Louise Kleiss, NYC; Louisa Kleiss Zecher, Lancaster, PA ~ 15 years apart

As many of you know, I am a Kleiss researcher.  My ancestor, Philip Kleiss was a Tavern keeper in Lancaster in the late 1700′s.  After his death his sons ran the Tavern located on the corner of Vine and Queen Streets in the heart of Lancaster.  Today the Tavern is incorporated in the Convention Center, but that is on another blog.  This blog is about the two women referenced above.

I periodically put my surnames in search engines and tonight I was playing around with Genealogy Bank, one of my favorite sites.  I’ve got a lot of information from the old newspapers on this site and an a big fan of it! When I found the following article, I thought it sounded familiar ~

New York Herald
26 December 1895

KILLED BY A MOTOR.
—–
Mrs. Louise Kleiss Struck While Walking
On the North Hudson County
Railway’s Tracks.
—–

Mrs. Louise Kleiss, forty-five years old, of No 27 King street, West New York, was struck by a motor of the North Hudson County Railway Company early yesterday morning and instantly killed.
Mrs. Kleiss came to Jersey City Tuesday evening to make some purchases and took the midnight boat back on the Forty-second street ferry. She had a number of bundles and started to walk home up the company’s tracks on the old Fort Lee road. When between Niles avenue and Twenty-third street, motor No. 191 came up behind her at a rapid rate and striking her hurled her to one side of the track. So rapidly was the car going that it ran three hundred feet before the motorman could stop it.
When the trolley men picked her up she was dead. The body, which was not cut, but badly bruised, was brought to Hoboken where it was identified yesterday morning by the woman’s husband. The woman left a daughter, besides her husband.

As I read this it rang a bell.  I knew I had a Louise Kleiss who had died the same way, and thought perhaps the information was wrong and this one really died in Lancaster.  So I went to the books, my Kleiss books that is, and found what I remembered.  Several differences though:

• My Kleiss was born as Louisa Kleiss, but married a Zecher
• My Louisa Kleiss Zecher died exactly 15 years and 10 days after Mrs. Louise Kleiss
• and of course, my Louisa Kleiss Zecher died in Pennsylvania, not New Jersey.

The similiarites are:

• Their names
• The month of the year they were killed
• The way they were killed
• and they both had been shopping!

Lancaster, Pennsylvania
15 December 1920

TRAIN KILLS WOMAN
RETURNING TO HOME
FROM MARKETHOUSE
—–
Mrs. David Zecher Meets Instant
Death When Hit by Express
at Crossing
—–
WALKED UNDER GATE
DIRECTLY INTO TRAIN
—–
Body Severed But Glasses Stay
on Nose When Searchers
Find Upper Portion
—–
IDENTIFICATION IS SLOW
—–
Eight Mistakes Cause Alarm in
Homes — Son Passed Soon
After Accident
—–—–

Killed by a west bound express train at Prince and Walnut streets last night while on her way home from the evening market at the Northern Market House the body of an aged woman cut in half under the wheels of the train at 5:33 o’clock was not identified as Mrs. David Zecher, aged 72, of 239 Elm street, until near 10 o’clock by her son. In the meantime eight false identifications were made and much anxiety was caused among relatives of per (sic) victim.
The train which struck the aged woman was No. 639, bound for Altoona, the accident occurring within a minute of the time the train had left the station.
Mrs. Zecher’s son, Charles J., 328 Pine street, passed the scene of the accident a few minutes after it had happened while on his way home from work, but did not stop to mingle with the curious crowd that had gathered round the crossing. Had he done so identification of the dead woman would have perhaps been immediate. As it happened the body laid for a time in the freight station near the crossing and later at Fisher’s undertaking establishment until 1o o’clock last night where the son finally was brought to identify his mother. In the meantime efforts on the part of the railroad officials to identify the woman resulted in eight false identifcations before the truth was known.
Witnesses to the accident stated that Mrs.

 

Scenes on a snowy day

Our house from across the street ~ want to buy it??

Jim trying to open Linda F’s gate ~ we finally went around to the garage where we had the garage door opener

1 PM in the afternoon ~ impress you??

Outdoor dining anyone?  Not today. . . .

. . . and a final scene from a snowy window ~

 

Lancaster’s New Convention Center!

Yes!  After many, many years of hearing about it, reading about it, and finally watching it rise, floor by floor, it is open for business! Lancaster County Convention Center and Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square had it’s open house for the community today and we were there!

The facade of the old Watt and Shand department store was saved and is now part of the Marriott Hotel.  It helps to retain the historical look of Penn Square and is a handsome building.

The Open House was from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM and we decided to arrive early, hoping to beat the crowds.  We only thought there were a lot of people in the bar when we arrived at 11:30!  When we left 1 1/2 hour later, it was shoulder to shoulder!  We had to wait in line approximately 20 minutes to take the elevator to the 10th floor for a tour of the rooms.

The views from the rooms are spectacular!  Looking to the n/w is  wonderful view of Penn Square with the Griest Building (Lancaster’s first and only skyscraper built in 1925!) Central Market to it’s left and the old 1790′s City Hall (now the Heritage Center) next to Central Market.  You may remember seeing the Griest Building in the movie “Witness” as the Philadelphia Police Station.

The view to the southwest has the old Southern Market in the foreground.  It was built in the late 1800′s and was designed by C. Emlen Urban, Lancaster’s premier architect.  Urban also designed the Griest building, and the Watt and Shand Building where the Marriott now calls home.  Since there were not windows on all four sides of the rooms we looked at, I could not take pictures of every direction ~ duh!  We then went down to the 5th floor where the exercise room and beautiful indoor pool area is.  What a facility.  I was so impressed that I think I will look for the exercise room in the next Marriott I stay in. . . as soon as I get enough points!  I don’t think my 10K worth of points will get me into any facility like this one!!

Leaving the 5th floor by the staircase because the lines for the elevator were horrendous, we got lost!  Thank goodness there was a woman who asked directions!  She ended up in the kitchen only to find out we should go up two more flights instead of down!  We finally made it into the lobby and from that point decided to check out the ballroom and other convention rooms.  Can you say gargantuan??  That is the only term I can think of that would adequately describe the size of the rooms!  The exhibit hall is 45K square feet and the ballroom is 9k!  The brick facade of theWilliam Montgomery Home in the picture above is the rear portion of just one of the historic buildings that was preserved in the building of this facility.

This home was built in 1804 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.  Plans for the interior have not been finalized, but several options have been considered.  The picture shows it next to the entrance of the Convention Center, fronting on Queen Street.

Two of other buildings saved on this block were our next stop and perhaps the most exciting part of the day to me.  The Kleiss Saloon and Thaddeus Stevens home are on the corner of Vine and Queen Streets and this cistern was found between the two buildings.  This piece of history saved the destruction of my ancestor’s Saloon and the plans are to make the area with these two buildings and cistern into an education center.

Philip Kleiss, my 6th great grandfather, was a tavern keeper at the corner of Vine and Queen until his death in 1800.  The Saloon was then willed to his sons, John and George, and in 1843 Thaddeus Stevens bought it from George’s estate for $4000.  What makes this cistern special is the fact that they believe it was part of theUnderground Railroad since a tunnel was found that goes from this cistern east on Vine Street to the home of Mr. Stevens’ friend, Lydia Smith.   Thaddeus Stevens, as you may know, was a Congressman and an Abolitionist.

Some of the artifacts found during excavation of this area are on display on these cement pillars.  It was exciting for me to see something that may have belonged to my ancestors.

My dream used to be just to have a piece of one broken brick from the excavation of his saloon.  It is still my dream, but I’m sure one that will never be realized.  It still is exciting to think one of my ancestors properties played such an integral part in the history of our country!

. . . and you can see it when you come to a Convention in Lancaster, Pennsylvania!  You’ll find we are proud of our fair city and it’s history!

 

One Hundred Years ago on West James Street

Yes, this post card was mailed 100 years ago!  It was sent from Lancaster to Middletown, Pennsylvania, a drive today of perhaps 45 minutes.  We would never dream of sending a postcard to somebody in Middletown today ~ we’d call them, text them, e-mail them or even drive to see them ~ but send a post card?  Not in a blue moon!

West James Street, just two blocks north of West Walnut Street. What’s so special about West Walnut Street? Why I live on West Walnut Street! Just blocks away from Lancaster Theological Seminary, with the Historical Society for the United Church of Christ and a great repository of various Church records and family histories ~ all within walking distance of my home!  The building that appears to be a Church on the right hand side of this post card is in fact still part of the Seminary today.

This is a view of it today.  The street is paved, there is a hedge separating the sidewalk from the lawn and a brick walk in a herringbone pattern that goes from the main entrance on West James Street to the front of the building.  Today it has a needed parking lot, fully mature trees and plantings.  It is a beautiful structure in a city full of beautiful structures.

Lancaster Theological Seminary is directly across the street from Franklin and Marshall College, North Museum of Natural History and Science and Buchanan Park.  We are fortunate, living in Lancaster, to have great facilities for children up thru adults. The North Museum is the destination for many field trips from the schools throughout Lancaster County and in fact interesting for adults as well!  Franklin and Marshall College sponsors many events open to the community year around, from plays, talks and concerts,  and Buchanan Park is enjoyed by the entire community!  The park has a dog park, a rose garden and many events are held there throughout the year, with a community carnival being just one.

Ah, but I digress, all because of a postcard of West James Street with the Seminary on one side, and the College, Museum and Park straight ahead!  This street leads to just a small part of what Lancaster, Pennsylvania has to offer ~

Consider this a post card to you from me and come visit this happenin’ city ~ You’ll enjoy it, I guarantee it!

 

 

Alumni News, Lancaster High School, 1898

Another of my finds!  I found this 35 page booklet titled “The High School News. Commencement Number. 1898.” and it was from Lancaster, Pennsylvania!  Since I found it in Franklin County, it wasn’t priced as high as it would have been in Lancaster, and I bought this treasure for $5.00!  

The publishing information states that it was the “Official Organ of the Lancaster High School Alumni Association” and was published monthly.

Since I can’t share the book with it’s wonderful advertisements with everybody, I thought I’d share the Alumni Notes and Class Reunion Section via this blog.  I will get around to a few other things, later.

Meanwhile, enjoy this part!

ALUMNI NOTES.

’67.  Mr. A.N. Breneman, formerly of this city, has notified Secretary Spencer, of the Alumni Associateion, of his change of residence from Westminster, North Carolina, to Aldrich, Shelby county, Alabama.

’76.  Mrs. Harriet Curtis Stein was in Lancaster for serveral weeks this spring, having been called East by the illness of her father, who has since died.   Mrs. Stein and her husband, Mr. Henry W. Stein, ’78, live in Seattle, Washington.

’76.  Mrs. William Henderson, nee Wickersham, of Harrisburg, was visiting her friends in this city during the past week. 

’81.  Mr. W. Scott Adler, of the firm of Chiles, Adler & Cobble, merchants of South Bend, Indiana, sent his regrets and good wishes to the secretary of the Alumni Association in response to the invitation to the annual meeting.

’85.  The wedding of Mr. Charles Emory Long, ’85, and Miss Caroline Louise Metzger, ’88 was celebrated at noon on Wednesday, June 1.  The ceremony was performed at the residence of the bride’s father, Mr. P.A. Metzger, No. 36 North Lime street, by the Rev. W.H. Shaffer, pastor of the First M.E. Church.  Mr. and Mrs. Long will make their home at No. 618 East King street, in this city.

’86.  Dr. M.D. Lederman, who has become a prominent specialist of New York City, sent his regrets and best wishes to the Alumni Association in response to the invitation to the annual meeting.

’88.  Miss M. Grace Hoffmeier was married on Wednesday morning, June 15, to Prof. Thaddeus G. Helm, of this city.  The ceremony was performed at St. Paul’s Reformed Church by Rev. J.W. Meminger, assisted by Rev. Dr. J.S. Stahr, president of Franklin and Marshall College.  A large number of invited guests were present.  Prof. Helm is one of the principals of Franklin and Marshall Academy, and will reside there with Mrs. Helm.

’90 Miss Lucy Pixton, of Philadelphia, spent several days visiting among friends in this city in the early part of this month.  Miss Pixton sang a solo at the First M.E. Church on Sunday, June 12, and also sang at the Iris Club during her stay in Lancaster.

’90.  Miss Sarah E. Cramer was married at noon on Monday, June 6, to Mr. D.S. Horman, of Pottstown, at St. James’ Episcopal Church, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Percy J. Robottom.  The wedding was followed by a reception at the home of the bride’s father, Mr. George Cramer.  Mr. and Mrs. Horman will make their home in Pottstown.

’91.  Rev. Howard W. Diller, who graduated at the General Theological Seminary, in the New York City, on May 25, was ordained a deacon of the Episcopal Church at Altoona, on June 15, by Bishop Talbot, of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania.  Rev. Mr. Diller has been placed in charge of the church at Renova, Pa., and will assume his duties about the end of June.

’91.  Dr. Newton E. Bitzer graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania on June 8, and received his degree of M.D.  He has also passed the State Board of Examination, and has been licensed to practice int he State of Pennsylvania.  Dr. Bitzer also passed an excellent hospital examination receiving first appointment.  He will be resident physician at the Howard hospital, in Philadelphia during the ensuing year.

’92.  Miss Lydia M. Schofield was married on Wednesday evening June 8, to Mr. Wm. F. Diller of this city.  The ceremony was performed at the home of the bride’s mother, Mrs. Mary B. Schofield, No. 502 West James street.  Mr. and Mrs. Diller will reside in this city.

’92.  Mr. Samuel Albright is home on vacation from the Moravian College, at Bethlehem, where he is a student.

’92.  Mr. Harry E. Edgerley was elected second lieutenant of the company which was mustered into the provisional guard from this city last week.  The company contains a large number of High School alumni an ex-students.

’93.  On Wednesday morning, June 1, Miss M. Grace Faesig was married at the home of her father, Mr. Frank J. Faesig, to Mr. Harry S. Gruger, of this city.  The ceremony was performed by Rev. Dr. J.M. Titzel, of the First Reformed church.  The couple will make their home in this city.

’93.  Dr. O.C. Campbell has graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, and has also successfully passed the State Board medical examination.  Dr. Campbell will be resident physician at St. Joseph’s hospital in Philadelphia during the next year.

’93.  Robert C. Davis graduated this spring from the West Point Military Academy, and received his appointment as second lieutenant.  Lieutenant Davis went immediately to the front with his regiment, after spending a week visiting in this city.

’93.  Edgar Herr Levan graduated on Thursday, June 9, in the Senior class at Franklin and Marshall College.

’94.  Mr. H.C. Bolenius and Mr. William H. Kready graduated with the Senior class at Franklin and Marshall College on Thursday, June 9.  Mr. Bolenius was one of the class prophets on class-day during the Commencement exercises.

’94.  Mr. Eugene A. Heim is home from the Moravian College at Bethlehem, Pa.

’96.  Mr. Sigmund S. Albert has left for West Point where he will commence his work as a student in the United States Military Academy.

’97.  Mr. Newton W. Buch has returned for the summer from Lehigh College where he won a prize for proficiency in chemistry.

’96.  W. Lewis Haldy is home from Dickinson College.

CLASS REUNIONS.

Class of ’91

The Class of ’91 held its Seventh Annual Reunion at the Imperial Hotel, on Tuesday evening, at 9:30 o’clock.  Fifteen of the twenty three members of the class were present as follows: D.B. Bartholomew, Dr. N.E. Bitzer, Wm. Dorwart, B. Frank Kready, Joseph R. Mercer, Harry W. McGinnis, J. Roland Kinzer, Walter A. Miller, Washington W. Nixdorf, Walter J. Leonard, Alden J. Pontz, Frank T. Thurlow, Fred J. Rieker, James F. Erisman and Edward L. Page, of Philadelphia.  Proprietor Weingarten furnished an excellent menu, which was greatly appreciated by the banqueters.  Several hours were spent in the reminiscences of school-life, singing and anecdotes.  The Class of ’91 has the unusual record of having held a reunion every year since their graduation.

Class of ’93.

The Class of 1893 will hold its Annual Reunion during the week following commencement week.

Class of ’94.

The Class of ’94 will hold its Third Annual Reunion on Tuesday evening, June 28.

Class of ’96.

On Thursday evening, June 23, the Class of’96 held its annual banquet at Hotel Maennerchor.  Caterer Sands spread a magnificent feast before them, and at the close toasts were responded to.  Horace C. Kinzer acted as toastmaster, and C. Reah Weber as historian.  A telegram of congratulation and regret at his absence was sent to their class-mate, Sigmund I. Albert, at West Point, and all there indulged in reminiscing old times.  The cimmittee in charge of the affair consisted of North W. Shetter, C. Reah Weber, J. Howard Bursk and Harold D. Pyott.

Class of ’97.

The Class of’97 held its banquet on Wednesday evening, June 22.  Andrew E. Biggs acted as toastmaster, and each one present responded to a toast.

 

 

Wordless Wednesday and Lancaster at Twilight

  

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

 

Lancaster's Historic Fulton Theater

 

 

 

Lancaster's Central Market

 

Downtown Lancaster

 

. . . and How Many Grandchildren Do You Have??

Everybody, I suppose, has a weird side to them and I’m no exception!  Want to know what weird thing I look for in the newspaper?  Obituaries!  and not just any obituary, but I look for Amish obituaries!  and why you might ask?  You know I’m gonna tell you. . . .

In 2002 I cut out the first Amish obituary that simply fascinated me.  John S. Glick died leaving 9 children, 87 grandchildren, 317 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren.  Now that’s a  grand total of 418 descendants!  I posted it on my bulletin board with the idea in mind that I would replace it only when somebody topped that number.

Well, last month it happened!  Rebecca S. King died and left 493 descendants!  an even 500 if you count the seven grandchildren who predeceased her.

It took six years for somebody to beat John Glick and only one month for somebody to beat Rebecca King!  On October 13th Gideon B. Stoltzfus died and left 664 descendants!!  That’s enough people for a good size town!

Now, I’m curious . . . . do they remember all those birthdays?  Do they send birthday cards?  Do they even remember all those names? . . . . and can you even imagine the buggies all lined up for the funeral?  I would think minimum 400 buggies.  That would be a traffic stopper!

I’ll stick with my small family.  My home can accommodate all of them and holiday meals are much cosier. . . .

 

Signs of Autumn in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Remember that old song, . . . signs, signs, everywhere the signs?  Well, there are two different “signs” of Autumn and this blog will cover both of them!

The first type we are all familiar with.  They pop up everywhere this time of the year!  Yards are full of them, they’re posted on windows, they’re attached to car bumpers, stapled onto utility poles and  stuck on car windshields!  Will they ever go away?  Do they really persuade a person to vote for a particular candidate or issue?  I actually think they are a blight on the environment and a waste of our precious resources!

This particular sign was several blocks away in front of one of the larger homes on the block.  It is not that it is so interesting, you’ve probably seen hundreds just like this one, but it is interesting because of the one directly across the street from it!

Directly across the street from the Obama sign is the sign shown below.  Now what’s interesting about it, is the fact that somebody still had it, and the other fact that nobody has taken it!  It has been there for over a week that I know of!

Those are the “unattractive” signs of autumn, in my opinion! The signs of fall that I love are the changing ones. The ever changing colors that blanket the trees and the ground beneath them is what gets me up early to walk! The crispness in the air and the leaves falling as I walk. . . . there’s nothing like it!

This picture was taken from my front porch, looking up the street last week.  The colors were beginning and I couldn’t restrain myself from taking my first picture of them!

At 7AM the sun was just coming up over the rooftops in our city and I decided to go for a walk to enjoy all that Fall has to offer.  First stop Shreiner’s Cemetery where Thaddeus Stevens, the great Statesman is buried.

Thaddeus Stevens grave was framed by this tree, busy dropping it’s leaves in honor of him. In the background, the school’s lights began flickering on in the classrooms, one by one.  The day was starting in Lancaster.

I walked into town, photographing interesting sites as I went and headed home half an hour later.  One block from home I came to realize that our area has to have some of the prettiest city scenes around.  This building was once the Stevens Girls High School.  It has been converted into some nice apartments, retaining the old beautiful structure.

This shot of Stevens was taken from the corner.  The colors at that hour of the morning are just fantastic and makes it worthwhile to get up and take a walk at that hour of the morning.  I’m usually a bathrobe person until 9 or 10, so this was an unusual thing for me to do!

Walking on down the street, I turned left onto my street and now I know, for a fact, that there is indeed no place like home!  Maybe it was because I saw the end of the trek, or maybe because it is really very pretty ~ whatever it is, I’m truly blessed!

. . . . and what exactly does this have to do with genealogy, you might ask?  Well, nothing, unless you count the fact that . . . .

Spiro Agnew and Richard Nixon are, after all, somebody’s ancestors!

 

Those “Philips” are driving me crazy! Working on that Kleiss Line!

I’ve done a timeline and I’ve eliminated a lot of “could be’s.”  But what about the rest that fit no where, but are baptized, married and buried from THE Kleiss Church in Lancaster?  How do they fit in?

The Kleiss family were of the Reformed faith.  First born, daughter Phillipina, married a Lutheran against her father’s wishes and was disinherited.  The rest of the family learned the lesson well; they remained Reformed.

Patriarch, Johan Philip Kleiss, immigrated on The Snow Good Intent on 23 October 1754.  He was a brewer and his Tavern was located on the corner of Queen and Vine Streets, in the heart of the city.  Interestingly enough, the Tavern still stands and is being incorporated into the new Convention Center in Lancaster.  He was successful in life as indicated by the eleven page inventory of his estate upon his death. Future generations of Kleiss’ also followed the brewing trade.  Those that didn’t follow the trade, supported it!  OK, that’s a joke, could be a bad joke, but I thought it was funny! A sense of humor seems to help when the situation seems bleak and unsolvable!  . . .and probably supporting an establishment like my ancestor’s tavern might help, too! (wink, wink!)

When Philip the senior, died, every son and grandson born after his death was either named John or Philip or a combination of John and Philip.  Isn’t that fun?  . . . . and it doesn’t help that all of these boys were born within 10 years of the patriarch’s death!  or that they all named their sons they same thing!

What I’d like to know is this:

• John P. married to Christiana.  He was born 12 June 1815, died 2 Oct 1887, and is buried in Woodward Hill Cemetery, Lancaster.  His son must have been John P., born about 1853, died 28 Aug 1909.  Which John P. is this?  Who’s his daddy?
• John P. Kleiss, married to Amanda Stark. He was born 19 June 1834 and he was a grocer on James Street in Lancaster.  They had two children, Jacob Henry and Maggie Elizabeth.  Which John P. is this?  Who’s his daddy?
• Philip Kleiss married in 1831 to Maria Haag in Harrisburg, PA.  Which Philip is this?  Who’s his daddy?
• John P. Kleiss, married to Lena, lived in Los Angeles in 1910.  I figure he was born in 1874.  Which John P. is this?  and just who’s his daddy?
• John P. Kleiss, age 17 in 1873, a Weaver, in prison for fornication and bastardy.  Which John P. is this?  Who’s his daddy?  Who’s his grandpa?
• and my personal favorite, John Kleiss who found $900 rolled up in a pair of old window blinds he bought at a public sale in Landisville in 1871.  When he returned the money to it’s rightful owner he got a 50 cent reward!  Honesty pays? Which John Kleiss was this?  and the same question, who’s his daddy?

I have a lot of information on these Kleiss guys, but nothing that fits exactly into a particular family.  This family seemed to have no imagination when it came to naming their sons!

If I’m not writing any blogs in the next week or two and you need to find me, check the Kleiss Tavern ~

this group of Kleiss guys is probably driving me to drink!

 

Susan and Sarah! Sisters! and both married Jacob.

The Obituary:

Lancaster Daily Intelligencer,
Tuesday, July 12, 1882:
DEATHS:
COLE – In this city, July 11, Susannah, relict of the late Abraham Cole, in the 82nd year of her age.
Her relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, from the residence of her son-in-law, T.A. Albright, No. 337 West King street, on Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock.

The Story:

Susan Ward and her sister, Sarah, probably shared toys as children.  As adults, they shared a husband, although not at the same time.

Sarah was the oldest, she was born in May of 1784 and Susannnah (Susan) was born in  September of 1800.  When Susan was only 14, she watched her sister marry Jacob Axer and become the mother of three of his children.  Every two years, Sarah had a child, John in 1815, Catharine in 1817, and in 1819 another child.  This child didn’t even live a full day, and Sarah only lived until the next day.  It must have been a real tragedy to everybody around the young family.

Susan, it appears, may have been a caregiver, both to the children and their father, as Jacob and Susan were married two years after Sarah’s death.  Jacob and Susan married on September 27, 1819.  Less than a month later, their first child, Sarah, was born.  Their young daughter, was named in honor of Jacob’s first wife and Susan’s sister.  Alas, this young daughter, did not live to see October end.  She, too, had a short life.

Four more children were born to this marriage, Jacob Jr. in 1822, Sarah in 1828, George in 1832 and Frederick in 1836.  In 1843, Jacob died and was buried next to Sarah in Lancaster Cemetery.

Susan had three children at home and was on her own.  Less than a year later, she married widower, Abraham Cole who was a Tanner in Lancaster.  It appears the couple did not own property.  No deeds have been found for them and in 1857, they boarded at the Keystone Tavern.  Three years later they lived with the Susan’s daughter, Sarah, and her family.

Fact: Newspaper obituary published 30 November 1864:

Abraham Cole died on  November 28, 1864 and is buried next to his first wife in Lancaster Cemetery.  It took me awhile to find his obituary since I was looking for his correct name, not Ephraim!  Silly me!  Susan continued to live the remainder of her days with the Albrights and died in July of 1882.  Her will left her entire estate to the Albrights, after her debts were paid.  Her other children were excluded.  She was buried in Lancaster Cemetery next to her 2nd husband Abraham Cole.

Lancaster Cemetery, Susannah Ward Axer Cole

See anything funny about this picture?  You only see Susannah’s inscription, right?  Guess what?  Abraham Cole and his first wife’s stones face forward; Susannah’s faces backwards!  Wouldn’t you like to know the story behind this? Was it a mistake?  Was it a decision by Abraham’s family?  What’s the story??

Lancaster Cemetery, Abraham and Catharine Cole's headstone

. . . and this is why I love obituaries and cemeteries.  Oh the “stories” they can tell!