On this day, 2 December 1868, Johan Georg Herwig, my spouse’s 3rd great-grandfather, passed away.
Born on 17 May 1812, in Hesse-Kassel, Germany, nothing is known of Johan Georg Herwig’s childhood, including his parentage.
What is known is that at some point, Johan Georg Herwig married Anna Margareta Keppert (Kippert). Together, the couple welcomed daughter Leah, born about 1835; Maria (or Margaret), born circa 1838; and son John C., born about 1843.
A year after their son was born, the Herwig family boarded the ship Knickerbocker, departing from Hamburg, Germany, heading to America. The family arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 9 September 1844.
The Herwigs quickly moved inland from Philadelphia to Clarion County, Pennsylvania.
Circa 1846, daughter Mary joined the family. Daughter Anna E. arrived in 1847. Son John Christian was welcomed to the family in 1848. Then, in early 1850, son John Andrew was born.
On 24 August 1850, the Herwig family (now spelled Harwick) was residing in Paint Township near Helen, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. (Paint Township is bordered on the southeast by the Clarion River and its tributary, Toby Creek. The location, Helen, is probably today’s town of Helen Furnace.) Johan (referred to as John, age 38) was a blacksmith. Also living in the household were Anna M. (age 37), Leah (age 15), Maria (age 11), John (age 7), Mary (age 4), Anna (age 3), John C. (age 2), and John A. (age 6 months).
On 29 December 1854, son John Michael Harwick (my spouse’s 2nd great-grandfather) was born in Sligo, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.
Sometime in John Michael’s toddler years, the Harwick family migrated to Indiana County, Pennsylvania. It was here that daughter Alice was born in 1859.
On 15 August 1860, the John Harwig (another variation of spelling) family was enumerated in North Mahoning Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania. Residing in the household were John (age 48, farmer), his wife (age 37, listed as Barbara?), Margaret (age 18, housekeeper) John (age 17, farm laborer), Henry (age 14), Anna E. (age 13), J. Christian (age 12), J. Andrew (age 11), John Michael (age 5), and Alice E. (age 1). Their farm was valued at $600, with their personal property was valued at $300.
Sadly, on 2 December 1868, Johan Georg Herwig (a.k.a. John Harwick/Harwig) died in North Mahoning Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania. He was only 54 years old.
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