Genealogical Gems

On This Day in 1880, it was recorded that John W. Eckman sold the Gochenaur farm in Providence Township to Silas Winters. Eckman was the manager of Montgomery iron company of Port Kennedy. The farm, which at one time was mined for iron ore, contains approximately 50 acres. It sold for $4,000.   Silas’ mother was a Gochenaur by birth – Esther Gochenaur (1792 – 1823). She is the daughter of Joseph and Esther Herr Gochenaur. Esther is a direct lineal descendent of the Rev. Hans Herr.   Silas was born about 1822 to Esther (nee Gochenaur) and Christopher Winters. He and his wife, the former Catherine Marks, farmed in Providence Township . They had at least four children of their own: Ella M. (1844-1907), Mary A. (b. 1846), Sophia (b. 1848), Augustus (1847-1924), John (b. 1854), Laura (b. 1857) and Walter H. (b. 1861). They also adopted two children: Ida and Charles LeFevre.    The Eckman family is related to the Winters, the Gochenaurs, and the Herrs. ...

Mary Miller (1836-1911) is buried at the Clearfield United Methodist Cemetery in New Providence, Lancaster County . She is buried near her husband, Peter Miller (1838-1913).   Mary was born 18 May 1836 to Jacob Gochnauer and Lydia Daily in Lancaster County . She died 9 May 1911 of apoplexy, according to her death certificate. She and Peter Miller married in 1859, according to the 1900 US Census. They had seven children.   Tombstone Tuesday is a genealogical prompt of GeneaBloggers.   © Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2015

  Emanuel Winter (12 April 1821 – 4 July 1888) is buried at the Zion Reformed Cemetery in New Providence. Sadly, being of an “impaired” mind, he hung himself, thus taking his own life. Emanuel, according to the 1870 US Census, lived in Smithville, Providence Township . He was 49 at the time and a farmer. Living with him then were: Ann Winter, 69; nine year old Marus Gochnauer; and seven year old Elizabeth Gochnauer. The census does not indicate relationships.   Ten years prior, in 1860, the Census shows Emanuel and Anna in Providence Township . Emanuel is a farmer. Living with them are: John, 16, and Simon, 15, Gochnauer. Again, no relations information is provided in the 1860 Census.   Emanuel was just 27 at the time of the 1850 Census, where we find him in Martic Township . The head of household is Joseph Winters, 63. It is presumed from this information that Joseph is the father of Emanuel. Also living there are: Joshua Winters, 25; Benjamin Win...

The Smithville Church of God in Smithville, Lancaster County recorded Henry and Kezia's burial in their small graveyard. Henry was born 13 September 1826 and buried on 17 Mar 1904. Kezia was born 1 November 1828 and was buried on 17 September 1884. Kezia's note reads: "w of Henry".   About Henry Eckman:  I found a Henry & Kezia Eckman in 1860 (on the 1860 Census) in Providence Township, Lancaster County, PA. He was 33 years old and a laborer. Kezia was 31. Living with them was four year old Albert Martin. The 1860 Census however does not record relationships among household members. Henry registered for the US Civil War Draft in 1863. His age, as of 1 July 1863, was 35. It reveals only that he is white, lives in Providence Township, is a laborer and was born in Pennsylvania.   I found the three again on the 1870 Census. Henry of course was 43; Kezia was 41 and Albert was 14. Also living with them was three year old William Zittle and 26 year old Eliza...