The plight of Pieter Jansen Koster sets the stage for the emigration of his descendants about 150 years later.
Pieter originally was a sacristan of what was then the Roman Catholic Church in “Oost, Zaandam, Holland.” However, like so many in Europe during the rise of Protestantism, Pieter’s beliefs changed and he became a Mennonite preacher.
His shift in beliefs sadly cost him his life, as is described in “A Martryology of The Churches of Christ”:
“Pieter Koster – AD 1535
In the year 1535, there was a pious brother named Pieter Koster, who had been a sacristan in the church at Saardam, in North Holland. Having come to the knowledge of the truth, he was appointed a teacher of the congregation; but because of the persecution, went to live in Amsterdam, where he was taken prisoner by the sheriff, through the information of a woman living in his neighborhood, who through foolish zeal made known the place where he had hidden himself. As it was at the time when some wicked riots and conspiracies took place in the world, it was suspected that this friend of God was implicated in them. But it is evident from his own writings, as also in his confession, that of this he was innocent; and several credible witnesses can affirm, that he had with all his heart opposed them. Nevertheless, because he had been baptized on his confession of faith, according to the command and ordinance of Christ, and had besides filled the office of minister, he was condemned to death and executed by the sword in Amsterdam, expecting with all the righteous the reward promised by Christ…”
Source Information:
A Martyrology of the Churches of Christ, Commonly Called Baptists, during the Era of the Reformation, by Thieleman J. van Braght et al., The Hanserd Knolley Society, 1850, pp. 140–141.
William F was just two years old when at least four of his siblings died of diphtheria. Whether or not William also suffered from the disease we will never know, but he was one of only five of William Sr. and Elizabeth’s children who survived.
Clara Matilda (Reimert) Wolf & William F Wolf
William married Clara Matilda Reimert on September 20, 1902 at St. Paul’s Lutheran in Red Hill. Clara was born on December 8, 1884, the daughter of Lewis Reimert & Lilly Shollenberger. William and Clara had seventeen children that are known of.
What little we know of William’s life indicates that he was a hard-working man. Like many youths of the time, his education reached only the 7th grade, and he likely entered employment after that. Censuses and his WW1 draft card indicate that he worked in a cigar factory while also farming his own land. According to his obituary, he operated a dairy farm in the town of Finland, near Pennsburg.
While raising her children, Clara also worked as a housekeeper for 32 years, until June of 1935. She died at the age of 52 of a cerebral hemorrhage / arterio-sclerosis on May 7, 1937.
William F and Clara
William’s WW2 draft card describes the 61-year-old widower as being 5’8”, 160 lb, with brown eyes, grey hair, and a dark brown complexion. This is likely why the card lists his race as “negro.”
William died on July 8, 1961 at Allentown hospital due to gastrointestinal bleeding caused by “carcinoma of the large bowel.”
William and Clara are both buried at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Red Hill.
William’s Obituary:
William F. Wolf died at age 80 in the Allentown Hospital after an illness.
He was the son of the late William and Elizabeth (Fox) Wolf. William F. was married to Clara (Reimert) Wolf and together they had 17 children, Robert, Herbert, Russell, Walter, Howard, Milton, Edwin, Lewis, Sadie, wife of Frank Heimbach, Florence, wife of Frank Reiman, Beatrice, wife of Joseph Oppelt, Frances, wife of Francis Moser, and Fern, wife of Holmes Stauffer. He was predeceased by 4 children.
At the time of his death, he had 44 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
William operated a dairy farm in Finland (near Pennsburg), PA.
Services were held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Red Hill, with the Rev. Walter E Schaeffer, Pastor officiating. Funeral services were arranged by the Benner Funeral Home 612 Main Street in Red Hill, PA.
Children of William F and Clara
Sadie is discussed here.
Robert was born on March 13, 1903. He married Margaret Neas and owned Wolf’s Vineyard in Orefield for 30 years, retiring in 1969. He died on August 30, 1988 and is buried at St. Paul’s in Red Hill. Robert and Margaret had three children: Robert, whose life events are discussed on his own page here, Arlene (born 1930), and Kermit (born August 7, 1934, died of pneumonia on August 14, buried at St. Paul’s).
Herbert was born on April 6, 1905. He married STella Moll (1910-1990). Their children were named Dorothy, Richard, and Linford. Additionally, one child was stillborn in November, 1935. Herbert died in June, 1980. He and Stella are both buried at St. Pau’s.
Howard was born on October 26, 1906. He married Laura Victoria Stephens (1906-1984) in 1925. They had a daughter named Erma Clara. Howard died on December 14, 1976. He and Laura are both buried at St. Pau’s.
Jennie was born on March 31, 1909. She married Samuel Ludwig Heinz (1893-1956), who may have been born in Germany, at age sixteen or seventeen. According to Jennie’s death certificate, she died of “convulsions.” According to information passed through the family, however, she died of “confinement, aka childbirth” at the Half Moon Hotel in Finland, Bucks County. The day she died, November 4, 1926, her child (known as “Baby Wolf” in family records) was both born and also died. The fact that she gave birth at a hotel and her young age makes one wonder if she and Samuel were in fact married, or if their child was born out of wedlock. However, she is buried at St. Paul’s Church under the name “Jennie Heintz” with Samuel and others in the Heintz family
Florence was born on October 20, 1910. She married Frank Reihman Jr. on December 24, 1932 at the St Paul’s Parsonage. She died on March 11, 1982 and is buried at Frieden’s Union Cemetery in Sumneytown, PA.
Milton was born on June 6, 1912. He married Fern Eschbach (1919-2015), a member of Palm Schwenkfelder Church who was a pianist and organist (interestingly, Fern’s first husband was a welder who died of a fractured skull & internal injuries as he result of the collision of a car and train at a crossing). Milton served in the Army during WW2, from February 4, 1943 – December 28, 1945. His veteran documents state: BTRY A 519 AAA GN BN. Milton died on July 19, 1995. He and Fern are buried at Palm Schwenkfelder Church.
Edwin was born on May 20, 1914. He married Mary Gehman (1927-1999). He died on May 12, 1986 and is buried at St. Paul’s.
Albert was born on September 28, 1915. He died on March 22, 1917 of whooping cough. At the time of his death, seven of his siblings were also suffering from the disease. Albert’s funeral was presided over by Rev. O.F. Waage and he was buried at St. Paul’s in Red Hill. His obituary lists his name as Amos A.P. Wolf, but his tombstone says Albert.
Lester was born on August 23, 1917 and died six days later on August 29. Cause of death is unknown. He was buried at St. Paul’s.
Russell was born on August 14, 1918. He married Catherine Delong (~1923 – 1983). He died on December 29, 1981 and is buried at St. Paul’s.
Frances was born on September 22, 1920. She married Francis Moser. She died on June 9, 2005 and is buried at St. Paul’s.
Walter was born on July 31, 1922. He married Carrie E Wonsidler. Walter was a mechanic for CJ Wonsidler Bros, and after his retirement worked at the Perkiomenville Auction. Ge died on July 16, 2014 and is buried at St. Paul’s.
Beatrice was born on January 10, 1924. She married Joseph John Opplt (1919-2000). Their children are Joseph, David, and Joyce (whose daughter, Amy, compiled a great deal of information on the Wolf family).
May was born on December 10, 1925 and died six days later on December 16. She was baptized at home on December 14 by Pastor Howard Krauss.
Lewis was born on January 6, 1927. He spent most of his adult life in Vermont. He married Vera Mae Croteau, and divorced in 1989. Lewis served in the Army in WW2, from May 8, 1945 – November 11, 1946. He died on March 28, 1994 at his home in Vermont and is buried nearly at the Eaton Cemetery in Marshfield, VT.
Fern was born at home on December 27, 1928. At the time she was born, her eldest sister, Sadie, was 26 years old and already a mother herself. She married Holmes Stauffer (1924-2009). They lived in Delaware for many years before moving back to the Pennsburg area. She died on September 20, 2008.
Died: November 24, 1933 (buried at St. Paul’s Lutheran in Red Hill)
Parents: John Fox & Laura Erb
Married: May 29, 1869
Children: Franklin, Monroe, Harrison, Jonathan, William F, Wayne, Jane, Dallas, Amandus, Elizabeth, Katie, Lillian, and two others
William W Wolf (left) with his sons Monroe (center) and William F (right)
William W Wolf, son of Jonathan Wolf and Margaret, seems to have lived a simple life in the town of Milford in Bucks County, where he was born on November 12, 1846. In his earlier years he worked as a carpenter (according to census records), and by 1900 he operated his own family farm. In 1920, this farm was located on Kline School Road in Milford.
William married Elizabeth Fox at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on May 29, 1869. She was born on October 24, 1850 to John Fox & Laura Erb. According to the 1900 census, she did not know how to read or write.
We also know from the 1900 census that the couple had a total of fourteen children, but that only five survived to the turn of the century. Sadly, several of their children died of diphtheria and other illnesses. Two children are unaccounted for, meaning they may have been stillborn and never named, or at the very least never lived long enough to appear in any census records.
The 1900 census also states that both William and Elizabeth’s native tongue was German. Most likely they spoke “Pennsylvania Dutch,” a dialect of German that formed in Pennsylvania as a result of the many German immigrants who settled the region.
William died on February 25, 1927. Elizabeth died on November 24, 1933 due to arteriosclerosis/cerebral thrombosis, according to her death certificate. Both are buried at St. Paul’s in Red Hill. Though church records list their burial location as section A, row 22 of the new cemetery, either their tombstones are gone or never existed in the first place. Elizabeth’s parents are also buried at St. Paul’s, in new section B, row 23.
Children of William and Elizabeth
According to the 1900 census, William and Elizabeth had fourteen children. Twelve of them are accounted for here:
Franklin was born on February 1, 1870. At this time, no further information is known about him.
Monroe was born on March 6, 1871. He married Matilda Litzenberger (1881-1920) at St. Paul’s on July 27, 1901. Their children were named Gertrude (1902-), Elizabeth “Lizzie” (1905-1974), John (1907-1922 of diphtheria), Mary (1909-), Elma (1912-1929), Margaret (1914-), Harold (1916-), and Elsie (1920-1920). Sadly, Matilda died in childbirth with Elsie. Monroe died in 1957. He and Matilda are buried at St. Paul’s in Red Hill.
Harrison was born on September 20, 1873 and died on December 3, 1883 of diphtheria.
Jonathan was born on December 16, 1875 and died on November 17, 1883 of diphtheria.
Wayne was born on October 31, 1881 and died on November 22, 1883 of diphtheria.
Jane was born on November 9, 1883, in the middle of the diphtheria outbreak which claimed several of her siblings. She lived only 4 weeks, passing on December 8, 1883 of the disease.
Dallas was born on December 20, 1884 and died at the age of 10 months on April 10, 1885. His cause of death is listed as convulsions.
Amandus was born on April 20, 1886. He married Carrie Mumbauer (1888-1992) at St. Paul’s on January 2, 1909, with Rev O.F. Waage officiating. Their children were named Elsie (1920-2001) and Margaret. Amandus served on the church council for 24 years until about1957, and was a school director for Marlborough Township Schools for 22 years until about 1960. He died on October 22, 1973. Amandus and Carrie are buried at St. Paul’s in Red Hill alongside their daughter Elsie and her husband, Harvey Stevens.
Elizabeth was born on February 11, 1888. She married Edwin Reinhart (1885-1963). Elizabeth was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Spinnerstown, where she and her husband are buried. She worked in a cigar factory early in life, was a grocer alongside her huband in Trumbauersville for 25 years, and retired as a sewing machine operator at a shirt factory in Quakerstown in 1953. She had one daughter named Margaret (1906-1988). Elizabeth died at the age of 109 on March 25, 1997.
Katie was born on January 31, 1891 and died at the age of six on April 10, 1897. No cause of death is known.
Lillian was born on November 11, 1891. She married Howard Renninger (1887-1944). Howard was St. Paul’s sexton, janitor, and farm operator. He committed suicide by hanging in the church’s barn. Their children were named Elma (1908-1974), Claude (1911-1987), Clifford, who served in France in WW2 (1913-1997), Arthur (1916-1997), Helen (1918-1994), Elsie (1920-2008), Eva (1921-2014), Lester (1923-2000), Amy (1924-2007), Herbert (1925-1997), and Franklin (1926-2013). Lillian died on January 19, 1976. She and Howard are buried at St. Paul’s in Red Hill.
Two other children were born to William & Elizabeth as well. One of these may have been born around 1873 or 1874 and named William. The 1880 census lists a son, “Willie,” aged 6 and born in December. That would make Willie’s birthdate December of 1873, which doesn’t fit with Harrison’s birthdate of September, 1873.
Sadly, the burial location of the children who died young is not known at this time.
Jonathan Wolf may have been the only child of George Wolf & Mary Bary. He was born on November 29, 1811 in Pennsburg, PA. Jonathan was a carpenter and spent much of his life living in Milford, Bucks County.
Jonathan married Margaret Brey on August 14, 1831 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Red Hill PA, where he was a member. They paid Rev. Frederick Waage a fee of $2.50.
Margaret’s family was already well established in the Red Hill area and St. Paul’s parish. Both her parents – John George Brey (1769-1853) and Fronica Horlacher (1772-1841) – and paternal grandparents – Johann Conrad Brey (1740-1827) and Magdalena Klein (1749-1834) – are buried in the St. Paul’s cemetery. Margaret’s paternal great-grandfather, Hans (Johann) Brey was born in 1712 in Germany, and died in 1793 in Pennsylvania.
Margaret died at the age of 71 on January 28, 1876. Jonathan, like many in the Wolf family, lived to quite an old age, especially for the time. He died at the age of 91 onDecember 8, 1902, his death caused by “infirmities due to old age” according to his obituary:
Jonathan WOLF, Sr., the oldest resident of Finland, died on Tuesday of infirmities due to old age. He was born in Pennsburg, Nov. 26, 1811 and when a youth he learned the carpenter trade, later he started the undertaking business and continued it for many years. He lived a retired life for the past five years and was the oldest member of St. Paul’s Lutheran church. He brought his age to 91 years and 9 days. He is survived by the following children: Jonathan, of Telford; William, Benjamin and Edwin, of Finland; Mary widow of Jacob OSTER, of Lederachville; Angelina, wife of Jacob CLEMENS, of Hatfield, and a large number of grandchildren. Another daughter Mrs. Rebecca KULP, died several years ago.(Town & Country, Saturday December 13, 1902)
Both Jonathan and Margaret are buried at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, in row C of the old cemetery.
Children of Jonathan and Margaret
Angeline was born on April 29, 1833 and died on June 26, 1928. She married Jacob Clemens. She is buried at the Lower Salford Mennonite Meetinghouse.
Mary was born on December 18, 1835 and died on March 7, 1923. She married Jacob Oster. She is buried at the Salford Mennonite Meetinghouse.
Benjamin was born on December 3, 1836 and died on April 7, 1924. He married Sara Faut at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on April 12, 1857. The Pastor was Rev Frederick Waage, who was paid $2.00 for the marriage. Sara was born on May 11, 1837 and died on December 3, 1918. Both are buried at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Their children were Henry (1863-1879), Johannes (Aug 29 – Nov 17, 1863), Benjamin (Dec 26, 1868 – Aug 4, 1879), Franklin (born Aug 13, 1870), Lucinda (April 7, 1874 – July 24, 1879), and Jacob (Feb 1876 – May 1928). Of their children, Henry, Johannes, Benjamin, and Lucinda all died of diptheria. Franklin’s cause of death is unknown, as is his burial location. Jacob may have been the only one who lived to adulthood.
Clara was born in 1837.
Jonathan was born in 1841 and was a carpenter.
Rabecca was born in 1844 and married someone with the last name Kulp.
Edwin was born on February 9, 1850 and died on April 24, 1929 of apoplexy (likely a stroke). Edwin was a carpenter. He married Mary Fox (daughter of John Fox and Laura Erb) at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on June 27, 1874. Mary was born on March 24, 1853 and died on July 5, 1940. Both Edwin and Mary’s funerals were conducted by Rev. H Krauss and both are buried at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Their children were Charles (Dec 20, 1875 – Dec 15, 1883), Allen (Apr 26, 1878 – 1962), Irwin (Oct 11, 1879 – Sept 1, 1883 of lockjaw), Mahlon (Apr 14, 1885 – Aug 27, 1978), Annie (May 23, 1889 – Apr 11, 1903), David (June 9, 1894 – Feb 13, 1895), Frederick (born April 19, 1896, married Margaret Karver Jan 27, 1934 at the St. Paul’s Parsonage), Rosie (1892-1963), and Josiah (1887 – 1979). Interestingly, Josiah married Eva Ella Heimbach, sister of William Frank Heimbach. These two Heimbach siblings married Wolf cousins.
Married: April 27, 1811 in Falkner Swamp / New Hanover Lutheran Church
Children: Jonathan
Few records about the life of George Wolf have been found. According to family and ancestry.com, he was born around 1790, died March 19, 1848, and married Mary Bary on April 27, 1811 at Falkner Swamp / New Hanover Lutheran Church. His place of burial is unknown, though according to family record the funeral service was conducted by Rev. Frederick Waage of St, Paul’s Lutheran Church in Red Hill, PA (for a fee of $1.00).
This was a time when a Pastor would travel to numerous parishes across town lines, and both Falkner Swamp / New Hanover and St. Paul’s are among the oldest Lutheran churches in the area. However, neither have record of George’s birth or burial.
Even less is known about George’s wife, Mary Bary. Any records of her birth, parents, or burial are also missing. Since only one child of George & Mary is known about, it is possible that she may have died in childbirth. And, if the dates of their marriage and the birth of their son, Jonathan, are correct, Mary would have been about two months pregnant at the time of their marriage.
Children of George & Mary
Jonathan is the only child of George and Mary that we know about. His life is discussed here.
Parents: John Michael Heimbach Sr. & Henrietta Schuler
Spouse: Emmaline (Emma) Hunsberger
Born: Feb 15, 1841
Died: Nov 5, 1925
Married: 1864
Children: Mary Ann (1865-1918), William (1866-1924), Charles (1868-), Franklin (1870-), Harvey (1874-1961)
John Michael, born October 1, 1841, was likely named for his father, who died when he was only 7. Perhaps to make a distinction from his father, he dropped the “John” part of his name and went by Michael for most of his life.
Michael married Emmaline Hunsberger around the year 1864. Though she went by Emma, her given name was Emmaline, though some records refer to her as Catherine Emma. She was born February 15, 1841, the daughter of David Krauss Hunsberger and Maria Miller, on my father’s side of the tree.
Census records give us a great account of Michael’s life. In 1850, he was a boy of nine living with his mother and siblings Samuel, Mary, and Harriet in Upper Salford, Montgomery County.
In 1860, Michael was working as a tanner at the home of Jonathan Geisinger in Rockhill, Bucks County.
In 1870, at the age of 28, Michael resided in Springfield in Bucks County with his wife and first three children. Working as a courier, his estate was worth $615.
In 1880, Michael was managing his own farm in Milford, Bucks County, aided by his son Charles. The family appears to have remained at this residence until Michael’s death. Living with the family in 1880 was also four-year-old Ida Hunsberger, his wife’s niece.
In 1910, many of Michael and Emma’s children and grandchildren lived either in the same home, or at neighboring addresses.
Michael died on Jan 16, 1912. We do not currently have a death certificate to tell us cause.
In 1920, Emma lived with her son, Harvey, as well as his wife, Mary Kittleman, and their children George and Gertrude in their home on Keiper Road in Milford.
Emma died on November 5, 1925. She and Michael are both buried at Trinity Great Swamp UCC in Spinnerstown.
Children of John Michael and Emma
John Michael and Emma had seven children, though only five are known to have lived to adulthood.
Mary Ann was born on March 1, 1865 and died on September 30, 1918. She is buried at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Spinnerstown. She married Henry Wolf Leister (1861-1916). Their children were named Cora Jane and Mary Emma.
Charles was born on October 8, 1867 and died on November 16, 1939. He married Emma Wenig. Their children were named Robert Ellwood, Pearl May, Laura Irene, and Harold Luther.
Franklin was born on September 1, 1870 and died at the age of 19 on January 10, 1890. He is buried at Trinity Great Swamp UCC in Spinnerstown.
Harvey was born on October 1, 1873 and died on June 1, 1961 at the age of 87. He married Mary Kittleman (1872-1930). Their children were named Stella, Howard, Jennie Ida, George, and Gertrude.
Born: April 19, 1819 (possibly Ettenhausen, Wartburgkreis, Thuringia, Germany)
Immigrated: 1837
Died: around 1848 in Upper Salford, Montgomery Co, PA
Buried: Unknown
Parents: Not confirmed
Spouse: Henrietta (Harriet) Schuler
Born: March 6, 1821in Montgomery Co
Died: Feb 24, 1908 in Richland, Bucks Co
Parents: Samuel Schuler & Mary Magdalena Strohman
Married: Most likely 1837
Children: Samuel (May 30, 1838 – Oct 22, 1918), John Michael, Mary Magdalena (Nov 9, 1844 – April 12, 1924), Harriet (1848 – ?)
Little conclusive information about the life of John Michael exists.
His birth on April 19, 1819 in Ettenhausen, Wartburgkreis, Thuringia, Germany is listed on numerous Ancestry.com member family trees, but I have not found any documentation to support this.
A baptismal record for a John Michael Heimbach lists parents as Johann Heimbach & Magdalena Hassler. However, this information is low confidence. The baptismal date is the same as John Michael’s birthdate, which may have been customary in the early nineteenth century. However, the baptismal location in Bartenstein, Wurtemburg is 75km away from his place of birth. To travel that distance with an hours-old newborn for a baptism seems highly unlikely, as the family would have been established at a church in their own town.
A “Johann Hambach” appears on a passenger list, indicating that he traveled with a family member and arrived in America in 1837, around the age of 18. This date lines up with other details we know about John, and this variation on his name is an appropriately German one.
The source of this passenger list is:
AUERBACH, INGE. Hessische Auswanderer (Hesaus): Index nach Familiennamen: Bd. II: Auswanderer aus Hessen-Kassel, 1840-1850. Marburg: Archivschule Marburg, 1988. 517p. (Veroeffentlichungen der Archivschule Marburg, Nr. 12)
(Hessian Immigrants: Index to Family Names. Book II: Immigrants from Hesse-Kassel 1840-1850.)
John Michael married Henrietta (aka Harriet) Schuler. The date of their marriage is unknown, but can be estimated as mid- to late- 1837, shortly after arriving in Pennsylvania. Some Ancestry.com family trees list their marriage date as 1840.
John Michael died young, at the age of 29 or 30, leaving his young wife and four children. His burial location is unknown.
More on Henrietta
Henrietta remarried to Peter Long (1810 – May 29, 1866) shortly after John Michael’s death, with some Ancestry.com trees listing their marriage as early as 1848. Their children were Henry (1853-1918), Charles (1857-1931), Peter (1859-?), and Frank (1860-1944).
Henrietta’s father, Samuel Schuler, is buried in the Old Goshenhoppen Cemetery. Henrietta’s mother, Mary Magdalena Strohman, as well as most of her siblings are buried in Friedman’s Union Cemetery in Sumneytown.
Henrietta’s brother, Franklin, was in the Union Army in the Civil War.
Henrietta outlived both of her husbands by several decades. She died in 1908 at the age of 86 due to complications from asthma. She is buried at the Union Cemetery in Quakertown. Her second husband is buried in the Old Goshenhoppen Cemetery.
Children of John Michael & Henrietta
Samuel was born on May 30, 1838 and died October 22, 1918. He married Sarah Long Nace, daughter of John Nace and Sarah Long (no apparent relation to Henrietta’s second husband). Sarah was born June 4, 1840 and died October 22, 1914. Their children were John (1862-1928), Albert (1865-1913), Katie (1868-?), Mary (1873-?), Henry Harrison (1876-1945), Benjamin Franklin (1878-1908), and Edward (1885-1943).
Mary Magdalena, likely named after her grandmother, was born on November 9, 1844 and died on April 12, 1924. She married George Hartman, who was born in 1831 and died in 1912 and served in the Civil War.
Harriet was born around 1848, but we don’t have exact dates for her birth or death. There is another Harriet with the middle name Schuler who lived in the area around the same time, but it appears that this Harriet married Christian Wick. Christian was born March 15, 1845 and died June 20, 1902 and was a private in the Civil War. Their children were named Oliver, Katy, Henrietta, and Annie. Oliver was a foreman at Bethlehem Steel, and died tragically at the age of 40 when the dynamite being used to break up scrap exploded prematurely. He is buried in the Union Cemetery in Quakertown.
Documents & Photos
Death Certificate of Henrietta (Schuler) Heimbach (Long)
Died: Jan. 30, 1924 (Buried at Trinity Great Swamp UCC, Spinnerstown PA)
Parents: John Michael Heimbach & Catherine Emma Hunsberger
Spouse: Emma Brey
Born: 1865
Died: 1907
Parents: Joel & Elizabeth Brey
Married: Dec 24, 1887
Children: Eva Ella, Katie, Cora, John Michael, William Franklin
William was the second child of John Michael Heimbach Jr and Catherine Emma Hunsberger, born on March 3, 1866. He married Emma Brey on Christmas Eve, 1887 in East Greenville. Thanks to ornate, handwritten records in a Bible that William gave Emma in 1888, we have these details of their marriage and the names and birthdates of their children.
In 1900, William was a farm laborer. He and his wife and their first four children resided with his parents, John Michael & Emma, in the town of Roeder, Bucks County.
By 1910 William was a widower, after Emma’s death in 1907. At this time, William was running his own farm, and several of his children lived with him at home.
By the 1920 census, William appears to have remarried someone by the name of Sarah (to date, no information on her has been found). Their marriage was not a long one, however, as William died on January 30, 1924 due to complications resulting from chronic Bright’s Disease.
William and Emma (his first wife) are buried at the Trinity Great Swamp UCC Cemetery.
Children of William & Emma
William and Emma had five children, several of whom died young and tragically.
Eva Ella was born on June 6, 1890 and married Josiah Wolf (1887-1979). She died July 3, 1963 and is buried with her husband at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Red Hill.
Katie was born Nov 13, 1891 And married Aaron Rosenberger. She died of Tuberculosis on January 31, 1920 and is buried at West Swamp Mennonite Cemetery in Quakertown.
Cora was born on April 24, 1894. She married Howard Frank. She died on June 12, 1934 and is buried at Trumbauersville Christ Union Cemetery. According to her death certificate, she died of suicide by drowning in a quarry in Trumbauersville.
John Michael, presumably named after his grandfather, was born on September 8, 1897. According to his death certificate, he was a machinist at Bethlehem Steel during World War I. He died of “congestion of the lungs” caused by influenza at the age of 21 on November 23, 1918, and is buried at Trinity Great Swamp UCC Cemetery. Interestingly, his death coincides with the influenza epidemic of 1918-1920, also known as the Spanish flu.
William Frank is discussed here.
Gravestone Photos
Gravestone of Emma (Brey) Heimbach
William Heimbach Gravestone
Documents & Other Photos
Bible given to Emma from William
Bible page detailing William & Emma’s marriage
Bible page listing their children
William & Emma’s Marriage LicenseWilliam Heimbach’s Death Certificate
John Heimbach
Photo of young John Michael Heimbach, son of William & Emma
John M Heimbach’s Death Certificate
John Heimbach was a machinist at Bethlehem Steel during WWI. He may have even worked in this building, Machine Shop #2, which was the largest industrial building in the world when it was built. As a machinist, John likely was involved in making parts for engines, ships, locomotives, and other machines within the mill. During wartime, the production of engines and turbines for war equipment would have been the main output.
Other Children of William & Emma
Cora (Heimbach) Frank’s Death CertificateKatie (Heimbach) Rosenberger’s Death Certificate
Since the writing of this post, it has been learned that the individuals detailed here are not, in fact, our relatives.
Born: April 20, 1845
Died: Nov. 24, 1916 (Buried at Zionsville Reformed Church)
Parents: John & Maria Susanna Heimbach
Spouse: Mary C. Kahler/Keeler
Born: Sept. 26, 1845
Died: July 24, 1887 (Buried at Zionsville Reformed Church)
Children: William, Irwin
We do not know much about Joseph, but it seems he may have had a tough life.
The 1880 census lists his occupation as “servant” in the home of Jonathan Geyer in Douglass Township.
His wife died relatively young, at the age of 41 in 1887.
In 1900, at the age of 54, he was a boarder and farm laborer in the home of Charles Moser in Douglass Township.
By the 1910 census, things are looking up. At 65 years of age, Joseph is a servant and boarder no longer; now, he owns a farm in Douglass.
However, six years later, Joseph died at the age of 71. His death certificate was issued by the State Hospital for the Insane, listing his cause of death as what appears to be “Arterio Capillary Fibrosis.”
Children of Joseph and Mary
William is discussed here.
Irwin was born on March 21, 1869. He married Hannah Martha Fox (1873-1941) in 1890. Their children were named Mary, Lizzie, Harry, Joseph, William, Franklin, and Paul. He died on Sept. 23, 1921 and is buried at the Niantic UCC cemetery.
Gravestone Photos
Gravestone of Joseph & MaryJoseph’s Death Certificate
Since the writing of this post, it has been learned that the individuals detailed here are not, in fact, our relatives.
Born: April 4, 1809
Died: May 2, 1882 (Buried at Old Zionsville UCC)
Parents: Wendel Heimbach & Susanna Bittenbender
Spouse: Maria Susanna Mohr
Born: March 23, 1811
Died: Jan. 26, 1883 (Buried at Old Zionsville UCC)
Married: 1832
Children: Anna Juliana “Angelina”, Daniel, John, Jonas, Joseph, Mary, David, Thomas, Joel
John is another Heimbach about whom little is known. Census records from 1850 to 1880 list is occupation as farmer, even into his seventies. Like his forefathers before him, his life centered around Zionsville.
Children of John and Maria Susanna
Anna Juliana “Angelina” was born on July 7, 1832. She married Charles Wasser (1827-1903) and they had one daughter, Anna Elizabeth, born on December 8, 1860. Anna died at the age of 32 on Oct. 9, 1865. Tragically, her only child, Anna Elizabeth, was born, died at the age of five the following year, on August 6, 1866. Her husband, Charles, remarried Anna’s first cousin, Caroline (daughter of Jacob, John’s brother)
Daniel was born on Oct. 1, 1835 and died on May 2, 1859 at the age of 23.
John was born on Feb. 10, 1838. He married Abasena Mensch (1842-1939). Their children were named Joseph, David, and Lila.
Jonas was born on Jan. 12, 1842. He married Elizabeth Moyer (1842-1917), and their children were named Daniel, John, Jennie, and Rosa. He died on April 1, 1873 and is buried at Zionsville.
Mary was born on Sept. 26, 1845. She married David Delong (b. 1846). She died on July 24, 1883 and is buried at Zionsville.
David was born on Dec. 16 of 1847 or 1848. He married Elizabeth “Lizzie” Borneman (1850-1915) in 1873, and their children were named John, George, and Stella. However, the 1880 census lists him as a “widower” and “servant” in the home of the Schular family. David died on Dec. 17, 1919 and is buried in Boyertown.
Thomas was born on Nov. 7, 1850. He married Emma Kulp (1856-1928) in 1872. Their children were named David, Rosina, Annie, Katie, Thomas, Joel, Walter, Lizzie, Edna, Emma, and Grant. He died on Oct. 1, 1928 and is buried in Sassmansville.
Joel was born on Feb. 1860. He married Angeline Wisler (b. 1861) in 1882. Their children were named Minnie, Alvin.
Leaves on the Tree 