Here's a genealogical puzzle for anyone interested in taking it on --- tracking down the "Bonnell," "Hoy" and "Eisenhuth" families mentioned in this record from the Lucas County Historical Society collection.
The book that contains it was given to the society during 1967 by Everett (1897-1975) and Nina (1892-1978) Goltry, who had retired to the Goltry family farm northeast of Russell after distinguished careers. They married in 1936 after the death of his first wife, Nora Agan (1893-1934); none left descendants.
The book is identified in museum records as a Bible, but it's not that --- the fact that it's thick, the language is German and the opening pages contain a family record most likely confused whoever it was who first cataloged it. In addition, the title page is missing although the book itself is in good condition and the binding miraculously intact.
Instead, it's a copy of German Lutheran theologian Johann Arndt's "Wahres Christentum" or "True Christianity." This was an extremely influential book in its time, sometimes considered one of the foundation stones of pietism because of its focus on Christ's life in his followers as opposed to the forensic approach of the Reformed movement --- Christ's death for his followers.
I was over confident when I sat down yesterday to figure out exactly who these people were --- and failed miserable. So here's your opportunity to sort it out.
Henry Hoy and Christena Eisenhuth was married January 25 in the year of our Lord 1824.
Thomas Bonnell and Catharene Eisenhuth was married August the 6th in the year of our Lord 1820.
Henry Hoy was Born December the 11th in the year of our Lord 1797.
Christena Eisenhuth was born March 21st in the year of our Lord 1806.
Thomas Bonnell was born December 14th in the year of our Lord 1784.
Susanna Brown, first wife of T.B., was born in the year of our Lord 1788.
Benjamin B. Bonnell was born April 22d A.D. 1812.
George H. Brown was born March the 10th A.D. 1821.
Susanna Bonnell was born March 2nd A.D. 1825.
Jackson Bonnell was born November the 3rd A.D. 1826.
Jeremiah Bonnell was born July the 30th A.D. 1828.
Lorenza Bonnell was born February 3rd A.D. 1831.
5 comments:
If you can't sort it all out, it's hopeless!
I think I have found some information on these family names. Eisenhuth is mentioned in Schuykill County, PA. In one reference of Jacob Eisenhuth in a land court case there are also Hoy names included, one being Henry Hoy.
https://searchtrees.com/tree/546.htm
New Jersey and Lycoming County, PA are where I find several Bonnell/Bunnell references. I am fairly sure this is Susanna (Brown) Bonnell (Bunnell) - as she was born 1787 and her death is 22 Apr 1812, the same date as the birth of Benjamin Bonnell.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17015811/susanna-bunnell
Still trying to tie more of this together. It is amazing with all these dates that there aren't more hits that come up with this family!
I have found another tree that had a baptism record transcription image for Catharene and Christena from the Zion Lutheran Church in Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, PA.
It did not list a birth date for Christena, but the baptism was 30 Mar 1806 which aligns with her birth date in the book of 21 Mar 1806.
The book did not list a birth date for Catharene, the baptism record lists both. Born 7 May 1804, baptized 17 Jun 1804.
Their parents were George and Catherine Eisenhuth on the baptism. (Maria Catharina as in other records). Their mother died in 1809, along with a 3 month old daughter, Clara. George and Catherine also had other children, Samuel born 1800 died 1805 and Hannah born 1802 died 1805. The Zion Red Church church cemetery in Schuylkill County, PA has the tombstones of Catharina, Samuel and Hannah. Catharina's inscription is written in German. George married Elizabeth Barbara Breon, after his wife's death in 1809.
His ancestry can be traced back further.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/78637850/catharina-eisenhuth
Thanks for the research! When I get to it, I'll start from this end and try to figure out how the Bible ended up in Lucas County, Iowa.
It would be interesting to know! I searched back on the family that donated it on trees that were on Ancestry and initially hadn't found anything. Let me know what you find out, this is very intriguing!
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