Minch Family of Montgomery Co.
by Lisa Slaski
Although Henry Minch settled about 1860 in Fort Plain, this family is interconnected
with the Minch families that settled in the area of Sprakers as his daughter
married a son of John Minch of Sprakers, and they all seem to have originated
from Dens, Hesse-Kassel, Germany and immigrated around 1860 (but probably
in different years). Henry's children resided at various times in
the towns of Florida, Glen, Minden and Root.
As you will see, there are
several interesting events for this family and many mysteries! So
far, my research has been focused solely on records to be found here in
NY, with no attempt, as yet to perform research in the records in Dens,
Hesse-Kassel, Germany. As with all research of this type, there may be
'lost' family members, not yet found! If you are connected to this
family, I would love to trade information. - Lisa
|
Henry Minch 1805 - 1895
Henry is somewhat of a mystery!
In some ways I know quite a bit about him, but although he apparently lived
in Montgomery county for 35 years, I have found comparatively few records
on him. The most glaring missing records are census records!
Henry was born about January
1805 and was "of Dens, Kur-Hessen," Germany. His wife's name was
Anna and currently I know of three children, all born in Dens:
Anna Catharine, b. 13 Sep 1830, married Philip Minch
Conrad, b. 13 Feb 1832, married Susannah Lehr
Martin, b.1 Nov 1841, married Barbara Nash
Henry apparently immigrated
about 1860 to Fort Plain. His son Martin also lived in Fort Plain,
while his daughter Anna first lived in Sprakers and later Fort Plain and
his son Conrad first lived in Mill Point and then in Fort Hunter.
It appears that his wife did not immigrate, as I have found absolutely
no sign of her in any records including the family burial plot in the cemetery
in Fort Plain where Henry and his daughter and her family are buried.
Her first name comes from the gravestone of his daughter Anna.
From various records, including
the most compelling, the signature of his son Conrad on some land transactions,
the German spelling of Henry's last name is Münch.
The first and only record
that I have of Henry during his life in NY is an 1875 NYS census record.
He is listed with his son, Conrad, as a farm laborer and widower, age 70.
Henry apparently attended
the Lutheran Church of Fort Plain, as his death record can be found there,
stating that he was "of Dens, Kur-Hessen" and died at the age of 89 years
and 10 months and is buried in Fort Plain. The cemetery records and
his gravestone shed no further light on Henry, but it again confirms the
age in years and months. His death certificate, and his obituary
are given below:
Statistics from the Death Certificate of Henry Minch
(Johnstown Town Clerk's Office in Fulton county)
| date of death: |
30 Oct 1895 |
| place of death: |
the town of Johnstown, Fulton county, NY |
| aged: |
89 years, 10 months |
| marriage status: |
widowed |
| occupation: |
laborer |
| birth place: |
Germany |
| father: |
Valentine Minch, born in Germany |
| mother: |
unknown |
| died of: |
pneumonia (sick 4 days) |
| burial: |
Fort Plain |
| resident of U.S.: |
for 35 years |
|
Obituary of Henry Minch
Amsterdam Daily Democrat and Evening Recorder
Amsterdam, Montgomery, NY
1 Nov 1895
Henry Minch, aged 89 years,
died at the residence of John Beatte, just south of the city of Johnstown,
Wednesday evening, where he was visiting. He came from Germany direct to
Fort Plain, where he has resided for the past 35 years. Today his remains
were taken to Fort Plain, where he will be buried and his funeral will
be held. Mr. Minch was the father of the late Conrad Minch of Fort Hunter,
and where he has resided for the past year or so. He was remarkably active
for one so advanced in years. He has nephews and nieces residing at Fort
Hunter. |
|
Anna Catharina Minch 1830 - 1869
Anna Catharina [Henry1]
was born 13 Sep 1830 in Dens, Hessen-Kassel, Germany. She apparently
went by her middle name as this is what is found in the 1860 census record.
She married Philip Minch a son of Johann Minch and Anna Catharina
Hillmes, also born in Dens on 1 Mar 1832. This marriage probably
took place in the states, as her oldest child was born in NY and according
to his death record in the church records of the Lutheran Church of Fort
Plain, Philip reportedly came in 1854 to NY and settled near Sprakers,
then moved on to Fort Plain. In 1860 the family is living in the
town of Root (the village of Sprakers is located in the town of Root).
Philip's parents and siblings, as well as another Minch family (George
and Catherine Minch of Sprakers) also came around this same time-frame
to Sprakers. I do not know the relationship, if any between these
three Minch families (that of Henry and his wife Anna, Johann and his wife
Anna Catharina, and George and his wife Catharine), except for this marriage
between Philip and Anna Catharina.
The following children were
born to Anna Catharina and Philip:
-
George C., born 9 Feb 1858, died 22 Mar 1862, age 2 in the 1860
census, buried in the Fort Plain cemetery, near his parents.
-
Catherine, born 2 Jul 1859, died 22 Jul 1860, age 1 in the 1860
census, buried in the Fort Plain cemetery, near her parents.
-
Martin, born 21 Dec 1860, died 18 Oct 1861, buried in the Fort Plain
cemetery, near his parents.
-
John H., born 1862 at Sprakers, NY, died 1926 at Nelliston, NY,
age 8, in the 1870 census, married in the Lutheran church of Fort Plain
on 20 Oct 1892 to Louise Wetterau (1872-1959), both are listed as
being "of Fort Plain" in the marriage record and they are both buried in
the Fort Plain cemetery, near his parents. I know of 3 children of
this union:
-
William Philip, born 20 Sep 1893 in Fort Plain, baptized 7 Jan 1894
at the Lutheran church of Fort Plain, witnesses were Philip Minch and Wilhelm
Heinrich Wetterau, died in Fort Plain and was buried 10 Sep 1927 in the
Fort Plain cemetery.
-
Florence Elisabeth, born 4 July 1896, baptized 7 Mar 1897 at the
Lutheran church of Fort Plain, witnesses included Wilhelm Wetterau and
Mrs. Elizabeth Wetterau. her father is "of Sprakers" and mother "of
KurHessen."
-
Jennie Louise, born 17 Mar 1899 at Nelliston, NY, baptized 23 July
1899 at the Lutheran church of Fort Plain and confirmed at the same church
16 Mar 1913.
-
Elisabeth B., age 7 in the 1870 census.
-
Catharina Barbara, born 3 Dec 1867 and baptized at the Lutheran
church of Fort Plain on 12 Jan 1868, died 30 Oct 1895 on the same day as
her grandfather according to the records of the Lutheran church of Fort
Plain, age 2 in the 1870 census. She was married on 23 Oct 1884 to
August
Friedrich Wilhelm Ische "of Germany" in the Lutheran church of Fort
Plain. August and his first wife Catharina had 4 children:
-
John Henry, born 25 Feb 1885, baptized 21 Mar 1901, confirmed at
the Lutheran church of Fort Plain.
-
Frida Elisabetha, born 3 Oct 1888, baptized 6 Jan 1889 at the Lutheran
church of Fort Plain, witnesses includes Johann Minch, married 12 Jun 1907
to Augustus Sitts in the Lutheran church of Fort Plain.
-
Philip Heinrich, born 1 Feb 1891, baptized at the Lutheran church
of Fort Plain, witnesses includes Philip Minch and his father is "of Hanover"
and mother "of Fort Plain."
-
Martha Elisabeth, born 15 Jul 1892 at Canajoharie, baptized 16 Oct
1892 at the Lutheran church of Fort Plain, witnesses included Johann Minch
and Miss Louise Wetterau.
After the death of Catharina, August married second Elise Lowell
"of Berlin" on 3 Oct 1896 at the Lutheran church of Fort Plain. They had
4 children that I know of:
-
Herman Fritz August, born 3 May 1897 at Fort Plain, baptized 7 Jan
1894 at the Lutheran church of Fort Plain.
-
August Herbert, born 1 Feb 1900, baptized 1 Jan 1904 at the Lutheran
church of Fort Plain.
-
Lily Gladys, born 28 Jul 1901, baptized 1 Jan 1904 at the Lutheran
church of Fort Plain.
-
Clara May, born 7 Dec 1903 at Fort Plain, baptized 1 Jan 1904 at
the Lutheran church of Fort Plain.
Anna Catharina died 8 Jul 1869
and was buried in the Fort Plain cemetery. Her gravestone inscription
reads as follows:
| Gravestone Inscription
Anna Catharine
wife of Philip Minch
and daughter of
Henry and Anna Minch
Born in Germany
Sept 13, 1830
Died July 8, 1869
Æ 38 yrs 10 mos 5 ds |
Philip Minch then married
Julia A., a daughter of Martin Wetterau on 31 Mar 1870 in the Lutheran
church of Fort Plain. One of the witnesses to this ceremony was a
Barbara Elisabeth Minch. Julia was born 5 Aug 1839, also in Dens
and died 28 Dec 1890 and is also buried in the family plot in the Fort
Plain cemetery. The family is found in the 1870 census residing in
the town of Minden (the village of Fort Plain is located in the town of
Minden). Julie and Philip had several more children:
-
Martha Elisabeth, born 21 Apr 1871, baptized at the Lutheran church
of Fort Plain on 25 Jun 1871. She married Frank Wagner of Nelliston
on 4 Feb 1890 in the Lutheran church at Fort Plain.
-
George, born 24 Jun 1873, baptized at the Lutheran church of Fort
Plain on 3 Aug 1873, died 11 Mar 1915 at Kingston, buried in the Fort Plain
cemetery.
-
Heinrich, born 19 Jul 1875, baptized at the Lutheran church of Fort
Plain on 5 Sep 1875.
-
Cora Elisabeth, born 13 Jul 1879, died 1961, buried at the Fort
Plain cemetery, "wife of William Woodard."
Philip died 8 Oct 1904, age
72 years, 7 months and 7 days. He is buried in the Fort Plain cemetery
and his obituary reads as follows:
|
Obituary of Philip Minch
Philip Minch, one of Fort Plain's
most respected residents, died at the Troy hospital Oct. 8th, from the
shock of an operation for strangulated hernia. Deceased was born
in Germany but had been a resident of that town for many years. He
was seventy two years of age and is survived by three sons, George, John
and Henry, and three daughters, Mrs. Frank Wagner, Mrs. Cora Radford of
Fort Plain, and Mrs. George Barshied of this village, and one sister, Mrs.
Eliza Drumm of Johnstown. The funeral was held at the German Lutheran
church Tuesday afternoon. |
The above information implies
that Philip's daughter, Elisabeth B., married George Barshied
and that Cora was married first to a man named Mr. Radford. |
Conrad Minch 1832 - 1894
Now the family history
gets even more interesting and adds another dose of mystery!
Conrad [Henry1]
was born 13 Feb 1832 in Dens, Hesse-Kassel, Germany. Although, the
rest of the family appear to immigrate direct to Montgomery county, NY,
Conrad first shows up in records in Carbon county, PA where he married
his wife, Susannah Lehr, on 15 Jan 1862. She was born on 15
Oct 1843 in East Penn township, Carbon county, PA, the daughter of Franz
Lehr and Lydia Schleicher. He then moved with his new wife to Mill
Point, Montgomery county, NY, where all 6 of their children were born.
In the 1869 directory (online on this site), he is listed as renting a
farm in the town of Glen, with a post office address of Fort Hunter.
But at the same time he baptized his children in the Lutheran church of
Fort Plain. They had the following children:
-
Henry Francis, born 23 May 1864, married Rosina Bobilin
-
Isabella Sophia, born Jun 1866, married Henry Charles Fink
-
Barbara Elisabeth, born 4 Jun 1869, married Ferdinand J. Criegmuss
-
Anna Catharina, born 21 Nov 1870, married Henry August Horstmann
-
Mary, born Apr 1873, died 7 Sep 1874.
-
Carrie C., born 4 Aug 1875, married Anst Bobilin
In the 1870 census, I find Conrad
listed as a farmer in the town of Glen, with two farm laborers, including
a Henry Brown, age 12, also born in Hesse-Kassel. In the 1875 census
he is still listed as a farmer in the town of Glen, and this time his father,
Henry, age 70, farm laborer, widowed, is listed with him. Also listed in
the 1875 census is the death of Mary Minch, age 1 yr, 5 mos, died 7 Sep
1874 of scarlet fever. In an 1884 directory, Conrad is listed as
a farmer in Fort Hunter. In 1886 Susannah died after having fallen
into a well as described in her obituary:
Obituary of Susannah Lehr Minch
Evening Recorder, Amsterdam, Montgomery, NY, 10/13/1886
FELL INTO A WELL
Mrs Minch of Fort Hunter, falls into a well, manages to climb out, and
dies a few hours afterwards.
About four o'clock
yesterday afternoon, the citizens of Fort Hunter were shocked at the announcement
that Mrs. Minch, wife of Conrad Minch, a farmer residing near the West
Shore depot at Fort Hunter, had fallen into a well and sustained injuries
that would probably cause death. The particulars of the sad affair
are as follows: Mrs. Minch and her daughter, Anna, about 15 years
of age, were home alone yesterday afternoon, as the rest of the family
were away at work. Between two and three o'clock Anna went to call
on some friends in the village. During her absence Mrs. Minch went
out to the barn, and having a few leisure moments thought she would wash
a wagon that was in the barn. She carried a couple of pails of water
from a well nearby, bat as there was another well in the barnyard she thought
she would take water from this well which would be more convenient.
There is no pump here and Mrs. Minch was compelled to draw the water with
a pail. As she was doing so, she became dizzy and fell headlong into
the well, which is ten feet deep and contains about 6 feet of water.
The unfortunate woman managed in some manner to climb out, but in what
way can not be told. When then contrived to reach the house, and,
removing part of her wet clothing, went to bed. A short time afterwards
her daughter, Anna, returned and found her mother asleep. The latter was
awakened and her husband and son summoned at once from their work.
Mrs. Minch was conscious and meagerly described the cause of the accident.
A few moments later she was attacked with convulsions. Drs. Timmerman of
Fort Hunter, and Robb, of Amsterdam, were called to attend the woman.
They were powerless, however, to alleviate her sufferings. She continued
to grow worse until about 3 0'clock this morning when she died. The
doctors attribute her death to convulsions, supplemented by a heart difficulty.
The deceased was about 60 years of age. Besides a husband, five children,
4 daughters and one son, survive her. Her family is almost frantic
with grief over her sad death. Mrs. Minch was a lady who was greatly
respected by all who knew her. |
In 1890 and 1891 Conrad purchased
lots 8, 9, and 10 in Fort Hunter and in 1893 he purchased other land in
the town of Florida. In an 1894 directory he is listed as a hay buyer
in Fort Hunter. He was killed by a train on 12 Jun 1894, described
in minute detail in his obituary:
Obituary of Conrad Minch
Amsterdam Daily Democrat and Evening Recorder,
Amsterdam, Montgomery, NY, 6/12/1894
A FATAL ACCIDENT.
Conrad Minch of Fort Hunter
Killed on the West Shore
In the Yankee Hill cut this afternoon
- Particulars of the casualty -
He was a prominent citizen and a hay buyer by occupation.
The West bound New York express,
train No. 2, on the West Shore, due in this city at 2:48, struck and instantly
killed Conrad Minch of Fort Hunter just west of the depot in the Yankee
Hill cut, this afternoon.
Mr. Minch came to this city
today and intended to return home on the train which killed him, but upon
applying at the depot for a ticket, he was told that the train, which is
a fast one, did not stop at Fort Hunter. Wishing to return home before
night, and not caring to wait, he started up the tracks on foot, intending
to walk home. The train came along in a few minutes, and, as it was
rounding the curve in the cut, Mr. Minch was struck in the back of the
head and instantly killed. The train was stopped and the remains
put on board and brought back to the depot, where they were placed in the
baggage room to await the disposition of Coroner Johnson, who was at once
summoned. Upon the Coroner's examination it was found that death
was due to a fracture in the rear portion of the skull. It is not believed
that he suffered any other injuries. The remains were ordered removed
to the under taking rooms of C. A. Lutton.
Mr. Minch resided in Fort
Hunter, near the West Shore station, and was a hay buyer, being in business
with his son Henry, who survives him, together with three daughters, Mrs.
Henry Fink, Mrs. Ferdinand Creigmus, and Mrs. Anst Bobilin, all of Fort
Hunter. He was about 60 years old and for a number of years worked
the farm of Rev. J. H. Enders. He was a prominent member of the Fort
Hunter German Methodist Church, being one of the trustees. Another
daughter, Mrs. Henry Horstman, died a short time ago. His father,
who also survives him, lives in Fort Plain. |
Both Conrad and Susannah
are buried in Pine Grove cemetery, Tribes Hill, Montgomery county, NY.
Information from the probate records of Conrad's will is as follows:
| Martin Minch, executor, brother of Conrad
L.U. Weller represented interest of minors Nettie and Fred Horstman
Heirs at Law:
Henry F. Minch
Lizzie B. Criegmuss (husband Ferdinand J.)
Isabelle S. Finck
Henry A. Horstmann for Fred and Nettie
Carrie C. Bobilin (husband Ernest) and guardian of Fred and Nettie
|
|
Martin Minch 1841 - 1901
Martin [Henry1]
was born on 1 Nov 1841, presumably in Dens, Hesse-Kassel, Germany.
According to the 1900 census, he immigrated to the U.S. in 1857.
He was a shoemaker by trade and was engaged in this occupation prior to
the Civil War. He enrolled 29 Aug 1862 in Root and was mustered in
as a private on 17 Oct 1862, at Fonda, NY in company C, 153rd NY Volunteer
Infantry and served his adopted country until 2 Oct 1865, when he mustered
out with the company as a private in Savanah, Ga. He is described
as being 5 foot, 4 inches tall, light hair, light complexion and blue eyes.
Martin was married by the
Methodist minister, Rev. Abram G. Diefendorf, to Barbara Nash (she
was born in Germany about 25 May 1840) on 23 Feb 1865 while on sick leave.
He had sustained a gun shot wound to the head in the battle of Cedar Creek,
Va., on 19 Oct 1864. According to his pension papers, this wound
caused a "loss of memory and an affliction of the eyes" which affected
him the rest of his life.
He moved to Fort Plain directly
after his service in the Civil War and purchased property there in May
of 1866 and again in 1870. Martin and Barbara had 3 children:
-
Adam L., born 18 Aug 1866 in Fort Plain, baptized 11 Nov 1866 at
the Methodist Episcopal church of Fort Plain, died 22 Jul 1936 in Granville,
Washington county, NY, buried in the Fort Plain cemetery, age 69 years,
11 mos and 4 days. The church records indicate that he was "received"
in Mar 1881, "removed" 1 Mar 1885, "received" in Cobleskill on 12 Sep 1886
and "removed" to Herkimer on 26 Feb 1889. He married Anna L. Fake,
born 1863, died 1918 in Granville and buried in the Fort Plain cemetery
on 30 Mar 1918, age 54 years, 6 mos, 24 days. They had two children:
-
Ada J., born 1889.
-
Stanley, born 11 Sep 1894, died Jan 1972, Guilderland, Albany county,
NY
-
Anna R., born 6 Jun 1874 in Fort Plain. She was "received"
by the Methodist Episcopal church of Fort Plain on 12 Sep 1866 and later
"received" on 5 Jul 1902 from Schuylerville and dismissed on 25 Sep 1906.
-
"infant of Martin Minch," buried in Fort Plain cemetery on 10 Nov
1870. This infant is not listed in the 1870 census record.
Martin is listed in census records
in Fort Plain as a shoemaker. He applied for and received a pension
for his wounds suffered in the Civil War. In 1894 he was named the
executor for the will of his brother Conrad. He died 11 Nov 1901
and was buried 14 Nov 1901 in the Fort Plain cemetery. His obituary
reads:
Obituary of Martin Minch
Amsterdam Daily Democrat and Evening Recorder,
Amsterdam, Montgomery, NY, 13 Nov 1901
Fort Plain - Martin Minch, one of the most highly esteemed residents
of this village died at his home on Reid street Tuesday, aged 60 years.
Mr. Minch was taken sick Sunday evening with symptoms that indicated pneumonia.
Mr. Minch was born in Germany, but has been a resident of this county for
a number of years. Deceased was a member of Company E, One Hundred and
Fifty third regiment, and served three years of the Civil war. He had been
a resident of this village since the close of the war. He was a member
of the Methodist church and took an active part in all its meetings.
Mr. Minch was a shoemaker by trade and had been employed at the Parr Shoe
store for a number of years. Deceased is survived by a widow, one son,
Adam L., and one daughter, Annie. The funeral will be held from the
Methodist Church Thursday at 2 o'clock, Rev. H. Brown officiating. |
Barbara outlived Martin and
received a widow's pension after his death, until her own death.
She was buried in the Fort Plain cemetery on 10 Apr 1922, age 81 yrs, 10
mos, 16 days. |
|
More information to come on the descendants of Conrad Minch!
|