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

Five Generation Chart: Mary Eugenia McDonald

The five generation pedigree chart below showcases Mary Eugenia McDonald with four generations of her direct ancestors. The color coding is used to group the birthplaces of the featured individuals. If the birth location is unknown black has been used. This format has been adapted from the original version shared by genealogist J. Paul Hawthorne.

The oldest ancestor featured in the chart is Anton Guth born 1792 in Untersimonwald, Margraviate of Baden, Holy Roman Empire. His 2nd great-grand daughter Mary Eugenia McDonald was born 130 years later on January 22, 1922 in Strattanville, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

Mary Eugenia McDonald
Five Generation Pedigree Chart

As shown from the chart the ancestors of Mary Eugenia McDonald arrived over several generations.

• David McDonald and his wife Bridget Dunn are first documented in Clarion County in 1833. David and Bridget traveled with their son James most likely arriving prior to 1833. They may have traveled with other family members as well. 
• Robert Haggerty is the son of Irish immigrant Thomas Haggerty. Thomas Haggerty arrived in the late 1700's with his first wife and at least one son named John.  
• Rebecca Easly is a descendant of the Kuhn and Easly families. These families were living in the United States prior to the Revolutionary War. 
• Michael O'Neill arrived in the United States May of 1851. Several of Michael's siblings also relocated to the United Sates. 
• Ellen Cunningham arrived in the United States June 1869. She traveled with her parents and her siblings. 
• Joseph William Selker arrived in November 1885. Joseph set out alone seeking opportunity. He would eventually return to Germany and bring two of his nieces back with him. 
• Leopold Guth arrived approximately 1850. Leopold and his brother Francis Xavier left Germany together and settled in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. 
• Theresa Loll arrived with her mother and sibling on October 7, 1852.  Her father Antoine may have traveled ahead as he was not recorded on the ship's manifest. 

An additional chart is also shown that includes the birth and death dates for the featured individuals.

Mary Eugenia McDonald

Five Generation Pedigree Chart

Mary Eugenia McDonald is my paternal grandmother. The individuals featured in the chart are my direct ancestors. 

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