The Dern Family of Frederick County, Maryland

By Ed Bergh Jr

Part Two

1900 was a census year. Abraham was living with Gertie (27) and Enry (18). Abraham identified himself as a wheelwright, but one who had been unemployed six months in the previous year. This was undoubtedly due to his health problems. To help support their meager income, both Gertie and Enry worked as seamstresses. Lulu (24) was living with Solomon Brown(?) and was working as a servant. Goldie Dern (16) was boarding with Celius and Laura Reddick, and like her sisters at home, she made money as a seamstress. Celius would have been one of his nephews from his wife's family.

According to the 1900 census, Birdie Dern was living in Strongstown, Pennsylvania. This is where she would meet her future husband, Herbert Orner. Both Bill Davis Jr. and Buddy Hildebrand, a son of Snow Dern Hildebrand, told a story about Birdie being with a minister. Bill said that he was traveling minister, but not quite a revivalist in the Elmer Gantry mold. Buddy said that the minister she was with was sort like a guardian figure to her. In that 1900 census she was identified as a "niece" living with J. Milton Snyder. He also had a son. His name is hard read. Shull? Snyder. More importantly, J. Milton gave his occupation as being minister. The "niece" listing is interesting. Nowhere can I find a "Snyder" among the Reddicks and Derns. This, however, might match closely with Buddy's story. Maybe this was a way of politely referring to what we might consider a "foster" situation today. In the 1880 census and found J. Milton and his wife living in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. They also had a 12 year old girl living with them. She was listed as a servant. Maybe the good minister made it a practice of taking in the disadvantaged. One who played the piano would have been a great help.

In 1904, Herbert Orner filed a marriage application. He was to marry Bird M. Dern on April 6, 1904. On the application their ages were listed as being 21. This is interesting, in that Birdie's marker lists her year of birth as being 1873. Was Herbert being coy or did he not know? They listed their residence as Strongstown. His parents were William and Tillie Orner. Only her father, Abraham's name was listed for her parents. This would have been correct, in that Ann Reddick Dern and died years before.

J. Milton Snyder married them at the Strongstown parsonage on April 6, 1904. Rev. Snyder identified himself on the document as being a Lutheran minister. Herbert listed his occupation as farmer. Not in the mines yet. So Birdie and Herbert were married by her "guardian."

Beginning in 1905 the government began increasing his monthly pension payment. Abraham was over 60 years old at that time. Over the next several years Abraham received notice that his pension was to be increased.

• October 18, 1905 - 10 dollars
• March 11, 1907 - 12 dollars
• May 24, 1912 - 25 dollars
• February 27, 1913 - 30 dollars

In 1910, Abraham Dern was living, in Maryland, with his daughter Gay Dern Anders and her son, Abraham, 1 ½ and Evelyn, three years of age. Gay must have returned from Ohio to help care for her father. She had been married six years by that time. Her husband, Morris, was living in Xenia, Ohio. (Visit 6)

I have been unable to find any obituary for Abraham Dern when he died in 1916. The papers were filled with news of fighting around a city named Verdun in France. America was not in the war yet. Fifty four years earlier, Abraham Dern had enlisted to fight in order to preserve the union. His participation in that war changed his life. For nearly a half century Abraham Dern had worked through his pain to try to provide for his family. He never owned a place of his own. He considered himself and carpenter and a wheelwright. He worked as a farmer to make ends meet.

The government was, however, ever vigilant. In late 1912 Abraham received a latter from the government asking him to account for a discrepancy they had found in his paperwork. In his most recent application Abraham had listed the wrong year for his birth and the government was suspicious. Abraham had written 1837 instead of 1838. Abraham sought out M. Nelson Stauffer for help. The latter soon wrote the government that Abraham had shown him the Dern family bible and that his actual birth year was 1838. The discrepancy was resolved in Abraham's favor.

Shortly after May 2, 1916, Ernest McClellan Dern received notification of Abraham's death. The letter, addressed to #43 9th Ave., York, Pa., told Ernest of his father's death. Ernest must have known earlier considering the time that must have passed for a notice to reach the government and then for them to respond. Ernest was told to make sure that any future pension checks arriving after the death of Abraham were not to be cashed.

And, Zacheus Dern's Brother, Hezekiah, What Happened to Him?

• Hezekiah Dern
• Birth: 14 JAN 1805 in Frederick Co, MD 1
• Death: 14 JAN 1854 in Jackson Twp, Seneca Co, OH 1
• Burial: Dysinger Cemetery, Jackson Twp, Seneca Co, OH 2

"Hezekiah was a carpenter and huckster in Baltimore, MD until 1839. He brought his family from Frederick Co, MD to OH in a covered wagon, passing thru Pittsburgh. Theadocia strayed away but was found after a short search. Their first location was on an acre six miles north of Tiffin, Seneca Co, OH and they made their temporary home in a log school while there hewed log dwelling was build, afterward the former home was used as a barn. He followed carpentering and later moved to a 40 acre tract in Jackson Twp, Seneca Co, OH and died upon another 40 acre farm. Hezekiah belonged to the Methodist Episcopal and was a Old-line Whig." (Bio Wood Co, 2:838)

Hezekiah does not appear in the 1860 Census for Jackson Twp, Seneca County where his wife and family (except for Samuel Jacob) appear on page 96. [Bonawit, Oby (Compiler) (1990) 1860 Census of Seneca County, Ohio]

The Children of Abraham Dern

Ernest McClellan Dern (June 26, 1866-May 4, 1928) Ernest Dern married Elsie V. Eyler. In the 1910 census "Erenst" Dern (43), was living in North York, Pennsylvania. (ED# 0074, visit 97) Elsie V, 34, along with daughter Lola C 12, son Paul L, 8, Maryland, daughter, Emily I., 05, and son, Carroll M, 02, were living together. The family must have moved north to Pennsylvania some time around 1902.

In 1920, the house contained the parents as well as, daughter Lola (21), Paul (18), Emily (15), and Carroll (12). E[a]rnest worked as clerk in a drug store. Paul was working as a printer's helper. Lola was also working outside the house. Ernest died in 1928 was buried at the Prospect Hill Cemetery. (He was living in North York at the time)

• Paul (1902-January 28, 1951) married Helen Strayer
• Lola married (July 29, 1898-May 1978) ____ Spurrier
• Emily married Harry Nicholas
• Carroll (1907 -January 1987) married Esther Waltemeyer

Ernest died on May 3, 1928 of kidney and heart problems. Elsie Dern was still living in North York in 1930. Emily was working as a saleslady at a grocery. Son, Carroll, was working as a laborer at milk plant.

Obituary - Ernest C. Dern, [different from previous listings of his name] 43 West Ninth street, North York, died at 7:45 a.m. yesterday at his home. He had been ill health for several months and had not been working since February. His condition was such that he was receiving medical attention from Dr. John C. May, only every week or two. Dr. May notified Dr. L. U. Zech of the death which was attributed to a kidney and heart condition. The deceased was 61 years old and leaves his widow and four children, Carroll M. Dern and Emily T. Dern, both at home; Paul C. Dern, 1137 North Court avenue; and Mrs. Robert Spurrier, at home. Also, four sisters and one brother; Mrs. David Hildebrand, Woodsboro, Md.; Mrs. Glen Hahn, Walkersville, Md.; Mrs. Maurice Anders, Xenia, Ohio; D. L. Dern, Thurmont Md.; and Mrs. M. O. Valentine, Frederick, Md.; In addition he leaves four grandchildren. He was affiliated with the Fraternal Aid Union of York.

Funeral Services will be conducted at the late home at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon. Interment will take place in Prospect Hill cemetery. (May 4, 1927)

The Children of Ernest Dern

Carroll Dern and Miss Waltemeyer Wed (Date of article - November 26, 1930)

Carroll Dern, son of Mrs. E. C. Dern, 43 West Ninth Avenue, North York, and Miss Esther E. Waltemeyer, 708 North Pershing avenue, were married on Saturday evening. Rev. David Martin [he was the minister at Ernest's funeral], pastor of Grace Lutheran church, performed the ceremony in the parsonage, 144 Jefferson avenue.

The bride had as her onlt attendant, Helen Busbey, as maid of honor, and Mr. Dern had as his best man, Lester Altland. The ceremony was witnessed by Fannie Kinard and Wayne Chronister.

Following the ceremony, there was a reception at the home of the bride's parents for the immediate families. Mr. and Mrs. Dern will live at the home of the bride's parents.

Obituary - Carroll M. Dern: Allis Chalmers retiree

Carroll M. Dern, 80, of 1907 N. Beaver St. died at 1:17 a.m. Monday at Memorial Hospital.

He was the husband of Esther E. Waltemeyer Dern. He was a layout man for Allis-Chalmers Corp. until his retirement.

Mr. Dern was a member of Grace Lutheran Church for 57 years. He was a life member of the 13th Ward Political Club and Liberty Fire Company. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose York Lodge 148, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Lodge 1400, York County Firemen's Association and American Association of Retired Persons Chapter 24.

Mr. Dern, born in East Manchester Township, was the son of the late Ernest C. and Elsie V. Eyler Dern.

Viewing will be 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the J. Warren Shindler Funeral Home, 915 N. Duke St.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Thomas E. McKee and the Rev. Judith McKee, his pastors, officiating. Burial will be in the Prospect Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Grace Lutheran Church, 144 Jefferson Ave., York, Pa. 17404. (York Dispatch December 29, 1987)

• Paul Dern (1902-January 28, 1951) (son of Ernest)
• Nancy (June 20, 1929-April 26, 2002) married William Hinton
• Gloria married Philip Kissinger III
• Phyllis Y. (June 9, 1922-January 13, 1999) married Brenneman
• Beverly J. married Swartz
• Nina M. (April 24, 1935-January 23, 1998) married Wilkinson
• Barbara N. married Kornbau
• Robert D.
• Donald L. (July 1, 1927-September 15, 1995)
• Rodney R. (January 24, 1933-February 18, 1986)
• Paul Richard (1928-November 12, 1950)

West York Man Dies in Highway Accident - Paul Dern, 49, Meets Death When Car Skids Off Road - Son Killed Last Fall

Paul L. Dern, 49, of 1390 West Popular street, was killed and his 23 year od son, Donald L. Dern, Red Lion, was injured in a highway accident at 12:10 p.m. yesterday on the Delta highway, four miles southeast of Red Lion.

Gertrude Irene Dern Valentine (December 3, 1871-September 27, 1935) In 1930, Gertrude Irene was living with her daughter, Gertrude N., and her husband Warner Hahn. Also living there was the Hahn's son Clarence M. They were renting their place for eighteen dollars per month. They listened to their radio for entertainment. Walter worked as a plumber. Gertrude and Warner had been married two years.

Obituary - Mrs. Gertrude Irene Valentine, widow of Oliver Valentine, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Warner Hahn, Johnsville, Friday afternoon at 3:15 o'clock, aged 63 years, 9 months, 24 days. She is survived by her daughter, Mrs. Hahn, and two step-children. Thomas H. Valentine, near Libertytown, and Mrs. Howard Wagner, near Daysville. Two sisters, Morris [Maurice] Anders, Xenia, Ohio, and Mrs. David Hildebrand, Woodsboro, and one brother, Dixie Dern, Thurmont, also survive as do three grandchildren. Funeral Monday afternoon at 1 o'clock from the late home, with services at Union Chapel, near Libertytown, conducted by her pastor, Rev. J. Frank Fife. Interment adjoining cemetery. Powell and Albaugh, funeral directors (The Frederick Post Newspaper - September 28, 1935)

Obituary - Mrs. Gertrude L. Valentine - The funeral of Mrs. Gertrude L. Valentine took place from the home of her daughter, Mrs. Warner Hahn, Johnsville, Monday afternoon, leaving the home at 1 o'clock with services at Union Chapel, near Libertytown, conducted by her pastor, Rev. J. Frank Fife and was ;largely attended. The pallbearers were William and George Benner, Calvin and Edwin Beard, Thomas Filler and Calvin Smith. Interment was made in the chapel cemetery. Powell and Albaugh, funeral directors. (The Frederick Post Newspaper - October 1, 1935)

Birdie Maud Dern Orner (March 21, 1874-January 26, 1906) Birdie Dern was living in Strongstown, Pennsylvania in 1900. It was there that she met her "husband to be," Herbert Orner.

Both Bill Davis Jr., a grandson of Birdie Dern Orner, and Buddy Hildebrand, a grandson of Snow Dern Hildebrand, told a story about Birdie being with a minister in Strongstown before she met Herbert. Bill said that he was traveling minister, but not quite a revivalist, Elmer Gantry type. Knowing that Birdie and Herbert were married in 1904, shortly after the 1900 census, I decided to look up the census listings for Strongstown. There I found Birdie Dern, identified as a "niece" living with J. Milton Snyder. He also had a son. His name is hard read. Shull? Snyder. More importantly, J. Milton gave his occupation as being minister. The "niece" listing is interesting. Nowhere can I find a "Snyder" among the Reddicks and Derns. This, however, might match closely with Buddy's story. Maybe this was a way of politely referring to what we might consider a "foster" situation today. I checked the 1880 census and found J. Milton and his wife living in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. They also had a 12 year old girl living with them. She was listed as a servant. Maybe the good minister made it a practice of taking in the disadvantaged. One who played the piano would have been a great help.

As I was writing the above, I thought, maybe, J. Milton married them. So I went upstairs and took out a copy of their marriage license application and, sure enough, J. Milton Snyder married them at the Strongstown parsonage on April 6, 1904. Rev. Snyder identified himself on the document as being a Lutheran minister. Herbert listed his occupation as farmer. Not in the mines yet. So Birdie and Herbert were married by her "guardian."

Birdie Orner died the week following the birth of Kathryn. Kathryn was taken in by her father's sister Gertrude Bennett and her husband Will Bennett and was listed as living with them in the 1910 census. Later she lived with Herbert after he married Anna Stephens.

Birdie's Pineland Cemetery (Strongstown) tombstone reads (1873-1906). They had the following child:

Kathryn Orner (December 30, 1905- October 12, 1981)

Obituary - January 24, 1906 - Mrs. Birdie Orner, died in January 16, in Strongstown. She was the wife of Herbert Orner and was aged 31 years, two months and one day. She is survived by her husband and one daughter, two weeks old, and three brothers and three sisters.

Zoa Zululu Dern Hahn (January 4, 1876-January 14, 1931) In 1920, Melvin G. and Lulu were living in Walkersville where he worked as a farmer. They were renting their house. Four children were present at the time: Ann E. (15). Catherine (11), Ethel L. (5), and Melvin G. Jr. (11 months).

1930 census Glenn M. Hahn and Lula Z. living in Walkersville. He was a farmer. Glenn was working at the time of the census. They were renting their place, but they did own a radio. They had been married 26 years. Ethel L. (16) and Melvin G. (11) were still at home with their parents. Also, living with the family was their daughter, Katherine M. Dudrow and her husband. The latter was doing farm work. Lulu died in 1950.

Obituary - Mrs. M. Glenn Hahn - The funeral of Mrs. Lula Dern Hahn, wife of M. Glenn Hahn, took place Wednesday morning at 11 o'clock from her late home with services at the Walkersville M. E. Church, conducted by Rev. T. W. Lloyd, assisted by Rev. J. W. Fisher. Pallbearers, nephews of the deceased, were: John Hahn, Monroe Hahn, Warner Hahn, Monroe Bowers, Ralph Bowers, Monroe Thomas. Interment at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Woodsboro. M. R. Etchison and Son, funeral directors. (The Frederick Post Newspaper - January 15, 1931)

Obituary - Mrs. Lula Hahn, wife of M. Glenn Hahn, died at her home near Walkersville Sunday night at 9:35, following an illness of one year. She was aged 55 years.

Mrs. Hahn was a daughter of Abraham and Anna Reddick Dern. Besides her husband, she is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Russell A. Dudrow, Lime Kiln; Mrs. Glenn Dudrow, Woodsboro; and Miss Ethel Hahn, at home; one son Melvin, at home, and the following sisters: Mrs. Gertrude Valentine, Frederick; Mrs. Morris Anders, Xenia, Ohio; Mrs. David Hildebrand, Woodsboro; Miss Dixie L. Dern, Thurmont. [Miss Dixie Dern?]

Funeral Wednesday, leaving the home at 10:30 a. m. Services in Walkersville M. E. church at 11 o'clock, followed by interment in Mt. Hope cemetery, Woodsboro. M. R. Etchison and Son, funeral directors. (The Frederick Post Newspaper - January 31, 1931)

Melvin Hahn Residence: Maryland Born 18 Mar 1880 - Last Benefit: Died Oct 1962 Issued: MD (Before 1951)

Melvin J. Hahn Residence: 21701 Frederick, Frederick, MD. Born 24 Oct 1918 Last Benefit: -Died 20 Sep 1996 Issued: MD (Before 1951)

Ernie Gay Dern Anders (August 21, 1881-October 4, 1959) Gay married Maurice (Morris) Anders in Maryland. They moved to Ohio where he worked as a farmer. In 1910, while Gay Anders and the children lived with her father back in Maryland, Morris Anders worked on a farm of Chester Jacobs in Xenia, Ohio. Chester Jacobs, it turns out, was married to a sister of Morris. Morris was listed as a brother-in-law and as being single. This is interesting in that Morris and Gay had already had children. According to the 1920 census "Hans" Anders and Gay were living in Greene County, Ohio. Morris was working on a farm. They were living in Miami Township. (ED #138) In 1930, Gay and her husband, this time spelled "Norris," were still living in Ohio. He was farming. Both of their children, Evelyn and Abraham, now in their early twenties, were living at home. Evelyn was a teacher in a nearby pubic school. Gay and Maurice had been married twenty-two years by 1930. They lived in Beaver Creek Township of Greene County, Ohio. Gay died in Xenia, Greene County, Ohio, in 1959.

Obituary: Mrs. Morris Anders

Mrs. Gay Anders, 78 of 6801/2 S. Detroit St., widow of Morris E. Anders, died Sunday at 2 a.m. at her residence . Death was attributed to a heart attack.

Mrs. Anders was born August 21, 1881 in Walkersville, Md., the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Dern. She formerly lived on Stevenson Rd., Xenia Route 5, but moved to Xenia in February, 1956, where she was a member of First Methodist Church.

Her husband preceded her in death July 23, 1955.

She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Carl Harner of Dayton; a son Abraham Anders of 1104 S. Detroit St.; four grandchildren, Jack, Jerry, and James Anders, all of Xenia, and Miss Judith Harner of Dayton and a great-grandson, Jeffrey Anders.

Services will be conducted Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Neeld Funeral Home with Conrad O. Diehm, pastor of First Methodist Church, officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery.

(Xenia Daily Gazette October 8, 1959)

Obituary: Abraham Anders

Abraham (Abe) Anders, 58, of 873 Catherine St., died at 1:30 a.m. today in Kettering Memorial Hospital following heart surgery.

Anders, who lived in Greene County most of his life, had been ill one year. He worked as a carpenter at Krogers in Dayton.

Born January 26, 1909 in Walkersville, Md., he was married January 5, 1933, to Mary Eleanor Jenks, who survives. His parents, Morris and Gay Durn Anders, both are deceased.

Anders was a former member of the Greene County Fish and Game Association and Company L. of the Ohio National Guard and a member of Xenia Twp. North Volunteer Fire Department and Trinity Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by one sister. Other survivors include Jack and Jerry Anders of Xenia; and Spec. 4 Jim Anders of Ft. Hood, Texas; a sister, Mrs. Evelyn Harner of Dayton and five grandchildren.

Services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday in McColeaugh Funeral Home, 826 N. Detroit St., with Rev. Benjamin Loan of Trinity Methodist Church and Rev. Everett Gardner of Xenia Baptist Temple officiating.

Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Heart Fund.

(Xenia Daily Gazette September 20, 1967)

ANDERS, ABRAHAM A

• Death Date: 20 September 1967 Age: 58
• Place of Death: Kettering, Montgomery County Residence: Xenia, Greene County
• Gender: Male Race: White
• Marital Status: Married Certificate: 71022

ABRAHAM ANDERS

• SSN 275-05-2895 Residence: 45385 Xenia, Greene, OH
• Born 26 Jan 1909 Last Benefit:
• Died Sep 1967 Issued: OH (Before 1951)
• Dixie Leroy Dern (August 26, 1879-August 9, 1946) married Ida Fife

They had a daughter named Helen Francis (born 1915) who married Donald Eyler

Dixie L Dern Age: 30 State: PA , Enumeration District: 0084, Birth Place: Maryland Visit: 0308 County: York, Relation: Boarder Other Residents: Relation Name Age Birth Place Head of Household Clarence E Eyler

In 1910, 30 year old Dixie was boarding with the Clarence Eyler family n North York. Dixie was working as a painter in what appears to read "carriage." In contrast to his 1930 census information, his birthplace was listed as Maryland. He was living on North Duke St. This would have put him in town with his older brother Ernest

1930 owned house valued at $5,500. They had been married 16 years earlier. Dixie was 50 years old Ida was 43. Dixie was working as a laborer at a some type dairy facility. What is curious is that Dixie lists his state of birth as West Virginia.

After he worked as a painter for 25 years, Dixie retired from painting in 1945. He died in Thurmont, Maryland, in 1946. Dixie was a member of the Church of the Brothers and served as a trustee.

SSDI Search Results - Ida Dern Request Information (SS-5) SSN 214-28-5751 Residence: 21740 Hagerstown, Washington, MD Born 7 Apr 1887 Last Benefit: Died Jun 1968 Issued: MD (Before 1951)

Goldie Snow Dern Hildebrand (September 26, 1881-1957??) - In 1930, Goldie Snow and David T. Hildebrand were living in Woodsboro (It looks like the Woodsboro-Continental Road). (ED #32, Visit 228)

Their children included: Gary Roger, Mildred Elizabeth, Marguerite Pauline, Mary Louise. Kathryn Orner Davis and her family exchanged visits with the Hildebrands.

Herbert Orner remained in touch with Snow and her family. In this picture provided by Kathleen Davis Parmeter, Herbert stands in front of the Hildebrand's barn in 1950. (the year he died) The Hildebrand's sent flowers to his funeral.