Tombstone Tuesday: Claimed by Influenza Epidemic

PA_Trevorton_GreenwodCemetery_StrausserWilbert_20120708_153228_resized

Wilbert L. Strausser was born on April 23, 1902 to George and Minnie (Derk) Strausser.  Almost nothing is known about Wilbert, including his place of birth which is likely Columbia or Northumberland County.  The facts that are known are that he and his family lived in Coal Township in 1910, he died from Influenza on 14 October 1918, and he was laid to rest in Trevorton’s Greenwood Cemetery on 16 October 1918.

 

Wilbert spent 10 days fighting this deadly virus that wreaked havoc on the area and would claim the lives of more than 600,000 of his fellow Americans during 1918-1919.

Mystery Monday: Rudolph Nahodil’s family?

Rudolph Nahodil arrived at Ellis Island aboard The Braunschweig on 12 April 1892; he was alone and destined for Pennsylvania.  Aside from Rudolph, his wife and their children, only four other people with the Nahodil surname are listed in the US Federal Census for the year 1900 as living in the United States.  The four are:

 

Name

Age

Location

Arrival

Notes

John Nahodil

66

Nanticoke, PA

1891

Widowed and living with his married daughter and her family.
John Nahodil

28

Nanticoke, PA

1892

Married to Kate below.
Kate Nahodil

20

Nanticoke, PA Married to John above.
Frank Nahodil

25

New York, NY

1900

Arrive in the US 2 months prior to census.
Rudolph Nahodil

42

Coal Twp., PA

1892

Arrived alone.
Rosia Nahodil

38

Coal Twp., PA

1892

Married to Rudolph above. Arrived in Philadelphia with their children.

 

Rudolph and Rosamond Nahodil have been a mystery to many of us for generations.  Nobody in my family or other Nahodil relatives I have spoken with knew anything about Rudolph’s parents or his origins.  Most family stories about Rudolph and his wife are related more to her alleged royalty as a part of a well known Austrian family.  No story ever mentions additional Nahodil family arriving before, with or after Rudolph.

 

For many years, the first glimpse of Rudolph in records after his arrival to this country showed that he lived in Coal Township, PA with his family; this continues to be the primary residence of most of his descendants.  For the same amount of years, I have wondered why the passenger list for his wife and children shows that their destination was Duryea, PA.  Heck, where is Duryea?  Well, Duryea borders Wilkes Barre, as does Nanticoke.  Over the years, I have seen a few Nahodils in and around Duryea and believe they must be related to my Nahodil family.  I have searched and searched but couldn’t connect the two…until now!

 

While researching over the weekend I ran across a new document, the 1896 City Directory for Pittston , Pennsylvania…another border town of Wilkes Barre.  This directory listed John, John Jr., Louis, and Rudolph Nahodil.  This is the first document I have for Rudolph between his arrival in the US and the 1900 census; this tells me that my assumption that he went directly to Coal Township was wrong.  Finally, it is starting to come together.

 

I have started pulling death certificates from the Pennsylvania State Archives which show that Rudolph’s father was named John and his mother was Susannah.  I have also pulled the young John’s death certificate and found that his father was named John and his mother was not known.  I am still trying to track down the elder John’s death certificate as well as his daughters to see who are listed as her parents.  Could I have finally found more of my Nahodil ancestors?  Was the elder John that was living in Nanticoke in 1900 my 3x great grandfather?  Ah, the mystery begins to unravel.

Sentimental Sunday: George H. Strausser

My great grandfather, George H. Strausser, passed away on this date eighty-six years ago at the age of thirty-eight.  Though he was able to witness the birth of his youngest child, my grandmother, he would not live to see her first birthday.  What happened after his death is another story, or few stories.  The only thing my grandmother knew about George was that he died in an unknown coal mine.  II asked about his death during my entire youth but the story never changed and no slips were made…so there went my theory of a deep dark scandalous story.

 

For many years the only evidence of his existence was the 1900, 1910 and 1920 US Federal Census.  The first breakthrough came a couple years ago with the discovery of the Coal Mining Accident Registers database made available by the Pennsylvania State Archives.  Page 29 told me what happened, where it happened, and that it was “unavoidable”.  Accident Cause or Remarks…”fall coal blocking timber gangway”.

 

2012 was the year of breakthroughs in my search for George.  Last February I made the trip to the PA State Archives in Harrisburg hoping to get a copy of George’s death certificate.  So now I knew that my great grandpa died from a fractured skull but more importantly the certificate told me where he was buried.

 

George H. Strausser22 Jan 1889 - 10 Feb 1927

George H. Strausser
22 Jan 1889 – 10 Feb 1927

Now you know this crazy obsessed genealogist wasn’t about to wait for warm spring weather to go track down his grave.  The next day I made the three hour trip to Odd Fellows Cemetery in Coal Township with no real plan but a willingness to search.  About an hour after arriving I was standing over his marker feeling like I had been there before.  Sure enough, I had found this grave back in 2007 amongst a large Strausser lot but wasn’t certain which of the half dozen or so George Straussers this was.

 

George H. Strausser (ca 1925)

George H. Strausser (ca 1925)

Among pictures that were passed on to me and some that were loaned to me for scanning were three pictures of George Strausser.

 

This year I met a cousin a few times removed (who is more than twice my age and was close to my great grandmother) that had been recording his family tree and stories about the people for many years and he just happened to have one story that involved George.  “George came home from work on a pay day.  Bid was supposed have taken his pay.  She wouldn’t give it to George.  George went to the outside toilet and Bid told him he must have lost his money in the toilet.  He got a flashlight and went looking for it in the toilet.  – By Royal”.  Bid was George’s wife Mae, whose real name was Ada Mae.  This is the only story I have about my great grandpop and I can’t help but find the irony and humor in that it involves another of my obsessions…outhouses.  I am hoping to share more about George in future posts.

Wordless Wednesday: Horsing around

Little Howard Wetzel (ca 1940).  The Strawberry Mansion (Philadelphia) photographer often used ponies in photos of young children.

Little Howard Wetzel (ca 1940). The Strawberry Mansion (Philadelphia) photographer often used ponies in photos of young children.

Tombstone Tuesday: Death befalls the Derrick children

Four of the Derrick (Derk) children died within 10 days.

Four of the Derrick (Derk) children died within 10 days.

1888 was a sad year for Benjamin and Alice Derrick (Derk) as they buried all four of their children within ten days.  The couple’s fifth child was born right in the middle of this tragedy and it is a miracle she did not meet the same fate.

 

What killed these children?  Cholera, Typhoid, Scarlet Fever, or possibly Yellow Fever?  1888 saw an outbreak of Small Pox in Pennsylvania; was this the cause of so much loss?

 

Between 1881 and 1906, the Derrick family would have thirteen children born with seven surviving to adulthood.  The four children here are buried with their parents and a number of the siblings at the Lutheran Cemetery in Trevorton.

Sunday’s Obituary: Adam L. Nahodil

Soldier Previously Reported Missing Now Listed Dead

Adam Nahodil Killed In Korean Fighting

     Secretary of the Army, Frank C. Pace, Jr. yesterday informed Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Nahodil, 438 South Pearl Street, their son, Corporal Adam L. Nahodil, 20, who was listed as missing in action, was killed in Korea.

 

The telegram received by the Shamokin couple did not mention the date when Corporal Nahodil was killed. In a previous communication, the Army reported Corporal Nahodil as missing in action since October 18, 1951.

 

Two months ago, Mr. and Mrs. Nahodil received a telegram notifying them their son was missing in action.  When the first telegram was received, Frederick Nahodil, the father, veteran of World War I, was a patient in Lebanon Veterans Hospital.

 

Adam L. Nahodil on right during training at Fort Knox.

Adam L. Nahodil on right during training at Fort Knox.

Corporal Nahodil was assigned to Company A, Fifth Cavalry Regiment, First Cavalry Division.  He arrived in Korea in June 1951.  The local soldier enlisted in the Army May 25, 1950, and received training at Fort Knox, Ky., and Camp Breckenridge, Ky.

 

Adam L. Nahodil was born February 4, 1931, in Shamokin, son of Frederick and Flossie (Lynn) Nahodil.  He attended Grant School and Shamokin High School.  The local service man was employed at an independent mining operation before enlisting in is Army unit.  The late soldier was a member of St. John Reformed Church.

 

Two other sons of the local couple are serving in the Army, Private First Class Blyler Nahodil, 19, is stationed in Germany.  He enlisted in the Army one month after Corporal Adam Nahodil.  Another son, Staff Sergeant George Nahodil, 28, was recalled to active duty by the Organized Reserve Corps and is assigned to Fairchild Air Force Base, Fairchild, Wash.

 

Survivors include the parents and the following brothers and sister, in addition to Blyler and George; Fred, of Chester, Edward, John and Jacqueline, at home.

 

Friday, January 11, 1952 , Shamokin News-Dispatch

 

Adam L. Nahodil is buried atop Shamokin Cemetery with his mother and siblings.

Adam L. Nahodil is buried atop Shamokin Cemetery with his mother and siblings.

Funeral Held for Late Service Man

     Funeral services for Corporal Adam L. Nahodil, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Nahodil, 438 South Pearl Street, were held this afternoon in the family home.  Rev. Leroy C. Brumbaugh, pastor of Salem Reformed Church, officiated.  Burial was in Shamokin Cemetery.

 

The body of Corporal Nahodil was recently returned to this country from Korea, and arrived in Shamokin Monday night on a Reading Company train.

 

Corporal Nahodil, who was assigned to Company A Fifth Cavalry Regiment, First Cavalry Division, was first reported missing October 18, 1951.  Mr. and Mrs. Nahodil were notified January 10 that their son was killed in action.  The communication did not mention the date when Corporal Nahodil was killed.

 

The local soldier enlisted in the Army May 25, 1950 and received training at Fort Knox, Ky. and Camp Breckenridge, Ky.  He arrived in Korea in June 1951. Corporal Nahodil, a machine gunner, attended Shamokin High School.  Before enlisting in the Army he was employed at an independent mining operation in the area.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Nahodil have two other sons who are serving in the Army.  Private First Class Blyler Nahodil, is stationed in Germany. Staff Sergeant George Nahodil, who was recalled to active duty by the Organized Reserve Corps, is assigned to Fairchild Air Force Base, Fairchild, Wash.

 

Survivors include the parents and the following brothers and sisters in addition to Blyler and George; Fred, of Chester, Edward, John, and Jacqueline, at home.

 

Thursday, February 14, 1952 , Shamokin News-Dispatch

Wordless Wednesday: Frederick Nahodil during World War I

Frederick Nahodil (on left) during World War I

Frederick Nahodil (on left) and guys having a light moment during World War I

Tombstone Tuesday: Carrie Agnes Wetzel

Carrie Agnes WetzelLutheran Cemetery; Trevorton, Pennsylvania

Carrie Agnes Wetzel
Lutheran Cemetery; Trevorton, Pennsylvania

 

The 1900 federal census told me that Carrie was still living at home with her parents, five of her siblings, and her niece (my great grandmother); it also told me that she was 25, single and did not have an occupation.  When I moved on to the 1910 census for the family unit, I was not surprised to see her absent; I just chalked it up to yet another female relative lost to marriage.  Oh, but wait…the 1910 census for a neighboring county lists a Carrie A Wetzel who is 35, single and without an occupation.  Could this be my ancestor…an inmate at the State Hospital for the Insane?  Whoa, what did I miss?

 

A federal census record for a woman with a similar name does not prove that she is one of mine so I had to just sit on this for a spell.  When Pennsylvania made death records for certain years available as public records at the beginning of 2012 the first this I did was to go through the death index year by year looking for any listing for a Carrie Wetzel.  There she was, or so I hoped, in that same neighboring county of Montour just six short years later.  The two and a half hour drive to the State Archives seemed to take forever…I just wanted to get there and see this death certificate (along with a few others).

 

Carrie A Wetzel…yeah, yeah, yeah…parents…Henry and Catherine Wetzel of Trevorton.  It was her!  Cause of death, phthisis pulmonalis; contributory cause, epilepsy…she was Epileptic.  But why was she in the State Hospital?  Examining the death certificate further for any additional clues, I saw that she resided at the institution for 12 yrs, 3 mos, 6 ds; this meant that she has been there since August 17, 1904.  Ah, now it is becoming clearer.  Her mother passed away in February of 1904.  Her mother must have been the caretaker and after her passing, the family may not have been able to provide adequate care.  I like to think that they made a go at it since Carrie remained at home for another six months.  I don’t know if a decline in her health or the fact that all of the adults in the house were working the mines which kept them out of the house for much of the day but it must have been a very difficult and painful decision for all.  Thankfully, Carrie’s death certificate also provided her place of burial, which was unknown to this point; now the family can visit this woman whose final years were so tragic.

 

Sunday’s Obituary: Minnie Etta (Derk) Strausser

Obituary of Minnie (Derk) Strausser

My 2nd great grandmother, Minnie Etta (Derk) Strausser, passed away from heart disease.  Though her obituary lists her eight surviving children, what it doesn’t mention is that she also had seven children preceded her in death, all at a fairly young age.  One of those seven children was my great grandfather George H Strausser who passed away just nine months after his father; both died in the same mine.

Minnie Etta (Derk) StrausserPA_CoalTownship_OddFellowsCemetery_Strausser(Derk)Minnie_20120513_170159_resized

Family Recipe Friday: Rudy’s Apple Cake

George R. Nahodil's wonderful recipe for apple cake.

George R. Nahodil’s wonderful recipe for apple cake.

This is the first time this recipe is being sharing with the world.  I grew up watching my grandfather make this apple cake and to this day it is the only apple cake I have ever liked.

 

On one visit, he told me that it was time to learn how to bake this treasured cake for future generations of my family to enjoy as I have.  Though he never used a written recipe (like I need to), he did help me write this out during one of his last bakings in the year leading up to his passing.  I’m not sure if it is my inability to cook or bake anything or just my being sentimental but I have yet to attempt to make Rudy’s Apple Cake.

 

As I was reviewing the recipe, I could help but notice that it doesn’t really take that long to make yet it always seemed like an all day production to me…must have been my anticipation and impatience.