George Vickery (1824-1874) "52 Ancestors"

This is week 13 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge. I am working ahead to try to have a few posts ready in reserve just in case. It seems like I am focusing on my wife's line again, especially her ancestors from the Channel Islands. This story is about her 3rd great-grand uncle George Vickery.

George Vickery was born on 8 September 1824 in St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands. He was the second of at least ten children. His parents were Thomas Vickery (1798-1863) and Mary Coutanche (1807-1853), my wife's 4th great-grandparents. George was baptised on 22 September 1824.

I haven't yet found many records for George between his birth and the 1851 Census, so we will start just before that. In about 1845, George married Louisa LeBoeuf (1823-??), the sister of James and Frederick LeBoeuf, whom I have written about previously. George and Louisa's first child was Raimond George Vickery. Raimond was born on 28 June 1846 but died about two years later on 12 April 1848. A few months prior to Raimond's death, on 25 January 1848, their second child, James Frederick Vickery, was born. On 1 January 1850, their third child, William de Perval Vickery was born. William died three months later on 8 April 1850. The 1851 census lists the family as George (age 26), Louisa (age 26), and James F (age 3). Additionally, the following people were also living in the home: Mary Ann Leboeuf - sister-in-law (age 20), Ann Coutanche - aunt (age 70), James LeBoeuf - brother-in-law (age 25), and Frederick LeBoeuf - brother-in-law (age 19). The home was located at 22 Royal Square, St. Helier. George's occupation is listed as Soliciter. I looked up Royal Square on Google Maps and saw that it is located adajcent to the Royal Courthouse and just up the road from the Parish Church of St. Helier.

As a soliciter, George wrote several books, including Verite ou mensonge loi ou violence in 1855 and Des privileges de l'ile ou de la resurrection de Stuarts et de la chambre toilee a Jersey in 1856. These titles are in Jersiais, the language of the Channel Islands and can roughly be translates as Truth of falsehood, law or violence and Privileges of the island or the resurrection of the Stuarts and the draped chamber in Jersey. Notice, I said roughly translated since Google Translate does not have a Jersiais translation and I had to use the next best thing, which was French.

In the 1850s, during the reign of Napoleon III, there was much political repression happening in neighboring France. Many critics of the emperor fled for refuge to Jersey. One family who were exiled in Jersey was Victor, Charles and Francois-Victor Hugo. You may already know who Victor Hugo was since he wrote The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Les Miserables. Francois-Victor Hugo wrote for a newspaper in Jersey known as L'Homme. In 1855 the Hugo family was expelled from Jersey because of a story in the newspaper criticizing Queen Victoria. During their time in Jersey, George Vickery became a friend of the Hugo family and in 1855 organized a petition of notable people in Jersey against the expulsion order.

George was an active member of the States of Jersey, the island's legislature. On 6 November 1856, the States' legislature adopted a new law to add Parish Deputies to the Assembly. Deputies would have the same rights and functions as the existing twelve Jurats, twelve Constables and twelve Rectors. Jurats were elected for life and Rectors were chosen by the Crown; Deputies were to be elected by their parish, as were the Constables, for three years. Each parish of St. Helier chose three Deputies and the other eleven parishes each chose one Deputy. They took their seats for the first time on 29 January 1857. George was among the first Deputies elected to the Assembly. On July 1859 the States Assembly passed a law increasing the number of Barristers, which had been a maximum of six prior to this time. George was appointed a Barrister in 1860.

During the 1861 census, the family is living at 203 Famworth Ter Cottage Street in St. Helier. The family consisted of George (age 35), Louisa (age 32), and George (age 3). George's occupation is listed as Barrister of the Royal Court. In addition to his immediate family, the following people are living in the house; Marian LeBoeuf - sister-in-law (age 23), Eliza Quirot - servant, cook (age 21), and Eleanore Quirot - servant, housemaid (age 16). I am not sure what happened to James since he would have been around 16 years old during this census. There are also several other children "missing" in this census. They include three daughters; Adala, Augusta, and Leonida Maude. Adala was born 28 April 1851. Augusta was born 31 March 1853. Leonida Maude was born 6 May 1855. I previously wrote a post about Leonida Maude and her adventures in Australian theater.

In 1871 the family was living at 11 St. Marks Road, St. Helier. The family in the 1871 census included George (age 46), Louisa (age 46), Adala (age 19), Maud (age 15), and George (age 13). There was also a servant, Mary Fitzgibbon (age 21) living in the house. Two of the children, Maude and George, are listed as scholars, meaning they are attending school. It appears that George was still serving as a representative since his occupation is listed as Deputy Barrister and he wrote the following letter to his constituency in 1870:

TO THE ELECTORS OF ST. HELIER'S
GENTLEMEN,
At the expiration of Fourteen Year's Service in the States as one of your Representatives, I wish to thank you for the confidence you have so warmly and repeatedly shewn me, and to solicit for another triennial term a renewal of your kind support.
Without presumption on one hand and without false modesty on the other, I think I may to-day conscientiously affirm that, during these Fourteen years, my chief ambition has been to labour diligently and to the best of my humble ability for the Public good; and that 1857, when I first entered the States, no Member of the Legislative body has taken a more active part than I have done in initiating and, so far as possible, carrying out whatever both you and I considered conducive to the general interest of the Island.
I have no wish to detail in this brief address what I have succeeded in effecting in the Legislative Assembly and States' Committees; what I have projected; and what is au Greffe in my name for early discussion. Before the General Election takes place I shall probably have fitting opportunity to do so.
For the moment, after thanking you for the trust you have, during such a comparative length of time, reposed in me, and soliciting, if you think me worthy of it, a renewal of your confidence (the last time I am likely to do so) I merely desire to state, and most distinctly, that my sole reason for wishing to be re-elected is this:--I wish to complete the States' work I had imposed on myself, I wish to carry out the important Bills I have prepared, and which stand for discussion during the next Session of our Local Parliament.
It will be physically impossible for me, Gentlemen, to canvass you personally. You know the reason, impaired health. This of course will not militate against me with honorable and intelligent men. Those who think that I have done my utmost to serve the public faithfully will not wait to be canvassed; but will, I trust, volunteer me their kind support through Members of my Committee.
I hope to be favoured with the personal attendance of my friends at the Meetings that will be announced in conjunction with my re-election.

I remain, Gentlemen, truly yours,
GEORGE VICKERY, Deputy.

We found this letter sewn into the cover of a family album maybe 10 years ago but we do not know where that album is today. Luckily we had the foresight to copy the text and save it for the future.

George Vickery died on 16 November 1874 in St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands. We have found several poems written about George Vickery but since they are in Jersiais it is difficult to translate them. Maybe someone reading this blog in the future will be able to help us with the translation.

GEORGE VICKERY,
AVOCAT ET DÉPUTÉ. (LAWYER AND DEPUTY.)
IN MEMORIAM.

by : Augustus Asplet Le Gros

Le k'min est court du ber jusqu'au tomb;
La vie, au pus, n'est qu'un rêve et une ombre;
Et ben souvent nou-s-a du desteurbé,
Et ben souvent la querière en est sombre.

I faut muorir, ch'est ben là notre sort,
Q'nou-s-ait grandeur, richèsse, ou ben piéssance;
Car i faut tous payir rente à la mort,
Q'nou seit utile ou q'nou seit en nisance.

" Vick'ry n' est pus," l'êfant de not' Jèrry,
Qui tant de feis ichin se fît entendre.
Nou l'dit partout, à la Cour, au Marchi:
" Vick'ry n'est pus," i faut ben le comprendre.

J'avions perdu le Sueux, Duprè, Godfray.
Il' 'taient nuos grands, et leux île en 'tait fière.
Iun et pis iun s'en va, que nou viyait:
I' sont tuos morts, et Vick'ry veint de les sière.

Oubliéra-nou leux travas et leux faits?
Chein qu'il' ont fait pour le ben sus la terre?
Laissons leux d'fauts! je sommes-t-i parfaits?
Qu'est qui gin'ra, dites-le-mei, la pierre?

Vere, i vivront! en ermerquant leux pas,
Au coin du feu, nuos êfants puorront lière
que nou deit tous s'entr'aidjir ichin-bas,
Se rendre utile et pon s'entre-nière.


Eune Caricatuthe d'la "Voix des Iles" 1873 - 1874

Le Député Vickery

by: L'Anmin Flippe

Le Devoir

Duty! Devoir! grand mot qui donne
Le vrai couozage au vertueux,
Duty! Devoir! doux mot qui sonne
Comme la musique des cieux,
Combain de la famille humaine,
Ne te porte honneur ni respé,
Jersey expects that every man
This day will do his duty.

Et dans chute terrible épreuve,
Que je subissons, mes anmins,
Faut-ti laissi sa femme veuve,
Et ses chiers êfants orphelins;
Raidissons nous contre la gène,
Comme Nelson y faut c ri,
Jersey expects that every man
This day will do his duty.

Comment! dans un jour de souffrance
Njou restezait les bras croizis,
Si nou veut trouvé l'espézance,
Y ne faut pas resté assis.
Vickery nos môtre sans peine,
Comment nou peut sen dêhalé.
Jersey expects that every man
This day will do his duty.

Quicun nos dit, la chose est belle
D'assisté tout homme ichin bas,
Mais mé, je donne a ma chapelle,
Donné ailleurs je ne peux pas.
Hypocrite a la douche haleine,
Ne vain don pue nos êlourdé.
Jersey expects that every man
This day will do his duty.

Charles Frederick Bielefeld (1803-1864) "52 Ancestors"

Week number 12 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge is now here and I am still on track. Actually I wrote this one two weeks ago just to make sure I could keep on track in case something came up (like my impending move). I decided to focus on an artistic ancestor this week. Because of the artistic manner of this story I had to include many more images than usual. 

The subjet of this story is not a direct line but no one said we had to stick to direct lines now did they? This story is about Charles Frederick Bielefeld from Middlesex, England. Charles is my wife's 3rd cousin 5 times removed. The Bielefeld family originated in Germany and then spread around the globe. Charles' line settled in England. My wife's family immigrated to Ohio. Another line settled in Australia.

Charles Frederick Bielefeld was born on 24 February 1803 in St. Marylebone, London, England to John Henry Bielefeld (1771-1848) and Mary Record (1780-1820). According to The London Book of Trades (1775-1800), his father, John, was a toy dealer and had a shop on Oxford Street. I have a record of residence stating that John lived at 14 Claremont Place, St. Pancras, Middlesex, England at the time of his death. Many members of the extended Bielefeld family were active in the trades around London. One member sold music for guitars, another was a book binder, and Charles was no different. He was a world famous papier mache artist.

Charles married Elizabeth Phillips (1811-??) around 1828. Elizabeth was born in a home on Oxford Street, the same street as Charles' father's toy store. I know of at least 10 children from this marriage. They included: Charles Edward (1829-??), Julius Martin (1832-1919), Albert (1834-??), Sydney K (1836-??), Francis (1837-??), Julia (1839-??), Clara (1842-??), Emily (1844-??), Ellen (1846-??), and Louis (1847-??).

In 1839, when his daughter Julia was born, Charles was living at 32 Albany Street, St. Pancras, London.

The 1841 census states that the family had moved to Wellington Street, Westminster, Middlesex. The family consisted of Charles (age 35), Elizabeth (age 35), Charles (age 12), Julius (age 9), Sydney (age 5), and Julia (age 20 months). In addition to the family members there are three individuals listed as family servants. Charles is listed as a papier mache manufacturer. His papier mache factory was located at 15 Wellington Street North. Charles rented the factory space for £33 19s 7d per quarter. In 1860 he had to expand the factory space by renting a warehouse, office space and storage area nearby for £140 per year.

Bielefeld Papier Mache Works, (c. 1840)

The work that Charles did was not your typical papier mache. He elevated it to an art form and had several patents for the manufacturing process. His business quickly expanded and he had agents throughout the country selling his products. In 1846 Charles had to file suit against two brothers whom he had hired as sales agents for the area around Glasgow. The brothers were given £300 of materials to use as samples but those items "disappeared" and no money was returned to the company. 

A news article written in The Courier from Hobart, Tasmania on 25 February 1848, talks about renovations to the Drury Lane Theatre in London. This was one of many locations that Charles Bielefeld designed the decorations for. The article reads as follows:

Drury Theatre today

The Builder thus describes the present appearance of the house, the pit being boarded over for "promenade concerts," with which the theatre will open tomorrow. The decorations are simple, although exceedingly effective, and may be described in a few words. 

The fluted Corinthian columns which form the proscenium, two on each side, have their caps and bases gilt; the flutes are real apertures, to assist the view from the private boxes between them, and are entwined by a continuous wreath of flowers gilt, as are also the small columns which support the boxes throughout the house. The whole of the ornaments, fruit and flower work, are of papier mâché, the ornamented moulding which forms the trellis being of a new patent machine made kind, and were made, gilt, and fixed, in five weeks, by Mr. Bielefeld.

Papier mache mirror c. 1840

There may have been changes to the work that Charles did in this theater over the last 165 years but just looking at the decorations there today can give you an idea of how elaborate his work was. In addition to the Drury Theatre, his work was included in many other buildings including the Reading Room of the British Museum and Parliament. Examples of his work can be found in a catalog he produced in 1842, On the use of improved papier-meche in furniture, in the interior decoration of buildings, and in works of art. A copy of this catalog recently sold for £1100. Occasionally you can find some of his actual works that still exist. For example, in 2012 Christy's Auction House sold a papier mache mirror that he produced for £6,060.

The 1851 census lists the family's residence as 15 Wellington Street North, St. Paul Court Garden, Westminster, the same location as the papier mache factory. The family consists of Charles (age 48), his wife (age 40) - listed as Mrs Bielefeld, Julius (age 19), Sydney K (age 15), Julia (age 11), Clara (age 9), Ellen (age 5), and Louis (age 3). There are also two servants listed in the household. Julius is working in the papier mache factory. The rest of the children, including 3 year old Louis, are listed as scholars. 

In 1852 Charles submitted a patent for improvements in the manufacture of sheets of papier mache. The patent is described as:

An example of Charles' papier mache work.

These improved processes are for the manufacture of pressed articles from pressured sheets instead of pulp, and for the production of such prepared sheets. The apparatus which the patentee uses in this manufacture consists of a table, having a rack on either side, by which it is traversed backwards and forwards under a roller, so supported as to give the required degree of pressure to the material, and at the same time capable of being varied in its elevation, in order to reduce or increase the amount of pressure; or it may be a weighted roller for the purpose. The material which the patentee prefers for the manufacture of sheets of papier mache, suitable for panels for cabins of steam-vessels and other like purposes, is given in the following proportions : — Mix with thirty parts of flour eighty parts of water, thoroughly incorporating the flour, so as to reduce the mixture to the consistency of paste, adding, at the same time, nine parts of alum and one of copperas. With this paste is then mixed fifteen parts of resin, previously dissolved by heat, adding, also, ten parts of boiled linseed oil and one of litharge. These ingredients having been mixed in the above order, are then mixed with about sixty parts of rag-dust, which the patentee finds the most economical, but other matters may be used, such as paper-makers half-stuff or pulp deprived of its moisture to such an extent as to be no longer fluid.

The panels that are discussed in the patent had several purposes. First of all was the construction of cabins in ships. Charles thought that his material was an improvement over other materials used inside ships because it was able to withstand the moist sea air better. He also found that he could use these panels to construct homes. This is an early example of prefabricated homes. In 1853 Charles published a book titled Portable Buildings which included plates illustrating the various home designs he had available. Some of the designs were vary elaborate and also included interior decorations made of papier mache. He would construct all of the materials and deliver them to his clients throughout England. The durability of these papier mache homes was tested and proven in the moist English landscape. He was even asked to fabricate several buildings to be exported to Melbourne, Australia.

After many years of innovative and creative work, elevating papier mache to an artform, Charles died about a month short of his 61st birthday on 10 January 1864.

James LeBoeuf (1825-1883) "52 Ancestors"

I am now on week 11 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge. I amaze myself. In all of 2013 I only wrote 12 posts to this blog and between 2009-2012 I only wrote 5 posts. So this is pretty good. This week my wife and I had to give talks at church. It was our farewell talk since we will be moving soon. My wife focused her talk on how our ancestors give us perspective for the changes we experience in our lives. My talk was about change and service. In my talk I used the following quote, "We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us." ~ Joseph Campbell

I decided that this quote would be the inspiration for my blog post this week. The subject of this week's post is James LeBoeuf, my wife's 3rd great grandfather. James is the brother of Frederick LeBoeuf who I wrote about previously.

James LeBouef was born around 1825 to Philippe LeBoeuf (1790-1835) and Jeanne Ann LeGeyt (1790-1840). He was christened on 21 August 1825 and was the 11th of 15 children. His siblings included Jane (1812-??), Eliza (1813-??), Philippe (1814-??), George (1815-??), Jean (1816-1904), Elias (1818-1890), Elizabeth (1819-??), Anne (1821-??), Charles (1822-??), Louisa (1823-??), Susanna (1827-??), Mary Ann (1829-1904), William (1830-??), and Frederick (1832-??). His family lived in St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands.

James grew up in an area known for its mariners and many members of his family took to the sea at an early age. In 1851, James, his sister Mary Ann, and brother Frederick were living in the home of George Vickery. George Vickery had married Louisa LeBoeuf, James' sister, a couple years earlier. James (age 25) and Frederick (age 19) are listed as Seamen in this census.

Hindostan (1857)

A news article from The South Australia Register (25 May 1854) announced the arrival of the Hindostan with J. le Boeuf as Captain. James was 28 in 1854, that seems a little young to be a captain of a transoceanic voyage. These voyages lasted months. The ship left London on 2 February 1854 and arrive in Port Adelaide on 23 May 1854. According to newspaper records, the Hindostan was still in port through at least 12 July 1854. The Hindostan was a 708 ton, 65-meter long, 3-mast ship. It was built in 1840 at Greencock, England and was owned by Hammond and registered at London. The ship made several voyages between England and Australia carrying immigrants.

James married Mary Ann Vickery (1826-1904) around 1855. The Vickery and LeBoeuf families were very close. As I stated earlier, the 1851 census lists James living with George Vickery, Mary Ann's brother. James and Mary Ann's first child, James Vickery LeBoeuf was born in St. Helier on 1 March 1856.

The ship was refitted in 1856 with felt and yellow-metal on the hull to add strength and stop marine organisms from growing on or burrowing into the wood. On 27 October 1856, the Hindostan left Southampton, England bound for Sydney, Australia carrying 278 passengers consisting of 109 male adults, 106 female adults, 25 male children and 37 female children. There were 52 married couples and 16 infants on board. Two male children died during the voyage. They arrived in Sydney 109 days later on 12 February 1857. Tickets for the voyage were £13 17s per adult. At least one child was born during the voyage. Henry and Mary Bellchambers' son George, was born one week before they arrived in Australia. However, George Bellchambers died four weeks later on 8 March 1857. One of the crew members was Alfred Vickery (age 21). Alfred is listed as a 2nd mate and is the younger brother of James' wife Mary Ann. We have found an interesting newspaper post concerning this voyage. The passengers wrote the following:

The Empire, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, Saturday, 14 February 1857, p. 4

TO CAPTAIN LE BOEUF.
Sir- At the termination of our anxious and prosperous voyage, we, the emigrants on board the ship Hindostan, desire to convey to you our best thanks for your courteous and gentlemanly demeanour towards us, and further to express to you the satisfaction we have enjoyed and the pleasure we still feel in having made the voyage with so skillful a commander; and, Sir, in separating from each other, you have all our best wishes for your prosperity and happiness and that of your family.

Believe us to be, Sir, your grateful and obedient servants,
Thomas J. Douglas
R. Haswell
Joseph Newman
John Badcock.
[On behalf of the emigrants at large.]
Sydney Harbour, Friday Morning, February 13, 1857.

Even though the voyage seems to have been enjoyable for many of the passengers, the time in port and the voyage home seems to have been a little more eventful. On 25 February 1857, twelve of the crew from the Hindostan were convicted of continued disobedience and sentenced to six weeks in prison. On 3 March 1857, James Muric, a baker on the ship, sued James for wages in the amount of £8 11s but failed to convince the court and the case was dismissed. On 22 March 1857, the Hindostan left Australia for Batavia (Jakarta, Indonesia) with one passenger, Mrs. LeBouef, and presumably 12 less crew members. Mrs. LeBoeuf was over eight months pregnant at the time and gave birth to their second child, Jessie Clara LeBoeuf, two weeks later off the coast of Australia on 4 April 1857. Jessie Clara is listed as having been born at sea, Latitude 38S, Longitude 142E. Imagine spending the last 4 months of your pregnancy travelling on a ship during this era. There were no luxury suites and I can imagine the combination of morning sickness and the typical effects of ship travel. The ship arrived at the Port of Calcutta on 23 April 1857.

James LeBoeuf returned to Australia again in February 1858 with more immigrants. This time he made port in Hobson's Bay. The 1 March 1858 edition of The Argus in Melbourne, Australia had a small post in it that read "Should this meet the eye of JOHN or ELIAS LE BOEUF they will find their brother on board the Hindostan, Hobson's Bay." This voyage was also a little more eventful, at least his time in port was eventful. James was arrested on immigration charges. He was caught bringing in Chinese passengers beyond the number allowed to the tonnage of his vessel. It appears that he made a stop in Hong Kong on the way and picked up at least 84 additional passengers. He claimed ignorance of the law and was fined £2 per passenger in excess for a total fine of £168. He departed from Australia on 26 March 1858 on the way to Christmas Island.

James and Mary Ann had their third child, Horace Frederick LeBoeuf, on 23 July 1860. He was born in St. Helier. According to the 1861 census, the family was living at 2 Fair View Place, Gorey, Grouville, Jersey, Channel Island. The family consisted of James (age 35) a master mariner, his wife Mary Ann (age 34), their children James (age 5), Jessie Clara (age 4), and Horace (age 8 months). In addition to the family, the following people were in the house: Louisa Laurens (age 16), Margaret Walsh (age 17), Clara Vickery - sister of Mary Ann (age 15), and John Tepier (age 32).

The Hindostan was wrecked during a cyclone at Calcutta in 1864. I am not sure if James was still the captain of the ship at this time. In 1869, the Hindostan was rebuilt and was later lost in another cyclone in 1879 near Bombay.

The 1871 census lists James LeBoeuf (age 45) as a farmer. He and his family were living at Anneville Farm, Vingtaine de Faldouet North, St. Martin, Jersey, Channel Island. The family consisted of his wife Mary Ann (age 44), their children James V. (age 15), Jessie C. (age 13), and Horace F. (age 10). All of the children are attending school. Additionally, their niece Amelia L. Peter (age 13) and farm hand, John Bedel (age 33), are living in the home.

James appears to have been a real family man. He took his wife on the ship, even when she was pregnant. James may have taken up farming to be closer to his family as the children grew up. But the stationary life may not have been for James since he returned to the sea for at least one more voyage. This is where the quote comes into play - "We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us." This final voyage did not end as expected. James departed England with his entire family on board. We have not found the name of this ship yet but we are lead to understand that it was wrecked and James and the family never returned to their home in the Channel Islands.

The story does not end tragically though. The entire family survived the accident and made it to land. They decided that this place would be where they spend the rest of their lives and settled there. On 5 October 1883, James died of typhoid fever at the age of  58 in Fernandina Beach, Nassau County, Florida. His wife Mary Ann Vickery LeBouef died on 18 January 1904. I guess Florida wasn't such a bad place to retire after a long life on the ocean.

Charles Joseph Meyer, Sr. (1840-1904) "52 Ancestors"

We are now on week 10 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge. I hope everyone has been enjoying the stories. This week I decided to expand on a story I wrote about Charles Joseph Meyer, Jr. during week two. This one is about his father, my great-great-grandfather Charles Joseph Meyer, Sr.

Charles Joseph Meyer, Sr. was born on 15 July 1840 in the area of Minster, Auglaize County, Ohio. He is the son of Johann Joseph Meyer (1806-1882) and Elisabeth Bocklage (1812-1897). His parents were born in Oldenburg, Germany. So far, it appears that Charles was one of eight children. His siblings, as far as I have been able to determine so far, were Francis, Elizabeth, Henry, Joseph, August, Benjamin and Catherine.

The 1850 census lists the family as Joseph (age 44) and Elizabeth (age 38), with their children Francis (age 15), Elizabeth (age 13), Cordell (Charles) (age 10), Henry (age 8), Joseph (age 6), August (age 4) and Benjamin (age 3 months). Joseph is listed as a farmer with real estate valued at $1000. All of the children except August and Benjamin are listed as attending school. The family is living in German Township in Auglaize County.

In 1860, Charles (age 19) is listed as a farm laborer living at home with his parents in Minster, Jackson Township, Auglaize, Ohio. His father's land is now valued at $1800. His brothers, Henry (age 18) and Joseph (age 15), are also working as farm laborers. The remaining children, August (age 13) and Catherine (age 6), are attending school. His older sister Elizabeth (age 22) is working in the home. On 16 October 1866, Charles married Mary Katherine Wehrman (1847-1916) in Auglaize County, Ohio. Mary was born in Egypt, Auglaize County, Ohio and was the daughter of Johann Heinrich Wehrman and Maria Catherina Bernadina Winner, both immigrants from Germany. After their marriage they can be found living near Egypt in McLean Township, Shelby County, Ohio where Charles continued farming.

Their first two children, Charles Joseph and Herman were born on 28 September 1867 and 15 May 1869. Herman died at the age of 3 months. By the time of the 1870 census Mary was pregnant with her third son Henry August who was born on 15 July 1870. Charles' farm is valued at $3600 in the 1870 census. In addition to his wife Mary (age 20) and their son Joseph (age 2), there is a servant girl named Little Magdaleen (age 15) living with the family. As I mentioned in a previous post, I don't know who this Little Magdaleen is yet but I hope to someday find out.

On 15 October 1872, their first daughter, Mary Catherine Meyer was born, however she died on 8 August 1879, at the age of 6 years old. Their next child, August Meyer, was born on 7 January 1875. He died two weeks after Mary Catherine, on 22 August 1879, at the age of 4. On 10 February 1877, Charles and Mary had their sixth child, Bernard Meyer and then on 11 January 1880, Anton Meyer was born. So, by the 1880 census the family consisted of Charles (age 39), Mary (age 29) and their children Joseph (age 12), Henry (age 9), Bernard (age 3) and Anton (age 5 months). Joseph and Henry are attending school.

Charles and Mary eventually had a total of ten children (I only have the names for nine). The remaining two children that I know of were Mary Bernadine, born 1 September 1882, and Elizabeth, born and died 23 February 1884. By the 1900 census all of the children except Anton (age 21) have either died or moved away. Only five of the children are still living. Anton is living at home and is employed as a carpenter.

Charles Joseph Meyer, Sr. died on 11 July 1904, just 4 days short of his 64th birthday. He had been ill for a long period of time and his death was not unexpected. The family, including his wife and five remaining children; Joseph, Henry, Bernard, Anton and Bernadina, were all gathered by his side when he died. His funeral was held on 13 July and he was buried in the St. Joseph Cemetery in Egypt, Auglaize, Ohio.

Mary Angela Mescher (1869-1951) "52 Ancestors"

Well, now we are on week 9 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge. I was really cutting this one close. I have been trying to have at least one post in the queue at all times but last week I was on a business trip and this week I had two Eagle Scout Courts of Honor, had to prepare for the final exam for my students and started my new job as supervisor for the Everglades South team for the US Fish & Wildlife Service. No wonder I am just now getting to my usual Friday blog post. But at least I am getting it done before my self imposed deadline and keeping my streak going for the 9th week.

St. Rose, Ohio today (Source: Google Maps)

This week I am writing about Mary Angela Mescher (1869-1951), my great grandmother. Mary was the second wife of Emil Garman (1858-1932) who I wrote about previously. Mary was born on 3 January 1869 in St. Rose, Marion Township, Mercer County, Ohio.  As you can see in the image to the right, St. Rose is a bustling town, home to a couple dozen people today. Imagine what it must have looked like 145 years ago when Mary was born. Her parents were Henry (1838-1871) and Maria Catherine Leugers Mesher (182-1890). Both of her parents were born in St. Rose and lived there their entire lives. Mary's grandfather, Frederick Mescher was given a land grant of 80 acres in St. Rose on 2 March 1837. Mary was one of six children from this marriage. Her siblings were Mary Catherine (1865-1865), Bernard Henry (1866-1866), George (1867-1868), Elizabeth (1871-1961), and Caroline (1872-1946). As you can see, three of her siblings died early on in their lives, making Mary the oldest of the three surviving children from this marriage. On 18 August 1871, when Mary was 2 years old, her father died. Her mother remarried on 1 February 1872 to John Gehle and had five more children by this marriage. Those children were Herman (1873-1970), Bernard George (1876-1953), Joseph Harman (1878-1967), Catherine (1880-1968), and John Herman (1882-1955).

On 25 April 1888, Mary Mescher (age 19) married Emil Garman (age 29), a German immigrant and local farmer. Emil had only been in the United States for six years before they were married. Mary and Emil had 15 children: Frances Theresa (1889-1949), Anna Mathilda (1890-1890), August Bernard (1892-1962), Rosa Carolina (1893-1972), Florentine (1894-1974), Edward Herman (1896-1962), Aloys Bernard (1898-1957), Marie (1899-1976), Josephina Rosa (1901-1984), Bertha Joanna Elizabeth (1903-1997), Ida Emma (1905-1987), Lawrence (1907-1975), Alvina (1910-1984), Marcella (1912-1999), and Velma Catherine (1915-2011).

In 1900 the family is living on a farm on Amsterdam Pike near Chickasaw, Marion Township, Auglaize County, Ohio, less than 3 miles northeast of St. Rose. During the 1910 census the family is living on a farm in German Township, Auglaize County, Ohio, about four miles east of St. Rose. In 1922 the family moved off the farm and into Maria Stein, a slightly larger town one mile to the east of St. Rose. Emil was about 62 years old and had been an active farmer his entire life. But by this time Emil was starting to suffer from his diabetes and had decided to retire from farming. The 1930 census lists the real estate valued at $1,000. Five of the children; Bertha, Lawrence, Alvina, Marcella, and Velma were still living at the home in 1930. After weeks of suffering, in January 1932 Emil went to St. Elizabeth's hospital in Dayton for treatment of gangrene in his right foot. The disease had progressed to a point that the doctors decided the only treatment would be to amputate his right leg. However, he was not able to survive such a drastic procedure and he died on 10 January 1932 following the surgery. Mary was left a widow with 14 children, the youngest being my grandmother Velma who was almost 17 years old. Mary was well taken care of by her adult children for the next twenty years. She eventually died on 19 June 1951 in Sidney, Ohio at the home of her daughter Florentine. At the time of her death she was survived by a sister, 12 children and a total of 154 descendants. She was buried in St. Johns cemetery in Maria Stein on 22 June 1951.

There is one thing interesting about the date of death for Mary Mescher Garman. She died on 19 June 1951, one day after the death of Rosa Bruns Meyer on 18 June 1951. Why is this interesting? Well, Mary's daughter, my grandmother, Velma married Ray Meyer, the son of Rosa Bruns Meyer. I didn't realize that two of my great grandmothers died within a day of each other until I was looking through the 22 June 1951 edition of the Minster Post and saw their obituaries. Rosa's funeral was on 21 June and Mary's funeral was 22 June.

Garman Family - Emil & Mary Mescher Garman seated in middle of second row (about 1930).

Frederick Huber (1864-1946) "52 Ancestors"

Week 8 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge and I am still writing. Not bad if I do say so myself, and I do. This week has been pretty busy with a lot of public activities including judging the Regional Science Fair and talking to a middle school for their Career Day. It is fun to work with the kids and help them learn more about the world around them. Using the theme of learning, I decided to write about Frederick Huber (1864-1946) for this week's blog. Frederick was a dedicated teacher, farmer and State Legislator. He was also my great-grand uncle.

Frederick Huber

Frederick Huber was born 10 October 1864 in Baden, Germany. His parents were Maxmillian and Pauline Derbelt Huber. According to census records, the Huber family immigrated to the United States in 1869-1870 and Frederick was naturalized in 1875. I have not yet found the 1870 or 1880 census record for the family so I am not exactly sure of the location where the family lived after immigrating. The Manual of Legislative Practice in the General Assembly (1920) states that Frederick was educated in the public schools of Cassella, Ohio and attended Ada University, which became Ohio Northern University, and the Normal School and Business Institute at Valparaiso, which later became Valparaiso University.

Frederick married Elizabeth Mescher (1871-1961) on 17 May 1893 in St. Rose, Mercer County, Ohio. Elizabeth Mescher was the daughter of my great-great grandparents, Johan Heinrick Mescher (1838-1871) and Maria Catherine Leugers (1842-1890). Elizabeth had previously been  married to Clemens Herman Garmann (1864-1891) who was the son of my great-great grandparents Johann Clemens Van Lay (1824-1900) and Anna Maria Theresia Garmann (1830-1886). Elizabeth had one child, a daughter, by her first marriage. Her daughter was Cecilia Garman (1890-1890), who died at the age of 4 months.

In 1900, Fred (age 35), his wife Elizabeth (age 28) , their children Rosie (age 6), Joseph (age 2) and Mary (age 7 months) are living near Celina in Montezuma, Mercer County, Ohio. Fred is listed as a farmer in this census. Additionally, there is a boarder in the home, Ben Gehle (age 23), who is employed as a laborer on the farm.

In 1910 Fred is listed as a teacher in a public school. During this time he also served for several years as the clerk on the local board of education. His family consisted of himself (age 46), his wife Elizabeth (age 37), and their children Rosina (age 16), Joseph (age 12), Maria (age 10), Gregor (age 8), Frederick (age 6), Herbert (age 4), Oliva (age 3) and Charles (age 1 year 6 months). The census states that Elizabeth had 10 children, 2 of which died. The deaths would have been her daughter Cecilia (1890-1890) and a son Henry (1896-1898).

Frederick was elected as the representative of Mercer County to the Ohio House of Representatives during the 82nd and 83rd General Assemblies. He was a member of the Democratic Party and served on several committees, including: Codes, Courts, and Procedures; Common Schools; Public Parks and Works; State and Economic Betterment; and Agriculture. After leaving government service Frederick returned to farming at his home in Franklin Township in Mercer County, Ohio.

In 1920 Fred is farming. His family consists of himself (age 55), his wife Elizabeth (age 48), and their children Joseph (age 22), Mary (age 20), Gregor (age 18), Frederick (age 16), Urban (age 14), Oliva (age 12), Charles (age 11) and Paulina (age 8). Joseph is listed as a farm laborer. Urban, Oliva, Charles and Paulina are attending school.

In 1930 Fred is still farming. His family consisted of himself (age 65), his wife Elizabeth (age 59), and their children Fred (age 26), Urban (age 24) and Pauline (age 19). Fred and Urban are listed as farm laborers but Urban is listed as unemployed for the last 4 months. By 1935, Fred and Elizabeth, were living with their son Joseph and his family. In 1940 Joseph's family consisted of himself (age 42), his wife Anna Burbrink (age 43), their children Mary (age 15), Agnes (age 13), Esther (age 11), and his parents Fred (age 75) and Elizabeth (age 69), both listed as retired.

Frederick Huber died at his home on 27 September 1946 after a lengthy illness. He was 81 years old and had been married 53 years. His cause of death was listed as arteriosclerosis. He was buried in St. Aloysius Cemetery in Carthagena, Mercer County, Ohio on 1 October 1946.

Frederick Henry Lexow (1875-1931) - "52 Ancestors"

Sometimes when your life changes you start to think of things differently. I am in the process of moving for a new job as supervisor of the Everglades Restoration South team. I've been looking at houses and wondering about neighborhoods. Because of the move, this is the last semester that I will be teaching my class on cultural ecology. I have had a great time teaching students about how our history and culture effect the way that we view the environment that we live in. As part of the class we take weekly field trips to various areas around the city. Recently, we were taking a 2.5 mile hike through the historic district, talking about how the neighborhood developed after the 1901 fire and looking at a park that was designed by Henry Klutho in 1929-1930. The land for this park has historical significance to the city that many residents never think about. After the field trip on the way home I was listening to NPR and they were talking about neighborhoods that have disappeared with history. One of the speakers made the following comment "Someone forgot to tell the story." This hit me pretty strongly. Who are our storytellers today? Who is keeping the story alive? We as family history researchers are among those that are responsible for continuing the story of our history. That is one of the reasons that I originally titled my blog as "Our AnceStories" - to emphasize the stories that everyone has, no matter how short their lives were. I feel the responsibility and obligation to bring back the lost stories and perpetuate them into the future. I hope many of you also feel this responsibility and do your part to keep the history alive.

And now on to week 7 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge. Week 7, OMG! See I can be consistent, sometimes, maybe, if I don't have any other distractions. SQUIRREL! By the way, if you have been reading my blog since the beginning of the year you will remember that I made two resolutions. Well, I guess I am batting 0.500, since I stopped the other resolution after less than two weeks.

Now on to my story. This week I decided to stick with my wife's family for another story. This story is about Frederick Henry Lexow (1875-1931), her great-grandfather. Frederick was born on 7 September 1875 in Indianapolis, Indiana. His parents were J. Charles Lexow (1842-~1910) and Whilhelmina "Minnie" Dettof (1853-??). Both of his parents immigrated from Germany. Charles' immigration record indicates that he arrived in the United States on 2 July 1872 aboard the ship Silesia. He departed from Hamburg and arrived at Castle Garden. Charles and Wilhelmina married in Indianapolis on 8 September 1874, almost exactly one year before Frederick was born. Frederick had two brothers, Charles John (1877-1958) and William J (1884-??).

197 Orange Street, Indianapolis, Indiana (today)

The 1880 census has Charlie (age 35), Minnie (age 25), Frederick (age 4), and Charley Jr (age 2). Frederick's father is listed as being unemployed for two months. Charlie and Minnie are both listed as being born in Prussia, while the two boys are listed as being born in Indiana. They were living at 197 Orange Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. Today, this neighborhood is an industrial area. The story of this neighborhood has been lost to those who drive through it today.

270 Olive Street, Indianapolis, Indiana (today)

In the 1888 Indianapolis, Indiana City Directory the family is living at 270 Olive. It looks like this home has been demolished and is now a vacant lot. Frederick's father was employed as a truckman for the Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis & Chicago Railway. By 1895, Frederick's brother Charles is also employed as a truckman. Frederick was listed as a machine hand but soon changed jobs and became a bottler between 1896-1897. In 1897 Frederick enlisted in the US Army, Company C, 1st Det Regiment and was stationed at Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. While he was there he met Mary A. Truesdell, daughter of Stephen P. Truesdell and Katherine Churchill. Frederick married Mary A. Truesdell (1881-1950) on 14 February 1898, at No. 5 College Street, Charleston, South Carolina.

In the 1900 census, Frederick and Mary were living at Sullivan's Island. Frederick had achieved the rank of Sergeant after serving for two years. Frederick is listed as being a veteran of the Spanish American War. He was discharged from the Army on 25 August 1900, but that didn't end his military career. After being discharged he and Mary moved back to Indianapolis to live with his family at 1513 Barth Avenue. His father was a flagman for the railroad by this time. His brother Charles was a stove monitor and William was listed as a helper as his employment. Frederick was employed as a clerk at 128 South Illinois. In 1904 Frederick is listed as living at 1606 Shelby, in Indianapolis but is back living at 1513 Barth Avenue in 1905. During this time he is also active in the Indiana National Guard, 2nd Regiment Infantry, 1st Battalion. He had reached the rank of 1st Lieutenant by 1906. In 1907 he is employed at Van Camp Hardware and Iron Company as a foreman.

1545 Barth Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana (today)

In 1910, Frederick (age 34), his wife Mary A. (age 28), and children Alita W. (age 8) and Herbert J. (age 4) are living at 1545 Barth Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana. This neighborhood looks much the same today as it did back then except that Interstate 65 now runs right through the back yard. The house was built in 1905. There were five people in addition to Frederick and his immediate family, living in this house. They included his father Charles Sr. (age 68), his brother Charles H. Jr. (age 32), his sister-in-law Estell Truesdell (age 17), and two boarders Martin Hardin (age 50) and daughter Mabel Hardin (age 9). Frederick's occupation is listed as hardware salesman. In 1913 Frederick and Joseph Truesdell, brother of Mary, are listed as patent holders for an excavating apparatus with patent number #1,066,683.

Frederick served in World War I as a Captain in the Infantry Reserve Corps, C1 US Artillery, M1 Georgia Infantry Battalion D, and 6 Co Infantry Provisional Training Regiment. In 1920 he is listed as a Captain in the Officers' Reserve Corps stationed at Mayport, Jacksonville, Florida. They remained in Jacksonville until their deaths. The family consisted of Frederick (age 47), Mary (age 38), Alita (age 17), Herbert (age 14), Estelle Truesdell - Mary's sister - (age 26), Charles Lexow (age 37) and his wife Lena (age 26). They were living at 2232 Fisher Street in Jacksonville, Florida. Fisher Street and the neighborhood no longer exist. Frederick and his brother were employed at Dixie Wholesale Company, and Alita was working in the Eve Larsen real estate office. In 1923 the family moved to 2000 Hill Street and Frederick started working at the municipal docks and terminals sometime between 1923-1924. He continued working at the docks until his death in 1931. Estelle Truesdell continued living with the family at least through 1933.

The family moved around quite a bit during the late 1920s and early 1930s. In 1928 they were living at 1639 E 8th. In 1929 they were living at 1830 East Beaver. In 1930 they were living at 901 Parker Street and 1806 East Duval. Herbert, Frederick's son, became a fireman at Fire Staton #1 in 1927. I don't know why they moved so often in the final years of Frederick's life.

Lt. Col. Frederick H. Lexow

Frederick died on 7 August 1931. His funeral was held at the Seashole Funeral Parlor at 1806 East Church Street on 10 August 1931 with Rev. A. C. Shuler of Calvary Baptist Church officiating. The pallbearers were all former officers who had served under Frederick. They included First Lieut. J. E. Fant, Second Lieutenants F. H. Sharp, Conrad Mangles, J. E. Dahl, L. W. Raulerson and W. A. Miller with the honorary pallbearers from the local Reserve Association being Lieut.-Col. Lynwood Evans, Col. Chester H. Wilson, Lieut.-Col. R. R. Milam, Lieut.-Col. Robert L. Seither, Capt. S. A. Marshall, Lieut. W. M. Bishop and Lieut. Hunter Lynde. The 124th Infantry supplied the firing squad for his funeral service. Frederick was buried in the family lot in West Evergreen Cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida.