George Jacob Wahl
This story of George Jacob Wahl Sr. is based on the census
records for 1860, 1870, and 1880, various indexes, county directories, county
plat books, marriage records, records of deeds, his obituary, and his will. The
research for this information was done in the years 1988 through 1991. Someone
doing research in the future might wonder where we found this data. Since they
will find almost no records for a George Jacob Wahl, they will also wonder what
happened to the records that we found. In order to help future researchers avoid
confusion, I will explain what we found, why we know the data is for our family
tree, and what assumptions were made.
Almost all of the records pertaining to George Jacob Wahl Sr. have his last name
spelled as "Wall" or "Walls". There are very few records
where the name is spelled correctly. In the case of the plat book for 1894, the
index lists the name Watt in place of Wall.
The German custom of those days was for people to use their middle name instead
of their first name. Therefore, all of the documents, with the exception of his
will, refer to him only by his middle name or by his middle initial. I believe
his will is the exception to the rule because he probably dictated it on his
death bed and because he wanted it to contain his full legal name.
Census records, especially the older ones, contain errors. The most common
errors were made on names and ages. Also, the census records were handwritten
and therefore difficult to read.
The 1860 census for Sangamon County has a listing for J. Wall and his family. No
first names, only initials, were given on this census. His age is listed as 39.
The 1870 census index has a listing for Jacob Walls. His age is listed as 35.
Although some things on this listing matched the 1880 census (the wife's name
was listed as Vina, a likely nickname for Melvina, she was born in Kentucky, a
son named Jacob was listed, and the son's age matched Jacob Jr.'s age), there
were enough differences to make me believe that this was probably not our
family. The ages for the father and mother were wrong, a son Leo was listed in
place of George, and the father and oldest son were born in Prussia. Further
reflection, however, made me realize that the differences could be explained. In
the 1800's, a farmer's wife was most likely the one to be at the house to answer
the census taker's questions. Melvina may very well have lied about her and
Jacob's ages -- this seems likely when you consider the fact that from the 1870
census to the 1880 census she only aged three years. Germany, especially in
those days, was considered by many people to be Prussia. The initials of the two
oldest sons matched the 1860 census for J. Wall and the oldest son was born in
Germany. The daughter Sarah, who was born after Jacob Jr., was listed on both
the 1870 and the 1880 census with matching ages. And finally, whoever had
compiled the census index may have mistaken a capital "G" for a
capital "L". Looking at the 1870 census microfilm proved this last to
be true. On the census, George was listed as "Geo." with a sloppy but
very recognizable capital "G".
The 1880 census listed Jacob Wahl with the name spelled correctly. His age is
listed as 57. His daughters Loatta and Cora, who would have been approximately
13 and 11 respectively, are not listed.
The Sangamon County plat book for 1874 shows a 40-acre farm owned by J. Wall in
Salisbury Township. In the 1894 plat book, the index lists the name as J. Watt.
The map in the 1894 book shows a creek running across the property where the two
l's were written. This made them look like two t's to the person who did the
indexing.
The next piece of information came from an obituary from an 1890 newspaper. We
did not know for sure if it was the same Jacob Wahl because his age was listed
as 70 and stated that he was survived by ten children. The obituary age differed
from the census age by three years. In addition, we were not sure that the
family was that large and none of the children's names were listed.
Digging through some of the old county directories confirmed the fact that
George and Jacob Jr. were brothers who at one time farmed with their father
Jacob Sr.
He was never prominent enough to have been included in any of the biographies
that were published in the late 1800's.
He was born in Baden in 1820. Other than that, nothing is known about his life
prior to his emigration to the United States. He married in Baden but the name
of his wife is not known. Their son, Henry, was born in 1853 in Baden. Sometime
after that and before 1855, the family emigrated to the United States.
George Jacob bought 40 acres of land in Sangamon County, Illinois and became a
farmer. It appears that he married Mary Shafer in 1855. They had three sons and
a daughter. He married again in 1864. His wife was Melvina Cox. They had four
sons and four daughters.
This is the Sangamon County court record recording of George Jacob Wahl buying his farm. The original document was hand written.
The (???) items indicate words that could not be deciphered.
This Indenture made and entered into this the seventeenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and sixty four Between Elias Salzenstine and his wife Shonelt Salzenstine of the county of Sangamon of the State of Illinois.
The parties of the first part and Jacob Wall of the County of Sangamon and State of Illinois the party of the second part.
Wittnesseth: that the said parties of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of four hundred and sixty dollars
and 0 cents in hand paid by the said party of the second part the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged doth hereby
grant (???) and sell unto the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns the certain tract of land situated
lying and being in the county of Sangamon and state of Illinois known designated and described as follows. To wit. Being
a part of the south west quarter of the south east quarter of section thirty three (33) Township Seventeen (17) North Range
Six (6) west of the third principal meridian commencing eighty rods from the south east corner of said south east quarter
running thence eighty rods north thence forty west thence south twenty-four rods thence a south direction forty rods with
sixteen degrees angle thence south forty rods thence east eighty rods to the place of beginning containing thirty two
acres more or less. Also a part of the south west half of the south east quarter in section thirty three (33) in Township
Seventeen (17) north range six (6) west of the third principal meridian commencing at the north west corner running
thence due south forty rods thence running north of east till it strikes the north and south line twenty four rods from
the north east corner thence twenty four rods to said north east corner thence forty rods west to the place of beginning
containing eight acres more or less. And for the consideration of (???) and the said part of the first part hereby waive
and release confirm and transfer and forever relinquish to the said party of the second part all rights interest or
title they may now have or may hereafter acquire in and to said real estate herein before described by virtue of the
laws of the state of Illinois approved February 11th, A.D.. 1851 entitled “(???) (???) exempt thereunto and from sale
or execution” and all laws (???) thereof.
To have and to hold the aforesaid tract or parcel of land free from all Homestead Exemption rights together with all the
(app???) and thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining to the only proper use and benefit of (???) the said party of
the second part his heirs and assigns forever and the said parties of the first part for themselves heirs executers and
administrators do covenant with the said party of the second part that they are lawfully (???) that the said land is free from
all encumbrance that they have full right to convey and will forever warrant and defend the said tract of land from the claim
of them the said parties of the first part their heirs and assignees and acquit the claim or claims of any other person
whomsoever.
In witness whereof the parties of the first part have hereunto sold their land and seal the day & year last above written.
In the presence of A.N. (???sler)
E. Salzenstine
Shonelt Salzenstine
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