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.

Sunday, March 5, 2017

#2 John Schmeck -1867

Not a direct line ancestor

John Schmeck
Son of
Born
Died February 16 1867
married
Maria
Daughter of
Born
Died

Children:
Eleonora Schmeck   – 1849 m. John Fox
Elisabeth Eliza Schmeck m. John Fisher 
Benjamin Schmeck 1811 – 1871 
Adam Schmeck 1813 – 1888 
Maria Schmeck  1818 – m. George Fox 
Catherine m. Adam Potteiger

1850 Census
Name: John Schmeck
Age: 68
Birth Year: abt 1782
Home in 1850: Alsace, Berks, Pennsylvania
Gender: Male
Family Number: 406
Household Members:
Name Age
John Schmeck 68
Mary Schmeck 66
(Cannot be "our" Johannes, #1, because he died in 1829)

Will Of Johannes Schmeck

To the Honorable the Judges of the Orphans County of the County of Berks:
The petition of Benjamin Schmeck, of the township of Muhlenberg, in the county of Berks, Respectfully showeth: That John Schmeck, late of the township of Muhlenberg, in the said county , Farmer, died in Muhlenberg township, in the county afore said, on t he sixteenth day of February A.D. one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven: and sometime prior to his decease, to wit, on the twenty-eighth of Dec ember, A.D. one thousand eight and forty four, made his last will and testament, wherein and whereby he gave, devised, and bequeathed as follows: -

"And what concerns my worldly estate consisting of a Farm, and
"House and Lot of Ground in said Alsace township, and county of Berks
"I bequeath and give unto my beloved wife Maria, all my personal and
"real property, to wit:- the income thereof as long as she lives upon the "condition that she bears my name so long, or does not marry. Should "she change my name or should she marry, then she shall have seventy-five "cents for her portion. After her death or marriage, my son Benjamin "shall have the income of my worldly estate for one year to his own use, "and after the lapse of the year, it shall be appraised, and my son "Benjamin shall have the preference to accept the same at the appraisement provided he considers it to his advantage, if not, then it "shall be sold at public venue. Should my son Benjamin accept the "same, then he shall have two years time to pay it. The money "realized out of my estate shall be divided as follows: I give to "my two sons for their stock beforehand, to wit, to Benjamin, three "hundred and fifty dollars, to Adam, three hundred dollars. "Further, the remainder shall be divided into six equal shares, "among my two sons and four daughters, to wit, Adam, Benjamin, "Eliza, Eleonora, Catharine and Maria. And lastly, I Nominate my "Beloved wife Maria, and my son Benjamin, executors of this my "last will and testament."

Which said last will and testament, containing (among other thing the afore said devises and bequests was duly proven before the Register of Wills, for the County of Berks, on the twenty-fifth day of February A.D. one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
Your petitioner further shows that the said John Schmeck died, leaving no widow, his said wife having died during his lifetime, but leaving the aforesaid five children, to wit, Benjamin Schmeck residing in Muhlenberg Twp.) Adam Schmeck, (residing in Fairfield County and the State of Ohio .) Catharine, married to Adam Potteiger,(residing in Cumru township and the county of Berks, aforesaid,) Eliza, married to John Fisher, (residing in Muhlenberg township aforesaid,) and Maria widow of George Fox, deceased, (residing in Muhlenberg township aforesaid,) and three grandchildren, being the children of the aforesaid Eleonora Fox, who died during the testator's life-time, to-wit, John Fox, (residing in Warren County and the State of Indiana,) Mary, married to James Hornberger, (residing in the city of Reading and county of Berks, aforesaid,) and Catherine, married to Joseph Auchenbach, (residing in the city of Reading aforesaid,) seized in his-demesne as a fee of and in the following described real estate, to wit:-

All that certain Massuage or Tenement, Plantation and Tract of Land, situate in the township of Muhlenberg, in the county of Berks, aforesaid, adjoining lands of E Jonathan Deininger, George D Davis, John Schmidt, Daniel Shepp, The Schuylkill Navigation Company, and the river Schuylkill, containing fifty-six acres and forty perches, neat measure, with the appurtenances:

Also-A certain House and Lot of Ground, situate in the township of Muhlenberg in the county of Berks aforesaid, adjoining lands of George D Davis, George R Frill, David M Knight and James Millholland, Paul Blessing and John Schmidt, containing four acres more or less with the appurtenances.

Your petitioner therefore prays, that your Honors award an inquest to value and appraise the premises aforesaid in such a manner as by the said will and the laws of the Commonwealth is directed, and make return of their proceedings according to law, and, as it is duty bound, te.,
Benjamin Schmeck
Berks County, ss.
Benjamin Schmeck, the above named petitioner being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that the facts set forth in the forgoing petition are true to the best of his knowledge and belief.

Sworn and subscribed before Me this fifth day of October, Benjamin Schmeck A.D. one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
Washington Richards Alderman

Saturday, March 4, 2017

The Watsontown Bridge 1925-1928


As early as 1911, a bridge between Watsontown and White Deer was being discussed. But the war made costs especially high, and the project was tabled for many years.  In 1925, new plans were being discussed, and the Shamokin Coal area was not pleased that "just 400 residents"  might get a new bridge "connecting two insignificant hamlets", while there were long stretches  south of sunbury with no bridge access.  At this time, the coal region produced the bulk of the counties tax revenue, and at one point they even considered breaking off and joining Union county  over this bridge issue.   The Mount Caramel  Item and Shamokin New Dispatch were both extremely critical of the bridge project - but they were not alone.  The bridge project had to actually be taken to the state supreme court, twice, before it was built. 

Northumberland county was to assume 85% of the cost of the bridge, with Union County paying the additional 15%. Estimated cost was $400.000 and 15% of that cost was repeatedly reported as enough to bankrupt union county.In April of 1925 the headline read "Bridge Issue Is Pushed By Union County".  People of Union County had employed counsel from Williamsport, to get the bridge built.  Less than a year later, in March of 1926, the headline read "Union County Will Take Up Fight Against River Bridge".  The second article elaborates "The stand of Union county against the bridge involves the alleged heavy expense of building an approach to the White Deer end of the proposed bridge.  Not only would Union county have to make an extensive fill, but a new creek bridge a the approach of the river bridge will also be required.  Union county officials say this work will cost nearly $100,000 in addition to their share of the regular bridge costs, and that the county is unable to finance the work."  In later articles, from the bridges completion in July of 1928 all the way into 1930, the swampy incomplete road on the white deer side of the bridge continues to be an issue.

The same article in March of 1926 explains why this bridge is wanted - not only would it cut 21 miles off ,trips "to the west", but it would provide Watsontown connection to the Reading Railroad.  "Watsontown residents have been jubilant over their victory in the courts to secure the bridge.  It would be of untold benefit to them, providing connection with the Reading railroad on the west side of the river, it was pointed out yesterday, and would tap a large farming district.  School children must cross the river from the west shore to Watsontown, it is pointed out.

Watsontown is one of the most important industrial towns of its size in this section, ikt is pointed out, and is the largest carload lot shipper along the Reading line between Williamsport and Philadelphia.  Thirty five million bricks were produced in Watsontown last year, and in addition wood working plants in the town were large shippers."


While the bridge was being built, one worker plummeted from the structure, avoiding death but severely injured.  A deer carcass was recovered during construction, and charges were being filed.  (We regularly have deer carcasses dumped on our farm, if it is illegal, it's no longer a law that is enforced.  I'm unclear on the issue here - was the deer out of season, or was the issue the dumping of the carcass?)  In early 1928, builder George Rockwell took a trip to Florida, and he did not return until the county settled a debt of nearly $300,000 for the bridges construction.  At the completion of the bridge in July of 1928,  Rockwell was heralded for his quick and well done build.  But just a few days after the bridge was dedicated, Rockwell closed the structure, as it had not been inspected by both counties.  Even after it was inspected, there was no completed road on the white deer side, and there were reports of merchants crossing the bridge only to have to turn back around because of the mud and water on the white deer side.  Additionally, the Reading Railroad had not completed a bridge so that it could cross the creek - that did not occur until 1930.

Controversy continued for years after the bridges completion, with the Shamokin and Mt Caramel newspapers criticizing the structure in nearly every other issue.  If there was ever discussion of a tax increase, or a poor road condition, the article was sure to blame the Watsontown Bridge.   In 1930 the state took control of the county bridges.

Below are many news articles regarding the creation of the bridge.  This is not nearly all of them, even though there are many here.  This issue was a very large one in local news for several years.



Mount Carmel Item 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
04 Apr 1922, Tue  • Page 5


Mount Carmel Item 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
27 Jan 1925, Tue  • Page 3


The Daily News 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
13 Mar 1925, Fri  • Page 1


Mount Carmel Item 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
17 Apr 1925, Fri  • Page 2

Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
02 Jan 1926, Sat  • Page 1



The Daily News 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
11 Jan 1926, Mon  • Page 4

The Daily News 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
10 Feb 1925, Tue  • Page 3

Mount Carmel Item 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
17 Feb 1926, Wed  • Page 5



Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
02 Mar 1926, Tue  • Page 5


Mount Carmel Item 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
28 Apr 1926, Wed  • Page 3


The Daily News 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
19 Aug 1926, Thu  • Page 7



Mount Carmel Item 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
24 Dec 1926, Fri  • Page 5



The Daily News 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
16 Mar 1927, Wed  • Page 1

The Daily News 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
25 Feb 1927, Fri  • Page 1

Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
28 Feb 1927, Mon  • Page 2


The Daily News 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
16 May 1927, Mon  • Page 8



The Daily News 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
06 Aug 1927, Sat  • Page 6


Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
09 Sep 1927, Fri  • Page 1


The Evening News 
(Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)
13 Oct 1927, Thu  • Page 17


The Daily News 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
01 Dec 1927, Thu  • Page 8


Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
06 Jan 1928, Fri  • Page 3


Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
01 Feb 1928, Wed  • Page 7

Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
29 Feb 1928, Wed  • Page 3




Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
11 Apr 1928, Wed  • Page 4

Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
08 May 1928, Tue  • Page 8


Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
09 Jun 1928, Sat  • Page 1


Williamsport Sun-Gazette 
(Williamsport, Pennsylvania)
03 Jul 1928, Tue  • Page 4


The Wilkes-Barre Record 
(Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania)
05 Jul 1928, Thu  • Page 24



Harrisburg Telegraph 
(Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)
05 Jul 1928, Thu  • Page 3

Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
13 Jul 1928, Fri  • Page 1

Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
14 Jul 1928, Sat  • Page 5



Mount Carmel Item 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
14 Jul 1928, Sat  • Page 1

Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
17 Jul 1928, Tue  • Page 1




Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
07 Aug 1928, Tue  • Page 1


Mount Carmel Item 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
28 Dec 1928, Fri  • Page 8



Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
16 Mar 1929, Sat  • Page 2



Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
18 Mar 1929, Mon  • Page 1


Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
13 Jan 1930, Mon  • Page 9



Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
04 Mar 1930, Tue  • Page 3



Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
02 Aug 1930, Sat  • Page 2

Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
19 Sep 1930, Fri  • Page 2


Thursday, September 1, 2016

Jacob Moore

Jacob Moore
Born April 30 1773  in Ireland
Died August 23 1857 in Pennsylvania
Married
Margaret Robb
Born September 15 1800
Died May 2 1877


 Jacob is believed to have immigrated from Ireland.  Another researcher has the following notes: "Jacob was born approx 30 Apr 1773 wife Margaret Robb (b 15 Sept 1800 d  2 May 1877 buried Highland Cem. #12.) Jacob' s burial was at the Methodist
 Episcopal Church Cemetery No. 10 in Salona, Lamar Twp., Clinton Co., Pa
and the inscription were copied by John J. Johnstonbaugh listing d 8-23-1857
and  vitals as 84y 3m 23d s/o Working back determined his birth date.
Irish-Presbyterian-Belief. Settled 1-1/2 miles- Clynderdale (must be
Clintondale in Centre Co which is now Clinton Co (near Lock haven) PA.
Built cabin around stump. An Aunt reported birth in Mayo County Ireland, 
Listed in the 1850 Census of Porter Township, Clinton Co. PA as 76 yrs
old  and a farmer."

Name Jacob Moore
Age 76
Birth Year abt 1774
Birthplace Pennsylvania
Home in 1850 Porter, Clinton, Pennsylvania, USA
Gender Male
Family Number 126
Household Members
Name Age
Jacob Moore 76
Marget Moore 50
Nancy Moore 12
Edward Moore 10
John Moore 8
Marget Moore 5


Monday, July 25, 2016

The Truckenmiller / Druckenmiller Connection



My husband Daniel's 6th great grandfather, Sebastian Truckenmiller, came to America in 1732.  He married, and had 8 children.  My husband is descended from Sebastian's youngest son, Jacob.  

Sebastian's second son, George, married Susanna Lohr.  Although it's not the only time Truckenmiller was written as Druckenmiller, George's children all appear to use the Druckenmiller spelling.

Although there are other Druckenmiller and Truckenmiller lines that came to America at later dates, and there are other times that Truckenmiller was spelled Druckenmiller (or Druckenmueler) many Druckenmiller's in our area can trace their line back to George Truckenmiller, son of immigrant Sebastian Truckenmiller.

========================================================
More about Sebastian Truckenmiller - http://heathersgen.blogspot.com/2013/09/johan-sebastian-truckenmiller-1715-1795.html

More on Michael Druckenmiller 1784-1846  here - http://notheathersgen.blogspot.com/2012/05/michael-druckenmiller-1784-1846.html

=======================================================
From Floyd's History Of North'd County - 

"The family has become numerous in eastern and central Pennsylvania, and the name is often found corrupted into Druckenmiller, the Berks county branch spelling it so. The ancestor of the Northumberland family, Sebastian Truckenmiller, spelled it with a "T," however, and that seems to be the correct form.  Sebastian Truckenmiller came to America on the pink "John and William," of Sunderland, Constable Tymperton, master, from Rotterdam,
which qualified at Philadelphia Oct. 17, 1732. On the original list of passengers (Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. XVII, Second Series, pages 72- 73)"

and later - 

"As previously mentioned, some branches of the family spell the name
Druckenmiller. Of these, Michael Druckenmiller, millwright, of Hereford
township, Berks county, was said to be a descendant of the Charles
Truckenmiller who in 1790 lived in Hereford township. Michael's children
were: Daniel, Enos, Clara, Hannah, Lucy and Elizabeth.
Enos Druckenmiller (as he wrote his name), son of Michael, was born
Dec. 14, 1821, and died March 29, 1899, at Zieglersville in Upper
Milford township, Lehigh Co., Pa., his death being caused by apoplexy.
He is buried in the Lutheran cemetery at that place, and was long an
active worker in the church, in all its departments; serving as elder
and Sunday school teacher. He was a member of the building committee
when the new church was erected. For many years he was director of a
singing school. Mr. Druckenmiller was a prosperous farmer and mechanic
all his life, owning several farms.:

Monday, February 8, 2016

Large Parade Celebrates the completion of the Road between Turbotville & Danville Pa


240 cars, and 2,500 people came out to celebrate the opening of the new road between Danville and Turbotville.  The Danville Band, Boy Scout Drums, and Bugle and Levites School of Music took part, on the beds of trucks, in the parade.

The parade formed in Turbotville, with cars joining in at Washingtonville, and a contingent from Elysburg and Mt Carmel joined in.

The Rev Mr Clark welcomed the crowd to Turbotville, declaring the day inwich dreams came true.  He predicted the road would bring neighbors closer. 

It took 5 years to complete the 2.6 mile stretch, which included 4 bridges - one 38 foot span across the Chillisquaque creek, and three 12 foot bridges.

In 1930 6 miles from Washingtonville towards Turbotville was built for $200,000.
In 1928 a two mile section from Turbotville to the Susquehanna Trail was built, at a cost of $100,000. In 1927 two miles from Washingtonville to Danville was built at a cost of $84,000.

The Morning News
Danville, Pennsylvania
Thu, Jul 27, 1933 – Page 1

Mount Carmel Item 
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
27 Jul 1933, Thu • Page 1

The new road was heralded as  a "shortcut from Williamsport to Philadelphia"


The Morning News 
(Danville, Pennsylvania)
13 Jul 1933, Thu • Page 1

The Morning News 
(Danville, Pennsylvania)
18 Jul 1933, Tue • Page 1




Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Chillisquaque Presbyterian Church, Burnt By Indians


In 1778 the Revolutionary War was well under way.  Native Americans in north and central Pennsylvania allied with the Loyalists, and were devastating small communities along the susquehanna river.  Most of the settlers fled their homes and relocated to Fort Augusta, while the Indians burn their  houses and farms to the ground.  

I do not know the exact date that the Chillisquaque Presbyterian church was burnt, but we do know it was the same year of the battle at nearby Fort Freeland, and it appears to have been the result of the same conflict.

"By 1779 Northumberland County was on the edge of the American frontier and Native Americans who sided with the British during the war had brought the conflict to local settlers. George Washington had ordered Major General John Sullivan to invade the Iroquoian homeland in order to relieve the pressure on the frontier, but before he could complete his campaign, attacks were made in New York and Pennsylvania in hopes that Sullivan would divide his force and make his army a less formidable foe to the Iroquois." http://freelandfarm.org/battle-of-fort-freeland/


The paragraphs below are from a sermon by H.G Finney, originally preached in 1876, and so far they hold the most information I could find on the church being burnt to the ground.


"Imagination cannot conceive the perils with which the early settlers of this country were surrounded. Never could they have a consciousness of security safe throw trust in the Lord of hosts. The vast forest which surrounded them on all sides with a working place of the savage treacherous treacherous merciless Indian. Any hour of the night or when the day in overpowering numbers they might be upon them. When leaving home they could hardly ever be sure it would not be to find upon returning their wives and children put to the scalping knife or which was perhaps even worse scary captive by the savages and their homes and ashes. When they enjoyed the sharing precious privilege of meeting in their little church for worship or when they went out into their little stuffy field to read their small crop they must take their rifles along for defense against the scalp king Evil Joe.  Time came when the ever present danger seem so greatly to increase that they had to leave their homes and fleet of one of the small for which the government head cause to be constructed along the river. Probably it would be to Ford Augusta at Sunbury that seems to have been the strongest one among in them.

One of the fathers of mine yesterday tells me that his own maternal grandparents mr. And mrs. Session while sleeping with their bad for safety to one of their forwards were overtaken by some Indians. The child was killed his wife was left as it was supposed dead. And Mr Dawson was taken captive. Some friends found her lying there still alive. They took her to Fort Augusta. She recovered her husband some years after work either escaped or was exchanged infirmity years after where they lived as members of this church. Another father among us tells me that grandfather and grandmother Curry were riding along a path through the woods on the other side of Montour Ridge when attacked by some savages. First two sources shot and he has murdered and scalped. Soon after her horse made with similar fate and she is caught and lead away over the mountain several miles distant. But the following night she escapes and reaches her little home the next morning where her little children, the eldest seven, had stayed alone. He knows nothing of such experience.

One day of one of the years of the war the sad news started through the congregation that their church was in ashes. A company of cowardly Indians and set it on fire. The people that work hard in their property to get it. It was yet new. It was a precious place the house of God to more than a few of the people. Tears were shed as I told and heard a sad story. That's where they called the passed through many changes and trials. For years they were without any building. During those years of war sacrifice and suffering it is likely they had but little preaching. Whenever a minister did make the perilous journey through the woods to give them a day is preaching they would meet and worship there among the trees."  http://www.charlottes-web.com/Chillis_History.pdf

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

Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
11 Sep 1937, Sat • Page 5



Shamokin News-Dispatch 
(Shamokin, Pennsylvania)
22 Aug 1930, Fri • Page 1