Matthew Thomas Orr of Elkrun and Centre Townships, Columbiana County, Ohio

     My maternal great-granduncle, Matthew Thomas Orr, son of William Morland Orr and Nancy Agnes Cannon Orr McCormick, was born in Elkrun Township, Columbiana County, Ohio on September 8, 1836.  

      Matthew Thomas Orr grew up on a farm.  I have thought that it could have been the land of his maternal uncle and aunt, Matthew Cannon and Jane Fife Cannon, in Section 29 in Elkrun Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  

     Matthew Orr was only twelve when his father, William Morland Orr died in 1849.  The Orr's were enumerated with Uncle Matthew Cannon's widow, his Aunt Jane Fife Cannon, on the 1850 Ohio Census.  Matthew had willed the farm to his wife.  Perhaps Matthew Thomas Orr was named for his maternal uncle, Matthew Cannon.  

     On the 1860 Ohio Census, Matthew is listed as living with his mother and sisters in Elkrun Township and he is farming.  Matthew's grandparents, Lindsey and Elizabeth Fife Cannon have purchased the land in Section 29 and are living and farming there in 1860.  Perhaps Matthew is working on his grandfather's land and the Orr's are living elsewhere in Elkrun Township. 

     With the beginning of the Civil War, Matthew enlisted on August 2, 1862 and mustered in on August 30, 1862 as a Sergeant with Company C, 104th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  

     In this book, History of the 104th Regiment, Matthew is listed as a Second Sergeant.  He was wounded twice; at a battle in Old Town Creek, North Carolina on February 20, 1864 and near Atlanta, Georgia on August 7, 1864.

The Evening Review
East Liverpool, Ohio
 February 22, 1939
Page 12

     Two accounts of Matthew having been killed in battle near Atlanta, Georgia.  The newspaper article was a reprint from a 1864 newspaper article.  I can only imagine the rejoicing in the family when Matthew showed up at the front door.

       I did not purchase Matthew's civil war pension file, so I do not know why he was demoted to private.  He mustered out on June 17, 1865 in Greensboro, North Carolina and headed home to Elk Run Township.     

     On December 30, 1869, thirty three year old, Matthew Thomas Orr married twenty four year old, Mary Ellen Smith, in New Lisbon, Columbiana County, Ohio.  The marriage was performed by Reverend William Baxter, pastor of the Christian Church, New Lisbon, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Mary Ellen born on April 25, 1845 in Ohio, the daughter of James L. Smith, Esq. and Elisabeth Roff Smith.  

1870 Ohio Federal Census
New Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County
June 1, 1870

Mathew Orr, age 28, supervisor, value of personal estate $300, born in Ohio

Mary Orr, age 22, keeping house, born in Ohio

     The newly weds have set up housekeeping in the town of New Lisbon (now called Lisbon).  Thee  is no indication where Matthew is a supervisor.  Mary Ellen's parents also live in New Lisbon where her father is an attorney.  Matthew's mother and half sister have also moved to New Lisbon.  

     The Orr's welcomed their first child, a daughter, Effie Orr, on June 16, 1870 in New Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  

     A second daughter, Anna "Annie" Orr, was born in 1872 in New Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  

History of Columbiana County, Ohio......Horace Mack,
D.W. Ensign & Co, Philadelphia, 1879,
page 28

     Matthew was appointed janitor of the Columbiana County Courthouse in New Lisbon, Ohio on October 22, 1872.  

     Hattie Orr was born on May 1, 1874 in New Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio and Mary Emma Orr was born on October 15, 1876 in New Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  

 

     Thirty five year old Mary Ellen Smith Orr died on December 13, 1879 in Columbiana County, Ohio from dysentery.    

     Mary Ellen was buried in Lisbon Cemetery, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Thirty years later, her husband, Matthew Thomas Orr, was laid to rest beside her. 

1880 Ohio Federal Census
 Centre Township, Columbiana County
June 26, 1880

Matthew Orr, age 38, widowed, janitor of court house, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio.

Effie Orr, age 10, daughter, at school, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio.

Annie Orr, age 8, daughter, at school, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio.

Hattie Orr, age 6, daughter, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio.

Mamie Orr, age 3, daughter, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio.

     On December 18, 1880, forty four year old Matthew Thomas Orr, married thirty year old, Libbie Elizabeth Keck, in Columbiana County, Ohio.  Libbie Elizabeth was born on July 15, 1850 in North Benton, Mahoning County, Ohio the daughter of Charles Keck and Dorothy Frederick Keck.

     Matthew and Libbie welcomed their first child, a son, William Monigan Orr, on November 1, 1881 in New Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.

     Julia B. Orr was born on July 16, 1883 in New Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.

     A second daughter, Delle M. Orr, was born on March 8, 1885, in New Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.

1890 Veterans Census
New Lisbon, Columbiana County, Ohio
June, 1890

Matthew T. Orr, private, Company C, 104 Regiment, Ohio Volunteer, Infantry, Date of Enlistment August 7, 1862, Date of Discharge June 17, 1865, 2 years, 10 months, 6 days, Post Office address: New Lisbon, Disability:  gun shot wound.

     On December 30, 1896, Matthew's oldest child, twenty six year old, Effie Orr, married twenty seven year old Wesley P. Wood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Wesley was born on May 1, 1869 in Janesville, Wisconsin, the son of Royal Wood and Eliza Andrew Wood.  

1900 Ohio Federal Census
Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County
June 9, 1900

Mathew Orr, head, born Sep 1836, age 63, married, 20 years, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio, day laborer, owns a house on West Washington with a mortgage.

Elizabeth Orr, wife, born July 1850, age 49, married 20 years, mother of 3 children, 3 alive, born in Ohio, father born in Pennsylvania, mother born in Germany.

William Orr, son, born Nov. 1881, age 18, single, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio, tin mill screw boy.

Julia Orr, daughter, born July 1883, age 16, single, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio, at school.

Della Orr, daughter, born Mar 1885, age 15, single, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio, at school.

     All of Matthew's daughters from his marriage to Mary Ellen Smith Orr have left Lisbon.  Effie is married and living in Chicago, Illinois.  Anna, Hattie and Mary Emma are all MIA on the 1900 census.

The Evening Review
East Liverpool, Ohio
 April 27, 1901
Page 3

     On December 23, 1905, twenty nine year old, Mary Emma Orr married thirty nine year old, Charles Harrison Hopwood in Chicago, Illinois.  Charles was born about 1866 in either Kentucky or Illinois; however, probably in Kentucky.  Parents could be John W. Hopwood and Rachel A. Banks Hopwood.

The Evening Review
East Liverpool, Ohio
 September 12, 1906
Page 8

     My maternal great grandmother, Lucinda "Lou" Bell Orr Frederick, spent several weeks with her brother, and only living sibling in September, 1906.  Since their mother, Nancy Agnes Cannon Orr McCormick, is not mentioned, I am assuming she has died.

The Evening Review
East Liverpool, Ohio
  December 23, 1909
Page 8

The Mahoning Dispatch
Canfield, Ohio
 December 31, 1909
 Page 1

     Matthew Thomas Orr, son of William Orr nd Nancy Cannon, died in Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio on December 22, 1909 at age seventy three.  His personal information was given by his youngest child, Delle Orr.

     Matthew was buried beside his first wife, Mary Ellen Smith Orr, on December 23, 1909 in Lisbon Cemetery, Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  

     From the obituary, some information was given as to the location of Anna Orr, living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Hattie Orr, living in Chicago, Illinois in 1909.  Unfortunately, I have not been able to trace their movements or lives.

Additional Civil War Documents

Civil War Pension Filing

     Libbie Elizabeth Keck Orr continued to live in Lisbon after her husband's death.  She stayed in their house on West Washington Street with her youngest daughter, Delle Orr.  Following Delle's marriage in 1920, Elizabeth Orr lived with her married daughter and her family at 317 East Chestnut Street, Lisbon, Ohio until she died.

The Salem News
Salem, Ohio
  December 2, 1948
Page 8

     Elizabeth Keck Orr died at age ninety eight, on December 2, 1948 at her daughter, Delle Orr Beck's home, where she had lived for over twenty years.  The obituary only mentions Elizabeth's natural born children.  At least one of her step children, Mary Emma Orr Hopwood was alive in 1948.  She was buried in Lisbon Cemetery, Lisbon, Ohio.

Children of Matthew Thomas Orr and Mary Ellen Smith Orr:

1. Effie Orr, born on June 16, 1870 in Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died on December 4, 1939 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.  Married Wesley P. Wood on December 30, 1896 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Effie had a linen business and Wesley was a railroad conductor.  No children.
2. Anna Orr, born 1872, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, unmarried, when her father died in 1909.  No further knowledge.
3. Hattie Orr, born on May 1, 1874, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Was living in Chicago, Illinois, unmarried, when her father died in 1909.  No further knowledge.
4. Mary Emma Orr born on October 15, 1876, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died on August 1, 1969 in Hennepin County, Minnesota.  Married on December 23, 1905 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, Charles Harrison Hopwood.  Children:  Mary Elizabeth Hopwood, born on July 18, 1909, Illinois, died on March 11, 1911 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.  John James Hopwood, born on November 21, 1915 in Warren, Minnesota, died February 28, 1973 in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Children of Matthew Thomas Orr and Libbie Elizabeth Keck Orr:

1. William Monigan Orr, born on November 1, 1881 in Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died on June 18, 1910 in Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Brakeman with the railroad.  Never married.
2. Julia "Jewel" B. Orr, born on July 16, 1883 in Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died on April 4, 1982 in Columbiana County, Ohio.  Married John L. Moore, on October 4, 1919, in Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  No children.
3. Delle M. Orr, born on March 8, 1885 in Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died on October 18, 1958 in Lisbon, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Married Walter Washington Beck on August 14, 1920 in Columbiana County, Ohio.  Child:  John Orr Beck.

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2021, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser

John F. Groomes and Margaret C. Orr Groomes of Columbiana County, Ohio

Columbiana County Infirmary circa 1900

     My maternal great-grandaunt, Margaret "Maggie" C. Orr, daughter of William Morland Orr and Nancy Agnes Cannon Orr, was born in Elkrun Township, Columbiana County, Ohio in 1842.  She was only seven years old when her father died.  Her mother remarried; however, Maggie's stepfather only lived three years after the wedding.  Nancy Agnes Cannon Orr McCormick raised her children after 1853 alone.  

     Columbiana County built a County Infirmary to house the poor and mentally ill. It was located west of New Lisbon (now Lisbon) in Centre Township. Two hundred acres of land was purchased in 1829. Those living at the home worked on the farm. during the remainder of the 1800's, additional land was purchased and more buildings were constructed.

1870 Ohio Federal Census
Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio
June 1, 1870

     The portion of the 1870 census report above contains the names of the first listed people working at the Columbiana County Infirmary.  Robert Stevenson was the supervisor and his wife, Moriah Stevenson, the matron.

John Groomes, age 33, farm laborer,  value of personal property $2,000, born in Ohio

Margaret Orr, age 27, domestic servant, born in Ohio

     How long Jim and Maggie worked together at the infirmary is unknown.  It does appear that this is where they met.

     On November 10, 1870, twenty-eight year old, Maggie Orr married thirty-four year old James F. Groomes in Columbiana County, Ohio.  Reverend William Lynch, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, performed the wedding service.  James was the son of James Grooms and Nancy Frederick Grooms. James was born in April, 1836 in Ohio.  The surname is spelled with and without the letter "e".

     The Groomes welcomed their first child, a daughter, Addie Groomes, on October 3, 1871.  Addie was probably born in Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.

     Two more daughters were born, Myrtha Groomes on January 28, 1873 and Harriet Groomes on April 15, 1875.  Both girls were also probably born in Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  

     In 1876, James F. Groomes was elected the new supervisor of the Columbiana County Infirmary.  

Gallipolis Journal
Gallipolis, Ohio
 November 9, 1876
  Page 2

     This is James F. Groomes, Superintendent of Columbiana County Infirmary.  The newspaper reported an incorrect county in the article.  

     In my notes, I copied an article that appeared in the New Lisbon Journal, Monday, October 30, 1876.

"John Grooms, Superintendent of the County Infirmary, was stabbed there by an inmate named Headly.  About two years since, Headly's wife died at Wellsville leaving two children and the father concluding he would be unable to support himself and children went to the Infirmary.  He cares for the heating engine.  One of the children has since been sent out to work, another is at school.  In an argument with Grooms, he stabbed him....not fatally, but charges will be brought."

     

     A fourth daughter, Achsah Groomes, was born on May 11, 1878 in Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.

1880 Ohio Federal Census
Centre Township, Columbiana County
June 5 & 7, 1880

John Groomes, age 44, married, Superintendent County Infirmary, born in Ohio, father born in Maryland, mother born in Pennsylvania.

Margaret Groomes, age 37, wife, married, Mistress of County Infirmary, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio.

Addie Groomes, age 9, daughter, at school, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio.

Myrtha Groomes, age 7, daughter, at school, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio.

Harriet Groomes, age 5, daughter, at school, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio.

Achsah Groomes, age 2, daughter, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio.

     In  1880 there were 86 patients enumerated at the infirmary.  Two farm laborers, four servants, one cook, one seamstress and one sawyer.  The range of infirmities were epileptic, blind, deaf and dumb, idiotic, insane and disabled.

     In 1882, James resigned from the position of superintendent of the Columbiana County Infirmary and returned to farming.

     John F. Groomes purchased 133.25 acres of land in the northeast corner of Section 5, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  

     The Groomes last child, a son, Frank Oscar Groomes, was born probably on the Groomes farm, on April 10, 1885 in Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  

     On July 14, 1892, twenty year old, Addie Groomes married twenty one year old Harry W. Cope in Columbiana County, Ohio.  Harry, son of Lorenzo Dow Cope and Ruth M. Kuffel Cope, was born August 18, 1870 in Columbiana County, Ohio.

     Twenty one year old Harriet M. Groomes married twenty six year old David Clarence Burson on April 15, 1896 in Columbiana County, Ohio.  David, born on February 20, 1870 in New Garden, Columbiana County, Ohio, was the son of Nelson Burson and Lany Ann Harris Burson.  

     Margaret "Maggie" C. Groomes, age fifty four, died in 1896, probably on the family farm.  She was buried in Mt. Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.

1900 Ohio Federal Census
Centre Township, Columbiana County
June 4, 1900

John F. Groomes, head, born April 1836, age 64, widower, born in Ohio, father born in Maryland, mother born in Pennsylvania, farmer, can read, write and speak English, owns a farm with mortgage.

Myrtha E. Groomes, daughter, born Jan 1873, age 27, single, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio, housekeeper, can read, write and speak English

Frank O. Groomes, son, born April 1885, age 15, single, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio, at school,  can read, write and speak English

William F. Groomes, brother, born July 1834, age 65, single, born in Ohio, father born in Maryland, mother born in Pennsylvania, farm laborer, an read, write and speak English

     Achsah Groomes was enumerated on the 1900 and 1910 Ohio Federal census with the family of William J. and Lorena A. Yates, living at East Rail Road in Salem, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Achsah was employed there as a housekeeper.

   

     On January 20, 1905, John F. Groomes died at age sixty nine. He was buried beside his wife, Maggie, at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery. He has a Civil War marker beside the gravestone.

The Evening Review
East Liverpool, Ohio
 February 4, 1905
  Page 1

Additional Information:

John F. Groomes Civil War Information

Very informative biography on
John F. Groomes and Family
Corrections in the margin

Centre Township Map
Showing relationship of Lisbon,
John F. Groomes Farm, the County Infirmary
and Mt. Zion Cemetery (the red circle)

Children of John F. Groomes and Margaret "Maggie" C. Orr Groomes:

1. Addie Groomes, born on October 1, 1871 in Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died on April 12, 1925 in Sebring, Mahoning County, Ohio.  Married Harry W. Cope on July 14, 1892 in Columbiana County, Ohio.  Children:  Margaret A. Cope, Earl Eustice Cope, Virginia Ruth Cope, Mayme B. Cope and John Frederick Cope. 
2. Myrtha Groomes, born on January 28, 1873 in Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died on May 29, 1944 in Salem, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Married Edward G. Cox on April 2, 1902 in Columbiana County, Ohio.
3. Harriet M. Groomes, born on April 15, 1875 in Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died on December 24, 1928.  Married David Clarence Burson on April 15, 1896 in Columbiana County, Ohio.  Children:  Esther L. Burson, Arthur Nelson Burson, Emery John Burson, Mary M. Burson and Sylvia Lorane Burson.
4.  Achsah Groomes, born May 11, 1878 in Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died on May 15, 1962 in Salem, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Married widower, Mervin George Farmer, on February 11, 1915 in Columbiana County, Ohio.
5. Frank Oscar Groomes born on April 10, 1885 in Centre Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died on October 19, 1940 in Columbiana County, Ohio.  Married on March 2, 1911 in Columbiana County, Ohio, Ruth Ann Huffnagle.  Children:  William R. Groomes,  Wanda Margaret Groomes, Harold Wayne Groomes.  This family group seems to have dropped the "e" in the surname.

     Back in 1998, a new cousin, Jean Marie Barcus, contacted me regarding the Orr and Groomes families.  I must have posted an inquiry in a genealogy board out on the net and she was responding.  I gratefully accepted some Xeroxed old photos of her line.  Although Xeroxed photos are not in the ballpark of scanned ones, I have played around with them and then hit them with an old photo app.  

Margaret "Maggie" Orr Groomes

Margaret "Maggie" Orr

Margaret "Maggie" Orr

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2021, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser



Gideon Norton Hoffstot and Mary Cannon Hoffstot

     My maternal great great grand aunt, Mary Cannon was born in 1821 in Columbiana County, Ohio.  She was the daughter of Lindsey Cannon and Elizabeth Fife Cannon.  Mary's father was purchasing property in St. Clair Township in Columbiana County, Ohio between 1818-1821.  One piece of land would become Cannons Mills, where she spent her formative years.  

     Mary was a middle child in the Cannon family.  She had four older sisters and three younger brothers.  Certainly she would have been an active participant with the household and farm chores.  

Columbiana County Marriages 1838
 page 193

     On October 25, 1838 seventeen year old Mary Cannon married twenty-six year old Gideon Norton Hoffstot.  The wedding was performed by the Reverend William Reed of the Presbyterian Church in Calcutta, St. Clair Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  Gideon, born on February 13, 1812 in  Newbury, Township, York County, Pennsylvania was the son of John Hoffstot and Mary Norton Hoffstot.

     Gideon and Mary welcomed their first child, Ada Hoffstot, born on September 19, 1839 in St. Clair Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.

    Gideon and Mary set up their household in St. Clair Township and are enumerated in the 1840 Ohio Federal Census.  Gideon's name is under his father-in law, Lindsey Cannon and brothers-in-law, Michael Souder and John March.  Listed are three males age 20-29, one female under age 5 (Ada), one female age 10-14, one female age 20-29.  One person employed in mining.  One person employed in commerce.  One person employed in manufacture or trade.  The Hoffstot's only had one child in 1840, so the one young girl and two young adult males are not their offspring.

     During the 1840's, two children were born.  DeWitt C. Hoffstot on December 9, 1841 in Columbiana County, Ohio and Almira Hoffstot March 1, 1846 and died September 10, 1849. 

      On March 11, 1842, Gideon Norton Hoffstot was the postmaster at Cannons Mills, St. Clair Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.

     I have not located a 1850 Census report for the Hoffstot family.  I believe they were living at Cannon's Mills during most of the 1850's.  One child, a son, John Lindsey Hoffstot, was born in 1852 in Ohio. 

     On February 23, 1853, Gideon borrowed $200.00 from his father, John Hoffstot.  The above record is part of debts owed to the estate of John Hoffstot in 1866.

1860 Pennsylvania Federal Census
4th Ward, Allegheny City, Allegheny County
June 15, 1860

G(ideon) Hoffstot, male, age 48, leather merchant, born in Pennsylvania

M(ary) Hoffstot, female, age 40, born in Ohio

A(da) Hoffstot, female, age 20, born in Ohio

C. Hoffstot, male, age 18, clerk, born in Ohio

J(ohn) Hoffstot, male, age 9, born in Ohio

Cannot read, female, age 18, servant, born in Germany

     C. Hoffstot is DeWitt C. Hoffstot.  Ada's birthdate goes from 1840-1848 on various census reports.  Sometime after the census report, John Lindsey Hoffstot died in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

     On May 31, 1861 a son was born to the Hoffstots, Frank Norton Hoffstot.

Corner of Isabella north Anderson
Ward 4
Allegheny City

1861 Pittsburgh City Directory
page 138

     On September 10, 1863, DeWitt C. Hoffstot at age twenty-one years of age, died in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh
Red line is where Gideon's business would have been located

1865 Pittsburgh City Directory
page 169

1867 Pittsburgh City Directory
page 181

     On December 8, 1867, Gideon paid the estate of his father, $128.55 owed on a note.

     Gideon is listed in most of the Pittsburgh City Directories during his lifetime. As time passed he had two companies; Hoffstot Leather, Hides and Oil at various addresses on Liberty Avenue and G. N. Hoffstot and Company at 8 Ninth. The family is listed as living at 8 Hand and 8 Ninth during the 1860's and through the 1870's. These two addresses are in the city of Pittsburgh near the Allegheny River.  It is confusing as the Hand Street Bridge goes into Ninth Street.  Perhaps the name is used interchangeably.

1878 Pittsburgh Business Directory
page 303

1870 Pennsylvania Federal Census
Ward 4, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
June 9, 1870

Gid(eon) Hoffstot, age 57, leather dealer, $10,000 value of personal property, born in Pennsylvania, both parents of foreign birth

Mary Hoffstot, age 45, keeping house, born in Pennsylvania, mother of foreign birth

     

Ada Hoffstot, age 23, at home, born in Pennsylvania

Frank Hoffstot, age 9, at school, born in Pennsylvania

Sarah unknown, 11, at school, born in Pennsylvania, both parents of foreign birth (I have no idea who this is.)

Cannot read the name, age 50 or 56, domestic, born in Pennsylvania

     Money was due to his father's estate for a bill of December 8, 1866 in the amount of $81.87.  Accrued interest as of September 5, 1870, $17.87.

1880 Pennsylvania Federal Census
Allegheny City, Allegheny County
June 9, 1880

Gideon N. Hoffstot, age 68, married, leather dealer, born in Pennsylvania, father born in Germany, mother born in England.

Mary Hoffstot, wife, age 50, keeping house, born in Ohio, both parents born in Pennsylvania

Ada Hoffstot, daughter, age 32, born in Ohio, father born in Pennsylvania, mother born in Ohio

Frank Hoffstot, son, age 19, at school, born in Ohio, father born in Pennsylvania, mother born in Ohio

Ida Nichols, servant, age 18, born in Pennsylvania, both parents born in England

Albert Lawson, servant, age 20, driver, born in Virginia, both parents born in Virginia

     The Hoffstot's have moved into their new home at 66 Lincoln Avenue in Allegheny City. The street was rather short in 1880 and as it elongated, the house numbers began to change. By the 1900 census the house number was 841 North Lincoln Avenue. Wealthy, prominent Pittsburghers owned homes on Lincoln Avenue, all with various servants employed.

     Today, the house still stands.  A high school friend and photographer, who lives in the area (now the North Side of Pittsburgh), took the following photos for this blog.

Photography credit:  Randy Strothman

Photography credit:  Randy Strothman

Photography credit:  Randy Strothman

Photography credit:  Randy Strothman

     The beautiful home stayed in the family until Ada Hoffstot sold it in 1903.  Although a rather dark and cloudy day, Randy captured the intricate architectural details.  I love reflections, and the bare tree branches on the street appear in the windows.  A precise history of 841 North Lincoln Avenue and it's owners is on the Allegheny West website.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  3 December 3, 1884

  Page 5

     On December 2, 1884, twenty-four year old Frank Norton Hoffstot married twenty-five year old Adelaide "Ada" Whittier Shaffer at her father's house.  Adelaide was born on July 6, 1859, the daughter of John S. Shaffer and Margaret Lougher Shaffer.

1888 Pittsburgh City Directory
page 479

     By the late 1880's, Gideon had started a new business, Union Foundry & Machine Company.  His son, Frank Norton Hoffstot, is listed as owner of F N Hoffstot & Company, iron brokers.  Gideon has been active in business circles in Pittsburgh for decades.  Now his son is beginning to make his mark.  

     This directory listing is somewhat confusing.  Actually Gideon's home is at 66 Lincoln Avenue.  The given residence address in this listing is the same as his son's business address in the 1888 directory.

Pittsburgh Dispatch
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 February 14, 1890
Page 8

     This is the final newspaper article I was able to find for Gideon.  In fact, I was unable to find an obituary.  He was a very prominent man in business and social circles in Pittsburgh and must have had an extensive death notice.   

Photograph from Find A Grave

Photograph from Find A Grave

     Gideon Norton Hoffstot died at age eighty-two on August 24, 1894 in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was buried in Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There is a large Hoffstot grave marker with smaller, individual markers for the family. The entire family has a grave stone in Allegheny Cemetery.  I imagine Almira was buried in St. Clair Township, where she died; however her marker is in Pittsburgh.

     Gideon left a very explicit will outlining his properties and the distribution of his estate.  The house was to be his wife's home and following her decease, would go to his daughter, Ada.  Son, Frank was the trustee.   Gideon's wife, Mary Cannon Hoffstot, daughter, Ada  Hoffstot and son, Frank Norton Hoffstot were executors.  As trustee, Frank was to sell what properties were needed to maintain the house and pay annual stipends to his mother, Mary and sister, Ada.  Gideon also provided for money to be set aside for his grandchildren's education.  If Frank predeceased his sister, Ada, then she would become trustee.  If both Hoffstot siblings were deceased, then the trusteeship would revert to Frank's wife.  Gideon wanted to keep the money in the family.

      Gideon listed the properties he still owned at his death. A warehouse located at 811 Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh--not to be sold, but to be used as income property. A dwelling house located at 8 Ninth Street in Pittsburgh. A dwelling house located at 66 Liberty Avenue, Allegheny City, where he resides. A tract of land in Marathon County, Wisconsin.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
15 May 15, 1895 
Page 5

Photograph from Find A Grave

     On May 15, 1895, Frank's wife, Adelaide "Ada" Whittier Shaffer Hoffstot, died at age thirty-three.  She was buried in the Hoffstot plot in Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  She left her husband and three young children, Henry Phipps Hoffstot, John Gideon Hoffstot and Helen Hoffstot.

The Chicago Chronicle
Chicago, Illinois
 October 22, 1895
 Page 8

Pittsburgh Daily Post
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  September 2, 1897
 Page 4

     On September 1, 1897 in Keeseville, New York, thirty year old Annie Willard married thirty-six year old Frank Norton Hoffstot.  Annie was born August 25, 1867 in Keeseville, New York to Jacob P. Willard and Harriet Baber Willard Houghton.

1900 Pennsylvania Federal Census
Allegheny City, Allegheny County
June 5, 1900

Mary Hoffstot, head, birth October 1822, age 77, widow, mother of 5 children, 2 alive, born in Ohio.  Mary owns the house at 841 Lincoln Avenue free of mortgage.

Ada Hoffstot, daughter, birth September 1848, age 51, single, born in Ohio

Minnie Bluemke, servant,  birth November 1882, age 18, single, born in Germany

Photo from Find A Grave

    Mary Cannon Hoffstot, age seventy-eight, died at her home on September 26, 1900. She was buried beside her husband and deceased children in Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

     Mary's sister and my maternal great great grandmother, Nancy Agnes Cannon Orr McCormick was enumerated with her daughter, my maternal great grandmother, Lucinda Orr Frederick, on the 1900 Pennsylvania census.  They were living down the Ohio River from Allegheny City in Esplen Borough.  I wonder if the two sisters ever visited or if Nancy attended her sister Mary's funeral?

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      I will admit, I went down the provable rabbit hole with this family.  Pittsburgh is my hometown and my fascination with the rich and powerful got the better of me.  The Hoffstot Family, although I had not heard the name before this research, were members of the "blue bloods" of Pittsburgh and New York.    

The Pittsburgh Press
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 1 May 1, 1911
  Page 1

     Frank Norton Hoffstot became a millionaire banker and President of Pressed Steel Car Company. He moved from Pittsburgh to the New York City area living in a huge mansion, that he built, on Sands Point, Long Island named Belcaro. In 1909, there was a bloody strike at Hoffstot's Pressed Steel Car Company in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania.  The plant referred to as "The Slaughter House" reportedly treated their employees and families with cruelty and extremely low wages.  In 1910 Frank was brought up on charges of bribery and conspiracy involving Pittsburgh politics. He was acquitted in May, 1911. Frank's first wife's sister, Anne Childs Shaffer, married Henry Phipps, Jr. a well known name in Pittsburgh.

     Ada Hoffstot, was actively engaged in high society social circles.  Entertaining women for cards in the Lincoln Avenue house, trips abroad, spending summers in White Mountain, New York and Bretton Woods, New Hampshire and holding large receptions in Pittsburgh and New York.  She held a degree from the Pittsburgh Female College which became Chatham University.  Ada sold the family home in North Lincoln Avenue in 1903 and moved to New York City.  In 1910 she was renting a place at 15 West 59th Street, located across from the pond in Central Park.  In 1920, she was living at 131 West 59th Street near Fordham University.  Ada had two servants living with her.  In 1930, ninety year old Ada was living in an apartment at 1140 Fifth Avenue, New York near the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir.  She had two nurses and a cook living with her.  Ada never married.

Children of Gideon Norton Hoffstot and Mary Cannon Hoffstot

1. Ada Hoffstot born on September 19, 1839 in St. Clair Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died on January 9, 1931, Manhattan, New York.  Buried in Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
2. DeWitt C. Hoffstot born on December 9, 1841 in St. Clair Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died September 10, 1863, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Buried in Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
3. Almira Hoffstot born on March 1, 1846 in St. Clair Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died September 10, 1848 probably in in St. Clair Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.  There is a grave marker for her in Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
4. John Lindsey Hoffstot born in 1852 died in 1860 in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Buried in Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
5. Frank Norton Hoffstot born on May 31, 1861, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania died on December 25, 1938, Long Island, New York.  Buried in Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Married first Adelaide "Ada" Whittier Shaffer.  Children from first marriage:  Henry Phipps Hoffstot, John Gideon Hoffstot and Helen Hoffstot.  Married second Annie Willard.

Additional information regarding Gideon Norton Hoffstot

The Hoffstots

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