New Revelations

A second cousin of mine, Rose Fairchok, who I had never known, contacted me and filled me in on some things.

My Grandfather Raymond was son to "Frank Joseph Koenig, born October 24, 1873 in Reserve Twp., Pennsylvania, died March 19, 1960, was married on November 28, 1901 to Magdalene Emilie Wilhelmine Hoerster born January 24, 1880 in Heidelberg, Germany, died April 3, 1922," Rose says.

"Frank mostly went by his second name Joe. According to census records he was an Iron Worker and laborer in a steel mill. I was told he worked on bridges. According to his death certificate he died from "carcinomatosis - carcinoma of the tongue". He's buried in Holy Name Cemetery in Reserve Twp.

"Magdalene was known by her Americanized middle name Amelia. Using their second name is actually a pretty common custom for Germans. Amelia had asthma and according to my Aunt Emma died from an asthma attack. She came to America in 1888 with her parents and several siblings. I was told she almost died from an asthma attack while on the ship and at some point was in very poor health. My grandmother, Rosella, being the oldest daughter had to quit school to stay home to take care of the house and children."

The father of Frank Joseph was "Adam Koenig born May 6, 1829 (although the actual year is in question) in Pichlingen, Hesse, Germany, married Victoria Auth, born December 23, 1838 in Flieden, Kreis Fulda, Hesse, Germany, died on September 4, 1903. Both died in Reserve Twp., PA and are both buried at Holy Name Cemetery, Troy Hill, PA.

"Adam Koenig owned a dairy farm in Reserve Twp. They had 11 children. Frank Joseph was the 7th child.

"Parents of Amelia:
Carl Julius Frank Hoerster, Sr. born February 20, 1852 in Solingen, Rheinland, Pressen, Germany, was married on September 28, 1878 to Johanna Heck at Heilig Geist Katholisch, Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Baden, Germany, died on March 28, 1919 in Pittsburgh.

"Johanna C. Heck born May 9, 1858 in Hassmersheim (Carlsruh), Germany, died on May 25, 1944 in Pittsburgh.

"They had 9 children. Amelia was the oldest. Johanna is buried at St. Martin's Cemetery in the West End. Julius is buried at the Greentree Lutheran Cemetery also known as the Thirty-sixth Ward Cemetery. I'm guessing they weren't buried together because Julius was not Catholic. Julius was an artificial limb maker and I understand he was very good at his craft. Julius and Johanna Arrived in the U.S. on the S.S. Herman on April 6, 1888. Julius' occupation was listed as a Mechanic. The original destination was listed as Maryland.

"Your great great great grandparents:

"I do not know Adam's parents.

"Parents of Victoria:
Johann Benno Auth and Anna Margaretha (last name unknown). Victoria had at least one sibling: Augustin born August 27, 1836

"Parents of Julius Hoerster:
Karl Reinhard Hoerster born in Wupperhof, Germany married to Wilhelmine Veronika Dorerschel

"Parents of Johanna Heck:
Peter Heck and Magdalena Peters both born in Germany

"Peter owned a steamboat and plowed the Nechar River as a freighter near Hekdelberg, Geramny"

Koenigs of western Pennsylvania

I've created this blog so I have a place to document any notes while I try to figure out my lineage, and so others who are interested have something to refer to. I've seen a lot of talk about Koenig's in eastern Pennsylvania, much of it dating back to the 18th century, but not much on westerners. I know there are a few Koenig families in western PA, though I'm not sure they're necessarily related, or even related to those from eastern PA. After all, Koenig is a popular German name.

Presently, I'm not well informed about who my forefathers were, nor am I about any distant relatives. Most of this is due to my parents separating when i was still quite young. I've always been interested in knowing who my ancestors were, but I haven't had any good communication with my father's side of the family for many years now.

First, a little about me:

My name is Clinton M Koenig. I was born on 14 April 1982 to Michael V Koenig and Sally A Koenig(Conn). My mother has already traced our ancestors of the Conn family by several generations. My GGGGGG. grand father was one Thomas Conn. He was born in 1772 in Down County, Ireland and died on 12 April 1856 in Port Washington, Tuscarawas County, Ohio. (link to forum)

I am son of Sally Ann Bott(Conn), daughter of Leander Duane Conn and Sally Ann Williams(George), son of Leander James Conn and Josephine Tropeck, son of Charles Livingston Conn and Margaret Bowland, son of Charles Pierson Conn and Amanda Livingston, son of Andrew Bruce Conn and Mary Provinces, son of James Conn and Elinor Bruce, son of Thomas Conn and Mary McElkany.

On my father's side, however, I only know who my grandfather was: Raymond A Koenig. All I know at this point is that he was born in 1917(I believe) and grew up somewhere near or in McKees Rocks, Pittsburgh, Pa. I know his mother's name was Ida, but that's it. My grandfather died in 1986, when I was still quite young. He died of some form of cancer. I know my family has more information and I've seen some photos of my grandfather and relatives that were quite old and in good condition.

I've only found a couple sources to discussions about Koenigs in western Pa:
Our Koenig Ancestors
GenForum

When I have more information on who my G. grandparents were, I'll be sure to post it and maybe there will be enough to trace my lineage further enough to link it to others' family trees. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or responses.