Elizabeth Klinger

F, #4660, b. 10 March 1756, d. 12 March 1820
  • Last Edited: 10 Nov 2021
  • Elizabeth Klinger was born on 10 March 1756, Reading, Berks County, PA.1,2
  • She was the daughter of Johann Philip Klinger and Eva Elizabeth Beilstein.
  • Elizabeth Klinger married Johann Conrad Weiser, son of Frederick Weiser and Anna Amelia Zeller, on 12 November 1775.3
  • There is an extensive listing of the descendants of Elizabeth Klinger and John Conrad Weiser on pages 358 - 812 of the book, Weiser Families in America, published in 1997 by the John Conrad Weiser Family Association. The following listings of Elizabeth's descendants are highly selective.3
  • Elizabeth Klinger died on 12 March 1820, Jordan Township, Northumberland County, PA, at age 64.4
  • Some sources record that Elizabeth Klinger died on 12 March 1820 Mahanoy Township, Northumberland County, PA.
  • She was buried on 15 March 1820, at Zion (Klinger's) Church, Erdman, Lykens Township, Dauphin County, PA; Her grave lies next to that of "Conrad Weiser." Her gravestone says: " Hier ruhet Elisabeth Weiser eine geboren Klinger, Ehefrau von Conrad Weiser in Reading, geboren March 10, 1[7]56 und starb March 12, 1820, 64 yahren - 2 tage." The grave of their daughter "Elisabeth" lies beside her husband's.

Children of Elizabeth Klinger and Johann Conrad Weiser

  • Frederick Weiser b. 17 Oct 1776, d. 5 May 1855
  • Catherine Weiser b. 8 Sep 1778, d. 5 Aug 1825
  • Eva Weiser b. 7 Nov 1782, d. c 1847
  • Hannah Weiser b. 22 Dec 1782, d. 2 Aug 1858
  • John Jacob Weiser+ b. 21 Dec 1784, d. 19 Dec 1846
  • John Philip Weiser b. 13 May 1787, d. 16 Nov 1863
  • Salome Weiser b. 3 Jul 1789, d. b 1805
  • Elizabeth Weiser b. 4 Jun 1792, d. 7 Dec 1807
  • Christine Weiser b. 31 Jul 1797, d. b 1805
  • Sarah Weiser b. 18 Jun 1800, d. 13 Jan 1838

Citations

  1. [S78] Mary K. Klinger, Klingers from the Odenwald, Hesse, Germany (Baltimore, MD: Gateway Press, 1989), p. 41. Hereinafter cited as Klingers from the Odenwald.
  2. [S147] Irwin R. Klinger, Zion (Klinger's) Church History (Erdman, PA: Zion (Klinger's) Church, 1987), part 2, p. 313. Hereinafter cited as Klinger's Church History.
  3. [S203] Frederick S. Weiser, ed., Weiser Families in America (New Oxford, PA: Penobscot Press for The John Conrad Weiser Family Association, 1997), p. 358. Hereinafter cited as Weisier Families.
  4. [S144] Elsie Mae Klinger Eaves. World Family Tree Vol. 4, Tree # 2801.

George Hoffman

M, #4661, b. 19 August 1813, d. 4 November 1890
  • Last Edited: 25 Sep 2023

Children of George Hoffman and Lydia Klinger

Citations

  1. [S146] Mitch Yeager, Yeager Genealogy, online http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi, .../genealogy/fam01353.htm, (based on "A Comprehensive History of Gratz, Pa."). Hereinafter cited as Yeager Genealogy.
  2. [S805] Find A Grave, online www.findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/92516075/george-hoffman. Hereinafter cited as Find A Grave.
  3. [S146] Yeager Genealogy, online http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi, (based on "A Comprehensive History of Gratz, Pa.").
  4. [S207] St. Paul's (Artz) Church Cemetery Records, online http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/schuylkill/cemeteries/…, Cemetery listing, Row 18, tombstone # 21; transcribed October 1999 (accessed September 25, 2023). Hereinafter cited as St. Paul's Church Cemetery Records.
  5. [S207] St. Paul's Church Cemetery Records, online http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/schuylkill/cemeteries/…, Cemetery listing, Row 17, tombstone # 30; transcribed October 1999 (accessed September 25, 2023).

Joseph Klinger

M, #4665, b. 24 November 1844, d. 10 December 1897
  • Last Edited: 10 Aug 2015

Children of Joseph Klinger and Sarah J. (?)

Citations

  1. [S314] Bruce Travis Hall, "Genealogical Database," Bruce Travis Hall (Annapolis MD), data uploaded from CD December 2, 2005.
  2. [S1121] Robert Calvin Graham, "John A. Klinger (1811-1872)" (http://taylorgrahamlibrary.net/web_documents/klinger_kinter/…, York Springs, PA, undated). Hereinafter cited as "John A. Klinger."

Johann Philip Klinger1

M, #4666, b. 11 July 1723, d. 30 September 1811
  • Last Edited: 10 Nov 2021
  • Johann Philip Klinger was born on 11 July 1723, Pfaffen-Beerfurth, Hesse, Germany.2
  • He was the son of Johannes Klinger and Agatha Heist.
  • Johann Philip Klinger married Anna Elizabeth Heist on 22 October 1744, Reichelsheim.
  • Bruce Hall, (http://www.migrations.org/individual.php3?record=18746) 2002, wrote:
    "Johann Philip Klinger, son of Johannes and Agatha (Heist) Klinger, was born in Pfaffen-Beerfurth, Hesse-Darmstadt in the Odenwald on July 11, 1723. On October 22, 1744, Philip Klinger married Anna Elizabeth Heist, in the nearby village of Reichelsheim, Hesse, in the Odenwald. Philip and Anna emigrated to America on the ship Neptune with the intention of joining Philip's brother Alexander who had settled in a German community at Reading, PA. [Alexander had come to America aboard the ship Albany, landing in Philadelphia on September 2, 1749.] Anna died aboard the Neptune either just before or just after the ship arrived in the harbor at Philadelphia, on September 23/24, 1751. She was buried in the old church yard of the Trinity Church, Philadelphia, PA. Philip proceeded to Reading, where he established a home on Penn Avenue. In 1753, he returned to Germany where, on May 21, 1754, he married Eva Elizabeth Beilstein (born May 27, 1730), daughter of Johann Jacob and Anna Elisabeth (Martin) Beilstein of Brandau, Hesse. Philip and his new bride set sail for America on board the Neptune, landing in Philadelphia on September 30, 1754. They then joined Alexander and other members of the Klinger and Heist families in Reading. Philip and Eva Elisabeth had seven children, all of whom were born in the Reading area: Elisabeth (born March 10, 1756), who married Johann Conrad Weiser, grandson of the noted Indian interpreter of the same name; Christina (born May 10, 1760), who died young; Johann George (born May 13, 1761); Christina (born June 30, 1764, died December 11, 1768); Johann Philip Jr. (born December 11, 1765); Johann Alexander (born February 16, 1767); and Peter (born November 3, 1773). At the time of the Revolutionary War, the brothers, Philip and Alexander Klinger acquired land in the Tri-County area around the site of present-day Klingerstown, where, Schuylkill, Northumberland, and Dauphin Counties abut one another. Philip's land consisted of four parcels (known as Springfield, Union, Mount. Holly, and Salem) comprising about 1200 acres and located southeast of Klinger's Gap and bounded on the north by Pine Creek and on the south by Mahantango Mountain. Alexander's land was located northeast of the Gap, and east of village of Klingerstown, in what is known today as the Mahantango Valley. Shortly after acquiring this land, the brothers migrated with their families along the Tulpehocken Trail to their newly acquired lands. Philip was accompanied by his wife, four sons, and his surviving daughter and her husband. Alexander was accompanied by two of his sons, George and John. [ Alexander soon returned to the Reading area, where he spent the remainder of his life.] Joh. Philip Klinger died in Lykens Township, Dauphin County, PA, on September 30, 1811. His wife Eva Elisabeth died about 1815. Both were buried in the Zion (Klinger's) Church Cemetery."
    After John Philip's death, this property was divided into four parts for four of his sons -- John Philip, Peter, Alexander, and George. Mary Klinger's book, pp. 319-20, describes how these were allocated to the four sons: John Philip lived on one section of his father's original holding, located "right across Pine Creek where it makes its bend to flow through the Klingerstown Gap. It was on the road to Gratz, west of his brother Alexander, who had inherited from his father, John. Philip's homestead." Peter, had the section "south of Klinger's Church," while George "had the eastern section of Philip's estate."
    From Elsie Mae Klinger Eaves (via Internet genealogy), drawing heavily on Mary Klinger's, pp. 26-27 book:
    "Johann Phillip Klinger came from Pfaffen-Beerfurth, Oldenwald, Hesse, Germany. According to The Citizen Standard, Sept. 4, 1985: Pfaffen-Beerfurth, Odenwald is a mountain region in Hesse State between the Nekar and Main rivers. It had a population about 590, and is located in what is now Western Germany. (26 Oct 1994: Eastern and Western Germany have been united).
    "Johann Philip, son of Johannes and Agatha Heist Klinger, was born 11-7-1723 in Pfaffen-Beerfurth, Odenwald, Hesse, Germany, now West Germany. He married (1). 22-10-1744 at Reichelsheim, Anna Elizabeth Heist, born 30-4-1723 of Pfaffen-Beerfurth, daughter of Alexander Heist and Eva Catherine Treusch, a cousin of Philip's mother Agatha Heist. She died on the ship Neptune ca. 20-9-1751 and is buried in the old church yard of Trinity Church, Philadelphia.
    "This latter information was uncovered by Richard Clifton, now of RFD 1, Box N. 55, Brookfield, Massachusetts 01506. There are no children [of marriage to Anna Heist].
    "Philip, after coming to PA in 1751, first settled in Reading. Later he became one of the pioneers to follow the Tulpehocken Path to his newly acquired land on the frontier territory on the banks of the Pine Creek, south and east of Klinger's Gap in the Mahantango Mountain, in what is now northeastern Dauphin and western Schuylkill Counties. Here he cleared land and established a home for himself, his wife, four sons and a daughter.
    "Johann Philip migrated northwest of Philadelphia to what is now Reading, established a home on Penns Avenue, and in 1753 went back to Germany for a second wife. According to Reichelsheim Parish Records, he married 25-5-1754 at Neunkirchen, Eva Elizabeth Beilstein, born the 27th and baptized 29-5-1730; daughter of Johann Jacob Beilstein born 1696 at Lutzelbach, confirmed 1708 at Neuenkirchen, married 22-6-1723, Anna Elizabeth born 1705 at Brandau and confirmed 1717. Eva Elizabeth's grandparents were George Beilstein, born 1661 died 9-1-1738 at Lutzelbach, married first 12-9-1709 at Neunkirchen Eva Kohl 1860, died 25-6-1730 at Lutzelbach. Her maternal grandparents were Johann Martin and Otilla of Brandau, who married 11-8-1698. Her grandfather, George Beilstein, married (2) Anna Otilla Delp, daughter of John. Wilhelm Delp in Webern. From Wilhelm Ackermann of Darmstadt, Mary Klinger has these records and seems to think the father of George Beilstein was Johann Balthasar Beilstein of Herchenrode. (Brandau, Lutzelbach, Weber, Herchenrode are all small villages in the neighborhood of Neunkirchen.)
    "It is said that Philip, upon moving to his new home, first lived in a dugout on the north slope of the hill on which the Church building and Cemetery are located, a hill referred to locally as Der Karrichehiwwel (The Church Hill). Later he built a log dwelling at the foot of the hill on the present location of the Edwin Klinger dwelling. He lived in this area until the time of his death on September 31, 1811, and was buried in the old part of the present cemetery. Since the Congregation was organized prior to the construction of the first church building, it is likely that services were then conducted in his home. He envisioned the establishment of a community on his land (over a thousand acres). According to early documents, he set aside (or designated his desire that it should be done) land for a cemetery, a church, and a school. There is no evidence that a school was ever constructed. The Cemetery was known in the early days as the Philip Klinger Cemetery. It remained for his son, Alexander, to deed the land to the Church for the construction of the first house of worship in 1880 on the property owned by Johan Philip Klinger. There is evidence that the Lutheran and Reformed Congregations met in the Klinger home prior to the construction of the first Church building. The house stood where Edwin Klinger (now deceased) house stands at the foot of the Church Hill (der Karriche Hiwwel).
    "Article from the Gratz Historical Society Open House Tour, dated Oct 15,____ Roy and Dorothy Weibel's Home
    "In March 1785 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania granted 360 acres of land to Philip. It was patented on May 30, 1796, called 'Union', and was located near the Mahantongo Mountain in what is now called Klinger's Gap. Before he died, at least some of his land was divided among his heirs.
    "When the 1798 tax assessment was taken Philip Klinger, Sr. had two houses. He was residing in one and his son Philip was living in the other. Philip Klinger, Jr. had married Ann Mary Loeffler at least by the year 1787. On January 8, 1810, his parents Philip and Eva Klinger sold 180 acres to him. That land went with what is now Roy and Dorothy Waibel's home in Erdman, PA. It is a very attractive colonial blue house trimmed with black shutters and hugs the side of the hill close to the bridge near Erdman. The house is of log structure and believed to date back to before 1798.
    "The following Revolutionary War records in Berks County Pennsylvania were sent me by Richard W. Clifton,Jr. :
    "Philip Klinger, Private, Military Guards, 17 Feb to 20 Ap, year?
    "Alexander Klinger, private, Lt. Sands (Spatz) Guard Co, Reading, 62 days, 1777, guarding Convention prisoners (Burgoyne's men)
    "Alexander Klinger and Johan Philip Klinger in 2nd Company of Captain Rightmyer, 4th Battalion, Penna. Militia.
    "Alexander Klinger and John Philip Klinger in Capt. Sherman's Company, 10 Aug to 9 Sept, 1780 John (John Philip?) Klinger, muster roll of Penna. in Berks County, June 1780 to July 15, 1781, in the 6th Company."
    Floyd, Biographical and Genealogical Annals of Northumberland County (1911), states:
    "KLINGER. The oldest resident in his section is David S. Klinger, of Klingerstown, who has lived at that place for sixty years and in the neighborhood all his life. Henry C. Klinger, a well known young citizen of Lower Mahanoy township, Northumberland County, is a member of the same family, which has been established in this region for many years.
    "The Klinger family is of German origin, and its first representative in this country, Johan Philip Klinger, was born July 11, 1723, in Germany. He and his wife came to America and settled in Reading, Berks Co., Pa., where she died, without issue. Going hack to Germany, he remarried there, and on his return to America again made his home at Reading, where all his children, four sons and one daughter born to the second union, were born. Moving thence to what is now Hubley township, Schuylkill Co., Pa., he took up one thousand acres of land in the neighborhood about Klinger's Church, and there lived and farmed until his death, which occurred Sept. 30, 1811, when he was over eighty-eight years old. He donated the land upon which the first Klinger's Church was built, and it was so named in his honor. The children born to him and his wife Anna were: George, John Philip, Alexander, Peter and Elizabeth. The daughter married Conrad Weiser son of Frederick Weiser and grandson of Conrad Weiser, the noted Indian interpreter. Phillip, George and Alexander Klinger are mentioned in the marriage certificate of Conrad Weiser Jr., Nov. 12 1775. George Klinger, Esq., drew up an agreement in regard to the estate of Conrad Weiser, deceased, Mahanoy township. Of the four sons of Johan Phillip Klinger, the emigrant, we have the following account.
    "George Klinger was married twice, the maiden name of one of his wives being Brosius. He had children by both marriages, viz.: Philip, Alexander, John, Peter, Barbara (Mrs. Zerbe) and Mrs. George Klock.
    "John Philip Klinger lived on a farm now owned by Emanuel Deibert, and later moved across the Susquehanna river to the location in Snyder county where he died. His wife's maiden name was Snyder, and they had children. (At Klinger's Church is buried Philip, "son of Johann Philip and Anna Klinger," born March 11, 1792, died March 30, 1851.)
    "Alexander Klinger, born at Reading Feb. 17, 1767, died April 6, 1839, and is buried at Klinger's Church. He married Magdalena Haag, who was born in 1770 and died in 1846, and to them were born two sons and three daughters: Alexander, George, Catharine, Eve and Anna Maria.
    "Peter Klinger, born Nov. 3, 1773, died Aug. 10, 1858, and is buried at Klinger's Church. He married Catharine Steinbruch, who was born May 3, 1774, and died Sept. 21, 1845, and the following children were born to this union: Peter, Johannes, Jacob, George, Daniel, Alexander, John Adam, Philip, Eve (married Samuel Wiest), Hannah (married Michael Dietz) and Mrs. John Reisinger.
    "Alexander Klinger, son of Alexander and grandson of the emigrant ancestor, married Elizabeth Schwalm, daughter of John Schwalm, the Hessian soldier, and they were farming people all their lives. To them were born three sons and one daughter: Amy, John, Samuel and David S."
    Floyd's reference to Johann Philip moving to "Hubley township" in Schuylkill County is misleading. It appears that mots of Phiip's land actually lay in Dauphin and, perhaps to a lesser extent, Northumberland or Schuylkill County, while his home, close to Klinger's Church, was almost certainly in Dauphin County, as is confiirmed by the later census records.
  • Philip arrived in Philadelphia September 24, 1751, aboard the Ship Neptune, which carried a total of 284 passengers. Philip's wife Anna apparently died before the landing and is buried in Philadelphia.3
  • Morton Montgomery's History of Berks County (published 1886), pp. 653-54, lists John Philip, Alexander, and Peter Klinger as the first patentees of three lots in Reading, which was laid out in 1748. The first lots were sold in 1751, and the three Klingers, apparently, purchased their lots in 1753. John Philip purchased Lot number 203, while Alexander purchased the adjacent Lot number 204. Peter purchased Lot number 349. Lots 203 and 204 were located on the north and south sides of East Penn Street, between what were then Lord Street and Vigor Streets. Today these are 10th and 11th Streets, respectively. These street names have changed. In 1763, the three brothers each acquired an additional lot (Philip, 176, Alexander 207, Peter 222).
    An obituary for Alexander's daughter Elizabeth, who was born in Philadelphia in July 1750, further suggests that at least Alexander's family moved to Reading around the end of 1751 or early 1752. It is not known if Philip's family accompanied them or moved to Reading at a different time.4
  • Johann Philip Klinger married Eva Elizabeth Beilstein, daughter of John Jacob Beilstein and Anna Elizabeth Rettich, on 21 May 1754, Neunkirchen, Germany.
  • Montgomery's History of Berks County (published 1886), pp. 655, lists John Philip, Alexander, and Peter Klinger on a 1759 List of Taxables. According to Montgomery, this is the earliest tax assessment list for the County.5
  • A 1767 Berks County Tax list includes both Alexander and his brother Philip, who are listed as "Taverners." Alexander is shown in "Reading Town" as owning 2 house, with two lots, and 1 cow. The tax was 5. Philip, also listed in Reading Town, has 2 houses, 2 lots, and 1 cow. His tax was 6.6
  • A 1768 Tax List for Berks County lists Philip as a "taverner" who owned 1 house and 1 lot. His brother Alexander, also listed as a taverner, is shown as owning two houses and one and one-half lots.7
  • A newspaper item published by Philip Klinger noted:
    CAME, on the 11th of December, 1775, to the plantation of Philip Klinger, living near Shamokin, on the Point Creek, one mile distant from the Double Eagle, about 26 miles below Sunbury, A GREY H0RSE, about 3 cr 4 years old, about 13 or 14 hands high, and hath a white head. The owner proving his property and paying charges, may have him again, by applying to PHILIP KLINGER.
    The Pennsylvania Gazette (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 03 Apr 1776, Wed, Page 3.8
  • Philip's name does not appear on the 1779 register of property in Reading, although his brother Alexander's does. Similarly, on the 1780 Berks County tax lists, Alexander's name appears, but Philip's does not. Both of their names are missing from the 1781 and 1784 tax lists in Berks County, but Alexander's name appears on the 1785 Berks County lists, while Philip's does not.
    The name of a "Philip Clinger" appears on the Supply Tax List for 1779 in the "Wisconisco District" of Lancaster County (now part of Dauphin County). Dauphin County was not formed until 1785. He is shown as owning 100 acres of land, 3 horses, and 3 cattle.
    Mary K. Klinger's article notes that both Johann Philip and Alexander served in the Berks County Militia during the Revolutionary War. Apparently they guarded prisoners captured at Saratoga.
    Mary K. Klinger writes, "Sometime between the last date of their militia service in 1781 and 1790, both families took the Tuplehocken [sic] Trail across the mountains. Alexander acquired land in the Mahantango Valley East of present Klingerstown while his children made their home in an about the town. It was named for his son Johannes." (p. 34) Klingerstown itself lies in the present Schuylkill County, while the Mahantango Creek, west of Klingerstown, forms the boundary between Northumberland and Dauphin County.
    A 1781 Tax List for Reading includes only 2 Klingers, Peter and "Jno." This suggests that Philip and Alexander had already left Reading by then.

    It is also not clear precisely when Philip and his family moved the Lykens Valey area in eastern Dauphin County. Records of the Lykens Valley Lower Church (St. David's Reformed Church) in Killinger, PA, include a reference to a "Philip Klinger" as sponsor of the baptism of John Philip Rauschkolb, in June 1779. Although it is unlcear which Philip Klinger this is, it appears likely that at least some of the Klinger's had migrated from Berks County at least by 1779.
    The first baptism in the published record at Klinger's Church is dated 16 Sep 1787. It is for one of Philip's grandsons, "Johen George", son of Philip's son George and his wife Elizabeth (Brosius). It is probable that the congregations were actually started sometime before that date.
    Mary Klinger's book, Klingers from the Odenwald, Hesse, p. 41, notes that Philip owned four contiguous tracts of land, warranted to him between 1771 and 1796 and patented between 1793 and 1796, covering more than 1,100 acres "along Pine Creek to the south of the [Klingerstown] gap in Mahantongo Mountain at Spread Eagle . . . present day Klingerstown." Klingerstown lies about a half mile north of the gap in the Mahantango Mountain, where Pine Creek flows through the moutain. Klingerstown lies in the extreme northwest corner of Schuylkill County. Erdman, in Dauphin County lies just south of the gap. Most of the area north of the Mahantango Mountain is in Northumberland County. The area referred to as the "Mahantongo Valley" must be in Northumberland County, as the Mahantongo Creek lies on the north, or Northumberland County side, of the Mahantongo Mountain It is not clear whether Philip's lands extended as far north as Klingerstown. At roughly 1,100 acres, John Philip's land would have covered a bit less than 2 square miles.9,10,11
  • Philip served from June 1780 through July 1781 with the Berks County Militia, guarding prisioners first in Reading and then in Lancaster. In 1782 he was with Sgt Eisenbeis' detachment of the Berks County Militia guarding prisioners.
    DAR Listing:
    KLINGER, JOHN PHILIP Ancestor #: A066071
    Service: PENNSYLVANIA Rank(s): PRIVATE
    Birth: 7-11-1723 THE PALATINATE EUROPE
    Death: 9-30-1811 GRATZ DAUPHIN CO PENNSYLVANIA
    Service Source: PA ARCH, 5TH SER, VOL 5, PP 291, 292
    Service Description: 1) SGT GEORGE EISENPEIS, ENS NICHOLAS CONRAD;
    2) DETACHMENT OF BERKS CO MILITIA GUARDING PRISONERS.12,13
  • A 1787 tax list for Mahanoy Township Northumberland County, reprinted in the Pennsylvania Archives, lists "Alexander Clinger," "Philip Clinger," and "Alex'r Clinger" as "non-residents." The two Alexanders are shown as owners of 150 acres and 300 acres respectively, while Philip is shown as the owner of 300 acres.
    A 1781 Tax List for Reading includes only 2 Klingers, Peter and "Jno." This suggests that Philip and Alexander had already left Reading by then.
    The first baptism in the published record at Klinger's Church is dated 16 Sep 1787. It is for one of Philip's grandsons, "Johen George", son of Philip's son George and his wife Elizabeth (Brosius). It is probable that the congregations were actually started sometime before that date.
    John Philip's homestead was in present day Dauphin County, close to the village of Erdman and near Klinger's Church, which sits south and east of Erdman.
    The site of Philip's first permanent home in Dauphin County lies along what is now Fearnot Road on parcel ID # 39-003-007 in Dauphin County. This 58.85 acre parcel spans from the north side of Fearnot Road south across Klinger Church Road to the property that Philip's son Peter owned. The parcel abuts the Klinger Church property on the north, west, and south sides of the Church, and includes a small part located in Schuylkill County.
    There are reports that Philip originally lived in a dugout on the side of the hill on which the Church stands, but by the time the 1798 "window tax" was assessed, he had built a 40x35 foot, two-story wooden frame house on the property. That house, demolished in 1922, was built on 2 cleared acres of the 550 acres that he owned.
    On June 10, 1810, Philip and his wife conveyed 371 of those acres to their son Alexander Klinger. In 1837, Alexander and Magdalena conveyed 89 acres 62 perches of that land to their granddaughter Emma (Klinger) Reed, her husband John Reed, and her brothers Samuel and John Klinger as tenants in common.
    Eventually, Emi (Emma) and John Reed came to own the entire 89 arce 62 perches tract. On her death, Emi, having no children, willed the property to her servant Elizabeth (Strohecker) Paul. In 1917, Elizabeth and her husband Irvin Paul transferred 60 acres and 1 perch of this land to Edwin Ray Klinger, who owned the property property in 1922, when Philip's original two-story house was torn down and replaced with a more modern bungalow, which still stands along Fearnot Road. During the construction, Edwin and his wife Verdie (Mausser) lived in a second home on the same property that served as a summerhouse for the original home.
    Mary Klinger's book, Klingers from the Odenwald, Hesse, p. 41, notes that John Philip owned four contiguous tracts of land, warranted to him between 1771 and 1796 and patented between 1793 and 1796, covering more than 1,100 acres "along Pine Creek to the south of the [Klingerstown] gap in Mahanto[N]go Mountain at Spread Eagle . . . present day Klingerstown." Klingerstown lies about a half mile north of the gap in the Mahantango Mountain, where Pine Creek flows through the moutain. Klingerstown lies in the extreme northwest corner of Schuylkill County. Erdman, in Dauphin County lies just south of the gap. Most of the area north of the Mahantango Mountain is in Northumberland County. The area referred to as the "Mahantongo Valley" must be in Northumberland County, as the Mahantongo Creek lies on the north, or Northumberland County side, of the Mahantongo Mountain It is not clear whether John Philip's lands extended as far north as Klingerstown. At roughly 1,100 acres, John Philip's land would have covered a bit less than 2 square miles.14,15
  • The 1790 Census for Pennsylvania lists at least 4 Philip Klinger's with various spellings. There are two (spelled "Clinger") listing in Dauphin County, and two (spelled "Klinger") listed in Berks County, Reading. These are as follows: Dauphin County -- Philip Clinger, 2-0-1; Philip Clinger, 1-0-4; Berks County, Reading -- Philip Klinger, 1-1-2; Philip Klinger, Jr., 1-0-1.
    From the available birth information, it is possible to identify 3 known Philip Klinger's who may have been alive in 1790 and who can be associated with the three brothers, Alexander, Peter and Philip:
    J. Philip (b. 1744), son of the immigrant J. Peter, who supposedly lived in Exeter township, Berks County
    J. Philip (b. 1723), the immigrant
    J. Philip (b. 1765), son of the immigrant Philip
    Johannes Klinger, cousin to Alexander, Peter, and Philip, also had a son Philip, but so far as is known, he, like his father, lived in Chester County before migrating to Ohio.
    Thus it is difficult to account for all four of the Philip Klingers listed in the 1790 Census. To make matters worse, none of them are listed with the same household composition, suggesting that there were no duplicates. There is scant information about the family of Philip, son of J. Peter, who may have lived in Exeter Township.
    As of 1790, the immigrant J. Philip may have had only one unmarried son living at home (Peter, born 1773). By then, it appears, all of his other surviving children were married. His son, Philip, who married Anna Maria Leffler in 1781, probably had 3 or 4 daughters in his household as of 1790. This suggests that he was one of the Dauphin County Philip Klingers in 1790. This also makes it unlikely that he was the Philip Jr. referred to in Reading, who was likely the son of the immigrant Peter Klinger. Similarly because it is unlikely that the immigrant Philip had any sons under the age of 16 in 1790 (Peter turned 17 in 1790), it is probable that he was the other Dauphin County Philip Klinger. It is also probable possible that the other Philip in Reading was a grandson of the immigrant Peter, and son of Philip. It should be noted that there appear to be no Klinger's listed in the Exeter Township sections of the 1790 Census.
    This analysis suggests confirms Mary Klinger's suggestion that the immigrant Joh. Philip and his family, including son Philip, had taken up residence in the Lykens Valley area of Dauphin County at least by the time of the 1790 Census.16
  • Johann Philip Klinger died on 30 September 1811, Schuylkill County, PA, at age 88.17,2
  • He was buried at Zion (Klinger's) Church, Erdman, Lykens Township, Dauphin County, PA.17

Children of Johann Philip Klinger and Eva Elizabeth Beilstein

  • Elizabeth Klinger+ b. 10 Mar 1756, d. 12 Mar 1820
  • Johann Philip Klinger b. 25 Apr 1758, d. 1759
  • Christina Klinger b. 10 May 1760, d. c 1761
  • Johann George Klinger+ b. 13 May 1761, d. 24 Apr 1840
  • Christina Klinger b. 30 Jun 1764, d. 11 Dec 1768
  • Johann Philip Klinger b. 11 Dec 1765, d. 25 Nov 1829
  • Alexander Klinger b. 16 Feb 1767, d. 6 Apr 1839
  • Johann Peter Klinger+ b. 3 Nov 1773, d. 10 Aug 1858

Citations

  1. [S133] Mary Kessler Klinger, "The Klinger Family", Journal of the Johannes Schwalm Historical Association vol. 3, no. 3 (1987): pp. 33-34, In 1751 "Alexander's siblings Johann Peter, Johann Philip, and Anna Barbara came with their spouses to Philadelphia on the Neptune. In the harbor, before she could set foot on the ground, Philip's wife Anna Elizabeth died. The sad survivors landed on 24 September 1751 and buried her in the Old trinity Churchyard in the city.". Hereinafter cited as "The Klinger Family."
  2. [S147] Irwin R. Klinger, Zion (Klinger's) Church History (Erdman, PA: Zion (Klinger's) Church, 1987), pt. 2, p. 295. Hereinafter cited as Klinger's Church History.
  3. [S1341] I. Daniel Rupp, A Collection of Upwards of Thirty Thousand Names of Immigrants in Pennsylvania from 1727 to 1776 (Philadelphia, PA: Leary Stuart Co., 1927), p. 261. Hereinafter cited as Rupp 30,000 Names.
  4. [S108] Newspaper Obituary, for Elizabeth Schoener, Reading Adler (Reading, PA), 22 September 1840.
  5. [S376] Morton L. Montgomery, Historical and Biographical Annals of Berks County Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J.H. Beers & Co., 1909), p. 655. Hereinafter cited as Berks County History (1909).
  6. [S183] Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. XVIII, Third series), p. 5. Hereinafter cited as Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd Series, vol. XVIII.
  7. [S183] Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd Series, vol. XVIII, p. 91.
  8. [S107] Newspaper Article, The Pennsylvania Gazette (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 03 Apr 1776, Wed, Page 3.
  9. [S183] Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd Series, vol. XVIII, p. 272.
  10. [S184] Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. XVII, 3rd Series), p. 594. Hereinafter cited as Pa. Archives, 3rd series, Vol. XVII.
  11. [S133] Mary Kessler Klinger, "The Klinger Family", p. 34.
  12. [S970] Www.ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970.
  13. [S168] Daughters of American Revolution, compiler, DAR Lineage Book (Washington, DC: National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution), Ancestor # A066071; http://services.dar.org/public/dar_research/search_adb/. Hereinafter cited as DAR Lineage Book.
  14. [S1340] Dauphin County Property Tax Information, online https://gis.dauphincounty.org/dauphincountyparcelviewer/…,PID,39-003-007, Parcel 39-003-007. Hereinafter cited as Dauphin County Property Tax Records.
  15. [S1203] Gratz Historical Society History of Lykens Township, II (Mechanicsburg, PA: Sunbury Press, 2017), pp. 554-57. Hereinafter cited as Lykens Township History II.
  16. [S471] 1790 U.S. Census,, Dauphin, Pennsylvania; Series: M637; Roll: 8; Page: 219; Image: 408; Family History Library Film: 0568148; https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll
  17. [S77] Mary Klinger and Harvey Lubold, Klinger's Church Cemetery Listing (Available on Internet, 1996). Hereinafter cited as Klinger's Church Cemetery Listing.

Elah Marie Hartman

F, #4670, b. 6 February 1927, d. 17 June 2024
  • Last Edited: 21 Jun 2024
  • Elah Marie Hartman was born on 6 February 1927, Berrysburg, Dauphin County, PA.1
  • She was the daughter of Ralph Hartman and Elah M. Hartman.
  • Elah Marie Hartman married Robert Alton Howard, son of Isaac Leroy Howard and Hattie Irene Klinger, on 7 August 1943, St. John's Church.2
  • Elah Marie Hartman died on 17 June 2024, Chambers Pointe Health Care Center, Chambersburg, Franklin County, PA, at age 97.1
  • Funeral home obituary:
    Elah Marie Howard
    February 6, 1927 - June 17, 2024
    CHAMBERSBURG - Elah "Marie" Howard, age 97, passed away, June 17, 2024, at Chambers Pointe Health Care Center surrounded by her family's love.
    She was born on February 6, 1927, in Berrysburg, PA, the daughter of [the late] Ralph and Elah Hartman.
    Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Alton Howard, Sr., her parents, Ralph and Elah Hartman, her brother, John Hartman, her daughters, Nancy Howard and Vickie Lee Howard, and her son, Robert Alton Howard, Jr.
    Having lost two children and a husband by the age of 42, Marie's life was a testament to unwavering faith and humble service to the Lord. Despite the heart-wrenching trials she endured, she remained steadfast in her faith and was an avid reader of scripture. Marie was a godly woman filled with hope and passion for life. She was a lifelong and devoted member of Zion Lutheran Church of Rife.
    Those that knew Marie loved the genuine kindness that she radiated to all. She had the most selfless nature and put everyone before herself. Her unshakeable faith, benevolent nature, remarkable joy, and perseverance in spite of the tragedies she overcame inspired others during their own trials. Her legacy is an example that will be passed down to future generations.
    Born and raised on a dairy farm, she and her husband, Robert, went on to have a dairy farm of their own in the Upper Dauphin area until his passing. Marie then worked for many years and retired from the former Johnson-Bailie Shoe factory in Millersburg. Over the years, Marie lived in several of the towns in the valley, including Matterstown, Elizabethville, and Millersburg.
    Marie loved following her son, Bob, a.k.a. Bubba, to all of his sporting events during his school years and into his collegiate years. Marie cheered Bubba on at all the football games and wrestling matches. She devoted her life to giving her son the best life possible. Bob learned how to be strong in life through the strength in faith he witnessed from his own mother. (Psalm 23).
    Marie carried that devotion on as her son, Bob, got married and had children. She was the best grandma to Jessi and Josslyn. She loved to spoil them and was happiest seeing them happy. Her granddaughters have many lifelong memories of sleepovers with grandma that consisted of doing whatever they wanted, as grandma was never known to say the word "no". Frequenting BINGO nights and staying up late playing cards, she was very high energy and always kept up with her granddaughters. Marie had such a passion for games and having fun. She was ecstatic to become a great grandmother to twin great grandsons, Robert ("Robby") and Rockston ("Rocky") in 2022. The elation that Robby and Rocky brought to their great grandmother brought such joy to the rest of the family.
    She had many friends that she would spend time with in faith, cards and BINGO games, and trips. She was known to be a card shark and lucky winner at BINGO games. She excelled at various card games such as Pinochle, her favorite, as well as Skat, a game she enthusiastically taught her granddaughters to play.
    During her retirement years, Marie was an active member at the Millersburg Area Senior Center. She volunteered her time at many of the activities there for several decades, including overseeing and organizing bus trips for seniors down to Atlantic City for a day of fun and great food.
    Over the past 13 years, Marie battled dementia. Through all of this, Marie's true heart shined through as she remained her happy self, which is a testament to her joyous and grateful nature. She was always known to be smiling and laughing.
    Marie is survived by her devoted daughter-in-law, Stacy Ann Howard of Shippensburg, granddaughters, Jessica Lee Warner (Tristan) of Shippensburg and Josslyn Nicole Stine (Chad) of Hummelstown, and her twin great grandsons, Robert Alton Warner and Rockston Howard Warner of Shippensburg.
    There will be a Celebration of Life for all to join at Zion Lutheran Church, 143 Rife Road, Millersburg, PA 17061 on June 24, 2024, at 11:00 AM, followed by a burial to take place at Maple Grove Cemetery, Elizabethville.
    The family requests that memorial donations may be made to her lifelong church, Zion Lutheran Church of Rife.
    Arrangements are being cared for by the staff of Minnich Funeral. We are honored to serve this family at our Hoover-Boyer Funeral Home, Ltd., Elizabethville location. To sign the guestbook, go to www.minnichfuneral.com.1
  • She was buried on 24 June 2024, at Maple Grove Cemetery, Elizabethville, Dauphin County, PA.1

Children of Elah Marie Hartman and Robert Alton Howard

Citations

  1. [S1147] Online Obituary for Elah Marie Howard, Hoover-Boyer Funeral Home, Ltd., Elizabethville, PA; https://www.minnichfuneral.com/obituaries/Elah-Marie-Howard
  2. [S78] Mary K. Klinger, Klingers from the Odenwald, Hesse, Germany (Baltimore, MD: Gateway Press, 1989), p. 279'. Hereinafter cited as Klingers from the Odenwald.

Nancy Lou Howard

F, #4671, b. 29 January 1944, d. 30 January 1944
  • Last Edited: 5 Feb 2002
  • Nancy Lou Howard was born on 29 January 1944, RD, Millersburg, Dauphin County, PA.1
  • She died on 30 January 1944, RD, Millersburg, Dauphin County, PA.1
  • She was the daughter of Robert Alton Howard and Elah Marie Hartman.

Citations

  1. [S144] Elsie Mae Klinger Eaves. World Family Tree Vol. 4, Tree # 2801.

Vicki Lee Howard

F, #4672, b. 25 May 1950, d. 3 March 1968
  • Last Edited: 21 Jun 2024
  • Vicki Lee Howard was born on 25 May 1950, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, PA.1,2
  • She was the daughter of Robert Alton Howard and Elah Marie Hartman.
  • Vicki Lee Howard died on 3 March 1968, near Halifax, Dauphin County, PA, at age 17. Newspaper article:
    Four Killed in Motor Crash Near Halifax
    Four young people, ranging ill age, from 13 to 21, were killed in a violent one - car crash yesterday morning on Route 147, about a mile north of Halifax.
    State police at Lykens identified the victims as Leonard L. Buffington, 21, Halifax R.D.I, driver of the car; his cousin, Vicki L. Howard, 17, Millersburg R. D. 1, and two sisters from Pillow, Sallie M. Boyer, 19, and Nancy J. Boyer, 13.
    The car in which the four were riding went off a curve on the state highway between Millersburg and Halifax and crashed into a tree. The car was reduced to rubble.
    All four were pronounced dead at the scene by Dr. Jacob Seigart, Halifax, deputy coroner of Dauphin County.
    Trooper Joseph Perricone said the car apparently was traveling south when it went out of control on the curve. The accident, he said, occurred at approximately 1:00 a.m.
    Dr. Seigart said Buffington was thrown from the vehicle while the three girls were trapped in the wreckage of the demolished car. The automobile had to be cut apart with a torch to extricate the girls' bodies.
    Buffington, son of Mr. and Mrs. Marlin Buffington, was separated from the service only last Monday, after having served with the United States Army in Vietnam as an interrogator. A brother, Jeffery, is serving with the Army in Vietnam.
    Miss Howard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Howard, and Miss Sallie M. Boyer, were members of the Senior Class at Uoper Dauohin High School at Elizabethville. The younger Boyer girl was a student at the Upper Dauphin school. The Boyer sisters were daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Elwyn L. Boyer.
    Buffington, a graduate of Halifax High School in 1964, was a member of St, John's Lutheran Church, Halifax. He is survived by his parents, three brothers, one sister and the ma- ternal grandnarents, Mr. and Mrs. Issac Howard, Elizabethville.
    Miss Howard was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Millersburg R.D., and of the Rothermel Variety Band of Millersburg.
    Surviving are her parents, a brother, paternal grandparents, Mr and Mrs. Issac Howard, Elizabethville; maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Hartman, Millersburg R.D., and the maternal great grandmother, Mrs. Annie Hartman, Halifax R.D. 2.
    The Boyer sisters were members of Evangelical Congregational Church. Pillow. They are survived by their parents, one brother, one sister, and their paternal grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey Boyer. Pillow.
    Shamokin News-Dispatch (Shamokin, Pennsylvania), 04 Mar 1968, Mon, Pages 1, 5.3
  • She was buried on 5 March 1968, at Maple Grove Cemetery, Elizabethville, Dauphin County, PA.4,5
  • Newspaper obituary:
    MISS VICKI L. HOWARD
    Private services for Miss Vicki L. Howard, 17, of Millersburg R. D., who was killed in an automobile accident Sunday on Rte 147, were held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home at 512 Market St., Millersburg. The Rev. Phillip W. Zeigler, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church of Millersburg RD, of which she was a member, officiated.
    Lykens Register (Lykens, Pennsylvania), 07 Mar 1968, Thu, Page 1.5

Citations

  1. [S78] Mary K. Klinger, Klingers from the Odenwald, Hesse, Germany (Baltimore, MD: Gateway Press, 1989), p. 279. Hereinafter cited as Klingers from the Odenwald.
  2. [S144] Elsie Mae Klinger Eaves. World Family Tree Vol. 4, Tree # 2801.
  3. [S107] Newspaper Article, "Four Killed in Motor Crash Near Halifax," Shamokin News-Dispatch (Shamokin, Pennsylvania), 04 Mar 1968, Mon, Pages 1, 5.
  4. [S805] Find A Grave, online www.findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/103504941/…. Hereinafter cited as Find A Grave.
  5. [S108] Newspaper Obituary, for Vicki L. Howard, Lykens Register (Lykens, Pennsylvania), 07 Mar 1968, Thu, Page 1.

Robert Alton Howard Jr.1

M, #4673, b. 7 August 1963, d. 14 September 2021
  • Last Edited: 21 Jun 2024
  • Robert Alton Howard Jr. was born on 7 August 1963, Harisburg, Dauphin County, PA.2,1
  • He was the son of Robert Alton Howard and Elah Marie Hartman.
  • Robert Alton Howard Jr. died on 14 September 2021, Shippensburg, PA, at age 58.3,1
  • Funeral home obituary:
    Robert A. "Bubba" Howard Jr.
    Wednesday, August 7th, 1963 - Tuesday, September 14th, 2021
    Robert “Bubba” Alton Howard Jr., 58, of Shippensburg, was called Home by the Lord on the morning of Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
    He was born Wednesday, August 7, 1963 in Harrisburg, a son of the late Robert Alton Howard Sr. and Elah Marie (Hartmann) Howard of Elizabethville, PA.
    Those who knew Bubba best valued his intense love and loyalty for his family and close friends. Derived from a series of family tragedies in his early years, his protective nature and desire to take care of his mother, wife, daughters, and friends never wavered.
    A devout Christian, Bubba loved God and his family above all else and was happiest when spending time with his beloved wife, Stacy, two daughters, Jessica and Josslyn, and his son-in-law, Tristan, who he loved as the son he never had.
    An avid Penn State football fan, he loved watching and coaching sports. Some of Bubba’s most special memories involved passionately coaching his daughters in their various sporting endeavors. A naturally gifted coach, he invested a great deal of time and energy into pushing them to be the very best they could be in any sport they pursued. At sporting events, his boisterous cheering and encouragement would be recognized and appreciated by all.
    Bubba was a 1981 graduate of Upper Dauphin High School where he played football and wrestled for four years. He later graduated from Mansfield University in 1985 where he wrestled all four years and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Bubba earned his Master’s degree in Administration of Justice from Shippensburg University in 1987. His love for wrestling and passion for helping kids led him to coach wrestling for 10 years at both York Vo-Tech and Dover High School.
    A proven leader, Bubba dedicated his life to serving at-risk youth through various careers spanning four decades. He was especially instrumental in his role as the Chief Operating Officer of River Rock Academy from 2007-2020.
    His fun-loving, playful sense of humor, mischievous tendencies and sarcastic remarks will be missed greatly here on Earth but will surely be appreciated in Heaven.
    He is survived by his wife, Stacy (Reinhardt) Howard; two daughters, Jessica (Howard) Warner and her husband Tristan, and Josslyn Howard; and mother, Elah Marie (Hartmann) Howard (Chambersburg). He is also survived by extended family members including: brother-in-law Doug Reinhardt and wife Christina (Chambersburg), brother-in-law Christopher Reinhardt and wife Jo Ellen (Worcester, MA); nieces and nephews, Ashley and Derek Tannous (Chambersburg); Ally and Colin Fry (Chambersburg); Ethan and Styliani Reinhardt (Massachusetts); and Arden Reinhardt (Massachusetts).
    He was preceded in death by his father, Robert A. Howard, and his sisters, Nancy and Vickie Howard.
    A Celebration of Life service will be held at Grand Point Church in Shippensburg (246 South Fayette Street) on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. with a reception to immediately follow at the Courtyard Marriott in Shippensburg (503 Newburg Road) beginning at 11:30 a.m., which is open for all to join! In honor of Bubba, the Penn State football game will be on the TV!1

Children of Robert Alton Howard Jr. and Stacy Ann Reinhardt

  • Jessica Lee Howard1
  • Josslyn Nicole Howard1

Citations

  1. [S1147] Online Obituary for Robert Alton Howard, Jr., Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home and Crematorium, Inc., Shippensburg, PA; https://memorials.fogelsanger-brickerfuneralhome.com/…
  2. [S78] Mary K. Klinger, Klingers from the Odenwald, Hesse, Germany (Baltimore, MD: Gateway Press, 1989), p. 279. Hereinafter cited as Klingers from the Odenwald.
  3. [S1147] Online Obituary, for Elah Marie Howard, Hoover-Boyer Funeral Home, Ltd., Elizabethville, PA; https://www.minnichfuneral.com/obituaries/Elah-Marie-Howard