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Father of the Zilhaver branch
Eldest son of George Jacob Zellhoefer
A big question as to Johann Joseph Zellhoefer
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| Known as "Jacob", this man emigrated from
Ansbach Germany to the USA in 1840 or more likely 1841.
After spending some time in New York State, he found a wife and they
settled south of Erie, Pennsylvania. There they bought land and
did well, raising a large family, with all their sons receiving 80 acres
of land with a set of farm buildings. At that time their family
name became ZILHAVER.
The members of his Germany family who arrived in 1846
could not find Jacob when they arrived in America, and he remained lost
to them apparently for many years. However, the GGZ autobiography referenced news
about Jacob to be included in a later section. Well, that must be
after Page 29, which part is either lost or was never written!
IF YOU KNOW anything of Pages 30-Plus, GEE WE
WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!
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| To begin, one point must be made. This man was named
Zellhoefer when he came to America. Family switch to the Zilhaver
surname seems to have begun with his sons, but quite possibly Jacob
spelled it Zilhaver from the onset of his new life in the USA. As
I've never seen any recorded documents from that branch, I cannot know
for sure.
In August of 2000 I was honored to attend the Zilhaver family reunion
in Crawford County, Pennsylvania. In just a few short hours I met
most of about 140 relatives that only a year before were completely
unknown. That was a bit more than I could absorb in such a short
time, but the work of processing this information in the time since has
helped greatly in putting it all together.
Lori Zilhaver of Erie was our key in making that first connection,
and was both gracious hostess and wonderful tour-guide during our stay
in Pennsylvania, even taking us into New York to Chautauqua, an
incredible preserved historic townsite exclusively populated by the very
elite. At the time I didn't know why, but it finally dawned on me
that was probably where Johan Jacob first planted his feet and started
his large family.
Rexford Wellmon went to some special trouble to leave the reunion for
a bit, returning with copies of the Zilhaver
Family History and the descendant trees of all 12 children born
to John Jacob Z with his wifes Margaret Kretsch, mother of the first 8
children and then died, and Johanna Keil, mother of those last 4
children. Since then, that abundance of information has been
posted and scanned, and is now included on the ZellTree Pedigees.
Wylda Zilhaver Cole was so pleasant and helpful with sharing her
extensive knowledge and making so many introductions at the
reunion. I sincerely hope that she will be willing and able to
assist with this continuing research.
The Zilhaver tree in hand was apparently from1993, but might go bach
to 1976. A Mary Francis of Oregon ("from another
branch") may have done or been involved in that work. It does
appear some branches have been lost over these 160+ years, and of course
there will be even more people born into the tree in this interim.
We have more recently been receiving some updates from Mrs Charles
Zilhaver and John Majeroni. |
| It seems difficult to believe that there would be two men
named Johan Jacob Zellhoefer who immigrated from Germany at very nearly
the same year; that both settled for a time in NY State; that both then
moved "South of Erie" and bought farms and settled there,
raised families and passed land on to their children. It would
seem we should just merge these two men and forge ahead, right?
Well, if you can help resolve these differences, that is exactly what we
can reasonably do. Let's look at those differences ~keep in mind
that neither writing includes documentation. |
| from the GGZautobiography:
JJZ was the eldest child; the "first-born" in 1810
JJZ's father was George Jacob Z, whose wife was not named. JJZ
immigrated1840 or1841. "Sister Christine was then age
14" would make the migration date 1841. However GGZ said
Christine was born in 1827, but it was actually 1822; JJZ had no
siblings born after 1825.
to Rochester NY abt Aug [1841], stayed 2 years, worked in a factory.
Also worked on the Erie Canal.
no marriage or children mentioned in NY.
In Rochester and then in Cattaraugus Co NY
Then to "Erie PA and then south", so 1843.
went with "another young German"
THEN married and had a large family
gave each son 80 acres with farm buildings.
possibly more in pages as yet not in hand. |
from the Zilhaver Family History:
JJZ was born in1808
his father's name was not unstated.
JJZ & wife immigrated in 1835 [MAJOR
difference] - was that marriage really later and in the USA?
"Later" to Cattaraugus Co NY where they lived on a farm.
Mrs Z may have worked in NYC & Erie
5 children born there [NY] (b.1843-1848)
Spring 1848 to Crawford Co PA, S of Erie
5 more children, wife died.
Jacob remarried, 2 more children.
birthdates of most of the children are absolutely stated - note they
begin in 1843.
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| Most of the
conflicts above might be largely resolved by checking the Crawford
County Register to find just when JJZ bought that first piece of
land. Would some Zilhaver there please...???? |
| So here are (two?) who immigrated from
Germany at close but somewhat different dates, having identical names,
traveling the same paths, and settling in the same area. Or
are both the same man?
Perhaps the dates can be reconciled -- for one the Zilhaver
immigration date of 1835(?). But here are two men whose apparent
family situations are drastically different! It seems unlikely
Zilhaver would have been married for several years and then (pop!) 5
children in 5 years?
Perhaps Jacob and his first wife (Margaret) came to America together
but were not married until several years later? That could explain
her working in NYC while Jacob was in working on the Eric Canal per
their History. Also possibly their whole set of events in
New York were actually in Pennsylvania? There is mention of their
first five children being baptized in Erie "on their way to
PA". Perhaps in 1848 Jacob and Margaret took a trip with
their children, from their farm in PA to Erie, and that explains the
baptism occurring at that time and place?
Maybe the magic number is 1843. We need to explore some of the
old land records!
Oh that the remaining pages of the GGZautobiography be
found! What say you? |
There are many reasons to believe this man became AKA Jacob
Zilhaver, and have therefore merged two men as apparently the same
person.
If you as the reader have any
knowledge or documents to clear up this question, please contact us!
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