Catherine Zimmerman and Joseph H. Stambaugh

JOSEPH H. STAMBAUGH, son of CATHERINE HEILMAN and JOHN STAMBAUGH, was born March 12, 1823 in Paradise Township, York, Pennsylvania,⁶ and died December 28, 1893 in Ashland, Saunders, Nebraska.²⁸ He is buried in Ashland Cemetery, Saunders County, Nebraska.^{3110, 1677}

He married CATHERINE ZIMMERMAN on April 14, 1850 in Oronoko Township, Berrien, Michigan,²⁹ daughter of ? NIGHTENGALE and JOHN ZIMMERMAN. She was born September 30, 1832 in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, and died March 7, 1912 in Ashland, Saunders, Nebraska. She is buried in Ashland Cemetery, Saunders County, Nebraska.^{1677, 3111}

• Ancestor Report (Elizabeth Anne Stanley)

• Descendant Reports
  • Jacob Meyer Descendant Report (Ancestor of Joseph H. Stambaugh)
  • John Heilman Descendant Report (Ancestor of Joseph H. Stambaugh)
  • Felix Stambach Descendant Report (Ancestor of Joseph H. Stambaugh)
  • Georg Michael Romich Descendant Report (Ancestor of Joseph H. Stambaugh)
  • John Zimmerman Descendant Report (Ancestor of Catherine Zimmerman)

Children of CATHERINE ZIMMERMAN and JOSEPH H. STAMBAUGH:

1. DELILAH ANN STAMBAUGH, b. August 31, 1851, Berrien, Michigan; m. WILLIAM HARRISON HOOKER on October 14, 1867 in Rocks Bluff, Cass, Nebraska¹⁸⁵¹; d. October 6, 1924, Lord Lister Hospital, Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska.¹⁸⁵¹
2. MARY JO/JANE STAMBAUGH, b. July 31, 1853, Berrien County, Michigan;¹³³² m. ROBERT J. DOOM on October 30, 1873 in Saunders County, Nebraska³⁰; d. July 19, 1940, Ashland, Saunders, Nebraska.⁶⁴⁷⁹
3. GEORGE WASHINGTON STAMBAUGH, b. July 4, 1855, Berrien, Michigan; m. VIRGINIA B. ROMINE on September 11, 1882 in Lincoln, Lancaster, Nebraska²²⁸⁴; d. February 12, 1887, Amherst County, Colorado.
4. JOHN ADAMS STAMBAUGH, b. April, 1858, Nebraska; m. MARTHA BELLE LUCAS on March 14, 1895 in Lamar, Barton, Missouri^{7774, 7859}; d. December 2, 1926, Houston, York, Nebraska.^{456, 5648}
5. ELLA ROMINE STAMBAUGH, b. November 25, 1860, Ashland, Saunders, Nebraska;⁷⁸⁶⁰ m. (1) JAMES M. BUTLER on November 9, 1881 in Ashland, Saunders, Nebraska³⁰, m. (2) SILAS A. WELDON in June, 1898⁷⁸⁶⁰; d. September 6, 1939, Pierce, Pierce, Nebraska.⁷⁸⁶⁰
6. EMMA LINCOLN STAMBAUGH, b. May 27, 1862, Ashland, Saunders, Nebraska;⁴⁵⁶ m. SAMUEL JAMES FOSTER on December 11, 1882 in Ashland, Saunders, Nebraska³⁰; d. November 22, 1926, Harrisville, Butler, Pennsylvania.^{456, 7865}
7. LORENZO GRANT STAMBAUGH, b. September 12, 1865, Saunders County, Nebraska;⁷⁸⁰³ m. ESTHER EVELYN NICHOLS on July 2, 1888 in Lincoln, Lancaster, Nebraska^{2284, 7803}; d. August 21, 1940, Saunders County, Nebraska.⁷⁸⁰³
8. MELISSA JOSEPHINE STAMBAUGH, b. May 26, 1868, Ashland, Saunders, Nebraska;⁴⁵⁶ m. ALBERT W. WAYBRIGHT on October 17, 1891 in Ashland, Saunders, Nebraska⁷⁸⁴⁰; d. October 20, 1958, Lincoln, Lancaster, Nebraska.⁴⁵⁶
9. ROSE MAY STAMBAUGH, b. February 18, 1872, Ashland, Saunders, Nebraska; m. ADELBERT BALLOU STANLEY on January 18, 1893 in Ashland, Saunders, Nebraska^{3520, 30}; d. July 20, 1946, Ashland, Saunders, Nebraska.²³
10. RANDOLPH HAYES STAMBAUGH, b. April 10, 1877, Ashland, Nebraska; d. February 14, 1965, Ashland, Saunders, Nebraska.

Joseph H. Stambaugh

• was baptized by Birth and Baptism Certificate (translated from German) - Del & Grace Starns have original CENTER Birth and Baptism Certificate To these two, husband John Stambaugh and his wife, Catherine, whose maiden name was Heilman, while they were living in Paradise Township, York County in the State of Pennsylvania in North America, was born a son on the 12th day of March in the year of our Lord 1823. (It was this son) whom the Minister Albert baptized and gave the name of Joseph. Sponsors were Michael Stambaugh and his wife Anna Marie. UPPER LEFT CORNER Fear God and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13 LOWER LEFT CORNER I have been baptized. Even if I die soon, what does the cool grave hurt me? For I know my Fatherland and Inheritance which God in Heaven has given me and after my death He has ready for my heavenly joy and Sunday clothes. (white robe) UPPER RIGHT CORNER I think often of you death Often of eternity And I pray, O Jesus, make me ready and prepared. LOWER RIGHT CORNER I have been baptized. I am bound (united) through my baptism with my God. So I always speak with joyful tongue (be it) in Cross, in Affliction, Fear, and Need that I have been baptized. This makes me joyful. The joy remains eternally. Amen
  
• was a juror at Saunders County, Nebraska , 1869

Nebraska State Journal, December 30, 1893²⁸

Old Settler Dead

Ashland, Neb., Dec 30 - Special -

Thursday evening James Stambaugh of this place died, aged seventy-two years. He had the honor of being the first white settler of Saunders county, coming to it in 1856, and having resided continously on his farm near here ever since. He left a large family of grown children, nearly all of them born in the solitudes of early settler life.

Ashland Gazette, January 5, 1894³¹¹⁰

FUNERAL OF JOSEPH STAMBAUGH

On Sabbath last, at the First Baptist church, occurred the funeral of Joseph Stambaugh, notice of whose death was received just as we went to press last week.

The day was warm and pleasant, and the church was crowded to its utmost capacity. Every one far and near knew Joseph Stambaugh. He was the first person to make his home in Saunders county, his residence here dating from Sept. 6, 1856, and his neighbors and friends who had admired his fortitude and unassuming character, and who had noticed his patient industry through all these years came to pay the last tribute of respect to his remains.

Most befitting to the occasion, Father Hackney conducted the funeral services. For many years these two pioneers have been warm friends, and with much feeling and tenderness the venerable preacher spoke of the relationship they had sustained to each other.

Mr. Stambaugh was born in York county, Pa., March 12, 1823. His death occurred, as announced last week, at his home near Ashland, Dec. 28, 1893, at the age of 70 years, 9 months and 17 days.

Mr. Stambaugh was married to Catherine Zimmerman, April 14, 1850, and death terminated their journey together after a period of a little over forty-three years and six months. Ten children were born to them, nine of whom with the mother still survive. All but one of the nine surviving children were present at the funeral.

There was a beautiful collection of floral offerings. A long procession formed and marched to the cemetery, consigning the remains of an honored and respected citizen to its resting place in mother earth. The funeral was one of the largest ever held in Ashland.

Ashland Gazette, January 5, 1894

Editor's Column

In 1856, when Joseph Stambaugh crossed the Platte river to make his home in what is now Saunders county, Nebraska was on the extreme frontier, wrapped in swaddling clothes of her territorial existence. It was considered as a part of an immense tract of desert waste, and was thought of about as we think now of the wilds of Alaska. What a wonderful change he lived to witness. He lived to be surrounded by prosperous and happy homes. The county in which he was the first white settler grew to a population of nearly 25,000. Nebraska became a great commonwealth of over a million people. Land that had been purchased of France at two cents per acre became beautiful farms, possessing greater value than the finest lands of New York or New England at the time he came. All this has been accomplished within the life time of one generation. The annals of human progress no where afford a more conspicuous example of prosperity based on the resources of agriculture. Let us all be proud that we live in Nebraska.

Ashland Gazette, March 2, 1894⁹⁶⁶¹

In the estate of Jos. Stambaugh, who died intestate, W. J. Waybright was appointed administrator as prayed for in the petition. Mr. Stambaugh was the first white settler in this county. He came here a poor man but by hard work and careful management he accumulated an estate this is one of the most valuable in the county. The petition for appointment of administrator recites that he left personal property at the value of $13, 000.

Ashland Gazette, March 14, 1912³¹¹¹

SKETCH OF MRS. STAMBAUGH

First White Woman in County Laid to Rest Sunday Afternoon

Mrs. Joseph Stambaugh, whose maiden name was Catherine Zimmerman was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, Sept. 30, 1832; died in Ashland, Neb., March 7, 1912 at the age of 79 years 5 months 7 days. Her girlhood was passed at her birthplace. In 1849 she was married to Joseph Stambaugh. They made their first home at Bering, Mich., where their three oldest children were born. Not being satisfied here and moved with an ambition to own a home in the west, they emigrated to Nebraska in the fall of '56. Mr. Stambaugh, leaving his family at the little village of Oreapolis, came alone to Saunders county and was the first man to stake out his claim and make preparations for his home in this county. He cut hay where the main street of Ashland stands. He then returned to his family at Oreapolis, where they stayed through the winter of '56. With the first hint of spring they moved to their own home, which has been "the old home" ever since. In a short time following, other settlers came and no one save those pioneers know what courage it took to face the hardships of an unsettled country. And surely can it be said of Mrs. Stambaugh she was brave, indeed, to stand alone by her family of little children whenever it was necessary for her husband to go to Nebraska City or Plattsmouth for supplies, not knowing if she would ever again see him alive, for the Pawnee Indians were numerous and often a drunken band of them would frighten the settlers with their threatening war whoop, — and only a woman of courage could ever have been equal to such emergencies.

At first they started for California in a prairie schooner but when they reached Salt Creek decided to remain here. Mr. Stambaugh staking out a claim on the northeast quarter of Section 35, township 13, range 9 east, and put up here two stacks of hay, where the residences of Julius Olesen and Edward Swanson now stand, on Silver street. Mr. Stambaugh also staked out a claim in the northeast quarter of section 1, township 12, where a part of Ashland also stands, and the next spring did the first plowing in this county. In coming here the next spring, Mr. Stambaugh and John Aughe walked up from Oreapolis on the ice in the Platte river, Mr. Aughe being the second white man to take a claim here. Reuben Warbritton and family came here about the same time.

Mr. and Mrs. Stambaugh did much for Ashland in its infancy, advocating any movement that seemed advantageous to the town. The Public School grounds and the B & M railroad yards are among their liberal donations. They contributed largely for the building of the First Baptist church, of which both were members. Mrs. Stambaugh early in life became a firm believer in the redeeming grace of Jesus Christ and clung to that faith to the last. Since the dissolution of the First Baptist church she has attended the Methodist church whenever it was convenient for her to do so.

To Mr. and Mrs. Stambaugh ten children were born, six daughters and four sons, all of whom are living except George, who perished at Amherst, Colorado, during the blizzard of 1888. There are also 37 grandchildren living. The father died Dec. 29, 1893.

The acute illness which lasted ten days and resulted in the death of Mrs. Stambaugh was caused by neuralgia and la grippe, the action of the heart becoming weaker as the end approached. Was done for her that could be done to relieve her suffering, but the end came Thursday morning at 7 o'clock. Her son Randolph never left her bedside during the entire time that she suffered, and he no doubt will feel his mother's absence most keenly, having lived alone with her for the past 19 years.

Mrs. Stambaugh was generous and sympathetic to everyone, and will be missed by all her friends.

The funeral services were held at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon, March 10th, at the Methodist Episcopal church, the pastor, the Rev. W. P. Slocum assisting C. W. McConnell of Lincoln in the funeral services, this being her wish.

Lincoln Evening News, March 16, 1912¹⁸⁴⁸

Plattsmouth News-Herald: In the death of Mrs. Joseph Stambaugh at Ashland last week there passed away the first white woman settlre of Saunders county, Nebraska. She was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, September 30, 1832, her maiden name being Catherine Zimmerman. In 1849 she was married to Joseph Stambaugh, their first home after marriage being at Berrien, Mich. Not being satisfied with their prospects in Michigan and being moved with an ambition to own a home in the west, Mr. and Mrs. Stambaugh and their children emigrated to Nebraska in the fall of 1856. Mr. Stambaugh, leaving his family at the then little village of Oreapolis Cass county, went alone to Saunders county and was the first white man to stake out a claim and make preparations for a home in Saunders county. He returned to Oreapolis and remained till April, 1857, when the Stambaugh family moved to their own home, which has ever since been "the old home," at Ashland. Other settlers came soon and no one save those pioneers know what courage it took to face the hardships of an unsettled country. Pawnee Indians were numerous in those days, and when it was necessary for her husband to go for supples to Plattsmouth or Nebraska City, Mrs. Stambaugh could never know with certainty whether she would ever again see him alive, drunken bands of redskins continually frightening the settlers with their threatening war whoops. Mr. Stambaugh, died in December, 1893, at the age of seventy years.

Ashland Cemetery, Saunders County, Nebraska

Their tombstone is a pillar with Joseph on one side, Catherine on the opposite side. Several children and grandchildren are buried in the same plot.

Joseph Stambaugh
Died
Dec 28, 1893
Aged
70 ys 9 mo

First Settler in Ashland
Saunders Co Neb

Catherine
Wife of
Joseph Stambaugh
Born
Sep 30 1832
Died
Mar 7 1912