Guth Research Update: F.X. & Leopold Guth

This is the first post in The Guth Research Update Series. The series will be focused on the ancestors of two German born brothers – Francis Xavier and Leopold Guth who settled in Clarion County, Pennsylvania in the mid 1800's. Over the last two years the family has been extensively researched with the assistance of Ute Brandenburg the owner of German Script Experts. I am thrilled to finally share the validation of the original research completed by Jr. Janet Staab many years ago. The Guth Research Update Series will also feature previously unknown Guth family members.

Many years ago Sr. Janet Staab, my cousin and a fellow descendant of Leopold Guth, completed the original research on the Guth family. Her records indicated that two brothers, Francis Xavier and his younger brother Leopold Guth were born in Untersimonswald, Baden, Germany. Based on the evidence available to date Francis Xavier Guth departed Germany in the 1840's.  It appears that Leopold followed in his older brother's footsteps departing Germany in the early 1850's. The brothers settled in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. They were well known in Clarion as business owners - for their trade as jewelers and watchmakers. In the late 1870's the brothers owned several tracks of land in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

The 1877 Illustrated Atlas of Clarion County shows the two brothers owning property in the center of Clarion on Wood Street. Each brother is shown with a double lot. Francis Xavier Guth listed with property number 176 and 177 at the intersection of Wood Street & Fourth Avenue. Leopold Guth listed with property 180 and 181 at the intersection of Wood Street & Fifth Avenue.

1877 Illustrated Atlas of Clarion County
Land Owned by Francis Xavier and Leopold Guth shaded in blue.

The 1877 Illustrated Atlas of Clarion County also identifies tracks of land to the south of town owned by the brothers. In two instances the brothers owned tracks of land located adjacent to each other.

1877 Illustrated Atlas of Clarion County
Land Owned by Francis Xavier and Leopold Guth shaded in blue.

The older of the two brothers, Francis Xavier Guth, married a fellow German immigrant - Fortunata Kemmerer.  The couple married prior to 1850 as they were enumerated in the 1850 United States Federal Census living in Elk, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Sometime between 1850 and 1860 the couple relocated to Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania where they were enumerated in the 1860 United States Federal Census with their children. Francis Xavier Guth would live in Clarion for the rest of his life. Francis Xavier Guth was 59 years old when he passed away on 15 April 1885. He is buried at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

Leopold Guth
Formal Portrait most likely taken between 1894 and 1900

Leopold Guth was five years younger his brother Francis Xavier Guth. He departed Germany in the 1850’s. Leopold Guth married Theresa Loll on 20 January 1853 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Clarion, Clarion County Pennsylvania. Theresa, also an immigrant, was born in Marcholsheim, Alsace, France. She was the daughter of Antoine Loll and Mary Ann Jehl. The 1860 United States Federal Census records Leopold and Theresa living in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania with their children. The couple would reside in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania for the rest of their lives. In time Leopold would become a well-known member of the community which is noted in his Obituary. Leopold Guth was 74 years old when he passed away on 13 June 1905. He is buried at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

Sr. Janet's Original Research 

Sr. Janet’s research included two generations of ancestors for Francis Xavier Guth and Leopold Guth as shown in the copy of the original hand typed chart below.

Original Hand Typed Record for Anton Guth & Theresia Rosch Family Group
Copy obtained from Sr. Janet Staab

Sr. Janet’s well-kept records included names, dates and locations. Some of the her records did list sources. Unfortunately not all the records shared with me listed the original sources used to complete the research. It also was not clear if Sr. Janet did all of the original research or if some of the research was completed by others.

Validating the Research

As mentioned in my post Remembering Sr. Janet Staab, OSB Sr. Janet's research served as the foundation for what we know about the Guth and the Selker families. One of my research goals was to validate her original research through sources. Over time I have been able to validate events that occurred in the United States through birth, marriage, death, census and other records. The one major gap was validating the German ancestors of Francis Xavier and Leopold Guth.

To accomplish that goal I engaged Ute Brandenburg the owner of German Script Experts to validate the initial research on the German families.  Over the last two years Ute has been able to both validate and expand the original Guth research using German Catholic Parish Registers. Records from 1810-1869 were accessed online at Landesarchiv Baden-Württemberg. Records prior to 1810 were obtained from the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ute makes regular visits to Salt Lake City to complete research for clients. While onsite she went through the microfilm to locate Guth family members. After locating the records she documented the original German and provided an English translation.

The original Guth pedigree based on Sr. Janet Staab's records is shown below. This would serve as the basis to validating the research.

Untersimonswald Catholic Parish Records

The starting point for the project was to research the Untersimonswald Catholic Parish Register. The original family records from Sr. Janet indicated the brothers were born in Untersimonswald. Various other sources also pointed to Untersimonswald. Leopold Guth was married in a Catholic Church and his children were also baptized Catholic.

Baptism records for Francis Xavier Guth and Leopold Guth were located in the Untersimonswald Catholic Parish Register. The brothers were born in 1825 and 1830. At this time of their birth Untersimonswald was in German territory known as the Grand Duchy of Baden. Today Untersimonswald would be associated with the German State of Baden-Württemberg which was established after World War II.

Map of Confederation of the Rhine 1812

Untersimonswald would be approximately where the "o" is in Großherzogtun Baden

The birth and baptism recorded for Francis Xavier Guth in the original German:

In U. Simonswald wurde im Jahre Tausend Achthundert Fünf u zwanzig am dreissigsten

October Nachmittags zwey Uhr geboren und Abends fünf Uhr getauft: Franz Xaver ehler des Anton Guth, Uhrenmacher, und der Theresia Rösch von da.

Zeugen sind: Joseph Beck Lehrer dahier, und Joseph Rösch lediger Bauernsohn in Haslach, als

Pathe mit Maria Karstinger.

Simonswald d. 30ten Octob 1825

Pfr Duffner

The birth and baptism recorded for Francis Xavier Guth translated to English:

Born at 2 o’clock in the afternoon on 30 October 1825 in Untersimonswald, and baptized that evening at 5 o’clock: Franz Xaver, legitimate [son] of Anton Guth, clock maker, and Theresia Rösch, from there.

Witnesses: Joseph Beck, teacher here, and Joseph Rösch, unmarried farmer’s son from Haslach, who was a sponsor along with Maria Karstinger.

Simonswald, 30 October 1825

Pastor Duffner

Untersimonswald Parish Register Duplicate

[Translated by Ute Brandenburg, Iowa City, IA with German Script Experts]

The birth and baptism recorded for Leopold Guth in the original German:  

Im Jahre tausend achthundert dreysig am vierzehnten November Mittags zwölf Uhr wurde in U. Simonswald geboren, und denselben Tag Abends fünf Uhr dahier getauft Leopold ehler Sohn des Anton Gut, Uhrenmacher, und der Theresia Rösch von da.

Zeugen sind: Hr. Joseph Rösch, Bauer in Haslach, Pathe mit Maria Karstinger, Kieferin dahier, und Joseph Bek, hiesiger Schullehrer.

U/Simonswald d 14ten November 1830

Duffner Pfarrer

The birth and baptism recorded for Leopold Guth translated to English:  

Born in Untersimonswald on 14 November 1830 at 12 noon, and baptized the same day at 5 o’clock in the evening: Leopold, legitimate son of the clock maker Anton Gut and Theresia Rösch, from here.

The witnesses were: Mr. Joseph Rösch, farmer in Haslach, who was also a sponsor along with Maria Karstinger, cooper’s wife here, and Joseph Beck, school teacher from here.

Untersimonswald, 14 November 1830

Pastor Duffner

Untersimonswald Parish Register Duplicate

[Translated by Ute Brandenburg, Iowa City, IA at German Script Experts]

It is plausible that Leopold was named after Grand Duke Leopold of Baden. Grand Duke Leopold succeeded Grand Duke Louis I on 30 March 1830. The Grand Duke would serve as the ruler of the Duchy.

Validation of Francis Xavier Guth & Leopold Guth

The baptismal records validate the birth dates and birth location of Untersimonswald for Francis Xavier and Leopold Guth. The baptismal records also validate that the brothers are the children of Anton Guth and Theresia Rösch. The reference to "legitimate son" indicates that Anton Guth and Theresia Rösch were married in the Catholic Church prior to the birth of their children.

An additional observation is that Francis Xavier was recorded with the surname Guth and Leopold was recorded with the surname Gut. We discovered that the surname would vary between Guth and Gut depending on the record.

One difference is the German spelling of Rösch recorded in the records uses the umlaut mark.

Corrections & Additions 

Using the data from the Untersimonswald Catholic Parish Register the following corrections & additions were incorporated into my records:

• Baptismal dates for Francis Xavier & Leopold Guth.
• Birth & Baptismal Location were corrected to Untersimmonswald, Grand Duchy of Baden. My goal is to identify the location of a fact based on the name of the location at the time the fact occurred. (If that can be determined.)
• The surname of Rösch was corrected from Rosch to incorporate the use of the umlaut mark.

This concludes the initial Guth Research Update post. The next post in the series will feature the parents of Francis Xavier and Leopold Guth - Anton Guth and Theresia Rösch.

Leopold Guth is my 3rd great-grandfather. Francis Xavier Guth is my 4th Great Uncle. Anton Guth and Theresia Rösch are my 4th great grandparents. My connection to the Guth line extends through Leopold's daughter Frances Philomena Guth, her daughter Frances Philomena Selker, to my paternal grandmother Mary Eugenia McDonald.

References:

1. Staatsarchiv Freiburg L 10 Nr. 5581, Untersimonswald, Simonswald EM; Katholische Gemeinde: Pfarrei St. Peter, Standesbuch 1810-1825. 1825 - Baptism Record - Guth, Franz Xaver
2. Staatsarchiv Freiburg L 10 Nr. 5582,  Untersimonswald, Simonswald EM; Katholische Gemeinde: Pfarrei St. Peter, Standesbuch 1826-1844. 1830 - Baptism Record - Gut, Leopold  
3. Map of the Confederation of the Rhine: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rheinbund_1812,_political_map.png 
4. 1850 United States Federal Census. Year: 1850; Census Place: Elk, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M432_767; Page: 247A; Image: 499. Record for F. H. Gut.
5. 1860 United States Federal Census. Year: 1860; Census Place: Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M653_1095; Page: 68; Family History Library Film: 805095. Record for Leopold Guth.
6. 1860 United States Federal Census. Year: 1860; Census Place: Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M653_1095; Page: 79; Family History Library Film: 805095. Record for Francis X Guth.
7. U.S., Indexed County Land Ownership Maps, 1860-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Town: Clarion, Map: 1877. F.X. Guth.
8. U.S., Indexed County Land Ownership Maps, 1860-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Town: Clarion, Map: 1877. Leopold Guth.
9. Joseph A. Caldwell, Caldwell's Illustrated historical combination atlas of Clarion County, Pennsylvania / from actual surveys by & under the directions of Henry Cring ; assisted by C.T. Arms ... [et al.]. (Condit, Ohio, J.A. Caldwell, 1877), Library of Congress Geography and Map Division, Washington, D.C. 20540-4650 USA

JW Selker: Planning a Trip Home

This is the first post in the J.W. Selker Series. The series will be focused on Joseph William Selker's return trip to Germany in 1906. This would be Joseph William's first and only trip to Germany after departing 21 years prior.  

Joseph William Selker, the youngest son of Hermann George Selker and Katherine Elizabeth Hofhaus, was born October 8, 1865 in Fürstenau, Province of Hanover, Germany. Historical records indicate that after receiving his early education in Germany Joseph William studied the trade of cigar-making. When he was 20 years old he set his sights on the future and opted to leave Germany. On October 31, 1885 he departed from Rotterdam, Holland in route to the United States.

After arriving Joseph William initially settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he worked as an apprentice cigar maker. Joseph relocated to Clarion, Pennsylvania in March of 1887. He initially worked for Michael Zacherl as a cigar maker. Joseph William opened his own cigar manufacturing business in April of 1889.

Joseph William married Frances Philomena Guth on November 4, 1890 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Frances was the daughter of a well-known Clarion businessman. Leopold Guth, a German immigrant, was a jeweler and watchmaker. Her mother, Theresa Loll, was an Alsatian immigrant. Frances was born February 25, 1863 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

Joseph William Selker & Frances Philomena Guth

Joseph was naturalized as a United States citizen on August 22, 1892. In 1898 he built the large Selker family home located at 242 Main Street. The family home was built next door to the cigar factory located at 248 Main Street on the corner of Main and South 3rd Avenue.

Left: Joseph W. Selker Cigar Right: Joseph W. Selker Home
248 & 242 Main Street, Clarion, PA

Over the years Joseph remained in contact with his family in Germany. On January 25, 1906 Joseph applied for a United States passport.  The application was stamped February 8, 1906. After living in Pennsylvania for twenty one years - Joseph William was making plans to return home.

Joseph William Selker
Passport Application - All pages

The passport application written in his own hand indicates that Joseph was a naturalized United States citizen. He indicated he was born October 8, 1865 in Feurstenau, Hanover, Germany. (Note this spelling is a variation of Fürstenau) He traveled by steamship from Rotterdam, Holland on October 31, 1885. The application indicates that he intended to go abroad within 8 months and then return to the United States.

Joseph William Selker
Passport Application - Detail

The passport application also includes a copy of his signature in the Oath of Allegiance section. A close up of his signature is shown below.

The passport application also included a physical description of Joseph William. He was 5’ 7” tall. He had a fair complexion, blue eyes and dark hair.

A photograph of Joseph William Selker shows that the physical description to be quite accurate:

Joseph William Selker

Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth are my 2nd great grandparents. Their daughter Frances Philomena Selker is my great grandmother. My paternal grandmother, Mary Eugenia McDonald, is the daughter of Frances Philomena Selker. 

References:

1. "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VFWG-R2W : accessed 28 March 2015), Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth, 04 Nov 1890; citing Marriage, Pennsylvania, county courthouses, Pennsylvania; FHL microfilm 1,315,270. 
2. John Woolf Jordan, LL.D., Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania, III vols. (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1913), Page 839: Selker
3. Ancestry.com. U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007.

Cabinet Card of Unknown Child

This photograph of an unknown child was included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. The original image is approximately 6.75 inches x 5.25 inches mounted on a hard board like paper. The portrait is landscape and is similar to a cabinet card.

Unknown Child
Full Portrait with Borders

The bottom corner of the original is stamped with the studio name and Clarion, Pennsylvania. The studio name may have been Lewis.

Cabinet card type photographs were first introduced in the United States in 1866. Cabinet cards were a frequently used from 1878 - 1879.  As it took trends longer to reach smaller cities and rural areas cabinet cards were used into the early 1900's.

Cabinet card type photographs with dark colors, like the dark green shown above, were popular from 1884 - 1895. Cabinet card type photographs with the photographer's name imprinted on the card stock, similar to above, were popular from 1894 -1900.

The child photographed could possibly be a son of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth. The couple lived in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania and would have been able to afford to have a formal portrait taken of their child. The earliest this photograph would have been taken is 1894 as the photographer's name was imprinted on the card. If the boy pictured is a son of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth the boy could possibly be:

• Leopold George Selker, Sr. born 28 September 1891. 
• William C. Selker born 5 November 1892. William died young at age 9 on 18 November 1902.
• Edward C. Selker born 28 March 1894.
• Frederick William Selker born 15 October 1896.

It seems unlikely the photograph was taken in 1894 as the boy in the photograph appears to be older than 3 years old. The boy also does not appear to be older than 7 years old. The photograph could be any of the boys depending on when it was taken:

• If the photograph was taken in 1896 or 1897 the boy pictured would most likely be Leopold George Selker, Sr., photographed at 5 or 6 years old, or William C. Selker, photographed at 4 or 5 years old. 
• If the photograph was taken in 1899 or 1900 the boy pictured would most likely be Edward C. Selker, photographed at 5 or 6 years old. 
• If the photograph was taken in 1901 or 1902 the boy pictured would most likely be Frederick William Selker, photographed at 5 or 6 years old. 

Unknown Child 
possibly a son of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth

From the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth are my 2nd great-grandparents. Leopold George Selker, Sr., William C. Selker, Edward C. Selker and Frederick William Selker are my 2nd Great Uncles. Frances Philomena Selker is my great-grandmother. Her daughter Mary Eugenia McDonald is my paternal grandmother . 

Sources:

1. Clark, Gary W. 19th Century Card Photos KwikGuide. PhotoTree.com Page 38.
2. Clark, Gary W. 19th Century Card Photos KwikGuide. PhotoTree.com Page 42.
3. Clark, Gary W. 19th Century Card Photos KwikGuide. PhotoTree.com Page 43.

Tintype Photo: Woman in a Striped Dress (1894 - 1897)

This portrait of a woman in a striped dress is a tintype photograph and is one of the oldest photographs in the collection. It was previously believed there were few photographs available from this side of the family. This tintype and several others were located earlier this year in the photo collection of Frances Philomena Selker. 

To view the other tintype photographs visit the blog posts: 

• Tintype Photo: Guth Family Portrait (1884 - 1886)
• Tintype Photo: Portrait of a Child (1870's) 
• Tintype Photo: Wedding of Joseph William Selker & Frances Philomena Guth (1890) 
• Tintype Photo: Frances Philomena Guth & Theresa Loll (1884 - 1886)

After locating the tintypes I engaged Gary Clark from PhotoTree.com to assist me. Gary is an expert in dating old photographs - tintypes being one of his specialties. He is estimated that this photograph was likely taken between 1894 and 1897. The wicker chair was not introduced until the 1890's. The dress style with the big sleeves and shoulders is also typical for mid 1890's fashion. Another clue is 'day' hat which was common in the 1890's.

Original Photograph with Digital Restoration

The identity of the individual is least certain in this tintype photograph. There are some other Guth family portraits which have been shared on Ancestry.com. The woman featured above bears a resemblance to a portrait of Susanna Otilda Guth. 

The photos of Susanna Otilda Guth shared on Ancestry.com show the natural frown which the woman in the tintype also has. The natural frown expression is also present in the photograph of the young girl believed to be Frances Philomena Guth. Susanna Otilda was the youngest daughter of Leopold Guth and Theresa Loll. She was born 6 April 1877 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Susanne Otilda Guth married Francis Gatesman. Frances Philomena Guth and Susanna Otilda Guth were sisters. The sisters' husbands were also business partners. 

Leopold Guth and Theresa Loll had another daughter, Theresia Guth, who was born 6 April 1869. Theresia does not appear in the 1880 United States Federal Census with her family. She would have been approximately 11 years old in 1880. Her death date is currently unknown. She may have been deceased if not recorded with her family in the 1880 census, 

This photograph would not be Frances Philomena Guth. There is a known photograph of Frances Philomena Guth taken between 1892 and 1896 with her husband Joseph William Selker. Of the immediate Guth family, children of Leopold Guth and Theresa Loll, Susanna Otilda is most likely to be pictured. If Susanna Otilda Guth is pictured in the photograph she would have been between 17 and 20. The woman pictured in this photograph appears to be in this age range. 

It is plausible that Frances Philomena Guth had a photograph of her sister. Frances Philmonea Guth also had copies of photographs of her parents. In time the photographs were handed down to her daughter Frances Philomena Selker. This could explain how this tintype photo was included with the others. 

The woman in the photograph is wearing a large broach that was made from multiple stones. Her hat is also very detailed with numerous flowers and a ribbon.

Close up of the Large Broach

Close up of the Hat. Note the Flowers and Ribbon.

Tintype photographs have a unique mirror-like finish. This particular tintype was hand tinted to add color to the faces. The surface of the original contains many scratches. Some of the damage was able to be removed during the digital restoration process. Due the amount of damage some of the scratches were unable to be corrected and can be observed in the whitish looking appearance on the photograph.

This tin type and several others were included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Frances Philomena Guth appears to have ended up with these photographs. She passed the photographs down to her daughter Frances Philomena Selker. Frances' daughter Mary Eugina McDonald ended up with her mother's photo collections which is time were handed down to me. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

If the woman in the photograph is Susanna Otilda Guth, she would be my 3rd great aunt. Her sister Frances Philomena Guth, my 2nd great-grandmother, Frances Philomena Guth was the grandmother of Mary Eugenia McDonald my paternal grandmother. 

References:

1. William E. Loll, The Lolls, Book I (Fullerton, CA, )
2. Compiled by the History Committee of St. Joseph Parish, Lucinda, Pa., A Poud People A Proud Heritage (State College, PA, Josten Printing & Publishing, 1888), Genealogy Part II, Page 169, 
3. 1860 Untied States Federal Census. Year: 1860; Census Place: Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M653_1095; Page: 68; Image: 72; Family History Library Film: 805095. Record for Leopold Guth. Lines 31 through 36. 
4. 1870 United States Federal Census. Year: 1870; Census Place: Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M593_1326; Page: 400A; Image: 121; Family History Library Film: 552825. Record for Leopold Guth. Lines 23 through 33. 
5. 1880 Untied States Federal Census. Year: 1880; Census Place: Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1117; Family History Film: 1255117; Page: 94B; Enumeration District: 066; Image: 0194. Record for Leopold Guth Lines 32 through 42.

Tintype Photo: Wedding of Joseph William Selker & Frances Philomena Guth (1890)

This individual portrait is a tintype photograph and is one of the oldest photographs in the photo collection. It is simply remarkable this photograph survived and that it is approximately 125 years old. It was previously believed there were few photographs available from this side of the family. This tintype and several others were located earlier this year in the photo collection of Frances Philomena Selker. To view the other tintype photographs visit the blog post Tintype Photo: Guth Family Portrait (1884 - 1886) and Tintype Photo: Portrait of a Child (1870's).

After locating the tintypes I engaged Gary Clark from PhotoTree.com to assist me. Gary is an expert in dating old photographs - tintypes being one of his specialties. He is estimated that the photograph was likely taken between 1886 and 1890. It was unusual for a formal portrait to appear on a tintype in the late 1880's or early 1890's. This indicated the photograph was likely taken in a rural location.  The clothing also points to pre-1890. The lady in the back has tighter sleeves and rounded shoulders on her dress. The shirts the men are wearing have upturned collars. 

Formal Portrait Likely featuring the
Wedding of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth. 

This tintype is likely a photograph celebrating the wedding of Frances Philomena Guth and Joseph William Selker in November of 1890. While the clothing styles point to pre-1890 it is possible that in a rural city like Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania that people were not wearing the most up to date fashions featured in larger cities. It was also becoming uncommon for a tintype to be used to capture a formal portrait in the 1890's as the Cabinet Card was becoming more popular. The fact that this group portrait was taken as a tintype photograph also indicates that the photograph was likely taken in a more rural area.

Only a few of the individuals in the photograph are currently known. Frances Philomena Guth (back left) and Joseph William Selker (back right).  Other older portraits exist of Frances Philomena Guth and Joseph William Selker. The man on the back right is clearly a younger Joseph William. There is also a resemblance to Frances as well. Frances Philomena Guth would have been 27 in this photograph. Joseph William Selker would have been 25 in this photograph.

The three people in the front of the photograph, a woman, younger man and older man (far right). Are unknown. The other individuals are likely relatives of Frances Philomena Guth. Joseph William Selker was an immigrant and had no other family in the United States at the time of his wedding. The man on the far right bears a similar resemblance to other photographs of Frances Philomena Guth's brothers.

Frances was the daughter of Leopold Guth and Theresa Loll. The family was one of the prominent families in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania in the late 1800’s. Leopold Guth owned his own jewelry and watch making business. He handed his trade down to his son Anthony Charles Guth. Frances is wearing a large broach on the neckline of her dress which may have been made by her father or brother.

Close up of Frances Philomena Guth
Note the large broach at her neck.

Close up of Joseph William Selker

A closer look at the photograph also shows that Joseph William Selker is wearing a pocket watch and his suit jacket is made from a striped material.  

Tintype photographs have a unique mirror-like finish. This particular tintype has a black and white like appearance and does not contain any tinting. The surface of the original contains many scratches. Especially on the bottom section of the photograph making the details of the ladies dress difficult to see. This photograph was likely originally in a case as original also has trimmed corners and sections where the original mirror finish is damaged. 

Original Tintype before restoration. 

Some of the damage was able to be removed during the digital restoration process. Due the amount of damage some of the scratches were unable to be corrected and can be observed in the whitish looking appearance on the photograph.

This tin type and several others were included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Frances Philomena Guth appears to have ended up with these photographs. She passed the photographs down to her daughter Frances Philomena Selker. Frances' daughter Mary Eugina McDonald ended up with her mother's photo collections which is time were handed down to me. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

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

Leopold Guth Obituary

Leopold Guth was my third great-grandfather. A volunteer graciously saved a copy of his obituary to his Find A Grave page. The obituary is from the local newspaper, The Clarion Democrat and was transcribed by Sally Jordan Reed.

GUTH Leopold - June 15, 1905

Leopold Guth, one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Clarion, died very suddenly Tuesday evening, June 13, 1905, at 10:30 p.m., of heart failure, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Valentine Huefner, on South Seventh Avenue. Mr. Guth was born in Simonswald, Baden, Germany, November 14, 1830. When but a young man he came to this country, and lived for several years at Shippenville and Callensburg. On January 20, 1853, he was united in marriage with Teresa Loll, who died September 4, 1904. In 1855 he moved to Clarion. January 20, 1903, he and his wife celebrated the golden jubilee of their marriage at the Catholic Church in this place.

Mr. Guth is survived by the following children; Leopold, Ridway; Anthony C., East Brady; Mrs. Edwin Buhl and Mrs. Frank Gatesman, of Myersdale; Mrs. Valentine Huefner, Mrs. J.W. Selker and Frank, of Clarion; and Joseph, John and George, of New Castle. One child, named Teresa, died in 1871. The funeral services will be conducted Friday morning at 9 o'clock, in the church of Immaculate Conception, by Rev. Father Deckenbrock, and interment will be made in the Catholic Cemetery.

Mr. Guth was one of the first settlers of Clarion and was well known throughout the entire county. He followed the watchmaker's and jeweler's trade during his entire life, having learned the trade in Germany. During the many years he was in business he became acquainted with and made friends of a great many people who will regret to learn of his sudden death.

Leopold Guth

Leopold Guth is my 3rd great-grandfather.  He is the father of Frances Philomena Guth. The line extends to her daughter Frances Philomena Selker, to my paternal grandmother Mary Eugenia McDonald. 

References:

1. Find-A-Grave. Find A Grave Memorial# 84821479 

Family Photo: Leopold Guth & Theresa Loll

These matching cabinet cards were included in the included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. The subjects are my third great-grandparents Leopold Guth and Theresa Loll. This image of Leopold Guth has been circulated online. Both photographs were taken at the same time, have matching borders and similar coloring. The woman would be likely be his wife Theresa Loll. The full images have fine embossed patterns which indicate the photographs were taken between 1894 and 1900. Leopold would have been between 64 and 70 and Theresa would have been between 59 and 65.

Leopold Guth was born November 14, 1830 in Untersimmonswald, Grand Duchy of Baden y the son of Anton Guth and Theresia Rosch. He departed Germany in 1850 and settled in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania with his brother Francis Xavier Guth. He was a prominent and well respected citizen in Clarion owning his own jewelry and watching making business. He was also recorded as a silversmith. 

On January 20, 1853 he married Alsatian immigrant Theresa Loll at the Immaculate Conception Church in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Theresa Loll was born May 12, 1835 in Marcholsheim, Alsace, France. She departed France in 1852 with her family and settled in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

The couple had twelve children. Theresa lived to age 69 and died on 12 September 12, 1904. Leopold lived to age 74 and died on 13 Jun 1905. Both are buried in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Clarion County Pennsylvania.

Leopold Guth

Theresa Loll

To learn more Theresa Loll please view the blog post The French Connection. 

Their daughter Frances Philomena Guth likely had these photographs and those were passed down to her daughter Frances Philomena Selker.  Frances PhilomenaSelkers' daughter Mary Eugina McDonald ended up with her mother's photo collection which is now in my care.

Leopold Guth and Theresa Loll are my 3rd great-grandparents. Their line extends through their daughter Frances Philomena Guth, her daughter Frances Philomena Selker, to my paternal grandmother Mary Eugenia McDonald.

References:

1. William E. Loll, The Lolls, Book I (Fullerton, CA, )
2. Compiled by the History Committee of St. Joseph Parish, Lucinda, Pa., A Poud People A Proud Heritage (State College, PA, Josten Printing & Publishing, 1888), Genealogy Part II, Page 169, 
3. 1860 Untied States Federal Census. Year: 1860; Census Place: Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M653_1095; Page: 68; Image: 72; Family History Library Film: 805095. Record for Leopold Guth. Lines 31 through 36. 
4. 1870 United States Federal Census. Year: 1870; Census Place: Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M593_1326; Page: 400A; Image: 121; Family History Library Film: 552825. Record for Leopold Guth. Lines 23 through 33. 
5. 1880 Untied States Federal Census. Year: 1880; Census Place: Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1117; Family History Film: 1255117; Page: 94B; Enumeration District: 066; Image: 0194. Record for Leopold Guth Lines 32 through 42.
6. 1900 Untied States Federal Census. Year: 1900; Census Place: Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1394; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 0006; FHL microfilm: 1241394. ecord for Leopold Guth Lines 19 through 21.
7. Leopold Guth - Obituary from The Clarion Democrat

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