Keturah Moore and Max Mesharer
I've been asked about the parentage of Howard M. Mesharer, who passed away March 3, 2005 and was pre-deceased by two brothers John and Norman Moore according to his obituary. I will start with family "folklore" and then explain my subsequent research into this apparent irregularity in brothers with differing last names.
As I've been told, Howard was the adopted son of Max Mesharer and his wife Keturah Moore. Howard was said to be the son of one of Keturah's brothers. Max was a successful businessman in the Wilkes-Barre community in the 1920s and 1930s, being a self-made man, the son of Harris Mesharer. Max most likely immigrated from Lithuania in 1890 although there is some question about this. It would appear that Max and Keturah wanted a child of their own and in some way they arranged to adopt the child of one of Keturah's brothers.
As to documentation:
Keturah, a presumably wealthy widow, remarried after Max's death to George M. Roberts on 30 May 1943. On the Pennsylvania County Marriage record for Luzerne County, her father's name is listed as James. A. Moore and her mother as Martha J Mccreary. Keturah's age is listed as 54 giving an estimated birth year of 1889.
The 1900 US census for Luzerne "Bor" in Luzerne County lists a household with James A. Moore, born September1847, and Martha Moore, born October 1854. They had been married for 30 years, so were presumably married about 1870. Martha indicates she has had 9 children, 6 of whom are living at the time of the census. James occupation is listed as engineer, and birthplace is Ireland. Martha lists a birthplace of Pennsylvania, for herself as well as her parents.
There are 3 children listed in the census: a son John born Aug 1875, a daughter Ida born June 1886 and Keturah born September 1888. Presumably there are 3 other children living elsewhere at this time.
In 1910 Martha is listed on the census for Dorranceton, Ward 3, Luzerne County, PA as the widowed head of household with her son, John W., age 35, a painter. On this census, she lists her father's birthplace as Maryland.
The January 5, 1920 census lists John W. Moore, age 44, as head of household with his wife Clara, age 30, living in New Rochelle Ward 3, Westchester, New York. She indicates she immigrated from Germany in 1904. Two children are listed: John James Moore, age 8 and Norman C. Moore, age 1 3/12. Presumably these are the brothers of Howard M. Mesharer who was born on August 10, 1920. It is certainly possible that Harold's biological mother Clara died in childbirth, and his aunt and uncle, Keturah and Max, who were childless, adopted Howard at that time. Howard M. Moore became known as Howard M. Mesharer.
Howard M. Mesharer's obituary indicates he was born in Mamaroneck, New York on August 10, 1920 and lists his brothers are John and Norman. This would tend to confirm that John W. Moore, brother of Keturah, was Howard M. Mesharer's biological father, while Max Mesharer was his adoptive father.
As I've been told, Howard was the adopted son of Max Mesharer and his wife Keturah Moore. Howard was said to be the son of one of Keturah's brothers. Max was a successful businessman in the Wilkes-Barre community in the 1920s and 1930s, being a self-made man, the son of Harris Mesharer. Max most likely immigrated from Lithuania in 1890 although there is some question about this. It would appear that Max and Keturah wanted a child of their own and in some way they arranged to adopt the child of one of Keturah's brothers.
As to documentation:
Keturah, a presumably wealthy widow, remarried after Max's death to George M. Roberts on 30 May 1943. On the Pennsylvania County Marriage record for Luzerne County, her father's name is listed as James. A. Moore and her mother as Martha J Mccreary. Keturah's age is listed as 54 giving an estimated birth year of 1889.
The 1900 US census for Luzerne "Bor" in Luzerne County lists a household with James A. Moore, born September1847, and Martha Moore, born October 1854. They had been married for 30 years, so were presumably married about 1870. Martha indicates she has had 9 children, 6 of whom are living at the time of the census. James occupation is listed as engineer, and birthplace is Ireland. Martha lists a birthplace of Pennsylvania, for herself as well as her parents.
There are 3 children listed in the census: a son John born Aug 1875, a daughter Ida born June 1886 and Keturah born September 1888. Presumably there are 3 other children living elsewhere at this time.
In 1910 Martha is listed on the census for Dorranceton, Ward 3, Luzerne County, PA as the widowed head of household with her son, John W., age 35, a painter. On this census, she lists her father's birthplace as Maryland.
The January 5, 1920 census lists John W. Moore, age 44, as head of household with his wife Clara, age 30, living in New Rochelle Ward 3, Westchester, New York. She indicates she immigrated from Germany in 1904. Two children are listed: John James Moore, age 8 and Norman C. Moore, age 1 3/12. Presumably these are the brothers of Howard M. Mesharer who was born on August 10, 1920. It is certainly possible that Harold's biological mother Clara died in childbirth, and his aunt and uncle, Keturah and Max, who were childless, adopted Howard at that time. Howard M. Moore became known as Howard M. Mesharer.
Howard M. Mesharer's obituary indicates he was born in Mamaroneck, New York on August 10, 1920 and lists his brothers are John and Norman. This would tend to confirm that John W. Moore, brother of Keturah, was Howard M. Mesharer's biological father, while Max Mesharer was his adoptive father.
posted by Leslie | 12:30 PM
1 Comments:
Howard Mesharer was my father. He married Mary Nauss, March 17, 1943. They had four children, Mary Jane, Judith, Thomas Michael and Eileen.
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