Ancestor Sketch – John Huber – Take 2

Posted on May 7, 2024 by Don Taylor

Howell-Darling Project
Darling-Huber Line
52 Ancestors
By Don Taylor

#014 – John Huber (1880-1948) – Swiss Immigrant

I was beginning to review the life of my wife’s 2nd great-grandfather, Jakob Huber when I discovered that the information regarding his son, John Huber, was corrupted in my database. I decided before I continued with Jakob, that I should fix the sources I have for John. I wrote about John nearly 10 years ago, so I decided to also look for new facts and rewrite my Ancestor Sketch for John.

Introduction

Photo of John Huber cropped from his wedding photo - 1905
John Huber – 1905

John Huber was born on 09 Sep 1880 in Windlach, Zürich, Switzerland (the first child of Jakob Huber and Katharina Stuhlinger). He had four siblings, namely: Ernie, Hermann, Frieda, and Alfr (Alfred?). On 02 Mar 1905, he married Bertha Barbara Trümpy, (daughter of Bernhard Trümpi and Bertha Koch) in New Glarus, Green, Wisconsin. He died on 05 Oct 1948 in Saginaw, Saginaw, Michigan.

John immigrated when he was about 20 years old and settled in New Glarus, Wisconsin, where he married. He and his new wife migrated to Alabama for six years and then moved to James Township, Saginaw County, Michigan.

John Huber is found in my Howell-Darling-2024 Ancestry public trees[1] and is Family Search profile LKBJ-1ZR.

List of Grandparents

Birth

John Huber was born on 9 September 1880 in Windlach, Zürich, Switzerland, the first child of Jakob and Katharina (Stuhlinger) Huber. He had four (known) younger siblings, Ernie, Hermann, Frieda, and Alfred.

Immigration

John came to America in 1901. Family oral history said he left his family in Switzerland “in a huff” leaving behind his inheritance in the Swiss farm. He settled in New Glarus, Green County, Wisconsin, a Swiss Colony that existed there since the mid-1840s.

Marriage

Photo showing Gebert Huber, Anna Altman, Johann Huber and Bertha Trumpi.
Wedding photo – John & Bertha (Trümpi) Huber, 1905.

John married Bertha Barbara Trümpy, an immigrant from Glarus Canton, Switzerland, on 2 March 1905, probably at the Swiss Church in New Glarus in an ecclesiastical ceremony by Rev. A. Roth. Their wedding photo also shows Gebert Huber (probable best man) and Anna Altman (probable maid of honor). The 1905 Census indicates that John and Bertha were lived in nearby Primrose, Wisconsin.

In 1908, they had their first child, Florence Wilma Huber. Sometime in 1808 or 1809, John and Bertha moved to Elberta and Josephine, Alabama. Their son, Clarence Eduard Huber was born on 24 December 1909 in Alabama.

Farming in Alabama was hot, much hotter than they imagined. Also, Bertha didn’t care for the many bugs they encountered. According to family legend, John became a hobo, “riding the rails” for some time. After a bit, he came back to Bertha and said Michigan was the place they would move to. They moved to Michigan sometime between 1916 and 1918.

Censuses

Photo of John Huber, circa 1940s.
John Huber, circa 1940s.

The 1920 Census found John owned his mortgaged home. He was a farmer, married to Bertha, and had two children at home, Florence and Clarence.

The 1930 Census found John living on St. Charles Road with his wife and son Clarence. (Florence married Robert Harry Darling in 1929.) John was a poultry farmer and owned his farm.

The 1940 Census found John still on the farm in James Township, Saginaw County, Michigan.

Military Service – WW I

The 38-year-old John registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 in Saginaw County, Michigan. His physical description is that he was of medium height, slender, with brown hair and blue eyes. It also says he had lost one eye. He did not serve.

Military Service – WW II

On 27 April 1942, the 62-year-old registered for the draft in Saginaw County, Michigan. His physical description was 5’ 8½”, weight 136 lbs., black hair, hazel eyes, and a badly burned right hand. Again, he did not serve.

Death/Burial, etc.

Funeral Card of John Huber (1880-1948).

John died at Saint Luke’s Hospital in Saginaw, Michigan, from “a lingering illness” (Myocarditis). His funeral was at Gugel’s Funeral Home and was officiated by Rev. Fred Davis. He is buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Saginaw, Michigan.

Events by Location

  • Switzerland, Zürich, Windlach                        1880 – Birth
  • Alabama, Baldwin, Elberta and Josephine   1910 to 1918
  • Michigan, Saginaw, James Township            1918-1948
  • Michigan, Saginaw, Saginaw                           1948 – Death
  • Wisconsin, Dane, Primrose                             1905
  • Wisconsin, Green, New Glarus                       1905 – Marriage
  • Wisconsin, Green, York                                    1905

Actions / Follow-up

  1. Do a Deep Dive into John Huber’s immigration.
  2. Find the property record for their purchase of the farm in Alabama.
  3. Find the property record for their purchase of the farm in Michigan.
  4. Learn about the lives of his four siblings.
  5. Rev A. Roth performed the “ecclesiastical” wedding ceremony for John & Bertha. Who was he?
  6. Gebert Huber was apparently John’s best man at his wedding in New Glarus, Wisconsin. Investigate and determine the relationship between the two men.

Sources

  • 1910 Census, Various, Alabama, Baldwin, Elberta & Josephine, ED 13, Sheet 6A, Line 18 – John Huber, Head. “United States Census, 1910”, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MK3V-1WJ : Sun Mar 10 23:12:24 UTC 2024), Entry for John Huber and Bertha Huber, 1910.
  • 1920 Census, Various, Michigan, Saginaw, James Township, ED 164, Sheet 4B, Line 57 – John Huber, Head. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZ73-B91.
  • 1930 Census, Various, Michigan, Saginaw, James Township, ED 73-18, Sheet 7A, Line 3, John Huber, Head. Accessed 12 April 2024. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X7MM-LFZ.
  • 1940 Census (A), Ancestry, 1940 – Michigan, Saginaw, James Township – Place: James, Saginaw, Michigan; Roll: T627_1811; Page: 9A; Enumeration District: 73-18. http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1940usfedcen&h=85074302&indiv=try.
  • Find a Grave, John Huber – Memorial #128729761. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/128729761/john-huber: accessed April 17, 2024), memorial page for John Huber (9 Sep 1880–5 Oct 1948), Find a Grave Memorial ID 128729761, citing Oakwood Cemetery, Saginaw, Saginaw County, Michigan, USA; Maintained by Don Taylor (contributor 47627546).
  • Funeral Card, John Huber )1880-1948). Personal Collection – Digitized 21 Apr 2015.
  • Geo. A. Ogle & Co., Standard atlas of Saginaw County, Michigan, (1916), Internet Archive, James Township – Image 50 of 144. https://archive.org/details/2743484.0001.001.umich.edu/page/50/mode/2up?q=James.
  • Lutheran (Alabama), Baptism Certificate, Clarence Eduard Huber – 26 Mar 1910. Lutheran (Alabama), Baptism Certificate, Ancestry Family Trees.
  • Michigan, Dept of Public Health, Death Certificate, John Huber (1880-1948). Collections Homepage› State Government Records› Michigan Department of Health› Disease Control, Records and› Death Records›1948›Saginaw County› A-M› Huber› 005240492_01100.
  • Michigan, U.S., Death Records, 1867-1952, Ancestry, John Haber (1880-1948). Accessed 24 April 2024.
  • Saginaw Cemetery Management Search (City of Saginaw), Internet, Huber, John – (No Image) Lot O-116-S464. Cemetery Occupant Name:  Huber, John – Date of Death: 10/5/1948 | Date of Burial: 10/7/1948 | Age: 62. https://bsaonline.com/.
  • Saginaw News, Genealogy Bank, 1948-08-09, Page 17 – Pvt. Clarence Huber.
  • Saginaw News, Genealogy Bank, 1948-10-05, Page 19, Huber, John.
  • Saginaw News, Genealogy Bank, 1968-03-23, Page A10 – Obituaries – Huber, Mrs. Bertha B.
  • U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Ancestry, John Huber – 9 Sep 1880.
  • U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, Ancestry, John Huber – 9 Sep 1880. Accessed 24 Apr 2024.
  • Wisconsin Marriage Records; Johana Huber and Bertha Trunpe [Trümpi], 02 Mar 1905.
  • Wisconsin State Censuses, 1895 and 1905, Jacob Huber – Primrose, Dane, Wisconsin. Wisconsin. Wisconsin State Census, 1905. Microfilm, 44 reels. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin.

Endnotes

[1] Ancestry Public Trees – This number changes. It is the number of trees on the day I was writing this sketch.
[2] Speculation – I have not researched this person yet to confirm any relationship or facts regarding this individual.

Posted in #52Ancestors, Ancestor Sketch, Darling, Huber | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Scarborough Newspapers

Posted on May 4, 2024 by Don Taylor
Photo of stacks of newspapers - via Pixabay.

I often need to research events and people in Scarborough, Maine. Historically, most Scarborough news is published by Portland papers. I have found the following sources to be useful:

Free Services

  • Advantage Preservation (via the Scarborough Public Library) has issues of the Scarborough Leader 1995 through 2022 (27,538 pages) and the Current (2001-2016). Neither are all-inclusive.
  • Chronicling America (Library of Congress) has 22 Newspapers in its collections. Nine of them are Portland papers from 1798 to 1921.
  • Digital Maine has several Portland papers and Scarborough Leader from 1995-2018. 

Paid Services:

The Portland Public Library Digital Commons has an index to abstracts of several papers and they can provide images to library members.

The Ancestor Hunt is always a good source to find Maine Historical newspapers online. It is an excellent place to find what might be available.

Biddeford & Saco

Occasionally, Scarborough News is reported in the Biddeford newspapers also. The same sources can also be resources to find Scarborough News.

If you know another source for newspapers regarding Scarborough, Portland, Saco, or Biddeford, let me know through the comments section below.

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Photo Friday – Morse (née Milliken) & Talbot

Posted on May 3, 2024 by Don Taylor

Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 012
By Don Taylor

This week, for Photo Friday, I identified five people in photos from the Linwood Dyer Collection. This collection includes hundreds of photos, documents, and genealogies of people who lived in Scarborough, Biddeford, South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth, Maine. I analyze the images to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image. The originals in this collection are held by the Scarborough Historical Society.

Calista (Milliken) and Phyllis Morse, August 1909.

The photo identifying information includes:

Photo of Calista (Milliken) and Phyllis Morse, August 1909.
Calista (Milliken) and Phyllis Morse, August 1909.
  • The photographer was Brandt Studio, Biddeford, ME
  • Handwritten on the back in pen is “Phyllis age 5 mos. Aug 7, 1909.”
  • In another hand, written in pencil is “Kitty Morse.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • If Phyllis was age 5 months on August 7, she would have been born on March 7, 1909.
  • A quick search at Family Search found Phyllis Frances Morse, born 7 March 1909 in Biddeford, Maine. She was the 5th child of Frank Edward and Calista (Milliken) Morse.

I am confident the child in this photo is Phyllis Frances Morse, taken in Biddeford when Phyllis was 5 months old. “Kitty” is sometimes a nickname for Calista, so I believe Phyllis’ mother, Calista is the adult in this photo. I uploaded the photo to Family Search and tagged both Calista and Phyllis.

Katherine Evelyn Morse, Sept. 1903 (age 5 months)

Photo of Katherine Evelyn Morse, Sept. 1903 (age 5 months)
Katherine Evelyn Morse, Sept. 1903 (age 5 months)

The photo identifying information includes:

  • The photographic studio was “Philbrick – Biddeford, ME.”
  • Handwritten on the back is “Catherine Evelyn Morse – Age 5 Mos – Sept 23, 1903.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Katherine Evelyn Morse was born on 22 April 1903 in Saco, Maine. She was the fourth child of Frank Edward and Calista (Milliken) Morse.

I am confident this photo is of Katherine, taken in September 1903. I uploaded this photo of her to her Family Search Memories.

Ruth Edna Morse – August 1898 (Age 5 mos.)

The photo identifying information includes:

Photo of Ruth Edna Morse – August 1898 (Age 5 mos.).
Ruth Edna Morse – August 1898 (Age 5 mos.)
  • The photographer was Philbrick, Biddeford, ME
  • Written on the back is “Ruth Edna Morse – Age 5 Mos. Aug 28/98.”
  • “To Aunt Laura.”

Why I believe this photo to be of Ruth Edna Morse.

  • Family Search quickly found Ruth E Morse living in Saco, Maine. Her parents were Frank Edward and Calista (Milliken) Morse. Ruth was born on 28 March 1898, which corroborates the August 28, 1898, date.

Frank Morse had a sister, Laura Georgieanna (Morse) Milliken. (Calista did not have a sibling named Laura.)

I am confident this photo is of Ruth Edna Morse taken in August 1898. I uploaded it to her Family Search Memories.

George Bird Talbot, circa 1895.

Photo of George Bird Talbot, circa 1895.
George Bird Talbot, circa 1895.

The photo identifying information includes:

  • The photographer is Conly, 465 Washington St. Boston.
  • Handwritten on the back it says, “George Talbot – son of Emma Morse Talbot.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • My search of Family Search for a George Talbot whose mother was Emma Morse found two results that are likely the same person.
  • Emma Boyden Morse is a sister of Frank Edward Morse whose photos I’ve found previously so having a photo of her child in the same collection is likely.
  • A review of Ancestry trees for George Bird Talbot found 8 public trees, none indicate that George Bird had a twin.
  • A review of Ancestry trees for Walter George Talbot found none born on 17 Oct 1889. So, I believe the Family Search entry for Walter is in error.

I am quite certain this photo is of George Bird Talbot (1889-1973) taken when he was about six years old (c. 1895). I uploaded this photo to his Family Search Memories.

George Bird Talbot, c. 1907.

A photo of George Bird Talbot, c. 1907.
George Bird Talbot, c. 1907.

The photo identifying information includes:

  • The photographer is “Philbrick [Studio], Biddeford, ME.”
  • Handwritten on the back is “George Talbot (Norwood, Mass).”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Family Search identifies George Bird Talbot, born 17 Oct 1889 in Massachusetts. He appears in the 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 Censuses living in Norwood, Mass.
  • The young man in the photo appears to be about 18 years old, suggesting the photo was taken about 1907. According to Biddeford History, Newland Philbrick operated a photographic studio in Biddeford in 1907.

I am quite sure this photo is of George Bird Talbot, circa 1907. I uploaded this photo to his Family Search Memories.

Conclusion

I identified all six individuals. All have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories. Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Family Search have higher quality than the images here.

I would love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.

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Death of Bert Allen Roberts

Posted on May 1, 2024 by Don Taylor

The Elwood Call-Leader, dated 2 May 1949, chronicled the horrific death of my paternal grandfather, Bert Allen Roberts.

Victims Die Near Elwood Early Sunday

Two bodies found burned to death at 3:30 o’clock Sunday morning in a wrecked semi-trailer truck 300 feet north of the P street road on state road 31 were identified today as Bert Roberts, 46. Detroit, and James F. Bollhoefer, 18, of Gas City.

The man and youth were burned to death when the truck in which they were riding crashed through a barricade in the state road, the front wheels dropping into a two and one-heir to three foot hole. The front wheels dropping into the hole allowed the trailer, loaded with shrubbery, to jackknife onto the cab of the truck. Pinning the driver and passenger inside. State Trooper Howard Bock said. It is believed that gas tanks burst and the flames from the flares around the barricade ignited the gas, Block said.

Apparently the driver Roberts, went to sleep before coming upon the barricade, Bock said. The truck had passed five or six similar barricades before crashing into the fatal hole. Bock described the torn partition of the road, as from two and one half feet deep, extending halfway across the road and about 14 to 16. feet in length. The state trooper said the flares were still burning when he reached the accident scene.

Heard Cries

Two men from Noblesville told the state trooper that they were following the truck at the time of the accident. They heard the cries of the men inside the cab to, “get us out,” but heat from the flames was too intense to attempt a rescue.

Both men were charred beyond recognition. Roberts was identified by his wife and William Bray, owner of the truck. The two come to Elwood from Detroit to make the identification.

Bollhoefer was identified after an address found in his charred billfold led police to the home of a sister in Gas City. He was identified by Harold Crage. a brother-in-law, and Eugene Bollhoefer. a brother, both of Marion. The Gas City youth was returning from Arkansas, and had apparently been hitch-hiking when picked up by Roberts, Bock said.

Call Fire Department

The Elwood fire department was called to extinguish the flames. The truck was described by Bock as a total loss, with the trailer frame and rear tires being the only parts not destroyed..

Bock and Deputy Coroner Robert Jackley investigated the accident.

Bollhoefer was born August 7, 1930 at Marion, the son of Oscar and Mary Bollhoefer. Surviving are two brothers, two sisters and the mother.     .           .

The body has been returned to the Needham funeral home in Marion, with funeral services Wednesday. Burial will be in Grant Memorial cemetery.

Roberts was born Sept. 7, 1903 in Sesor, Ill. the son of Hugh and Clora Roberts. Survivors include the widow, five children, one sister and one brother.

Funeral services will be conducted at the Jackley funeral home, Elwood, Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, with Rev. Robert Sage officiating. Burial will be in city cemetery.

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Photo Friday – LaMontagne (née Thibodeau) (later Landry & Lefebvre) & Sampson.

Posted on April 26, 2024 by Don Taylor

Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 011
By Don Taylor

This week, for Photo Friday, I identified the people in four photos from the Linwood Dyer Collection. This collection includes hundreds of photos, documents, and genealogies of people who lived in Scarborough and Saco, Maine. I desire to analyze the images and reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image. The originals in this collection are held by the Scarborough Historical Society.

The LaMontagne Girls, Philomène, Louise, Delvina, and Zélia.

The photo identifying information includes:

On the back it says,

  • Winthrop, ME”
  • 2 girls 3 ouzela & Marie best looking girls in Winthrop
  • About 1908 or 1909
  • Marie L Lefebrne, Delvena L Landry
  • Lamontagne girls – their mother
  • Philomene Thibodeau Lamontagne

There is also a return address label for:

  • Grace P Curtis
  • 28 Deer Hill Ave.
  • Westbrook, ME 04092.

Who was the apparent owner (a relative?) of the photo sometime after 1962?

Why I believe this to be these individuals.

Photo of the "LaMontagne Girls," Philomène, Louise, Delvina, and Zélia, Circa 1908.
The “LaMontagne Girls,” Philomène, Louise, Delvina, and Zélia, Circa 1908.
  • A search of Family Search quickly found Marie-Rosalie Philomène Thibodeau, born in 1839 in Canada, lived in Winthrop, Maine in 1900, and Westbrook in 1920. It also indicates that she had eight children – five were daughters. Josephine died in 1878 leaving 4 other daughters. Her husband, André Lamontagne also died in 1878.
    • Marie Georgina Lamontagne (1866-___) – There was no marriage or death information on Family Search regarding Marie Georgina.
    • Marie Zélia Lamontagne (1874-___) – There was no marriage or death information on Family Search regarding Marie Zélia.
  • Ancestry trees add some clarification.
    • One Ancestry tree suggests Philomèna had a daughter, Zuzula (after 1875-___). There are no sources for that information. It also suggests she married Joseph Dostie. However, another Ancestry tree indicates Philomène’s daughter Zelia married Joseph Dostie. I believe Zélia and Zuzula are the same person.
    • One ancestry tree suggests a Marie Leonis’s name was Louise Leonise instead. Another Ancestry tree suggests that “Louise” is a nickname for Leonise. I believe Marie Leonis and “Louise” are also the same person.

I am confident this photo includes Marie-Rosalie Philomène Thibodeau sitting in the front. Behind her are three of her daughters, Marie Leonis “Louise,” Delvina, and Marie Zélia “Zuzula.” The back does not indicate the order of the three daughters.

I uploaded this photo to Marie-Rosalie Philomène Thibodeau’s Family Search Memories.

Dorothy, Donald, & Ruth Morse, Fall 1899.

The photo identifying information includes:

  • The photographer is Philbrick, Biddeford, ME.
  • The back says, “Dorothy 5½, Donald 3, Ruth 1½ – Merry Christmas to Aunt Laura.”
  • In another hand, and in pen, it says “Morse’s.”
Photo of Dorothy, Donald, & Ruth Morse, Fall 1899.
Dorothy, Donald, & Ruth Morse, Fall 1899.

Why I believe this to be these children.

  • Family Search quickly found Dorothy M, Donald Curtis, and Ruth E Morse living in Saco, Maine. Their parents were Frank Edward and Calista (Milliken) Morse. Ruth was born on 28 March 1898, which dates the photo to the fall of 1899.
  • Frank Morse had a sister, Laura Georgieanna (Morse) Milliken. (Calista did not have a sibling named Laura.)

I am confident this photo is of the three oldest Morse children taken in 1899.

I uploaded this photo to Family Search and tagged it to Dorothy, Donald, and Ruth Morse’s Memories.

Katherine Evelyn Morse, 22 April 1905 (age 2).

The photo identifying information includes:

The photographer was H. P. Poisson, 95 Maine Street, Biddeford, Maine.
The back of the photo says:

Photo of Katherine Evelyn Morse, April 1905 (age 2).
Katherine Evelyn Morse, 22 April 1905 (age 2).
  • Katherine Evelyn Morse
  • April 22, 1905 – 2 yrs. Old.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Katherine E Morse was born on 22 April 1903 in Saco, York County, Maine, the fourth child of Frank Edward and Calista E. (Milliken) Morse.

I am confident this photo is of Katherine and was taken on her 2nd birthday.

I uploaded this photo to Katherine Morse’s Family Search Memories.

Edwin Prescott Sampson, circa 1897.

The photo identifying information includes:

  • The photographer is Philbrick, Biddeford, Maine.
  • Handwritten on the back is “Edward P Sampson.”
  • In another hand, it says “Head master – Prof @ Thornton.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

Photo of Edwin P Sampson, Headmaster at Thornton Academy (Saco, Maine) circa 1890s.
Edwin P Sampson, Headmaster, Thornton Academy (Saco, Maine) probably 1890s.
  • The Biddeford Journal Tribune, dated 23 June 1905, page 6, indicated that Principal Edwin P. Sampson resigned in June 1905 after 16 years of service.
  • The McArthur Library Archives & Special Collections, Photographers & Studios indicates that Gardner & Philbrick studio operated between 1886 and 1893. From then until 1904, Newland M Philbrick operated a studio himself.
  • Edwin Prescott Sampson was born on 10 May 1849 and died on 8 March 1930.  

I believe this photo is of Edwin Prescott Sampson (1849-1930), probably taken between 1893 and 1904.

I uploaded this photo of Edwin Prescott Sampson to his Family Search Memories.

Conclusion

  • I identified all nine individuals in these four photos. All have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories.

I would love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.

Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Family Search have higher quality than those linked here. 

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