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.

Abraham Starr 1812 - 1903

Abraham is listed on the census right between Samuel & Zebedee Ritter, in 1850.  Samuel Ritter married Christina Starr.  I'm tracking Abraham to see if I can prove the connection to Christina - they are likely siblings.

Abraham Starr

son of Anthony and Christina (Wortz) Starr

Born about 27 Oct 1812 in Pennsylvania

Died 6 Mar 1903 in Iowa

Married in 1838

Mary Smith

daughter of

Born

Died before 1900 in Iowa

Children:

George P. Starr 1846

William L. Starr 1848

John H. Starr 1851

History of Butler and Bremer Counties, Iowa: Together with ... Biographies of Representative Citizens. History of Iowa

Page 

" About the first shoe shop started in Waverly was by Lorenz Selbig and was kept near where the Bremer county bank stands He is now engaged in running the cigar factory. A Starr was among the first to start and he is still in the business There are others who have at different times had shops The present shoemakers are William Quimby Mr Fosselmann Mr Cummings Mr Colby Ludwig & Buesing and A Starr Starr is among the oldest business men of Waverly and the oldest in his business A sketch of him is subioined

 A Starr one of the pioneers of Bremer county was born in Berks county Pennsylvania on the 29th day of October l8l2_ He is a son of Anthony and Christina Wortz Starr and one of the three surviving children from a family of eight He was educated in the district schools of his native State and had to travel three miles morning and evening in going to and from school In 1838 he was married to Miss Mary Smith who bore him six children two of whom are now living William L and John H. During the fall of 1855 he removed with his family to Vaverly Bremer county Iowa which at that time was a small village of twenty seven houses Mr Starr came here without money furniture or even a cup to drink coffee from but by hard work and perseverance he is to day one of Waverly's well to do business men. Mrs died in September of 1882. She was member of the ME church and had the life of a christian woman for years Mr Starr has been a life democrat and cast his first vote at re election of President Andrew Jackson. "

Pioneer Days of Bremer County, Iowa

by W.V. Lucas

Published 1918

"The first tannery in Waverly was operated by Abe Starr, father of Will and John Starr. It was located at the south end of East Water street. It was not a very large affair yet for a time the business was a paying one. The business was finally given up and the property fell into the hands of EA Woodruff who fitted it up for a residence and who with his family lived there for many years. Uncle Abe Starr was a shoemaker by trade and I believe worked with or for Charley Fosselman for a long time. He was a square man and as a citizen was always willing to do his part It has just occurred to me that he was also the father of George Parson Starr who was drowned in the old mill race that fed the flour mill. The unfortunate boy was known as Parse. For something like a year he had been engaged in the printing business in the Phoenix office and he was a bright young man. The Starrs Abe and his three sons have gone the way of all flesh. They were all good workers and straightforward people."

1850 -  Age 30, Lives in Lycoming County

1850 United States Federal Census about Abraham Starrs
Name: Abraham Starrs
Age: 30
Birth Year: abt 1820
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1850: Franklin, Lycoming, Pennsylvania
Gender: Male
Family Number: 1465
Household Members:
Name Age
Abraham Starrs 30
Mary Starrs 29
George Starrs 4
Wm L Starrs 2

Above  is dwelling #1444 Family #1465. 
 Dwelling #1443 Family #1464 is Samuel & Christina (Starr) Ritter
 Dwelling # 1445 Family #1466 is Zebedee & Anna Ritter

Between 1850 & 1860, we know that the Ritters moved to Iowa.  
Abraham moved there in 1855

1860 United States Federal Census about Abram Starr
Name: Abram Starr
Age in 1860: 47
Birth Year: abt 1813
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1860: Washington, Bremer, Iowa
Gender: Male
Post Office: Waverly
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members:
Name Age
Abram Starr 47
Mary Starr 49
G P Starr 13
W L Starr 11
J H Starr 9

1870 United States Federal Census about Abraham Starr
Name: Abraham Starr
Age in 1870: 57
Birth Year: abt 1813
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1870: Waverly Ward 4, Bremer, Iowa
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Waverly
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members:
Name Age
Abraham Starr 57
Mary Starr 59
John H Starr 19


1880 - Occupation: Shoemaker
1880 United States Federal Census about Abraham Starr
Name: Abraham Starr
Age: 67
Birth Year: abt 1813
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1880: Waverly, Bremer, Iowa
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Neighbors: View others on page
Occupation: Shoe Maker
Household Members:
Name Age
Abraham Starr 67



1885 - Lives With Son William -

Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925 about Abraham Starr
Name: Abraham Starr
Birth Year: abt 1812
Birth Place: Pennsylvania
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Widowed
Census Date: 1885
Residence State: Iowa
Residence County: Bremer
Locality: Washington
Roll: IA1885_152
LINE: 31
Family Number: 319
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
William L Starr 36
Martha A Starr 35
Ella Starr 12
George P Starr 6
Abraham Starr 73
John Starr 34
Joseph Green 25
Ida Winner 24


In 1900 Abraham lives with his son John - 

Name: Abram Starr
Age: 87
Birth Date: Oct 1812
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1900: Waverly, Bremer, Iowa
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Father
Marital Status: Widowed
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Occupation: View on Image
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
John H Starr 46
Sarah J Starr 33
Gladys E Starr 6
Abram Starr 87

1903 - Death

Iowa, Cemetery Records, 1662-1999 about A Starr
Name: A Starr
Birth Date: 1813
Death Date: 6 Mar 1903
Age: 90
Burial Location: Waverly, Bremer
Cemetery: Harlington
General Burial Info: (His wife's maiden name Mary Spence); (The above grave on lot # 38
Comments: wif: Mary Spence
Source: Bremer County Burial Records Vol 1 - 4

Page Number: 451

 

Find A Grave Record

The Greene Recorder › 1903 › March › 18 March 1903 › Page 4

Abraham Starr, the oldest male resident of Waverly, died last week, aged 90 years. 

Birth: unknown

Death: unknown

Inscription:

Co. F. 106th PA Inf.

 Note: Civil War marker

Pleasant Hill Cemetery 

Hughesville

Lycoming County

Pennsylvania, USA

Plot: Soldier's Row

Adolph Schambach 1690-1750

Researching as the possible father of Catharina "Schmuckenbrucken", wife of Sebastian Truckenmiller.

Adolph Schambach

son of

Born

Died October 20 1750

Married 1714 in Germany

2nd Anna Dorothy

daughter of

Born

Died

Children

Elizabeth Shambach 1715 – 1786

George Shambach 1718 – 1794

Catharina Shambach 1719 – 1793

Valentine Shambach 1724 – 1808

Anna Elizabeth Schambach 1726 – 1812

1719- Marriage to Magdalena Bayerbach

Age: 29

1723 - Residence

Age: 33

Fussgonheim, Germany

Listed as a head of household in Fussgonheim, Germany

April 17 1729 Occupation

Age: 39

Fussgonheim, Germany

At his son George's baptism, was listed as a weaver in Fussgonheim

Aug 19 1729 - Arrival 

Age: 39

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Name: Adam Shamback, Ship: MORTONHOUSE Captain: JAMES COULTAS Place: ROTTERDAM Date: AUG, 19, 1729

http://www.olivetreegenealogy.com/ships/palship10.shtml

on the captains list he appears as Adam Shambach, but on the oath of allegiance he appears as Adolph Schomboch.  Anna Dorthea & Elizabeth both appear as well - but I do not see the other children on the list.

August 26 1749 - Codecil written
(I'm not sure when the will was written)

Download a pdf file with all the photos, and the transcription, here:
https://copy.com/okRUdTfrZnYE

Family Mentioned in the will

"Second Son" Valentine receives the "plantation"

Three other children which I issued with my Second Wife

Three grandchildren of my first daughter Elizabeth the wife of Jacob Jost

Eldest Son John George

Daughter Catherine

Youngest Daugther Elizabeth

Transcription Of The Will

I Volintine Shambach son of Audolph Shambach deced. Dorothy Shambach the widow having renounced

Greeting

Whereas The said Audolph Shambach in his life Time made a certain writing or Codicil under his Hand & Seal bearing date the 26th day of august in the year of our Lord one Thousand seven hundred & fortynine purporting his Last Will & Testament a true Copy wherof is hereunto annexed but named no Executors thereof He the sd. deced. having whilst he lived & at the Time of his death divers Goods Chattels Rights & Credits within the said Province by means whereof the full disposition and Power of granting the administration of all and Singluar the Goods Chattels Rights & Credits which were of the said said deced. within the sd. Province and also the auditing the accts. Calculacons & Rechkonings of the said administration & the Probation & approbation of the sd. Codicil to me is manifestly known to belong I desiring that the Goods Rights & Credits wch. were of the said Deced. may be well and truly adminstred to and the said writing or Codical have its due weight do hereby grant unto you the said Volintine Shambach for whose fidelity in this behalf I very much Confide full Power by the Tenor of these Presents to administer the Goods Chattels Rights & Credits which were of the said deced. within the said Province And also to ask Collect Levy recover & receive the Credits whatsoever of the said deced. wch. at the Time of his death were owing or to him did anyway belong and to Pay the Debts in wch. the said Deced. Stood obliged and the Legacies in the said Codicil mentioned so far forth as the sd. Goods Rights & Credits will Extend according to their rate & Order of Law Especially of well & truly administring the Goods Chattels Rights & Credits wch. were of the sd. deced. & making a true & perfect Inventory thereof and Exhibiting the same into the Regr. Genl.'s office at Philad. at or before the 3d. day of December next & rendring a true & just accot. Calculation or reckoning of the said administration at or before the 4th day of November Anno 1751 and I do by these Presents Ordain Constitute & Deputis you the said Volintine Shambach Administrator of all & singular the Goods Chattels Rights & Credits of the said deced. within the Limits aforesaid. with the writing or Codicil aforesaid annexed Saving harmless & forever Indemnifying me & all other officers agst. all other Persons whatsoever by reason of Your administration aforesaid & Saving to all others their Rights In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal of office at Philadelphia the 3d day of November in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred & fifty

Wm. Plumsted Regr. Genl.

In the Name of God I Adolph Shambach of Philada. County Do make my Last will & Testament & that by my good understanding & sound memory & containing as follows Imprimis I give & bequeath unto my Second Son Volintine my Plantation with with all the Improvements & Buildings thereon nothing Excepted for the only use and behoof of him and his Heirs so that none of his Brother & Sisters can make any Claim or Pretention on the same after my Death Item I will have that my Second Son Volintine shall pay unto my three other Children which I Issued with my Second wife besides my three Grandchildren of my first Daughter Elizabeth the wife of Jacob Jost the Sum of one hundred fifity five Pounds at the hereafter mentioned Terms Item I will if it happens that his mother over lives me my Son valentine shall pay the lawfull Interests of the above mentioned 155 £ unto her for her maintenance without any upbraiding and that so long as she goes by name but if she against Expectation should marry again she only is to have her lawfull Share viz. one Third part of all moveables & no more It. I will that the first Term of Payment shall begin one year after our Death & that without Interest vize my Son Valentine shall pay for the first Term 30 Pounds 10 £ therof he is to pay unto my Son John George, and 10 £ unto my Daughter (Catharine) & 10 £ unto my youngest Daughter Elizabeth, the next Second year after our Death shall my Son Valintine Pay 23 £ vize unto my Eldest Son George 11 £ unto my Daughter Catharine 5 £ unto my youngest Daughter Elizabeth 7 £ and so the following 4 years every year 23 £ according to the Division mentioned in the Second Term to pay unto his Brother & Sisters & all that without any Interest the whole Time of the Payments is extending to Six years the whole Sum of every ones shares is as followeth vize I bequeath unto my Son John George the Sum of Sixty five pounds unto my Daughter Catharina the Sum of Thirty five pounds, unto my youngest youngest Daughter Elizabeth the sum of forty five pounds and unto my three Grand Children the Children of Jacob Yost the Sum of Ten Pounds wch. 10 £ shall be the Cash Payment Payable in the seventh year after our death & 10 the whole Sum of 155 £ shall be paid down of my Son Valintine Justly & without any objection All these above Presents I have with Sound Memory & good understanding caused to put down in writing and I will have it kept and Executed firm and inviolably I Testimony thereof I have in the presence of the Subscribed Witnesses put my own Seal & Hand hereunto on the 26th day of August in the year after the gracious Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ 1749 Adolph (X) Shambach

Dirk (D) Casselbery, Christian weber

Translated from the origl. in high German.

Abraham Heiderich

Philada. 3d November 1750 Then Psonally appeared Derick Caselbery & Christian weber witnesses to the foregoing Codicil & upon their Solemn affirmation according to Law did declare they saw & heard Adolph Shambach the Testator therein named Sign, Seal, Publish & declare the said Codicil for & as his Last will & Testament and that at the doing thereof he was of Sound Mind Memory & understanding to the best of their knowledge

Corum. Wm. Plumsted Regr. Genl.

1750 - Death

Age: 60

Lower Providence, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, USA

Research:

http://www.shambaugh.org/

Jacob Aunkst 1842-

Jacob Aunkst 

born abt 1842, lived in Milton, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania

Married

Minnie

 I believe Jacob is the grandson of Daniel & Mary (Zweyer) Aunkst - a child of their son William - based on the 1860 census.

Will of Jacob Aunkst

I Jacob Aunkst, of the borough of Milton, County of Northumberland, and state of Pennsylvania, being of sound mind and understanding do make and publish this my last will and testament freely revoking and making void all former wills by me at anytime heretofore made

And fist I direct that my body be decently interred at the Harmony Cemetery at Milton Pa, in such a manner corresponding with my estate and that my legal debts be paid.

As to such estate as I may be possessed of at the time of my death I dispose of in the following [unreadable - but probably "list", or "text"]

I give, dispose, and bequeath  [unreadable] my beloved wife Minnie Aunkst, her executors and assigneds for ever, all my property real, personal, and mixed of what nature as kind [unreadable] and wheresoever the same may be at the time of my death.

On testimony whereof, I the said Jacob Aunkst have to this my last will and testament have set my hand and seal on this eleventh day of February AD Nineteen hundred and seven (1907)

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Jacob Aunkst, as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us, who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our manner as witnesses thereto

witness

F N Lindener

John G Krock [my best guess on the last name]

1860 Census

Name: Jacob Aungst

Age in 1860: 18

Birth Year: abt 1842

Birthplace: Pennsylvania

Home in 1860: Chillisquaque, Northumberland, Pennsylvania

Gender: Male

Post Office: Milton

Value of real estate: View image

Household Members:

Name Age

William Aungst 43

Francis A Aungst 40

Jacob Aungst 18

Mary E Aungst 16

Elizabeth A Aungst 12

Daniel Aungst 9

Joseph Aungst 6

William Aungst 4

David Aungst 1/12

Matilda Aungst 30

1870 Census?

if this is correct, Minnie was his second wife - or Minnie was a nickname?

Name: Jacob Aungst

Age in 1870: 28

Birth Year: abt 1842

Birthplace: Pennsylvania

Home in 1870: Chillisquaque, Northumberland, Pennsylvania

Race: White

Gender: Male

Post Office: Milton

Value of real estate: View image

Household Members:

Name Age

Jacob Aungst 28

Anna Aungst 31

Henry Aungst 8

1910 Miracode

Pennsylvania 1910 Miracode Index about Jacob Aunkst

Name: Jacob Aunkst

Birthplace: Pennsylvania

State: PA

Age: 68

Color: W

Enumeration District: 0072

Visit: 0192

County: Northumberland, Milton

Relation: Head of Household

Other Residents:

Relation Name Age Birth Place

Wife Minnie E 43 Pennsylvania

1910 Census

Name: Jacob Aunkst

Age in 1910: 68

Birth Year: 1842

Birthplace: Pennsylvania

Home in 1910: Milton Ward 1, Northumberland, Pennsylvania

Race: White

Gender: Male

Relation to Head of House: Head

[Self (Head)]

Marital Status: Married

Spouse's Name: Minnie E Aunkst

Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania

Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania

Neighbors: View others on page

Household Members:

Name Age

Jacob Aunkst 68

Minnie E Aunkst 43

[63]

Daniel Emera Aunkst 1855 – 1917

Not Direct Line - see our Aunkst Line here: Our Concise Aunkst Line

Daniel Emera Aunkst

son of  David & Esther (McKean) Aunkst

Born 1855

Died

Unmarried  - do not confuse this Daniel with his cousin, who was born in 1851 & Married Isabella Berkhimer).  Daniel lives with his cousin Daniel  - making it all the more confusing!

1870  Census 

Name: Daniel Aunkst
Age in 1870: 15
Birth Year: abt 1855
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1870: Delaware, Northumberland, Pennsylvania
Gender: Male
Post Office: Watsontown
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members:
Name Age
David Aunkst 48
Esther Aunkst 48
Hampton Aunkst 20
Wilson Aunkst 19
John Aunkst 17
Daniel Aunkst 15
Horace Aunkst 13
Perry Aunkst 11
Margaret Aunkst 7
Joseph Aunkst 5
David Aunkst


1900 Census
Name: Daniel E Aunkst
Age: 45
Birth Date: Mar 1855
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1900: Milton Ward 3, Northumberland, Pennsylvania
[Northumberland]
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Cousin
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Occupation: View on Image
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Daniel Aunkst 49
Isabell Aunkst 42
Ella M Aunkst 21
Daniel E Aunkst 45


1910 Census
Name: Daniel E Aunkst
Age in 1910: 55
Birth Year: 1855
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1910: Milton Ward 3, Northumberland, Pennsylvania
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Cousin
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Daniel Aunkst 57
[59]
Isabella Aunkst 52

Daniel E Aunkst 55

This is one of my favorite wills ever.  The second paragraph starts -
"First I direct that my Pony and horse Cappy are not to be sold.  But are to be bailed to some person to them a tood home, and when they have become burdensome then my heirs are to see that they are dispatched in a humane way."

Now there is an ancestor, even if not directly related, that I can relate to.  :-)

The Will Of Daniel Emera Aunkst: