JW Selker: Visiting Bentheim

This is the fifth and final 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.

Other Posts in The Series: 
JW Selker: Planning a Trip Home
JW Selker: Arriving at Ellis Island
JW Selker: A Letter To Germany
JW Selker: Visiting Fürstenau

During his return trip to Germany Joseph William Selker and his son Frederick William Selker traveled to at least three different cities. They visited Fürstenau, Bentheim and Montabauer. While in Bentheim they spent time with J.W.'s uncle Johann Hermann Heinrich Selker. At the time of the visit Johann Hermann Heinrich Selker was 68 years old. J.W. referenced his uncle in the letter sent to his brother Karl Friedrich Selker after the trip:

"Dear Brother, I just received a letter from Germany with the news that Uncle [missing word - now known to be Johann Hermann Heinrich Selker] in Bentheim has died. He was 68 years old. He followed our father rather quickly; I am glad I still was able to see him."

-Letter J.W. Selker sent to Karl Friedrich Selker dated July 1906

Bentheim is relatively close to Fürstenau. J.W. Selker may have traveled to Bentheim to seek this family connection from his past. Uncle Johann would have been a link to J.W. Selker's father who died April 30, 1906. J.W. Selker may have also traveled to Bentheim to share the Selker family history and heritage with his son Frederick William. J.W. Selker's father,  Herman George Selk, was born November 15, 1814 in Bentheim.  He was the son of Hermann Heinrich Selker and Maria Anna Overhuis.

Family tradition maintains that Hermann Heinrich Selker served in the army of Napoleon Bonaparte. He was among the soldiers that survived the fatal march from Moscow in November 1812. He would have watched many of his fellow soldiers and their horses freeze to death. Napolean is said to have gifted Hermann Heinrich Selker land in Bentheim for his military service. The land is said to be marked by the stone marker featured in the photographs below.

Family Tradition maintains this Stone Marker marks land given to Hermann Heinrich Selker by Napoleon Bonaparte.

Family Tradition maintains this Stone Marker marks land given to Hermann Heinrich Selker by Napoleon Bonaparte. In the black and white version the date of 1817 is more visible.

The military service of Hermann Heinrich Selker and the gift of land by Napolean Bonaparte have not been verified by any first hand historical records. Hopefully in time records will be located to verify this information. It should be noted that there is a second hand historical source.

Joseph William Selker is featured in the Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania. The book was published in 1913. Although it is a second hand source - Joseph William Selker was likely interviewed. In his interview he made a point of highlighting his grandfather's military service:

"George Selker, the first member SELKER of this family of whom we have any definite information, was born November 15, 1814, in Bentheim, in the province of Hanover, Germany, where he died April 30, 1906. His father had been a soldier in Napoleon's army during the retreat from Moscow in 1812, and was later warden of the government prison in Bentheim." 
-Page 839: Selker

At the time of the interview Joseph William Selker was a prominent member of the Clarion community. He was well educated and a well known business owner. It is difficult to imagine J.W. Selker sharing a family legacy that isn't truthful. The fact that he took his son to visit Bentheim showcases the strong link J.W. Selker had to the city of his ancestors.

It is currently unknown if the said land in Bentheim remained in the Selker family or if it at some point the land was sold. 

This photograph is shared with permission. The original version is in the care of Leopold George Selker my 2nd cousin 1x. He is a descendant of Leopold George Selker, Sr. the oldest son of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth. From the Leopold George Selker Collection.

Hermann Heinrich Selker and Maria Anna Overhuis are my 4th great grandparents. Hermann George Selker is my 3rd great grandfather. Johann Hermann Heinrich Selker is my 3rd great uncle. Joseph William Selker is my 2nd great grandfather. Frederick William Selker is my great grand uncle. 

References:

1. Photograph of the Stone Marker in Bentheim.
2. Handwritten Letter from Joseph William Selker to Karl Friedrich Selker dated 19 July 1906.
3. 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. View the book here: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/John_Woolf_Jordan_Genealogical_and_Personal_Histor?id=VNQqAAAAYAAJ

Army Sergeant Daniel L. Bukowski - Young American Patriot

Sergeant Daniel L. Bukowski was born September 19, 1921 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of John Frank Bukowski and Theresa Filipkowski. In 1940 he was recorded living with his parents at 639 Twenty First Street in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

Sergeant Daniel L. Bukowski photo location unknown

On October 4, 1942 he enlisted with the United States Army at age 21. On December 17, 1945 he was discharged from military service.

In 1946 Young American Patriots was published. The collection of books was compiled to preserve the lives of the American men and women who served in World War II. The books were arranged by state. A biography for each soldier includes: name, branch of military served in, birth date, date and place entered service, and parents' names.

Sergeant Daniel L. Bukowski was featured in Young American Patriots on page 354. The text from his record reads:

"World War II Young American Patriots, 1941-1945 Bukowski, Daniel.  Sgt.,Army. Age 24. Entered Serv. Ict. 24, 1942. Cp. Claiborne; France; Ger.; Agrica; N. Zealand; Australia. Awarded GCM, As-Pac Rib., EAME Rib. Disch. Dec. 17, 1945. Attended Erie Tech HS. Catholic. Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Bukowski. Husband of Tillie Szulc Bukowski, 625 E. 14th St., Erie, Pa."

Young American Patriots Page 354

His entry in Young American Patriots indicates he was a decorated solider and received several military service awards. The military service awards he received are detailed below.

Army Good Conduct Medal:

"Authorized on June 28, 1941 for exemplary conduct, efficiency and fidelity and awarded to Army personnel who, on or after August 27, 1940, had honorably completed three years of active Federal military service. These military medals could also be awarded for one year of service after December 7, 1941 while the U.S. was at war. The award was not automatic and required certification by a commanding officer (usually a battalion commander or higher)." -Medals of America, Army Good Conduct Medal

European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal:

"Authorized on November 6, 1942, as amended on March 15, 1946. Awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces for at least 30 days of consecutive (60 days nonconsecutive) service within the European Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941 and November 8, 1945 (lesser periods qualify if individual was in actual combat against the enemy during this period). The front of the bronze medal shows a Landing Ship, Tank (LST) unloading troops while under fire with an airplane overhead. The reverse has the American eagle, symbol of power, standing on a rock, symbol of stability, with the inscription, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and dates, “1941-1945.”" -Medals of America, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

"Authorized on November 6, 1942 and amended on March 15, 1946. Awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces for at least 30 consecutive (60 nonconsecutive) days service (less if in combat) within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946. The front of the medal shows a palm tree amidst troops with an aircraft overhead and an aircraft carrier, battleship and submarine in the background. The reverse has the American eagle, symbolizing power, on a rock, symbolizing stability, with the inscription, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” on the eagle’s back. The orange yellow of the ribbon represents Asia while the white and red stripes toward each edge represent Japan. The center blue, white and red thin stripes are taken from the American Defense Service Medal, referring to America’s continued defense preparedness after Pearl Harbor. A bronze star denoted participation in a campaign. A silver star attachment is used to represent five bronze stars. An arrowhead attachment is authorized by the Army and Air Force for participation in a combat parachute jump, combat glider landing or amphibious assault landing (only one arrowhead may be worn on the medal/ribbon despite the number of qualification events). The ribbon is worn with the center blue stripe on the wearer’s right." Medals of America, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal 

The photograph of Daniel is from the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Daniel L. Bukowski is my 1st counsin 2x removed. He is the son of John Frank Bukowski. John Frank Bukowski is the brother of my great-grandmother Helen Tillie Bukowski. Helen's son Arthur Murosky is my paternal grandfather.

References:

1. Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Year: 1940; Census Place: Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania; Roll: T627_3650; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 68-75. Record for John Bukowski
2. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania Veterans Burial Cards, 1929-1990; Archive Collection Number: Series 2-1; Folder Number: 573.
3. Ancestry.com. World War II Young American Patriots, 1941-1945 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Record for Daniel Bukowski Page 354.
4. Medal of America

The History of Butler County Pennsylvania - R.C. Brown & Co. Publishers

Thomas Haggerty, my 5th great grandfather, and his family are included in the The History of Butler County Pennsylvania by R.C. Brown & Co. Publishers published in 1895. The excerpts featuring the family faced are included below.

Chapter IV: The Pioneers, Page 48

Taxables of 1803 Butler Township:
Thomas Haggerty
300 acres, 1 cow, 2 horses,  $171 Valuation, $52 Tax

Chapter V: Pioneer Reminiscences, Page 71

From the beginning of 1800 to December 2, 1803, the sum of $494.03 was paid out on wolf orders. From April 5, 1825, to May 10, 1831, there were only $412.97 paid out on warrants for wolf scalps. The names of the recipients of this money are given as follows: Philip Ililliard, David Say, John Ekas, John Pollock, Elisha Baker and John Woods, in 1825; Neal Strawick and William Thompson in 1826; David Cypher in 1827; Robert Sloan in 1828; Jacob Ekas and Elisha Milliard in 1829 : George W. Smith, William Thompson and William McQuistion in 1830, and Thomas Hagerty, Jr., in 1831.

Thomas Hagerty, Jr. is the son of Thomas Haggerty.

Chapter XLIL: Donegal Township, Page 506

Most of the pioneers, as the names given indicate, were either natives of Ireland, or the descendants of Irishmen, the majority of them coming from Donegal county, Ireland. They embraced, besides those already named, such well-known families as the Dugans, McCues, O'Donnells, Boyles, McFaddens, Blacks, Haggertys, Stewarts. Malonevs, McClungs, Breadens and Hunters.

Chapter XLIL: Donegal Township, Page 509

The following roll shows the heads of families belonging to St. Patrick's congregation, all residents of Butler county in 1803: Patrick Bovle, Archibald Black, Eleanor Coyle, John Coyle, Matthias Cypher, Mary Ann Cypher, Michael Carvan, Peter Croosiks, James Denny, Hugh Dugan, Michael Dugan, Thomas Dugan, Denis Dugan, Neil Dugan, Andrew Dugan, John Durneigh or Durney, George Dougherty, John Duffv, John Empich, Edward Ferry, John Forquer, John Gillespie, Hugh Gillespie. John Gallagher, Peter Gallagher, Hugh Gallagher, Robert Hanlen, William Hanlen, Sr., Moses Hanlen (buried in the old city cemetery at Butler) , Robert Harkins, William Hanlen. Jr., Charles Hunter, Jacob Harshman, Thomas Hagerty, Xoble Hunter, Patrick Lafferty, John McGinley, Patrick McBride, Charles McCue, Patrick McLaughlin, Neil Murray, Daniel McCue, Hugh McElroy (a friend of Washington). Neil McLafferty. Manus McFadden, John McGee, Dominick O'Cull, Patrick O'Farren, Connell and Dennis O'Donnell, Arthur O'Donnell, Connell Rogers, Charles Sweeney, Jeremiah Callahan, Patrick Fitzsimmons, John O'Hara. David Boyle, Francis Boyle, Edward Burns, James Burns, Charles Duffy (who lived on the Donegal-Clearrield line), Daniel Dougherty, John Green, Philip Hartman (a soldier of the Revolution), Bernard Hagen, Bernard McGee, Hugh McGee, Jr.. Edward Quinn, John Quinn, Joseph Bleakney. William Collins. John Conley, James Hagerty, Patrick McAnally, Daniel McDade, Hugh Murrin, James Murrin, William McLaughlin, and, it is said. John Slator, a soldier of the Revolution.

The great majority of these pioneers resided within the original township of Donegal ; but, as its territory was reduced by the establishment of new townships, so was the number of the resident Catholics in Donegal—the two churches of Butler, the three of Oakland, St. John's of Clearfield, St. Mary's of Summit, the church at Millerstown, that at Petrolia and that at Murrinsville. with other churches in adjoining counties, claiming many of the grand-children of the pioneers.

James Hagerty is the son of Thomas Hagerty.

Chapter LXXIL: Biographical Sketches, Page 961

Mr. Brownfield was married November 20, 1868, to Mrs. Ellen Jane Griffin, a daughter of Thomas and Catherine Haggerty.

Thomas Hagerty, Jr. is the son of Thomas Haggerty.

Reference:

1. Brown, R. C. & Co. Publishers (1805). History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. Link: https://archive.org/details/historyofbutlerc00inbrow

An Old Timer's Early Thrills on the River, by Peter McDonald of Vowinckel, Pa

Peter McDonald is my 3rd great grand uncle. The youngest son of Irish immigrants David McDonald and Bridget Lynam (my 4th great grand parents) he was born March 1, 1847 in Farmington, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. He lived his entire life in Farmington and died in 1936 at the age of 88. 

Peter was featured in the True Tales of the Clarion River, Volume I, which was published in 1933 where he talks about his first experience as a river pilot. 

An Old Timer's Early Thrills on the River, by Peter McDonald of Vowinckel, Pa (page 42-44)

"As this is my eighty-sixth birthday and I have a holiday, I will try and write my first experience as a raftman on the Clarion and Allegheny rivers.

My experience as a raftman up to the time of this story, which was in December of 1862, was of the traditional style handed down by my father, David McDonald, who had helped Davis Munn run several rafts down the Clarion to Lower Hillville. There he sold them to Jacob Hill, who had a boat scaffold and furnished 100 foot boats for the Pittsburgh coal companies.

These boats were dropped into the water without the aid of lines. My father and Mr. Munn used grapevines for cable to anchor the rafts. David Munn ran his first raft around 1840. He had purchased 150 acres on Troutman Run near the Clarion. He and his wife lived and died on this piece of ground, and their tombstones are standing to this day. They should have a monument. As I pass their lonesome resting place it brings back memories of the earlier days of the lumbering and rafting business and along with these memories of the many hardships the early pioneers had to endure.

Well, getting back to my own experience: My rafting up the to the year 1862 had been learned from my Father and an old raftman by the name of William Daugherty. He would go down the river on every floor and when returning home he would stop at Father's and tell all the experiences that occurred on that trip, and of his narrow escapes.

These stories and those of Father's filled me with the longing to go down to Pittsburgh, so in December 1862, when I was 14 years old, I heard that there were going to be some rafts leave Clarington on a certain day. I told Tom McClosky, a neighbor boy of about my age, about it and we decided to go down the evening before and see if we could get a trip. (Tom McClosky's sister Hannah McCloskey married Peter McDonald's brother David).

We started from home for Clarington, which was nine miles away, at about dark. When we arrived at the town everything seemed to be closed up for the night. We hurried down to the river and boarded a raft and began pulling the oars to keep from freezing, and also for practice. We worked all night and by early morning began to feel hungry. We had five cents between us, so Tom went to a house and bought a loaf of bread. We are the bread and drank water from the river and felt refreshed.

There were several rafts to start but they seemed to all have their full crews. We asked several men for a trip but they would answer with a smile, "We don't need any more men."

Tom and I were discouraged and about ready to leave for home, but we met a man who told us another raft would leave during the day, and if we would stay around, perhaps we would get a trip. This man proved to John Brandon, the owner of the raft that we had practiced on all night. Well, about noon Tom and I took our places on the raft along with John Davis and Conrad Barr, the pilot. Everything went nicely that day and we landed at Millcreek and tied up the raft.

Tom had gone to the boarding house. John Davis was on the raft fixing something and Conrad and I were on the bank when a raft came down the river, struck ours, and took John and the raft down the river. There was a skiff on the beach that belonged to the landlord and Conrad tried to buy or rent it, but he refused to do either, so we decided to take it. We found it was locked but I took a stone and broke the lock.

Conrad and I then took the skiff and started after John and the loose part of the raft, the greater part having been torn away when it was struck. We caught up with John some time later and Conrad drifted the raft toward the shore. I took a short line and tried to fine a tree but it was too dark and stormy. The only anchor I could fine was a rock but the raft pulled the rock into the water and John and Conrad went on.

I was almost frozen but fortunately a light in the distance gave me courage. I found my way back down the river bank to a house which proved to be a hotel at the Clarion River bridge. I told the landlord that I wanted to stay all night and that I had no money. He said, "I don't keep customers of your calibre." I then told him that if he did not keep me I would stone every window out of his house. I don't know who would have come out best. Fortunately a man, hearing the argument, came out of the hotel and told the landlord to give me some supper, a bed and breakfast. This man's name was Mr. Furman.

I ate a big supper and had a good night's rest. After breakfast Mr. Furman told me that he was going down the river and would give me a lift. I helped him get the skiff into the water and we started after John and Conrad. We finally caught up with them at Piney Eddy. I had helped Mr. Furman and he gave me two dollars besides my hotel expense. This was the first money I ever earned on the river.

The next thing was the gather up our scattered timber. So John and another boy stayed at the raft while Conrad and I took the old leaky skiff and started up the river. Several pieces had been caught by the mill men. They claimed all that was not stamped and wanted fifty cents a piece for catching it. We had no money but as it was getting dark we took all we found that was no marked and floated the down to John who rafted them in.

After that everything went good to the mouth of the river and John Brandon said, "that was the best wreck I ever had as we had more timber when we finished that when we started."

I was at the mouth of the Clarion then, and still longing to see Pittsburgh. I managed to get on a raft of square timber owned by John O'Neil & Co. We coupled four rafts and started with our fleet as quickly as possible as the weather was getting very cold and there was danger of the river freezing over.

We landed somewhere down the river and put up for the night. Early the next morning when we started out again it was so cold that we broke up our extra oars and made a fire on the raft. This annoyed the oil boats as they were afraid of the sparks.

That evening we reached Freeport, twenty-eight miles from Pittsburgh, tied up our fleet, and just at that time a fleet of boats belonging to James Clark drifted in along side of ours. The men were almost frozen. One man by the name of Conrad Meyers had to be carried off the raft. He never recovered from the exposure.

Oh! yes, those boats drifted on down stream and were found frozen in the middle of the river by the next morning.

At this time I decided not to go any further as the Allegheny railroad only came to Kittanning, and they told me not to ride on it as it was unsafe because of slides from the river hills. It would have been a long walk down to Pittsburgh and back.

I started to walk home by the way of Worthington, Middlesex, East Brady, Clarion and Lucinda, and reached home about midnight with ten dollars in my pocket for the Clarion River trip and fifteen dollars for the Allegheny run.


Oh! yes, about Tom. He got another raft the next morning at Millcreek and went to visit some of his relatives and did not get home for three weeks. There was considerable anxiety at his home about him and all I could tell them was I had left him at Mill Creek."

References:

1. Sheffer, George P. (1933) True Tales of the Clarion River, Volume 1. Clarion, PA: The Clarion Republican Newspaper Co. Available for purchase here: http://stores.homestead.com/mechlingbooks2/-strse-254/TRUE-TALES-OF-THE/Detail.bok

Antonine Loll: German Cavalryman

While this entry  in the Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania is about George Lauer, founder of the Lauer family in Clarion, Pennsylvania it also includes information about Antonine Loll, my 4th great grandfather, his ancestors and his children. Antoine married Mary Ann. Mary Ann has been recorded as Many Ann Teal and Mary Ann Keal. Despite searches with these surnames, Mary Ann's ancestors have never been located. This entry provide another variation of her maiden name - Elle.

Two of Antonine's children married two of George Lauer's children - entwining the two families.

1. Francis Loll married John Loll, son of George Lauer. [my 3rd great grand aunt]
2. George Loll married Priscilla Lauer [my 3rd great grand uncle]

The Entry in  the Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania.
Page  798-799 Lauer

George Lauer, the founder of the family in this country, was born in Germany in 1815, and died in 1877, in Knox township, Clarion county, Pennsylvania. He emigrated to America in 1846 and settled first at St. Mary's, Elk county, Pennsylvania, removing later to Knox town ship, where he cultivated a farm until his death. He married, in Germany, Ursula Bendorfer, born in 1820, died in Knox township in 1901.

Children:
1. John, mentioned below.
2. George, married Jane Hoffmarts, had issue.
3. Joseph, married (first) May Fassemyer, (second) Mary Seidletz; had issue.
4. William, married Catharine Bauer, had issue.
5. Ursula, deceased; married George Loll, deceased ; had issue.
6. Mary, deceased ; married Henry Harriefberger, had issue.
7. Daughter, died in infancy.

(II) John, son of George and Ursula (Bendorfer) Lauer, was born in Germany in 1841, and died in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, April 28, 191 1. He emigrated to America with his parents and received his early education in the public schools, after which he worked on his father's farm. In 1861 he enlisted in the Federal army as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served throughout the civil war. He served in the peninsular campaign, and was at York- town, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, and then back to Harrison's Landing, and was then transferred to the department of North Carolina and took part in the battles of Suffolk, New Berne and Plymouth. He was taken prisoner on April 25, 1864, confined at Andersonville from May 4 to September 10, 1864, when he was transferred to Charleston, later to Florence, and exchanged December 16, 1864, and rejoined his regiment. After the war he returned to Clarion county, where he cultivated a farm until his death. He was a Republican in politics, and a Roman Catholic in religion.

He married Frances, born in Knox township, Clarion county, Pennsylvania, in November, 1848, and still living there, daughter of Anthony and Mary (Elle) Loll. Her father was born in Germany in 1798, served in a cavalry regiment in the German army, later emigrated to America and settled on a farm near Callensburg, Clarion county, Pennsylvania, removing later to Knox township, where he died; her mother was born in Germany in 1804, and died in Knox township in 1895  their children were:

1 . Anthony, deceased ; married ; died in Pitts burgh, Pennsylvania.
2. Joseph, deceased; married Helen Eisman.
3. John, died in army hospital, from wounds received in battle in civil war.
4. George.
5. Catharine.
6. Theresa. 
7. Anna. These last four are also deceased.
8. Frances, married John Lauer.

Children of John and Frances (Loll) Lauer :
1. Joseph H., mentioned below.
2. Annie, died in infancy.
3. Frederick, married Gertrude ; no issue.
4. George, unmarried.
5. Augustus, married Lena Felker [Note this is Philomena Selker my 1st cousin 3x removed] ; one child.
6. Louisa, deceased; unmarried.
7. Francis, died young.
8. Mary, married Ralph Weaver.
9. Kate, unmarried.

(lll) Joseph H., son of John and Frances (Loll) Lauer, was born on his father's farm in Knox township, Clarion county, Pennsylvania, February 23, 1867, and is now living in Marble, Pennsylvania. He received his early education in the public schools, and then learned the trade of a carpenter which he fol lowed for some years. In 1893 he settled in Marble, Pennsylvania, where he purchased a hotel which he enlarged and improved and which he still conducts. He is also a stock holder in the Farmers Mercantile Company of which he is the treasurer. He is a Democrat in politics, and now holds the office of supervisor of the township. In religion he is a Roman Catholic. Mr. Lauer married, January 31, 1893, Theresa, daughter of John and Cressence (Hoover) Ginkle, born in Farming- |on township, Clarion county, Pennsylvania, in 1868, now living in Marble (see Ginkle).

Children:
Mabel, born January 31, 1894;
Hattie, May 22, 1895;
John, June 12, 1897;
Otta, July 14, 1899;
Leopold, January 2, 1901 ;
Charles, March 16, 1902 ;
Grace, October 20, 1904;
Joseph, September 7, 1906;
Albinus, March 20, 1908;
Earl, October 9, 1910;
Helen, June 25, 1911.

Reference:

1. John Woolf Jordan, LL.D., Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania, III vols. (New York:  Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1913), Page 798-799. View the book here: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/John_Woolf_Jordan_Genealogical_and_Personal_Histor?id=VNQqAAAAYAAJ

The Selker Family: Hermann George and his son Joseph William, cigarmaker

Hermann George Selker, my 3rd great grandfather, and his family are included in the Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania. The excerpts featuring the family faced are included below. We know now that Hermann George Selker was the son of Hermann Selker and Marianne Overhuis, my 4th great grandparents.

Page 839

George Selker, the first member SELKER of this family of whom we have any definite information, was born November 15, 1814, in Bentheim, in the province of Hanover, Germany, where he died April 30, 1906. His father had been a soldier in Napoleon's army during the retreat from Moscow in 1812, and was later warden of the government prison in Bentheim. George Selker was a carpenter and bricklayer. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Wilhelm Hofhaus, of Fuerstenau, Hanover, Germany. Her sister Lotta married George Daldrup, of Lingin, Germany.

Children of George and Elizabeth (Hofhaus) Selker:

• Anna, married Emil Altenbeck, a surveyor and later a railroad division inspector in Germany; 
• Gerhardt, died January, 1912, married Mary Rakers; 
• Gertrude, died aged thirty-two years, married John Breggenkamp; 
• Karl, now living in Germany; 
• Joseph W., referred to below. 

(II) Joseph W., son of George and Elizabeth (Hofhaus) Selker, was born in Fuerstenau, in the province of Hanover, Germany, October 8, 1865. He received his early education in the local schools, and when sixteen years of age was apprenticed for three years to learn the trade of a cigarmaker, at which he worked for one year in Germany after finishing his apprenticeship. In 1885 he emigrated to the United States and worked at his trade in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, until March 15, 1887, when he settled in Clarion, Pennsylvania, and entered the employ of Michael Zacherl as a cigarmaker. In April, 1889, he entered the cigar manufacturing business on his own account with a capital of three hundred dollars, in which trade he still continues, having by his industry and ability enlarged the capacity of his business until his establishment manufactures over five millions two hundred thousand cigars annually, for which he finds a ready market in Pittsburgh and the neighboring country. He is also a wholesale dealer in tobacco and cigarettes, having in 1893 bought a large warehouse at 248 Main street, Clarion, Pennsylvania, adjoining which he built in 1895 the commodious dwelling in which he now resides. He served for several years as a member of the city council of Clarion. He is a Democrat in politics, and a Roman Catholic in religion. He married, November 4, 1890, Frances Philomena, daughter of Leopold and Theresa (Loll) Gutts, born in Clarion, Pennsylvania. Children:

• Leopold, 
• William, deceased ; 
• Edward, 
• Frances, 
• Frederick, 
• Ambrose, 
• Vincent, 
• Mary, 
• Celia, 
• Anna.

Joseph W. Selker Home
248 Main Street, Clarion, PA




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




Plate on the front door of the Joseph W. Selker Home
248 Main Street, Clarion, PA

Reference:

1. 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. View the book here: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/John_Woolf_Jordan_Genealogical_and_Personal_Histor?id=VNQqAAAAYAAJ

Thomas Haggerty: A perspective of the early 1800's in Butler, County

Thomas Haggerty, my 5th great grandfather, and his family are included in the History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers. The excerpts featuring the many challenges the family faced are included below. 

Chapter XXXIII: Donegal, Page 309

Some of the first settlers had no sheep, hogs or stock, other than their horses, and their poverty was painful. Mr. Haggerty became the possessor of two sheep, in which he took great pride, and in order to protect them from the bears and wolves they were securely penned up each night. One day he saw a wolf stealthily approach his sheep, and made all due haste to save them, but too late, for the crafty wolf killed one of them before he could get to it, and this loss, trivial as it may now appear, was then severely felt.

Chapter XXXIII: Donegal, Page 311

Daniel Slater settled in Donegal in quite an early day. His wife, Mary, now lives with her son Frank on the old homestead. Peter McKeever (now deceased) located on the farm in this township now occupied by his son John. Thomas Haggerty came from Donegal, Ireland, with his wife and three children and lived in Delaware. He afterward moved to Westmoreland County, and his wife having died, he married Anna McNealy. John, one of the sons of the first wife, lived in this county. About 1798, Thomas Haggerty and his family came to this township. He carried a bucket of dishes in his hand and walked, leading behind him an old horse, which carried his two small boys, John and James, in a bag, one on each side of the horse, and their heads protruding from the bags. Mrs. Haggerty walked, driving a cow and carrying in her arms her baby and the rim of her spinning wheel. The child thus brought here is still living. She is now Mrs. Rebecca Mehan, and is in the eighty-fifth year of her age. After coming here, Mr. Haggerty worked at Mason's furnace in winter to support his family, and the wife and small children were left alone in the woods. Panthers often cried about their lonely dwelling, and Mrs. Haggerty kept them off by waving fire brands. Mrs. Mehan, when a small child, was bitten by a rattlesnake and came near dying. She was unconscious for several days and sick for a month. Another time, she and her brother were chased by wolves, which they kept off with clubs. Two of the boys, Thomas and Archie, were in the woods one day, and Thomas, who was standing on a hollow log, felt the motion of something in the log. He went to the end of the log and discharged the contents of his gun into it. A fierce she-wolf came out and made for his throat, and would have killed him had not Archie came up and cut the beast open with his knife. At another time, the boys caught a cub, which they tamed and kept until it became so cross it had to be killed. Thomas Haggerty was the father of thirteen children by his second wife. Ten of them reached mature years. One of the sons, Thomas, married Catharine Higgins and reared a large family. He kept hotel in Pittsburgh and Lawrenceburg. In 1852, he moved back to the old farm in this township, where he died in 1877.

It was only by exercising the greatest diligence that Mr. Haggerty procured enough to sustain his family. Only one of his children, Mrs. John Mehan, now resides in the county, her home being with her daughter Nancy (Broomfield), and there now live in this house the representatives of four generations. The mind of Mrs. Mehan appears perfectly clear, especially on things pertaining to pioneer days. She in common with other women of her time, reaped wheat with a sickle, split rails and in fact performed all manual labor on her father’s farm. She distinctly recalls the time when such a thing as a fanning mill was unknown, and the process of cleaning wheat was called "riddling." The riddle or sieve, was made of deer skin, or tough bark cut in suitable slips for this purpose. It required the services of two persons to "riddle" wheat, one to shake it through the "riddle" while another fanned away the chaff with a sheet. The cloth manufactured by women was colored with plum, cherry, and other bark. It was no uncommon thing for people to attend church barefooted. Moccasins were much used. One pair of shoes per year, costing $1.25, was all that many could afford; still "frolics" and dances were frequent. Among the old fiddlers was John Wortman.

Chapter XXXIII: Donegal, Page 323

In 1867, he married Mrs. Ellen J. Griffin, widow of John Griffin, who died in 1863. By her first marriage she had four children—Frances A.. Mary L., Elizabeth A. and Catherine E., all living. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Brownfield are William A. who died when eighteen months old, Martha E., Margaret C. Olive M. .James H. and John E. Mrs. Brownfield is a daughter of Thomas Haggerty, whose father. Thomas Haggerty, was one of the first settlers of Donegal Township, and had his full share of the difficult experiences of those who began life in the woods of Butler County previous to the year 1800.

Reference:

1. Waterman, Watkins & Co. (1883). History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers. Chicago, IL: Waterman, Watkins & Co. Available here to download: http://archive.org/details/historyofbutlerc00wate

David McDonald - Farmer & River Pilot

On this Father’s Day I thought it would be fitting to write about the oldest known McDonald relative that we have concrete proof of – David McDonald. David McDonald is my 4th great grandfather.

David McDonald was born about 1803 in Dublin, Ireland. His location of birth was listed in The History of Clarion County Pennsylvania written in 1887 by A. J. Davis.  David married Bridget Lynam in Ireland. Their first son James was born 1829 in Ireland. Sometime between 1929 and 1831 David relocated to the United States with his family – he would have been about 27 when he departed Ireland.  From new information recently located – it looks that David made the journey with his father Richard McDonald, his sister Ellen McDonald and her husband Edward Lynam.  Edward Lynam and David’s wife Bridget were brother and sister. It is with special thanks to Benjamin Norris that these details are now known.

Upon first arriving to the United States possibly at the Port of Boston, this information is currently unverified; the McDonald and Lynam families first went to Scranton Pennsylvania area. Many Irish immigrants were living in this area working in the Cole Mines.  They then made the decision to go West into what would have been the frontier and very rural unsettled Pennsylvania at that time. In the early 1830’s the family relocated to what would become Farmington Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania and became one of the founding families.

From The History of Clarion County: Chapter LIII History of Farmington Township, Page 515:

"In 1831 the solitude of the wilderness in the northeastern portion of the township was broken by James Black, who came from Sugar Creek, Armstrong county, and settled on the homestead near North Pine Grove. The country abounded in game of all sorts, deer, bears, wolves[,] panthers, wild cats, wild turkeys, and pigeons, besides the smaller species. The streams were alive with trout. Within a year or two came his brothers, John and Patrick Black; Thomas Meagher, Charles and Dennis Boyle, David McDonald, Thomas Walley, Robert and Archibald Haggerty, David Griffin, Henry McNairney; soon after these, William Wilkinson and Arthur McCloskey; the latter, with his family, came from Philadelphia in 1835. These settlers were all Catholics, the majority of them from Butler and lower Armstrong counties"

Another reference to David McDonald also appears in The History of Clarion County: Brief Personals, McDonald, Michael Page xxxv:

“McDonald, Michael, Vowinckle p.o., Farmington, the sixth child born to David and Bridget McDonald; was born in Farmington on May 10, 1839. The parents were both natives of Dublin, Ireland, from whence they emigrated to this country in the pioneer days.”

David and Bridget went onto have ten children, eight of which survived and started the very large McDonald family that today has eight generations of descendants.  

1. James McDonald was born 1829 Ireland, the birth city is possibly Dublin. James would travel with his parents by boat to the United States and travel across the wilderness at a young age. James would fight in the civil war. He married Bridget and went on to have four children.
2. Mary Ann McDonald was born 1834 in Farmington, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. She married a James Kelly and had five children. Two of the children were only recently identified as a result of locating David McDonald’s will.
3. John McDonald was born 1836 in Farmington, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. John would also fight and die in the civil war. It is currently unknown if John was married, but the Will of David McDonald indicated he has one son – William McDonald.
4. Michael McDonald was born May 10, 1839 in Farmington, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Michael would be known as a successful businessman in the lumber industry. Michael married Anna Haggerty, the daughter of Robert Haggerty who was also recorded in The History of Clarion County Farmington as a founding family. Together they had fifteen children.
5. Andrew McDonald was born 1840 in Farmington, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. He like his older brothers would serve in the Civil War. Andrew married Anna and had three children.
6. Bridget McDonald was born 1842 in Farmington, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. She would marry also marry into the founding Haggerty family. Her husband Thomas C. Haggerty was the brother of Anna – her brother Michael’s wife. Bridget and Thomas C. Haggerty would have seven children together.
7. David J. McDonald was born 1844 in Farmington, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. He also married into another founding family mentioned in The History of Clarion County  – marrying Hannah E. McCloskey. Together they would have seven children.
8. Peter McDonald was born March 1, 1847 in Farmington, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. His first wife was Mary Ann McAvoy. Together they had eight children. After her death he married Elma C. Nye and together they had three children. Peter was also a well-known citizen as he was also featured in The History of Clarion County Pennsylvania along with his brother Michael.

We know from historical references and family stories that David McDonald was farmer and river pilot -as logging was big business in those early years as growing cities like Pittsburgh required timber. David was recorded in the 1840, 1850, 1860 and 1870 United Stated Federal Census – listed as farmer by profession. His son Peter McDonald recalls learning how to pilot river boats from his father:

True Tales of the Clarion River, Volume 1

An Old Timer's Early Thrills on the River, by Peter McDonald of Vowinckel, Pa., Page 42-44

"As this is my eighty-sixth birthday and I have a holiday, I will try and write my first experience as a raftman on the Clarion and Allegheny rivers.

My experience as a raftman up to the time of this story, which was in December of 1862, was of the traditional style handed down by my father, David McDonald, who had helped Davis Munn run several rafts down the Clarion to Lower Hillville. There he sold them to Jacob Hill, who had a boat scaffold and furnished 100 foot boats for the Pittsburgh coal companies. 

These boats were dropped into the water without the aid of lines. My father and Mr. Munn used grapevines for cable to anchor the rafts. David Munn ran his first raft around 1840. He had purchased 150 acres on Troutman Run near the Clarion. He and his wife lived and died on this piece of ground, and their tombstones are standing to this day. They should have a monument. As I pass their lonesome resting place it brings back memories of the earlier days of the lumbering and rafting business and along with these memories of the many hardships the early pioneers had to endure.”

An additional reference to David on the river:

True Tales of the Clarion River, Volume 1

Adventures in Boating and Rafting on the Clarion and Allegheny Rivers, by Victor M. Baker, Masonic Homes, Elizabethtown, Pa., Page 136-137

"We have some old timers here who used to raft on the Clarion and Allegheny rivers. There are George Hazlett who used to work for Croasman Brothers, Horace Greely Sigworth, A. B. Sarver and Harry Horton. We also have here David McDonald and Mr. Hutton who used to run 90 foot platform rafts on the Susquehanna River. I don't believe that any of the 90 foot platform rafts ever came out of the Clarion."

David McDonald lived to be 77 years old. This is remarkable considering the time he lived in and his dangerous profession as a River Pilot. The Last Will and Testament of David McDonald was located. The will was dated August of 1871. Given the heavy cursive script and the quality of the scan – portions of the will were difficult to transcribe. In two locations David makes mention to Bridget as “my beloved wife Bridget” – this must have been a true testament to their sharing a life time of challenges and risks together. First coming from Ireland, traveled through the Pennsylvania wilderness, started a farm from a land covered in Virgin Pennsylvania timber, having eight children in a rural setting, watching their sons go off to War in addition to the day to say dangers of farming, logging and river piloting.

He died before June 25, 1880 as he was not recorded in the 1880 United States Federal Census. His burial location is unknown.

References:

1. Individual – Virginia McDonald Geary
2. Individual – Benjamin P. Norris
3. Davis, A. J. (1887). History of Clarion County Pennsylvania. Syracuse, NY: D. Mason & Co. Available here to download: http://archive.org/details/historyofclarion00davi
4. Sheffer, George P. (1933) True Tales of the Clarion River, Volume 1. Clarion, PA: The Clarion Republican Newspaper Co. Available for purchase here: http://stores.homestead.com/mechlingbooks2/-strse-254/TRUE-TALES-OF-THE/Detail.bok
5. Last Will & Testament of David McDonald