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Mary
Magdalene |
Mary Magdalene (Meinert) Bohm was born likely in the late 1740s in Oley Township, Philadelphia County (now Berks County), PA, the daughter of Friedrich and Eva Maria (Weber) Meinert Sr. Little is known of her life.
She married Johann "Baltasar" Bohm (1739-1814), also spelled "Balthasar" -- "Baltzer" -- "Baltus" -- and "Baltdaser Boehm" -- the son of Conrad and Maria Sophia (Burchard) Bohm, said to have been immigrants from Fehrfield, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Their surname also has been spelled "Bähm" and "Boehm" in old church records.
They produced at least one daughter, Magdalena Bohm, born in 1768, and possibly a second daughter, Catherine Meyer Boehm, born in 1769.
Sadly, while in her late 20s or early 30s, Mary passed away by the year 1775. She not only was survived by her husband and children but by her mother as well. When the mother wrote a last will and testament, in April 1774, she stated that among her bequests was "an other share of five Shillings to the lawful Ifsue of my Daughter Mary Begotten by Balzer Bohn Deceased who was her first Husband."
Baltasar outlived his wife by decades and apparently married again to Barbara ( ? - ? ). Evidence suggests that they had a son of their own, Abraham Behm.
At the death of his father in 1788, Baltasar was named in the will, with the inheritance to pass to his offspring.
He is reputed to have died on Dec. 4, 1814 in Berks County. Having not written a last will and testament, his estate was administered by a team of co-executors including son Abraham Behm, son-in-law Jacob Gehres and Casper Brenzinger and David Johnson.
Among the household items inventoried were an eight-day clock, poplar table, bed, writing desk, old feather bed, six chair, one oval table, mortar and pestle, two cows, three sheep, waffle iron, spinning wheel, butter tub, milk pots, earthen pots, a large family Bible and nine other books, and other items. Among the papers in the estate file is a petition to the judges of the Berks County Orphans Court, by Maria Goucker, stating that she was Baltaser's granddaughter. She asked that her husband John Goucker be given a choice of an item to be inherited.
~ Daughter Magdalena (Bohm) Gehris ~
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Record of the Gehris marriage |
The rest of her biography presented here needs to be confirmed.
On Oct. 13, 1789, when she would have been 20, she united in the bonds of matrimony with 23-year-old John "Jacob" Gehris (Oct. 3, 1766-1836), also spelled in old church records as "Gehres" and "Gery," and a native of District Township. Officiating at their wedding ceremony was Rev. Johann "Wilhelm" Boos of the Schwartzwalt (Schwarzwald) Church in Exeter Township, Berks County. The pastor kept a record of the event which was published two centuries later in 1997 in a book entitled Schwarzwald Church Register.
Magdalena and John Jacob produced a family of at least seven known children -- Peter Gehris, Johann Georg Gehres, Daniel Gehris, Jacob Gehris, Elizabeth Hiestand, Nancy Gehris and Esther Moll.
The Gehris farm was in Hereford Township. Circa 1814-1818, Jacob is known to have been active in the development and construction of a formal building for the Hereford-Huff's Union Church as it grew beyond a small school house. Located next to his farm, at what today is the intersection of Conrad Road and Huffs Church Road, it served both the Reformed and Lutheran congregations. A 1915 history booklet , entitled Historical Souvenir of the Hereford-Huffs Union Church, published at the centennial anniversary of the building, reports the following:
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| Jacob named in the Hereford-Huffs Union Church history, 1915 |
A better day dawned when the congregations grew strong enough to erect their first Church in 1815. In a sense this was really their second house of worship, for they had also preaching services in their school house. During this period records were kept, which are still well preserved. An account of the corner-stone laying of the first Church and the Articles of Agreement then drawn up are still available. This document ends with the words: "Done in Hereford Township the 30th of May, 1914. Signed only by Rev. Jacob William Dechant, although the paper speaks as though the pastors and the Building Committee had all signed it. We learned, however, from other reliable sources that the following were the Building Committe: David Raugh, then living on the Rauch farm, north of the Church; Conrad Fegely, living on the present Jacob B. Moyer farm, west of the Church; Jacob Gehris, living on the present Jacob Hartlein farm, south of the Church; Jacob Frey, living on the Frey farm, lately occupied by Irwin Rohrbach, south of the Church. The Trustees of the congregations then were: Conrad Fegely and Jacob Gehris, to whom the deed was made on December 30th, 1818, more than four years after the corner-stone was laid.
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| Huffs Church cornerstones, 1815 and 1881 |
Magdalena lived as a widow for another 23 years.
At the age of 90, she passed away on Nov. 8, 1859. Her remains were placed into repose in Huff's Union Church Cemetery. Her grave marker is inscribed in German. [Find-a-Grave]
Many distant nephews and nieces of Magdalena's -- of the Gaumer family -- also rest at Huff's Church, with a number of their grave markers inscribed in German and still legible today.
Huffs Church was rebuilt in 1881, with a new cornerstone placed on top of the 1815 one.
In 1915, Gehris descendants along with the Gackenbach family gathered together to celebrate their seventh annual family reunion, known as a "Friendschaft" celebration. It was held at the home of Allen Stephen in East Texas, "where old acquaintances were renewed and new ones made," said the Allentown Morning Call. "Everybody present enjoyed themselves especially when dinner was announced by the ladies. The table fairly groaned under the weight of the good things and everybody did ample justice."
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| Old Huff's Church, then and today Historical Souvenir of the Huff's Union Church in Hereford Township |
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Presumed son Peter Gehris (1793-1830) was born on Feb. 15, 1793. He was joined in wedlock with Catharina Huff (1794-1877). The couple produced one known child, Eliza Shankweiler. Peter died an untimely death at the age of 37 on Aug. 2, 1830. He is said to rest in Huff's Union Church Cemetery. Catharina outlived him by nearly half a century. She died in 1877 at the age of 83.
Presumed son Johann "Georg" Gehris (1795-1858) was born on Jan. 8, 1795. He was united in holy matrimony with Susanna Johnson (1796-1873). The couple produced one known son -- Reuben Gehris. He learned the trade of masonry and earned a living with this skill over the years. In 1850, when the federal census was taken, the family resided in Hereford Township, Berks County. Living under their roof was 43-year-old day laborer Jacob Gehris, his presumed wife Lydia and children Maria and Evan. At the age of 63, Georg succumbed on Jan. 21, 1858. His remains are in eternal repose in Huff's Union Church Cemetery, with his grave marker inscribed in German. [Find-a-Grave]
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Grandson Reuben Gehris (1837-1920) was born on Dec. 19, 1837. Evidence suggests that he wedded Catharine (1838- ? ) and produced a son, Obediah Gehris. They were longtime farmers. In 1860, this family unit dwelled in Upper Macungie, Lehigh County, PA. As a widower late in life, Reuben made a home in Lower Milford, Lehigh County. He is known to have attended the seventh annual reunion of the Gehris and Gackenbach family in June 1915 and was the oldest man present. Suffering from congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease, he succumbed to the Grim Reaper on Aug. 3, 1920. Burial was in Shamrock Cemetery. Charles Gehris of Coopersburg, PA was the informant for the official Pennsylvania certificate of death. All of this needs to be confirmed.
Presumed son Daniel Gehris (1797-1881) was born on Aug. 8, 1797. He first married Julia/Judith Miller ( ? - ? ). They reputedly were the parents of five known children -- John Gehris, Nathaniel "Nathan" Gehris, Charles Gehris, Benjamin J. Gehris and Sarah Stirl. During the 1820s or early 1830s, they relocated from Hereford Township into Reading. Then in March 1850, he married again to Catherine "Kate" Savage ( ? - ? ). News of their wedding was announced in the Montgomery County Der Liberale Beobachter und Berks. The pair bore at least one daughter of their own, Emma Esther Wentzel. Daniel died on May 13, 1881. A death notice was published in the Reading Eagle, saying: "On the 13th inst., in this city, Daniel Gehris, aged 85 years. The relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral without further notice from his late residence, Jefferson street below Kissinger, on Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock. Services at the house. Interment at Alsace Cemetery." No sooner was his burial complete than controvery arose. The Reading Times reported on May 21, 1881 that:
L.C.D. Yorgey, of Pottstown, and A. DeHaven, of Monocacy, were arrested yesterday, on the charge of conspiracy to insure the life of the late Daniel Gehris, aged eighty five, on his deathbed. The insurance was effected two days before Gehris died, the policy being taken out for $5,000 in the "State Capital." The warrants were issued by Alderman Brownwell, and given to Constable Lash, who left yesterday for Pottstown. As regards Dr. Yorgey's denial as to his connection without filling out an examiner's certificate, Mr. Acker produced before the alderman the application, upon the back of which was endorsed the examining physician's certificate, all alleged to be in the handwriting of Dr. Yorgey, from which it would seem that Mr. Gehris was a man in the vigor of a hale and hearty old age.
A grand jury in August 1881 found true bills against Yorgey and DeHaven, said the Times, "charging them with false pretense in obtaining the insurance from the State Capital Insurance Company by making false representations as to the condition of the health of Gehris in the application for the insurance."
- Grandson John Gehris (1820-1890) was born in 1820 in Hereford Township. He married Mary Snyder (1829-1879). Together, they produced four known children -- James Gehris, Allan H. Gehris, Mrs. D. Wentzel and Mary C. Gehris. John is known to have relocated to Reading in about 1850 and remained for good. Said the Reading Eagle in 1890, John "was a blacksmith by occupation and was employed at the Reading iron works for the past 17 years. [He] was a member of the Reformed congregation of Alsace church..." Their address was 142 Carpenter Street, Reading. At the age of 69, he passed away on Feb. 13, 1890. The Eagle reported in an obituary that he "had been in ill health during the past 18 weeks, suffering with a complication of diseases." His mortal remains sleep for the ages in the Alsace Lutheran Church Cemetery near Reading. He was survived by 17 grandchildren.
Great-grandson James Gehris
Great-grandson Allan H. Gehris lived at 117 North 7th Street in Reading in the mid-1870s. Circa 1876, he was employed at the Scott Foundry. He was badly hurt in an accident in February 1876 as described by the Reading Times: "[He] had his right hand badly mashed and lacerated while at work. He was engaged with a number of others in hoisting a heavy weight of eight hundred pounds, and was on a ladder directing its course. A rope broke, when the weight descended with force, and caughth is hand on a brick wall, tearing through the flesh, and causing a frightful looking wound. Mr. Gehris will be unable to resume his position at the Scott Works for some time."
Great-granddaughter (?) Gehris married D. Wentzel
Great-granddaughter Mary C. Gehris
- Grandson Nathaniel "Nathan" Gehris (1832-1906) was born on April 24, 1832. He was joined in matrimony with Mary M./Ella (April 28, 1850-1928). In about 1851, he migrated to Indiana and settled in Warren County. The Gehrises were farmers. Nathan is known to have returned to his home region of Berks County in October 1876. During that visit, with relatives, said the Reading Times, he "brought with him several apples of the Mammoth Pound variety, one of which weighed over a pound and measured 13 inches by 12 inches." At the age of 74, suffering from kidney disease and uremic poisoning, Nathaniel passed away in Prairie Township, Warren County on July 21, 1906. Burial was in Locust Grove. Ella lived for another 22 years. Death swept her away on April 16, 1928.
- Grandson Charles Gehris ( ? - ? ) dwelled at Leisz's Bridge in 1890.
- Grandson Benjamin J. Gehris (1821-1911) was born the day after Christmas 1821 in Hereford Township, Berks County. He is known to have been one of four brothers. In boyhood, he moved with his parents into Reading and began to prepare for what became a lifelong blacksmith and wheelwright. Said a newspaper, "In a few years he started in business for himself. He was located in different sections of the city. At one time he conducted a shop where the Academy of Music now stands. Later he moved to Bingaman and Carpenter streets, where he had a shop for 30 years." Benjamin was joined in wedlock with Rebecca Hoyer (1824-1904). Their two daughters were Rosa Siegel and Emma Gehris. They belonged to the First Reformed Church. Sadly, Rebecca died in 1904. Benjamin outlived her by seven years. His final residence was in Reading at 717 Madison Avenue. Sadly, at the age of 89, he contracted what a newspaper called "a severe cold" and died from cardiac asthma and hardening of the arteries on June 5, 1911. An obituary said "The family physician was summoned, but age was against him, and his condition gradually grew worse until the end." His remains are interred in Charles Evans Cemetery in Reading.
Great-granddaughter Rosa Gehris wed (?) Siegel.
Great-granddaughter Emma Gehris
- Granddaughter Sarah Gehris (1834-1895) was born on Aug. 8, 1834. She wed Lazarus Sterling (Feb. 21, 1835-1875), shortened to "Sterl" or "Stirl." Three known offspring were Susan R. Sterl, Charles B. Sterl and Kate Ludwig. Circa 1858, the family resided at Sinking Spring, PA. Then during the Civil War, he was drafted into the Union Army on Nov. 12, 1862. He was assigned to the 167th Pennsylvania Infantry (Drafted Militia). His term of service lasted for nine months, and he received his honorable discharge on Aug. 12, 1863. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1870, the family made its dwelling-place in Spring Township, with Lazarus earning a living as a miner. Lazarus died at the age of 40 on Nov. 29, 1875. The cause of death is not known. Sarah survived him by two decades and maintained a home in Reading with her son Charles and daughter Kate at 425 Pine Street. In the fateful month of March 1895, she is known to have attended the wife of Judge George Stitzel in her final illness. After death eventually came, Sarah was persuaded to stay in the Stizel residence to help manage funeral matters. Reported a newspaper, on March 11, 1895, the 60-year-old Sarah "was in the kitchen preparing some food at the range. She suddenly dropped in a faint and fell heavily on the floor. The pan, which she held also fell. Katie and Ella Wiend were nearby, and they called Dr. Thompson at once. When he arrived a minute or two later, the lady was dead, the syncope caused by a clot of blood on the heart. The lady had been subject to heart troubles." Burial was with her husband in Alsace Lutheran Church Cemetery in Reading. After a span of some 60 years, a military marker was placed at Lazarus' grave in 1934.
Great-granddaughter Susan R. Sterl (1858-1910) was born on June 27, 1858 in Sinking Spring, PA. She never married. Reported the Reading Times in 1910, she "was a domestic in the home of the Rev. Dr. J.J. Kuendig for the past 33 years and was an efficient and faithful servant. She ... lived in Reading about 40 years." She held memberships in the Columbian Temple, Ladies of the Golden Eagle, Indianola Council of the Degree of Pocahontas and the Camp 17 of the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America. She lived with her sister Kate Ludwig at 426 Pine Street. Over the Christmas holidays of 1909, while making a fire, a splinter of wood penetrated the right thumb of her hand. An infection developed, and a friend tried to remove the fragment. "The hand, however, began to become infected," said the Times, "a blister formed on the top of her hand and her arm began to swell to large proportions. A doctor was summoned and it was found that blood poisoning had developed. She was compelled to take to bed on Thursday where she lingered until death relieved her sufferings. Her entire system was effected and serum was injected to check the advance of the disease but without avail." She was age 51, and the date of her passing was Jan. 2, 1910. Her funeral service jointly was conducted by Rev. Elam J. Snyder of the Grace/Alsace Reformed Church and Rev. Dr. J.J. Kuendig of the St. John German Lutheran Church. Pallbearers included Samuel Smith, Ellsworth Becker, John Seidel, Andre Peneboeg, Adolph Kauffman and Irwin Eaches. Interment was in Alsace Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Great-grandson Charles B. Sterl (1866-1936) was born on Christmas Eve 1866 or on May 14, 1870 in Sinking Spring, Berks County. His address in the early 1890s was in the family residence at 425 Pine Street. He joined the Reading Castle of the Knights of the Golden Eagle and in 1891 was chair of a general committee to help celebrate the 16th anniversary of the introduction of the KGE in Pennsylvania. Circa 1892, he was employed as manager of A.W. Fisher's bottling company and in September of that year traveled on business to Pittsburgh and Butler, PA. On or about Oct. 31, 1901, at the age of 35, he was joined in wedlock with 33-year-old Laura M. Griesemer (Oct. 11, 1868-1957), daughter of Wellington A. "Walton" and Sarah Katherine "Katie" (High) Griesemer. The known children of the couple were Laura Sterl, Robert Griesemer Sterl and Carl G. Sterl. The family grieved when daughter Laura contracted "summer complaint" and died at the tender age of three months and 24 days on July 21, 1905. They again endured heartache at the death of son Robert at age three years, nine months and five days on May 7, 1910, from pulmonary tuberculosis and exhaustion, having been ill for 180 days. The funeral was led by Rev. Frederick C. Nau, and six members of the Sunday School junior department of St. Paul Reformed Church served as pallbearers. The boy's remains were lowered into rest in Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading. Over the years, Charles also held memberships in the Courts Progress and Wyomissing of the Foresters of America and in St. Paul's Reformed Church. Their home in 1930 was 419 Elm Street. Charles was badly injured in April 1930 when struck by a Reading Transit streetcar at the intersection of Fifth and Court Streets. He was rushed to the Homeopathic Hospital. Said the Reading Times, "It was reported at the hospital last night that his condition still is so serious that he cannot be moved to the X-ray room to determine the extent of his injuries." He launched a personal injury lawsuit for over $30,000, saying his leg was broken and head injured and that he walked with a limp as a result. The case went before a jury, the company refused to defend itself, and a verdict of $10,500 was granted in Charles' favor. Although he survived for five more years, he never fully recovered. He died at the age of 69, as a patient in St. Joseph's Hospital, on Jan. 5, 1936. His remains were laid to rest in Oley Cemetery in Spangsville, Berks County. Laura outlived him by two-plus decades. She died at the age of 88 on May 17, 1957. Son Carl was a graduate of the Wharton School and in 1926 employed by Metropolitan Edison Company. Carl wed Marion Crawford Cassel on Sept. 25, 1926.
Alsace Lutheran Church Cemetery - courtesy Neil D. Scheidt Great-granddaughter Kathryn Edith "Kate" Sterl (1862-1912) was born on June 13, 1862. In young womanhood, she joined the Columbian Temple of the Ladies of the Knights of the Golden Eagle and also the Patriotic Order of America. On Sept. 14, 1908, Kate first wed tailor Richard S. Ludwig (May 1, 1843-1909), son of Peter Daniel and Mary (Steffe) Ludwig. Rev. F.K. Huntzinger oversaw the exchange of vows, and the newlyweds made their home at 426 Pine. Richard was a veteran of the Civil War. The Allentown Morning Call reported in 1908 that he "was born in Lower Heidelberg and resided in Reading for fifty years. When the Civil War broke out Mr. Ludwig enlisted in the 132nd Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Artillery, and saw active service, being wounded in one engagement. After the war he returned to tailoring and worked for various firms. Recently, however, he was a salesman for thee Sayman Soap Company" Richard held memberships in Camp 61 of the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, Wyanet Tribe of the Improved Order of Red Men, Indianola Council of the Degree of Pocahontas, Columbian Temple of the Ladies of the Golden Eagle, Reading Castle of the Knights of the Golden Eagle and the First Reformed Church. But tragically, a happy life together was not to be. Just two months later, on Nov. 15, 1908, Richard died from cancer of the face at the age of 65. An obituary in the Lancaster New Era said that death was "after a year's illness, being bedfast for three weeks." Kate remained a widow for a little more than three years. At year-end 1911, she tied the marital cord with twice-widowed carpenter Theodore Dickinson (Oct. 26, 1849-1917) of 217 Greenwich Street. Rev. Huntzinger again presided. The groom was 13 years older than the bride, and he brought a stepdaughter into the union, Jennie Gaul. They made their home in the old Sterl family residence at 426 Pine Street, but their union was short-lived. In her late 40s, Kate was diagnosed with cancer of the liver just a few weeks before her wedding. She was admitted to Reading Hospital where she died at age 49 on March 12, 1912. Burial was beside her first husband in Alsace Lutheran Church Cemetery. An obituary in the Reading Times said she was "one of the most prominent lodge workers in the city." The Times also went into great detail about her funeral rites -- "The body was attired in the regalia of the P.O. of A. and lay in an oak casket... The bearers were selected from the orders of which deceased was a member. The floral tributes were: Crescent and star, Camp 17, P.O. of A.; floral tomahawk, Indianola Council, No. 70, D. of P., I.O.R.M.; broken heart, husband; anchor, Veteran Temple, No. 17, L.G.E.; cross on pedestal, Columbian Temple, No. 21, L.G.E.; broken heart, Kate Rothenberger; spray of carnations, Mr. and Mrs. Gaul; spray of carnations, Mrs. Amanda Rhinesmith and Mrs. Annie, Hummel; spray of carnations, Victory Temple, No. 94, L.G.E. of Mohndon; dove, Indianols Council, No. 70, D. of P., I.O.R.M." Theodore only lived for another five years and went to live with his married daughter at 217 Greenwich Street. He passed away at age 67 on July 22, 1917. The Times said in an obituary that he had been "born at Plow Church. He resided here the greater part of his life, having been for over 25 years in the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway as express messenger, and at the time of his death was in the tube department of the Reading Iron Co."
- Granddaughter Emma Esther Gehris (1855-1948) was born on Oct. 30, 1855 in Spring Township, Berks County, a product of her father's second marriage. On July 18, 1875, at age 19, she entered into marriage with Andrew Simon Wentzel (May 5, 1853-1939), son of Aaron and Catherine (Kehl) Wentzel. The wedding was performed by Rt. Rev. Msgr. George Bornemann of St. Paul's Church in Reading, and he went on to baptize all of the couple's children and some of the grandchildren. The couple stayed together over the ebbs and flows of an extraordinary 64 years. Nine children born into this family were Catharine Gaul, Andrew S. Wentzel Jr., Harry F. Wentzel, Daniel J. Wentzel, Aaron C. Wentzel, Leo T. Wentzel, John C. Wentzel and Bernard G. Wentzel. As of 1896, the family resided in Muhlenberg, PA. As of 1939, they lived at 1738 Centre Avenue in Reading. He "was employed during all of his active years as a carpenter by the firm of L.H. Focht & Co., and is one of the few surviving charter members of the Reading Carpenters' and Joiners' Union," said the Reading Times. "He was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church." Diagnosed with cancer of the lower jaw, cheeks, tongue and lower lip, Andrew increasingly lost his ability to swallow. With the end nearing, the pair "quietly" celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on July 18, 1939, said the Times. At the time, Emma was "fairly active and able to do some of her housework." Less than a month later, Andrew died on Aug. 13, 1939 at the age of 86. He was survived by 27 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Then in the 1940s, her address was 113 Reading Avenue in Shillington. As Emma's mind failed, with increasing senility, she was admitted to the Berks County Institution District Hospital. After a stay of five months and five days, she died there at age 92 on Jan. 2, 1948. Burial was in Gethsemane Cemetery in Laureldale, Berks County. An obituary in the Reading Eagle said the headcount of her survivors was 27 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Great-granddaughter Catharine E. "Kate" Wentzel (1875-1967) was born on Oct. 4, 1875. She resided as a young woman in Muhlenberg. On Feb. 15, 1896, she married John Reuben Gaul (1875-1957). The pair exchanged their vows in the home of Rev. W.J. Kershner, with the news announced in the Reading Times. A large brood was born into this family -- David Luther Gaul (1896-1896), Lewis Adam Gaul (1897-1962), Joshua Leonard Gaul (1900-1976), Horace Andrew Gaul (1905-1991), George W. Gaul (1907-1981), Ellis Winfield Gaul (1909-2000) and Ellen Louise Dattner (1919-2003). They were in Reading in 1939 at the address of 1143 Mulberry Street. Sadly, Kate passed away in West Reading at the age of 91 on Aug. 29, 1967. Interment of the remains was in St. John's Hains Cemetery in nearby Wernersville.
Great-grandson Andrew Sylvester Wentzel (1881-1972) was born on June 29, 1881 in Muhlenberg Township. In 1906, he tied the marital cord with Elizabeth Ann Stoudt (1890-1924). Together they produced a family of seven including Miriam Esther Mazurkiewicz (1912-1975), Kathryn Emeline Commings (1915-2013), William Edward Wentzel (1916-1939), Leroy Andrew Wentzel (1918-2003), Helen Wentzel ( ? - ? ), Martha Lillian Boyer (1922-2005) and Irene May Wentzel. The family belonged to the Spies' Reformed Church. Their final residence together was at 1839 River Road. Grief blanketed the family at Elizabeth's death in Reading Hospital on April 29, 1924. Her burial took place in Laureldale Cemetery, Tuckerton, with an obituary appearing in the Reading Times. The crushing loss left Andrew with seven young mouths to feed. As a widower, he dwelled at home with his parents in Reading circa 1939-1948.
Great-grandson Harry Francis Wentzel (1883-1969) was born on Aug. 2, 1883 in Muhlenberg Township. At the age of 41, in September 1924, he entered into marriage with 35-year-old Hazel Adele Clark (Oct. 9, 1890-1940), daughter of Frank L. and Nettie Clark. News of their marriage license was published in the Reading Times. Their only son was Ralph Francis Wentzel (1926-2001). As of 1940, they dwelled at 536 South 16th Street in Reading. Sadly, Hazel was stricken with "adenocarcinoma," an inoperable cancer of the gland cells. With the illness spreading to her larynx and entire body, she died on Sept. 9, 1940. The widowed Harry made a home in 1948 in Reading. He passed away at the age of 85 on June 8, 1969. They sleep at each other's side in Laureldale Cemetery in Tuckerton.
Great-grandson Daniel Joseph Wentzel (1886-1966) was born in 1886. He settled in Reading. In 1939, he served as Reading's fire prevention inspector.
Great-grandson Aaron Casper Wentzel (1889-1968) was born in 1889. He resided in 1939 in Hyde Park and in 1948 in Reading.
Great-grandson Leo Thomas Wentzel (1891-1962) was born in 1891. He lived in Reading in the late 1940s.
Great-grandson John Carl Wentzel (1897-1987) was born in 1897. He joined the U.S. Army during World War II and trained in field artillery at Camp Taylor in Louisville, KS. He was unmarried in 1939 and lived with his parents in Reading.
Great-grandson Bernard G. Wentzel (1895-1970) was born in 1895. During World War I, he served in the U.S. Army and in August 1918 was deployed to France. Later, he established a home in Hyde Park, PA.
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| Alsace Lutheran Church Cemetery, Reading - courtesy Neil D. Scheidt |
Presumed son Jacob Gehris (1798-1855) was born on Nov. 20, 1798. On Sept. 14, 1855, at the age of 56, Jacob died. Burial was in Huff's Union Cemetery. His grave marker was written in German. [Find-a-Grave]
Presumed daughter Elizabeth Gehris (1803-1879) was born on March 13, 1803. She wedded Jacob Hiestand ( ? - ? ). Elizabeth passed away at the age of 76 on Oct. 31, 1879. Burial was in Huff's Union Church Cemetery, with her grave marker inscribed in German. [Find-a-Grave].
Presumed daughter Nancy Gehris (1805-1887) was born on April 18, 1805. She never married. Her home in 1860 was with her married sister Esther Moll and her husband Jacob in Hereford Township, Berks County. She died in Reading at the age of 82 on July 17, 1887. Her remains were lowered into rest in Huff's Union Church Cemetery. Her funeral service was led by Rev. Dr.. Eli Keller, pastor of Huff's Church. In the record of the event which he kept in his papers, he spelled her name "Geris" and noted that she had "died in Reading." The original volume of his handwritten records is housed in the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center in Pennsburg, PA. A copy of the typed version, prepared by Raymond E. Hollenbach of Royersford, PA in 1975, is maintained in the Minerd.com Archives. Her grave marker was inscribed in English. [Find-a-Grave]
Rev. Eli Keller, pastor to Nancy and Esther Gehris
Daughter Esther Geris (1809-1876) was born on Oct. 23, 1809 in Hereford Township, Berks County. She was joined in holy wedlock in 1850 to Jacob Moll ( ? - ? ). The couple did not reproduce. Jacob earned his income over the years as a laborer. The 1860 federal census shows the couple living in Hereford Township, Berks County, with Esther's 51-year-old sister Nancy Gehris living under their roof. Sadly, Jacob died in about 1862. Esther outlived her husband as a widow for the final 14 years of her life. Stricken with cancer, she succumbed to death on March 25, 1876. Rev. Dr. Eli Keller of Huff's Church preached the funeral sermon and recorded the event in his papers, spelling her first name "Ester."
~ Daughter Catherine Meyer Bohm ~
Presumed daughter Catherine Meyer Bohm (1769- ? ) was born in about 1769.
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