Michael Seltzer

Michael Seltzer¹

• Birth*: 24 October 1807^2,3
• Baptism: 26 May 1808³
• Marriage*: March 1829; Spouse=Catharine Hain⁴
• Death*: 1 February 1896^2,5
• Burial*: Womelsdorf Union Cemetery, Womelsdorf, Berks Co., Pennsylvania^2,6

Parents:

Family:

Catharine Hain b. 17 Oct 1807, d. 11 Feb 1870

• Marriage*: March 1829; Spouse=Catharine Hain⁴

Children:

Anna Maria Seltzer¹⁶ b. 16 Dec 1829, d. 21 Apr 1833
Levi Seltzer+¹⁷ b. 28 Dec 1832, d. 9 Sep 1918
Hannah Seltzer¹⁸ b. 17 Dec 1834, d. 1 Dec 1921
Elmira Seltzer+ ¹⁹ b. 17 Nov 1841, d. 7 Nov 1902
Lovina Catharine Seltzer²⁰ b. 21 Apr 1846, d. 9 May 1852

Notes

• Note*: Biographical note:
  
  "Michael Seltzer... Residence Womelsdorf, PA. ...Michael inherited in 1825 the two story stone inn built by his father in 1800. He added a third story and operated the Seltzer House until he sold it in 1859. He also was a farmer and horse dealer."⁷
• Note: Obit:
  "Michael Seltzer, aged 88 years, 3 months and 21 days, died of general debility at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Wm. G. Moore, Womelsdorf. These children survive: Levi, of North Missouri; Mrs. J. R. Good, St. Joseph, Md.; Mrs. Wm. G. Moore, Womelsdorf. Deceased was born and resided in Womelsdorf all his life. He was ailing for several years and was bedfast one year. He was the proprietor of the Seltzer house for upwards of thirty years. Before the Lebanon Valley railroad was built his hotel was on the line of the stage route between Philadelphia and Pittsburg and he entertained many noted men in his time. He also dealt extensively in horses and mules, selling thousands of them. He retired from active pursuits about eighteen years ago."⁸
• Note: Obit:
  "An Old Horseman Gone.
  Michael Seltzer, a well-known horseman and landlord of Womelsdorf, died Saturday, aged about 88 years of age. He was acquainted with Schuylkill county, and a few years ago he rode a horse to Pottsville, being one of the best horseback riders in the Lebanon Valley. He kept the Seltzer House, 30 years before the Lebanon Valley Railroad was built, on the line of the stage route between Philadelphia and Pittsburg."⁹
• Note: Civil:
  Womelsdorf was incorporated as a borough in 1833. Michael Seltzer was one of the six on the first council.
  
  Michael Seltzer was Treasurer of Common Schools 1843 & 1845.^10,11
• Note: 1865 - Great Fire at Womelsdorf
  
  "destroyed the barn attached to Mr. Levi Oberly's tavern, and one belonging to the premises of Michael Seltzer, Esq. Both barns were large buildings, and contained grain, hay etc. to the value of five or six thousand dollars. Mr. Seltzer is insured for $2,000 and Mr. Oberly for $1,900, both in the Sinking Spring Mutual...The fire is supposed to be the work of an incendiary."¹²
• Note: 1850 US Census, Womelsdorf, Berks, Penn.
  Michl Seltzer 42
  Cath Seltzer 42
  Levi Seltzer 17
  Hannah Seltzer 15
  Elmira Seltzer 8
  Lovina Seltzer 4¹³
• Note: Probate of Michael Seltzer:
  
  Date of death, 1 Feb 1896, is listed on two documents, executor's 9 Jun 1897 petition listing heirs, and sustained Exceptions to Adjudication 17 June 1897.
  
  Will abstract:
  Will of Michael Seltzer of Womelsdorf, Berks County Pennsylvania yeoman.
  Written 10 Nov 1885, proved 7 March 1896.
  Whole estate to be converted into money.
  To daughter Hannah, wife of Joseph R. Good, $1000 in advance.
  To daughter Hannah and daughter Elmira, intermarried with William G. Moore $3000 each.
  Remainder in three equal shares, one share to daughter Hannah, one share to daughter Elmira,
  and one share to children of my son Levi Seltzer.
  Executors his two sons-in-law Joseph R. Good and William G. Moore, and his son Levi Seltzer.
  Witnesses: George Heckman, M. S. Thirweeliter.
  
  Distribution to heirs, per sustained Exceptions to Adjudication, June 17 1897 (images 969-970):
  Hanna Seltzer     $1000 + $3000 + $804.63
  Elmira Seltzer     $3000 + $804.63
  Four children of Levi Seltzer $201.16 each:
  - John Seltzer               above age of 21
  - Frederick L. Seltzer          not of age
  - Edgar T. Seltzer          not of age
  - Sarah Elizabeth Seltzer     not of age
  
  Per account filed 28 April 1897: land sales: farm $2860.90, tract of land $280.50, and woodland $253.00; and rents etc. received $461.41,; and rents received of William S. [sic] Moore $275.00.¹⁴
• Note: Land:
  
  Michael Seltzer was a party to about twenty three land transactions recorded at Berks County. Additionally, three more were recorded sales by his executors, abstracted below.
  
  1) On 23 Oct 1896 Joseph R Good executors of the will or Michael Seltzer granted to William G Moore of Redlands California, in consideration of $2,860.90, a tract in the Borough of Womelsdorf containing 52 acres 154 perches. It being the premises which Jacob Shitz assigned on 13 Mar 1841 to Michael Seltzer (Deed Bk Vol 47 p. 64); and part of the premises which Jacob Shitz assigned 13 Mar 1840 to Michael Seltzer (Bk Vol 47 p. 381); and part of the premises which William G Moore and his wife conveyed 17 April 1873 to Michael Seltzer (Bk Vol 147, p. 634).
  Recorded 3 Apr 1897 Berks Co. Deed Bk 245, p. 611.
  
  2) On 23 Oct 1896 Joseph R Good and William G Moore executors of the will of Michael Seltzer granted to Elmira S. Moore wife of William G Moore of Redlands California in consideration of $6,925.00 a two story dwelling house and piece of ground situated on North side of High Street in Borough of Womelsdorf, between Mulbury Alley and High Street containing in front of High St. 111' 4" and in depth 274' 6". It being the premises that Sheriff Daniel Esterly conveyed 12 Feb 1844 to Michael Seltzer (Vol 147 p 617); and it being a portion of the premises which Jacob Seltzer by his will devised to his son Michael Seltzer; together with a water right to a pump in the yard of the adjoining Seltzer house (Bk No 77 p. 357)
  Recorded 3 Apr 1897 Berks Co. Deed Bks Vol 245, p. 613.
  
  3) On 23 Oct 1896 Joseph R Good and William G Moore executors of the will of Michael Seltzer granted to Rebeca Scheetz in consideration of $280.50 a tract in Womelsdorf containing 3 acres 48 perches; it being the same that Jonas Fishburn and wife granted 19 Jun 1855 and intended to be recorded conveyed to Michael Seltzer.
  Recorded 19 Jul 1912 Berks Co. Deed Bks. Vol. 388, p. 572.¹⁵