Janet and Robert Wolfe Genealogy --- Go to Genealogy Page for Anna M Brenizer

Notes for Anna M Brenizer

1834 Anna Brenizer was born on March 24, 1834. [1] [2]

1850 Joanna Brenizer (age 16) and her mother, Mary Brenizer (age 44), lived with brothers Lafayette and Washington in South Middleton Twp, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Next door were Jacob Weise (age 80) and William Weise (age 37), perhaps Joanna's uncle and grandfather. [3]

1853 Ira Wolfe was born on December 12, 1853. [4] [Photocopy, 1916 Ira Wolfe death certificate.] Ira's mother, Anna Brenizer lived at Hampton, Pennsylvania at this time.

185? A map of Adams County, Pennsylvania showed the home of J. Chronister about 200 rods west of Hampton. The date of the map is not known precisely. This could be either the home of Joseph Chronister, or his father Jonas. It was at the same location as the home of Joseph Chronister on an 1872 map.

1859 Joseph and Anna Chronister built the Joseph Chronister household on Gooseville Road, near Hampton where Ira Wolfe was raised and lived. [Photo, Hampton, Pennsylvania, where Ira Wolfe lived with step-father Joseph Chronister, (Robert Wolfe, 2005).] [Photo, Street sign to Joseph Chronister's house, where Ira Wolfe was raised, in Hampton, Pennsylvania.] [Photo, House outside Hampton, Pennsylvania where Ira Wolfe was raised (2005).]


1872 Map of part of Reading Twp, Adams County, Pennsylvania.
Joseph and Anna Chronister lived NW of Hampton
near Jonas (Joseph's father) and L[evi] (Joseph's brother) Chronister.
Anna's son Ira Wolfe grew up there

1860 Joseph Chronister, carpenter (age 24) and Ann (age 25) lived in Reading Twp, Adams County, Pennsylvania with children Ira (age 6), Laura (age 3), and Willace (age 9/12). [5] [6]

1862 Joseph Chronister of Reading Twp, Adams County, Pennsylvania, was drafted into the Union Army in October 1862. [7] Joseph fought as a Private in the Civil War in the Union 165th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers Company C, whose motto was: An Undivided Country. The company was mustered at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, October 16th, 1862, by Isaac D. Sailor. Joseph enlisted 14 Nov 1862. Engagements: January 30, 1863 - Deserted House, near Suffolk; April 13th and 14th, 1863 - Skirmishes on Jamestown Road, near Suffolk; April 24, 1863 - White House, near Suffolk; May 14, 1863 - Beaver Dam, near Franklin; May 16, 1863 - Carsville; Privates: … Washington M Brenizer … Joseph Chronister. [8] At discharge, he was a 1st lieutenant [9] [10].

1863 Joseph Chronister returned from the Civil War in May. Company C of the 165th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Infantry Volunteers was mustered out in Gettysburg on 28 July.

1867 Jos. Chronister was elected justice in Reading Twp, Adams County. [11]

1870 Joseph Chronister, carpenter (age 35), and Anna (age 37) lived in Reading, Adams County, Pennsylvania with estate valued at $1000+ $200 and with children Laura (age 12), Willis (age 10), Clara (age 6), Lafayette (age 4), and Austin (age 1). Living nearby were Joseph's father Jonas and brother Levi Chronister. Ira was not listed in the household. [12] [13]

1878 The Sentinel Newspaper, dated May 30, listed a Sheriff Sale for Joseph Chronister's home in Reading Twp. Mary Picking, a family friend, bought the home for $300, as reported on June 20.

1880 Joseph Chronister (age 46, carpenter) and Annie (age 47) lived in Cheever Twp, Dickinson County, Kansas with children Laura V. Luke (daughter, age 21), Willis (age 19, Carpenter), Clara (age 16), Austin (age 12), John (age 9), Newton (age 7), and Ira Wolfe (StepSon, age 27, Laborer, father and mother born in PA). [14] [15] They lived near Al Brenizer (age 22), Joanna's cousin, Algernon.

1882 Joseph S. Chronister, carpenter, was listed in Leadville, Colorado r[esidence] 425 Harrison avenue. [16]

1885 Joseph Chronister (age 49) carpenter and AM (age 51) a tailor, lived in Cheever Twp, Dickinson County, Kansas. Living with them were IG Wolf (age 31) farmer, C Wolf (age 22) from Ohio, Austin Chronister (age 16) carpenter, John Chronister (age 13), Milton Chronister (age 11), and CM Luke (age 12) from Colorado. All were born in Pennsylvania and all except C Wolf and Luke were from Pennsylvania before moving to Kansas. [Photocopy, Kansas census.] [17]

1885 Joseph Chronister (age 49) carpenter and Anna Chronister (age 50) a tailor, lived in Finney County, Kansas with Austin Chronister (age 16), John Chronister (age 13), and Milton Chronister (age 11). [18]

1886 A newspaper notice stated that Anna Chronister had a petition to start a post office in Evergreen, Scott County, dated Wednesday, April 21. [Photocopy, 1886 newspaper notice about Anna Chronister, postmistress in Kansas.]

A petition to establish a post office at Evergreen, (Saratoga) recommending Mrs. Anna Chronister as postmistress, was recently forwarded to the P.O. Department at Washington, and another to establish a postoffice at Mylard, near the east line of the county, recommending Mr. Mylar as postmaster. "We hope to soon be able to announce that the petitions were granted." [19] Note that Anna's son, Ira Wolfe, was described as being at the post office at Saratoga Springs in 1886 when a Mr. Quance enlisted Ira as a land locater.

1890 Anna Brenizer Chronister died on November 10. She was was buried at the Scott County Cemetery in Kansas. [20] Her marker reads Anna M. Chronister, Mar. 24, 1834. Nov. 10, 1890. [Photocopy, 1890 Anna Chronister's grave.]

1890 Anna Brenizer Chronister's obituary appeared in the Sentinel Herald newspaper of in Scott County, on Thursday, November 13, 1890. [21] [Photocopy, 1890 Annie Chronister's obituary, published in Scott County, Kansas.]:

Died: Monday, November 10th, 1890, Mrs. Jos. Chronister, at her home, five miles south of town. She died after a short illness of heart trouble, Mr. Chronister being absent at work in Pueblo at the time of her death. The family are among the very first settlers in Scott county, having located at their present home in March, 1885; moved here from Dickinson county, Kansas. Mrs. Chronister was a highly respected Christian woman, a kind and cheerful neighbor, ever ready and willing to give comfort and assistance in case of sickness or distress. The Sentinel-Herald extends sympathy to the bereaved husband and children, who remain to mourn the death of a faithful wife and loving mother. The funeral took place from the residence yesterday afternoon, and the remains were interred at the Scott City cemetery.

1890 Dickinson and Abilene newspapers reported Anna's death: "Mrs. Joseph Chronister, formerly of Dickinson County, Kansas died in Scott County, Kansas." [22] [23] [24]

We are sorry to chronicle the death of an old Dickinson county resident, Mrs. Joseph Chronister, which occurred last Monday at her home in Scott County. Her many friends here will be grieved to hear of her sudden demise … One daughter, Mrs Dave Keller, of Cheever, and one brother, J.L. Brenizer, of this city, are residents of this county.

1891 Joseph Chronister, of Scott County, Kansas, was granted a patent for 160 acres in township 19 south of range 33 west in Kansas, on March 13. Granted by president Benjamin Harrison. [25]

1892 Joseph Chronister applied for a Civil War invalid pension, due to various injuries including deafness, poor eyesight, kidney-urinary problems, rheumatism, and a hurt hand. He had repeated physical examinations at various locations in Kansas and Colorado. He was 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighed 165 pounds and wore reading glasses. [26] [27]

1892 Joseph Chronister, Austin L Chronister, and Willis W. Chronister, carpenters, lived at 23 Union blk., Leadville, Colorado. [28]

1892 Joseph Chronister's residence was listed as Leadville, Lake County, Colorado on June 27. W.W. [son Willis] Chronister was a witness. The application for pension was rejected.

1894 Joseph Chronister, Austin L Chronister, and Willis W. Chronister, carpenters, lived at 125 W 5th, Leadville. [29]

1895 Joseph Chronister, Austin L Chronister, and Willis W. Chronister, carpenters, lived at 137 Plum, Leadville. [30]

1896 Joseph Chronister's residence was listed as Scott City, Scott County, Kansas on October 30. [31]

1897 Joseph's residence was listed as Abilene, Dickinson County, Kansas on June 19, in a pension application. J.S. Chronister and G Livingston [perhaps son and son-in-law of Jacob and Harriet Chronister, and brothers-in-law of David Wesley Howard] were witnesses. [32]

1898 Joseph gave testimony, related to his pension, about his marriage, wife's death, and living children (Ira Wolfe was not named); dated January 6. [33]

1898 Joseph Chronister, of Scott County, Kansas, was granted a patent, on May 23, for 160 acres in township 19 south of range 33 west in Kansas. Granted by president William McKinley. [34]

1898 "Joseph Chronister, who has been working at the carpenter trade at Abilene [Kansas] the past two years, returned to Scott City last Saturday, to look after his land interests in Valley township, Scott County, Kansas" [35]

1898 Sheriff Jason Caldwell of Scott County, Kansas wrote to Washington on July 11, to support Joseph's pension application. The claim was rejected although Joseph apparently received a monthly pension.

[Joseph] has lost his home in this Co and has nothing left but his day work and as to that Ive had him to work for me at his trade of carpenter for two months past and if it wasn't for compensation for his condition I wouldn't give him his Board now he has no visable means of support and if he was sick would be a county charge … he has been away in Colorado at work at his trade and has completely wore himself out and can't get work there on account of his age and infirmities …

1900 Joseph Chronister (age 65), born in April, 1835 in Pennsylvania, lived in Scott Twp, Scott County, Kansas. He was a widowed boarder living with George L. Peck [36] [37]. Son Joseph Newton Chronister, who was a boarder with John S. Gish, lived in the same town [38] [39].

1901 Joseph Chronister lived in Scott County and received a pension of $8/mo, on July 29.

1903 Joseph Chronister lived in Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas and received a pension of $10/mo, between May 6, 1903 to June 1, 1905.

1905 Joseph Chronister lived in Scott City, Scott County, Kansas, on November 1, and received a pension of $12 per month.

1905 Joseph Chronister, carpenter (age 68) born in Pennsylvania, lived in Abilene in the household of WL (born Michigan) and AL (born in Iowa, age 40) Stoitts (relationship, if any, unknown). [40]

1907 Joseph lived in Scott City and his pension was raised to $15/mo on the basis of being over age 70; dated April 15. His birth was reported as April 4, 1837 in Adams County, Pennsylvania. [This birthdate disagrees with ages reported on census records and pension applications]

1908 Joseph Chronister died on August 3, as reported in his Civil War pension records. He was reported buried at Mount Muncie Cemetery, Lansing, Leavenworth County, Kansas. A memorial stone in Pennsylvania with inscription "Father" reports his death date as July 25, 1908 [41]

Research Notes:

Ira Wolfe, son of Anna Brenizer, was born in December of 1853. DNA evidence and court documents indicate that Ira's father was Edward Livingston Wolf, a son of Christian Wolf and Sarah Steiner. Joseph Chronister was Ira Wolfe's step-father. Notes about Ira's half brothers and sisters, children of Joseph Chronister, record interesting aspects of Ira's life and can be found in the notes for each of the children of Joseph Chronister and Anna Brenizer. In particular, the notes for son Willis Chronister have transcriptions of letters that mention Ira Wolf.

1856 We have seen an undocumented report that Joseph and Anna were married on 08 Sep 1856 in York Springs, Adams County, Pennsylvania. We seek documentation about this potential marriage record.

The Chronister line has been followed in some detail by other researchers [42] [43]. [Photocopy, Jonas Chronister genealogy notes from Gary Chronister listed Ira as son of Joseph Chronister.] Gary Chronister reported that Joseph Chronister lived in Reading Twp, Adams County, Pennsylvania and Dickinson County, Kansas and names wife Anna and 8 children including Ira [Herschel L.B. & Emery R. not included]. Joseph was a veteran of the Civil War, Pennsylvania Infantry (Union).


Footnotes:

[1] Find A Grave Memorial 52330125, [FindAGrave].

[2] Find A Grave Memorial at Ancestry.com, Could be March 21 or 24, [AncestryRecord].

[3] United States Federal Census, 1850, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[4] Ohio Department of Health, Ohio, Death Certificates, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].

[5] United States Federal Census, 1860, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].

[6] United States Federal Census, 1860, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[7] Newspaper, Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania), 20 October, 1862.

[8] National Park Service, Soldiers and Sailors Database, [National_Park_Service].

[9] Kansas, Enrollment of Civil War Veterans, 1889, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].

[10] U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865, [AncestryRecord].

[11] Newspaper, Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania), March 25, 1867, Page 2.

[12] United States Federal Census, 1870, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].

[13] United States Federal Census, 1870, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[14] United States Federal Census, 1880, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].

[15] United States Federal Census, 1880, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[16] Ballenger & Richards Leadville City Directory (Leadville, Colorado: 1882), 97, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[17] Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].

[18] Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].

[19] Newspaper, Scott County News (Scott County, Kansas).

[20] Find A Grave Memorial 52330125, Plot: Sec 1 Blk 1 Lot 38, [FindAGrave].

[21] Newspaper, Sentinel Herald (Kansas), Thursday, November 13, 1890.

[22] Newspaper, Hope Herald (Heritage Center, Dickinson County, Kansas).

[23] Newspaper, Abilene Weekly Reflector, Abilene, Kansas, November 20, 1890, column 2.

[24] Chronicling America, Historic American Newspapers, Library of Congress, Newspaper: Abilene Weekly Reflector, November 20, 1890, 7, column 2, [NewsChroniclingAmerica].

[25] United States Bureau of Land Management Patent, [US_BLM image].

[26] Family Document, National Archives and Records Administration, Civil War Pension File for Joseph Chronister.

[27] U.S., Civil War Pension Index, Application 1119.894, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].

[28] Ballenger & Richards Leadville City Directory (Leadville, Colorado: 1892), 90, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[29] Ballenger & Richards Leadville City Directory (Leadville, Colorado: 1894), 88, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[30] Ballenger & Richards Leadville City Directory (Leadville, Colorado: 1895), 90, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[31] National Archives and Records Administration, Civil War Pension File for Joseph Chronister.

[32] National Archives and Records Administration, Civil War Pension File for Joseph Chronister.

[33] National Archives and Records Administration, Civil War Pension File for Joseph Chronister.

[34] United States Bureau of Land Management Patent, [US_BLM image].

[35] Newspaper, Scott County News-Lever (Scott County, Kansas), Vol. XIII #5, 14 Apr 1898, Thursday.

[36] United States Federal Census, 1900, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].

[37] United States Federal Census, 1900, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[38] United States Federal Census, 1900, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].

[39] United States Federal Census, 1900, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[40] Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925, 1905, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].

[41] Find A Grave Memorial 43725259, [FindAGrave].

[42] Gary Chronister, Notes on the Family of Johannes Chronister 1708-1782 (1983), 19.

[43] Marion F. Egge, Pennsylvania German Roots Across the Ocean (2000), 7, [GoogleBooks].