Neidigh Family History

Contributed by Patricia PhelpsWilhelm

Patricia writes: " Below is my letter for letter, pause for pause transcription of the original "Family record March 12-1889. The following is written in pen and ink on front side only of three 8-1/2" x 11" sheets of paper, in first person, by? (WHO ? ). Watch for the many variations on the spelling of "Neidigh", and note that it seems to have been regularized by page 2.

Also note that we have no idea what "Pchoe" means; also that Centre County was pulled from several surrounding counties to form a new county in the "Center" of the State of Pennsylvania. Also note that the name of the city as spelled today is "State College", not "Collage...and is the site of a state college.

A near duplicate is written on the back sides of a letter written to Frank F. Disbrow, son of Nathan Disbrow and Isabella Gudilla ( pronounced with a soft 'G' sound) Neidigh, This letter was written to Frank as a young man by a friend who was urging him to come to Chicago to study accounting, rather than go to barber school.

The Neidigh family ( of Germany to Pennsylvania ) is the sparsest, as it is composed of 3 handwritten pages, set down by my great grandmother's mother (whose name we do not know).

It begins with John (sic) Adam Neidigh of the place called Octawald in Germany, with dates unknown.

It continues through his son, Solomon, Solomon's son John, and John's son Jacob Neidigh, all born in the State (or Colony, as Solomon was born the 17th day of August 1744, and is buried in 'Hanes' Township Centre Co. Pa.")

Then it goes on with a list that begins with, "My first Daughter was born August 30 - 1841 in Beaver Township. Union Snyder Co. Pa. Baptized in infancy, her name is Anna Mary Neidigh."

But we never get to know the name of this woman who gave birth ten times in Pennsylvania, and can only assume from the dates that the father is Jacob Neidigh son of John.

By the way, this selfless unnamed woman's fourth daughter was my great grandmother, Isabella Gudilla Neidigh, born July 21. 1853 in Ferguson Township Centre Co. Pa.

She married my Great Grandfather Nathan Disbrow in Lawton, Michigan in 1873, and lived out her life in Michigan. But travel and visits and correspondence, especially with her older brother John Henry Neidigh  who remained in Centre County, kept up family ties. We have three of his letters to his sister Isabella."

John Adam Neidgh born in Germany date unknown. He came to this country before the war of the Revolution, The time of his Death unknown. He came from the place called Octawald in Germany.

Solomon his son was born the 17th day of August 1744 died June 1797 in Centre Co. Pchoe formerly lived in Berks Co. Robinson Township moved to Centre Co. 1791 Buried in Hanes Township Centre Co. Pa.

John son of Solomon was born September 9th 1776 in Brks Co. Robinson Township Pa.

Died March 16th - 1838. Age 61 years 6 months and 7 days. Buried in Hanes Township Centre Co. Pa.

Jacob Neidigh son of John was born March 25 - 1820 in Hanes Township Centre Co. Pa.

Died 1904 age 84 years. In State Collage Pa.

My first Daughter was born August 30 - 1841 in Beaver township. Union Snyder Co. Pa. Baptized in Infancy, her name is Anna Mary Nedigh.

My Second Daughter was born March the 14 - 1843 in Beaver Township. Union Snyder Co. Pa. Baptized  in Infancy. Her name, Mary Elizabeth Neidigh.

Died in Kalamazoo Michigan July 1915 Age 72 years 4 months and 16 days.

My first Son was born, March 19th 1845 in Hanes Township, Centre Co. Pa. Baptized in Infacy. Name John Henry Neidigh.

Died in State Collage Pa. in 1931 or 1932 age 84 years.

My Second Son was born August 15. 1847. Died October 28th 1847. Name Jacob Bingmann Neidigh

My Third Daughter was born. December 18th 1848 in Ferguson Township Centre Co. Pa. Baptized in Infancy. Name Sarah Catharine. Neidigh.

Died in Constantine Michigan

My fourth Daughter was born July 21. 1853 in Ferguson Township Centre Co. Pa. Baptized in Infancy. Name Isabella Gudilla Neidigh.

Died Jan. 2 - 1930 in Wexford Co. Age 76 years 5 months and 12 days. State of Michigan

My fifth Daughter was born July 29 - 1856 in Ferguson Township Centre Co. Pa. Baptized in Infancy Name Amanda Christina Neidigh.

Died Dec 25 1894 age 38 years 4 months + 25 days. In Wexford Co., State of Michigan

My Third Son was born june 233 - 1858 in Ferguson Township . Centre Co. Pa. Baptized in Infancy. Name Zacheriah Perry Neidigh.

Died in York State Dec. 21 - 1927 age 69 years 6 months lacking 2 days.

My Fourth Son was born July 2 - 1860 was not alive.

My sixth Daughter was born Jan 30 - 1863 in Ferguson Township Centre Co. Pa. Baptized in Infancy Name Ida Victory Neidigh

Back to Pennsylvania Trails History and Genealogy