AUNT MARY GARNER – the scandalous relative we do not discuss

 AUNT MARY GARNER – the "scandalous" relative we do not discuss 

Every family has at least one. The relative we do not discuss…

 I recently had a chance to do some research on my Gr-Aunt Mary GARNER.  I did not find her to be particularly a scandalous person, but for her time I can just imagine the gossip.

 Mary’s parents were Ben & Cora (GROFF) GARNER, who married in April 1906.  (See my blog for that story: https://lancastercountyfamilyties.blogspot.com/2020/05/garner-ralph-hoopla-around-his-birth.html ). The children of this union were:

**Ralph 1906-1986

**Mary 1908-1966

**Ella 1910-1994

**Clyde 1913-1956

**Lester 1915-2012

I do not find many photos or papers for gr-aunt Mary in either my mom’s or grandma’s photos or papers.  However, my mom had a lot of memories of visits with her, so I did not get the feeling Mary was some sort of social outcast. At least not an outcast at my grandparent’s home (which should surprise no one considering the family gossip about my grandfather). Two siblings that were close in age, and both the butt end of gossip.

I only have one photo of young Mary.  She is among numerous other GARNER relatives at a reunion in June 1923.  She would have been in her mid-teens. She had a profoundly serious look about her.

Source: my personal collection

    Growing up I knew Gr-Aunt Mary was married to Ben KREIDER and that they had no children.  But anything else was hush hush.  She was dead before any of my own memories, but I can think of many questions I would have liked to ask her if I had had the opportunity.

According to a clipping from the Lancaster New Era, Ben KREIDER and Mary GARNER married on March 24, 1928 at the parsonage of the First Methodist Church by Rev. A. M. WITWER.

Source: Ancestry & Lancaster New Era newspaper

According to some military documents that I found on Ancestry; Ben was in the Army from at least 1941-1943. Was their union already in trouble prior to him going off to war, and this was the final straw?

Going back to the Lancaster New Era newspaper, Ben KREIDER filed for divorce in Oct. 1942 on grounds of desertion.  They separated in 1940 so I would have to say there were already obvious problems before Ben went off to war.

Source: Ancestry & Lancaster New Era newspaper

    Whatever happened divorce-wise, Mary took back her maiden name.  My impression from comments made was that Mary was truly angry and bitter toward Ben until she died.

The Ben GARNER family was together on the farm in Quarryville during the summer of 1943 and took time to pose for a photo.

Source: my personal collection

This photo was taken in the mid to late 1940’s at my grandparents’ home in Lancaster, PA. Obviously Mary was welcome (despite her scandalous behavior) and was part of the family group.

Source: my personal collection

Here she is with her parents, probably on the family farm in Quarryville, PA circa 1950.

Source: My personal collection

Ben & Cora GARNER celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in April 1956. The family had a professional picture taken.  Clyde was sick with cancer at this point and would not live out the year.

Source: My personal collection

Mary died in 1966, also of cancer.  She is listed in her obit as “Miss” Mary GARNER.  There is no mention that she ever married. She worked at Hamilton Watch Factory for many years.

Source: My personal collection

Obviously, Gr-Aunt Mary worked and supported herself.  She had gotten some education and was a member of a church.  She was welcomed by family for at least some family functions.  Why did she and Ben divorce really?  She deserted him why? I do not remember her name ever mentioned with another man when she was discussed.  Whatever happened between Ben Kreider and Mary was known at the time, but not discussed to those of us who had no reason to know.

Let’s face it, every family has those relatives we do not discuss.  Sometimes why is kept quiet, other times it is common news in the papers for all to see.  Let me encourage you to just keep asking questions and keep searching. 

Before social media, people tended to regard personal privacy as a normal thing.  The why of happenings is not going to be easily found, but that does not mean the answer is not out there.

As for Mary, I am going to keep looking on Family Search and Ancestry to see what other information is available.  I will also try to order the divorce papers from the Lancaster County Archives too – who knows what information will turn up in that……

PLEASE NOTE: 
ALL PHOTOS AND WRITTEN CONTENT ARE MY OWN UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

MY THOUGHTS FOR ON-LINE FAMILY TREES

 MY THOUGHTS FOR ON-LINE FAMILY TREES

I have been asked several times recently what I think of on-line family trees and how do I personally use them. 

First we all need to remember that on-line family trees are done by people - some do the research, and some just put on whatever they feel fits, with no research or sources.  

Second, I do look at on-line family trees, HOWEVER, I use them as clues for where to look for sources. They are great to find clues and tips, but do not take them as "fact" until you do your own research and have found enough sources to back up what is there.

Obviously, some trees are well done and have sources attached - this is very helpful.  Sometimes it can even confirm your own research. Just as obviously, some trees are just thrown up there with no research and what appears to be little thought. I recently saw one for my own family where one set of the great grandparents had married when they were in the single digit ages - obviously there is a big problem.

Below is a print off from an on-line tree for Ben MUSSELMAN I recently found on Ancestry. It actually correlates pretty well to sources and research I have done for myself. There are reliable sources attached to the tree and even  a few photos. 

However, I questioned why there would be two daughters with basically the same name - my gr-gr-grandma Lizzie MUSSELMAN (1864-1925) and another sister Lizzie (1868-1942). The second Lizzie will need some research since both grew to adulthood and had families, it is unlikely that parents would recycle a name for a living child.  

In my documentation there is a daughter named Flora who would fit in this slot so maybe Lizzie was a nickname or maybe it is a mix up on an otherwise helpful family tree. 

So what can I glean from this family tree?? Obviously there are names and dates.  I personally was struggling with the dates for Ben's parents - this tree gave me better dates to look at.  I also did not notice before that his parents died in the late 1840's, as did another set of my gr-gr-gr-grandparents who were in Lancaster County at that time.  

The death dates of Ben's parents plus another set of 3 x gr-grandparents tells me I need to do some checking on epidemics going on in Lancaster during that time. 

The photo of Ben is him in his Civil War uniform.  I already have the documents for his military service, but if I did not this would be a clear clue to be looking for those records.

I print them off and put the print-offs in the binder or folder of that person.  I write notes on them and use them as a "working" paper.  Several months later, I will go back to the same tree on-line and see if corrections or additions have been made since I last looked. 

It is even possible to contact the owner of the tree and ask questions or make (kind) comments.  I have been able to trade info with other shirt tail relatives this way.  It can be very helpful.

No, I do not maintain an on-line family tree.  I tried years ago to do one on Family Search.  What I put on there was documented.  However, others could add info and soon it was full of stuff that had nothing to do with me.  I gave up arguing with the contributors and the website, and have not looked at it in a couple of years.  One good thing about Ancestry is that the trees cannot be changed by just anyone.

I encourage you to take a good long look at on-line family trees.  Do not take them as "gospel" but do use them as a way to get clues, and to complete or even confirm some of your own research.

PLEASE NOTE: 
ALL PHOTOS AND WRITTEN CONTENT ARE MY OWN UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

RESSLER, DANIEL 1801/02 - 1901

RESSLER, DANIEL 1801/02 - 1901

Daniel RESSLER was the son of Jacob and Susanna (BOEHM/BEAM) RESSLER.  At the bottom of this post are several links to other posts on this blog with more info on them and their family.

I wanted to share a photo that I found posted on Ancestry this week titled "Daniel B. RESSLER before 1901".  I have never seen a photo of Daniel.  I wanted to believe it was really a photo of him, but I am all about "proving" it. 

Source: JD Ressler Ancestry family tree - titled Daniel B. Ressler before 1901

After comparing the photo to his son John both as a young man and as an elderly man, I do think that this is a photo of Daniel RESSLER.  Wow, what a find - thanks so much to the person who posted it.

To see his memorial on Find a Grave, go here.

Here is a photo of Daniel's son John both as a young man, and then as an elderly man with his living children in 1915.

Source: my personal collection (previously in the possession of Reba (RESSLER) GARNER)

Source: Personal Collection (previously in possession of Reba (Ressler) Garner)

Other posts with info about Daniel RESSLER:

https://lancastercountyfamilyties.blogspot.com/2012/11/resslerrossler.html

https://lancastercountyfamilyties.blogspot.com/2017/12/dar-application-accepted-ressler.html

https://lancastercountyfamilyties.blogspot.com/2019/01/revisiting-jacob-susanna-boehm-ressler.html

PLEASE NOTE: 
ALL PHOTOS AND WRITTEN CONTENT ARE MY OWN UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

APPLEBACHSVILLE, PA IN THE NEWSPAPER 21August 1949 and SOME INFO ON THE TOWN ITSELF

APPLEBACHSVILLE, PA IN THE NEWSPAPER 21August 1949 and SOME INFO ON THE TOWN ITSELF

This is the second article involving Applebachsville, PA that Aunt Fran gave me.  It was in the Philadelphia newspaper. Following the article is info on Applebachsville from a book.

The article is titled: Latvian Refugees Find New Life in Bucks County Community

The article basically speaks of how the small village is going from Pennsylvania Dutch (with associated names) to a place of refuge for Latvian refugees after WWII. The article is interesting and well worth reading.

*******************************************************************************

Info on Applebachsville - according to the book, "Place Names in Bucks County Pennsylvania" by George MACREYNOLDS on page 8-10:

• Applebachsville is a village on the Bethlehem Road in northwestern Haycock Township.  The land the village is on was apparently originally named Stokes Tract or Stokes Meadow as it was owned by the STOKES family from approximately 1735-1837. 
• The land was sold to George F. DUTCH in 1837. His son (not named in  book) owned the land in 1842 and sold it to the APPLEBACH brothers in 1847.
• Gen. Paul APPLEBACH and his brother Henry in 1847 were already successful in the horse and cattle business.  They laid out part of the tract in building plots on both sides of the Bethlehem Road in 1848. Soon there were 30 brick homes along the road.  A daily stage went through between Bethlehem and Philadelphia.
• The post office was established in 1874. 
• The Lutheran church was built in 1855.  Paul and William APPLEBACH were part of the building committee.
• The family was started by immigrant Johan Heinrich AFFLERBACH who was from Wittgenstein, in Westphalia Germany, where they are said to have been manufacturers of iron. Johan Heinrich AFFLERBACH (who would become known as Henry APPLEBACH) embarked at Rotterdam on the ship Sally which arrived in Philadelphia on 29 Oct. 1770.  He gave his age as 31 and occupation as smith.
• He appears in Springfield Township in August 1775 on a roll of a company of Associators. He married Maria RENSHIMER, daughter of a nearby farmer. Their third son, Daniel, started the Haycock branch of the family. Daniel married Catherine APPLE 02 June 1811. Daniel became Justice of the Peace on 15 May 1833 and held the office until his death.
• Daniel and Catherine's three sons: Paul, Henry, and William were all prominent locally.

PLEASE NOTE: 
ALL PHOTOS AND WRITTEN CONTENT ARE MY OWN UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

LAZARUS WOLF - 1870 AGRICULTURE SCHEDULE

Lazarus WOLF - 1870 AGRICULTURE SCHEDULE

Source: pg.71 of Agriculture Schedules and Federal Census Schedules 1850-1880 by James E. FREY 1997

Lazarus is listed as having: 

• 45 acres improved land valued at $2300
• Farm machinery valued at $50
• Total wages paid $10
• 2 horses, 2 milch (milk) cows, 1 other cattle, 4 swine valued at $315
• 131 bushels wheat, 100 bushels Indian corn, 260 bushels oats, 25 bushels Irish potatoes, orchard products valued at 5200 pounds, butter, and 6 tons of hay
• Animals slaughtered valued at $98
• Estimated value of farm production $962

PLEASE NOTE: 
ALL PHOTOS AND WRITTEN CONTENT ARE MY OWN UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

GARNER, RALPH - Hoopla Around His Birth 1906

GARNER, Ralph - Hoopla Around His Birth 1906

It was certainly no secret in our family that "Pappy" (Ralph GARNER) had been conceived out of marriage by his folks.

So the story goes like this:

When Cora GROFF found out she was pregnant in the early spring of 1906, she told the father of said pregnancy Ben GARNER. His response was to take off for Ohio to hide with Mennonite or Amish cousins there. Cora complained to her parents, who complained to Ben's parents.  Ben's father (and possibly brothers) went to the cousin's home in Ohio and drug Ben back despite his protests and made him marry Cora.  Remember they were both minors and Ben admitted that the baby was his.

Notice on the below marriage license that both fathers had to give permission for the wedding to take place.

Source: my personal collection

While I never personally witnessed any unkindness toward my grandfather due to the hoopla of his conception and birth, from comments made in my hearing, it must have been quite the scandal at the time. Apparently it took my gr-grandfather several years to get over his snit at being forced to marry Cora, although as years went on that changed.

Ralph's early education suffered due to being shuffled around to different relatives and while in the 1910 census he is living with his parents, by the 1920 census he is living with his maternal grandparents.

My mom remembered her mom (with her 10th grade education) working with Pappy from the daily newspaper and family Bible to teach him to read.  I remember Pappy reading the Lancaster paper daily when I was around.

As an adult, Pappy told me that he only completed the second grade.

PLEASE NOTE: 
ALL PHOTOS AND WRITTEN CONTENT ARE MY OWN UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

APPLEBACH, TILLIE of Applesbachsville, PA

As a teenager, my Aunt Fran gave me 2 articles about Applesbachsville, PA that had been in the Philadelphia newspaper in the 1940's.

The first one is this one about an auction that Tillie APPLEBACH had on Nov. 12, 1949 at her home in East Rockhill Township of Bucks Co, PA.  The article says that she is 77 and that she needed to get rid of a few things. The article goes on to say that she is the widow of Oscar APPLEBACH.

Page 1 of Article 

The article is a very interesting read of personalities, local culture, and a list of various items that were sold.

Page 2 

In the book, Six Afflerbach Emigrants Who Came to Pennsylvania and Their Descendants 1750-1930, by Jane K. THOMPSON is listed an Oscar APPLEBACH who was born in 1867 and later married Matilda ______ (pg. 73). According to the book, he was the son of Levi and Rachel (GREEUP) APPLEBACH.

Per the above listed book (pg. 103-104) Oscar is also stated to die in 1923.  He married Matilda in 1890 and they had these children: Preston, Harvey, Charles, William and Frederick.

Source: Find A Grave

According to the Find A Grave website, the memorial numbers are (Oscar) 92898702 and (Tillie) 92898712. Per the same source, her maiden name was ROSENBURGER and she died in 1957. They are buried at the Ridge Valley Cemetery in Sellersville, Bucks County, PA. The book by THOMPSON (listed above) also notes that Oscar's will is #29769 in Bucks Co wills of 1923.

PLEASE NOTE: 
ALL PHOTOS AND WRITTEN CONTENT ARE MY OWN UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.