Trail of History for Week of September 24, 2009
Sep 25, 2009 - 10:04:47 AM
Civil War Soldiers at Forest Hill
Forest Hill is yet a small village north of Mifflinburg, with an excellent little store and gas station. The earliest settlers I have not yet been able to determine but have used the cemetery records to get the earliest birth dates of those buried there.
One of the earliest settlers just south of Forest Hill was Captain Christopher Johnson, a Revolutionary War soldier from New Jersey. He died on his farm south of Forest Hill and is buried there, and the veterans put up a flag every year at his grave. He supposedly settled there about 1787 (before Union County was formed). He died in 1837 and had children: Maryan, Julian and Abel Johnson.
Peter Struble born 1840, died Feb. 18, 1904 at his home near Forest Hill, served in the Civil War in Company E, 51st. Pa. Regt. from Sept. 1861-Aug. 1865. He is buried at Forest Hill. Emanuel Benfer died Mar. 29, 1934 at 11 o’clock at Forest House where he made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Stephen Roadarmel. He was 90 years of age and a lumberman by trade. He was born in west Buffalo Twp. and spent his life in that area. During the Civil War he spent three months in the repair army in Harrisburg. His wife preceeded him in death 26 years ago and for the past 16 years he has made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Roadarmel. He had a brother Abraham and a sister Mrs. Mary Huff of Michigan when he died. He was buried by Rev. S.B. Bidlack in the Forest Hill cemetery.
Ammon Lutz in 1847 had a store at Forest Hill. He later was postmaster and then moved away. He is listed in the 1860 Census at West Buffalo Twp. as being 38 (b. 1822) and a merchant.
Another early settler was Daniel Reish who came from Berks Co. and had a grist mill, saw mill and distillery near Forest Hill. His son Benneville was a distiller and proprietor of the Forest House at the foot of the 14 Mile Narrows. Benneville’s sons James K. and Joel later ran the business. In the census for 1870 West Buffalo Twp.: Benneville Reish, 44; Louisa, 44; Catharine, 15; Alfred, 11; George, 9; Elmira, 9; Benneville, 7; Charles, 4; Clara, 3; and Harriet, 1.
Lewis Aikey was born in 1827, died Nov. 2, 1907 and is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery. In 1900 Census for West Buffalo Twp. Lewis Aikey widow b. 1827, with Alexander Aikey, 48; Sarah, 40; William R., 15; Frank, 13; Paul, 10; Flora, 8; Margaret, 6; and Mary, 3. Lewis was a Civil War Soldier and is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery.
William Walker lived near Forest Hill and is buried there. In 1870 in West Buffalo Township he is 48, born 1822 a farm laborer, wife Sarah 43, and children: William S., 16 farm laborer; Mary, 13; David, 10, G.W., 8; Samuel, 6; Catharine, 4; and Alfred, 1.
In 1870 John Dates is 32 and living in West Buffalo Township near Forest Hill. Andrew Foster born 1834, died in the Civil War in 1865 was a son of Joseph Foster, born 1794 and died in 1884. Both buried at Forest Hill Cemetery. Joseph Foster’s wife was Mary as in the Census for 1850 Spring Twp., Centre Co. Pa. I find Joseph Foster 55, Mary 47, William 24, Mary J. 22, Jeremiah 20, ANDREW 16, Ann 12, and Thomas 9.
John Jones born 1779 and died in 1865 wife Mary born 1791, died 1872 are buried at Forest Hill Cemetery. I find a John Jones in 1850 in west Buffalo Township age 69, born 1781 in New Jersey, with wife Martha 62, and Rachel 60, Mary 58, and Abel 20. This census does not tell the relation of the names to each other. Jacob Housel was born in 1795 and died in 1859 and is buried at Forest Hill. His tombstone is almost unreadable and I missed it twice.
John Bechtel born 1800 died 1885 with wife Catharine Best, born 1797, died 1880. They are buried at Forest Hill. Michael Spotz (Spotts) born 1786, died in 1872 is buried at Forest Hill. In 1850 Census for West Buffalo Twp. Michael Spotz, 64, born in Pa. 1786, wife Magdalena 57,
Charles 19, Adamline 15, and Angeline 12.
Also at Forest Hill cemetery is one Lanson Burris, born 1786, died Feb. 28, 1865. John Miller is in the 1850 Census for West Buffalo Twp. as 59, born 1791, wife Marg. 54, Jacob 23, Lewis 12, and Susan 10. Thomas Taylor, another very old tombstone, born 1791, farmer in 1860 census. Living with him is Maria Swambach. In 1850 same township, Thomas Taylor gives age 53, born Ireland and Maria Swambach born Ireland, Robert Taylor 15, and John Swainbach 70, born Ireland.
In 1900 in West Buffalo Twp. is Jacob Ross, 64, born Sept. 1835 (no relation to Betsey Ross at all), Wife Sarah 60, Jasper 19. He was a Civil War soldier in Company K 205th Regiment. In 1870 Philip Dieffenderfer is in West Buffalo Twp. age 44, farmer, wife Christiana 42, children: Sarah 16, Joseph 13, Maggie 1.
Philip Dieffenderfer b. Sept. 25, 1790, died Sept. 13, 1876. Wife, Catherine b. April 15, 1791, d. Jan. 4, 1873 had: Philip S. Dieffenderfer, b. Mar. 4, 1826, died Feb. 6, 1918, wife Christianna Kling, b. Nov. 21, 1829, d. Feb. 16, 1911, had: Alfred b. Aug. 21, 1851, d. July 3,1933 at Cowan, wife Rachel Dietrich and Verdilla Ranck, had: Leah Ann, Philip Franklin, Christa Minerva, Joanah Elizabeth, Sarah Edna, Ethel Verdilla. Philip S. also had Joseph.
In 1870 in West Buffalo Twp. was Simon Heberling, 50, farmer, Sarah 46, John 11, and in 1860 in West Buffalo Twp. is Solomon Heberling 41, Sarah Jane 37, Uriah 3, John Wm. 1 They are buried at Forest Hill. In 1860 West Buffalo Twp. John H. Kleckner 29, farmer, Sharlotte 27, Lewis 6, Emma 4, Laura 1. and next door is John Kline 27, carpenter, Harriet 24, Elmira 3, George 2, Lewis 1. In 1870 West Buffalo Twp. is George Kline, 37, farmer, Anna 36, children: Mary 14, Sarah 21, Louisa 10, Lydia 6, Anna 3. William 1. In 1900 West Buffalo Twp. is Charles Kline, 62, born 1838, and Amanda 53. In 1900 West Buffalo Twp. is George Kline, 67, b. 1833, Anneliza 66, Laura 40, Reuben 25. In 1900 in West Buffalo Twp. is Lewis Kline, 64, b. Dec. 1835, Margt. 63
From the TELEGRAPH Mar. 29, 1907: Mrs. Anna Eliza Schoch Kline, widow df the late George Kline, dec’d. died at her home at Forest Hill from a paralytic stroke at 4:00 a.m. on Thursday, Mar. 21, aged 73 years. Mrs. Kline was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Schoch of Mifflinburg. She was first married to Reuben Dieffenderfer, by whom she had the following children: Mary, wife of William Watkins of Tacoma Park, Alice, wife of DeWitt Croman of Hughesville, Laura E. wife of Jere Reitenbach of Forest HIll, Lillie, wife of Thomas Weary of White Deer. Mr. Dieffenderfer died when in the Civil War, from a disease in 1863. Her second husband, George Kline, a veteran of the Civil War, by whom she had three children: William of Forest Hill, Annie, wife of Hiram Lloyd, Reuben and Maggie wife of John Jow of Forest Hill. Mr. Kline died about two years ago. All of the above children survive her, also one sister, Mrs. Sadie Brittain of Austin, Illinois, and one brother, Rev. William H Schoch of New Berlin, Pa.
TELEGRAPH, Sept. 29, 1905: Mr. George Kline, who was stricken with paralysis on the 14th of Sept. last, died at his home on Friday, Sept. 22. He was a son of the late Kline, both deceased and was born in West Buffalo Twp. May 28, 1833 and was 72 years of age. He was a member of a remarkably patriotic family, no less than seven of the boys having served in the Union Army in the Civil War, they being: Daniel of Minnesota, in Comp. E 5lst. Pa. Vol. Ind. 142d. Pa. Vol. killed at the Battle of the Wilderness; Joel in Comp. E 51st Pa. Vol, died about three years ago; Charles of Forest Hill, in Comp. E 51st. Pa. Vol.; Jacob, Comp. E 51st Pa. Vol. died at Annapolis, Md., Reuben of Lewisburg, in 20th Pa. Cav. and later in Comp. E, 51st Pa. having lost a leg in the service, and George the subject of this notice who first served for nine months in Comp. E. 51st Pa. Vol. This record can scarcely be paralleled, at least we have never heard of anything to excel it in the annals of that stupendous conflict for the Right. Surviving him are his wife and the following children: Annie, wife of Hiram Lloyd, Margaret, wife of John Joe, William and Reuben all at home. The funeral was held last Monday at the church in Forest Hill, conducted by Rev. W.C. Bierly of the Millmont United Evangelical Church. The pallbearers were: Messrs. Robert Jodon, William Zellers, Samuel Hursh, Lewis Miller and John Hursh and Samuel Kleckner. Burial at the church at Forest Hill.
TELEGRAPH, Oct. 13, 1905: By the death of George Kline, of Forest Hill on Sept. 22, the history of a remarkable family is brought to our minds. Lewisburg holds the distinction of having as a resident the youngest of the seven brothers of the Kline family, who fought in the Civil War. Mr. Reuben Kline is one of the fourteen children of Jacob and Mary Kline and about this family is woven the wonderful bit of history. The father of this family died a happy man at the age of 63 years and 6 months. Proud he was to have raised for service in the army seven stalwart sons, five of whom he saw return from the bloody war. The members of the family according to their age follow: Daniel, the oldest son, served in the army until the close of the war. After him came John, who served under Captain John A. Owens, Company E, 142 Regiment Pa. Vol., the only one that failed to return from the war alive. He was killed in the Battle of the Wilderness and it is supposed that the body was burned by the terrible fire that raged through the forest. Third in line is George, who died from paralysis at his home in Forest Hill, on Sept. 22d. George was not more fortunate than the others, for he was wounded by being shot through both thighs. Joel, the fourth of the number, was a hero, for it was while attending his wounded brother, Reuben, that he was shot in the leg. It seemed almost an act of providence that it happened thus, for had it missed doubtless it would have killed his brother, who was lying close by him. Charles is living at Forest Hill and he too carries the scar of battle, a wound in the leg received while defending his country’s flag at the Battle of the Wilderness. Jacob L. died from illness at Annapolis. The remains were interred at Forest Hill. Mr. Reuben Kline, the youngest of the famous seven, is a citizen of Lewisburg. In 1905 he was an active man and was forced to suffer for the glory he gained in battle, for he walks on a wooden leg. He took part in four battles: Wilderness, Spotslvania, North Anna and Cold Harbor. Near the close of the war, Mr. Kline was taken to the hospital at Washington and later to the Soldiers’ Home at Philadelphia. Politically he held the office of Register and Recorder for Union County for fifteen years and Commissioners’ Clerk for six years. It is remarkable that out of nine brothers, six should enlist in the same company and wonderful it is that five of these should return at the end of the war from the same company Company E, 5lst. Pa. Vol.
It is the author’s bad habit to dwell on Civil War soldiers as her grandfather Kline (from Indiana) served and was a prisoner of war, and walked home to Indiana after escaping from a prison camp.)
Other early families from Forest Hill (and I cannot list them all) were William Hanselman who in 1880 in West Buffalo Twp. was 76, and Mary A. 61, George 35, who died Sept. 6, 1889, and Uriah 24. George serving in Comp. E, 12th Regt. buried at Forest Hill. In 1880 Census for West Buffalo Twp. is Samuel Hursh, 53, born in 1827, died May 23, 1917, buried at Forest Hill, A Civil War soldier, wife Hannah 49, children: Ellen 27, Christiann 14, Mary 9, and Adella 7. In 1900 in West Buffalo Twp. and a Civil War Soldier, buried at Forest Hill is Peter Struble, born Aug. 1839, died Feb. 18,1904, wife Elizabeth is wife 51, and Charles 12, and Margaret 14. In 1900 in Buffalo Twp. is John C. Struble, who served in 1st. Pa. Cav. and is buried at Forest, Hill. He was born Oct. 1840, and died May 5, 1919, wife in 1900 Mary 53. They are in the 1870 Census as he is 25 and she is 25. No children listed
These are only a few of the Civil War soldiers buried at Forest Hill, but those I could find a little about. There are many other early settlers, too, that I have not found material about. The Kline family is one out of this world and all descendants should be very proud of their soldier ancestor.
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Ammon Married Ellen Hanselman
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John Lewis Aikey & the Wives Named Sarah
John & Sarah's marriage license shows that John married a Sarah in 1877, and divorced her before 1897. In 1897 he married Sarah Catherine Mook. That would mean all of John's children were NOT the children of Sarah Mook, but rather his first wife, also named Sarah. Yet Minnie's death certificate and obit both name Sarah Mook as her mother... then I have this curious inquiry from another researcher-
Hi! I was viewing your family tree. Do you know anything about Minnie Minerva Aikey? She is my grandmother. My mother is Adeline Shamp. Supposedly she was adopted out to another family. She never shows up on a census. However, my family states that she was close with her sisters Hattie and Nettie. IT is very confusing. My mother never told be that she did not live with her family, and she is 88 years old now and does not remember much. I would greatly appreciate any additional information you have. Your research is extensive. I learned alot about my great and great great grandfather, Lewis Aikey. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Margaret Adeline Carter
To keep it confusing, there is another Minnie M. Aikey - but THIS Minnie is the dauther of Ephraim Aikey and Sarah Ellen Spotts. Ellen remarried to Israel Shemory, and he lists Minnie Mae as his adopted daughter in the 1900 census. Israel's death certificate is filled in by Charles Aikey, son of Ephraim & Sarah Spotts, brother of Minnie Mae.
NAME: Minnie M Aikey
AGE: 12
BIRTH DATE: Oct 1887
BIRTHPLACE: Pennsylvania
HOME IN 1900: New Berlin, Union, Pennsylvania
RACE: White
GENDER: Female
RELATION TO HEAD OF HOUSE: Adopted Daughter
MARITAL STATUS: Single
FATHER'S BIRTHPLACE: Pennsylvania
MOTHER'S BIRTHPLACE: Pennsylvania
OCCUPATION: View on Image
NEIGHBORS: View others on page
HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS:
NAME AGE
Israel Shemory 69
Sarah E Shemory 42
Minnie M Aikey 12
Ephraim died in 1889 - he & Sarah Ellen Spotts had 4 children together, so that lines up with Sarah & Israel in 1900 - where she states she's been married 2 years with 4 living children.
NAME: Sarah E Shemory
[Sarah E Shermoy]
AGE: 42
BIRTH DATE: Apr 1858
BIRTHPLACE: Pennsylvania
HOME IN 1900: New Berlin, Union, Pennsylvania
RACE: White
GENDER: Female
RELATION TO HEAD OF HOUSE: Wife
MARITAL STATUS: Married
SPOUSE'S NAME: Israel Shemory
MARRIAGE YEAR: 1898
YEARS MARRIED: 2
FATHER'S BIRTHPLACE: Pennsylvania
MOTHER'S BIRTHPLACE: Pennsylvania
MOTHER: NUMBER OF LIVING CHILDREN: 4
MOTHER: HOW MANY CHILDREN: 4
OCCUPATION: View on Image
NEIGHBORS: View others on page
HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS:
NAME AGE
Israel Shemory 69
Sarah E Shemory 42
Minnie M Aikey 12
So Minerva (Aikey) Shamp is NOT with Israel & Sarah in 1900 - where is she? And why is Sarah Mook listed as her mother in her obit and death certificate, when Sarah Mook did not marry her father until 1897?
