Person Page 1,240

John Henry Simons was born 26 Nov, probably 1854, though later records show 1853 and 1852, in PennsylvaniaG.^4,5,6,7 He appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Perry Twp., Snyder Co., PennsylvaniaG, in the household of his parents, Nicholas Simons and Ann.¹²
     John appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Middlecreek Twp., Snyder Co., PennsylvaniaG, enumerated 16 Aug 1870, He was listed in the household of Harvey Sholly, a farmer holding $5,000 in real estate and $1,500 in personal estate, and his wife and family, identified as a domestic servant.¹³
     John married Mary Catharine Riegel, daughter of Jacob K. Riegel and Christiana Ohl, about 1879.^8,9,10
     John and Mary appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Turbut Twp., Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania G, enumerated 14 Jun 1880. Their son Clarence was listed as living with them, as was Annie Snyder, age 22, reported as a boarder.¹⁴
     John and Mary appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Milton, Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania, at 216 Cherry St. G, enumerated 8 Jun 1900, reporting that they rented their home. Their children Clarence, Bertha, William, Anna, Charles, Lera, and Sarah were listed as living with them.¹⁵
     John and Mary appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Milton, Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania, at 340 Wall St. G, enumerated 19 Apr 1910, reporting that they owned their home, which was mortgaged. Their children Bertha, William, and Sarah were listed as living with them.¹⁶
     His wife died on 11 Feb 1918 in Milton, Northumberland Co., PennsylvaniaG.^17,18,19
     John appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Milton, Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania, at 340 Wall St. G, enumerated 10 Jan 1920, reporting that he owned his home, which was mortgaged. His children Bertha and William were listed as living with him, as were his grandchildren, Jay, Frances, and Olan.²⁰
     John appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Watsontown, Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania G, in the household of Sarah and Charles Henry Tyson, his daughter and her husband.²¹
     He was a laborer, by 1910 in an iron mill and by 1920 for the town of Milton.^{22,23,24,25,26,27}
     John died on 5 Apr 1931 in Watsontown, Northumberland Co., PennsylvaniaG, at age 76.¹¹ He was buried on 8 Apr 1931 in Harmony CemeteryG.¹¹

Amie Dorothea Rockefeller was born on 19 Mar 1919 in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaG.^5,6,7 She generally used her middle name, Dorothea, or just Dorothy.^12,10
     Her parents appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania G, in the household of her father's brother Charles and his wife. Neither Dorothea nor her brother are listed, but it seems likely they were omitted in error as they are not found elsewhere.¹³
     Her mother took her as an infant to Germany to visit her mother, who was seriously ill. They left as soon as possible after applying for a passport on 4 Jan 1921.¹⁴ They returned aboard the USS United States, arriving in New YorkG on 21 Jun 1921, having departed from Copenhagen 10 June.¹⁵
     The family has not been found in the 1930 census, but they were living in Eldon, MissouriG, by then.¹⁶
     Dorothea appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania G, in the household of her parents.¹⁵ She was a clerk at an electrical company before her marriage. In 1940 she reported that she had worked 40 hours the last week of March, and had worked 20 weeks the prior year, earning $350.¹⁵
     Amie married Austin Willard Angell Jr., son of Austin Willard Angell and Ida May Reigel.^8,9
     Amie and Austin were living at 308½ S. Fairfax, Alexandria, VirginiaG, while he was stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.¹⁷ After Austin's transfer to the west coast they lived at 1070 Palm St., San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo Co., CaliforniaG.¹⁸
     Amie and Austin appeared on the 1950 Federal Census of Albany, Alameda Co., California, at 627 Curtis Ave. G, enumerated 8 Apr 1950, reporting they lived in a home that was not on a farm. Their children were listed as living with them.¹⁹ Dorothea and Austin lived there for many years and were living there at the time of his death.²⁰
     Her husband died on 10 Nov 1987 in Berkeley, Alameda Co., CaliforniaG.^21,22
     Amie died on 21 Jul 2011 at age 92.¹¹ She was cremated and her remains were interred at the Sunset View Mausoleum, Kensington, CaliforniaG, next to her husband.¹⁰

Elias Schaeffer was born in 1821 in Maxatawny Twp., Berks Co., PennsylvaniaG.^4,5,6 He moved to Turbut Twp., Northumberland Co.G, about 1824 with his parents.¹⁰
     Elias married Elizabeth Glaze, daughter of Stephen Glaze.^7,8,9
     Elias and Elizabeth appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Turbut Twp., Northumberland Co., PennsylvaniaG, enumerated 12 Aug 1850. Their daughter Sarah was listed as living with them, as were Martin Conrad, a 17-year-old laborer, and Christiana Bupp, age 22.³
     Elias and Elizabeth appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Turbut Twp., Northumberland Co., PennsylvaniaG, enumerated 31 Jul 1860, reporting real estate valued at $17,500 and $2,300 in personal estate. Their children Sarah, Rebecca, and Elizabeth were listed as living with them, as were Charles McGuay, a 23-year-old farm hand, Elias Roadarml, age 14, Jacob Reigle, and Caroline Wertman, a 16-year-old domestic servant.¹²
     He was a farmer, apparently quite successfully, as he retired by 1870, when he was about age 50.^3,12,13,14
     Elias and Elizabeth appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Turbut Twp., Northumberland Co., PennsylvaniaG, enumerated 9 May 1870, reporting real estate valued at $49,000 and personal estate of $1,500. Their children Elizabeth and Emma were listed as living with them.¹⁵
     Elias and Elizabeth appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Turbut Twp., Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania G, enumerated 24 Jun 1880. Their daughter Emma was listed as living with them.¹⁶
     Elias left a will dated 8 Nov 1882, in which appointed his sons-in-law Levi Stamm and William J. Balliet as executors. He left to his wife Elizabeth for her life, or as long as she remained a widow, the use of his home and outbuildings, and any furniture she wanted to keep. He also left her a horse, buggy, and harness, one cow and two hogs. She was to receive the interest at 6% on $8,000 from the estate, and the interest on $2,000 to be paid by each of his four daughters. The three older daughters were also to furnish her three loads of hay and three loads of corn fodder each year. He bequeathed to his eldest daughter, Sarah, the 167-acre farm they were she and her husband were occupying. She was to pay to his youngest daughter, Emma, $9,000 in consideration of that gift. Emma was also to receive $450 from the estate, and his organ. Daughter Rebecca was to receive the 30-acre homestead, subject to the life estate of his wife. She was also to receive $5,200, reduced by $4,000 in bonds he held against her husband, and outstanding interest. Daughter Elizabeth was to receive the 80-acre farm she and her husband were occupying, plus $1,000. Personal property and furniture not take by his wife was to be sold, and the proceeds together with stocks and bonds not otherwise distributed was to be split evenly by his wife and four daughters.¹¹
     Elias died on 19 Aug 1886 at age ~65.^11,10 He was buried in Paradise Reformed Lutheran Church, Northumberland Co., PennsylvaniaG.¹⁰
     His will was proved on 3 Sep 1886 in Northumberland Co., PennsylvaniaG.¹¹

John F. Imel was born in May 1866 in PennsylvaniaG.^4,5,6 He appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Jackson Twp., Gentry Co., Missouri, G in the household of his parents, Thomas Imel and Violetta Riegel.³

Practicing Law in St. Joseph --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     By 1887 John was a working as a stenographer for law firms. That year he is listed as working for McKinney, Hudley & Walker, and the next year for Ramey & Brown. By 1890 he was working for Stephen S. Brown, who had left his previous partnership. By 1893 John had become a lawyer, in partnership with Brown, using the firm name Brown & Imel. By 1895 he had a new partner, K.B. Randolph, using the firm name of Randolph & Imel.¹⁰
     John married Dorothea Johanna Vasterling, daughter of Friederich Vasterling and Johannah Floerke, on 23 Aug 1892 in St. Joseph, Buchanan Co., MissouriG, with Rev. Carl C. Nestel officiating.^7,8
     About 1896 John briefly formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Charles C. Crow, under the name of Imel & Crow. They listed themselves as attorneys and also as counselors for Snow-Church Collection Co. That partnership was short-lived; by 1898 they had gone their separate ways.¹¹ From 1899 until 1906 John practiced by himself, with offices in the German-American Bank building in St. JosephG.^12,13,14
     John and Dorothea appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of St. Joseph, Buchanan Co., Missouri, at 1006 18 St. G, enumerated 1 Jun 1900. Their daughter Mildred was listed as living with them.¹⁵

A Probate Judge --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     John served as judge of probate court from about 1907 until 1914.^16,17,18 His niece, Violetta Marie Imel, worked for him as a stenographer in 1913-1914.¹⁹
     While a probate judge, John raised an objection to the disposition of the fees he collected that resulted in litigation. Under state law at the time, probate judges were required to pay to the county 90% of the amount the fees they collected, after deducting expenses, exceeded the salary of circuit court judges in the same county. The payments were to go to the school fund in the county. He had collected $5,558 in fees in 1907 and $6,675 in 1908. After deducting the allowed amounts $2,426 was due the county for the two years. He filed suit claiming the provisions requiring paying a portion of probate judge's fees was unconstitutional. The Circuit Court agreed with him, but was reversed by the state Supreme Court 28 Mar 1912 and he was required to make the payments. The law was changed for Buchanan Co. in 1915 requiring probate judges to turn over all fees collected and receive a fixed salary of $3,000 per year.^20,21
     John and Dorothea appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of St. Joseph, Buchanan Co., Missouri, at 1006 18 St. G, enumerated 4 Apr 1910, reporting that the family owned its home, free of mortgage. Their daughter Mildred was listed as living with them, as was her mother, Johannah Floerke.²²

Moving to Los Angeles --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     In 1914, while still living in St. JosephG, John established a partnership with a Los Angeles law firm known as Delmas, Imel & Banks.²³
     John and Dorothea moved to Los Angeles, California about 1915, initially living at 623½ S. Spring.²⁴ They appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California G, at 1236 Crown Hill Ave., enumerated 5 Jan 1920, reporting that they were renting their home. Their daughter, Mildred, and her husband are shown as living in the same dwelling.²⁵
     John established his own practice when he moved to Los Angeles, with offices in the Hollingsworth Building at 606 S. Hill St., "one of the finest office buildings on the Pacific Coast" by one account.^26,27 By 1925 he formed a partnership with Neal E Dow, under the name of Imel & Dow.²⁸
     John and Dorothea moved to 7133 Huges Ave.G by 1925.²⁹ They appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California G, at 3756 Hughes Ave., enumerated 8 Apr 1930, reporting that the family owned a home valued at $9,000, and had a radio.³⁰
     John died on 7 Feb 1937 in Los Angeles Co., CaliforniaG, at age 70.⁹

Elmer Lawrence Imel was born on 10 Aug 1867 in Milton, PennsylvaniaG.^4,5,6 He appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Jackson Twp., Gentry Co., Missouri, G in the household of his parents, Thomas Imel and Violetta Riegel.¹⁰
      By 1887 Elmer was a cutter, and by the next year a foreman, at I. R. Kaull, a firm that made overalls.¹¹
     Elmer married Catharine Parsels, daughter of Benjamin T. Parsels and Catharine Kiersted, on 2 Jun 1891.^7,8,9 He was a cutter for McKinney, Hundley & Walker, a fancy dry goods wholesale business, in 1890. By 1893 he had a similar position with Tootle Hosea & Co., another dry goods company.¹²
     Elmer and Catharine seemed to have moved frequently during most of their married years. In 1893 they were living at 715 Albemarle in St. Joseph.¹³ Elmer moved to Kansas City, MissouriG, about 1894, where he continued to work as a cutter. He lived at a number of places, including 1409 Flora, 218 W 7th, and 1910 Tracy. He returned to St. Joseph by 1897.¹⁴
     Back in St. JosephG, Elmer worked as a cutter at the factory of R. L. McDonald & Co. in 1898 and 1899. By 1900 he was working for Wheeler Mfg Co., makers of clothing overalls shirts etc., as a cutter and fitter.^15,16
      Presumably Catharine accompanied him to Kansas City, but no evidence has been found to establish that. In any case, back in St. Joseph, they lived at 2020 North 3rd and 2024 North 3rd before landing at 1218 North 8th by 1900.¹⁷ They appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of St. Joseph, Buchanan Co., Missouri G, at 1218 North 8th, enumerated 5 Jun 1900. Their children Violetta, Irene, and Lavinla were listed as living with them.¹⁸
      After living there three years they moved to 1227 North 8th about 1904, to 1439 North 13th the next year, and to 1506 North 13th the following year, where they lived until 1908.^19,20
     Elmer began working for the Hundley-Smith Dry Goods Co., later known as Hundley Dry Goods Co., another wholesale firm, about 1902. He worked there as a cutter until 1908.^21,22,23 He began working for the Tootle-Campbell Dry Goods Co. about 1909 and worked there the rest of his career. When he retired 30 years later he was hailed as the company's first employee. He was a cutter in the shoe factory and garment factory, and later a foreman in the overall factory.^{24,25,26,27,28,29}
     Elmer and Catharine moved to 1222 Lincoln St.G about 1909.³⁰ They appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of St. Joseph, Buchanan Co., Missouri G, at 1222 Lincoln St., enumerated 24 Apr 1910. Their children Violetta, Irene, and Lavinla were listed as living with them, as are two nephews, Albert S. and Frederick M. Fansher, ages 19 and 18.³¹
     They moved to 1411 North 11thG about 1911, living there until 1915. About 1916 they moved to 210 South 20th, then about 1918 to 2318 Felix.³² They appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of St. Joseph, Buchanan Co., Missouri G, at 1815 Jones St., enumerated 5 Jan 1920, reporting that the family was renting its home. Their daughter Lavinla was listed as living with them.³³
     They moved to 1209 CharlesG by 1924.³⁴ They appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of St. Joseph, Buchanan Co., Missouri G, at 1209 Charles, enumerated 12 Apr 1930, reporting that they rented their home for $30 per month.³⁵
     Elmer and Catharine appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of St. Joseph, Buchanan Co., Missouri, at 3204 Olive St. G, enumerated 3 Apr 1940, reporting that they rented their home, for $18 per month, and had lived in the same house in 1935.³⁶
     They moved to 3302 Duncan St.G by 1949, where they lived until his death.^37,1 They appeared on the 1950 Federal Census of St Joseph, Buchanan Co., Missouri, at 3302 Duncan St. G, enumerated 6 Apr 1950, reporting they lived in a home that was not on a farm.³⁸
     Elmer died on 27 Aug 1953 in St. Joseph, Buchanan Co., MissouriG, at age 86.¹ He was buried on 29 Aug 1953 in Ashland Cemetery, St. Joseph, MissouriG.¹