On August 21, 1851, Bavarian Born Adam Schehl (34) and his wife Cattearina (30) arrived in New York aboard the ship Centurion having sailed from from LeHarve, France with their children Philipp (7), Adam (5) and Magdelena (11 mos.).
The family has not been found in the 1860 census.
In 1870, Adam Shell (54) owned a farm worth $2000 in Summit Twp., Monroe County, Ohio. Other members of the household were Catherine (53), Adam (22), Lana (19), Mary (21), and Frederick (10). Frederick was born in Ohio, Mary in Pennsylvania, and everyone else was a native of Bavaria. Mary's age is suspect; if she was born in America, she should be younger than Lana. Adam Sr. and Adam Jr. were both eligible to vote (i.e. they were male U.S. citizens over the age of 21.) The family's personal possessions were valued at $700.
At the time of the 1880 census, 63 year old German-born farmer Adam Schehel lived in Summit Twp. Also living in the household were his wife Catherine (51) and sons Adam (26) and Frederick (20), and a 26 year old carpenter named Paul Gaumps. Catherine and Adam were born in Germany; Frederick and Paul were natives of Ohio.
In 1900, widower Adam Schell (83) owned a farm in Summit Twp. He lived there with his unmarried son, Adam Jr. (56). Both were born in Germany, and came to America in 1859. Adjacent farms in the census were owned by widow Elizabeth Zwick and the family of Adam's granddaughter, Eugenia Dick Burkhart and her husband George.
Sources conflict on name:
Mary Swick -- Peter Scheel
Catherine -- IGI birth record of son Philip Schehl, 1870 & 1880 census
Katherine Swick -- Black/Short Family TreeSources conflict on year of birth:
abt 1829 -- 1880 census
abt 1817 -- 1870 censussAccording to the 1880 census, Catherine could neither read nor write. Everyone else in the household was literate.
In 1910, Adam Schehl lived alone in a farm on Willis Creek Rd. in Summit Twp., Monroe County, Ohio. The households immediately before and after him in the census were the families of his brother Fritz (Fred) Schehl and sister Mary (and husband Louis) Dick.
In 1930, 86 year old unmarried farm laborer Adam Schell lived with the family of his younger brother, Fred (69) in Summit Twp., Monroe County, Ohio.
Records conflict on the birthdate of John Adam Schafer, Jr.
5 Apr 1838 -- Snider, citing church records
1825-1830 -- 1840 census
abt 1830 -- 1850 census
abt 1828 -- 1870 census
abt 1830 -- 1880 census
abt 1828 -- 1900 census
abt 1828 -- Schockling citing Schafer oral history stating that Honum was about 10 years older than his wifeJohn Adam Schafer was known as "Honum." As youths, Honum Schafer and Elizabeth Herbst lived with their parents on adjacent farms. Lizzie was just 16 years hold when they married. The story is told that their wedding reception was held at Honum's parent's home. When the reception was coming to a close in the evening, Elizabeth started to put on her coat to go home with her parents. Honum stopped her and said "No, you are my Lizzie now."
Honum and Lizzie raised their family on his parent's farm about two miles from the Fulda schoolhouse. This farm was later owned by Eddie Crock.
Although Dolores Snider's research suggests that Honum may have had a brother named Adam, there is no oral history among Schafer descendants to support this.
In 1870, farmer Adam Schafer (42) lived in Enoch Twp., Noble County, Ohio. Adam, who was born in Hesse Cassel, could not write. Living in the household with him was his wife Elizabeth (34) and children Mary (14), John (11), Margaret (9), Caroline (5), and Joseph (1), John and Margaret attended school. Also in the household were Adam's parents, Adam and Elizabeth Schafer, both 84 years old. Adjacent households in the census belonged to John L. Noll Sr. and Adam's brother-in-law, John Harpst (Herbst). Adam's wife's parents lived two houses away.
At the time of the 1880 census, Adam Schafer (50) still lived in Enoch Twp. with his wife Elizabeth (41) and children John (21), Margaret (19), Catherine (16), Caroline (14), Joseph (11), Rachel (10 Leonard (7), and George (8 mos). All the children attended school except infant George and 11 year old Joseph. Adam was born in Hesse Cassel, Elizabeth in West Virginia, and the children were all born in Ohio. Neighboring households in the census belonged to widow Barbara Huffman and Adam's brother in law, John Herbst.
From The Caldwell Citizens' Press, 7 Sep 1882
Adam Schafer bought one-third of Burkhard's threshing
machine for $140.In 1900, 72 year old farmer John A. Schafer and his 63 year old wife Elizabeth lived on their mortgaged farm in Enoch Twp., Noble County, Ohio. John was born in Germany and came to America in 1845 when he was about eight years old. (This conflicts with other data that suggests his family came to America in 1836). He was a naturalized American citizen. John spoke English, but could not read or write.
Records conflict on place of birth: In the 1850 Census, Elizabeth Herbst's place of birth is Virginia. The 1900 census says West Virginia, and the 1910 census gives her birthplace as Ohio. It is presumed that Elizabeth Herbst was born in the part of Virginia that later became West Virginia.
There is also some confusion on Elizabeth's year of birth. The 1900 census says Nov 1836. This conflicts with church records (Snider) that state 15 Nov 1838. The age in the 1850 census (11) corroborates the latter date.
1850 Census, Monroe County, Ohio -- Enoch Township 424-425
Andrew Harps, 53, Germany, Farmer
Beata (?), 42, Germany
Elizabeth, 11, Virginia
Mary, 9, Ohio
John, 7, Ohio
Caroline, 1, OhioIn 1900, John and Elizabeth (Herbst) Schafer lived in Enoch Twp., Noble County, Ohio. Seven of Elizabeth's ten children were still living in 1900. The ones who did not survive were her oldest child, Mary Anna (1856-1880), and the two youngest children: Andrew (who died in 1878 shortly before his second birthday) and George (1879-1898). Elizabeth could not read, write, or speak English.
In the 1910 census, Elizabeth lived with her 11 year old granddaughter Emma.
Obituary:
FUNERAL TUESDAY FOR MRS. E. SHAFER FORMERLY
OF FULDA
CALDWELL, O., Jan., 27 - Mrs. Elizabeth Shafer, 92, widow of the
late Adam Shafer, and well known and esteemed resident of the Fulda
community, east of Caldwell, passed away Sunday morning [26 Jan 1930]
at the home of her son, Leonard Shafer, near Zanesville, following a lingering
illness of cancer.
Surviving are the following sons and daughters: John Shafer, Dexter City;
Joseph Shafer, Dudley; Leonard Shafer, Zanesville; Mrs. Caroline Lori, Marietta;
Mrs. Kate Lori, Middleburg; Miss Rachel Shafer, Cleveland, beside a grand-
children and great grandchildren.
The body will be removed in the Headley ambulance, this (Tuesday) morning
to the Catholic church at Fulda, of which Mrs. Shafer was a lifelong member,
where the late rites will be held, conducted by Rev. Fr. Matties. Burial will be
made in the church cemetery.From death certificate:
Name: Elizabeth Schafer
Residence: 5 mi. West Pike, Zanesville, Ohio
Age: 92 years 2 months 12 days
Birth: 14 Nov 1837, O
Occupation: Housewife
Marital status: Widowed
Spouse: Adam Schafer
Father: Adam Herbst, Germany
Mother: Elizabeth, Germany
Informant: Leonard Schafer, West Pike, Zanesville, Ohio
Margaret is not listed as a surviving sibling in her brother John's obituary in 1946.
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.
"Spirit of Democracy," Woodsfield, Ohio, 22 Feb 1991 - Vol 148, No. 8, "Family Research in Monroe County," Catherine Foreaker Fedorchak, has marriage date to Marie Anna Schreiner as 1780, Schoneau.
SPIRIT OF DEMOCRACY, Woodsfield, Ohio, 22 Feb 1991 - Vol 148, No. 8,FAMILY RESEARCH in MONROE COUNTY, CATHARINE FOREAKER FEDORCHAKE, hasbirth date of Marie Anna Schreiner as 17 Oct 1768 Rumbach.
Ms. Snider's notes indicate that the family moved to West Virginia in 1875.
In 1910, Valentine Singer (36) and his wife of five years, Kate (35), rented part of a two-family home at 1817 Wood St. in Wheeling, WV. Living with them were their daughters, Francis (4) and Agnes (1). According to the census, all four family members were natives of West Virginia. Valentine's parents were German, and Kate's were from West Virginia. Valentine worked as a machine man for the calico works. The census taker indicated that Valentine could read but not write. Kate could read and write. Valentine's sister Mary Bauer lived a few households away on the same page of the census, as did the family of Henry Dimmerlng, another Fulda native.
At the time of the 1920 census, the household consisted of Valentine Singer (48), his wife Kate (45), and daughters Frances (13) and Agnes (11). Both girls attended school. The family lived in a rented home at 459 Main St., Wheeling, WV. The nativity of the family members and their parents was the same as the previous census. Valentine worked as a box maker for a pottery company.
In 1930, Valentine Singer (mis-indexed as "Valenden Singer") is listed as a single man renting a portion of the home at 442 Main St. in Wheeling for $24 a month. Living with him are two "roomers," newlyweds Edward (23) and Frances (24) Monahan. (Frances is Valentine's daughter.) All three are employed in a department store... Valentine as a laborer and Edward as an attendant. Frances' occupation is illegible. Valentine and Edward are natives of Ohio, Frances was born in West Virginia. The other household in the dwelling was its owners, Ohio native Edward Burkhart (56), his wife Wilhelmena (52) and their six children. The relationship (if any) between Valentine Singer and the Burkhart family is not known at this time. Valentine's late sister Margaret married a Burkhart, but the details don't match this family.
Sources conflict on maiden name:
Tom Singer: Schlicker
One World Tree: Sligar
In June of 1900, Peter Wahl (27 -- Feb 1873) and his new bride, Helen (27 -- illeg. 1873) rented a residence on Lobinger Ave. (no house number given in census) in North Braddock, Allgheny County, Pennsylvania. Peter's occupation was "ware worker." Both he and Helen were natives of Ohio, as were their parents, according to the census.
By 1903, the family had moved to Lewisville, Monroe County, Ohio.
In 1910, Peter and his family lived on a farm on Owl Creek Road in Summit Twp., Monroe County, Ohio. The household consisted of Peter (35) and his wife of ten years, Helen (35), and their children Elizabeth C. (7), Mary H. (5) and James P. (3). Elizabeth attended school. The census stated that all members of the family were born in Ohio, as was Peter's father. His mother and Helen's parents were natives of Germany. According to the census, Helen had given birth to three children, all of whom were living in 1910.
On Sep 12 1917, self-employed farmer Peter Wahl Jr. filled out a US military draft registration card. He gave his address as RFD 1, Lewisville, Monroe County, Ohio. His date of birth was Feb 1, 1873. His nearest relative was Helen Wahl of the same address. Peter was described as being of medium height and build with brown eyes, dark hair, and no physical disabilities. (Note: researcher J. Whitely gives Peter's date of birth as 10 Jan 1873.)
The family still lived in on a farm in Summit Twp. at the time of the 1920 census. The family members were Petter (46), his wife Helen (46), and children Mary E. (name nearly illegible) (age 15), James P. (13), Rosella B. (9), Clara M. (5), and Elinora O. (3 yrs 8 mos). The oldest three children attended school. Everyone in the home was a native of Ohio. Parents' birthplaces were the same as those listed in the 1910 census.
In 1930, the family still owned a farm in Summit Twp. Members of the household were Peter (57), Helen (57), children Clara (16) and Elanore (13). Both girls attended school. Also living in the home was a 25 year old lodger, a teacher named Gladys Hendershot. According to the census, everyone in the home was a native of Ohio except Helen, who was from West Virginia. Peter and Helen's parents were also from Ohio.
Ms. Snider's notes indicate that the family moved to West Virginia in 1875.
At the time of the 1920 census, Freerick Yeager (50) and his wife Celia (45) owned a farm in Meade district, Marshall Co., WV where they lived with their children Lawrence(11), Herbert (8), Emil (7), and Flora (5). The three boys attended school. Celia's younger sister Clara Singer Nolte lived close by.
In 1930, Fred (61) and Cecilia S. (55) Yeager still owned a farm in Meade. Living with them were their children Lawrence R. (22), Herbert (18), Emil (17) and Flora (15). None of the children attended school. According to the census, everyone in the household was a native of West Virginia. Fred and Cecilia's parents were German. Like most of their neighbors, the Yeagers did not own a radio set. Cecilia's first cousin once removed, Margaret Singer Klug, lived a few doors away.
Family lived near St. Joseph, Marshall Co., WV
Known as Cecilia Singer.
Lawrence Yeager never married.
On Jul 12, 1925, Mr. and Mrs. Fred M. Singer of Cleveland attended a triple birthday party at the home of Frank Smoth to honor Mrs. Alex (Tillie) Gerst, Frank Smith, and Fred Fox. See notes of Fred Fuchs (Fox) for text of the article from the Zanesville Times Recorder.
The 1930 census entry is unusual in that it is split up over non-consecutive pages of the census. Thirty year old married Fred Singer appears on the last line of page 9A. Page 9B contains no members of the Singer family, but the first four lines on the next page (10A) are wife Marrita Singer (28), children Fred N. Jr. (3) and Rita (1), and brother Carl (25).
According to the Ohio online death certificate index, Frederick N. Singer was a resident of Rocky River, Cuyahoga County, Ohio at the time of his death.
His obituary appeared in the [Cleveland] Plain Dealer on 29 Oct 1985:
FRED N. SINGER beloved husband of Lillian (nee McClosky) and the late Macrita,
father of Fred, Peggy Boshara, Shirlee Jensen, Joan Clement, grandfather of 11 and great
grandfather of four, brother of Ida Brahler, Winifred Hill, the late Lydia Blake, Edna Hayes,
Carl and Joseph. Oct 27. Funeral mass Wednesday Oct 30, St. Christopher Church at 12
noon. Interment Holy Cross. Contributions to St. Christopher Church building fund would
be appreciated. Friends may call at Chambers Funeral Home, 4420 Rocky River Dr., at
Furitas, Tuesday 3-5 and 7-9.Another obituary (from the Zanesville Library obituary clipping collection):
Fred N. Singer, 85, of 3420 Wooster Road, Rocky River, died Oct 27 [1985] at Lake-
wood Hospital. He was born Jan. 8, 1900, in Ohio a son of Alex and Philomena Schell
Singer. He was a retired self-employed contractor.
Mr. Singer is survived by his wife, Lillian McClosky Singer; a son, Fred Singer; three
daughters, Peggy Boshara, Shirley Jensen and Joan Clement, a brother, Ida; two sisters,
Laura Kirby and Winifred Hill; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral Mass was held on Wednesday Oct. 30 at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church in
Rocky River. Burial followed in Holy Cross Cemetery near Cleveland. Chambers Funeral
Home in Rocky River handled the arrangements. The family requests material tributes be
made to the St. Christopher Catholic Church building fund.Note: Both obituaries incorrectly refer to Fred’s sister Ida Singer (Brahler) as his brother.
According to the 1930 census, Marrita and her mother were born in Pennsylvania. Her father was from Scotland. The spelling of Marrita's first name is unclear in both the 1930 census and her husband's obituary.
Rita is not mentioned in her father's obituary.
On Jul 12, 1925, Mr. and Mrs. Fred M. Singer of Cleveland attended a triple birthday party at the home of Frank Smoth to honor Mrs. Alex (Tillie) Gerst, Frank Smith, and Fred Fox. See notes of Fred Fuchs (Fox) for text of the article from the Zanesville Times Recorder.
The 1930 census entry is unusual in that it is split up over non-consecutive pages of the census. Thirty year old married Fred Singer appears on the last line of page 9A. Page 9B contains no members of the Singer family, but the first four lines on the next page (10A) are wife Marrita Singer (28), children Fred N. Jr. (3) and Rita (1), and brother Carl (25).
According to the Ohio online death certificate index, Frederick N. Singer was a resident of Rocky River, Cuyahoga County, Ohio at the time of his death.
His obituary appeared in the [Cleveland] Plain Dealer on 29 Oct 1985:
FRED N. SINGER beloved husband of Lillian (nee McClosky) and the late Macrita,
father of Fred, Peggy Boshara, Shirlee Jensen, Joan Clement, grandfather of 11 and great
grandfather of four, brother of Ida Brahler, Winifred Hill, the late Lydia Blake, Edna Hayes,
Carl and Joseph. Oct 27. Funeral mass Wednesday Oct 30, St. Christopher Church at 12
noon. Interment Holy Cross. Contributions to St. Christopher Church building fund would
be appreciated. Friends may call at Chambers Funeral Home, 4420 Rocky River Dr., at
Furitas, Tuesday 3-5 and 7-9.Another obituary (from the Zanesville Library obituary clipping collection):
Fred N. Singer, 85, of 3420 Wooster Road, Rocky River, died Oct 27 [1985] at Lake-
wood Hospital. He was born Jan. 8, 1900, in Ohio a son of Alex and Philomena Schell
Singer. He was a retired self-employed contractor.
Mr. Singer is survived by his wife, Lillian McClosky Singer; a son, Fred Singer; three
daughters, Peggy Boshara, Shirley Jensen and Joan Clement, a brother, Ida; two sisters,
Laura Kirby and Winifred Hill; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral Mass was held on Wednesday Oct. 30 at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church in
Rocky River. Burial followed in Holy Cross Cemetery near Cleveland. Chambers Funeral
Home in Rocky River handled the arrangements. The family requests material tributes be
made to the St. Christopher Catholic Church building fund.Note: Both obituaries incorrectly refer to Fred’s sister Ida Singer (Brahler) as his brother.