Thomas Syler (1811-1884)
&
Hosana Leader (1811-1888)
(by D.L.Syler)
It was common knowledge amongst the older generations attending HD Syler reunions, that Harvey’s father, Thomas, came from Pennsylvania. So when attending a Seminar at Indiana University at Bloomington, in the early 70’s, I discovered the volumes of Pennsylvania Archieves at the University library. While skimming through early German immigrants to Pennsylvania, on page 168 Volume III , I found a Thomas Siler (age 26 , farmer) and (perhaps a sister , maid) Barbara Siler (age 18) coming to the port of Philadelphia, Pa in 1805 on the ship Margaret from Wurttemburg Germany. Could this be Thomas Syler’s father ? Certainly the timing is right. Young immigrant comes to America at the age of 26, and in five years, falls in love, marries , and has a son ,Thomas… named after the father ! I’ve never been able to find documents that support this. There are many Seiler, Seyler, Siler immigrants in the 1730-1800.
See Appendix A for names from "Pennsylvania German Pioneers " Vol #3 of arrival in the port of Philadelphia from 1727 to 1808.
Thomas and Hosanna Syler are buried in a small cemetery in Farmerstown, Ohio, Holmes County , Ohio. Tom’s stone reads Died March 16, 1884 age 72 yrs, 9m, 23 d , so he would have been born about May 22, 1811. Hosanna’s stone reads Died Aug. 1, 1888 age 77 yrs, 2m, 9d , so she would have been born about May 23, 1811. If the stones are correct, they almost shared the same birthday ! The 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880 US Census, Holmes County, German township, depicts 10yr snapshots of their family. Among my Aunt Ruth (Syler) Longaker keepsakes is a very old (oxidized ) paper upon which is written,(we believe by Thomas himself) a list of all his children and their birth dates !
That list is as follows…..
Births - Sons
1) John Syler b Oct 1, 1840
2) Simon Syler b Jan. 17, 1842
3) Isaiah Syler b May 5, 1843
4) Jacob Syler b Sept 17, 1844
5) Harvey Syler b Jan 25, 1851
Daughters
Catharine Syler b Mar 17, 1833 and Ester Syler b June 13, 1834 Both born
in Howard Township , Center County Pennsylvania
1) Martha Syler b Feb 10, 1839
2) Susanne Syler b Sept
25, 1846
3) Sevilla Syler b April 7, 1848
4)
Amanda Syler b April 18, 1853 ( ? 4/19/1854 )
5) Catharine Ann Syler b April 17, 1855 (??)
all born in German Township Holmes County, Ohio.
Martha Syler wife of Thomas Syler Died Feb 27, 1835.
Catharine Syler daughter of Thomas and Martha, died July 1, 1833 ( age 3 &1/2 months )
Jacob Syler , son of Thomas and Hosanna, died Sept. 20 , 1845 ( age 1 year , maybe 2 yr )
Susanna Syler , daughter of Tom and Hosanna , died Feb 10, 1847 ( age 5 months )
Note that Pennsylvania born daughter, Ester could be head of blood line relatives in Pennsylvania. Esther was possibly raise by her mother’s parents. Family verbal history says that Thomas Syler came to Ohio along with several other men, but no wifes… as they would come later after a house was built. Story has it that Hosanna Leader came to Ohio while pregnant with their first child, Martha. So we can conclude that the early 1830 were "hard" times for Thomas. He marries first wife Martha 1830-32 ? , their first born daughter, Catharine dies 1833….. wife Martha dies shortly after the birth of their second daughter in 1835. He then marries Hosanna Leader 1836-38 ? and moves to Ohio.
Children of Thomas Syler (1811-1884) and Hosanna Leader ( 1811-1888)
F/M Name Born Died Married
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F Martha( Mattie) 10 Feb 1839 ??? John Speelman
M John 1 Oct 1840 13 April 1926 Katherine(Cass) Lint
M Simon 17 Jan 1842 5 April 1910 Cathrine Yoder
M Isaiah 5 May 1843 31 July 1885
M Jacob 17 Sept 1844 20 Sept 1845
F Susanna 25 Sept 1846 10 Feb 1847
F Savilla 7 April 1848 17 Dec 1914 John Baker 12/27/1868
M Harvey D. 25 Jan 1851 9 Setp 1931 Josephine Luke 1/24/75 Photo
F Amanda A. 9 Apr 1852 ? ? Samuel Hall /Ed Hall
F Catharine A. 17 Apr 1856? 18 May 1911 Michael Guenther
Listing in the 1880 US Census German township Holmes County
Thomas Syler age 68 Retired farmer, Rheumatisim Hosannah age 69 .. could not write.
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10 Jan 2007 ... Last Update