Person Page - 3

     Ethel Mehalko and George Calvin Evitts census. Ethel Mehalko was buried at Wiconisco, Dauphin Co., PA; Calvary United Methodist Cemetery. She was born on 14 October 1918 at PA; Woodside family notes; tombstone; SSDI. She married George Calvin Evitts, son of Clayton S. Evitts and Angeal Woodside, on 3 September 1938; Woodside family notes. Ethel Mehalko died in December 1989 at age 71; Woodside family notes; tombstone; SSDI, 177-24-3272.

     Gordon Lewis Evitts was a machinist. Gordon Lewis Evitts also went by the name of Gook. He was born on 11 September 1918 at Lykens, Dauphin Co., PA; Woodside family notes. He married Elvina Principi on 17 August 1946; Woodside family notes. Gordon Lewis Evitts died on 15 June 1994 at Hershey, Dauphin Co., PA, at age 75; obituary. He was buried on 17 June 1994 at West Hanover Twp., Dauphin Co., PA; obituary; Resurrection cemetery.

     Elvina Principi was a retired. She was born on 6 August 1922; letter, 2 Mar 1994, Gordon L. Evitts to RCG. She married Gordon Lewis Evitts, son of Clayton S. Evitts and Angeal Woodside, on 17 August 1946; Woodside family notes. Elvina Principi died on 24 January 1999 at age 76.¹ She lived on 24 January 1999 at Hershey, Dauphin Co., PA.¹

     Margaret E. McGaw married Joseph E. Sneeder, son of George L. Sneeder and Florence Orlene Woodside, circa 1971; obituary.

     Clifford M. Woodside was a probate judge. He and Ms. [Woodside] Woodside family notes. Clifford M. Woodside died on 30 September 1965; Woodside family notes.

     Elias Zerbe and Jennie Kerstetter Effie Ely obit.

     Jennie Kerstetter and Elias Zerbe Effie Ely obit.

     Josiah Jury and Abby Jane Chubb Woodside family notes.

     Abby Jane Chubb and Josiah Jury Woodside family notes.

     John Woodside was born on 9 March 1760.^2,3 He married Elizabeth [Woodside]; known from land records of John. John Woodside was a farmer. He died on 11 September 1835 at Upper Paxton Twp., Dauphin Co., PA, at age 75.^2,3,4

The settlement of John's estate offers us much information about his family. The estate lists ten children. The names do not match exactly the list presented by Dr. Yeager and Robert Woodside in their books. Unfortunately, Dr. Yeager did not provide any evidence for his information, including the birth date for John. Both Yeager and Woodside seem uncertain about the relationship between James, John and Jonathan. This is understandable, given the common reuse of these three names. It is certain, however, from the facts presented in the court records, that James was the father of John (of Dauphin County) and Jonathan (of Somerset County). They should not be confused with the sons of John by the same name. As for Nathan, there is a baptism record identifying him as an illegitimate son of John, single, as his father, with no mother listed. He is not mentioned in the estate. The court record states the place of residence for each of the children (as of 1836). Most of them can be identified and traced to further generations.

John is found several times in the land records of Dauphin County. In 1792 and 1794 John warranted two tracts of land adjacent to the tracts his father warranted in 1767. He received his father's 100 acre tract by a deed in 1800, as specified in his father's will. The smallest of John's tracts was sold in 1814. In 1821 he and wife Elizabeth sold part of the remaining tracts to their son Jonathan.

The remaining parcel became part of John's estate in 1835. The disposal of this property took several years and left a trail of numerous entries in the courthouse records of Dauphin County. Although James was the eldest legitimate son, at the time of his father's death he was living in Crawford County, Ohio. Jonathan, as the second eldest son, legal heir and administrator of the estate, filed a petition in 1836 to have the estate partitioned to the heirs. An inquest concluded the 132 acres could not be partitioned, and the court awarded the land to Thomas, the third son.

This was not the end of the story, though. Throughout 1841 Thomas paid to several of his siblings their share of their father's estate. But apparently a dispute arose between Jonathan and Thomas about the amount owed to Jonathan. The dispute was taken to common pleas court in 1842. Unfortunately, I have not been able to prove the outcome of the case or to discover whether Thomas remained in possession of his father's estate. I can not determine from county land records who inherited the property and when it was sold out of the family.

Although Dr. Yeager lists John's wife as Margaret McMullen, he again provides no proof. We have found no further information about her. Elizabeth is named as John's wife in land transactions of 1814 and 1821. No further information is known about her either. There is no indication where John or either of his wives are buried. Additional sources.⁵

     Margaret McMullen died before 1835.^2,1

     Eleanor Woodside was born on 25 February 1797.²

Eleanor is mentioned in her father's estate. Although her husband is not mentioned there, when she settled the estate with brother Thomas in 1840 she was the wife of Thomas Collier. Yeager and Woodside name her husband as a Mr. Messner. No further research has been done on Eleanor.

     Margaret Woodside was born on 9 September 1803.² She married John Shott on 23 December 1823 at Killinger, Dauphin Co., PA; St. Davids Evan Ref Church.^3,2,4

Margaret is mentioned in her father's estate as married to John Shott. Yeager and Woodside agree with this. The marriage is recorded in Dauphin County church records. No further research has been done on Margaret.

     John Woodside married Mary [Woodside]; Dauphin Co. deed #L2-331.

The only information we know about John is that he lived in Turkeyfoot Township, Somerset County in 1835 at the disposition of his father's estate. He and wife Mary released brother Thomas for his share of the estate in 1838. Nothing further is known about him.

     Isaac Woodside was born on 11 May 1806.² He married Sarah [Woodside]; deduced from census. Isaac Woodside was a carpenter. He died on 23 February 1884 at age 77.²

Isaac lived in Mifflin Township in 1835 at the disposal of his father's estate. He was in Wiconisco Township in 1860. Yeager and Woodside state the date of his death, but no further research has been done on him.

     Thomas Woodside was born on 24 December 1787.² He married Mary Yeager, daughter of John Yeager and Catharine Row, on 29 December 1812 at Killinger, Dauphin Co., PA.^3,4 Thomas Woodside died on 8 January 1872 at age 84.⁵ He was buried at Elizabethville, Dauphin Co., PA; Stone Church Cemetery; Lykens Valley Tombstones, DCHS.

Although several records are available to put together a picture of Thomas' life, there is some question about what he did for a living and his relationship with his family. Analysis of ages in the census records for 1810 shows that he may have been living in his father's household at that time (age 22). Two years later he married Mary Yeager and their first son was born soon thereafter. The marriage of Thomas and Mary is recorded at St. David's Evangelical Reformed church in Killinger, Upper Paxton township. The baptisms of most of their children are recorded there also. Thomas served in the War of 1812 between September 1814 and March 1815. (One must consider that the British invaded Washington in August of 1814 and the Treaty of Ghent was signed in December of the same year to end the war.) He is listed as a lieutenant in Captain Fetterhoff's company, 1st brigade, 2nd regiment of the Pennsylvania militia. His second child was not born until 1816.

I have found no land transactions for Thomas until 1828, when he bought 80 acres in Upper paxton township, probably near his father's land. But he sold that land to his son Jacob, along with animals and farm equipment in 1834.

Both Thomas' and Mary's fathers died in 1835. The will of John Yeager, Mary's father, is very interesting as it pertains to Thomas and Mary. Although he left the proceeds of bonds to several of his children, his executor is instructed to invest the portion due Mary, and pay her the interest received. He states emphatically that the interest "shall be yearly paid to her, for her sole and separate use and benefit, exclusive of her husband, for and during the natural life of her present husband Thomas Woodside, or for and during her natural life which[ever] may happen first". If Thomas were to die first, she may take any of the money she needs. After her death the inheritance was to be divided amongst "all the children of the body of my daughter Mary". It would appear that Thomas was not in good standing with his father-in-law.

At the settlement of his father's estate, Thomas was awarded the 132 acres 92 perches of land, part of one of his grandfather James' original warrants. The property was valued at $1381.55 and he was required to pay each of the heirs their fair share of that amount within one year. Courthouse records show that several of the heirs received their payment from Thomas. Soon after their father's death, Thomas received (for $100) from his brother James a release for his claim to the estate as the eldest son. James was living in Crawford County, Ohio at that time. I would assume that since Jonathan, the second eldest son, already held part of his father's property, this may be why Thomas received the estate.

It appears that Thomas and the other heirs did not agree on the settlement of the estate. Between 1839 and 1841 courthouse records show that Jonathan, as administrator for the estate, is continually challenging Thomas to settle. Thomas finally took Jonathan to court in 1841, but I have not been able to discover the final outcome. Furthermore, I have not been able to prove through land records how and when the land of the estate was sold out of the family. A small piece of land that Thomas held was sold for taxes in 1842. By the census of 1850, he, his wife and youngest daughter were living in Washington township.

In the late 1840s several of Thomas' children moved to Ogle County, Illinois. John, Joseph, Margaret and Thomas were all found there together in the 1850 census. By 1860, Thomas and Mary had joined them. Courthouse records of Dauphin County dated February 1871 show that Mary died in Ogle County just previous to that date and that Thomas was now back in Dauphin County. No other record of death or burial has been found for Mary. Thomas' death is recorded at Zion Lutheran church in Lykens, and his tombstone is found at the Salem (Old Stone) church cemetery in Elizabethville.

     Mary Jane Woodside was born on 24 October 1790; tombstone. She died on 3 September 1854 at age 63; tombstone.² She was buried at Elizabethville, Dauphin Co., PA; Stone Church Cemetery.

Mary Jane is mentioned in her father's estate as married to Simon Sallade. Simon was a well-known millwright and politician from upper Dauphin County. They lived in Dauphin County all their lives.

     Ann Woodside was born on 12 August 1801.¹

Although Ann is listed as a daughter by Yeager and Woodside, the name is not mentioned in John's estate. Either she had already died, or this may be another name used by one of the other daughters. Nothing further is known about her.

     John Woodside was a farmer. He was born on 17 August 1817 at Dauphin Co., PA.^2,3

     Jacob Woodside was a carpenter. He Person Source.² He and Hannah Romberger Index and Record of Deaths, Dauphin Co. courthouse. Jacob Woodside married Hannah Romberger. Jacob Woodside married Sarah Jury? Jacob Woodside was born on 13 June 1813 at Upper Paxton Twp., Dauphin Co., PA; Index and Record of Deaths, Dauphin Co. courthouse. He was baptized on 5 September 1813 at Lykens Twp., Dauphin Co., PA; Hoffman's Church records; Wooside family notes. He died on 2 November 1852 at Upper Paxton Twp., Dauphin Co., PA, at age 39.³ He was buried on 4 November 1852 at Mifflin Twp., Dauphin Co., PA; St John's (Berrysburg) Lutheran Church; Catharine Ditty letter.⁴

     Joseph Woodside was buried at Lanark, Carroll Co., IL; Lanark cemetery.¹ He 1850 Ogle Co, IL; 1870 CarrollCo, IL.¹ He was a cabinet maker.¹ He was born on 21 December 1821 at PA.^2,1 He was baptized on 9 June 1822 at Killinger, Dauphin Co., PA; Lykens Valley Evan Ref Church records, DCHS.¹ He married Henrietta Eshelman on 19 July 1852.^3,4,5 Joseph Woodside married Esther May Rechmire on 27 April 1869.^6,1 Joseph Woodside died on 15 June 1879 at Lanark, Carroll Co., IL, at age 57; cemetery records; DAR application #332685.¹

     Thomas J. Woodside was a carpenter. He Person Source.² He and Catherine [Woodside] census; will #R594, Dauphin Co, Thomas J. Woodside. Thomas J. Woodside was born on 29 December 1829.³ He died on 28 March 1909 at Lykens, Dauphin Co., PA, at age 79; 3:30 PM, Dauphin Co estate index. He was buried on 2 April 1909 at Millersburg, Dauphin Co., PA; Oak Hill cemetery; cemetery records, DCHS. His estate was probated on 30 April 1909 at Dauphin Co., PA; will R594, 23 Jun 1907, Dauphin Co courthouse.

     Leah Woodside was born on 23 March 1816; census; Woodside family notes. She married Henry Straub on 27 January 1842; Woodside family notes. Leah Woodside died on 4 October 1876 at age 60; Woodside family notes.

     Catharina Woodside was born on 27 July 1819.² She was baptized on 23 October 1819 at Killinger, Dauphin Co., PA; Lykens Valley Evan Ref Church records, DCHS. She married John Ditty on 25 July 1839 at Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., PA; Salem Reformed Church.^3,4

     Margaret Woodside was born on 22 August 1825.² She was baptized on 18 December 1825 at Killinger, Dauphin Co., PA; Lykens Valley Evan Ref Church records, DCHS.

     Mary Woodside was born on 13 February 1828.¹ She was baptized on 24 August 1828 at Killinger, Dauphin Co., PA; Lykens Valley Evan Ref Church records, DCHS. She died on 18 January 1862 at age 33.²

     Simon P. Woodside was buried at Killinger, Dauphin Co., PA; St. Davids Evan Ref Church; Lykens Valley Tombstones, DCHS. He was born on 8 May 1835.¹ He died on 24 March 1856 at age 20.²

     Hannah Romberger married Jacob Woodside, son of Thomas Woodside and Mary Yeager. Hannah Romberger and Jacob Woodside Index and Record of Deaths, Dauphin Co. courthouse. Hannah Romberger Person Source.² She was born on 30 November 1818 at Washington Twp., Dauphin Co., PA; Register of deaths, Dauphin Co; tombstone; Lykens Valley Tombstones. She died on 29 April 1904 at Berrysburg, Dauphin Co., PA, at age 85; Register of deaths, Dauphin Co, 10:15PM, will Q108-10. She was buried on 3 May 1904 at Mifflin Twp., Dauphin Co., PA; St John's (Berrysburg) Lutheran Church; Lykens Valley Tombstones, DCHS. Her estate was probated on 26 May 1904 at Dauphin Co., PA; will Q108-10, dated 2 Apr 1904, Dauphin Co courthouse.

     Alfred Nathaniel Woodside was buried at Mifflin Twp., Dauphin Co., PA; St John's (Berrysburg) Lutheran Church. He was a carpenter. He was born on 11 August 1843 at PA; tombstone; Lykens Valley Tombstones, DCHS. He was baptized on 15 October 1843 at Mifflin Twp., Dauphin Co., PA; St John's (Berrysburg) Lutheran Church records, DCHS. He died on 3 April 1903 at Berrysburg, Dauphin Co., PA, at age 59; tombstone; 2:30 AM, estate index, Dauphin Co courthouse.