Anna Fenstermacher
Anna Fenstermacher was married to John Klein at the Lehigh Church/Zion's Lutheran in January of 1827. The marriage notice in the German language newspaper, Unabhaengiger Republikaner, gives the residence as Longswamp Township, which is in Berks County. Longswamp Twp. lies immediately west-southwest of Macungie Twp. where the Lehigh Church is located. Just northwest of Longswamp Twp. in Berks County is Richmond Twp., also sharing a border with Macungie Twp. One possibility for the parentage of Anna Fenstermacher is a Peter Fenstermacher found residing in Richmond Twp., Berks Co. in 1820. No evidence of Anna's family of origin has been found in Lehigh County. Zion's Lutheran Church in Lehigh Co. was apparently the nearest Lutheran congregation.
Anna's married life is fairly well documented. The first four children were baptized at the Lehigh Church, the youngest being in August of 1832.
Anna & John Klein are reported to have arrived in Clarion Co. in 1837. Family tradition is that they settled in the community of Wentlings Corners, Beaver Twp. Beginning in Sept. of 1838, the next four children are baptized at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, which is in Wentlings Corners. In 1847 they are reported to have arrived in Ashland Twp., and may have purchased their farm in that year. Pomeroy's 1865 map of Clarion County shows in Ashland Twp. the farm of R. Kline and nearby to the south the farm of "heirs of J. Kline". This latter location is shown on the 1887 Caldwell's Atlas as belonging to H. Kline. ( Henry Kline inherited the John Klein farm; his brother Rueben's land is nearby.)
Anna appears to have had a total of ten children, the last born about 1850, when she would have been aged 44 years. It is believed that she lived to age 58 or 59, her death date coming during the year then youngest child William was age thirteen. The gravestone for John and Anna Kline is at St. Marks Memorial Chapel Cemetery, Ashland Twp., Clarion County. It has no dates, but is certainly their stone, as two of their daughters (Susan Mitchell; Lizzie Korb) are buried either in the same plot or nearby.
| Date | Location | Notes | Sources | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | 1806 | expect Berks or Lehigh Co. PA | [3][10] | |
| Marriage | 21 or 25 Jan 1827 | Lehigh Co. PA, Macungie Twp., by Rev. German; expect at The Lehigh Church. | To John Klein | [5][8][10] |
| Death | between 28 Mar. 1864 & 28 Mar 1865 |
Clarion Co. PA | [14] | |
| Burial | St. Mark's Lutheran, Knox, PA | [7] |
Ancestry chart segment
Generation 5 Generation 6 Generation 7
+-- Johan Jacob Klein
| (1766-1833)
+-- John Klein-------------+
| (1801-<1877)
|
Henry Kline --+
(1827-1875) | + -- George Fenstermacher
| |
+-- Anna Fenstermacher --+
(1806-1864/65) |
+ -- Susan Mattes
Sources:[10]
Children
(all children with John Klein)
| Name | Gender | Date of Birth | Birthplace | Spouse | Notes | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry Kline | M | 30 June 1827 | Lehigh Co., PA | Anna Catherine Howe | Direct line | [3][4][5][9][10] |
| Reuben Kline | M | 7 Jan. 1829 | Lehigh Co., PA | 1st) Anna Eliza Measly (McCleff) (2nd) Harriet Weaver |
[5][9][10] | |
| Jacob Kline | M | 31 Oct. 1830 | Lehigh Co., PA | Christine Shreffler | [3][4][5][9][10] | |
| Maria Kline | F | 2 June 1832 | Lehigh Co., PA | unknown Richards | [3][4][5][9][10] | |
| Catherine Kline | F | 7 July 1838 | Clarion Co., PA | Jacob Fye | [3][4][6][9][10] | |
| Elizabeth Ann "Eliza" Kline | F | 20 Oct. 1840 | Clarion Co., PA | John Mong | [3][6][9][10] | |
| Susannah Kline | F | 16 Nov. 1842 | Clarion Co., PA | Joseph Mitchell | [3][4][6][7][9][10] | |
| James Kline | M | 14 Jan. 1845 | Clarion Co., PA | Elizabeth Conver | [3][4][6][9][10] | |
| Elizabeth "Lizzy" Kline | F | 17 Oct. 1845 | Clarion Co. PA | Simon Korb | [3][4][7][9][10] | |
| Sarah Kline | F | ~1848 | Clarion Co. PA | Joseph Mong | [3][4][9][10] | |
| William O. Kline | M | 28 Mar 1851 | Clarion Co. PA | Mary "Molly" Greer | [4][9][10][14] |
Places of Residence
| Location | Dates | Notes | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macungie Twp., Lehigh Co. PA | <1810->1832 | [1][3][9] | |
| Wentlings Corners, Beaver Twp., Clarion Co. PA | 1837-1847 | [2][6][9][10] | |
| Ashland Twp., Clarion Co. | 1847 | farm near Ashland church | [9][13] |
Photos
A row of stones at St Marks, left to right: Elizabeth S. Mitchell; Joseph Mitchell; A. Price, son of JM & NJ Smith; Wm. O. son of J& S Mitchell; Wilson A. son of J & S Mitchell; Lizzie wife of Simon Korb; John & Annie Kline.
Sources
| Ref. Num. | Description | Image of original
|
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1830 United States Federal Census,PA Lehigh Co. Macungie Twp. (No. 4)-61 Family of John Kline. Lists 3 males under 5 yrs, 1 M 20-30 yrs, 1 M 30-40 yrs, 1F 20-30 yrs. This accounts for John Kline, wife Anna, and first 3 children Henry, Reuben, & Jacob. Another male age 30-40 living with them, possibly one of John's older brothers or a farm hand. | -61.jpg){kind=small}
|
| 2 | 1840 United States Federal Census, Beaver Twp, Venango Co, BA pg 9. The census is not dated. Family of John Kline: 2 males 5-10, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 30-40, 1 female <5, 1 female 5-10, 1 female 30-40. There are a few discrepancies on the ages of the children, but they are close. Also on the page is Jacob Kline: 2 males <5, 2 males 5-10, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 40-50, 1 female 15-20, 1 female 30-40. |  |
| 3 | 1850 United States Federal CensusPA Clarion Co. Elk Twp., pg 471-236. Date of census 7 Sept. 1850. John Kline age 48, Farmer, $325 value real estate; wife Anna age 44, can't read or write; children: Henry age 23, Farmer; Jacob age 19, Farmer; Maria age 18;Catherine age 12; Eliza age 10; Susanna age 8; James age 6; Elizabeth age 4; Sarah age 2. All born PA |  |
| 4 | 1860 United States Federal Census, PA Clarion Co. Ashalnd Twp. pg.5, ln 11-22. Date of Census 5 July 1860. John Kline, 59 M Farmer, real estate value $1000, personal estate value $200; Ann Kline, 53F; Henry 33M; Rebecca 31F; Jacob 29M; Maria 27F; Catherine 25F; Susanna 23 F; James 18M; Elizabeth 14F; Sarah 12 F; William 10 M. All born in PA. Henry is enumerated at the home of his parents, although he is already married. Rebecca Kline's identity not known; born about 1829. |
 |
| 5 | Records of Lehigh Church/Zion's Lutheran Church, Alburtis, Lower Macungie Twp., Lehigh Co. PA. Records translated and transcribed from the original (German) by Raymond E. Hollenbach, 1964. Now (2012) available online at ancestry.com: http://search.ancestry.com/Browse/View.aspx?dbid=2451&path=Lehigh.Alburtis.ALL.Zion+Lehigh+Evangelical+Lutheran+Church.2 Marriage Records of Rev. Benjamin German (begin in 1820, on page 151 of Hollenbach transcription, page 156 of Ancestry.com record)
|
(See text) |
| 6 | St Paul's Lutheran & Reformed Churchs - Klein birth & baptismal records. This church is located at Knox, Beaver Twp., Clarion Co. PA Catherine Kline born 7 July 1838; bapt. 2 Sept 1838; dau. of John Kline & Anna. Elizabeth Ann Klein born 20 Oct, 1840; bapt. 24 Jan, 1841; daughter of John Klein & Ann. Susannah Kline born 16 Nov, 1841; bapt. 1 Oct 1843; dau. of John Kline & Anna. James Kline geb. 14 Jan, 1845, get. 17 Aug, 1845, parents John Kline & Anna, geb. Fenstermacher. (Note: the baptism records from 1820 to 1853 are both Lutheran and Reformed). |
Memorial History of St Paul's Lutheran and Reformed Churches 1813-1960 |
| 7 | Gravestones, St. Mark's Memorial Chapel Lutheran Cemetery, Ashland Twp., Clarion Co. PA. Transcribed 1991 by E W Williams & N Walls: * "John Kline and his wife Annie", no dates. Despite the lack of dates, the identity is verified by the location in adjoining plots of the families of two daughters of John & Annie Klein, transcribed Oct 2007 by Elizabeth Wilson Williams: *Lizzie J. wife of Simon Korb, died May 29, 1875 aged 28 years 7 mos & 12 days. * Joseph Mitchell June 22, 1835 - Oct 17, 1897; Susan, His Wife Nov 16, 1842 - date uninscribed. *Elizabeth S. Mitchell Oct 21, 1867 - Dec 6, 1904 Asleep in Jesus. *A. Price, son of JM & NJ Smith 1847-1878 (Relationship unknown; in Mitchell plot) *William O., Son of J & S Mitchell, Born Aug 19, 1870, Died Aug 23, 1878. * Wilson A., son of J & S Mitchell, Born May 19, 1865, Died Aug 21, 1878. Precious promise God hath given To the weary passerby, On the way from earth to heaven, I will guide thee with Mine eye. |
|
| 8 | Marriage notice, Der Unabhangige Republicaner, No. 27, Band 17, Thursday, 25 Jan 1827, (German language newspaper, Lehigh Co. PA.) "Marriage: On Sunday last through the Rev. Mr. German, Mr. John Klein of Macungie with Miss Anna Fenstermacher of Longswamp Township." The date for "Sunday last" would calculate as 21 Jan 1827. This source brought to our attention by Jerri Burket,jlburket@prodigy.net). Photocopy & translation from Lehigh Co. Historical Society Library, Carol M. Herrity, Referance Librarian. |
  |
| 9 | 1887 History of Clarion County PA by Davis, p. xxx. 'Kline, Reuben, Kossuth p.o., Ashland, a merchant and farmer of Kossuth, PA., was born in Lehigh county, Pa., on December 7, 1828, and was a son of John and Anna (Fanstermacher) Kline, who settled in Clarion county, Pa., in 1837, and in Ashland, Pa., in 1847, and cleared and improved the farm which is now owned and occupied by the late Henry Kline. They had a family if eleven chldren - Henry, Reuben, Jacob, Maria, Catherine, Eliza, Susan, James, Elizabeth, Sarah and William. Reuben Kline settled in Ashland, Pa., in 1847, and was married twice. His first wife was Ann E., a daughter of John and Mary (McCleef) Measley, of Ashland, Pa. They had a family of seven children - John M., George W., Harriet L., Maggie A., Andrew C., Reuben F., and Susan L. His second wife was Harriet, a daughter of John and Mary (Kribbs) Weaver, of Ashland, Pa. They have had a family of chldren. Mr. Kline has served as constable of Ashland, Pa. for seven years, was justice of the peace for five years, and has been engaged in the mercantile business for ten years." | |
| 10 | Research Manuscript of Ella May Beals (Wilson) researched 1975-1985, including personal knowledge and interviews of her siblings Robert Beals and Bertha Beals (Chambers), and of her aunt Mary P. Kline (Fillgrove). | |
| 11 | Personal correspondence from Elizabeth Wilson Williams, great granddaughter of Henry Kline. | N/A
|
| 12 | 1877 Caldwell Atlas of Clarion County, Ashland Twp. pg.3. Shows the farms of Henry Kline and his brother Reuben. It is believed that Henry inherited the farm of his parents John Klein & Anna Fenstermacher.(See Pomeroy map, below) On the eastern boundary of Ashland Twp., R. Kline has 148 acres; H. Kline has 100 acres. |  |
| 13 | Pomeroy's 1865 Map of Clarion Co. PA, Ashland Twp, shows the same two Kline farms as the 1877 Caldwell Atlas, but they are labeled as belonging to R. Kline and Heirs of J. Kline. | |
| 14 | Descendants of Martin Klein, research manuscript by Cammy Whitehill Shreffler, 2006. Per personal communication from Cammy Whitehill Shreffler: William O. Kline, youngest child of John & Annie Kline, was 11 yrs. old when his father died, and 13 yrs. old when his mother died. He lived with the Fye family (his sister Catherine) for a while. "He had the hardest job at the mill until he was about 18". William O. Kline's oldest daughter was Nora Kline Glass. Her daughters (granddaughters of Wm. O. Kline) Dorothea Glass Slye and Emma Marie Glass Piper supplied this information (regarding the age of William O. Klein at his parents' deaths) to Cammy Shreffler. Cammy is the granddaughter of Dorothea Glass Slye. Since William O. Kline's birthday was 28 March 1851, if his father died when William was age 11, the death would have been between 28 March 1862 and 28 March 1863. Similarly, his mother's death would be between 28 March 1864 and 28 March 1865. | |
| 15 | Baptism Record from Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records, Reel 530, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, lists Henry Klein, son of Johann Klein and Anna Klein, born 30 Jun 1827 and baptized on 12 Aug 1827. Also present were Catharina Klein and Johann Marsteller. The baptism took place at Zion Lehigh Evangelical Lutheran Church, Alburtis, Lehigh Co., PA. |  |
| 16 | Baptism Record from FamilySearch, "Pennsylvania Births and Christenings, 1709-1950" database.
Christening of Anna Fenstermacher, daughter of George Fenstermacher and wife Susan, 28 Nov.1807 at St. Pauls Roman Catholic Church in Goshenhoppen, Berks, Pennsylvania. Also at FamilySearch, a genealogy lists her as a daughter of George Fenstermacher and Susan Mattes. |
Source Notes
- The transcribed records of Lehigh Church date the marriage of John & Anna Fenstermacher as 25 Jan. 1827, a Thursday. However the Thursday 25 Jan 1827 edition of Lehigh Co. PA German newspaper, "Der Unabhangige Republicaner", dates the wedding as "Sunday last", which would be 21 Jan. 1827. Of greater importance is that Anna Fenstermacher is placed as being from Longswamp Twp. (so Berks County). The witness is Mrs. German (i.e. the minister's wife). This suggests a wedding at the church, or minister's home, and that family members were not necessarily present. The actual marriage location is not stated.
Conjecture
- Elisabeth Fenstermacher b. 25 May 1788, parents Joseph & Maria Margretha Fenstermacher; baptismal sponsors Jacob & Elisabeth Klein. See Longswamp Reformed Church Records.
These two couples were both having children in the late 1780's to early 1800's, so are of the same generation. It is possible that Maria Margretha, wife of Joseph Fenstermacher, was a sister of Jacob Klein. If so, it is possible that Anna Fenstermacher, born 1806, was a cousin of John Klein whom she married. However, that is not necessarily the case; there were several families of Fenstermachers in the area.
Research Notes
Mathias Fenstermacher arrived in Philadelphia in 1728. Two sons, Jacob and William arrived with him. A third son, Philip Fenstermacher, "arrived earlier, and qualified in Philadelphia in 1737" (per descendant Richard C. Bodey, personal communication, 1990).
For a biographical article on Philip Fenstermacher see Philip Fenstermacher Family, in A History of the Wapwallopen Region .
For a record of the descendants of Mathias Fenstermacher through his son Jacob and grandson William, see Genealogical History of the Fenstermacher Family by Clarence Eberman Beckel.
This line includes an Anna Maria Fenstermacher born in 1806. Her baptismal record appears in the records of the Heidelberg Church (Reformed), Lehigh Co. PA. She was the daughter of William Fenstermacher and Magdalena Bloss.
Our ancestor Anna Fenstermacher, who married John Klein, also was born in 1806. The Anna Fenstermacher descended from Mathias, Jacob, & William Fenstermacher, however, married a Daniel Peter, had 8 children, and apparently remained in eastern PA. She is not the same person as our ancestor.
There are several Fenstermacher males with lines untraced by either of these two sources, so that the family of Mathias Fenstermacher remains a research interest.
Evidence of Fenstermachers in Berks & Lehigh Counties:
- History of the Counties of Berks and Lebanon by I. Daniel Rupp, Publ. G. Hills, 1844, Lancaster, PA.
p. 225: Long-swamp township. "The following named persons resided here in 1756, and many of them nearly thrity years earlier: ...Mathias Fenstermacher...Jacob Fenstermacher..." - History of the Counties of Lehigh and Carbon by Alfred Mathews & Austin Hungerford, 1884, p. 290-91 Lehigh Co.
Philip Fenstermacher, in May, 1767, warranted 67 acres, and later purchased other land. He lived here until his death, which occurred before 1812. He left two sons - Jacob and John - and 3 daughters, - Mrs. Jonathan Klotz, Mrs John George, ___(p. 291, missing from this copy). - Historical & Biographical Annals of Berks County PA 1909 by Montgomery, p.8 First Taxables, record "believed to have been made in 1752 or shortly afterward..." Longswamp Twp: Jacob Fenstermacher, Philip Fenstermacher.
Philip Fenstermacher Family
A History of the Wapwallopen Region, Wapwallopen Historical Society, n.d., p.38.
In 1728 there arrived at Philadelphia the ship "Glasgow" , from the German Palatinate. On board were three Fenstermacher men: Mathias Fenstermacher, age 60; his two sons Jacob Fenstermacher, age 29; and William Fenstermacher, age 25. (Per correspondant Richard C. Bodey, a third son, Philip, arrived earlier and qualified at Philadelphia in 1737.)
William's line of descent is not traced. Mathias and son Jacob settle in Longswamp Twp., Berks Co., PA by 1753. Jacob was a founder of the Longswamp Reformed Church. William Fenstermacher born 1740 (Jacob's son & Mathias' grandson) settled in Heidelberg Twp., Northampton Co., about 1770. William had 5 children (a daughter and 4 sons). Of these sons, only the descent of Philip, born 1771, is traced in the article. The descendants of George b. 1773; William b. 1775; and Johannes b. 1781/82 are not traced. Philip (g-grandson of Mathias Fenstermacher), born 1771, married Gertrude Harter and had 8 children born in the late 1790's to early 1800's. They would be of the same generation as our Anna Fenstermacher, born 1806.
It seems possible our Anna Fenstermacher born 1806 could descend from William Fenstermacher b. 1713, or from Philip, sons of Mathias Fenstermacher); or from other children of Jacob Fenstermacher (other than the William born 1740, who is traced); or from George, William or Johannes Fenstermacher, sons of William born 1740. Since she married into a Lutheran family which attended the Lehigh Church (Lutheran), but her family records are not among the records of that church, it seems quite possible that her family attended the Longswamp Church (Reformed). These two congregations did not form a Union church, but built separate churches five miles apart on the border of Lehigh and Berks Counties.
(See complete text of Philip Fenstermacher Family, in A History of the Wapwallopen Region )
Research
In the 1820 census (as indexed in Ancestry.com) The following Fenstermacher heads-of-household are lsited:
- John Finstemaker Longswamp,Berks,PA 1820 page 11
- Christer Finstermacher (reads Christ'n) Longswamp,Berks,PA 1820 page 11
- Jacob Finstermacher Longswamp,Berks,PA 1820 page 11
- Daue Finstermaker (reads Dan'l) Longswamp,Berks,PA 1820 page 13
- John Finstermaker Longswamp,Berks,PA 1820 page 13
- Wm Finstermaker Longswamp,Berks,PA 1820 page 7
- Geo Finstumache Longswamp,Berks,PA 1820 page 3
- Danl Finstumaker Longswamp,Berks,PA 1820 page 9
- Peter Fenstermacher Maxatawny,Berks,PA 1820 page 11
Of these, Jacob, both Johns, Daniel (page 11), George and Peter have female family members in the 10-15 age range. Anna Fenstermacher, born 1806, was 14 in the 1820 census year.
In the 1810 census, the list included:
- Christn Fenstermacher Longswamp, Berks, PA 1810 page 1
- George Fenstermacher Longswamp, Berks, PA 1810 page 4
- Jacob Fenstermacher Longswamp, Berks, PA 1810 page 4
- Jacob Fenstermacher Longswamp, Berks, PA 1810 page 4
- John Fenstermacher Longswamp, Berks, PA 1810 page 1
- John Fenstermacher Longswamp, Berks, PA 1810 page 3
- Joseph Fenstermacher Longswamp, Berks, PA 1810 page 3
- Marg Fenstermacher Longswamp, Berks, PA 1810 page 3
- Philip Fenstermacher Longswamp, Berks, PA 1810 page 4
- Danl Fenstermacher Manheim, Berks, PA 1810 page 2
- John Fenstermacher Manheim, Berks, PA 1810 page 2
- Peter Fenstermacher Manheim, Berks, PA 1810 page 6
Of these John (p. 1), Joseph, Jacob, George, John (Manheim) and Peter have daughters in the 0-10 range.
In the 1800 census, there are six Fenstermacher families in Longswamp:
- Jos. (age 16-25) page 2
- Chrispr (16-25) page 1
- Dan'l (26-44) page 1
- Jacob (26-44)page 1
- John (26-44)page 1
- Joseph (>44)page 1
Each has a female of the same age range as the male head in the home and all have one or more children.
Research Wishlist
- Church records from Longswamp Reformed
