A HISTORY OF
THE GRAFF FAMILY
The major part of this collection was made by H W Lensner in 1939, likely at a time when the clan had a reunion, and updated some in the following years.
It is unfortunate that Mr. Lensner did not include many dates and places. It is hoped that some day, a member of the family will work to fill the story out.
THE GRAFF FAMILY
Henry Graff was born 1 March 1781, in Germany. He was married about 1809 or 1810, to Margareth Fries, , who was born in 1786. They lived in Unstadt, near Darmstadt, in Hessen, Germany. (See: Fries Family)
�Our grandparents were born in a very sad time. It was the time when Napoleon I wanted to conquer all Europe. At first, he was very successful, too, and with his great army he intended to invade Russia also. But, almighty God soon told him, �Here shall thy proud waves be stayed.� (Job 38:2) He met his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, and passed the rest of his days in exile on the Island of St. Henens, where he died in 1821.
�My dear Grandmother Grimm often told me, that when she was only one day old, her mother had to flee with her little babe in her arms from the oncoming mighty army of Napoleon I. That was on 2 November 1813. Her older brother, John George Graff, was not quite three years old. In Germany, people raised many geese at that time. About 1830 a law was passed that no one in a village or town was permitted to raise geese anymore. This angered our Great Grandmother Graff, so much, that she would not stay in Germany any more. Her husband, our Great Grandfather Graff, also, had made up his mind already to take his family to a country free from kings, and threats of war, and old traditions
�Early in 1831, they prepared to leave their home, to cross the mighty Atlantic ocean, and go to a country where thay were free from tyrannical rulers. My Grandmother Grimm often told me that they filled many bags with dried bread before they left their home.
�When we think of the small sad boats they had at the time and the great distance, over 3000 miles across the great Atlantic Ocean, we must wonder of the courage those good people had. I do not remember when they went on the boat, nor how long it too them to cross the Ocean, but the Koebling brothers came over about the same time, and it may be on the same boat, for there were over 100 peole that came over with the Koebling brothers. They left Europe on May 1831, and after a long and tedius voyage of 2� months, landed in Phildelphia, where our great grandparents also landed.
�After a few weeks, they departed for Pittsburgh, by the way of the Pennsylvania Canal, crossing the Allegheny mnountauns by the �portage� railroad and inclined planes. This railroad does not exist anymore, for many years. The route from Philadelphia to Pittsburg went firt by horse rail, the rails were of wood covered with strips of iron, and the cars pulled by horses, from Philadelhia to Columbia on the Susguehanna River and then by canal along the susguehanna and Juniata Rivers to Hollidayburg, then over the steep sides of the mountain by a �portage railroad� to Johnstown. The �portage� railroads were a series of inclines. The trains were pulled up those mountains sides by engines and let down on the other side of them, from Johnstown by canal down to Pittsburgh.
�They cane to Pittsburgh, which ws only a small town at that time, in 1831. Our Grandfather Graff wanted to buy 40 acres of land in the now downtown Pittsburg, along the Alleghenny River. He could have had the 40 acres for $200.00, but a friend of Mr. Klever, the music store man, who had a music store in Pittsburg, that was already pretty well-to-do, advised him not to buy the swampy land, but to go farther north to where good land was to be had very cheaply. So he came with his family to Saxonburg in the spring of 1832, where more Germans had already settled.�
Margareth died in 1840, age 34. Henry was married/2, to Elizabeth Grosch Baer, who was born 25 March 1794.
Henry died 23 January 1858, age 76yr 10mo, 22da. Elizabeth died in 1871, age 77. All were buried in the Graff Cemetery.
There were probably other children.
Children:
John George Graff, son of Henry Graff and Margareth Fries, was born in 1811, in Germany.
He was married to Mary Christine Fries in 1833.
John died 23 May 1892, age 80yr, 4mo, 23da. Mary died 4 May 1882, age 70 years.
Children:
Margareth Graff, daughter of John George Graff and Mary Christine Fries, was born in 1835 or 1836. She married Adam Hill.
Children:
Kathryn Graff, daughter of John George Graff and Mary Christine Fries, was born about 1838 or 1839. She married William Montag Sr., and lived in Jefferson Center, Pennsylvania.
Children:
John Graff, son of John George Graff and Mary Christine Fries, married Melinda Kornrumph. Both died before 1939.
Children:
William Hill, son of Margareth Graff and Adam Hill, married Bertha Claus.
Children:
John Hill, son of Margareth Graff and Adam Hill, married Miss Steinbach.
Children:
Mary Montag, daughter of Kathryn Graff and William Montag married Mr. Hager. Both died before 1939.
Children:
Herman Montag, son of Kathryn Graff and William Montag, married Clara Limberg. Herman died in 1933; Clara died in 1939.
Children:
Emmalina Montag, daughter of Kathryn Graff and William Montag, married Ed Cochran, both living in 1939.
Children:
Elizabeth Montage, daughter of Kathryn Graff and William Montag, married Charles Wetzel, lived in Jefferson.
Children:
Bertha Hill, daughter of William Hill and Bertha Claus, was married to Mr. Gordon.
Children:
Elizabeth Graff, daughter of Henry Graff, was born 1 November 1813.
�My Grandmother (Graff) Grimm often told me that she was 17 years old when she came to America. She seems to have stayed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was married/1 about 1834, to Henry Herr, the son of a schoolteacher.
�They had 2 children:
�In the same year Mr Herr crossed the Allegheny River in a boat (there were no bridges at that time) The boat capsized and he was drowned. Both the father and little Margareth were buried in a cemetery near their home, where the Smithfield Street Church now stands.
�A few years later, the cemetery was removed, and when Grandmother went there to claim her dead, they had already been taken away, and she never found out where they were buried, but on that great day when the trumpet will sound, their bodies will come forth from wherever they may be buried.
�She was married/2 on 29 September 1838, to Henry Grimm, Sr., a blacksmith. They lived on the old Grimm farm, a part of the original Graff farm, later owed by John Pollstaedt.
�In August 1851, her daughter Elizabeth Herr died when she was 14 years old, and only 5 days later her half sister Christina Grimm died, aged 12. Less than 4 years later, the father Henry Grimm Sr., also died, age 48, leaving his widow with seven children, the youngest only 5 months old.�
�Elizabeth died 12 April 1891, age 77 yrs 5mo 11 days.
�Of the original Grimm family, I know very little. Henry Grimm Sr., had a sister, Friedericke Grimm, who became the second wife of a Mr. Bechmann, who had 4 children by his first wife. Hannah, Mrs. Kress. Spophia, Mrs. Schnitzer, Caroline, Mrs. Fleming and Henry Bechmann were still living in 1939. By his 2nd wife, one aunt, he had 3 children, Christina, Mrs. Wehmann, Herman and Amos. All 3 are dead, but have families left. Amos Bechmann�s widow lives with her daughter near Freeport.
�Grandfather Bechmann was a very old man. He always wore a small cap. Before meals, he would take off his cap, stand at the table and pray the Lord�s Prayer.
�When his daughter, Mrs. Fleming, died, she left 5 children, 2 girls and 3 boys. Grandfather Bechmann took the youngest child into his home. I often heard him say �My Christopher.� I ofter wondered what became of that little boy, also of the two sisters and two brothers. Years ago, I knew them so well They were confirmed in our church by Rev. Wilhelm.�
The birth order of the children is uncertain.
Children:
Kathryn Grimm, daughter of Elizabeth Graff and Henry Grimm, Sr., was married in 1864, to John Henry Lensner.
Children:
George Grimm, son of Elizabeth Graff and Henry Grimm, Sr., was married to Friederica Gothring. They lived to celebrate their golden Wedding anniversary.
Children:
Louisa Grimm, daughter of Elizabeth Graff and Henry Grimm Sr., was married to Ernest Wessell, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Both died before 1939.
Children:
Sophia Grimm, daughter of Elizabeth Graff and Henry Grimm Sr., was married in 1878, to John Fellstardt, who died in 1890.
Children:
Emilie Grimm, daughter of Elizabeth Graff and henry Grimm Sr., was married to George Hoffman.
Children:
Sophia Lensner, daughter of Kathryn Grimm and John Henry Lensner, was married to Theodore Frederick.
Children:
Oliver Grimm, son of George Grimm and Frederica Goehring, was married to Ann Prisinger. All children were living in 1939.
Children:
Henry Follstaedt, Sr., son of Sophia Grimm and John Folllstaedt, was married to Minnie Wagner.
Children:
Lena Hoffman, daughter of Emilie Grimm and George Hoffman, married Edward Marburgr. They lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Children:
Hattie Hoffman, daughter of Emilie Grimm and George Hoffman, married Edward Baumeister. They live in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
Children:
Adam Graff, son of Henry Graff and Margareth Fries, was born in 1828, in Unstadt, near Darmstadt in Hessen, Germany.
He was married to Christine Baer, who was born in 1835. They lived on the old Graff farm.
Adam died 12 July 1896, age 67 years, 11mo 7da. She died 13 February 1927, age 91yrs 3mo 23da.
Children:
Mary L Graff, daughter of Adam Graff and Christina Baer, was married to Carl F Steinheiser, of Jefferson Center, Butler County, Pennsylvania.
Children:
William Graff, son of Adam Graff and Christina Baer, was married to Mrs. Margaret Garvia. William died in June 1928. She was living in 1939.
Children:
August Graff, son of Adam Graff and Christina Baer, married Lizzie Gruenert, who died in 1940. In 1939, William was living in a institutin for the aged.
Children:
Amos E Graff, son of Adam Graff and Cristina Baer, was born 17 August 1868.
He was married to Elizabeth Henrietta Logan, who was born 7 October 1808. They were living on the original Graff farm, until shortly before 1939.
Elizabeth died 11 July 1947; Amos died 2 April 1948.
Children:
Harry Steinheiser, son of Mary L Graff and Carl F Steinheiser, married Alice Fishpaw of Great Belt, Pennsylvania.
Children:
Bertha Steineiser, daughter of Mary L Graff and Carl F Steineiser, married Edward H Sackett of Leechburg, Pennsylvania. In 1939, they lived in Couneaut, Ohio.
Children:
Otillie Graff Steineiser, daughter of Mary L Graff and Carl F Steinheiser, married William Brinks.
Children:
Amanda Christina Steinheiser, daughter of Mary L Graff and Carl F Steinheiser, was married to James H Stewart, who was the postmaster of Tarennntum, Pennsylvania.
Children:
Alice Graff, daughter of William Graff and Margaret Garvin, was married to Mr McGraff. She was living in 1993.
Children:
Clara Graff, daughter of August Graff and Lizzie Gruenert, married Gregg Kreps.
Children:
Herman Graff, son of August Graff and Lizzie Gruenert, was married to Miss Risch.
Children:
Clinton Graff, son of August Graff and Lizzie Gruenert, was married to Ruth Dunlap.
Children:
Elma Graff, daughter of August Graff and Lizzie Gruenert, was married to Thomas Baily.
Children:
Mabel Ora Graff, daughter of Amos E Graff and Elizabeth Henrietia Logan, was born 9 July 1893, and died 23 January 1951.
She was married 1 September 1921, to Howard Henry Neubert, who was born 25 August 1893, and died 24 October 1954. They lived in Freeport, Pennsylvania.
Children:
Elvira Amelia Graff, daughter of Amos E Graff and Elizabeth Henrietia Logan, was born 14 October 1895.
She was married 26 December 1929, to Walter (Sam) Maeder, who was born 10 August 1888.
He died 7 December 1970; she died 20 September 1990.
Children:
Emery Franklin Graff, son of Amos E Graff and Elizabeth Henrietta Logan, was born 23 October 1897.
He was married/1 on 28 August 1918, to Gilberta Ruth Keith, who was born 26 February 1899, and died 15 November 1953.
He was married/2 on 15 July 1965, to Mildred Schroth, who was born 25 April 1902.
Emory died 13 April 1993: Mildred died 30 March 1989.
Children:
Howard Clayton Graff, son of Amos E Garff and Elizabeth Henrietta Logan, was born 30 July 1903.
He was married to Margaret Drescher, who was born 9 March 1904, and died 1 February 1990. He was living in 1939 in Winter Park, Florida. Howard died 5 April 1969.
Children:
Mary Steinheiser, daughter of Harry Steineiser and Alice Fishpaw, was married to Mr. Young.
Children:
Alfred Steinheiser, son of Harry Steineiser and Alice Fishpaw, was married to Arbutus Hannamen.
Children:
Marion Helen Neubert, daughter of Mabel Ora Graff and Howard Henry Neubert Sr., was born 17 June 1920.
She was married 30 May 1945, to Arthur L Russell, who was born 30 November 1915. She died 20 December 1980.
Children:
Ronald Howard Neubert Sr., son of Mabel Ora Graff and Howard Henry Newbert, was born 7 December 1924.
He was married 29 June 1946, to Arta Carolyn Ostermayer, who was born 4 January 1925, daughter of Robert William Ostermayer, Sr and Marguerite Morris Paschall.
Ron died on 13 April 2007 and Arta died on 18 April 2013.
Children:
Marilyn Verna Maeder, daughter of Elvia Amelia Graff and Walter (Sam) Maeder, was born 17 October 1930.
She was married 5 August 1949, to Arthur Ottis Catt, who was born 14 December 1924.
Children:
Paul Emery Graff, son of Emery Franklin Graff and Gilberta Roth, was born 11 March 1919.
He was married to Dorothy Esther Roberts, who was born 16 December 1924.
Paul died 30 December 1967. Dorothy was married/2 to John W Lassinger.
Children:
Garnet Marie Graff, daughter of Emery Franklin Graff and Gilberta Roth, was born 27 November 1925.
She was married 23 October 1945, to Robert Kenneth Collin, who was born 27 September 1924.Children:
Kenneth Keith Graff, son Emery Franklin Graff and Gilberts Roth, was born 16 October 1928.
He was married 3 June 1950, to Jean Marie Smith, who was born 12 June 1932.
Kenneth died 10 August 1985; Jean died 9 December 1985.
Children:
Milton Edward Graff, son of Emery Franklin Graff and Gilberta Roth, was born 30 December 1930.
He was married 25 January 1957, to Bernadette Hickey, who was born 25 September 1933.
Children:
Glenn Darrel Graff, son of Emery Franklin Graff and Gilberta Roth, was born 1 July 1935.
He was married 19 August 1963, to Carol Ann Ford, who was born 27 January 1841.
Children:
Ruth Evelyn Graff, daughter of Emery Franklin Graff and Gilberta Roth, was born 14 August 1937.
She was married 27 April 1960, to John Francis Markwell, who was born 15 January 1938.
Children:
Donald Weston Graff, son of Emery Franklin Graff and Gilberta Roth, was born 14 June 1941.
He was married 23 February 1963, to Doris Mae Reed, who was born 18 February 1941.
Children:
Richard Gordon Graff, son of Emery Franklin Graff and Gilberta Roth, was born 31 March 1945.
He was married 25 October 1965, to Carolyn Jean Orris, who was born 19 February 1945. They live on the old Graff farm on Saxonburgh Road, near Saxonburgh, Pennsylvania, and belong to the Lutherine Church there.
Children:
Robert Charles Graff Sr., son of Howard Clayton Graff and Margaret Drescher, was born 31 December 1926.
He was married 17 February 1947, to Emma May Marks, who was born 30 April 1927. They were divorced.
Robert was married/2 on 31 December 1964 to Thelma Dustman, who was born 22 October 1921. They were divorced.
Children:
Dale Edward Graff, son of Howard Clayton Graff and Margaret Drescher, was born 10 February 1933.
He was married 29 April 1956, to Rose Marie Stachowisk.
He was married/2 to Mrs. Barbara Ann (Bibb) Dowds, who had a daughter.
Children:
Betty Ann Graff, daughter of Howard Clayton Graff and Margaret Drescher, was born 13 March 1935.
She was married 3 October 1959, to Dale Raymond Buckles, who was born 22 October 1933.
Children:
Linda Lee Russell, daughter of Marion Helen Neubert and Arhur L Russell, was born 2 September 1949. She was married 3 June 1972, to Jon Frederick Moran, who was born 17 November 1946.
Children:
William Howard Russell, son of Marion Helen Neubert and Arthur L Russell, was born 17 October 1853.
He was married 27 November 1976, to Deborah Ann Hilna Small, who was born 13 November 1952.
Children:
Ronald Howard Neubert Jr., son of Ronald Howard Neubert and Arta Carolyn Ostermayer, was born 2 April 1949. He was married to Kay (Hammer) Main, who had two children.
Kay's children by previous marriage:
Andrea Carolyn Neubert, daughter of Ronald Howard Neubert and Arta Carolyn Ostermayer, was born 18 January 1950.
She was married/1 on 25 November 1972, to Jacob Loeb, who was born 12 August 1944, and died 16 January 1986.
She was married/2 to David Smith, who was born 4 July 1944.
Children:
Jeffrey William Neubert, son of Ronald Howard Neubert and Arta Carolyn Ostermayer, was born 29 November 1952. He was married 20 May 1977, to Carol Phelps, who was born 6 June 1954.
Children:
Ellen Louise Neubert, daughter of Ronald Howard Neubert and Arta Carolyn Ostermayer, was born 3 November 1953.
She was married 19 December 1976, to Michael McCaulley, who was born 31 July 1951.
Children:
Roger Arthue Catt, son of Marilyn Verna Maeder and Arthur Ottis Catt, was born 23 February 1950.
He was married/1 on 23 September 1978, to Cheryl Ann Heles, who was born 3 March 1957. They were divorced.
He was married/2 on 21 November 1992, to Connie Murphy Watson, who was born 29 April 1944.
Children:
Jeffrey David Catt, son of Mariyn Verna Maeder and Arthur Ottis Catt, was born 5 February 1953. He was married 7 August 1976, to Terry Noreen Theil, who was born 17 February 1953.
Children:
Lynne Ellen Catt, daughter of Marilyn Verna Maeder and Arthur Ottis Catt, was born 29 July 1962. She was married 28 December 1985, to Kenneth Neal Kaiser, who was born 16 May 1965.
Children:
Carol Joan Graff, daughter of Paul Graff and Dorothy Esther Roberts, was born 30 May 1942. She was married to Gerald Henry Neubert, who was born 25 November 1964.
Children:
Colleen Elaine Graff, daughter of Paul Graff and Dorothy Esther Roberts, was born 29 January 1952.
She was married/1 to Craig Johnson, and divorced. She was marred/2 on 3 April 1982 to David Ralph Sampson Sr., who was born 13 April 1943.
Children:
Judith Marie Collin, daughter of JMarie Graff and Robert Kenneth Collin, was born 15 June 1948.
She was married/1 on 28 May 1968, to Jerome John Bileck, who was born 28 October 1947, and divorced.
She was married/2 on 3 April 1982, to Daniel Chris Billingsley, who was born 24 December 1957. He had 2 sons by a previous marriage.
Children:
Joyce Ann Collin, daughter Garnet Marie Graff and Robert Kenneth Collin, was born 15 July 1950.
She was married/1 on 15 May 1970, to Philbert Charles Dietrich, who was born 13 February 1949.
Joyce died 29 June 1986. Philbert was married again, on 27 Mar 1987, to Mrs. Carolyn Ruth Steeb O�Connor, who was born 6 March 1957, and had 2 children. The 3 younger children are hers.
Children:
Jill Roberta Collin, daughter of Garnet Marie Graff and Robert Kenneth Collin, was born 23 April 1955. She was married 9 December 1972, to Joseph Frederick Kramer, who was born 28 January 1955.
Children:
Karen Marie Graff, daughter of Kenneth Keith Graff Sr. and Jean Marie Smith, was born 10 November 1951. She was married 7 June 1975, to John Francis McKerman Jr., who was born 12 January 1952.
Children:
Sharon Lynn Graff, daughter of Kenneth Keith Graff Sr. and Jean Marie Smith, was born 3 February 1953. She was married 11 January 1975, to Richard Allen Pavlina, who was born 14 June 1953.
Children:
Kenneth Keith Graff Jr., son of Kenneth Keith Graff Sr. and Jean Marie Smith, was born 18 March 1955. He was married 18 June 1977, to Doreen Ruth Dukelow, who was born 9 July 1957.
Children:
Linda Ann Graff, daughter of Kenneth Keith Graff Sr. and Jean Marie Smith, was born 10 December 1957. She was narried 14 February 1981, to Gene Robert Howard, who was born 9 January 1958.
Children:
James Robert Graff, son of Kenneth Keith Graff Sr. and Jean Marie Smith, was born 10 March 1960. He was married 21 December 1985, to Tamar Ann Osteen, who was born 19 September 1962.
Children:
Diane Graff, daughter of Milton Edward Graff and Bernadette Hickey, was born 28 June 1958. She was married/1 to Charles Monroe, and divorced.
She was married/2 to Lee Gllum, who has 2 children by a previous marriage.
Children:
Gail Ann Graff, daughter of Milton Edward Graff and Bernadette Hickey, was born 4 July 1959.
She was married/1 to Richard Thomas. They were divorced. She was married/2 to Robert Anders, who had 2 children by a previous marriage.
Children:
Cecilia Graff, daughter of Milton Edward Graff and Bernadette Hickey was born 5 January 1962. She married Derrick Sallie.
Children:
Eric Glenn Graff, son of Glen Darrell Graff and Carol Ann Ford, was born $ September 1964. He was married 23 October 1993, to Kathleen Ann Roux.
Children:
Amy Sue Markwell, daughter of Ruth Evelyn Graff and John Francis Markwell, was born 22 November 1965. She was married to Donald Edward Amadee, who was born 27 October 1965.
Children:
Janine Ellen Graff, daughter of Donald Weston Graff and Dori Mae Reed, was born 30 December 1963. She was married 27 May 1989, to Richard Allen Steiger who was born 1 May 1965.
Children:
Christine Ann Graff, daughter of Donald Weston Graff and Doris Mae Reed, was born 7 October 1968. She was married 1 June 1991, to John Robert Douglass, who was born 1 February 1969.
Children:
Dolly May Graff, daughter of Robert Charles Graff Sr. and Emma May Marks, was born 12 October 1948. She was married/1 to Fred Brown, and divorced.
She was married/2 to Rudolph Anthony Rozane, who was born 27 December 1935.
Children:
Sally Jane Graff, daughter of Robert Charles Graff Sr. and Emma May Marks was born 13 October 1949. She was married 4 July 1967, to Joseph Miller, who was born 29 October 1946, and divorced. Sally Jane died 10 May 1991.
Children:
Emmy Lou Graff, daughter of Robert Charles Graff Sr. and Emma Mae Marks, was born 17 September 1950. She was married to Donald Gaillot, who was born 31 March 1931. They were divorced.
Children:
Thomas Edward Graff, son of Robert Charles Graff Sr. and Emma May Marks, was born 28 August 1952. He was married to Cynthis L Remanak, who was born 31 May 1952.
Children:
Christine Graff, daughter of Dale Edward Graff Sr. and Rose Marie Stachowisk, was born 2 May 1958. She was married/1 to Craig Gladwell.
She was married/2 to Ken Tobosa.
Children:
Sandra Graff, daughter of Dale Edward Graff Sr. and Rose Marie Stachowisk, was born 25 April 1959. She was married/1 to Kevin Paul Cebulskie, who was born 24 August 1959. They were divorced.
She was married/2 to Brad Gerald Moffett.
Children:
Dale Edward Graff Jr., son of Dale Edward Graff Sr. and Rose Marie Stachowisk, was born15 may 1963. He was marred to Carol Ann (Emery) Jerore, who was born 21 July 1960, and had 2 children.
Children:
Donna Lee Buckles, daughter of Betty Ann Graff and Dale Raymond Buckles, was born 24 December 1960. She was married to Richard Maund, who was born 14 March 1961.
Children:
Kendra Sue Neubert, daughter of Carol Jean Graff and Gerald Henry Neubert, was born 25 December 1964. She was married 8 August 1987, to Richard Andrew Alley.
Children:
Heather Lynn Dietrich, daughter of Joyce Ann Colin and Philbert Charles Dietrich, was born 2 October 1971. She was married to Donald Jones.
Children:
Jennifer Marlene Dietrich, daughter of Joyce Ann Colin and Philbert Charles Dietrich, was born 29 November 1976. She married Daniel Barton.
Children: