20 Years

Twenty years ago today Chuck and I met for the first time. We were introduced through a now-defunct computer dating service called, Comquest. We exchanged letters and phone calls before setting up a lunch date on the next Saturday, 28 January. I did meet one other person through Comquest but didn't pursue a relationship because the first date with Chuck went well enough. I ordered tuna salad for lunch, being that I was a somewhat poor graduate student. Chuck's reply was "How original!" I completely missed the sarcasm in his reply.

Chuck has said that he knew on our first date that I was the one. It took me a bit longer to get there, but after a month, I had a pretty good idea. Perhaps I should have known when, for our third date, he bought us tickets to Gone With the Wind at the Music Box theatre. 

The first summer we were together was a bit of a nightmare.I had commited to going to Israel for two months to work on an archaeological excavation. Those were the longest and hardest two months of my life, or so I thought at the time. It is certainly not something I would recommend to anyone in a new relationship. When I came back to Chicago in August, we moved in together. 

Because he came "Just in Time."

MFH: 25 January

Today is the 249th anniversary of the birth of my 5th great-grandmother, Maria Elisabetha Wagner. Maria Elisabetha was born 25 January 1760 in Frohnhofen, Kusel, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany.

View Larger Map

Maria Elisabetha was the daughter of Theobald and Sophia Magdalena (Berg) Wagner. On 26 September 1786, she married Johann Theobald Bender in Altenkirchen, Kusel, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. Maria Elisabetha and Johann Theobald had three children, two daughters and one son. Maria Elisabetha died on 04 March 1813 in Altenkirchen.

View Larger Map

My descent from Maria Elisabetha is:
Maria Elisabetha Wagner + Johann Theobald Bender
|
Johann Theobald Bender + Catharina Barbara Becker
|
Margaretha Bender + Johannes Schoen
|
Frederick August Schoen + Margaret Anna "Marianne" Kress
|
John Charles Schoen + Helena Loretta Ruppel
|
Harry Fredrick Schoen + Freda Irene Needs
|
My Father + My Mother
|
Me

MFH: 23 January

Today is the 175th anniversary of the birth of my great-great-grandmother, Margaret L. King. Margaret was born 23 January 1834 in Monroe County, Ohio. Margaret is one of the most persistent brick walls in my genealogical research. I do not know who her parents were. I've had no luck, except finding her birth date, tracing her before her marriage. She was married in about 1853 in Monroe County, Ohio, to Thomas E. Needs, whose origins are equally mysterious.

Thomas E. Needs and Margaret L. King, my great-great-grandparents.

Margaret and Thomas had ten children, three daughters and seven sons. Margaret died 02 March 1888 at Cow Run, Lawrence Township, Washington County, Ohio and is buried there in Mt. Zion Cemetery.

View Larger Map

My descent from Margaret is:
Margaret L. King + Thomas E. Needs
|
James Eldridge Needs + Rena Belle Fleming
|
Freda Irene Needs + Harry Frederick Schoen
|
My Father + My Mother
|
Me

MFH: 22 January

Today is the 291st anniversary of the marriage of my 7th great-grandparents, Mercy Dean and Ebenezer Seely. Mercy and Ebenezer were married 22 January 1718 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA.

View Larger Map

Mercy was born in about 1700 in Stamford. Ebenezer was born 18 January 1697, also in Stamford, the second son (of four) and fourth child (of six) of Jonas and Mary (Wicks) Seely. Mercy and Ebenezer had thirteen children, three daughters and ten sons. Mercy died about 1744 in New Canaan, Connecticut. Ebenezer died 07 March 1767 in Goshen, Orange, New York, USA.

My descent from Mercy and Ebenezer is:
Mercy Dean + Ebenezer Seely
|
Jonas Seely + Sarah Bartlett
|
Joseph Seely + Elizabeth Haines
|
William Gedney Seely + Hannah Ferris
|
Joseph Seely + Caroline S. Richards
|
Adda R. Seely + Lewis C. Hayes
|
Harriett Hayes + Thomas Francis Hayes
|
Mary Eileen Hayes + Benedict Aloysius Roddy
|
My Mother + My Father
|
Me

Today is also the 213th anniversary of the marriage of my 5th great-grandparents, Rosanna Hanbach and James Lowe. Rosanna and James were married 22 January 1796 in Fauquier County, Virginia.

View Larger Map

Rosanna was born in 1776 in Pennsylvania, the second daughter (of three) and third child (of six), of John and Mary (Huffman) Hanback. James was born 05 January 1755 in Kirk, Scotland, UK, a son of John Lowe. Rosanna and James had eleven children, six daughters and five sons. James died in about 1814 in Monroe County, Ohio. Rosanna died in about 1850 in Morgan County, Ohio.

My descent from Rosanna and James is:
Rosanna Hanbach + James Lowe
|
Jonathan Lowe + Hannah Ayles
|
Elizabeth S. Lowe + Jonathan Walker
|
Sarah Jane Walker + Andrew D. Fleming
|
Rena Belle Fleming + James Eldridge Needs
|
Freda Irene Needs + Harry Frederick Schoen
|
My Father + My Mother
|
Me

MFH: 18 January

Today is 312th anniversary of the birth of my 7th great-grandfather, Ebenezer Seely. Ebenezer was born 18 January 1697 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA.

View Larger Map

Ebenezer was the second son (of four) and fourth child (of six) of Jonas and Mary (Wicks) Seely. On 22 January 1718 Ebenezer married Mercy Dean in Stamford. Ebenezer and Mercy had thirteen children, three daughters and ten sons. Ebenezer died 07 March 1767 in Goshen, Orange, New York, USA. He is buried in the Old Seeley Cemetery, Cromline Kill, Orange County, New York.

View Larger Map

My descent from Ebenezer is:
Ebenezer Seely + Mercy Dean
|
Jonas Seely + Sarah Bartlett
|
Joseph Seely + Elizabeth Haines
|
William Gedney Seely + Hannah Ferris
|
Joseph Seely + Caroline S. Richards
|
Adda R. Seely + Lewis C. Hayes
|
Harriett Hayes + Thomas Francis Hayes
|
Mary Eileen Hayes + Benedict Aloysius Roddy
|
My Mother + My Father
|
Me

MFH: 13 January

Today is the 283rd anniversary of the birth of my 7th great-grandfather, Johann Jacob Heimbach. Johann was born 13 January 1726 in Seelbach, Germany. There are six towns named Seelbach in modern Germany. I'm not entirely certain which one Johann lived in, but I think it was Seelbach, Siegen, Germany:

View Larger Map


Johann was the youngest son (of seven) and youngest child (of fourteen) of Johannes and Elsa Katharina (Schneider) Heimbach. At some point he immigrated to the USA and in the 1740s married Mary Gertrude Young. Johann and Mary had seven children, four daughters and three sons. Johann died in Culpeper County, Virginia in November 1785.

View Larger Map

My descent from Johann is:
Johann Jacob Heimbach + Mary Gertrude Young
|
John Hanback + Mary Huffman
|
Rosanna Hanbach + James Lowe
|
Jonathan Lowe + Hannah Ayles
|
Elizabeth S. Lowe + Jonathan Walker
|
Sarah Jane Walker + Andrew D. Fleming
|
Rena Belle Fleming + James Eldridge Needs
|
Freda Irene Needs + Harry Frederick Schoen
|
My Father + My Mother
|
Me

Today is also the 272nd anniversary of the birth of my 6th great-grandmother, Anna Elisabetha Catharina Hoffmann. Anna Elisabetha was born 13 January 1737 in Altenkirchen, Kusel, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany.

View Larger Map

Anna Elisabetha was the elder daughter and second child (of four) of Hanß Michael and Elisabetha Catharina (Schütz) Hofmann. On 24 November 1755 in Altenkirchen, she married Johann Peter Bender. Anna Elisabetha and Johann Peter had eight children, two daughters and six sons. Anna Elisabetha died in Altenkirchen on 27 November 1799.

My descent from Anna Elisabetha is:
Anna Elisabetha Catharina Hoffmann + Johann Peter Bender
|
Johann Theobald Bender + Maria Elisabetha Wagner
|
Johann Theobald Bender + Catharina Barbara Becker
|
Margaretha Bender + Johannes Schoen
|
Frederick August Schoen + Margaret Anna "Marianne" Kress
|
John Charles Schoen + Helena Loretta Ruppel
|
Harry Frederick Schoen + Freda Irene Needs
|
My Father + My Mother
|
Me

MFH: 11 January

Today is the 224th anniversary of the marriage of my 5th great-grandparents, Maria Catharina Mehl and Johann Jacob Becker. Maria Catharina and Johann Jacob were married 11 January 1785 in Altenkirchen, Kusel, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany.

View Larger Map

Maria Catharina was born 11 April 1763 in nearby Herschweiler, the daughter of Peter and Anna Margaretha (Müller) Mehl. Johann Jacob was born 10 April 1759 in Altenkirchen, the third son (of six) and third child (of nine) of Johann Adam and Elisabetha Barbara (Molter) Becker. Maria Catharina and Johann Jacob had four children, three daughters and one son. Johann Jacob died 13 January 1805 in Altenkirchen. Maria Catharina died there also but at an unknown date.

View Larger Map

My descent from Maria Catharina and Johann Jacob is:
Maria Catharina Mehl + Johann Jacob Becker
|
Catharina Barbara Becker + Johann Theobald Bender
|
Margaretha Bender + Johannes Schoen
|
Frederick August Schoen + Margaret Anna "Marianne" Kress
|
John Charles Schoen + Helena Loretta Ruppel
|
Harry Frederick Schoen + Freda Irene Needs
|
My Father + My Mother
|
Me

MFH: 07 January

Today is the 247th anniversary of the marriage of my 6th great-grandparents, Barbara Junckin and Johannes Jost. Barbara and Johannes were married 07 January 1762 in Obermoschel, Donnersbergkreis, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany.

View Larger Map

Barbara was born 28 March 1738 in Obermoschel, the eldest daughter (of four) and eldest child (of five) of Bernard and Maria Magdalena (Sues) Junck. I don't have any information about the parents or family of Johannes. Barbara and Johannes had six children, two daughters and four sons.

My descent from Barbara and Johannes is:
Barbara Junckin + Johannes Jost
|
Peter Jost + Katharina Hütter
|
Margarethe Jost + Jacob Schön
|
Johannes Schoen + Margaretha Bender
|
Frederick August Schoen + Margaret Anna "Marianne" Kress
|
John Charles Schoen + Helena Loretta Ruppel
|
Harry Frederick Schoen + Freda Irene Needs
|
My Father + My Mother
|
Me

Today is also the 198th anniversary of the birth of my great-great-great-grandfather, Anton Kress. Anton was born 11 January 1811 in Hessen, Germany. By 1842 he was marriedto Eva Wehner (Warner) and living near Fulda, Monroe County, Ohio. [In 1851, when Noble County was formed Fulda was in the new county.] Anton and Eva had seven children, five daughters and two sons. Anton died 20 June 1883 at Fulda, Noble County, Ohio.

View Larger Map

My descent from Anton is:
Anton Kress + Eva Wehner
|
Margaret Anna "Marianne" Kress + Frederick August Schoen
|
John Charles Schoen + Helena Loretta Ruppel
|
Harry Frederick Schoen + Freda Irene Needs
|
My Father + My Mother
|
Me

MFH: 05 January

Today is the 254th anniversary of the birth of my 5th great-grandfather, James Lowe. James was born 05 January 1755 in Kirk, Scotland.

View Larger Map

James was the son of John Lowe. James Lowe enlisted as a private in the First Maryland Regiment under Col. John H. Stone in 1778 for three years service (The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Volume 43, page 206). On 22 January 1796 in Fauquier County, Virginia he married Rosanna Hanbach. James and Rosanna had eleven children, six daughters and five sons.

My descent from James is:
James Lowe + Rosanna Hanbach
|
Jonathan Lowe + Hannah Ayles
|
Elizabeth S. Lowe + Jonathan Walker
|
Sarah Jane Walker + Andrew D. Fleming
|
Rena Belle Fleming + James Eldridge Needs
|
Freda Irene Needs + Harry Frederick Schoen
|
My Father + My Mother
|
Me

MFH: 02 January

Today is the 358th anniversary of the marriage of my 9th great-grandparents, Margaretha Nied and Hanß Cloß. Margaretha and Hanß were married 02 January 1651 in Altenkirchen, Kusel, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany.

View Larger Map

I don't have many details about Margaretha and Hanß. I know that Margaretha was born in nearby Dittweiler and that Hanß died before 1669. Margaretha and Hanß had two children, one daughter and one son.

Today is also the 190th anniversary of the birth of my great-great-great-grandfather, Johannes Schoen. Johannes was born 02 January 1819 in Kübelberg, Kusel, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany.

View Larger Map

On 23 August 1843, in Altenkirchen, Kusel, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, Johannes was married to Margaretha Bender, the 4th great-granddaughter of Margaretha Nied and Hanß Cloß. Margaretha and Johannes had four children, one daughter and three sons. One daughter and one son died in Germany. on 26 July 1856, Margaretha, Johannes and their two surviving sons arrived at the port of New York on board the ship Havre. By 1860, they had settled in Marietta, Washington County, Ohio, living on Hart Street.

View Larger Map

By 1870, their younger son, Karl had died and my the mid-1870's they had purchased 150 acres of land at Hohman in Ludlow Township, northeast of Marietta.

View Larger Map

Johannes died on the Schoen farm at Hohman on 20 May 1901 and is buried nearby in St. Patrick's Cemetery.


The obituary of Johannes Schoen.


















My descent from Margaretha and Hanß and Johannes is:
Margaretha Nied + Hanß Cloß
|
Hanß Theobald Cloß + Anna Maria [Unknown]
|
Anna Elisabetha Cloß + Johann Georg Bender
|
Johann Peter Bender + Anna Elisabetha Catharina Hoffmann
|
Johann Theobald Bender + Maria Elisabetha Wagner
|
Johann Theobald Bender + Catharina Barbara Becker
|
Margaretha Bender + Johannes Schoen
|
Frederick August Schoen + Margaret Anna "Marianne" Kress
|
John Charles Schoen + Helena Loretta Ruppel
|
Harry Frederick Schoen + Freda Irene Needs
|
My Father + My Mother
|
Me