Family Photo: Frances Philomena Guth and Joseph William Selker

Frances Philomena Guth photographed with her husband Joseph William Selker between 1892 and 1896.

Frances Philomena and Joseph William

Joseph William Selker, also spelled Josef Wilhelm Selker, was born October 8, 1865 in Fuersteanau, Province of Hanover, Germany.  He was the son of Hermann George Selker and Katherine Elizabeth Hofhaus. He departed Germany at age 20 and sailed from Rotterdam, Netherlands on October 31, 1885.  He initially settled in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. While in Pittsburgh he served as an apprentice for three years to learn the trade of cigar making.

Joseph relocated to Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania March of 1887. He first worked for Michael Zacherl Cigar Maker before opening his own company J.W. Selker Cigar. In addition to making his own cigars he was also a wholesale candy and cigar dealer.

On November 9, 1890 Joseph married Frances Philomena Guth at the Immaculate Conception Church in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

Frances Philomena Guth was born February 25, 1863 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of prominent business owner and German immigrant Leopold Guth. Leopold was born in Untersimmonswald, Province of Baden, Germany. Her mother Theresa Loll was born in Marcholsheim, Alsace, France. Leopold and Theresa were also married at the Immaculate Conception Church on January 20, 1853. Leopold Guth and his brother Francis Xavier were well known watch makers and jewelers in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. 

Joseph William Selker build at stately home at 242 Main Street in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. The home was well known for the immaculate mahogany staircase and fine wood details. The Cigar Factory was located in the building next door to the family home. Photos of the family home can be viewed in this blog post The Selker Family: Hermann George and his son Joseph William, cigarmaker.

From the Leopold George Selker Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Joseph William Selker is my 2nd great grandfather. Frances Philomena Guth is my 2nd great-grandmother. Their line extends through their daughter, Frances Philomena Selker to my paternal grandmother Mary Eugenia McDonald. 

References:

1. 1870 U.S. Census, Pennsylvania, Clarion, Clarion Borough, 1870 United States Federal Census Schedule; Online Images, Guth, Leopold, Lines 23 - 33 
2. 1880 U.S. Census, Pennsylvania, Clarion, Clarion Borough, 1880 United States Federal Census Schedule; Online Images, Guth, Leopold, Lines 35 - 42 
3. 1900 U.S. Census, Pennsylvania, Clarion County, Clarion Borough, 1910 United States Federal Census Schedule; Online Images, Selker, Joseph W., Lines 1 - 7 
4. 1910 U.S. Census, Pennsylvania, Clarion, Clarion Borough, 1910 United States Federal Census Schedule; Online Images, Selker, Joseph W., Lines 37 - 47 
5. Clarion County Marriage Licenses Issued, SELKER – GUTH (11/13/1890) Joseph W. Selker and Miss Francis P. Guth, both of Clarion. 
6. U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; NARA Series: Passport Applications, January 2, 1906 - March 31, 1925; Roll #: 2; Volume #: Roll 0002 - Certificates: 6581-8181, 02 Feb 1906-14 Mar 1906. 
7. Jordan, LL.D., John Woolf, Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania, pg 839; Selker