Catharine Kiefer

F
Immigrant listSee this person in the list of immigrants from Germany
Catharine Kiefer was the daughter of Adam Kiefer. 
ResidenceLast*She last resided. 
Immigration*after 1815She immigrated after 1815.1 
Marriage*4 May 1815She married Peter Jäckel, son of Peter Jäckel, on 4 May 1815 at Herschberg, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany.1 

Family

 Peter Jäckel

Citations

  1. [S329] Herschberg Evangelical Church records.

Charles Adam Kiefer1

M, b. 1 May 1850
Birth*1 May 1850Charles Adam Kiefer was born on 1 May 1850 at New York, New York Co., NY.2 
He was the son of Jacob Kiefer and Elizabeth Volz. 
Baptism22 September 1850He was baptized as Charles Adam Kiefer on 22 September 1850 at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, New York, New York Co., NY.2 

Citations

  1. 1870 New York Wd 20, NY, NY; New York ED 451, NY, NY; 1900 Brooklyn Wd 25, Kings, NY.
  2. [S697] United German Evangelical Lutheran Church records.

Charles Wesley Kiefer1

M, b. 8 March 1853, d. 5 September 1898
Birth*8 March 1853Charles Wesley Kiefer was born on 8 March 1853 at Caldwell Twp., Essex Co., NJ.2 
He was the son of Michael Kiefer and Anna Maria Faul. 
Death*5 September 1898He died on 5 September 1898 at age 45.3 

Citations

  1. 1860, 1870, 1880 Caldwell, Essex, NJ.
  2. [S998] "Michael Kiefer pension."
  3. [S1003] Colclough Family Tree database, Kiefer, Charles Wesley Kiefer.

Elisabetha Kiefer

F, b. 17 July 1788, d. circa 1837
Immigrant listSee this person in the list of immigrants from Germany
ChartsGottfried Hartenstein descendant chart
Michael Hardenstine descendant chart
ResidenceLast*Elisabetha Kiefer last resided at New York Co., NY. 
Birth*17 July 1788She was born on 17 July 1788 at Herschberg, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany; Her birth date was recorded as 1791 in the Strunk Bible.1,2 
She was the daughter of Valentine Kiefer and Anna Maria Kettenring. 
Baptism20 July 1788She was baptized as Maria Elisabetha Kiefer on 20 July 1788 at Herschberg, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany.1 
Marriage*4 May 1815She married Michael Hardenstine, son of Gottfried Hartenstein and Elisabetha Schmidt, on 4 May 1815 at Herschberg, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. Valentin Kiefer, Jacob Kettenring, Adam Kiefer and Georg Christian Kiefer witnessed the marriage.3,1 
Immigration*20 August 1832She immigrated on 20 August 1832 into New York, New York Co., NY, on the ship Groton.4 
Communion*between March 1834 and April 1837She received Holy Communion between March 1834 and April 1837 at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, New York, New York Co., NY.5 
Death*circa 1837She died circa 1837 at NY; The date of her death is uncertain, based primarily on the Bible entry.2 
Anecdote*Michael Hardenstine and Elisabetha Kiefer were both born and married in Herschberg. A copy of their civil marriage record was originally obtained from the local registrar's office by Bill and Anna Maria Hardenstine. They also obtained the birth record of Michael's oldest child, Gottfried (Godfrey). The baptisms of all their children born in Herschberg are recorded in the Lutheran Church book.
     Michael and Elisabetha's first child was born before their marriage, and named Jacob Kiefer. This was not an uncommon occurrence at the time in Germany, as a young man needed to demonstrate the ability to support his wife before a marriage was approved. When the child died at age 4, both parents were identified. Michael and Elisabetha had five additional sons born in Herschberg. The youngest died at age 1.
     Michael and his family immigrated to New York City in August 1832. Their names were found on the passenger list of a ship that sailed from the French port of Havre, which was a popular port of embarkation for residents of southwest Germany at that time. Although the passenger list does not include all the correct names and ages for the family, they most likely came together.
     Michael appeared on the list of communicants as a new member on Christmas 1832 at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in New York City. His son Peter was confirmed there on Good Friday in 1834, and Michael, Elisabetha, Godfrey, and Peter communed that Easter. Michael, Elisabetha, and Peter last appeared in the records on Easter 1837.
     On 22 October 1835 Michael Hartenstien (sic) filed a declaration to become a citizen of the United States in the Marine Court of the City of New York. His naturalization was filed on 7 November 1837 in the Common Pleas Court of the city. This was just a few months past the five year waiting period. His sponsor was Valentine Koeller (Köhler), a fellow immigrant from Herschberg.
     The disappearance of Michael Hardenstine from the New York church records coincides with his purchase of land in Monroe County, Pennsylvania in March 1837. His address was recorded as New York City in the deed. He purchased land together with Peter Brish (Prish), also an immigrant from Herschberg. Peter and his family were also found in the church records in New York. In 1840 Michael was enumerated in the federal census of Stroud Township, Monroe County, as was Peter Brish.
     Elisabetha Hardenstine died sometime between 1837 and 1840. The Bible record of Sarah Hardenstine Strunk states that her death occurred in 1836 in New York City. But this date might be inaccurate, since she was present at church on Easter 1837. I could not find a record of her death in New York City records. So it is possible that she moved with Michael to Monroe County, although there is no proof of that. Since she was not enumerated in the 1840 census, one can assume that she died before then.
     Michael Hardenstine married Susan Transue in Monroe County sometime after 1840. I have not found any surviving record of the date. The first indication of Susan's name is in a deed of 1848, when Michael and Susan sold a part of his land to his son Peter. She also appeared with Michael in the 1850 and later censuses. While their marriage date is uncertain, I suspect that Michael would have married soon after 1840, since he still had several young children to care for at the time.
     A Michael Hardenstine received Holy Communion on Easter of 1840 at the German Lutheran and Reformed Church at Shawnee, Pennsylvania. Although this could be the Michael Hardenstine we have been discussing, it could also be his son. The son Michael would have been 14 years old, so this could have been his first communion after confirmation. This son Michael was included with his father's family in the 1850 census, but it noted that he was "idiotic". Since he did not appear in any future censuses, he most likely died before then, or perhaps was placed into an institution. I have not found any record of his death.
     When Michael Hardenstine moved to Monroe County, his eldest son Godfrey most likely remained in New York City. In 1839 he married a woman who had also been born in Herschberg and who immigrated about the same time as he did. Several of their children were born in the city, and their baptisms were recorded in St. Matthew's Church books. About 1850 Godfrey moved his family to Monroe County and remained there for the rest of his life.
     Peter and Jacob most likely moved with their father. Two male household members of the correct age were enumerated there in 1840. However, Jacob must have returned to New York City shortly thereafter, because he was confirmed at St. Matthew's Church in 1841. He continued to appear in the lists of communicants until 1843. By 1850 he was back in Monroe County, where he married, bought land, and raised a family.
     Peter married in Monroe County before 1850. He and his wife lived there on land purchased from his father. In 1857 they sold that land and moved to Bradford County, Pennsylvania. They remained there for the rest of their lives, and descendants are in the area to this day.
     It appears that Michael and Elisabetha had a daughter Margaret who was born between 1834 and 1836, probably in New York. But there is no direct proof of her birth, and some uncertainty about her parents. I could find no record of her baptism in the church records in New York. While it is possible that she was baptized elsewhere, the lack of a record means that we cannot assume that she was a daughter. A female child between 5 and 10 years old was enumerated in Michael's family in the 1840 census. While it is likely that she was a daughter, that would not have to be the case. In the 1850 census, a female Margaret, probably a daughter, was included in his family. Margaret married and had children in Monroe County. After most of their children were born, the family moved to Kansas, where Margaret and her husband died. 

Family 1
Child 1.Jacob Kiefer b. c 1813, d. 1 Sep 1817

Family 2

 Michael Hardenstine b. 8 Dec 1792, d. 31 Mar 1878
Marriage*4 May 1815She married Michael Hardenstine, son of Gottfried Hartenstein and Elisabetha Schmidt, on 4 May 1815 at Herschberg, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. Valentin Kiefer, Jacob Kettenring, Adam Kiefer and Georg Christian Kiefer witnessed the marriage.3,1 
Children 1.Godfrey Hardenstine+ b. 3 Jun 1816, d. 3 Oct 1890
 2.Peter Hardenstine+ b. 3 Dec 1819, d. 8 Jan 1896
 3.Jacob Hardenstine+ b. 27 May 1823, d. 14 Sep 1906
 4.Michael Hardenstine b. 14 Jul 1826, d. a 1850
 5.Adam Hartenstein b. 12 Mar 1830, d. 22 Mar 1831
 6.Margaret Hardenstine+ b. c Jun 1834, d. 1911

Citations

  1. [S329] Herschberg Evangelical Church records.
  2. [S360] Strunk Family Bible.
  3. [S847] Hartenstein/Kiefer, marriage registration, 1815, #12.
  4. [S357] New York Passenger Lists, 1851-1957, Passenger list entry.
  5. [S376] St. Matthew's Lutheran churchbook, microfilm #1901795, 1901796.

Elisabetha Kiefer1

F, b. circa 1793, d. June 1873
Immigrant listSee this person in the list of immigrants from Germany
ChartsGottfried Hartenstein descendant chart
Heinrich Hartenstein descendant chart
ResidenceLast*Elisabetha Kiefer last resided at Stark Co., OH. 
Birth*circa 1793She was born circa 1793.2,3 
She was the daughter of Theobold Kiefer and Susanna Rung. 
Marriage*21 January 1828She married Heinrich Hartenstein, son of Gottfried Hartenstein and Elisabetha Schmidt, on 21 January 1828 at Herschberg, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. Godfrey Kammerdiener, Michael Hardenstine, Georg Knecht and Peter Kiefer witnessed the marriage.4,2 
Immigration*20 April 1854She immigrated on 20 April 1854 into New York, New York Co., NY.5 
Death*June 1873She died in June 1873 at Stark Co., OH.6,3 
Burial*3 June 1873She was buried on 3 June 1873 at German Church Cemetery, Atwater Twp., Portage Co., OH.7 

Family 1
Child 1.Jacob Kiefer b. 1 Jan 1822, d. 19 Apr 1826

Family 2

 Heinrich Hartenstein b. 15 Mar 1800, d. 21 Nov 1837
Marriage*21 January 1828She married Heinrich Hartenstein, son of Gottfried Hartenstein and Elisabetha Schmidt, on 21 January 1828 at Herschberg, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. Godfrey Kammerdiener, Michael Hardenstine, Georg Knecht and Peter Kiefer witnessed the marriage.4,2 
Children 1.Margaretha Kiefer b. 15 Dec 1823, d. 21 Nov 1826
 2.Godfrey Hartenstein+ b. 14 Mar 1826, d. 17 Aug 1923
 3.Adam Hartenstein+ b. 29 Feb 1828, d. 25 Sep 1917
 4.George Hartenstein+ b. 11 Jun 1830, d. 28 Sep 1892
 5.Michael Hartenstein+ b. 27 Jul 1833, d. 3 Nov 1887
 6.Jacob Hartenstein+ b. 27 May 1836, d. 10 May 1916

Citations

  1. 1860 Limaville, Stark, OH; 1870 Atwater, Portage, OH.
  2. [S329] Herschberg Evangelical Church records.
  3. [S382] U.S. census record, Individual entry.
  4. [S846] Hartenstein/Kiefer, marriage registration, 1828, #1.
  5. [S357] New York Passenger Lists, 1851-1957, Passenger list entry, Ship Albert Gallatin from Le Havre, roll 137.
  6. [S601] Atwater German Church records (published), widow of Heinrich Hartenstein, age 79 years.
  7. [S601] Atwater German Church records (published).