Breidenthal: Generation 1

John Anthony Breidenthal & Elizabeth Hoevel

John Anthony Breidenthal's birth year is usually given as c. 1777, based no doubt on the 1850 and 1860 Censuses.  The 1830 and 1840 Censuses, however, indicate a birth year between 1780 and 1790.  Great age being a rarity in the mid-nineteenth century, the elderly invariably added rather than subtracted years.  I'm therefore more inclined to believe that John was born c. 1780.   

John's parentage is also uncertain. Although he's often listed as a son of Mathias Breidenthal, there's no proof and many anomalies.  With so much uncertainty, it would seem a relief that John Anthony's journey from Germany to the United States was recounted down the generations . . .

John Anthony  "was born in Germany, and when about eight years of age he and a younger brother were playing on an emigrant ship when it set sail.  They were found on board, but as they were only two little Dutch boys, it was thought best not to turn back.  On reaching Baltimore, Md., they were sold to a restaurant keeper, but a few years later John A., coming to the conclusion that he did not want to open oyster shells any longer, ran away to Pennsylvania, and was afterward joined by his brother, who became a wealthy iron manufacturer. John A. Bridenthal, as he grew up, evinced a strong liking for his books, and became an intelligent man.  He was a weaver by trade.[1]

An almost identical version appeared in the  Alabama Historical Quarterly:

According to family tradition . . . [John Anthony] as a boy and a still younger brother came from Germany as involuntary stowaways on a deep-sea sailing vessel.  They were involuntary stowaways because they were playing on the vessel and were not discovered until sails were set and the vessel was well at sea.  The ship's master refused to turn back, "just for two little Dutch boys".  Upon docking at Baltimore, Maryland they were sold to a restaurant keeper. 

Before many years John Bridenthal told his brother, "I've opened all the oyster shells I want to open.  I'm leaving.  When I get somewhere I'll let you know where I am."

John ran off from his master and settled in Pennsylvania where his younger brother afterwards joined him.[2]

                But this story too is problematic. His arrival in the United States could have occurred in any year between 1784 and 1798, depending on his birth year and the reliability of the above immigration story.  His marriage to Elizabeth Hoevel, born c. 1784, could have taken place any year between 1798 and 1801.  And we know nothing of the Hoevel family at present, so that avenue offers little assistance.   See also, Origins: Mathias, Henry, and John Anthony.

                The first mention of John Breidenthal was as one of the first settlers in the town of Woodberry, Bedford County, PA, building a small log cabin there in the early 1800s, actually one of the first houses.[3]  But was this our John Anthony?

23 Dec 1804: Elizabeth Breidenthal was listed as a communicant "auf Reformierten Seite", i.e. on the reformed side.[4]  But was this Matthias Breidenthal's unmarried daughter or Elizabeth Hoevel Breidenthal?

He hasn't been found in the 1810 Census.

10 Apr 1819: Phillip Compher, High Sheriff, acknowledged his deed to John A. Breidenthal for one house and lot in Woodbury Township, adjoining Francis Dickes, apparently purchased at a public auction.[5]

1820 Census, Woodbury Township, Bedford County, PA: John A. Breidenthal was listed with 2 males under 10, 2 10-15, 1 26-44; 1 female under 10, 1 10-15, 1 26-44; 1 person engaged in manufacture.

5 Nov 1822: George W. Barker, High Sheriff, acknowledged a deed to Phillip Compher, for lots in Woodberry adjoining John Bridenthal's lot.[6]

31 Mar 1824: John A. Bridenthal and wife Elizabeth of Frankstown Township, Huntington County, PA sold property in Woodbury Township, Bedford County, PA  to John Kinport for $320.  The property was described as Lot 26, on the east side of Main Street. and had passed from John Eck to Bridenthal.[7]

" . . . when their son, David, was an infant, they moved to Ohio."[8]  That would have  1824/1825. 

1 May 1824, The Harrison Telegraph:

LOOK HERE.  The subscriber respectfully informs the citizens of Cadiz [Ohio] and its vicinity that he will carry on the WEAVING & BLUE-DYING BUSINESS in all the various branches, the ensuing season, at the south-west end of Market Street, in the large frame house formerly occupied by Mrs. Samuel L. Osburn.  All kinds of Coverlets, both single and double, Diotier and Carpeting, will be wove to any pattern to suit customers, and on the most accomodating terms.  Persons having any business in the above line are invited to call at least once, and satisfy themselves.  Jno. A. Breidenthal.  May 1, 1824.

Following the lead of Oren Breidenthal, several researchers have claimed that Elizabeth died c. 1825 in Ohio; but where is the evidence?  Wouldn't their son David have mentioned that early death?  That year marks the birth of their last child; but then, Elizabeth was 41 years old that year.  There's no indication that I've been able to discover that John was married twice, other than one possible typo regarding her age at death.  This genealogy assumes that John had one wife: Elizabeth Hoevel.

1830 Census, Cadiz, Harrison County, OH: John A. Breidenthal was listed with 1 male 5-10, 1 10-15, 2 males 15-20, 1 male 50-60; 1 female under 5, 1 5-10, 1 10-15, 1 40-50.[9]  One of the 15-20 year old males was undoubtedly Samuel, but who was the other one?

1840 Census, Wooster, Wayne County, OH: John Breidenthal with 2 males 15-20, 2 20-30, 1 50-60; 3 females 15-20, 1  50-60.[10]

18 Aug 1850 Census, Wooster Township, Wayne County, OH: Weaver John A. Bridenthral age 73, born Germany; Elizabeth 66, born PA; Jane A. Willard 33, born PA, described as "at Preists".[11]   Jacob and Louisa Priest resided three families away.  They were enumerated next to daughter Mary Ann Camel and her husband Jared.  Son-in-law Darius Siegenthaler was also a coverlet weaver.  Were the two in business together?

The family moved to Missouri on 6 Dec 1853, the first settlers in the area that became Clarksburg, in Moniteau County.  "In their old age they resided with a married daughter [Elizabeth Siegenthaler] in Moniteau County, Mo., where they died, she at the age of fifty-six and he at the age of eighty-eight.  Both were members of the Missionary Baptist Church and he was a Democrat in politics until the slavery question was brought up, when he became an abolitionist."[12]

5 May 1860: Elizabeth Hoeval Breidenthal died in Moniteau County and was buried in Allee Cemetery.  This death year doesn't agree with an age of 56 at death as claimed in History of Washington County, Arkansas.  The woman in Allee Cemetery was born in 1784 and died in 1860.  That would make her 76, plus she was already 66 in the 1850 Census.  Was the 56 printed in History of Washington County a typo?

9 Jul 1860 Census, Moniteau County, MO (Clarksburg P.O.): Weaver John A. Bridenthall, age 84, born Germany, residing in household of [son-in-law and daughter] D. P. and Elizabeth Siegenthaler.  See photo.

1865: John Anthony died in Moniteau County.  He is buried in Allee Cemetery 4 miles northeast of Clarksburg.  There is no marker visible there now.

John Anthony had been a staunch abolitionist and Northern sympathizer.  According to Oren Breidenthal's 1951 account, a Mr. Woods had to stand guard with guns and sword at John Anthony's burial to protect the body from pro-Confederate anti-abolitionists.       

Children of John Anthony and Elizabeth Hoevel Breidenthal: Some researchers don't list either Sarah or Louisa among John Anthony's children.  David Bridenthal also supposedly had a brother named Phillip, who attended college at Granville, OH, but I'm unable to find any evidence for him.  A Phillip Breidenthal went to Louisiana, but was that Phillip a son of John Anthony?  Jasper William and John Charles are probably his sons, but documentary proof is lacking.  I'm inclined to believe Louisa was the daughter of John Anthony, but the evidence is purely circumstantial - that, and gut feeling.  If you can prove or disprove one of these Breidenthals, please contact me at breidenthal@centurytel.net.

Because of these uncertainties, I've divided those below into Possible, Probable, and Definite.

Possible Children:

Jasper William Breidenthal (c. 1802 - 1845; m. Catherine Timmons 20 Mar 1828)

1830 Census, Mount Pleasant, Jefferson County, OH: William Bridenthail was listed with 1 male 20-30; 1 female under 5, 1 20-30.[13]  But is this our William Jasper?

John Charles Breidenthal (4 Feb 1806 - 1862; m. Lydia Leighty c. 1830)

Charles' possible sister Louis married David Leighty.

9 Sep 1850 Census, Wayne County, OH (Chester Township): Blacksmith John C. Bridenthal 44, born PA; Lydia 38, born PA; Sarah 16; William 14; Henry 12; Lydia 10; Louisa 8; David 5, born OH; Martha 5/12 born OH.[14]

25 Jul 1860 Census, Whitley County, IN (Cleveland Township): Lydia Bridenthal 48, born PA, with real and personal property valued at $35 and $35; India L. 18, born PA; David 12, born OH; George 8, born OH.[15]   They were listed next to [son-in-law and daughter] William and Sarah  Shidler.  Where is John Charles, who reportedly didn't die until 1862? 

Probable Children:

Louisa Breidenthal (10 Jan 1810 - 15 May 1888; m. David Leighty 3 Aug 1830)

Louisa's possible brother Charles married Lydia Leighty.

30 Jul 1870 Census, Elk Township, Clayton County, IA (Elkport P.O.): Farmer David Leighty 62, born PA, with real estate valued at $2,000, but no declared personal property value; Louisa 60, born PA, with "father of foreign birth"; Samuel 20, born OH, working on the farm, with personal property estimated at $200; Solomen 18, born OH, also working on farm; Mary S. Berry 11, born IA; Louisa Berry 9, born IA.  They were enumerated next to the John Leighty family, close to the David Leighty family.[16]  What is the connection with the Berrys?  In Moniteau County, MO Charlotte Campbell, daughter of Jared and Mary Ann Breidenthal Campbell, married William L. Berry, born OH.

17 Jun 1880 Census, Elk Township, Clayton County, IA: Louiza Leighty 71, PA PA PA, "keeping house".  She was listed next to the Jacob Leighty family.[17]

Sarah Breidenthal (1822 -     ; m. James Wesley Yarnell 22 Oct 1840)

Various researchers claim that Sarah, the wife of James Wesley Yarnell, was named Sarah Patterson.  What is the evidence that she was born a Breidenthal?  Whatever her maiden name, Sarah Yarnell was born 7 Oct 1824 in PA and died 4 Oct 1890 in Moniteau County, MO.  She is buried in Sappington Cemetery, Clarksburg.  While in Ohio, James and Sarah resided Ashland County, bordering Wayne.  Her son John Wesley Yarnell married Emma Melissa, daughter of Elizabeth Breidenthal Siegenthaler in 1866.  This is admittedly circumstantial; thus any descendant is advised to verify Sarah Yarnell's parents.

11 Sep 1850, Hanover Township, Ashland County, OH: Farmer James Yarnell 32, born OH; Sarah 25, born PA; son T. age 7; son J. 5; son F. M. 4; daughter M. E. 2; son J. P. age 5/12; John Damuth 62, born PA, no profession.  [Pg 139]

23 Aug 1860 Census, Hanover Township, Ashland County, OH: Farmer James Yarnell 42, born OH, with real and personal property valued at $2,000 and $500 respectively; Sarah 36, born PA; Thomas 16; John 15; Francis M. 13; Mary E. 12; Joshua E. 10; James H. 8; Clarence E. 6; Ruth E. 5; Hamilton 3; Sarah B. 10 months.  All children born OH.  [Pg 24]

1870 Census, Moniteau County, MO (Moreau Township):  Farmer James Yarnell 52, born OH, with real and personal property worth $2,000 and $925 respectively; Sarah 48, born PA; John W. age 24, born OH; Joshua P. 20; James H. 18; Clarence E. 16; Ruth E. 14; Sarah E. 12; Hamilton 10; Manning 8; Annie K. age 6.  (All children born OH.)  [Pg 6]

1880 Census, Cooper, Moniteau County, MO: Widow Sarah Yarnell 55, PA PA PA; Ruth E. 24; Hamilton 21, a laborer; Sarah B. 19; Manuel F. 18, a laborer; Annie R. 16.  All children were born in OH.

Definitely Children:

Samuel Breidenthal (1816 - 31 Oct 1881; m. Elizabeth Mason 15 Jul 1844)

                Mary Ann Breidenthal (May 1819 - 28 Jun 1901; m. Jared Campbell 6 Dec 1842)

David R. Breidenthal (7 Jul 1823 - 14 Mar 1903; m. Catherine Lucella Ashford 2 Aug 1849)

Elizabeth Breidenthal (3 Jul 1825 - 10 Jun 1900; m. John Darius Siegenthaler 3 Jun 1847)

If you have material about or photos of any individuals included in Nancy's Dead Relatives, can add well-documented family lines, have corrections and/or comments, or wish to establish a link to or from this site, please contact me at nancy@nancysdeadrelatives.com.  However, the decision whether or not to include any submitted material is the webmaster's (mine) alone. 

Nancy Denty Breidenthal

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