Selected Families and Individuals

Notes


Lawrence Singer

Sources conflict on date of birth:
20 Sep 1870 -- Tom Singer
20 Oct 1870 -- Dolores Snider


Jacob J. Nist

Jacob J. Nist appeared in Seattle city directories from 1888 to 1890. He was a boarder at 322 Rollins and worked as a carpenter or box maker at S L & Com Co. or Skookum Mfg. Co.

In 1900, Jacob J. Nist (31) owned a home at 915 East Harrison St. in Seattle, Washington. Living with him were his wife of nine years, Mary J. (28), and children Lawrence J. (7), Cecilia A. (6), Lauretta M. (4), and Raymnd G. (2). Only Lawrence attended school. Jacob was born in Pennsylvania, Mary in Ohio, and all the children were born in Washington. Jacob's father and mother were from Pennsylvania and Germany, respectively. Mary's father and mother were born in Germany and Ohio. Jacob Nist worked as a stationary engineer; he had been unemployed for three months during the previous year.

By 1910, the family owned a farm in Lake Precinct, King County, Washington. The household consisted of Jacob J. (41), his wife Mary (37), children Lawrence J. (17), Cecilia A. (16), Loreta M. (14), and Raymond G. (11), and a widowed German border named Magdaline Muller (66). The two younger children attended school. Birth information was the same as in the 1900 census, with the exception that Mary's mother's birthplace was given as Philadelphia.

At the time of the 1920 census, Jacob (52) and Mary (51) Nist lived alone on a farm in Lake Precinct, King Co., Washington. They were born in Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. According to the census, Jacob's father and mother were natives of Virginia and Germany, respectively. Mary's parents were from Germany and New York.

By the time the 1930 census was taken, Jacob and Mary owned a home on Lake Buerin (?) Road in Sunnydale, King County, Wasington. Sixty-one year old Jacob was employed as a school caretaker. As usual, the census states that Jacob and Mary were born in Pennsylvania and Ohio. His father and mother were natives of Pennsylvania and Byron (Bavaria); her father and mother were both born in Switzerland. Interestingly, although Mary was a native of Ohio, her year of immigration was noted as 1864. The census taker indicated that they could both speak English (usually a question asked only of immigrants). Like most of their neighbors, the couple owned a radio set.


Mary A. Singer

According to the census, all four of Mary Nist's children were alive 1910.

The census records for Mary Singer Nist from 1900 to 1930 provide a good example of how unsure people sometimes were of their parents' origins. In those four records spanning 30 years, Mary indicates that her mother was born in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, New York, and Switzerland. It actuality, it is believed that Mary's mother was born in or near Wheeling, (West) Virginia.


Cecilia A. Nist

In 1910, 16 year old Cecilia Nist lived with his parents and siblings on the family farm in Lake Precinct, King County, Washington. Cecilia worked as a check girl in a dry goods store.


Joseph Singer Jr.

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.

A group photohgraph of Joseph with his brothers and sisters was probably taken on the occasion of Joseph's wedding. Joseph's brothers came to Pittsburgh from Noble County, Ohio, and his sister Mary Nist traveled all the way from Seattle. In the photo, Joseph is wearing the attire of a groom... a white tie and a new suit.


Dominic Schmitt

According to researcher Thomas Singer, Dominic Smith brought his family to America to get away from frequent wars in the French/German area of Europe. He changed the family name from Schmitt to Smith. The Smiths lived in Allegheny, Pennsylvania (now part of Pittsburgh). Dominic worked as a coopersmith making barrels and other round objects. He helped build the round steeple on old St. Mary's church in Allegheny. Later, many of his descendants attended this church.

When the Civil War broke out, the Smith family moved to the isolated area of Noble County, Ohio. There, Dominic Smith tried his hand at farming, but being inexperienced, did poorly.

In 1880, French-born farmer Dominic Smith (63) lived in Watertown Twp., Washington County, Ohio with his wife Elizabeth (58), and children John (27) Lucy (21), Leopold (16), and Albert (13). Also living in the household were John's wife Helena (21) and children Mary (2) and Alexander (9 mos). Leopold and Albert attended school. Dominic and his wife were born in France (as were their parents), their children were all born in Pennsylvania. Helena and her children were natives of Ohio.


John Pflug

The family has not been found in any US census prior to 1880.

In 1880, 55 year old widowed tailor John Pflug lived in the Village of Fulda, Noble County, Ohio with his five year old daughter Rosa. Adjacent households in the census belonged to tailor Adam Rausch [Rousch] and German schoolteacher Morris Alderhoven.

The 1930 census entry for John's daughter Rosa states that her parents were born in "Germany Berlin."


Rosa Pflug

It is not known why there are two children named Rosa in the family of John Pflug.


Sylvester Yeagle

Records conflict on date of birth:
Nov 1835 (Snider)
Dec 1833 (1900 census)
1833 (date printed in obituary)
27 Dec 1832 (calculated from age in obituary)
1831 (1860 census)

On June 22, 1853, 19 year old farmer Sylvester Tokel arrived at the port of Baltimore having sailed from the port of Bremen aboard the ship Admiral. His point of origin was Hosenfeld and his destination was Wheeling. (Source: Ancestry.com. Baltimore Passenger and Immigration Lists, 1820-1872 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004. Original data: Baltimore, Maryland. Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Baltimore, 1820-1891. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. Micropublication M255, rolls # 1-19.)

In 1860, 20 year old Hessian-born farmer "Sebastian Eagler" lived in Stock Twp., Noble County, Ohio with his 22 year old wife Mary, and their two children John (2) and Matilda (1). The Yeagle's neighbors in the census were the farms of Joseph Michel and John Kress.

In 1870, 34 year old farmer Sylvester Yagle lived with his wife, Mary (31), and children Matilda (9), Margaret (7), Katharina (6), John (4), Elizabeth (2) and Rosina (1 mo.) in Stock Twp., Noble Co., Ohio. The value of Sylvester's real estatate was $4000 and his personal estate was $1341. Matilda and Margaret attended school. Sylvester was born in Hess Cassel and the rest of the household in Ohio.

At the time of the 1900 census, 66 year old farmer Sylvester Yeagle lived on a farm that he owned in Stock Twp., Noble County, Ohio with his 41 year old second wife, Theresa, and their two children Anna (12) and Ignatius (10).. Also in the household were Sylvester's youngest child from his first marriage, Joseph (20) and Theresa's 18 year old son William. Sylvester Yeagle was born in Germany and came to America in 1853. He was a naturalized citizen. Adjacent farms in the census were those of Andrew Warner and Frank Crum.

In 1910, 75 year old Sylvester Yagle lived in Noble County, Ohio with his second wife Tresy (50) and their two children, Anna and Ignos. None of the children of Syslvester's first marriage lived with them.

In 1920, Sylvester (86) and Teresa (61) Yeagle lived in the home of their son, Ignatz in Stock Township, Noble County, Ohio. The census indicates that Teresa could read and write, but Sylvester could not.

Sylvester was well known for his moonshine.

Sylvester Yeagle’s obituary, transcription courtesy Tom Singer and Dennis Valot (original source unknown)
Aug. 11, 1922
Fulda, O.
Mr. Sylvester Yeagle departed this life at 20 min. till one
Saturday morning. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife,
Trese Yeagle; three sons, John Yeagle of Ashland, O., Joe
Yeagle of Caldwell, O., Ignatus Yeagle of the home, and
seven girls.
Margaret Schott, Fulda, O.
Tilda Crock, Fulda, O.
Kate Singer, Harrietsville, O.
Elizabeth Crum, Fulda, O.
Mary Ann Ritterbeck, Fulda, O.
Rachel Michel, Swissvale, Pa.
Anna Yeagle, Pittsburgh, Pa.
and two girls who had preceded him to that better world, Barbara
Yeagle, Anna Yeagle and one son, John Yeagle and leaves to
mourn his loss 52 grandchildren and ?? great-grand-children.
He was born in Germany, in the year of 1833, and departed
this life Aug. 10th, 1922; he was eighty nine years 7 months and
14 days.
He sailed to America in the year of 1853 at the age of 20 years.
He first made his home in Wheeling, W. Va., and later moved to
Fulda where he spent the remainder of his life as a farmer. His
Many friends will mourn to learn of Mr. Yeagles death. He has now
gone from us but will never be forgotten. He was always a kind
husband and a loving Father.


Mary Coleman

The 1900 census entries for Mary's daughters M. Katherine Singer and Mary Ritterbeck state that their mother was born in Ohio. However, her daughters Rachel Michel, Matilda Yeagle and Mary Crum's 1900 census entries state that their mother was born in Germany.


Barbara Yeagle

Barbara Yeagle was to have been married to Joseph Henry Kress (son of Joseph and Elizabeth Kress) in Braddock, PA before her untimely death.


John Singer

Conflicting dates of birth:
5 Feb 1838 (Delores Snider)
5 Mar 1837 (Tom Singer)
Census suggests that 1838 is the correct date, as he is listed as being 42 years old on when the census was taken on June 1, 1880.

In 1860, 22 year old John Singer lived and worked with his parents and younger siblings on the family farm in Jefferson Twp., Noble Co., Ohio.

In 1870, John Singer (33) owned a farm worth $3000 in Jefferson Twp., Noble County, Ohio. He lived there with his wife Mary A. (33) and children Marilda (7), Albert (4), Barnabas (2), and Ales (9 months). Only Matilda attended school. Adjacent farms in the census belonged to Sebastian Heil and Albert Mallett.

At the time of the 1880 census, John Singer (42) still lived in Jefferson Twp. with his wife Mary A. (42) and children Tilda (16), Albert (14), Barnabas (13), Aleck (10), Annie (7) and Katie (5). All of the children attended school except Katie. Neighboring farms in the census were those of Albert Mallett and John Williams.

In October 1880, John Singer, George Berkhal and John Morrison were the managers of a political rally for Democratic presidential candidate Winfield Scott Hancock. The rally was attended by between 400 and 500 people. Bands played, dinner was served, and political speeches were made. Hancock lost the popular vote by a small margin to James Garfield the following month. (Source: Caldwell Citizens' Press, 14 Oct 1880)

From the Fulda column of The Caldwell Citizens' Press, 29 May 1884:
John Hespot [Herbst] and John Singer lost their spring colts last week.

John Singer left his family in Jefferson Twp. for parts unknown around 1890. He had lost heavily while gambling and was unable to pay his debts. It has also been suggested that he argued with his father. Telling his family he was going to the store for some tobacco, he never returned. His wife was left behind with their six children, age 16 through 27. John's family received news of his death "in a western state" some years later; he had "worked as a cow-doctor" (perhaps Kansas or Texas) (Source: Tom Singer)

A man who may be Fulda's John Singer has been found in the 1900 census living as a farm hand in northern California. Widower John Singer lived with four other farm laborers on the farm of German immigrant Emil Kreng in Tulare Twp., San Joaquin County, California (not to be confused with the city of Tulare). According to the census, John Singer was born in Germany in Feb. 1839.


Mary Anna Burkhart

Sources conflict on date of birth.
15 May 1836 --- Mark Haren, citing Archer
02 Jul 1839 --- Delores Snider, citing church records at St. Mary., Fulda OH

Tombstone is a obelisk topped by a cross. The tombstone inscription reads:

Mary A. wife of John Singer
Born July 2 1837
Died Aug 25 1898
SINGER
Here lies one who in this life
Was a kind mother and a true wife
She was by many virtues blest
and piety among the rest


Martin Burkhart

According to Betty Hartley, Martin Burkhart came to America in 1840.

In 1850, 63 year old farmer Martin Burkhart lived in Malaga Twp., Monroe County, Ohio. Other members of the household were Elizabeth (61) and children George (23), David (21), John (18), Barbara (16), and Mary Ann (14 ). Martin's farm was worth $1500. Neighboring farms in the census belonged to German farmers Joseph Spangler and George Bink.

Name in Monroe County death records is spelled Burkhard.


Francis George Noll

In 1880, 21 year old Frank Noll lived on his parents farm in Stock Twp., Noble County, Ohio with five younger siblings. According to the census, Frank was "crippled in [his] legs."

From The Caldwell Citizens' Press, 8 Dec 1881:
Frank Noll will settle down on his father's farm on Schwab run.

The following note appeared in the same paper's "Fulda" column on 8 Feb 1883:
Mr. Neptune, the clerk at our Company store, has retired and
Francis Noll, one of our young men, will take his place.

On 26 Apr 1883, the "Fulda" column of the Caldwell Citizens' Press reported
Frank Noll, the clerk in the German Company Store, returned
from the east last week.

Frank Noll was not found in the index for the 1900 census in Ohio. His address at the time of his death (from death certificate) is Hedgewood Ave., Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio.

From death certificate:
Name: Francis George Noll
Residence: Hedgwood Ave., Zanesville, Muskingum, Ohio
Age: 51 years 3 months 6 days
Birth: 26 Jan 1858, Noble Co., Ohio
Occupation: Farmer
Marital status: Married
Father: Peter Noll, Germany
Mother: Margret Stie, Germany
Informant: "wife" Hedgwood Ave.


Mathilda Singer

In 1910, widow Matilda Noll (47) rented a home at 124 Hedgewood Ave, Zanesville, Muskingum Co., Ohio. She lived there with four of her sons: Martin (20), Albert (18), Alphons (15), and William (13). The two younger boys were still in school. Matilda had given birth to eight children, only six of whom were alive at the time of the census. Matilda was not employed, but Martin and Albert were.

In 1920, Matilda (56) lived in the home of her unmarried son Martin Noll at 30 Hedgewood Ave. in Zanesville. Living with them were three of Matilda's other sons, Alphonsus, William, and Albert, and Albert's wife Stella.

At the time of the 1930 census, Matilda Noll (67) lived at 30 Hedgewood Ave. in Zanesville with her son and daughter-in-law, William (33) and Elizabeth (25).

The following report appeared in The Caldwell Citizens' Press 27 Oct 1915:
SUMMERFIELD, R.F.D. 2 - Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Archer and sons Francis,
Charles and Albert motored to Zanesville Monday, Oct. 18 where Albert
underwent an operation having his adenoids and tonsils removed by Dr.
Sutan in the Good Samaritan hospital. In the meantime Mr. and Mrs. Archer
staid (sic) with Mr. and Mrs. Frank Crum of that place. After seeing the opera-
tion successfully performed, Francis and Charles continued their trip to
Columbus, Ohio, looking after their business interests in that city. Albert
and parents returned home Tuesday. Francis and Charles on their return trip
stopped at Zanesville to call on friends and relatives, and were accompanied
the rest of their homeward journey by Mrs. Frank Noll, who is visiting John
Crum and family of this place [Summerfield]. Mrs. Noll intends remaining
some time for her health.
(John Crum's wife, Ottilia Noll Crum, was the sister of the late Frank Noll.)


Matilda Noll's obituary appeared on page 8 of The Zanesville Signal on 08 Mar 1944:
MRS. MATILDA NOLL DIES AT HOSPITAL
Mrs. Matilda Noll, 80, of Caldwell, mother of four local residents, died this
morning at Good Samaritan hospital following a lingering illness. Although a
native of Noble County, she lived in Zanesville for 40 years, and had returned
to Caldwell only four years ago. She had been a patient at the hospital for the
past seven months. She was a member of the St. Philomena Catholic Church
at Caldwell and of the St. Mary's Altar society and the St. Nicholas Purgatorial
society.
Surviving are six sons, Alphonsus Noll of Prospect avenue; William of Hedge-
wood avenue; Albert, Hickory street; Benjamin of Caldwell, and Richard and
Martin Noll of Braddock, Pa; one sister, Mrs. Catherine Shafer of West pike;
14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Her husband, Francis, preceded
her in death.
The body has been removed to the Keck funeral home where it will lie in state
until Friday morning at 10 o'clock, at which time it will be taken to the Estadt
funeral home at Caldwell. Funeral services will be held at 9 o'clock Saturday
morning at St. Philomena church at Caldwell and burial will be in St. Mary's
cemetery at Fulda, near Caldwell. A requiem high mass will be read here at 8
o'clock Saturday at St. Nicholas church.


Albert Singer

The "Fulda" column of the Caldwell Citizens' Press stated on 30 Nov 1882:
John Singer, whose son Albert has been sick for the last four or five months,
has taken him to Columbus for treatment.

From the Fulda column of The Caldwell Citizens' Press 28 Dec 1883
I understand that that Albert Singer is doing well at hospital in Columbus.

On 25 Jan 1883, the Fulda column of The Caldwell Citizens' Press reported:
John Singer has brought his son home from Columbus much improved.

On 26Apr 1883, the same paper reported
Albert Singer, son of John Singer, who has been very ill for nine months,
made his appearance in town on crutches.

According to Muth & Fox, Albert Singer had no legitimate issue. He is reportedly the father of Mrs. Gay Beddinger's mother, who was illegitimate. It has also been reported that he spent time in the penitentiary. He lived in or near Pittsburgh, PA.

In 1900, 35 year old Albert Singer rented a farm in Seneca Twp., Monroe County, Ohio where he lived with his wife of one year, Mary (36) and his nine year old stepson John E. Burkhart. Adjacent farms in the census belonged to Nicholas Burkhart and John Kuhn.

In 1910, Albert Singer (45) lived alone although the census lists him as currently married for 10 years. He lived in a rented home on Springfield Road, Lewisville, Summit Twp., Monroe County, Ohio. Although he did not own a farm, his occupation was farmer.

Albert Singer was not found in the 1920 census index for either Pennsylvania or Ohio.

In 1930, Albert A. Singer (65) rented part of a multi-family dwelling at 7924 Tacoma Street in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA with his wife Martha M. (63). Albert was born in Ohio to German-born parents. He was employed as a casting maker at a metal works factory.

A note about Albert Singer’s death appeared in the Zanesville Signal on 27 Aug 1936:
ATTEND FUNERAL
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Noll, Mrs. Alex Singer, Joe Singer and Mrs. Matilda
Noll have returned to their respective homes after attending the funeral
services of the latter’s brother, Albert Singer, which was held at the home
in Wilkinsburg, Pa. He is also survived by a sister in Zanesville.


Mary

By 1900, Mary had given birth to only one child (John). Mary and her mother were born in Ohio. Her father was from Bavaria.