52 Week Challenge –Week 35–Gertrude Naomi Benedict (1898-1955)

The optional theme for week 35 for the 52 Week Challenge was school days. I couldn’t think of anyone to write about in relation to the optional theme. I decided to finish out writing on my maternal great grandparents so I picked my Gertrude Naomi Benedict, my maternal grandfather’s mother.

Gertrude was born in May 1898 to Edward Benedict and Minnie Ann Cowles in town of Fenton, Broome County, New York. Gertrude was their eldest child. Gertrude had a sister, Georgia, and brother, Edward Horace. Minnie died when Gertrude was around nine years old. Gertrude went to live with her mother’s parents, Horace and Naomi McCarrick according to the 1910 census. Gertrude’s father, Edward, went on to remarry Anna Russell soon after the death of Gertrude’s mother.  Edward and Anna had two boys, Harry and Robert, which were Gertrude’s half brothers.

Gertrude lived with her maternal grandparents in 1910 which was five years after her mother died so I’m not sure why she lived with them. Her sister Georgia and brothers Edward and Harry were with their dad.  Gertrude was back in her father’s house by 1915.

Gertrude married Charles William Leyh on October 10, 1917 in New York. Gertrude and Charles moved to Akron OH by the time the 1920 census was taken. In 1923, Gertrude and Charles had a baby boy on March 10, Edward Charles. Edward was their only son and they loved him very much. Gertrude and Charles were very active in their church, Hope UM Church in Akron, OH. Gertrude loved to crochet and quilt. Many of her creations are still in my possession.  

Gertrude and Charles                            Gertrude and Edward

Gertrude was diagnosed with cancer and died on April 11, 1955. She lived to see Edward’s two children born. Gertrude is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery next to her husband.

52 Week Challenge –Week 34–Claude Ray Emminger (1890-1959)

The optional theme for this week was “non-population”. Again, I have strayed from the optional theme because I have never found anyone in anything “non-population”. I decided to write about my maternal great grandfather, Claude Ray Emminger.

Claude Ray was born on August 25, 1890 to Emmanuel and Nancy Geer. Claude was the baby of his family. There were two girls and five boys. Claude was born and raised in Pennsylvania. Claude met and married Edna Mentzer December 23, 1914 in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania.

In 1915, Claude’s first son was born. Edna and Claude had seven children before 1923, five of which were boys and two were girls. George Gail born August 8, 1915, Sheldon Ray born April 14, 1917, Maple Naomi born October 30, 1918, Margaret Fern born February 16, 1920, Clinton Devere born July 1, 1921, Allen Dale born September 23, 1922, and Sterling Eugene born October 16, 1923.

I found many newspaper articles about the fire that devastated their family  in newspapers as far away as Montana.

Here is how the story was told to me. For more information see my post on Edna. Edna, her parents, the children, Claude, and a visiting nephew had gone to bed for evening. Edna suffered from short term paralysis after birthing two of her children. Her last child, Sterling, was one of the instances, which may have saved her, Almaretta, and Claude’s lives. Edna, Claude, and Almaretta slept on the first floor of the house this fateful evening after just moving Sterling to the second floor with his brothers, sisters, cousin, and Grandpa. All of a sudden a fire broke out, I’m not sure what caused the fire. I have read many different stories in newspapers, but according to my grandma, Vera, whose story never changed; it was the family Christmas tree. Claude got Edna and Almaretta to safety. He tried to go back for the others but was unsuccessful because the second floor and stairs were consumed by fire.  Claude was badly burned on his face, arms and hands. After my grandmother, Vera, passed away I found letters that were written to Edna and the family following the fire. Edna lost her father, a nephew, and seven of her babies, the oldest being eight and the youngest just months old. A simple service was held by Revered F.L. Allaman at the Tylersburg Memorial United Methodist Church and all of the victims were buried in one casket in a cemetery somewhere in Pennsylvania with no marker. No one in my immediate family has been able to locate their final resting place.

A year almost to the date of the fire, January 3, 1925, Claude and Edna had a daughter, my grandma Vera. They then went on to have three more sons. Owen Mac born Dec 31, 1925, Bernard Keith born February 12, 1930, and Joseph Arden born April 15, 1932.

Edna and Claude never had much money. The family moved from Pennsylvania to Akron, Ohio, after my Uncle Keith was born. In 1932, they moved back to Pennsylvania before my Uncle Joe was born. Edna and Claude lived with their children in a remodeled chicken coop when Uncle Joe was born. By the 1940 census, they had moved back to Akron, Ohio, and were living on Bell Street. Claude worked for the WPA. Claude was a member of Bethel Evangelical United Brethren Church. Claude registered for the war in 1942 at the age of 51, but did not serve in the war.

Claude survived his wife, Edna, by a few years and died October 16, 1959. Claude was living with his son Owen at the time of death. Claude is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery on Romig Road in Akron, OH. 

52 Week Challenge –Week 33–Edward Leyh (1923-2008)

The optional theme for this week was “Defective, Dependent, and Delinquent” and I had no one in my family research so far that I had found to be defective, dependent, or delinquent. I choose instead to write about someone one I was dependent on when growing up and that was my maternal grandpa, Edward Leyh.

Edward Leyh was born on March 11, 1923 to Charles Leyh and Gertrude Benedict in Akron, Ohio. Edward was their only son and Charles and Gertrude cherished him greatly. Below is Edward as a baby pictured with each of his parents.       

When Edward was born they lived on Carroll Street in Akron. By 1925, the family moved to Sutherland Ave in what is known as Kenmore both formally (from 1908 to 1928) and informally (1928-present) where they lived as a unit until Edward got married. Edward was in United States Army. Edward left school three months before he was to graduate. As the story has been passed down in our family, Edward had a dispute with the principal so he quit. Edward went on to join the army on Jan 16, 1943. He spent time in the South Seas during World War II. Edward was released from duty on December 28, 1945 almost four months to the date after then end of the war. Edward was not allowed to donate blood because of his time in the Army where he came in contact with Malaria.

Edward came back home and returned to work at Firestone Rubber Company. He worked at Firestone until he retired in 1985. Edward met Vera Emminger at the skating rink at Summit Beach Park in 1946. Edward was not Vera’s first choice to skate with, but once she did they fell in love.

Edward and Vera married on May 18, 1947. They were supposed to marry in January of 1947 but Vera’s grandmother fell ill and passed so they pushed the date back a few months. Edward and Vera were married at Hope Evangelical Church in Akron on the corner of Cory and Waterloo roads where Edward grew up. Edward and Vera continued to attend Hope until they were unable to due to illness.

Above is a picture of Edward and Vera. The man on the far left is a dear friend, Tink. He told me Edward and Vera did not have the picture taken the day of their wedding it was sometime after. Tink told me not too long ago what fun they had getting the wedding picture taken. They all laughed, danced, and had a delightful time.

Edward and Vera purchased land behind his childhood home and built their house there. Edward and Vera lived with Charles and Gertrude after they married as they began building their house in 1947. The house was finished in time for their baby girl, Beverly, born in 1951. Edward and Vera soon followed Beverly with another child a son, Paul in 1953. Edward had enough land to have two nice size gardens which he took meticulous care of every year.

Vera and Edward would take vacations often over the summer to visit family in Pennsylvania and New York. Once Edward retired from Firestone. He volunteered and drove for the American Cancer Society. Edward was a mall walker at Rolling Acres mall. Edward was the man I looked to as a father figure. I was his side kick. We did everything together.

The picture above is of Vera and Edward on my wedding day, June 5, 1999 outside of where Hope United Methodist Church now stands.

Edward was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2001. The picture below was probably one of the last pictures taken of Vera and Edward at my house before he got sick. Edward loved God, country, and his family. He was a faithful servant to all three. Edward was a friend to everyone. We always said he never met a stranger. Edward would talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime.

Edward out lived his blushing bride by eight weeks to the day. Vera died Saturday, July 19, 2008 and Edward died on Saturday, September 13, 2008. Edward and Vera are buried together in Greenlawn Cemetery on Romig Road in Akron, Ohio.  The house that Vera and Edward built remains in the family today.

52 Week Challenge –Week 32–Juliet Graham (1830-1904)

The optional theme for the 32nd entry in our challenge is one of our 32 3rd great grandparents. I have actually written about a few of them so I decided on Juliet Graham for this week.

Juliet was born October 12, 1830 to Elijah Graham and Sarah Ann Barnett in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Juliet was the last born of 10 children and one of the four girls. Juliet’s sister Jane died when she was 15 years old.

Juliet married Alexander McManigle in 1848 in Jefferson County. They had eight children, Alvin Duff, James Corey, Josiah B, Sarah Ann, Milton Monroe, Ira Oscar, Almaretta Florence, and Stephen A. Sarah Ann died when she was 12 in the year 1868. Juliet’s mom, Sarah Ann Barnett, lived to be 95 and outlived three of her girls. Juliet outlived three of her sisters and two of her brothers.

Juliet outlived her husband, Alexander, by 29 years. Alexander and Juliet were married for 27 years at his death. Juliet was a widow for longer than she was married. Juliet died January 26, 1904. She died in St. Petersburg, Clarion County, and is buried in Mt. Tabor Cemetery.

52 Week Challenge –Week 31–Ada Elizabeth Hoddinott (1862-1916)

The optional theme for week 31 of the 52 Ancestors 52 Week Challenge is “Easy”. For week 31, I picked my second great grandmother on my father’s side, Ada Elizabeth Hoddinott. Ada has been easy to research because one of my distant cousins had already done most of the work for me.

Ada was born on September 18, 1862 in Woodlands, Frome, Somerset, England to John Ball Hoddinott and Ellen Crees. Ada was one of eleven children. Ada was the second child born to John and Ellen, her being the first girl. Ada grew up and married William Few on January 9, 1883. Ada and William had a daughter Ellen Edith (Nell) Few. When Ellen was only three months old, William was killed while working on a railroad in London. After William’s death Ada and Ellen Edith moved in with William’s parents, George and Martha, and his brother Frank. Ada married Frank three years later in 1886. Ada and Frank had 15 children, eight girls and seven boys. Some of her children moved to America and at least one moved to Australia.

Ada died on July 13, 1916 and  is buried in Hannington Church yard. Ada’s son added a stone on her grave after World War II in 1946.

52 Week Challenge –Week 30–Edward Benedict (1872-1952)

The optional theme for week 30 of the 52 Ancestors 52 Week Challenge is “challenging”. Amy Johnson Crow defined this theme as being a good time to look at another challenging-to-research ancestor. Any time we write about someone who is challenging, I always seem to pick someone from the same branch of my tree, which is my Edward Leyh, my maternal grandfather’s branch. For week 30, I picked Edward Benedict who is my 2nd great grandfather.

Edward was born on September 3, 1872 in New York to his parents. I can’t not find information on Edward’s parents. On September 10, 1896, he married Minnie Cowles. Edward and Minnie had three children, two girls and a boy. Minnie died on January 13, 1905 leaving Edward with three young children. The youngest being only 2 years old. Edward then married Anna Russell the same year Minnie died. I cannot find documentation as to how soon after Minnie died he remarried. Edward and Anna had two children, two boys. Edward had a total of five children. He had two girls, Gertrude, my great grandmother, and Georgia. His three boys were Edward Horace, Harry, and Robert Russell but family called him Russ. Edward lost two of his sons before he died. Edward Horace died in Akron of an aneurysm in 1935 and Harry drowned in 1951.

Edward was a photographer who had his own studio. Edward died on February 29, 1952 in Broome County, New York.  Edward is buried in Vestal Hills Memorial Park in Plot H-51. Most of the time when I go to write about the members of this particular branch, I have a tiny bit of information. I do some research to try and find more answers as I compose the entry and then I begin to bang my head on the brick wall.

Photo credited to Mark Kunzman found on Find a Grave.

The above photo is of Anna Russell Benedict, Edward, and Gertrude Leyh.

52 Week Challenge –Week 29–Eva Mathilde (Matilda) Schubert (1861-1928)

The optional theme for week 29 of the 52 Ancestors 52 Week Challenge  is musical. I’m not sure of any ancestors who were musicians and none of my ancestors had lyrical names. I do have an ancestor who shares her last name with Franz  Schubert. Mr. Schubert was an educator and a songwriter. According to biography.com, Franz Schubert is considered the last of the classical composers and one of the first romantic ones. Schubert’s music is notable for its melody and harmony.¹ The ancestor I am writing about this week  is my second great grandmother, Eva Mathilde (Matilda) Schubert.

Eva Mathilde was born on Decmeber 5, 1861 in Germany to Jacob Schubert and her mother was name is unknown to me. Eva Mathilde married George Emil Huber on November 27, 1884.  Eva and George Emil had twelve children, 6 boys and 6 girls. Two of their boys were born in Germany prior to them immigration from Germany to Canada in 1888. The Huber family visited the United States through Niagara Falls on several occasions. According to the 1920 US Census, Eva and George Emil’s son Hugo immigrated in Akron, Ohio in 1913. It appears the following year that Eva, George Emil, and five of their children lived in Akron, Ohio and were counted as part of the 1920 census. Eva worked as a a Timekeeper in a Rubber Factory according to the 1920 U.S. Census. Eva and George Emil lost at least three of their children before moving to the United States on April 27, 1914. Six of their children where living with them in 1920 according to the 1920 Census.

Eva Mathilde, George Emil and some of their children moved back to Kitchener, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada prior to 1928. Eva Mathilde died on July 18, 1928 died in Canada and was buried at Mount Hope Cemetery. George Emil died sometime prior to 1928 (Archives of Ontario; Series: MS935; Reel: 365).

Eva Mathilde and George Emil’s daughter Maria Margaret Clotilda was my great grandmother. She must have stayed in the United States when her parents and some of her siblings moved back to Canada. Clotilda married my great grandfather, Thomas Jenkins, in 1922. The family called her Clotilda. Her daughter, Ruth, was my grandmother. Ruth’s middle name was the same as her grandmothers, Eva Mathilde.

I do not know if we are related to Franz Schubert. Is it possible? Of course it is because anything is possible until you get the facts to prove or disprove the idea. I plan to do more research to see if they could possibly be related. If I find Franz and Eva were or were not related I’ll post an update to this blog.

 

 

 

 

 

Citations:

Franz Schubert. (2015). The Biography.com website. Retrieved 02:14, Jul 21, 2015, fromhttp://www.biography.com/people/franz-schubert-9475558.

“United States Census, 1920,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M6M7-NW8 : accessed 21 July 2015), Mathilda Huber in household of Emil Huber, Akron Ward 5, Summit, Ohio, United States; citing sheet 7B, family 147, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,821,439.

Ancestry.com. Ontario, Canada, Deaths, 1869-1938 and Deaths Overseas, 1939-1947 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.

 

52 Week Challenge –Week 28–Alexander McManigle (1823-1848)

The optional theme for week 28 is “road trip”. The guiding questions were “Any epic “road trips” in your family tree? Which ancestor do you want to take a road trip to go research?”

I decided to write about an ancestor I would like to take a road trip to research. I chose Alexander McManigle who was born and raised in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. I picked Alexander with an ulterior motive, which is if I went to research him there are so many other family members I could research while I was there. Alexander was my third great grandfather. His daughter, Almaretta, was my second great grandmother. Almaretta’s daughter, Edna, was my great grandmother. Edna’s daughter, Vera, was my grandma. Vera’s daughter, Beverly, is my mom.

Alexander was born on July 7, 1823 to Jame McMangile and Susanna Baecher. Alexander was number six of eleven children. He was born in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. Alexander grew up and married Juliet Graham in 1848. Juliet and Alexander had eight children; Alvin Duff, James Corey, Josiah B., Sarah Ann, Milton M., Ira Oscar, Almaretta Florence, and Stephen. According to the 1850 census, Alexander was a farmer and lived next to his parents, James and Susanna, his in-laws, Elijah Graham and Sarah Ann Bennett. Alexander was drafted from Rose Township in March 1865 at the age of 42 for service in the Civil War. Almaretta was three years old and his youngest son, Stephen, would not be born until four years later in 1869.

Alexander died on May 28, 1875 when Stephen was only 9 years old. Alexander is buried in Mt. Tabor Cemetery. If I took a road trip to research, Alexander then I could also research my maternal grandmother’s line to it’s fullest. My grandmother’s parents,  her great grandparents, their parents, and even their parents were all from the same area of Pennsylvania. I would need at least a week. We spent many years when I was growing up visiting relatives in Pennsylvania. I had no idea how rich the land was with my ancestors.

52 Week Challenge –Week 27–William C Pratt (1921-2010)

The theme for Week 27 is Independent. Some questions you could answer for the theme were which one fought for (or against) America’s independence? Or which of your ancestors was independent? I decided to pick an ancestor that fought for America. My ancestor’s name is William C. Pratt. He is my first cousin twice removed. His mom, Anna Leyh, was my grandfather’s, Charles William Leyh, sister.

William C. Pratt was born on January 13, 1921 to Stanley Pratt and Anna Leyh. Stanley and Anna had three sons and one daughters. William enlisted in the Marine Corps on September 19, 1940 and was wounded in action. He was a member of the Guadalcanal Campaign Veterans Association and a First Division Marine. He was released from the service on November 15, 1946.

William met and married his wife who is still living. They were married on February 23, 1946. They had two sons, two daughters, seven granddaughters, 2 grandsons, and 15 great grandchildren. He died on May 20, 2010. He died in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, United States and is buried Fairview Memorial Park.

http://billiongraves.com/pages/record/person/9057005#given_names=William&family_names=Pratt

I have never met William, his brothers, or sister but I have lots of pictures of his Billy and Stanley Jr.

52 Week Challenge –Week 26–Elizabeth Schick Leyh (1871-1941)

The optional challenge for this week was “Half way”. I decided to write about my 2nd great grandmother, Elizabeth Schick.

Elizabeth was born on February 28, 1871 in Germany. I do not know whom her parents or if she had any siblings.

Elizabeth immigrated between the years of 1883 and 1885.Elizabeth married Charles Leyh in 1889 and had six children, three boys and three girls. Elizabeth and Charles first child was born in 1891. Elizabeth died on January 23, 1941. She was buried in Forest Hill Cemetery in Scranton, Pennsylvania. on January 25, 1941.

The reason I chose her is because I feel like I have only done half the research because I cannot find much information to her.