HI CUZ Blog 111

Reminder, your acceptance of this newsletter signifies that you will not use its contents to alter, and thus disrespect in any form or way, the historical religious beliefs, no matter what they were – or were not – of family members mentioned herein.

This reminder specifically refers to performing LDS ordinances using any of the data in this or other HICUZ newsletters or blog posts.

World Vital Records for Genealogy Research

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,

1884.
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.

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

John Best and his wife Elizabeth; d. December 21, 1858.
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

                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.

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.

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.

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 5^th 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 9^th 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 5^th 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 5^th 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 13^th Street, Allentown, PA as a

salesman.

1910 US Census – lived at 30 ½ South 13^th 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 13^th Street, Allentown, PA noted no kids.

1930 US Census – lived at 30 ½ South 13^th 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 13^th 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, 17^th and Lawrence

1918 – US City Directories, 1993-2002, Allentown, PA –

Dorothy E. Gerhard, student, 115 N 9^th St

Gerhard Mrs. Estella E. (Harry) res 115 N 9^th 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 7^th Street

Gerhard Limestone Co., HE G Sr., mgr, 17^th and Lawrence

Google Street views were found – 1232, 1233, 1234, and 1235 Walnut Street and 115 N 9^th 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 13^th 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 7^th Street, Allentown, PA.

1920 – US Census - Victor and Farney living at 30 ½ South 13^th 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 13^th 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!!!

HICUZ

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

BLOG POST 111

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.

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