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Hello, and welcome to A Random Post. The 'About' page will fill you in on our origins and purpose. Currently, I'm editing a group of essays and random memories of people, places, and things. Excerpts will be appearing on the blog as they are completed. Thank you for reading.

Thursday, June 9, 2016

George and Fredericka Struble

A little booklet made of typed pages, yellowed with age, stapled between a piece of folded construction paper., the color faded and edges worn . . . .


In Loving Memory of Abbie Vaughan Butman Sloan
 by Loessa Mildred Sloan Gray, December 1957

Dedication to all the brothers and sisters 
their husbands and wives and children.

***

The following was copied from a booklet written from memory by Eva Smith, 17 Barclay, Greensburg, Pennsylvania from things her mother told her. Eva's grandparents were Israel and Margaret. Israel was brother to Lewis, your Great Grandfather.

I quote from a letter, which I received from her on September 1, 1957: "I often think I know a great deal more of your ancestors - - as Aunt Lib used to be with mother, also Madge Marks, but you could write a book about Abbie Vaughan's life in Old Mexico, as to her work among the natives." 

***
As Remembered From Stories of Yesterday

     Fredericka had planned all day to have the little home in nice condition and the children all ready to welcome their father George who had been gone for days, his boat was due in and his few days at home must be pleasant.
     That evening he came home but was not his genial self as Fredericka feared. He was dissatisfied with his work, his country, and now talked of going to the new country where land was free of taxes. It was too much when the glass in each small window was taxed.
     A ship was going in a week and there was room for another family. The boys John, Lewis and seven year old Israel were all excited, they began to plan while Fredericka and the little girls were quiet. After the evening meal Fredericka said she would like to visit her brother Lord Herr and talk it over with him. George was agreeable to her going but made it plain he was set on going with the ship. Fredericka spent the next day with her brother and his family in the city of Wurtenberg. He knew of the unrest of many citizens and felt it was a risk to go away and advised his sister to stay in Germany and he would help her, and to let George go but she said the boys want to go too, how can I divide my children especially when George wants to take us all. The boys can take care of themselves but the girls and I will be in the way.
     Fredericka explained this to George and over his mug of beer declared he was going and would take the boys, so as days passed and time drew near Fredericka got George and the boys clothes washed and ready, and decided she and the girls would go along to see her men folk on the boat.
     Being several days journey she washed and packed a change of clothes for each girl, also as a measure of economy fixed food for all. Money was scarce and all food that could be used from the home was prepared and packed.
     A small chest containing some valuables was securely tied and not to be left in the house, also a sugar bowl was filled and packed with the lunch. (The above two articles are prized by Ben Chamberlain of Gentry, Arkansas)
     At the pier where the ship was waiting to be loaded, Fredericka and the girls and George and the boys stood in an uncertain mood. George felt leaving his loved ones was almost more than he could bear.
     Lord Herr having accompanied his sister and family, felt the separation of the husband and wife unnecessary yet he had been unable to persuade George to give up going to America went to his sister and seeing the fear she was trying to hide asked her if she couldn't go with George and the boys. What of our little home and we haven't enough clothes. Well I will take care of your property and by the next ship will send you a trunk of your best garments and blankets. Fredericka now gave vent to the pent up feeling and burst into tears, George came to her and putting his arm over her shoulder just let her weep, when to his surprise she looked up smiling and said, "I am going too."
     An official of the ship coming along remarked, "Well, Strouble, I see you have all your family after all, you will find  our room and altho you won't have much room you can get along, so onto the boat the happy family started the journey.
     Several days out one of the little girls became ill and the ships physician with his meager supplies was unable to allay the fever and she died. Now grief again filled the hearts of the family. A prayer constituted the burial at midnight in the ocean service and all the women manifested their love to Fredericka in the days that followed as Fredericka felt God had taken the child as a punishment for her leaving her native land.
     As days passed she became reconciled and was singing praises and planned for the new home.
     Land was sighed and excitement prevailed. Fredericka holding on to her little girls Barbara and Catherine while George had his boys John, Lewis and Israel in tow for the landing
     They were soon on their way by covered wagon train to Pennsylvania where George had planned to make his home.
     At the tavern in West newton the family rested and planned. George and the boys having purchased a few necessities started with a pair of horses, small wagon and were soon to the land near Herminie, which was the grant given him. Woods, yes but happiness prevailed while they felled trees and built a log cabin near the creek, (Little Sewickley now) and went for Fredericka and the girls.
     The log cabin was small but the happy family didn't mind. Fredericka had learned to weave and George made the trip to West Newton where he purchased a loom and spindle wheel. Neighbors were near enough to give material for rugs and short lengths of carpet, hemp was grown as well as vegetables, and wild fruit and berries added to their food supply. Sun dried the berries and fruit, a cellar was dug under the cabin and another room added. As little Henry was born and a little girl Sara, nearby neighbors had young orchards and apples were plentiful. George had some knowledge of making cider and vinegar, so built himself a cider press and during the fall many wagon load of apples were brought and cider was made. George earning cider for himself and bit of money to buy the food they could not raise.
     A sad event took place one day, Catherine and Sara were crossing the foot log over the creek Sara lost her balance and fell in. Catherine ran home and search was made, but the next day the little body was found at Mill Dam where her hair had caught and she had died, so a fresh grave in America was made.
     Lord Herr, Fredericka's brother did not forget the family and sent them all the furnishings and clothing of the home, also many extra gifts and money.
     As the family grew the boys had inherited their fathers love for the water and found their way to Pittsburgh where they lived on the flat boats that ploughed the water of the Ohio down to New Orleans, bu the home still beckoned to them and Israel enjoyed making cider with his father while John loved new scenes and located at Alpsville, Pennsylvania. Lewis worked for many years on the boats living at Port Perry, raised a family. Elizabeth Huffman, Abbie Vaughan whose families are in Texas and California, Henry who fell at Battle of Arnietan, Civil War. Elda McClain, Mollie Davis, Madge Marks whose son is Dr. Phillips Marks of Pitt and daughter Georgia Kamerer of St Petersburg. Mollie McClain whose family live at McKessport, Penn. and William Struble whose daughter Minnie lives in California .Will was born in Pennsylvania. Barbara Neff lived at Overton, Penn. and she and her husband are buried in Alverton Cemetery. Catherine and Mr. Gregory went to Omaha, Nebraska. One son was a Civil War prisoner, was released but so nearly starved he over ate and died. Another brother was in California and corresponded with his cousin Malinda, a sister Lizzie who married Felix Chamberlain and moved to Oklahoma, being a Civil War veteran and buying a farm in the southern state was often unpleasant but Felix was a very large man and the neighbors soon feared him as as he was a Christian and raised a good family he became quite popular and his sons and daughter were prominent, serving on the school board and in church offices. This family have the chest and sugar bowl brought by Fredericka from Germany.
     Barbara Neff's family lived in Latrobe and Greensburg. Emily was a school teacher for many years, her brother Silas was head of Neff College in Philadelphia, another sister married Mr. Kough whose children and grand children live in and near Greensburg. One daughter married Lloyd Findley who as a young man was Pennsylvania Railroad employee, later became a restaurant man, his family of six girls and one boy helped in the restaurant in Greensburg, Penn. he developed gland trouble and became a very heavy man weighing about 350 lbs at his death. Five of the daughters are members of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Greensburg, Penn.
     Henry Struble the youngest of George and Fredericka's family went to Chicago, married and had a large family evidently was well to do, as he educated two of his sons to be doctors. One Dr John was a Russelite and held strong to that belief. Dr. Jim was quite the average, had a family. One daugther Maude Piuney visited the Penn. cousins some years ago and she and daughter and Cora Harold made the trip to California. George and Fredericka spent their last days in the same neighborhood they had located in when they first came to Penn. Their son Israel had married Margaret Greenwalt and built a house upon the higher land than the old log cabin and Israel still made cider and farmed.
     German language was spoken by George and Fredericka while Israel's wife Margaret spoke English. So the next generation all spoke English.
     As a young man Israel still loved the boats and went to Pittsburgh and worked on boats from Pittsburgh to New Orleans with his brothers. Margaret with her small children and the old folks had many anxious days from the time Israel left until he came back home.
     The home was Christian family worship was held each morning and evening.
     Fredericka and George were quite content in the home, George was fond beer but was discouraged from drinking by Israel.
     John Struble had one son George who had visited Israel when a boy and came again as an elderly man, visited his Aunt Margaret and cousin Han Jane at the old home near Heminie. Very little is known of his family altho a United Brethern Minister in Ohio may have been his son. A grandson of the United Brethern Minister is a real estate man in St Petersburg, Florida having come from Ohio and in appearance could be taken for Israel Strubles grandson. Henry Struble of Chicago visited Israel's family in Pennsylvania about 1896, he was 82 and made his way about on his bicycle, said that was his way of travel in Chicago. He lived with Dr. John as Dr. Jim had left his first wife, a very well respected woman and mother of five children to marry again. Both women lived in Chicago, and the children altho living with their mother who later married visited their father. Later Dr. Jim was alone and wrote his cousin Malinda could he come and live with her, she being a widow and having a comfortable home and pension. She wrote him her home was only large enough for her. William the younger brother raised his family Kecksburg. Had a large family.
     John who was superintendent of the Connellsville Coal and Coke Co owned by H.C. Frick.
     William, Annie Rohbecker the father in law of Harry Rohbecker of Adamsburg a school director and highly respected citizen. Lizzie Geiger of Paintertown who gave Hannah Jane the daughter of Israel Struber a home, and at whose home Hannah died. Mrs. Geiger was a Lutheran and broke the ground for the small Lutheran Church built at Paintertown.
     Two other sisters Katie and Sadie, families not know. The family Israel Struble married into was as large as his own. Margaret sisters and brothers lived mostly in Penn. Mary Clubine of Iowa, Elizabeth Henderson, Indiana County, Penn. Susan Dinsmore, Westmoreland County, Penn. Sara Willingmire, Pittsburgh, Penn. Nancy Thompson, Pittsburgh, Penn. and son Dallas well known to all. Martha Highberger, Mars Hill, Penn. whose daughter Hannah married Will Struble of McKeesport, Penn. Jacob Greewalt, Irwin, Penn. William Greenawalt, Dayton, Ohio. John Greenawalt, Jeannette, Penn. Daniel Greenawalt Madison, Penn. Margaret's parents were Christopher and Hannah Smith Greenawalt of Lancaster, Penn. but the family of Christopher settled in Westmoreland County. A sister Elizabeth Greenawalt Shoaf whose husband Daniel and children Jacob and Fanney Shoaf Wineland.
     Margaret had three aunts, Betsy Elizabeth Shoaf, Esther Fisher and Mary Polly Baughman, all settled in and near the homestead of Israel and Margaret.

*****

Note: except for a few obvious spelling corrections I have left the grammar and sentence structure as in the original

As always, if anyone is interested in any of my Dad's research, please contact me using the form at right.


Labels: Butman, Sloan, Struble, Vaughan, Gray, Huffman, McClain, Davis, Marks, Kamerer, Neff, Chamberlain, Kough, Piuney, Harold, Greenwalt, Rohbecker, Geiger, Clubine, Henderson, Dinsmore, Willingmire, Thompson, Highberger, Greewalt, Shoef, Greenawalt, Baughman, Wineland




The Lighter Side

In an envelope he had marked "cartoons I thought were funny"  I found a few smiles. Enjoy.