HI CUZ Blog 111
Copyright 1990 et seq, Donald Rowe
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Searching for your roots is about to get easier. On July 1,
2014, the local Fredericksburg, VA library launched World Vital Records—an online service that
will help you tell your family story. World Vital Records replaces Heritage Quest as
the genealogy resource CRRL library card holders can access online remotely. Unlike
Heritage Quest, the new service provides complete U.S. Census data—from 1790 to
1940. You can also search birth, marriage, death, and other vital records from
many countries; family trees worldwide; newspapers; and historic U.S. maps.
1940 Census Records Now Available - Beginning
April 2, 2012, the National Archives will provide access to the images of the
1940 U.S. Federal census for the very first time. Unlike previous census years,
the images of the 1940 U.S. Federal Census will be made available as free digital
images at http://1940census.archives.gov. Genealogists have waited for this day for years and are eager to
get a first look.
Check with
your local library system to see how it can help you find ancestors. Census records are an
excellent starting point in your search for family roots. Another excellent
summary of the impact of family research is to watch the PBS series Finding
Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Since the premiere of his groundbreaking
series African American Lives (2006) through
the first season of Finding Your Roots (2012), noted Harvard scholar Henry Louis
Gates, Jr. has been helping people discover
long-lost relatives hidden for generations within the branches of their family
trees. Professor Gates utilizes a team of genealogists to reconstruct the
paper trail left behind by our ancestors and the world’s leading geneticists to
decode our DNA and help us travel thousands of years into the past to discover
the origins of our earliest forebears. Source: www.pbs.org
Dech research – Why, well, why not, and WOW!!! –
discovered I had found on the Internet during CRRL research, then cut and
pasted a huge Dech Family Tree. It was generated by Ivana and
covers the ancestors of Estella Dech Gerhard and her brother Victor back to the
Revolutionary War period, and to the actual ship the Dechs came to the American
colonies on. The data was discovered on the GenForum website – see link which
follows: http://genforum.genealogy.com/deck/messages/282.html I was unable to contact the researcher, Ivana,
for additional details.
Here is the Dech family tree, all the way
back to emigration to the American colonies –
JACOB4 DECH (JACOB3, JOHN2, JOHANNES NICHOLAUS1 DECK) was
born October 02, 1782 in Northampton, Co. PA, and died December 28, 1866. He
married MARIA MAGDALENE OBERLY August 19, 1803 in Northampton County, PA,
daughter of JOHN OBERLEY and ELIZABETH UHLER. She was born September 02, 1782.
Children of JACOB DECH and MARIA OBERLY are:
9. i. CHARLES5 DECH, b. 1811.
ii. JOSIAH DECH.
10. iii. REUBEN DECH, b. Abt. 1817, East Allen Township, Northampton County, PA; d. April 17,
9. i. CHARLES5 DECH, b. 1811.
ii. JOSIAH DECH.
10. iii. REUBEN DECH, b. Abt. 1817, East Allen Township, Northampton County, PA; d. April 17,
1884.
11. iv. AARON DECH, b. September 29, 1819, East Allen Township, Northampton County, PA;
11. iv. AARON DECH, b. September 29, 1819, East Allen Township, Northampton County, PA;
d. September 19, 1898, Shoenersville,
Pennsylvania.
12. v. WILLIAM DECH, b. November 19, 1817.
vi. JOSEPH DECH, b. Abt. 1823, East Allen Township, Northampton, Pennsylvania.
vii. STEPHEN DECH.
viii. DANIEL DECH, m. CATHARINE STEM, December 05, 1833, Northampton County, PA.
ix. MARY ANN DECH, d. 1910; m. SAMUEL KELLER.
12. v. WILLIAM DECH, b. November 19, 1817.
vi. JOSEPH DECH, b. Abt. 1823, East Allen Township, Northampton, Pennsylvania.
vii. STEPHEN DECH.
viii. DANIEL DECH, m. CATHARINE STEM, December 05, 1833, Northampton County, PA.
ix. MARY ANN DECH, d. 1910; m. SAMUEL KELLER.
Jacob’s father was Jacob Deck … JACOB was born January 26,
1745/46 in Bethlehem, Northampton, Pa, and died February 26, 1833 in Bath,
Northampton, Pa. He married CHRISTINA BEST abt. 1771 in Northampton County, PA,
daughter of JACOB BEST and ANNA LEFEVRE. She was born February 20, 1750/51 in
Williams Township, Northampton County, PA, and died March 04, 1822.
Children of JACOB DECH and CHRISTINA BEST are:
4. i. JACOB4 DECH, b. October 02, 1782, Northampton, Co. PA; d. December 28, 1866.
5. ii. JOHN DECH, b. February 16, 1778, Dryland Church, Northampton County, PA Sponsors were
4. i. JACOB4 DECH, b. October 02, 1782, Northampton, Co. PA; d. December 28, 1866.
5. ii. JOHN DECH, b. February 16, 1778, Dryland Church, Northampton County, PA Sponsors were
John
Best and his wife Elizabeth; d. December 21, 1858.
6. iii. ANNA MARIE DECH, b. September 26, 1785, Williams Twp., Northampton, PA, USA;
6. iii. ANNA MARIE DECH, b. September 26, 1785, Williams Twp., Northampton, PA, USA;
d. November 12, 1857.
7. iv. ELIZABETH DECH, b. 1789, Williams Township, Northampton County, PA; d. 1882, Crawford
7. iv. ELIZABETH DECH, b. 1789, Williams Township, Northampton County, PA; d. 1882, Crawford
Twp,
Clinton. Pa.
8. v. ANDREW DECH, b. May 31, 1793; d. September 28, 1854.
vi. ANNA MARGARET DECH, b. November 21, 1787; d. 1787.
8. v. ANDREW DECH, b. May 31, 1793; d. September 28, 1854.
vi. ANNA MARGARET DECH, b. November 21, 1787; d. 1787.
At the entrance to the Christ Union Church Cemetery of
Schoenersville, Lehigh Valley, PA, there is a large memorial stone with a
bronze plaque. The Plaque reads: 1776 1925 In memory of these soldiers of
Revolutionary War buried in this Cemetery Pvt. Jacob Dech 1746 - 1833
Jacob’s father was John Dech … JOHN DECH, b. 1720, Nuremberg,
Germany; d. Bethlehem, Northampton County, PA. Siblings were - ANNA BARBARA
DECH and JOHAN HEINRICH DECH. Immigration: September 12, 1734, ON THE
SHIP ST. ANDREW, a GALLEY, with his father Johannes Nicholas
Deck, mother Anna, sister Anna Barbara, and brother Johann Heinrich Deck.
John’s father was Johannes Nicholas Deck … with wife Anna,
children were all under age of 14 John, Anna Barbara, Johann Heinrich.
Reuben’s father was Jacob Dech. Reuben b abt. 1817 in East Allen Township,
Northampton County, PA, and died April 17, 1884. He married MARIA A.
LICHTENWALNER, daughter of CHARLES LICHTENWALNER. She died aft. 1884.
Estella (Dech)
Gerhard’s parents were: Reuben and Maria
Dech; Estella had a brother Victor Dech.
For those
descended from Estella Dech and Harry Edgar Gerhard Sr., this data provides an
avenue to pursue membership – if desired – in the Daughters of the American Revolution
(DAR).
Marriage Record of Harry Edgar Gerhard Sr. to Estella Dech was
identified as license # 9980, Docket #11. The following pertinent data was
cited: Harry was 20 and required his father (Jonas W. Gerhard)'s signature; his
home was given as Macungie and Estella, age 22, was given as Lower Macungie
Township. Her parents were noted: Reuben and Maria Dech. Harry E Gerhard Sr. and Estella Dech were
married 5 July 1900 by Thomas W. Diekert, a Minister of the Gospel. The record was signed by Mr. Keugler, Clerk
of the Court in Allentown. Harry gave
his occupation as stenographer; she listed none.
Married Harry E. Gerhard
Sr. (b 30 June 1880) m on 5 July 1900; they
divorced on 19 January 1920. He died 22 February 1942 in Ocean City, NJ. Their
seven children were:
1 - Jonas A.
Gerhard b 11 Sep 1909, d Aug 1953 Allentown, PA
marr
Ruth V. Houser (Ruth died 27 Sep 2000,
Jupiter, FL)
their
dau Joan Ruth Gerhard m Harold “Red” Stelicha (d Apr 2014) m 3
July
1954
of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
The divorce record of Estella Dech from Harry
Edgar Gerhard is recorded in Continuance Docket # 69, page 202. Harry was cited as the defendant. The record reflects: Filed 31 December 1917; the
Sherriff served papers on 29 Jan 1918 - 4 Jan on Harry E. Gerhard. On 4 Mar
1918 - a petition for alimony, pendente lite, etc. was filed, with service
accepted 16 Mar 1918 by H. W. Schantz. On 24 June 1918 Libellant (Estella)
deposited $75.00 as per rule of the court. On 24 June 1918 - Austin A Glick was
appointed as Master and Examiner by the Court. On 13 Aug 1919 the Master's
report was filed. On 19 Jan 1920 the divorce was granted.
Harry E. Gerhard Sr. remarried on 30 March 1920 to Frances J. Edwards.
(Nancy remembers that Joan Ruth (Gerhard)
Stelicha attended her father’s Change of Command on USS Great Sitkin in the
1970s.)
2 - Edgar
Harry Gerhard b 5 May 1914, d 6 Feb 1989
married
Ethyl Kunkel (1).
1. Regina Margaret Kunkel, b 25
Sep 1927 m Ernest Ebert
2. Kenneth Kunkel Allentown, PA
3. David Kunkel Clearwater, FL
4. Henry Kunkel Branchville, NJ
5. Earl Kunkel Jr. Easton, PA
Edgar Harry Gerhard married
Ethel B. Buchert abt June 1971 per his obituary, February 8, 1989 Page: B14 Edition: FIFTH, EDGAR H. GERHARD,
The Morning Call.
Children
of EDGAR GERHARD and ETHEL BUCHERT are:
i. KEITH R. GERHARD.
ii. REGINA M. GERHARD, m. ERNEST EBERT.
iii. DOROTHY R. GERHARD, m. EUGENE MORGAN.
i. KEITH R. GERHARD.
ii. REGINA M. GERHARD, m. ERNEST EBERT.
iii. DOROTHY R. GERHARD, m. EUGENE MORGAN.
Edgar H. Gerhard, 74, of 1901 Linden St., Allentown, died
Monday (6 Feb 1989) in Allentown Osteopathic Medical Center.
He was the husband of Ethel B. (Buchert) Gerhard. They observed their 18th
wedding anniversary in June. Gerhard was a security guard for Pinkerton Inc.
for the past five years. He previously was a teamster driver for Consolidated
Freightways Inc., Allentown, for 25 years before retiring in 1974.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Harry E. and
Estelle R. Gerhard. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War. Survivors: Wife;
son, Keith R. of Palmerton; daughters, Regina M., wife of Ernest Ebert of
Reeders, and Dorothy R., wife of Eugene Morgan of Larksville, Luzerne County; sister,
Mrs. Dorothy Ostroff of Port Chester, N.Y.; stepsons, Kenneth Kunkel of
Allentown, David Kunkel of Clearwater, Fla., Henry Kunkel of Branchville, N.J.,
and Earl Kunkel Jr. of Easton; eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren
and eight step-grandchildren. Services: 2 p.m. Thursday, Trexler Funeral Home,
1625 Highland St., Allentown. Call 1-2 p.m. Thursday.
More About EDGAR HARRY GERHARD: Burial: February 09, 1989. Notes for EDGAR HARRY GERHARD: WEDNESDAY, February 8, 1989 Page: B14 Edition: FIFTH, EDGAR H. GERHARD, The Morning Call.
More About EDGAR HARRY GERHARD: Burial: February 09, 1989. Notes for EDGAR HARRY GERHARD: WEDNESDAY, February 8, 1989 Page: B14 Edition: FIFTH, EDGAR H. GERHARD, The Morning Call.
3 - Dorothy
Gerhard b 1901, married Ostroff
of Port Chester, N.Y. per Edgar
Harry
obit of 1989.
4 - Grace E.
Gerhard b 1908; Grace died of appendicitis at age 18 (1927).
5 – Katie
Anna C. Gerhard b 24 June 1912, d 1913 Allentown, PA
6 - Ruth
Gerhard b 6 April 1902, d 1902
7 - Son
Gerhard b 1903 - died in infancy
Children
number 5 (Anna), 6 (Ruth), and 7 (unnamed son) are buried
with Harry E Gerhard Sr. and his second wife Frances Jane (Edwards) Gerhard in
Lot 13, Section B at Solomon’s United Church of Christ (UCC), formerly the
Solomon’s Reformed (Lutheran) Church on Church Street, Macungie, PA.
Harry E.
Gerhard Sr. had two brothers:
1. George W. Gerhard, MD b abt 1878 Macungie, PA
– lived in Philadelphia, PA per Jonas’
Obituary. m Bertha
P. ???? born in northern Ireland.
daughter Geraldine (Gerry)
2. Harry Edgar Gerhard – lived in Ocean City, NJ
per Jonas’ obituary
A separate search (summer 1995) was made at the Allentown Library,
corner of 12th and Hamilton, in the microfilm reels of The Morning Call
(Allentown's paper) for the obituaries of Jonas W. Gerhard (father of Harry E.
Gerhard Sr., died 31 Aug 1941) and Harry Edgar Gerhard Sr. (died 22 Feb
1942). Time permitted copying only that
for Jonas. The obituary noted that
Jonas' sons Harry lived in Ocean City, NJ and George in Philadelphia at the
time of his death. All surnames ended in
D, including Jonas' parents, Mr. & Mrs. Hezekiah Gerhard. The obituary appeared in The Morning Call
of 2 September 1941 on page 8.
The
gravesites of Edgar Harry Gerhard and Jonas Alfred Gerhard are located at
Grandview Cemetery, 2735 Walbert Avenue, Allentown, PA 18104. The managing director of the cemetery in 1995
was James D. Reich. Jonas is buried in
lot J34; his copper grave stone reads: "Jonas A. Gerhard 1909 -
1953." Edgar Harry is buried next
to his wife Ethyl in lot F176; the marker reads: "Gerhard; Edgar H. May 5
1914; Cpl US Army Korea; Ethel B. (Kunkel); September 25, 1927." Next to this marker is a Kunkel marker with
Ethyl's name engraved, with the engraving filled in with a substance resembling
plastic. Photos were taken.
A search (summer 1995) for probated wills of the estates of either
Harry Edgar Gerhard Sr. (died 22 Feb 1942 or Jonas W. Gerhard (died 31 Aug
1941) proved unsuccessful - none were apparently filed with the County Clerk.
BIO of Harry Edgar Gerhard Sr. - Harry
Edgar Gerhard was born 6/30/1880, at Macungie, where he was raised. He received
his education in the public schools, Kutztown Normal School and Allentown
Business College. He early decided to study medicine, but financial matters
caused him to change his plans.
He held a position with the Hazelton Machine & Supply
Company, for one year, and later with the Lehigh Portland Cement Company, and
located at Mitchell, Indiana, for a few years, after which he entered the
carriage business with his father at Macungie, and later at Allentown, where
had charge of the ware-rooms, and built up the business with his father until
1910. He then engaged in the hotel business at Stroudsburg, and later returned
to Allentown, where he conducted the Allentown Horse Bazaar for a year.
In 1912 he started prospecting in various parts of the
surrounding counties for a stone quarry, finally locating at his present site,
where he leased 60 acres of land from John Schmidt and erected the necessary
machinery, office and fixtures. The plant is operated by electricity and
gasoline engines, and employs from 30 to 35 men. The business is known as the
J. W. Gerhard Stone Quarries, of which he is superintendent and a large
stockholder.
On July 4, 1900, he married Estella Dech, daughter of Reuben
and Maria (Lichtenwalner) Dech. Dorothy, Grace and Jonas Alfred are their three
children. Ruth, Katie A., and an infant died in infancy. In politics, Mr.
Gerhard is a Republican and a member of the Masonic Fraternity, 32; Elks; Owls;
Knights of Golden Eagle; Catasauqa Club; and Emmause Club. His father, J. W.
Gerhard, was the son of Hezekiah Gerhard, of Coopersburg, PA.
Also see History of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, and a Genealogical
and ..., Volume 2, by Lehigh County Historical
Society. The BIO for Harry E. Gerhard Sr. on the GenForum website (of Dech
Family Tree) noted above is identical.
Data found during 15 Dec 2015 research
1) George Gerhard, MD – date and
place of death, obit, SSAN, burial site. No records found using
Ancestry.com database.
2) Harry E Gerhard Sr. Records
found using Ancestry.com database.
1910 US Census – Harry E
Gerhard, age in 1910 – 29; married to Stella E. Gerhard; Estella’s age
in 1910 given as
31. Children living with parents: Dorothy E. Gerhard, age 9; Grace E.
Gerhard, age 1
(1 6/12); Jonas Albert Gerhard, age 0 (7/12).
WWI Draft Registration Card,
1917-1918. City of Allentown, County of Lehigh, birth date: 30
June 1880. Born
Macungie, Lehigh County, PA.
1910 US Census – Harry E.
Gerhard, age 29, born abt 1881. Married to Stella E. Gerhard, age 31.
Children living
with parents: Dorothy E. Gerhard, age 9; Grace E. Gerhard, age 1 (1 and
6/12); Jonas Albert Gerhard, age
0 (7/12).
1930 US Census – Harry E.
Gerhard, age 49. Wife Frances Gerhard, age 37. Children living with
parents: Edgar Gerhard, age 15; Harry E.
Gerhard, age 4 (4 6/12); Doris J. Gerhard, age 3
(3 6/12)
1940 US Census – Harry E.
Gerhard, age 59 (b abt 1881); house number 1410 in Ocean City,
Cape May County,
NJ. Children living with parents: Harry Gerhard, age 14; Donald J.
Gerhard, age 13
(must have meant Doris J)
US Find a Grave Index – Harry
Edgar Gerhard, born 30 June 1880, Lehigh County, PA. Died 22
Feb 1942. Buried
Solomons United Church of Christ, Macungie, Lehigh, PA. Father given
as Jonas W.
Gerhard.
3) Estella Dech Gerhard – Records
found using Ancestry.com database.
1910 US Census – Harry E
Gerhard, age in 1910 – 29; married to Stella E. Gerhard; Estella’s age
in 1910 given as
31. Children living with parents: Dorothy E. Gerhard, age 9; Grace E.
Gerhard, age 1
(1 6/12); Jonas Albert Gerhard, age 0 (7/12).
1928 – US City Directories,
1821-1989 – Estella E Gerhard, 238 N 5th Street, Allentown, PA.
Occupation given
as clerk. Says she is widow (widow Harry).
1940 US Census – Estella A
Gerhard, birth stated as abt 1878, widowed. Listed as lodger in
Allentown, PA.
Listed address 1505 ½ Chew Street. Occupation listed as seamstress.
Education given
as second year of college. Worked 39 weeks in 1939. Was unemployed
for 208 days previously. Age
given as 61. Lived in same house in 1939.
1942 - US City Directories,
1821-1989 – Mrs. Estella Gerhard, 1505 Chew Street, Allentown, PA.
Occupation
seamstress. Form does not refer to Harry or mention children.
SSDI – Social Security Death
Index – SSAN 183-18-1030. Last residence given as 10573 Chester,
Westchester, NY.
DOB given as 28 July 1878; DOD given as March 1977 in PA.
US Find A Grave Index – Estella
E. Gerhard (Estella E. Dech) Birth – 1878; death 1977. Cemetery
given as
Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church Cemetery, Allentown, PA. No BIO
found.
Additional data on Estella from 29 Dec 2015 research
Estella Dech Gerhard Records found using Ancestry.com database.
1918 – US City Directories,
1821-1989 – Estella lived at 115 9th Street, Allentown, PA with
Jonas,
Grace, Edgar Gerhard. Refers to
spouse Harry.
1919 – US City Directories,
1821-1989 - Estella lived at 714 Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA with
Grace. Refers to
spouse (Mrs. Harry).
1920 – US City Directories,
1821-1989 - Estella lived at 714 Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA.
Refers to spouse (Mrs. Harry). No children
noted.
1922 – US City Directories,
1821-1989 - Estella lived at 714 Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA. No
reference to
spouse. No children noted.
1923 – US City Directories, 1821-1989 - Estella lived at 933 South
6th Street, Allentown, PA.
Refers to her
as widow (widow Harry). No children noted. Listed as clerk.
1924 – US City Directories, 1821-1989 - Estella lived at 933 South
6th Street, Allentown, PA.
Refers to her
as widow (widow Harry). No children noted. Listed as clerk.
1925 - US City Directories, 1821-1989 - Estella lived at 117 N.
9th Street, Allentown, PA. Refers
to her as
widow (wid Harry). No children noted. Listed as clerk.
1927 - US City Directories, 1821-1989 - Estella lived at 238 8th
Street, Allentown, PA. Refers to
her as widow
(widow Harry). No children noted. Listed as clerk.
1941 - US City Directories, 1821-1989 - Estella lived at 1621 Chew
Street, Allentown, PA. Form
does not refer to Harry. No children noted.
Listed as seamstress.
1943 - US City Directories, 1821-1989 - Estella lived at 1505 Chew
Street, Allentown, PA. Form
refers to her
as Mrs. No children noted. Listed as seamstress.
Data found during 16 Dec 2015 research
1) George W. Gerhard, MD – Records
found using Ancestry.com database.
1900 US Census – birth date –
June 1878. Home in 1900 Macungie, PA. Single. Living with
parents Jonas W.
and Emma M. (Shimer) Gerhard. George age 5.
1920 US Census – occupation –
salesman of food products. Born abt 1895. Married: wife Bertha
P. Gerhard, born
in Ireland. Her parents both were born Ireland.
1930 US Census – living in Philadelphia.
Age 35, wife’s age 32. Form says she was born in
Northern
Ireland.
WWII Draft Registration Card –
Birth date given as 23 February 1894, in Lehigh County, PA.
1940 US Census – age 53, living
in Philadelphia, PA – since 1935. Occupation given as
optometrist,
college at 5th or subsequent year. On form ages given as 57; wife
Bertha P.
given as 56.
They had a daughter, Jeraldine W. Gerhard, age 10 – in 5th grade.
(She
would have been
born about 1930.)
3) Jonas W. Gerhard – Records found
using Ancestry.com database.
1860 US Census – Jonas was age
6, living in Upper Saucon, Lehigh County, PA with parents
Ezekiah (age 35) and Sarah Gerhard (age 32).
Also living with parents: LLewellyn
Gerhard, age 12; Albert Y.
Gerhard, age 9; and Eliza Gerhard, age 3.
Additional boarders
Catherine Erny, age 14 and John
Erny, age 16.
1880 US Census – living in
Macungie, Lehigh County, PA. Jonas age 26; wife Emma M. Gerhard,
age 23. Also
daughter Ella M. Gerhard, age 3. Jonas occupation given as coach maker.
1900 US Census – Jonas, age 46,
living in Macungie, Lehigh County, PA with wife Emma M.
Gerhard, age 42.
Also living with parents: George W. Gerhard, age 5; and Samuel
Heffner, age 21.
1920 US Census – living in
Macungie, Lehigh County, PA. Jonas was widowed at this time.
Occupation coach
maker, age 64. Living with Jonas at this time: Jonas A. Gerhard, age
10; and Edgar H.
Gerhard, age 5 – both sons of Estella Dech and Harry E. Gerhard Sr.
Additionally
Katie Skiner (Shimer), age 51 sister-in-law, lived at Jonas’ home.
1930 US Census – age 75, his
name misspelled as Guhaiei. Living with Jonas was Katie A. Shimer,
age 63.
4. Victor
Dech - brother of Estella Dech Gerhard. Son of Reuben and Maria Dech of
Macungie.
1880 US Census – Records found using Ancestry.com database.
1900 US Census – lived in Emaus, PA with wife’s parents, Charles
B. and Amanda C. Egner on
Main Street. Victor Jacob Charles
Dech was 24, his wife Farney I. (Egner) Dech was 25.
1902 - US City Directories, 1821-1989 – lived at 30 ½ South 13th
Street, Allentown, PA as a
salesman.
1910 US Census – lived at 30 ½ South 13th Street,
Allentown, PA – both noted as age 35. No kids.
1918 – 12 September, WWI Draft Card was salesman at AJ Zeigler Co,
Allentown, PA
1920 US Census – lived at 30 ½ South 13th Street,
Allentown, PA noted no kids.
1930 US Census – lived at 30 ½ South 13th Street,
Allentown, PA. as a book keeper for Electric
Co. Age 55,
her age 54. Plus Sylvester Egner, age 62, lived with them. No kids.
1940 US Census – lived at 30 ½ South 13th Street,
Allentown, PA. Age 65, her age 65. Plus
Sylvester
Egner, age 73, lived with them.
1944 – PA Death Certificate – died 01 Oct 1944. He was born 11 Oct
1874.
Research on 01/06/2015
Dorothy E.
Gerhard and her
mother, Estella, and sibling addresses: found using Ancestry.com database.
1910 – US Census – 1230
Walnut Street, Allentown, PA. HEG Sr.; Estella; Dorothy age 9; Grace E.
age 1 6/12; and
Jonas Albert, age 7/12. Next door neighbors of HEG Sr. and Estella -
1228 Walnut Street – Wilson Woodring, age 57;
wife age 56; ???? Heimsbach, son-in-
law,
age 37; Heimsbach, Stella Louise dau -
age 33; Heimsbach, Miriam C. dau
age
12; and Kerv, Mary, mother-in-law age 76.
1232 Walnut
Street - Jacob Kuhns age 49; wife Clara age ???; Cearril w. dau age ???;
Sarah
Desch, roomer age 52. Probable relative
1917 – US City
Directories, 1993-2002, Allentown, PA –
Dorothy E. Gerhard, student 1235
Walnut Street.
HEG Sr., res 1235 Walnut Street,
Stella, Edgar H., Grace E., Jonas
Gerhard Limestone Co., HE G Sr.,
mgr, 17th and Lawrence
1918 – US City
Directories, 1993-2002, Allentown, PA –
Dorothy E. Gerhard, student, 115
N 9th St
Gerhard Mrs.
Estella E. (Harry) res 115 N 9th Street; Grace, Jonas, Edgar
1919 – US City
Directories, 1993-2002, Allentown, PA –
Dorothy E Gerhard, 714 Tilghman,
tel operator.
Gerhard, Estella
E (Mrs. Harry), res 714 Tilghman, Grace (only child listed besides
Dorothy)
HEG Sr., mgr,
bds 133-137 N 7th Street
Gerhard Limestone Co., HE G Sr.,
mgr, 17th and Lawrence
Google
Street views were found –
1232, 1233, 1234, and 1235 Walnut Street and 115 N 9th Street.
1880 US
Census for Macungie, PA Records found using Ancestry.com database.
Family # 211 – Reuben Dech, age 31; wife Maria age 29; children Victor Dech,
age 5;
Estella Dech age 1 plus two
servants -
Family # 209 – Jacob Dech, age 62, foreman; wife Rebecca, age 59; Sarah dau,
age 21; Ada R,
dau age 19; Ruth Levi, age 28
servant
Reuben H. Dech
died 30 March 1884, buried at Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church cemetery,
Allentown.
Dech family research of 09 Jan 2015
William and
Catherine (???) Dech – parents, per 1850/60 US Census: Records found using
Ancestry.com
database.
Sobina Dech, b 1837 -1838
William Dech, b 1841
Elizabeth Dech, b 1842
Catherine M. Dech, b 1844
Reuben Dech, b 1846
Alfred Dech, b 1848
Irvin Dech, b 1853
Amelia Dech, b 1854
Ida Dech, b 1856
William Dech
(father above) b 1812-1814 in PA; Catherine b 1815-1816 in PA per various US
census
records. William and Catherine marr abt 1836. Family
lived in:
1850 – Allentown, PA. William a
distiller in 1850 census.
1860 – Allentown, PA – Catherine
age given as 16; Reuben as 14; Irvin as 7; Amelia as 6; and Ida
as 4. Sobina a teacher at age 21.
1870 – Township 14, Sanders
County, Kansas. Census noted Reuben at age 24; Irvin at age 18;
Ida S. at age
14. William a farmer; Catherine keeping house. Reuben a farmer, Irvin a
farm laborer.
Jacob and Rebecca
(???) Dech – parents of: Records found using Ancestry.com
database.
Reuben Dech, b 1849 Macungie,
PA
Sarah Dech, b 1859
Ida R. Dech, b 1861
Jacob Dech (father
above) b 1817-1818 in PA; Rebecca b 1821 in PA per various US census records.
Family lived in:
1850 – Lower Macungie, PA noted
Reuben at age 1; father Jacob at age 33. Jacob a farmer.
1880 – Macungie, PA – family
lived two houses away from family of Reuben and Maria Dech.
Jacob a yeoman farmer.
Daughter Sarah noted as age 21; Ida R. as age 19.
The two Dech
families, Jacob and Rebecca … and William and Catherine, each had
children named Reuben and Ida, and William and Jacob’s dates of birth are very
close, suggesting William and Jacob may have been siblings. The proximity of
the families of Reuben and Maria Dech and Jacob and Rebecca Dech
in Macungie, PA in 1880, with both Jacob and Reuben as farmers confirms a
relationship.
Reuben and
Maria Dech – Records
found using Ancestry.com database.
Marriage record of Reuben and Maria (Lichtenwalner) Dech – 9 Dec
1871, Allentown, PA. He of
L. Macungie,
PA and she of S. Whitehall
1880 – US Census Macungie, PA,
he a farmer. Maria keeping house. Daughter Estella E. b 1878.
Son Victor b
1873- 1874. Reuben confirmed 24 July 1866 in Allentown, PA. Reuben m
Annie Maria
Lichtenwalner on 9 Dec 1871, Allentown, PA. Reuben d 30 March 1884.
Reuben Dech,
his daughter Estella E. (Dech) Gerhard, and Estella’s daughter Grace E. Gerhard
are all buried in the Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church cemetery in Allentown,
PA.
Victor J. C.
and Farney I. (Egner) Dech – Farney b 1875. Records found using Ancestry.com database.
1900 – US Census - lived Main
Street, Emaus, PA with her family. Her father Charles B. Egner,
age 45; her
mother Amanda C. Egner, age 41; brother Thomas C. Egner, age 17; Victor
age 24, Farney
age 25. Also at home Mary E. Fink, sister of Farney age 45, and a niece
Maggie E. Egner
age 16, plus a brother Thomas C. Egner, age 17.
1902 – City directory,
Allentown, PA – Victor and Farney living at 30 ½ South 13th Street.
1910 – Victor J. C. Dech and
Farney (no children) living in Allentown, PA
WWI Draft card – Victor Jacob
Charles Dech b 11 Oct 1874, living Allentown, PA. Buyer and
salesman, @ W.
J. Zeigler Co. of 16-18 North 7th Street, Allentown, PA.
1920 – US Census - Victor and
Farney living at 30 ½ South 13th Street. He a salesman selling
wood and willow
ware. They owned their home. No children.
1930 – US Census – Victor, age
55; Farney age 54; Sylvester Egner age 62 (her family). Victor
book keeper,
Electric Co. Farney listed as wife; Sylvester as janitor in hotel. No children.
1940 - US Census - Victor, age
65; Farney age 65; Victor a book keeper. Sylvester Egner age 73
(her family). No
children.
1944 – PA Death Certificates
data base – Victor born 11 Oct 1874; died 1 Oct 1944 in Allentown,
PA at 30 ½ South
13th Street. His mother: Anna
M. Lichtenwalner; his father Reuben
Dech. His spouse
Farney I. Egner.
GREAT news
for we Rowes – Cousin
Scott Rowe has found a potential new set of cousins in and around Portland,
Maine. He discovered a possible connection to the McLewin family there.
Additionally, Scott discovered what might be truly fascinating information
about another passenger on Josephus, the ship on which my grandfather William
Joseph Rowe was born in June 1853 before entering Boston, Massachusetts. Scott
and I are analyzing the records he found and the results will be in a future
HICUZ newsletter.
Stay
tuned!!!
