formal education.
In 1880, John (27) and Helena Smith (21) lived with John's parents and siblings in Watertown Twp., Washington County, Ohio. Living with them were their two children, Mary (2) and Alexander (9 mos).
According to records at St. Mary's church in Fulda, Ohio, the family moved to Allegheny Co., PA in 1881. There John worked as a carpenter for $7 a week when he could find work. Lena was clever with her hands, and made good use of what little they had.
Lena's widowed mother moved to Pittsburgh with her unmarried children and died there less than a year later. John and Lena took Lena's nephews Magnus and Lawrence Singer and niece Mary Singer into their home at 80 Royal following the death of Catherine Miller Singer.
At the time of the 1900 census, John Smith (49) rented a home in Reserve Twp., Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. (No house number or street name was indicated in the census.) Other members of the household were his wife, Helen (41) and children Mary (22), Alexander (20), Clarence (18), Albert (14), Elizabeth (8), and William (5). According to the census, none of the children attended school, but everyone in the household could speak English, read and write. John Smith was employed as a laborer in a rolling mill. The census indicates that John's parents were born in Germany.
The Smith family lived on Royal St. until 1905, when they moved to City View. They lived there until 1911 when they moved to Troy Hill. They moved again in 1918 to 1517 Lowrie St. where their descendants lived for at least fifty years.
In 1910, John Smith (60) rented part of a two-family home on Geyer (?) Road in Pittsburgh's 26th Ward. Living with him were his wife, Helena (50), and children Albert J. (23), Elizabeth (17), and William (15). None of the children attended school; all of them worked outside the home. John was employed as a carpenter in a railroad shop. (Census is difficult to read.) His son Alex lived next door on one side, and the family of his daughter Mary Kaale lived in the same building.
In 1920, John Smith (71) rented part of a three-family home owned by his son-in-law, Adolph Calle at 1517 Lowrie St. in Pittsburgh. Family members were John, his wife Helen (60), and children Albert J. (29) and Elizabeth L. (26). John was not employed outside the home, but both of his children were. The other two families living in the house were those of John's son, Alex, and his daughter, Mary Calle.
At the time of the 1930 census, widower John Smith (83) lived in the household of his married daughter, Mary Kaule at 1517 Lowrie St. in Pittsburgh. Also living in the home were John's unmarried children Albert (41) and Elizabeth (35). John, a native of Pennsylvania, was not employed. According to the census, his parents were from France.
Notes of research Thomas Singer on the marriage record in Noble County Courthouse, Caldwell, Ohio:
Lena Singer, aged 17, daughter of Mary Singer, was issued a license to marry
John Smith; the request for the license was made by John Marcher, Helena's
maternal aunt's husband. They were married on 12 Sep 1878 by Rev. Joseph
Newmayer.Tradition has it that Lena was just 17 years old when she joined her 29 year old groom and rode to St. Henry's Church two and a half miles east of Harriettsville to be married. They wore red handkerchiefs tied to their arms to designate them as a wedding party. Lena rode side-saddle.
According to the census, Helen gave birth to 9 children by 1910. Three of these nine children died before 1900. Only the two oldest of Helen's nine children married and had children of their own.
In 1900, 14 year old Albert Smith worked as a cash boy in a dry goods store. He was not unemployed at all during the previous year. According to the census, Albert and his siblings did not attend school. Ten years later (1910), 23 year old Albert was employed as a stenographer for a steel car company. (Census is difficult to read.)
At the time of the 1920 census, Albert's age is given as 29. (It should be 34 if the date of birth in the 1900 census is correct.) He lived with his parents and younger sister in a home owned by his brother-in-law, Adolph Calle. Albert worked as a stenographer for a "(?) and light co."
In 1930, Albert J. Smith (41) still lived in the home of his brother-in-law Adoplh Kaule. Albert, a native of Pennsylvania, worked as a clerk for a public utility.
Albert Smith never married.
In 1910, Elizabeth Smith worked in packing for a processing company. (Census is difficult to read.) At the time of the 1920 census, Elizabeth, who was not married, lived with her parents and worked as a stenographer for a mine engineer. In 1930, Elizabeth lived with her brother Albert and widowed father John in the home of her sister, Mary Kaule, at 1517 Lowrie St. in Ptittsburgh. She worked as a stenographer for a public utility.
Elizabeth Smith never married.
In 1910, 15 year old William Smith worked as an errand boy at a rubber company. (Census is difficult to read.) William was not listed with his parents and siblings in the 1920 or 1930 census.
Some confusion exists about William's date of death. A gravestone for William Smith dated 1895-1918 is found in the family plot of John and Helena Smith in St. Boniface Cemetery in West View, Allegheny County, PA. However, the 2004 obituary of William's nephew Joseph Kaule states that Joseph was a ham radio operator who learned the craft from his uncle, William Smith. Joseph Kaule's obituary states that William Smith learned about the end of World War II on his ham radio. Researcher Tom Singer states that William Smith died in the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919.
After the death of his mother, Joseph Singer (age 6) returned to Noble County with his older brothers John (20) and George (18) . They went to live with one of their maternal uncles in Harriettsville, Ohio.
In 1900, 39 year old farmer John Singer lived on a mortgaged farm in Enoch Twp., Noble County, Ohio with his 35 year old wife and their ten surviving children: Mary R. (15), Roman (14), Elizabeth (13), Mary A (12), Ida (11), Henry (9), Elenor (8), Otto (6), Seremus (2), and Fredie (1 month). All children over the age of 7 attended school, albeit for varying lengths of time. The oldest three children went to school for four months during the year. Mary Agnes went for 6 months; Ida for three months. Henry went for four months, and Eleanor for eight. Everyone in the household over the age of 10 could read and write.
In the early 1900s, John Singer moved his family from Noble County to near Marietta, Ohio, where they grew vegetables. Around 1904, John gave this up and moved the family to Pittsburgh, PA. Having no trade, John worked as a laborer in a steel rolling mill. John's family, his sister Helena's family and one other brother's family all shared a large old house .
By 1910, the family had moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. John J. Singer (45) and his wife Tressa (43) rented a home at 1918 Howard St. in Pittsburgh's 24th Ward. Living with them were eight of their children: Ida (19), Clarence (18), Nora (17), Otto (17), Serrenius (12), Frederick (9), Mathilda (8) and Lawrence (3). Only Serrenius, Frederick and Mathilda attended school. Everyone in the household was born in Ohio except Lawrence. John worked as a shipper in a rolling mill. The four oldest children in the household also worked outside the home.
The family still lived in Pittsburgh at the time of the 1920 census. At that time, they rented lodgings at 3206 East St. in the 21st Ward. The household consisted of John (59), his wife Theresa (55), and their children Crennis (22), Eleanor (26), Matilda (18) and Lawrence (12). Only Lawrence attended school. John was employed as a laborer in a brick yard. The three oldest children worked outside the home. The family of their married daughter Ida Helbling lived next door.
Sources conflict on date of death:
3 May 1950 -- Dolores Snider
25 Dec 1941 -- Tom Singer
The name of John Singer's wife is illegible in the 1900 census. It's not Theresa... the name appears to end in "...cia." In the 1910 census, it's Tressa.
According to the census, ten of John Singer's wife's eleven children were alive in 1900. The deceased child, Odillia Clara, died in 1899, age 6 months. The 1910 census states that 12 of her 13 children were living in 1910. According to descendant Tom Singer, John and Theresa Singer had 13 children, and two addiional stillborn infants.
At the time of the 1910 census, Nora Singer (17) lived with her parents and siblings in Pittsburgh. She worked as a can maker in a preserves factory. She was still living at home when the 1920 census was taken. At that time, her occupation was listed as factory laborer.
SS# issued in PA prior to 1951.
Matilda Singer lived in Pittsburgh with her parents and siblings at the time of the 1920 census. She was employed as a bookkeeper.
Sources conflict on place of birth:
1910 census -- Pennsylvania
1920 census -- OhioLawurence Singer moved his family to the Butler PA area.
Sources disagree on date of birth:
31 Mar 1863 -- Tom Singer
31 May 1863 -- Dolores SniderDespite being baptized John George, he used the name George Joseph throughout his life.
After the death of his mother, George Singer (age 18) returned to Noble County with his brothers John (20) and Joseph (6) . They went to live with one of their maternal uncles in Harriettsville, Ohio.
George and Catherine Singer knew each other because both of their families attended St. Mary's Church in Fulda. After their marriage, they made their home near Harriettsville, Noble County, Ohio. George was the only one of his siblings who stayed in Ohio and remained a farmer. He and Catherine had nine children, one of whom died in infancy.
From the 1900 census: 37 year old farmer George Singer lived on his mortgaged farm in Jefferson Twp., Noble County Ohio with his 36 year old wife Catherine and their six children: Christina (14), Mina (12), Simeon (10), Alexander (7), Andy (3), and Charles (1).
Living in the family's Jefferson Twp. household at the time of the 1910 census were 47 year old George Singer, his 46 year old wife Catherine, and five sons: Alexander (18), Andy J (13), Charles L (11), Adolph N (6), and Felix J (1).
According to the 1900 census, 36 year old Katherine Yeagle Singer gave birth to seven children, six of whom were still living. Katherine was able to read and write English.
After the death of her husband from tuberculosis, Katherine was left to raise five sons ranging in age from 3 to 18. (Her three oldest children had married by that time.) The widow remained on the farm for over 15 years.
At the time of the 1920 census, 56 year old widow Katherine Singer owned a farm in Jefferson Twp., Noble Co., OH, where she lived with her two youngest children, Adolph (16) and Phelix (11). Phelix attended school.
ARound 1927, Katherine sold the farm and moved to Marietta.
By 1930, Katherine Singer (65) owned a home worth $1000 at 909 Jahn St. in Marietta, Washington County, Ohio. She lived alone. Her occupation was given as "general housework [in a] private home."
Katherine was living in Marietta, Ohio in 1933, according to the obituary of her sister, Margaret Yeagle Schott. Katherine died there in 1841. She had been precedin in death by two daughters, Barbara and Minnie. Her son Alex died later that year.
Her death certificate gives her mother's maiden name as :Catherine M. Yeagle. The person filling out the death certificate may have mistaken this question for "maiden name of the deceased."
Sources conflict on date of birth:
20 Sep 1870 -- Tom Singer
20 Oct 1870 -- Dolores Snider