Joseph Michael

Joseph married Rachel McClish on 30 Apr 1843 in Rose Township, Carroll County, Ohio, United States. Rachel was born in 1822 in Stark County, Ohio, United States; died on 20 Sep 1896 in Brock, Namaha County, Nebraska, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Census: 1800, Frankstown Township, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, United States; Septennial Census, as Peter Michael, weaver
• Census: 1810, Allegheny Township, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, United States; as P Michael
• Census: 1820, Pike Township, Stark County, Ohio, United States; as Peter Michael
• Newspaper: 15 Apr 1824, Canton, Stark County, Ohio, United States; Defendant in Petition for Partition concerning the property of George Fetters, deceased; Address:
  Ohio Repository
• Land Patent: 20 May 1826, Carroll County, Ohio, United States; purchased 80.90 acres (Land Patent Certificate Number 1089); Address:
  Ohio River Survey, East half of the South West quarter, Section
• Census: 1830, Rose Township, Stark County, Ohio, United States; as Peter Michael
• Newspaper: 3 Jun 1831, Canton, Stark County, Ohio, United States; Defendant in case concerning the sale of property by John Fetters, deceased to Peter Michael; Address:
  Ohio Repository
• Census: 1840, Rose Township, Carroll County, Ohio, United States; as Peter Michael
• Census: 1850, Rose Township, Carroll County, Ohio, United States; as Peter Michael, farmer, head of household

Notes:

...The Michael family traditional history tells us that three brothers living in Prussia: David; Aaron; and Daniel decided to emigrate to America for religious freedom. In Holland, Daniel married a Dutch girl named Catherine and the couple had a son named Nathaniel. Aaron never married.
...David Michael was appalled by the way the Finnish Dutch were treating the Indians and settled in Germantown near Philadelphia. Later he married a Delaware/Shaconee Indian and began to live with the Indians in Pennsylvania. They lived at Shomoken in North Cumberland County. They later moved to Huntingdon Co. where they settled near Frankstown at an Indian village. Their son, John George Michael, was born about 1735 and married Margaret Coleman on October 23, 1735. David's grandson Peter Michael, was born in 1782 and married Catherine Fetters.
...The Michael history tells us that Peter became an important Indian war chief due to his white ancestry. He was considered notorious by some. He is known to have lived in the Indian village in 1790 and 1800 when Congressional records were made. Since Peter and his Indians had fought for the Revolution with the promise of eventual rule over the other tribes, he was given the Ohio land as compensation, while the Indians received nothing.
...The land grant farm was located near the Tuscarawas River and was inhabited by many Delaware/Shaconees and some Seneca Indians. The Indian capitol and largest settlement of the Chustion/Delaware/Shaconees was just down stream.
...Peter and Catherine's house was located in what became Carroll County and remained in the family until 1924 when it was sold to the Greer Beatty Brickyard. the old log milkhouse built at the time the land was cleared for the farm was still in use in the early 1920's.

Peter married Catherine Fetters about 1801 in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, United States. Catherine (daughter of George Fetters and Elizabeth Switzer) was born in 1771 in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America; died in 1861 in Carroll County, Ohio, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Property: 6 Feb 1796, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, United States; Sale of Fetters Farm
• Newspaper: 15 Apr 1824, Canton, Stark County, Ohio, United States; Defendant in Petition for Partition concerning the property of George Fetters, deceased; Address:
  Ohio Repository
• Newspaper: 3 Jun 1831, Canton, Stark County, Ohio, United States; Defendant in case concerning the sale of property by John Fetters, deceased to Peter Michael; Address:
  Ohio Repository
• Census: 1850, Rose Township, Carroll County, Ohio, United States; as Catharine Michael, in the household of Peter Michael
• Census: 1860, Rose Township, Carroll County, Ohio, United States; as Catherine Mikle, widow, head of household

Other Events:

• Newspaper: Ohio Repository (Canton)
• Census: 1779, Bedford Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States; Septennial Census as George Feather
• Census: 1786, Frankstown Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States; Septennial Census as George Fetter
• Tax Record: 1786, Frankstown Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States; as George Fetter
• Tax Record: 1788, Frankstown Township, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, United States; on 100 acres, 2 horses and 3 cattle
• Census: 1790, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, United States; as George Fetter
• Land Patent: 27 Sep 1790, Frankstown Township, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, United States; survey of 100 acres
• Property: 6 Feb 1796, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, United States; Sale of Fetters Farm
• Land Patent: 5 Apr 1796, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, United States; survey of 400 acres
• Census: 1800, Allegheny Township, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, United States; as George Fetters
• Land Patent: 30 Jul 1812, Stark County, Ohio, United States; received Land Patent CV-0014-524 for 160 acres; Address:
  (Ohio River Survey, South East Quarter of Section 29, Township 9
• Land Patent: 23 Jan 1813, Stark County, Ohio, United States; received Land Patent CV-0017-370 for 160 acres; Address:
  (Ohio River Survey, South West Quarter, Section 24, Township 9 N
• Land Patent: 5 Jun 1816, Stark County, Ohio, United States; received Land Patent CV-0029-119 for 160 acres; Address:
  (Ohio River Survey, South East Quarter, Section 24, Township 9 N
• Probate: 22 Dec 1823, Stark County, Ohio, United States
• Newspaper: 5 Apr 1825

Notes:

...George Fetters, Michael's oldest boy, married Elizabeth Switzer and the couple had a family of 12 between 1770 and 1790. George appeared on the Bedford Township, Bedford Co. tax lists in 1778. by 1784. he had a family of seven and in the next six years, it grew to eleven. On March 11, 1789, George paid 25 pounds for 300 acres to James Ferrel who held a warrant issued to Michael Hodgkins on November 15, 1785. The land was located on the headwaters of the Little Juniata River in Antis Township next to Thomas and John Coleman's property. He held 116 acres of this land for the rest of his life.
...George administered his father's estate at his mother's request in 1789. He served as an attorney in Allegheny Township of Huntingdon County when he became his brother Daniel's attorney in 1809.
...George had served as overseer of the poor for Allegheny Township in 1797. He was County Supervisor in 1798 and 1800, and he served as Constable in 1801.
...In the 1800 census, George was maintaining a household of 16 which probably included some in-law children and grandchildren. He owned several sections of land in Blair County including a warrant for 400 acres next to John Blair and William Fetters Improvement in Allegheny Township. On December 2, 1813, he sold his land to Adam Crick and John Riggie for $150.00.
... He purchased and consolidated several small tracts of land for $398.20 on july 2, 1811. This 199 acres next to John Holliday's property was later sold to Thomas Snyder for $1,500.00.
...George also held a warrant issued on September 27, 1780 for 100 acres on the west branch to Blair's Mill Branch along the foot of Alleghney Mountain between the branch and the olf gap where the Indian path led to Kitanning Old Town from Frankstown.
...In 1810 and 1811 George was reappointed Overseer of the Poor.
...In 1812, George secured a patent with the date of July 30 from President Madison through the Steubenville, Ohio Land Office and purchased 163.2 acres in Stark County, Ohio at $2.00 an acre. A short time later, George and his family moved to Stark Co. leaving at least the oldest son, Jacob, on the Antis Township property in Blair Co. another son, George Jr., who was raising his own family, also stayed behind, but four years later moved to Stark Co.
...George (Sr.) found that the land he had purchased was heavily timbered in this section of Pike Township and he was forced to clear it with only simple tools and the help of his sons: George, Philip and Daniel.

...George Fetter had been one of the early settlers in the Upper Juniata Valley in Pennsylvania. He had joined his father and brothers at their grist mill (the Fetter's Mill Tract) and helped defend the area at Fetter's Fort during the Revolutionary War. He married Elizabeth Switzer in 1770, and first appeared on the Tax Lists of Bedford Township in 1776. In the 1788 Assessment of Frankstown, when it became a part of Huntingdon County, he owned 100 acres of land, 2 horses and 2 cows. valued at 129 pounds.
...His main property was on the headwaters of the Little Juniata River in Antis Township north of Altoona, between Riggles Gap Run and Sugar Run, near the Antis Cemetery and Salem Church. On march 11, 1789 he paid 25 pounds for this 400-acre property to James Ferrel, who held a warrant issued to Michael Hodgkins on November 15, 1785. It was located on Clearfield Creek, next to Thomas and John Coleman's property. He held 116 acres of this land for the rest of his life.
...George Fetter also bought other sections of land in Blair and Huntingdon Counties, including:

...Warrant #105 dated April 5, 1798 for 400 acres next to John Blair and William Fetters Improvement in Allegheny Township. On December 2, 1813 he sold this land to Adam Crick and John Riggle for $150.00.
...A warrant issued September 27, 1790 for 100 acres on the west branch of Blair's Mill Branch, along the foot of Allegheny Mountain, between the branch and the gap where the old Indian path led to Kittanning.
...On July 2, 1811 he purchased and consolidated several small tracts of land for $398.10. these 199 acres, next to John Holliday's property, were later sold to Thomas Snyder for $1,500.

...In the 1790 census, George Fetter was maintaining a household of 11 and in 1800, the family had increased to 16, which probably included some in-law children and grandchildren.
...The 1794 Tax List for Allegheny Township (at that time embracing areas of the present Allegheny, Logan and Antis Townships) shows that George owned 400 acres; and his brothers Michael Jr. and John each owned 30 acres.
...George and his brother Daniel had administered their father's estate, at their mother's request, in 1789. George served as an attorney in Allegheny Township in 1809, when Daniel (then living in Ohio) requested George to collect all debts due him. George also held the following Allegheny Township offices:

1797 - Appraiser
1798 - Overseer of the Poor
1800 - Overseer of the Poor
1801 - Constable
1810 - Overseer of the Poor
1811 - Overseer of the Poor

...While still a resident of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, George Fetter began buying land in Pike Township, Stark County, Ohio, through the Land Office at Steubenville, Ohio. His first purchase was the Southeast Quarter of Section 29 (Township 9, Range 8), which he acquired for $2 an acre. He received a U. S. Patent signed by President James Madison for this land (160 acres) on July 30, 1812. This tract was to become the "Homestead Farm" for three generations of Fetters - George, his son George Jr., and grandson Benjamin. Then on Quarter of Section 24, which lies northeast of the present town of East Sparta. In May of 1813, Peter Michael (husband of George's daughter Catherine) bought land in the Southeast Quarter of Section 24 at the Steubenville Land Office, and it was paid in full March 18, 1816 ($326.50). The Patent, when issued on June 5, 1816, was to George Fetters, as assignee of Peter Michael. Perhaps this was to George's son, George Fetters Jr.
...So, in late 1812, George Fetter (at age 64), his wife Elizabeth and most of his married children migrated to Ohio. With this move, their surname now became "Fetters". George and Elizabeth took up residence on the heavily-timbered land of Section 29, and his sons Phillip, Daniel and George Jr. (after his arrival in 1815) helped him clear this land. His oldest son Jacob stayed in Pennsylvania on his own 100-acre property in Antis Township, next to his father's 116 acres there. After Jacob's untimely death in 1815, leaving ten children ranging in age from 20 down to 3 months, George and Elizabeth established a trust with their 116 acres of land in Antis Township, for the better maintenance, support and livelihood of the grandchildren, the heirs of Jacob Fetter.
...Canton, the county seat of Stark County, consisted of 30 inhabitants in 1815. Alex Hurford, who was born in Canton in 1817, described the early days there in a conversation with Henry Howe in 1846:

..."Before the building of the Ohio canal, the people were wretchedly poor for the want of a market. Within my memory, the farming folks used to start to church Sundays barefoot, carrying their shoes and stockings in a handkerchief until they got to the foot of south hill, near where Aultman & Company's works now are, when they would stop and put them on. At that time wheat brought but 25¢ a bushel and had no outlet except by wagon to Cleveland and Pittsburg.
..."The only things that would bring cash were beeswax and ginseng. Store coffee then cost 50¢ a pound. It could not be bought without ginseng, beeswax or money. Most well-to-do families made it a point to have store coffee on Sunday; on other days used coffee from burnt rye or wheat. My father, about 1823, kept a store on the southeast corner of Market Square. He paid about 25¢ a pound for ginseng. It was cut into, say, about four-inch pieces and strung on strings, like as our grandmothers used to string their apples for drying. The ginseng was sent to Pittsburg in wagons and thence to China... They used it as a substitute for opium and as joss sticks, to burn as incense before their idols.
..."My father was at the beginning, farmer, miller and distiller. Whiskey sold for two cents a dram, or 18¢ a gallon: and everybody drank. in the spring of 1821 or 1822, he loaded two flat-boats with whiskey at Bethlehem in this county, for New Orleans. The river changed its name according to the branches that poured into it. At Bethlehem it was the 'Tuscarawas', lower down 'White Woman', then 'White Woman' was succeeded by 'One Leg', and that went into the 'Muskingum', which in the Indian signifies an 'Elk's Eye', and next came the Ohio, the 'Beautiful river'. This swelled the 'Father of Waters' and so at last, on the bosom of these many waters, father's whiskey got to New Orleans.
..."When the idea of the Ohio canal going through Canton was broached, it met with great opposition from some of the leading men, who fought it away, and it was located eight miles west and made the town of Massillon, and that sunk Canton for 20 years. Among its opponents were three old doctors, who shook their heads, looked wise and said it would increase the ague; almost everybody was then shaking with the ague. Every season seven out of ten had their turn at the shakes... My father claimed the canal would create a current and drain the swamps. When it was finished the sanitary effect of the measure was astonishing. It drained the swamps throughout its course and malaria largely disappeared through its influence.
..."The very first state of the work was beneficial. The canal was principally dug by Ohio farm boys; eldest sons of the farmers who earned from $6 to $10 per month and boarded at home; this with a larger part of them was about the first chance that they ever had to get a whack at any money. And this greatly benefited the farming people; put them in happy smiling frames of mind. Massillon at once sprang into a great wheat market for a large section of country: for Stark, Carroll, Wayne, Holmes and Richland Counties."

...On October 17, 1823 George Fetters sold 80 acres of his Southeast Quarter of Section 29 to his son John. George died without a will in late 1823, at age 75. The "History of Canton and Stark County" published in 1904, reported that George "commanded the high regard of all who knew him".
...Christian Swenk, the administrator of his estate, reported to the court the final settlement that was made:

Sale of Personal property $ 385.12
Amount taken by widow at appraisement 99.19
Amount of debts collected 606.00
Total 1,090.31

...The court ordered the sale of the 160-acre portion (Southwest Quarter, Section 24) of his estate and on March 18, 1826 it was offered for sale at the door of the Stark County Courthouse in Canton. Phillip Fetters purchased it for $314. being the highest and best bidder according to Timothy Reed, Sheriff.
...George Fetters' son John died without a will in 1828, and after a court suit, the 80 acres of "Homestead Farm" were awarded to George Fetters, Jr.

Birth:
(now Berks Co.)

Newspaper:

Public Sale
By virtue of an order from the Court of Common Pleas of Stark County, to me directed, I will offer for sale, at the door of the Court house in Canton, on the 30th day of April inst the follinwing valuable property belonging to the estate of George Fetters, deceased, viz.
All the right, title and interest of the said deceased, in and to the south half of section o 14, in township No 9, of range No 8-situated about 10 miles south of Canton. Thirty-eight acres of which, are to be sold subject to the wido's right of dower. Also, One Hundred and Three Acres of the south east quarter of Section No 29, in township No. 9, of Range No 8-being exclusive of 80 acres off of and extending the whole length of the east side of said quarter, in a long square-Also situated 10 miles from Canton. The whole of which is to be sold subject to the widow's right of dower. Sale to commence aat 10 o'clock, A. M. when the terms will be made known.
Timothy Reed, Sheriff

George married Elizabeth Switzer in 1770 in Pennsylvania, British Colonial America. Elizabeth (daughter of Mathias Switzer and Mary C. Finch) was born in 1746 in Berks County, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America; died before 31 Oct 1826 in Stark County, Ohio, United States; was buried before 31 Oct 1826 in East Sparta, Stark County, Ohio, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Newspaper: 15 Apr 1824, Canton, Stark County, Ohio, United States; Defendant in Petition for Partition concerning the property of George Fetters, deceased
• Probate: 31 Oct 1826, Stark County, Ohio, United States

Other Events:

• Emigration: Freinsheim, Bayern-Pfalz, Germany; aboard the ship Pennsylvania Merchant, from Rotterdam
• Name: 2 Dec 1727; Johan Michael Vetter
• Baptism: 7 Dec 1727, Erpolzheim, Bavaria, Germany; Address:
  Evangelical Reformed Church
• Immigration: 10 Sep 1731, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America; arrived at Philadelphia
• Immigration: 11 Sep 1731; signed the Oath of Allegiance to England
• Property: 10 Jun 1749, Alsace Township, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America; was granted a warrant for survey of 25 acres
• Residence: 1750, Strasburg, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States; moved to
• Military: 1756; signed an allegation to serve as a soldier in his Majesty's service under the command of Captain John Vanetta during the French and Indiana War
• Property: 21 Mar 1768; survey of 300 acres
• Property: 11 Oct 1774; a warrant for a tract of 229 acres for the price of 7 pounds, 9 shillings
• Property: 3 Dec 1774, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America; patent was recorded and became known as Feather's Farm
• Property: 1776, Frankstown Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States; purchased 189 acres
• Property: 1777; built Fetter's Fort
• Tax Record: 1783, Frankstown Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States; as Michael Fetter
• Census: 1786, Frankstown Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States; Septennial Census as Michael Fetter
• Tax Record: 1786, Frankstown Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States; as Michael Fetter
• Tax Record: 1788, Frankstown Township, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, United States; as Michael Fetter, Sr.
• Probate: 8 Dec 1789, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, United States

Notes:

...Emigrated to America with his parents, arriving in Philadelphia 10 Sept. 1731.
...On 10th June 1749 acqured Warrant for 25 acres in Alsace Township, Philadelphia Co.
...In 1750 moved to Strasburg; in 1754 to Middle Town; in 1756 served in French & Indian War; in 1768 to Bedford County, where he bought 229 acres near Dunning Creek.
...In 1776 purchased 189 acres near Frankstown, where he built a drist mill and, in 1777 Fetter's Fort, for use in Revolutionary War.
..."As the years passed, young Michael Fetter Jr. began to accumulate property with his earnings as wheelwright. A land warrant was issued on June 10 1749 to Michael Feather Jun. for twenty-five acres in Alsace Township of Philadelphia county (now in Berks County) next to the property of Michael Feather, Sen.
...By 1750, Michael had moved south to the village of Strasburg in Lancaster County, which lay on the Conestoga Trail. This area had been granted to a number of Swiss immigrants in 1710 and it was here that the great Conestoga wagons were built. These served not only as freight wagons for Philadelphia merchants, but as pioneer family transportation for those who were willing to risk the challenges of the wild west of the Pennsylvania beyond the Susquehanna River.
...It was in Strasburg that Michael owned parcel 4a, purchased from John Pontz and his wife Anna, as well as parcel 10a, purchased from John Fautz and his wife ann (Pontz and Fautz may be two spellings of the same name). Michael and his wife Christina sold their parcel 4a to Conrad Leonard (Lenard) and his wife Barbara on july 10, 1750. It appears that Michael and his wife then moved northwestward to Middle Town on the Susquehanna downstream from Harrisburg, since on June 26, 1764 the couple sold a lot on the south side of the Market Place in Middle Town to Martin Gryter of Don'l Township for 50 pounds." (Source: Mary Emma Curtis, The Michael Fetters Family : From Their German Roots in Direct Descent to Michael Fetters (1819-1875) of Burr Oak, Indiana and His Descendants. (Clearwater, Florida, 1998), pg. 9)

Immigration:

Michael Feder, 27, residence Freinsheim, Bayern-Pfalz
Maria Catharina (Weber), over 16
Johann Michael Feder, 13
Anna Catharina Feder, 11
Anna Catharina Feder (sister), 24
Maria Magdalena Feder (sister), 20

Johan married Maria Catharina Schmied on 24 Nov 1747 in New Providence Township, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America. Maria was born on 28 Feb 1728; died after 1796. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Maria Cathrine Schmiedin
• Name: 24 Nov 1747; Catherine Fetter
• Guardian: 1789; of Elizabeth Fetter, after the death of Michael Fetter
• Census: 1790, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, United States; as Catrin Fetter
• Property: 6 Feb 1796, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, United States; Sale of Fetters Farm

Notes:

Property:

This indenture made the sixth day of February One Thousand seven hundred and ninety six Between Catharine Fetters, George Fetters, Michael
Fetters, John Fetters, Daniel Fetters, Samuel Fetters of the County of Huntingdon of State of Pennsylvania, Peter Fetters, John Holms & Emos Edwards of the County of Bedford & State aforesaid Heirs to the Estate of Michael Fetters deceased, of the one part; and Jacob Fetters of the County of Bedford and State aforesaid of the other Part; Witnesseth that we the aforesaid Catharine, George, Michael, John, Daniel, Peter, Samuel Fetters and John Helms and Emos Edwards as aforesaid for and in Consideration of the Sum of One hundred and Eighty Pounds lawful Money of Pennsylvania to us in hand paid the Receipt whereof we do hereby Acknowledge have granted Bargained sold Released assigned Conveyed and Confirmed
? Confirmed and by these presents do grant bargain sell Release assign and Confirm unto the said Jacob Fetters his heirs Executors
Administrators and Assigns forever all our Right Title Interest property Claim and Demand whatsoever of in and to part of a Certain Tract of
Land Called Fetters Farm, Situate on the waters of Dunnings Creek in the County of Bedford Containing Two Hundred and twelve Acres and one
Hundred and Sixty seven perches and the allowance of six ? ? for roads ? the same being Patented to Michael Fetters Deceased bearing date the Eleventh day of October in the Year One Thousand seven hundred and Seventy four as Recorded in the Rolls office in Patent Book A, Vol 14 page 793 Together with all and Singular the ways woods waters and Water Courses Tights Privileges thereunto belonging To have and to hold the said Tract or piece of Land unto the said Jacob Fetters his Heirs of Assigns forever and the aforesaid Catharine George Michael John Daniel Peter and Samuel Fetters and John Helms and Emos Edwards for themselves their Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns Doth Promise and agree to and with the said Jacob Fetters to Defend and Confirm the said Tract or piece of Land as before Described from any person or Persons Claiming under them or their Heirs forever. In Witness whereof the said Parties have Interchangeably set their hands and seals dates the day and year first above mentioned,
Catharine (her mark) Fetters
George Fetters
Michael (his mark) Fetters
John Fetters
Daniel Fetters
Peter (his mark) Fetters
Samuel Fetters
Amos (his mark) Edwards
John (his mark) Helms

Sealed and Delivered in presence of us
John Holliday
Andw Denny

Huntingdon County
Before me one of the Justices of the peace personaly came Catharine Fetters George Fetters Michael Fetters and John Fetters Daniel Fetters Peter Fetters Samuel Fetters Amos Edwards and John Helm and Acknowledged the within Deed Poll to be their act and Deed and Desired it to be Recorded as such according to Law Given under my hand & Seal. John Holliday

Recorded and Compared with the Original this 15th day of September Anno Domino 1796. John Anderson, Recorder

Notes:

Married:
(now Montgomery County)

Mathias married Mary C. Finch. Mary was born on 28 Apr 1730; died on 26 Mar 1798 in North Coventry Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States; was buried in 1798 in North Coventry Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]