Genealogy has become a hobby for me over the last 10 years. For me, it's like a puzzle, I love fitting the pieces together. But over the years, I've researched a lot that does not pertain to our family lines. Some for extended family, some for close friends, and some because I was trying to rule out lines to figure out where our line went exactly. I do not want these notes on my Heather's Genealogy Notes blog - because they are not our lines. But I do like to share all of my research, in case it benefits others. That is what this blog is for - research I have done that does not apply to our own family lines, but may be helpful for someone else.
Showing posts with label Scharf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scharf. Show all posts

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Labeling a photo of Scharf Cousins

Howard Scharf recently mailed me this photo:
The writing along the side reads:


This was taken when Will & I visited Selins Grove. 

The first one in back from left is me
then Jennie Scharf
She was Uncle John's daughter & a beauty
then Bessy Bentz
then Elizabeth. Then
Lizzie as thy distinguished the two
then Will

Here is a cropped version of the photo:

It's obvious these are not young children, nor are they too old.  I'd estimate them to be between the ages of 16 and 23?  Randomly.

We know the girl in the center back is Jane Catherine 1887-1972
Jane was an only child, so none of these will be her siblings
If we guesstimate her age at 17, that puts this photo at around 1905 (Rough estimate!)

The second person we can identify rather easily is Bessie Bentz.
Maria Scharf, sister of John Q Scharf, married Philip Henry Bentz.
Elizabeth Bentz was born in 1889.  If this photo was taken in 1905, 
She would be about 16.


--------------------------

My first guess from that would be that Elizabeth, Will, and Helen Bentz all visited Selinsgrove to see their cousins.  But I'm not sure why the photo would say "Will and I" and not "Will, Bessie and I".

Helen Bentz was born in 1874.  She had her first child in 1908, so it's possible she married as late as 1907.  If this is her in this photo, and if it was taken around 1905, she was 31 years old.  Possible.

William Penn Bentz was born in 1884, and if this is him, he would be 21 in 1905.  Possible. 

We know that the Bentz family lived in Philadelphia in 1900 & 1910, so that would fit with them "visiting" Selins Grove, their mothers hometown.

-------------------------------

The other "Will" Scharf cousin is the son of George W. Scharf.  
William Lewis Scharf was born in 1885
Just a year later than Will Bentz - so not much help with the age difference.

If the photo was taken in 1905, and this is William L. Scharf, he would be about 20 here.

In 1900 & 1910, George W. Scharfs family lived in Candor NY.  Which would explain a "visit" to Selins Grove.


George W. Scharf had 9 children. Approximate ages in 1905:

Nettie age 7
Edgar age 10
Helen age 12
Joseph age 15
Jennie age 18
William age 20
Frank age 22
Anna Age 25
John age 26


Why would just two children be visiting?  Looking at the ages, It is possible that William, Frank, Anna, and John are all married and or working, or busy with their own families.  Nettie, Edgar, Helen & Joseph are younger - possibly too young to make the trip if no adults were along?

That puts Jennie & William at the right age for travel on their own to visit their cousins.  It is possible the "me" in the upper left of the photo is Jennie Scharf, and the Will is her brother.  This feels like the most likely scenerio to me.

But to recap - that would mean this photo is:
Jennie, Jennie, Elizabeth
Elizabeth, Elizabeth, Will.

Perhaps the siblings could have chosen more unique names for their children??  It would certainly make this easier!  :-)

------------------------------------------------------

On to the Elizabeths.

The Description written on this photo lists a Bessie, an Elizabeth, and a Lizzie.
Joseph Scharf had 3 grandaughters named Elizabeth.

Elizabeth Bentz Born 1889, daughter of Maria Scharf
Elizabeth Kurtz Scharf born 1893 daughter of William Penn Scharf
Elizabeth May Scharf born 1887 daughter of Joseph Scharf Jr

We know that Bessie Bentz is in the back row.  In 1905 she would have been abt 16

Elizabeth K. Scharf would have been abt 12
Elizabeth May Scharf abt 18

Elizabeth, on the far left, does appear to be younger than the others, but I doubt she is 12.  If we up her age to 14 that puts the photo in 1907 - 15 would  be 1908.  I think at that point its especially unlikely that the "me" could be Helen, since she had her first child in 1908 and this appears to be the young unmarried cousins, none of the other cousins around this age who are married are  pictured here.

SO - based on all of the above, my best guess is the following:


Jennie, daughter of George W. Scharf.  Jennie daughter of John Q. Scharf.  Bessie, daughter of Mariah Bentz
Elizabeth K. daughter of William P. Scharf.  Elizabeth M daughter of Joseph Scharf Jr.  Will, son of George W. Scharf.













Thursday, May 17, 2012

Jeremiah B Scharf 1859 – 1926

Jeremiah is not my direct line, but he is my 3rd great Uncle, Paternal Line
His sister Sarah was my 3rd great grandmother - She married JA Lumbard


Jeremiah Bauman Scharf
Birth December 20, 1859 in Selinsgrove, Snyder County, Pennsylvania
Death May 1926 in Cumberland, Allegany, Maryland, USA
Married
Frances Lehman
Born 1873
Died


Frances (Lehman) Scharf & son Donald


Children:
Donald R Scharf 1890 –
Paul S Scharf 1893 –
Helen M Scharf 1894 –1965 M. James B. Martin
Lucile E Scharf 1896 –
Edith A Scharf 1898 –

Jeremiah B. Scharf Age 5


Jerry Scharf


Jeremiah on left, unknown on right


1860
Name: Jeremiah Scharff
Age in 1860: 6/12
Birth Year: abt 1859
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1860: Selinsgrove, Snyder, Pennsylvania
Gender: Male
Post Office: Selinsgrove
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members:
Name Age
Joseph Scharff 38
Ann Scharff 37
John Scharff 16
Sarah Scharff 14
Maria Scharff 12
William Scharff 10
George Scharff 8
Joseph Scharff 6
Jeremiah Scharff 6/12
Franklin Weirick 29
Jacob Baracks 56

1870
Name: Jeremiah Scharf
Age in 1870: 10
Birth Year: abt 1860
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1870: Selinsgrove, Snyder, Pennsylvania
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Selinsgrove
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members:
Name Age
Ann E Scharf 47
Mariah Scharf 23
Wm P Scharf 20
Geo W Scharf 18
Joseph Scharf 15
Jeremiah Scharf 10
P H Bentz 27
Henry J Bentz 2/12

1880
Name: Jeremiah B. Scharf
Age: 20
Birth Year: abt 1860
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1880: Selins Grove, Snyder, Pennsylvania
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Name: Anna E. Scharf
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Neighbors: View others on page
Occupation: Laborer
Household Members:
Name Age
Anna E. Scharf 57
William P. Scharf 31
Jeremiah B. Scharf 20

1910
Name: Jerry B Scharf
Age in 1910: 46
Birth Year: 1864
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1910: Corning, Tehama, California
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Frances Scharf
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Jerry B Scharf 46
Frances Scharf 39
Donald R Scharf 19
Paul S Scharf 17
Helen M Scharf 16
Lucile E Scharf 14
Edith A Scharf 12

1920
Name: Jere B Scharf
[Icie B Scharf]
Age: 47
Birth Year: abt 1873
Birthplace: Maryland
Home in 1920: Cumberland Ward 3, Allegany, Maryland
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home Owned: Rent
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Jere B Scharf 47
Frances Scharf 47
Helen Scharf 25
Lucille Scharf 24
Edith Scharf 22

---------------------------------------------------------------
Paul Sharp Scharf





The Above record is transcribed here:

Joseph Kurtz Scharf 1854 – 1930


Joseph Kurtz Scharf 
son of Joseph & Anna Elizabeth (Kurtz) ScharfJoseph Kurtz Scharf

Birth September 9, 1854 in Selinsgrove, Snyder County, Pennsylvania, United States
Death May 1931 in Richmond, Raleigh, West Virginia, USA
married in 1877
Katherine Herman
daughter of Johann Karl & Christianna (Burkhart) Herman

Birth Aug 1855 in Pennsylvania
Death

Children:

George N Scharf 1879 –
Howard Bruce Scharf 1881 –
Harry Kurtz Scharf Sr. 1883 – 1948 m. Olive
Elizabeth M Scharf 1887 –




1860
Name: Joseph Scharff
Age in 1860: 6
Birth Year: abt 1854
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1860: Selinsgrove, Snyder, Pennsylvania
Gender: Male
Post Office: Selinsgrove
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members:
Name Age
Joseph Scharff 38
Ann Scharff 37
John Scharff 16
Sarah Scharff 14
Maria Scharff 12
William Scharff 10
George Scharff 8
Joseph Scharff 6
Jeremiah Scharff 6/12
Franklin Weirick 29
Jacob Baracks 56

1870
Name: Joseph Scharf
Age in 1870: 15
Birth Year: abt 1855
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1870: Selinsgrove, Snyder, Pennsylvania
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Selinsgrove
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members:
Name Age
Ann E Scharf 47
Mariah Scharf 23
Wm P Scharf 20
Geo W Scharf 18
Joseph Scharf 15
Jeremiah Scharf 10
P H Bentz 27
Henry J Bentz 2/12

1900
Joseph K Scharf
[Joseph Scharf]
Age: 45
Birth Date: Sep 1854
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1900: Ryans Glade, Garrett, Maryland
[Garrett]
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Kate Scharf
Marriage Year: 1877
Years Married: 23
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Occupation: View on Image
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Joseph K Scharf 45
Kate Scharf 44
George N Scharf 20
Howard B Scharf 18
Harry K Scharf 16
Lizzie M Scharf 12

1910
Name: Joseph K Scharf
Age in 1910: 55
Birth Year: 1855
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1910: Beaver, Nicholas, West Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
[Self (Head)]
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Katherine Scharf
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Joseph K Scharf 55
Katherine Scharf 54
Harry K Scharf 26
Elizabeth M Scharf 22

1920
Name: Joseph K Sharf
[Joseph X Sharf]
Age: 64
Birth Year: abt 1856
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1920: Beaver, Nicholas, West Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Kathrine Sharf
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home Owned: Rent
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Joseph K Sharf 64
Kathrine Sharf 63

1930
Name: Joseph K Scharf
[Joseph K Schaef]
Gender: Male
Birth Year: abt 1855
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Race: White
Home in 1930: Richwood, Nicholas, West Virginia
View Map
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Catherine Scharf
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Joseph K Scharf 75
Catherine Scharf 74

Death Index
Name: Joseph Kurtz Scharf
Birth Date: abt 1855
Death Date: 26 May 1930
Death Place: Richwood, Nicholas, West Virginia
Death Age: 75 years 8 months 17 days
Occupation: Clerk
Race: White
Marital Status: Married
Gender: Male
FHL Film Number: 495641



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More on the Children:



http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Scharf&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=52&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=19975249&df=all&






The Above record is transcribed here:

William Penn Scharf 1849 – 1918

Heather's 3rd great Uncle, Paternal Line
His sister Sarah was Heather's 3rd great grandmother

William Penn Scharf 
Birth July 20, 1849 in Selinsgrove, Snyder County, Pennsylvania 
Death March 15 1918 in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, USA
married
Lydia Ann Hammer
Birth July 25 1856 in Pennsylvania
Death apr 3 1947

Children:
Ralph Hammer Scharf 1892 –
Elizabeth Kurtz Scharf 1893 – 1960
James Milton Scharf 1896 –

Occupation in 1880 - Lawyer


Lydia (Hammer) Scharf holding son James Scharf
Maria (Scharf) Bentz in front


Ralph Scharf
Elizabeth Scharf, age 2, bottom right
Behind her is Annie (Lumbard) McLain holding son Alfred McLain
The Lumbard 30th Anniversary Photo showing multiple family members is here:





1860
Name: William Scharff
Age in 1860: 10
Birth Year: abt 1850
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1860: Selinsgrove, Snyder, Pennsylvania
Gender: Male
Post Office: Selinsgrove
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members:
Name Age
Joseph Scharff 38
Ann Scharff 37
John Scharff 16
Sarah Scharff 14
Maria Scharff 12
William Scharff 10
George Scharff 8
Joseph Scharff 6
Jeremiah Scharff 6/12
Franklin Weirick 29
Jacob Baracks 56
1870
Name: Wm P Scharf
Age in 1870: 20
Birth Year: abt 1850
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1870: Selinsgrove, Snyder, Pennsylvania
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Selinsgrove
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members:
Name Age
Ann E Scharf 47
Mariah Scharf 23
Wm P Scharf 20
Geo W Scharf 18
Joseph Scharf 15
Jeremiah Scharf 10
P H Bentz 27
Henry J Bentz 2/12

1877 - Appointed Superintendent
Juniata Sentinel and Republican
(Mifflintown, Pennsylvania)

28 Nov 1877, Wed • First Edition


1880
Name: William P. Scharf
Age: 31
Birth Year: abt 1849
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1880: Selins Grove, Snyder, Pennsylvania
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Name: Anna E. Scharf
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Neighbors: View others on page
Occupation: Lawyer
Household Members:
Name Age
Anna E. Scharf 57
William P. Scharf 31
Jeremiah B. Scharf 20

1880 - Criticized in Local Paper

The Middleburgh Post
(Middleburg, Pennsylvania)

9 Sep 1880, Thu • First Edition

The Middleburgh Post
(Middleburg, Pennsylvania)
16 Sep 1880, Thu • First Edition


His obituary notes - 
"In 1878 he was eleveted County Supt. over Marjor Wm. H. Dill. In 1881 Moyer, Fill and Scharf were candidates.  Moyer was elevted and Prof. Scharf returned to teaching in the borough schools."
How that connects to the above articles, I am unsure.


1900
Name: William P Scharf
Age: 50
Birth Date: Jul 1849
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1900: Selinsgrove, Snyder, Pennsylvania
[Snyder] 
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Lydia A Scharf
Marriage Year: 1891
Years Married: 9
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Occupation: View on Image
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
William P Scharf 50
Lydia A Scharf 43
Ralph H Scharf 7
Elizabeth K Scharf 6
James A Scharf 4

1910
Name: William P Scharf
Age in 1910: 60
Birth Year: 1850
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1910: Selinsgrove, Snyder, Pennsylvania
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
[Self (Head)] 
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Lidia A Scharf
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
William P Scharf 60
Lidia A Scharf 50
Ralph H Scharf 17
Elizabeth K Scharf 16
James M Scharf 14



March 15 1918

W.P. Scharf Died Friday

Friday morning Ex-County Sueprintendent William P. Scharf died at his home in Selinsgrove.  he is teh father of Miss Elizabeth Scharf, teacher of one of the Middleburg schools.

Mrf Scharf was born in Selinsgrove July 1849, was educated in the schools of his rown and Missionary Institute.  In the fall of 1869 he began to teach in Penn township.  He also taught in Selinsgrove and Monroe township, while Prof. William Moyer and Prof. Mr. Noteling were the county Superintendents.  While teaching in Selinsgrove, Prof. Scharf was appointed Supt. in 1877 to fill the unexpired term of Prof. Noetling who resigned to accept a position on the faculty of the Bloomsburg sState Normal school.

In 1878 he was eleveted County Supt. over Marjor Wm. H. Dill. In 1881 Moyer, Fill and Scharf were candidates.  Moyer was elevted and Prof. Scharf returned to teaching in the borough schools.

After leaving the teaching profession, Mr Scharf engaged in the railway serive until his faily health compelled him to quiet.  He was an industrious intelligent gentleman, who will be much missed in teh family and town.  he was in his 69th year.
============================================================ 



===============================================
William P. Scharf
Succumbed on Friday
----------------
Efficiency Won Him a High
Post in the Railroad Mail Service
---------------------
MADE CLERK IN CHARGE
-------------------

A Former Superintendent of 
the Public SChools of the
County and Studied Law
---------------------------

William P. Scharf succombed March 15 to complications of diseased in his home in Selinggtove and was buried from teh late residence on Tuesday afternoon.  Rev. Dr. John B. Focht of Trinity Lutehran Church officiate and interment was made int eh UnUnion cemetery.

Mr. Scharf was a man of marked ability.  he was born July 20 1849 and served for 34 years in teh railroad mail serive, where he won successive promotions until he held for many years the responsible position of clerk in charge, being in command of the run.  Mr Scharf resigned fromthe mail service on June 1 1917 due to ill health.

The deceased man attended the public schools of Selinsgtove and later Susquehanna University, after which he studied law.  he taught school for several years, and was then made superintendent of the public schools of Snyder County.  Upon the expiration of that term he entered the mail service.

Mr Scharf was a devout and steadfast member of the Trinity Lutheran Church.  His sterling worth and kind personality won him the admiring friendship of all who knew him.

Mr Scharf is survived by his widow and three children:
Miss Elizabeth, a teacher at the middleburg public schools;
Lieut. Ralph H with the American Expeditionary Forces
And James M. at Camp Greenleaf, For (? Oylenthorpe?)

Other surviving members of ths family are: 
his sister Mrs Joseph A. Lumbard of Selinsgrove
Brothers George W. of Candor NY
Jerry B. of Cumberland MD and
Joseph of Richmond W. VA





=====================================================

======================================
Mrs Lydia A. Scharf
Dies At Age Of 91

Mrs Lydia Ann Hammer Scharf, 91, widow of William P. Scharf, died at 11pm Thursday at her home, 7 West Pine Street, following a long illness.  Mrs. Scharf suffered a cerebral hermorrhage Thanksgiving Day and had been bedfast since.

Mrs Scharf was born in Wrightsville, July 25 1856 the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth hppenstall Hammer.  She married William P. Schard February 26 1891, and he died March 15 1918.  She is survived by two sons, and one daughter
Ralph Scharf Grand Rapids Mich
Rev. James M. Scharf, Loganton
Elizabeth Scharf, teacher of the fourth grade in the Pine Street School.
Also surviving are three grand children. 
Three sisters and one brother proceeded her in death.

She was a member of the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church and Professor Brungarts bible Class

Funeral services will be helf Monday at 10am at the Montgomery Funeral home.  Rev. John Heller, her pastor, will officiate.  Burial will be at Union Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home Sunday afternoon and evening until the hour of Service Monday.

==================================
April 3, 1947

Mrs Lydia A. Scharf was Interred Monday

Funeral Services were conducted Monday for Mrs. Lydia Ann Hammer Scharf, 91, widow of William P Scharf, who died late Thursda at her home in West Pine Street.  Obsequies were helf frmo the Montgomery Funeral Home in South Market Street.  The Rev. John Heller, pstor of the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, officiated and internment was in Union Cemetery.

Born in Wrightsville July 25 1856, Mrs Scharf was the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Heppenstall Hammer.  She and Mr Scharf were married February 26, 1891.  Mr Scharf preceeded her in death 29 years ago.  She was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, and Brungart bible Class of that church's Sunday School.  Mrs Scharf was one of the towns oldest residents.  She suffered a cerebral hemorrhage Thanksgiving day and was restricted to her bed since that time.

She is survive by two sones, Ralph H. Scharf of Grand Rapids Michigan, and the Rev. James M. Scharf of Loganton; and a daughter Miss Elizabeth K. Scharf, and instructor of the fourth grade of Selinsgrove schools.  Three grandchildren also survive.
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The Above record is transcribed here: