Joseph Zehr b. 1 May 1785 Struth, Bas-Rhin, FR d. 17 Apr 1872 Metamora, Woodford Co., IL: The Schrock-Birkey Connection
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Joseph Zehr

Male 1785 - 1872  (86 years)


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  • Name Joseph Zehr  [1, 2] 
    Birth 1 May 1785  Struth, Bas-Rhin, FR Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    • or 1784
    Gender Male 
    Census 1860  Metamora, Panola Twp., Woodford Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Joseph Zehr, 80; Anne, 82; and one daughter
    Occupation Farmer/Miller at House No. 37 in Struth 
    Death 17 Apr 1872  Metamora, Woodford Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Burial Metamora, Panola Twp., Woodford Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Hickory Point Cemetery
    Person ID I795  Schrock-Birkey Connection
    Last Modified 25 May 2019 

    Father Daniel Zehr,   b. Abt 1735, Struth, Bas-Rhin, FR Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 21 May 1819, Struth, Bas-Rhin, FR Find all individuals with events at this location (Age ~ 84 years) 
    Mother Catherine Zehr,   b. Abt 1750, Struth, Bas-Rhin, FR Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 24 Dec 1805, Struth, Bas-Rhin, FR Find all individuals with events at this location (Age ~ 55 years) 
    Marriage 1777  Struth, Bas-Rhin, FR Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F365  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Anna Verly (Werelin),   b. Abt 1782, FR Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Aft 1870, Metamora, Panola Twp., Woodford Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location (Age ~ 89 years) 
    Marriage 7 Jun 1806  Cirey-sur-Vezouse, Meurthe-et-Moselle, FR Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 5, 6] 
    Children 
     1. Magdalena Zehr,   b. 21 Sep 1807, Struth, Bas-Rhin, FR Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Aug 1850 (Age 42 years)
     2. Joseph Zehr,   b. 29 Apr 1809, Struth, Bas-Rhin, FR Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 22 Jul 1883, Flanagan, Livingston Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 74 years)
     3. Anna Catherine Zehr,   b. 20 Oct 1810, Struth, Bas-Rhin, FR Find all individuals with events at this location
     4. Anne Marie Zehr,   b. 16 Nov 1813, Struth, Bas-Rhin, FR Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 28 Jun 1896, Eureka, Woodford Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 82 years)
     5. Peter Zehr,   b. 1 Jun 1819, Struth, Bas-Rhin, FR Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Aug 1850, Worth Twp., Woodford Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 31 years)
     6. Anna Zehr,   b. 1 Apr 1826, FR Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 21 Jan 1902, Metamora, Woodford Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 75 years)
    Family ID F368  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 25 May 2019 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 1 May 1785 - Struth, Bas-Rhin, FR Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 7 Jun 1806 - Cirey-sur-Vezouse, Meurthe-et-Moselle, FR Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus - 1860 - Metamora, Panola Twp., Woodford Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 17 Apr 1872 - Metamora, Woodford Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBurial - - Metamora, Panola Twp., Woodford Co., IL Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Notes 
    • “Married Anne Verle on June 7, 1806 in Cirey-sur-Vesouse, Meurthe-et-Moselle, France.

      Joseph was apparently a miller (per a letter from his son, Joseph Jr.). 

      According to the Obituary of his daughter, Anna (Schertz), the family came to the US around 1836. However, there exists a letter to Joseph from his son, Joseph Jr. signed on January 8, 1852, while Joseph Sr. was still living in France.

      In 1850, there was a 65 year old French born, Anne Zehr and 25 year old Madeleine Zehr living with 30 year old Peter Zehr in District 56 of Woodford County. They were next door to Maria Zehr (Mrs. Debolt) Householter. Peter Zehr and Maria Zehr Householter were children of Joseph and Anne Verle Zehr. 

      There was also a 67 year old French born Anna Zehr living with 38 year old Joseph "Shirts" (Schertz) and his wife, 24 year old Ann Zehr Schertz. "Ann" Zehr Schertz was the youngest daughter of Joseph and Anne Verle Zehr.

      Thus, there are two women named "Anne" or "Anna" Zehr that were of the age of Anne Verle Zehr living with children of Joseph and Anne. Could one of these have been the wife of Joseph Zehr and the other, a relative?

      If one of these women is Anne Verle Zehr, why is she in America when it is known that her husband Joseph Zehr, Sr., was still living in France in 1852? 

      By the 1860 Census, Joseph (80)and his wife, Anne (82) were living near Metamora with their daughter, Anna (Mrs. Joseph) Schertz.”
      ———————————————
      This couple is said to have had five children, four born in Struth. They left there sometime after/between 1835 and 1855. Various members of this family moved to America at different times. Joseph and Anna settled near Metamora, Illinois. [2]

  • Sources 
    1. [S87] Ardys Serpette, Zehrs From Europe to Illinois.

    2. [S1060] Find-A-Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32400918/joseph-zehr.

    3. [S712] Maurice Hebert , Handwritten notes by Maurice Hebert.

    4. [S1060] Find-A-Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32400847/anne-zehr.

    5. [S712] Maurice Hebert , Handwritten notes by Maurice Hebert, 21 Jun 1806.

    6. [S398] Joseph Staker, Amish Mennonites in Tazewell Co., 7 Jan 1806.


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