Ancestor Biography of Johan Caspar Graf

I enjoy writing ancestor biographies because it allows me to analyze my research before I post it online for all to see. I do not want to contribute to misinformation. Also, it helps me see where gaps in my research are and shows further research avenues.

Photograph courtesy of Bob Fredricks

Johann Caspar Graf is my maternal second great grandfather. He was baptized in a Lutheran church on 19 October 1827 in the village of Rockenhausen, Pfalz, Bavaria. His parents were Johann Philip Graf and Sophia Kolter. He was born 14 October 1827 in Katzenbach, which by today's maps is 3.4 km from Rockenhausen. Today's Graf family members always say that the family was from Rockenhausen. Although, I don't have all the birthplace information for all Graf's, the family members definitely were baptized and married at a church in Rockenhausen.

from Caroline Graf White's Death Certificate

From Philippina Graf Foust Death Certificate

Caspar married Mary. Two daughter's Indiana death certificates give her maiden name as Whrightweesner/Wrightweesner. Until a marriage record is found disproving this, I will use this for Mary's maiden name. 

One of my blog readers wrote a comment on my Wrightweasner post, "In German 'Wrightweasner' might translate to 'Reitwiesner' or 'Reitwiesener', according to the sound when spoken." Searches now include all three spellings, but no luck finding their marriage record.

Caspar is recorded on an immigration list, in 1859, aboard the ship Roland. He originated in Bremen and sailed into New York harbor. This is where writing things out helps. Originally, I thought I had found Caspar's original immigration record, but Caspar had children from 1853-1863 in the United States and this wasn't his original immigration. Did he go back to Germany to help bring his brother to the United States? 

Source: "New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957," [database on-line], Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 March 2015), Entry for Johan Casper Graf, arrival date 18 Nov 1859; Year: ; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: M237, 1820-1897.

There were three Graf's on the ships manifest:

1. On line 15-J. Georg Graf
2. On line 16-Anna Graf
3. On line 17-Johan Caspar Graf

Georg is Caspar's brother. Who is Anna? Georg didn't get married until he arrived in Indiana. This immigration record is in 1859. I have so many questions about J. Caspar Graf.

1. If he married Mary Wrightweasner, when and where? Was it in Germany?
2. When did Caspar come to the United States the first time? when did Mary?

The only census I have found Caspar in is the 1860 U.S. Federal Census. Caspar, Mary, Caroline, Philopoena (sic), Jacob, and Philip are enumerated with Henry and Magdalena Rose. The facts are below. Who are the Roses? Is Magdalena a sister of Caspar or Mary?

Name: Caspar Grove

[Caspar Graf] 

Age in 1860: 33

Birth Year: abt 1827

Birthplace: Bavaria / Bayern

Home in 1860: Harrison, Miami, Indiana

Gender: Female

Post Office: Cary

Value of real estate: View image

Household Members: Name Age

Henry Rose57

Magdalena Rose45

Henry Rose14

Casper Grove33

Mary Grove25

Caroline Grove7

Philopoena Grove5

Jacob Grove3

Philip Grove1

If Caroline Graf was born to Mary in 1853, Mary had to be in New York at the time. This helps narrow the years of immigration down for Mary. If Mary was born around 1835, she would have been about 18 years old in 1853. I am wondering if she arrived in New York pregnant and they stayed to have the baby before heading to Indiana. Their second child was born in 1855 in Indiana. Caspar may or may not have been present at the birth of Caroline.

Caspar died in March of 1869, no death certificate has been found for Caspar and he wasn't listed in the 1870 Mortality Schedule. Caspar you vex me!

Lastly, I have a transcription of Caspar's will. 

389

Kasper Graff’s Will

On the name of the Benevolent father of all I Kasper Graf of Miami County In the state of Indiana do make and publish this my last will and testament

1st I give and devise to my beloved wife in lieu of her interest in my lands the farm on which we now reside in the county of Indiana and state of Indiana. Containing about forty 40 acres during her natural life, all the stock and household goods furniture provisions and other goods and chattles (sic) which may be thereon at the time of my decease during her natural life as aforesaid, she however selling so much thereof as may be sufficient to pay my just debts, and also to sell out of my personal to the amount of Fifty Dollars which I give and bequeath to my son Jacob Graf in lieu of his share hereafter mentioned.

On the death of my said wife the real and personal Estate aforesaid to give and devise to my Eight children to be equally divided between them all, them and their heirs forever I do hereby nominate and appoint my beloved wife Guardian of all of my children, Jacob Graf, Caroline Graf Philbenia Graf Philip Graf Henry Graf George Graf Valentine Graf and Elizabeth Graf until they each arrive at the age of twenty one years or intermarry but in case my wife should again marry her Guardianship of said children shall cease and determine upon her intermarriage

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 25th day of March in the year 1869.

                                                                                                             

Kasper x Graf

        Mark

Signed and acknowledged

By said Kasper Graf as his

Last will and testament

In our presence and by

Us in his presence

   John Bernhart

   Jonas Stepler

 

390

State of Indiana

Miami County

Be it remembered that on the 12th day of April1869, John Bernhart one of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last will and testament of Kasper Graf late of said County deceased personally appeared before John A. Graham clerk of the court of common Pleas of Miami County in the state of Indiana being duly sworn by the clerk of said court upon his oath declared and testified as follows that is to say that on the 25th day of March 1869 he saw the said Kasper Graf sign his name to said instrument in writing and for his last will testament and that the deponent at the same time heard the said Kasper Graf declare the said instrument in writing to be his last will and testament and that the said instrument in writing was at their quest of the said Kasper Graf and with his consent alerted and subscribed by the said John Bernhart and Jonas Stepler in the presence of said testator and in the presence of each other as subscribing witnesses there to and that the said Kasper Graf was at the time of the signing and subscribing of the said Instrument in writing of full age that is more than twenty one years of age and of sound and imposing mind and memory and not under any coercion or restraint as said informant verily believes and further informant says not

                                                                                                     John Bernhart

Sworn to and subscribed by the John Bernhart before me John A. Graham clerk of said court at Peru, the 12th day of April 1869

                                                          In attestation whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed                                                                             the seal of said court

                                                                                                     Jno. A. Graham Clerk

State of Indiana

Miami county

                                                                        John A Graham clerk of the court of common Pleas of Miami county Indiana do hereby certify that the within (annesced) last will and testament of Kasper Graf has been admitted to Probate and duly proved by the testimony of John Bernhart one of the subscribing witnesses there to that a complete copy record of said will and the testimony of the said John Bernhart in proof thereof has been by me duly read and recorded in Book No 1 at pages 389 & 390 of the Record of Wills of said County. In attestation whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court at Peru this 13th day of April1869                             Jno A Graham Clerk CC P. Ind

Timeline for Johan Caspar Graf

Age	Date	Event
0	14 Oct 1827	Birth: Katzenbach, Germany1
0	19 Oct 1827	Chr: Evangelisch, Rockenhausen, Pfalz, Bavaria2
8	Abt 1835	Mary WRIGHTWEASNER was born; , , Bayern, Germany3
25	24 Feb 1853	Daughter, Caroline GRAF was born; New York, United States4
27	1 Jun 1855	Daughter, Philippina GRAF was born; Miami County, Indiana,  United States5
29	17 Jul 1857	Son, Jacob GRAF was born; Miami County, Indiana, United States
32	18 Nov 1859	Arrival: New York, New York, United States6
33	Abt 1860	Son, Philip GRAF was born; Indiana, United States
33	1860	Census (fam): Mary WRIGHTWEASNER; Harrison, Miami, Indiana, United States of America7
34	10 Jan 1862	Son, Henry GRAF was born; Indiana, United States
36	15 Sep 1864	Son, George GRAF was born; Near Plevna, Howard County, Indiana, United States
38	14 Dec 1865	Son, Valentine GRAF was born; Amboy, Miami, Indiana,     United States8
41	Abt 1868	Daughter, Elizabeth GRAF was born; Indiana, United States
41	Mar 1869	Death: United States9–10
41	25 Mar 1869	Will: Miami County, Indiana, United States11

Sources for Johan Caspar Graf

1. "Germany Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898," Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 4 April 2016), citing the birth (14 Oct 1827) and baptism(19 Oct 1827 of Caspar Graf; Deutschland, Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898, FHL microfilm 193,130.

       2. Ancestry, "Germany, Select Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898," database, Ancestry.com (ancestry.com : accessed 14 May 2022), entry for Caspar Graf; Germany, Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013.

       3. [Author], "[Article]," [ItemType], The Daily Chronicle, Peru, Indiana [IssueDate], [SpecificContent]. [Annotation].

       4. Indiana State Board of Health, "Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011," database, Ancestry.com (ancestry.com : accessed 11 February 2020), entry for Caroline White; Indiana State Board of Health. Death Certificates, 1900–2011. Microfilm. Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Indianapolis, Indiana..

       5. Indiana State Board of Health, "Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011," database, Ancestry.com (ancestry.com : accessed 14 May 2022), entry for Philapena Foust; Certificate Number Stamped 8809; Indiana State Board of Health. Death Certificates, 1900–2011. Microfilm. Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Indianapolis, Indiana..

       6. "New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957," [database on-line], Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 March 2015), Entry for Johan Casper Graf, arrival date 18 Nov 1859; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: M237, 1820-1897.

       7. 1860 U.S. Census, population schedule, Post Office: Cary, Harrison Township, Miami, Indiana, p 393, dwelling 768; lines 8-13, Casper Grove; digital images, ancestry.com (: accessed 13 March 2015); Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Eighth Census of the United States, 1860. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1860. M653, 1,438 rolls..

       8. Shawn D. Graff, The Graf Family from Rockenhausen, Germany (http://www.graff.iwarp.com/index.html : accessed 19 October 2011), Valentine Graf birth.

       9. Graff, The Graf Family from Rockenhausen, Germany, Casper Graf.

       10. Graf-Richer Emma and Graf-Froelich, Louise, The Graf Family: A record of the seven descendants of Caspar Graf (pdf format: n.p., July 1921), p.

       11. Miami, Indiana, 1843-1900: p389-390 Graf Kasper; Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

A note about sources. I see that I have some touching up of my sources, but I decided to leave it this way for now. Source 3 shows why it is so important to write complete sources. Now, I have to go back and find the source to cite it properly and I don't remember where I accessed the newspaper. No matter what you think, you will not remember where you found it. Cite Your Sources!

I still have much to research with Caspar and Mary. I have a to do list for Caspar and Mary and will continue researching them.