Vernae Robbins was born on 2 August 1920 in Atchison County, Kansas.^1,2 She was the daughter of William Milton Robbins Jr. and Hattie Wilmington Franklin.¹ She married Arthur Woolston.³ She died on 3 July 2004 in Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada, at age 83.²

     Emma Davidson was born on 14 September 1901 in Baileyville, Nemaha County, Kansas.¹ She was the daughter of James Peter Davidson and Maria Thompson.¹ She married Charles Page.² She died on 10 August 1995 in Nortonville, Jefferson County, Kansas, at age 93.^1,2

     Emma Davidson was raised in a family of five daughters.

     Hannah Kathryn Davidson was born on 13 September 1903 in Council Grove, Morris County, Kansas.¹ She was the daughter of James Peter Davidson and Maria Thompson.¹ She married John Biddle Thompson, son of Alexander Thompson and Temperance Graham, on 22 December 1924.² She married Vince Minertz.³ She died on 16 October 1991 at age 88.^1,3

     Hannah Kathryn Davidson went by the name of Kate.¹ She was raised in a family of five daughters.

     Frances Davidson was born on 11 May 1905 in Council Grove, Morris County, Kansas.¹ She was the daughter of James Peter Davidson and Maria Thompson.¹ She married Lee George.² She died on 22 April 1999 at age 93.²

     Frances Davidson was raised in a family of five daughters.

     Nettie Maria Davidson was born on 2 January 1907 in Council Grove, Morris County, Kansas.¹ She was the daughter of James Peter Davidson and Maria Thompson.¹ She married Ernest Page.² She died on 24 January 1998 at age 91.²

     Nettie Maria Davidson was raised in a family of five daughters.

     Edward Roberts was born on 1 April 1819 in Criggion, Alberbury Parish, Montgomeryshire, Wales.^2,4,5 He was the son of Edward Roberts.³ He was married first to Martha Clayton, daughter of John Clayton and Martha (?), circa 1840.^6,7 He married Mary Lloyd, daughter of David Lloyd, on 24 March 1848 in Independent Chapel, Welsh Pool, Montgomeryshire, Wales.³ He died on 27 September 1885 in Rockland Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania, at age 66.^5,2 He was buried in Rockland Cemetery, Rockland Township.⁵

     Edward and Martha were living in Chirbury, Shropshire, England, in 1841 with Martha's parents John and Martha Clayton.⁷ Edward and Martha moved from Shropshire to Trelystan, Montgomeryshire, Wales, by 1845 when their son Joseph was baptized.⁶
     Edward was living in Kingswood, Forden Parish, Montgomeryshire, Wales, in 1848 at the time of his marriage to Mary.³
     Edward and Mary were living in Ackely, Ackley Township, Montgomeryshire, in 1851.⁴
     Persuaded by his brother William, Edward Roberts and Mary set sail for America along with Eddie's sons John and Joseph on 26 May 1851 from Liverpool, England, aboard the ship "Jane." It does not appear that Edward's daughter Ann came with them to America.^8,9 According to Helen Steffee and Mary Sanford, the journey was very miserable and when they landed most of their possessions had disappeared. When they arrived in Rockland Township, Venango County, they were very disappointed and wanted to return to Wales, but did not have the money for the return trip.^10,11
     Edward Roberts filed a Declaration of Intention for naturalization on 16 July 1855 and was naturalized on 25 August 1857 in Franklin, Venango County.¹²
     Edward Roberts purchased 59 acres in Rockland Township, Venango County, in 1860 from Elihu and Isabel Chadwick.¹³ He purchased 105 acres in Rockland Township in 1862 from Arnold and Margaret Plumer.¹⁴ He and his family probably lived on this land as a tenant from the time they first arrived in Rockland Township. Edward built a log house for his family to live in until he had the opportunity to purchase the land.¹⁵
     Edward Roberts was a farmer and raised draft horses which were known for their strength and endurance. They were sold to customers as far away as Pittsburgh.^16,10
     When Edward's two sons enlisted in the Union army during the Civil War, he was told that if his boys went away to war his house would burn down. As predicted the house did burn down. Eddie commissioned a Mr. Porter, a barn builder from across the river, to rebuild the house. Mr. Porter built the two story house in exchange for a team of horses raised by Eddie. That house stood until 1986 when it was torn down and replaced by a modern structure. Eddie's great-granddaughter Mary Sanford lived at that location until her death in 2020.^16,10,17
     Edward Roberts and Mary were members of the Rockland Methodist Episcopal Church.¹⁸
     When he died in 1885, Edward Roberts left his property in Rockland Township to his three surviving children. John was bequeathed a twenty-acre farm known as "Pottawottamic" where he was already living. The remaining property was to be divided among all three.¹⁹ Since he received the 20-acre farm from his father, John sold his share of the remaining property to his sisters Sarah and Lizzie for $460. Lizzie and her husband John T. Sanford took the eighty-six acres of land on the north side of the road where the house was located. Sarah and her husband Wilbert L. Smith took the seventy-seven acres located on the southern side of the road where the barn stood. The entire farm is still owned by descendants of Eddie and Mary.²⁰
     Edward Roberts was to have been tall, had strawberry-red hair, light blue eyes and very white, freckled skin.^11,10

     Mary Lloyd was born on 23 January 1821 in Trefeglwys, Montgomeryshire, Wales.^3,4 She was the daughter of David Lloyd.² She married (?) Jones.² She married Edward Roberts, son of Edward Roberts, on 24 March 1848 in Independent Chapel, Welsh Pool, Montgomeryshire, Wales.² She died on 31 July 1884 in Rockland Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania, at age 63.⁵ She was buried in Rockland Cemetery, Rockland Township.³

     Mary Lloyd was living in Castle Caereinion, Montgomeryshire, Wales, in 1848 when she married Edward Roberts.²
     Mary and Edward were living in Ackely, Ackley Township, Montgomeryshire, in 1851.⁴ She and Edward set sail for America along with Eddie's sons John and Joseph on 26 May 1851 from Liverpool, England, aboard the ship "Jane." It does not appear that Edward's daughter Ann came with them to America.^6,7
     Mary Roberts and Edward were members of the Rockland Methodist Episcopal Church.⁸

     Charles Louis Hoffman was born on 3 December 1871 in Titusville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania.¹ He was the son of Louis Charles Hoffman and Catherine Spies.¹ He married Emma Rose Eisenman, daughter of Miles Eisenman and Elizabeth Albaugh, on 8 October 1895 in Oil City, Venango County, Pennsylvania.^2,1 He died on 2 May 1917 in Oil City, Venango County, Pennsylvania, at age 45.¹ He was buried in Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City.¹

     Charles Louis Hoffman was employed by the Rush Barrel Works in Oil City and was acting as foreman at the plant at the time of his death. According to his obituary "he was one of the most industrious men connected with the plant and gained the esteem of his workmen by his courteous treatment of them and his willingness to always do more than his share."¹
     Charles Louis Hoffman and Emma Rose Hoffman lived at 142 Charlton Street, Oil City.^1,3 He and Emma Rose Hoffman were members of the First Presbyterian Church.¹ He was a member of the Oil City Lodge No. 589, I.O.O.F in 1913.¹
     Charles Louis Hoffman died "from injuries received in an automobile accident April 8 [1917]. The car which he was driving left the road on the brick pavement near Seneca and rolled over twice into the ditch. Mr. Hoffman was pinned under the car but his injuries were not considered serious at the time. A blood clot formed and he sank rapidly in the last few days."¹

     Emma Rose Eisenman was born on 10 June 1874 in Fryburg, Washington Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.² She was the daughter of Miles Eisenman and Elizabeth Albaugh.² She married Charles Louis Hoffman, son of Louis Charles Hoffman and Catherine Spies, on 8 October 1895 in Oil City, Venango County, Pennsylvania.^3,4 She died on 10 April 1950 in Oil City, Venango County, Pennsylvania, at age 75.² She was buried in Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City.²

     Emma Rose Hoffman and Charles Louis Hoffman lived at 142 Charlton Street, Oil City.^4,5 She and Charles Louis Hoffman were members of the First Presbyterian Church.⁴

     Louise Hoffman was born on 5 September 1873 in Titusville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania.¹ She was the daughter of Louis Charles Hoffman and Catherine Spies.¹ She married William Kingsley Ray, son of John Ray and Florence Lyons, on 12 June 1900 in Clapp Farm, Cornplanter Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania.^2,3 She died on 8 January 1954 in Oil City, Venango County, at age 80.¹ She was buried in Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City.⁴

     Louise Hoffman went by the name of Lucy. She and William Kingsley Ray lived at 145 Charlton Street, Oil City, since 1904.³ She and William Kingsley Ray were members of the First Presbyterian Church.³

     William Kingsley Ray was born on 22 January 1862 in Pithole, Cornplanter Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania.¹ He was the son of John Ray and Florence Lyons.¹ He married Louise Hoffman, daughter of Louis Charles Hoffman and Catherine Spies, on 12 June 1900 in Clapp Farm, Cornplanter Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania.^2,1 He died on 18 May 1933 in Oil City, Venango County, at age 71.¹ He was buried in Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City.¹

     William Kingsley Ray and Lucy Ray lived at 145 Charlton Street, Oil City, since 1904.¹ He was an oil operator in various fields in the Oil City area and was later employed by the Pennzoil Company.¹ He and Lucy Ray were members of the First Presbyterian Church.¹ He was a member of the Oil City Lodge, No. 589, I.O.O.F.¹

     William Hoffman was born on 21 September 1875 in Titusville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania.^1,2 He was the son of Louis Charles Hoffman and Catherine Spies.¹ He married Margaret Elizabeth Moelter, daughter of Adam Moelter and Magdalena Gothi, on 11 November 1903 in Manhattan, New York.^3,4 He married Edna Mae Highgate, daughter of Henry C. Highgate and Hannah Jane Baum, on 30 June 1916.¹ He died on 18 April 1939 in Oil City, Venango County, at age 63.¹ He was buried in Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City, Venango County.¹

     William Hoffman was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Rush Barrel Works.^5,2 He was a prominent member of the Oil City Lodge No. 589, I.O.O.F. He and Edna were members of the First Presbyterian Church.⁵ He and Edna Mae Hoffman lived in 225 Hone Avenue, Oil City.⁵

     Edna Mae Highgate was born on 29 August 1885 in Alum Rock, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.² She was the daughter of Henry C. Highgate and Hannah Jane Baum.² She married William Hoffman, son of Louis Charles Hoffman and Catherine Spies, on 30 June 1916.¹ She died on 6 January 1947 in Oil City, Venango County, Pennsylvania, at age 61.² She was buried in Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City.²

     Edna Mae Hoffman and William Hoffman lived in 225 Hone Avenue, Oil City.³

     Louis A. Hoffman was born circa 24 April 1884 in Oil City, Venango County, Pennsylvania.^2,1,3 He was the son of Louis Charles Hoffman and Catherine Spies.¹ He died on 14 October 1892 in Oil City from mumps.^4,1 He was buried in Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City.³

     Ida Fredericka Hoffman was born on 14 April 1889 in Oil City, Venango County, Pennsylvania.^3,1,2 She was the daughter of Louis Charles Hoffman and Catherine Spies.^3,1,4,2 She married Arthur Edgar Bird on 9 November 1921.² She died on 13 October 1969 in Oil City at age 80.^1,2 She was buried in Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City.¹

     Ida Fredericka Bird and Arthur Edgar Bird lived in 106 Maple Avenue, Oil City.⁵ She was a graduate of Welch's Business School and employed as a secretary for Brundred Oil Company for 42 years.^1,6 She and Arthur Edgar Bird were members of the Presbyterian church.⁵ She and Arthur Edgar Bird had no children.

     Arthur Edgar Bird was born on 25 December 1887 in Birmingham, England.² He married Ida Fredericka Hoffman, daughter of Louis Charles Hoffman and Catherine Spies, on 9 November 1921.¹ He died on 7 December 1969 in Oil City, Venango County, Pennsylvania, at age 81.² He was buried in Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City.²

     Arthur Edgar Bird and Ida Fredericka Bird lived in 106 Maple Avenue, Oil City.² He was a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for 31 years in Oil City.² He and Ida Fredericka Bird were members of the Presbyterian church.² He and Ida Fredericka Hoffman had no children.

     Caroline Catherine Hoffman was born on 5 June 1891 in Oil City, Venango County, Pennsylvania.^3,2,5,1 She was the daughter of Louis Charles Hoffman and Catherine Spies.^2,1,4 She died on 18 November 1892 in Oil City at age 1.^1,4 She was buried in Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City.⁵

     Henry Spies was born circa 1825 in Baden, Germany.^1,3,4,2 He married Barbara Wickenhauser, daughter of Henry Wickenhauser and Margaret (?), on 3 August 1851 in St. Peter German Evangelical Church, Buffalo, Erie County, New York.⁵ He died on 6 September 1865 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York.^1,6,3 He was buried in Concordia Cemetery, Buffalo.³

     Henry and Barbara emigrated from Germany before 1851 and made their home in Sixth Ward, Buffalo, New York.^5,2,7 Henry and Barbara lived on Genesee Street, Sixth Ward, Buffalo, where Henry worked as a baker.^4,2,8,6
     A good description of the life of a German immigrant baker and his family in the mid-nineteeth century can be found in Jane Ziegelman's book 97 Orchard. While the book is about life in a New York City tenement, the description of a baker's life in that environment gives a sense of how the Spies family in Buffalo may have lived.


     Henry Spies died in a train accident on the New York Central Railroad, at the South Division street crossing in Buffalo. According to the newspaper account, he was driving a baker's wagon, and his horse became frightened by the approaching train. Attempting to save the horse, he was struck by the train. According to the newspaper, Henry was well known to a large circle of friends, as an industrious, honest man.⁶

     Barbara Wickenhauser was born in May 1827 in Baden, Germany.^3,4,5 She was the daughter of Henry Wickenhauser and Margaret (?)² She married Henry Spies on 3 August 1851 in St. Peter German Evangelical Church, Buffalo, Erie County, New York.¹ She died on 5 July 1900 in Manhattan, New York City, at age 73.^2,6,3

     Barbara and Henry emigrated from Germany before 1851 and made their home in Sixth Ward, Buffalo, New York.^1,7,3 Barbara and Henry lived on Genesee Street, Sixth Ward, Buffalo, where Henry worked as a baker.^8,7,9,10 After Henry's death, Barbara was keeping a grocery store at 487 Genesee Street in Sixth Ward, Buffalo.^11,12
     Barbara was living in Titusville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, by 1874 when she appeared in the Titusville City Directory. She may have moved to Titusville as early as 1871, when she is no longer listed in the Buffalo City Directory.
     While in Titusville, Barbara lived at 72 West Mechanic Street in Titusville, a lot she appears to have purchased. Barbara is no longer listed in the Titusville directories after 1884 suggesting she had moved to Manhattan, New York City. However, she continued to own the property on Mechanic Street. Her daughter Susanna and her husband John O'Mara were living there when Susanna died in the 1892 Fire and Flood of the Oil Cireek Valley. The property was sold by Barbara's children in 1902.^13,14,15,16
     Barbara was living in Manhattan, New York City, by 1900. She may have been living in Manhattan as early as the mid 1880s. According to the 1900 census, she was living on Houston Street on the lower eastside of Manhatton operating a boarding house where she probably was also renting an apartment. She died shortly after the census was taken.¹⁷

     Gilbert Sanner was born circa 1841 in Canal Township, Venango County.^1,2 He was the son of Jacob Sanner and Margaret (?)^3,1 He married Nancy Agnes Beatty, daughter of Francis Beatty and Mary Donahey.^4,5 He died after 1864 near Cooperstown, Jackson Township, Venango County.^1,2

     As heirs of Francis Beatty, William Henry Beatty, his wife Josephine, Nancy Agnes Beatty, her husband Gilbert Sanner, Mary Ann Beatty, her husband James M. McMillen, and Francis C. Beatty sold Francis Beatty's 111 acres farm in Jackson Township, Venango County, to William Frazier of Sugarcreek Township, Venango County for $500 to each of Francis' children.⁶ Gilbert Sanner was taxed for 25 acres in Jackson Township in 1865. This land was probably conveyed to Gilbert by his father Jacob Sanner. The piece of property continued to be taxed to Gilbert's heirs following his death.⁷
     As heirs of Gilbert Sanner, Nancy Agnes Beatty, her second husband William Carson McMillen, Gilbert's son George Francis Sanner, and his wife Mary Catherine sold Gilbert's 25 acres in Jackson Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania, to Elizabeth Bleakley of Jackson Township for $375 in 1889. The deed states that this land was conveyed to Gilbert by Jacob Sanner, although there is no recorded deed for that transfer. The deed was signed on 25 January 1889 and recorded in Franklin on 21 February 1889.⁸

     Nancy Agnes Beatty was born on 20 August 1837 near Cooperstown, Jackson Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania.^1,2 She was the daughter of Francis Beatty and Mary Donahey.^3,4 She married Gilbert Sanner, son of Jacob Sanner and Margaret (?).^2,5 She married William Carson McMillen, son of James McMillen and Elizabeth Mitchell, circa 1874.⁶ She died on 2 May 1920 in Clarion, Clarion County, from complication of a fall in which she broke her arm at the shoulder and fractured her hip bone.^1,2,7 She was buried in Asbury Methodist Cemetery, Day, Clarion Township, Clarion County.¹

     Nancy Agnes Beatty was enumerated in the household of John Bouchner in the 1860 Census of Canal Township, Venango County.⁸      
As heirs of Francis Beatty, William Henry Beatty, his wife Josephine, Nancy Agnes Beatty, her husband Gilbert Sanner, Mary Ann Beatty, her husband James M. McMillen, and Francis C. Beatty sold Francis Beatty's 111 acres farm in Jackson Township, Venango County, to William Frazier of Sugarcreek Township, Venango County for $500 to each of Francis' children.⁹
     As heirs of Gilbert Sanner, an unknown person sold Gilbert's 25 acres in Jackson Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania, to Elizabeth Bleakley of Jackson Township for $375 1889.¹⁰
     Nancy Agnes Beatty and William Carson McMillen lived in Clarion County where Carson was a farmer and a lumberman.^11,12 Nancy and William were living on Olean Road, Corsica, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, in 1910.¹³ She and William Carson McMillen were living on 2nd Avenue, Clarion, Clarion County, in 1920.¹⁴
     Nancy Agnes McMillen had five children, three of whom were living in 1910.¹⁵

     Roy Gilbert Sanner was born on 30 October 1890 near Fisher, Mill Creek Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.^1,2 He was the son of George Francis Sanner and Mary Catherine Eisenman.^1,2 He married Estella Gilmore on 15 December 1919.^2,1 He died on 24 February 1973 in Orlando, Florida, at age 82.^1,2 He was buried in Glenhaven Cemetery, Orlando, Florida.²

     Roy Gilbert Sanner served in the U.S. Army during World War I. He and Estella Gilmore had no children.

     Estella Gilmore married Roy Gilbert Sanner, son of George Francis Sanner and Mary Catherine Eisenman, on 15 December 1919.^1,2

     Estella Gilmore and Roy Gilbert Sanner had no children.

     Letha Ione Sanner was born on 27 September 1892 near Fisher, Mill Creek Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.^1,2 She was the daughter of George Francis Sanner and Mary Catherine Eisenman.^1,2 She married Harvey Truman Seigworth, son of Jacob F. Seigworth and Sarah Wiser, on 24 July 1911.^2,1 She died on 5 February 1973 in Clarion County at age 80.^1,2 She and Truman were buried in Dehner Cemetery, Washington Township, Clarion County.²

     Truman and Letha lived in a log cabin near Strattanville, Clarion County when they were first married.³ Letha Ione Seigworth and Truman attended the Evangelical church in Lickingville, the Lutheran church at Knox and the Mt Joy Church at Knox.³

     Harvey Truman Seigworth was born on 7 June 1892 near Lickingville, Washington Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.⁴ He was the son of Jacob F. Seigworth and Sarah Wiser.³ He married Letha Ione Sanner, daughter of George Francis Sanner and Mary Catherine Eisenman, on 24 July 1911.^1,2 He died in 1961 in Knox, Clarion County.⁴ He and Letha were buried in Dehner Cemetery, Washington Township, Clarion County.¹

     Harvey Truman Seigworth was known as Truman Seigworth. Truman and Letha lived in a log cabin near Strattanville, Clarion County when they were first married.³ He was a farmer all of his life, retiring in 1955.³ He and Letha attended the Evangelical church in Lickingville, the Lutheran church at Knox and the Mt Joy Church at Knox.³

     Twila Grace Sanner was born on 23 March 1894 near Fisher, Mill Creek Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.^1,2 She was the daughter of George Francis Sanner and Mary Catherine Eisenman.^1,2 She married Albert Carl Saltzmann on 18 December 1913.^1,2 She died on 2 February 1983 in Oil City, Venango County, Pennsylvania, at age 88.^1,2 She and Albert were buried in Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City.²

     By 1912 Twila was living on Wilson Avenue, Oil City, with her sister Effie where Effie worked as a dressmaker and Twila worked as a housekeeeper.³

     Albert Carl Saltzmann married Twila Grace Sanner, daughter of George Francis Sanner and Mary Catherine Eisenman, on 18 December 1913.^1,2 He died on 30 September 1976 in Oil City, Venango County.^1,2 He and Twila were buried in Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City.²

     Albert Carl Saltzmann was first employed at the Saltzmann Brewery in Clapp Farm, Oil City. In 1929 he went to work for National Fuel Gas Company in Oil City.³

     Margaret Ruth Sanner was born on 14 February 1896 near Fisher, Mill Creek Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.^1,2 She was the daughter of George Francis Sanner and Mary Catherine Eisenman.^1,2 She married Michael Joseph McGraw on 4 August 1916.^2,1 She died on 4 March 1983 in Oil City, Venango County, Pennsylvania, at age 87.² She and Michael were buried in Calvary Cemetery, Oil City.²

     Margaret Ruth Sanner was known as Ruth. She and Michael were members of St. Joseph's Church.³

     Michael Joseph McGraw married Margaret Ruth Sanner, daughter of George Francis Sanner and Mary Catherine Eisenman, on 4 August 1916.^1,2 He died on 15 November 1968.¹ He and Ruth were buried in Calvary Cemetery, Oil City.¹

     Michael Joseph McGraw and Ruth were members of St. Joseph's Church.³ He was employed by Pennzoil in Oil City.³

     John Elmer Sanner was born on 17 October 1898 near Fisher, Mill Creek Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.^1,2 He was the son of George Francis Sanner and Mary Catherine Eisenman.^1,2 He married Olive Belle Harkless on 25 September 1920.^1,2 He married Margaret Lucinda Blair.³ He died on 10 April 1971 in Oil City, Venango County, Pennsylvania, at age 72.^1,2 He and Olive were buried in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens, Cranberry Township, Venango County.⁴

     John Elmer Sanner and Olive Belle Harkless raised their grandson.⁵ He was employed by National Transit and Oilwell.⁴