But Frederick himself had quite the family, with two wives and loads of children. He married Sarah Jane Shaffer on September 16, 1861, in White Township, Pennsylvania, and they would have 5 children together.

• Elmer R
• Clara Caroline
• William D
• R. Bella
• Jonathan

It’s assumed Sarah died sometime around 1870, after the birth of her last child. Then Frederick married Magdalene (Maggie?) on August 20, 1872, when he was 29 years old. Together, they had three children.

• Jettie Wegley (1873)
• Grace Wegley (1879)
• Blaine Johnson Wegley (1881)

Here’s an interesting bit of history. This document is a U.S. Federal Tax Assessment List from 1866, likely during the Civil War era. During this time, the U.S. government imposed excise taxes on various goods, occupations, and businesses to fund the war effort.

For Frederick Wegley, the record shows that:

• He was taxed for operating a still, which is a device used for distilling alcohol.
• His still was assessed at 20 gallons.
• The tax rate was $2 per gallon, meaning he owed $40 in excise tax.

What This Means:

1. Frederick Wegley was likely a distiller, producing alcohol or spirits, possibly for sale or personal use.
2. He had to pay federal excise tax on his still, which was common for alcohol producers at the time.
3. The tax was part of the government’s effort to raise revenue during the Civil War (1861-1865).
4. The government closely regulated distilleries since alcohol production was a major source of tax revenue.

This tax record confirms that Frederick Wegley was involved in distillation and was officially recognized by the government for taxation purposes.

I had AI analyze this image, which is a probate record related to Fred Wegley, dated July 1, 1889. Probate records typically document the legal process of settling a deceased person’s estate, including the distribution of assets and handling of debts.

• This document confirms that Fred Wegley passed away before July 1, 1889.
• His estate was going through probate, meaning that legal proceedings were underway to distribute his property, pay debts, and settle any claims.
• The probate process was likely handled in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, as the document mentions Indiana County.
• The record may contain details about his heirs, property, and executor (the person responsible for managing the estate).
• Witnesses or legal representatives were involved in the process, as seen in similar probate documents.

Key Details from Fred Wegley’s Probate Record (July 1, 1889):

1. Probate Location:

   • The probate proceedings took place in Indiana County, Pennsylvania.
   • This suggests Fred Wegley was either a resident of this county or owned property there.

2. Date of Probate:

   • The document is dated July 1, 1889, meaning Fred Wegley likely passed away before this date.
   • Probate usually begins shortly after a person’s death to settle their estate.

3. Executor and Legal Proceedings:

   • The document mentions an executor or administrator—the person responsible for handling Fred Wegley’s estate.
   • This individual would have been in charge of distributing assets, paying debts, and handling any legal matters related to his estate.

Possible Heirs Mentioned:

1. Sarah Wegley – This could be Fred Wegley’s widow or a daughter.
2. Joseph Wegley – Likely a son or another close relative.
3. John Wegley – Another possible son or heir.
4. Catherine Wegley – Possibly Fred Wegley’s wife or a daughter.
5. Henry Wegley – Could be another son or family member.

Frederick Wegley married Tillie Blanch Edwards on February 4, 1920, when he was 32 years old. They married in Huntington, West Virginia.

Together, they had at least six children, including my grandfather,  Raymond Wegley.

• John Wesley (1923-1982)
• Betty Ann (1924-2010)
• Raymond Edward (1925-1992)
• Ruth Minerva (1928-?)
• Dora Mae (1930-1970)
• Gretta Laura (1935-?)

Frederick Wegley, along with his sons John Wesley and Raymond Edward, served in World War I and World War II.

Here is a blurry copy of his WW1 draft registration card, which tells us that he is of medium height, slender build, with light brown hair and light grey eyes.

It also says he was employed as a laborer doing woodworking for a manufacturing company. It also reveals he was in the national guard in the infantry division for 1 year prior to this form being filled out (June 5, 1917), at which time he was 29 years old.

At 54 years old, he filled out another draft card to join the fight during WWII. Notice on the document, he lied and said he was 52, born in 1889, not his actual year of birth of 1887.

These two documents tell us a little more about the man. He was 5 feet 7 1/2. Again, we learn that he has brown hair and grey eyes, and his complexion is described as “ruddy,” as opposed to “shallow,” “light,” “dark,” “light brown,” etc.

This was signed on April 27, 1942. Fred’s eldest son, John Wesley, would join the war on February 19, 1943, almost a year later.  Then his youngest son, Raymond, would join on November 29, 1943, at 17.

So the father lied and said he was younger so he could join the war and fight for his country, and his son lied and said he was older to do the same.

Fred died in 1950 and was buried in a grave in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, where his youngest son was living at the time.

His wife, Tillie, would die in 1984 and would be buried nearby.

Now here is something interesting … notice his gravestone said his year of birth was 1889. But we know from countless census records that he was actually born two years earlier. Well, actually, now that I examine the records more closely, I don’t know for sure.

• The 1900 census shows he was 12 years old at the time, born in August of 1887. 1900-12 actually puts him born in about 1888
• In the 1910 census, he was 21 and listed as born “about 1889”.
• The 1920 census shows he was 30 at the time, which means he was born about 1890. During this census he was still living with his parents and was a box maker and a window and glass factory.
• In the 1930 census, it tells us he was 39 years old and that he was born in about 1881.
• The 1940 census shows he was 50 years old and born in 1890.

I am told that it wasn’t uncommon to estimate things back then when you knew for sure. But every time, it is different, so I’m not sure what to say about it.

The 1900 census and the WW1 draft registration card says August 1887. So for now we’ll keep it at that.

Fred’s parents were Philip Wagerline and Anna Dorothea Krafft, aka Fronica. His mother was born in Germany and first came to America in 1744.

Based on the “Source Citation for Maryland, Births and Christenings Index, 1662-1911 – FHL Film Number 14145,” we know that his parents were Philip Wegerlein and Fronica. This tells us not only when he was born but also when he was Christened (October 20, 1773). Oh, by the way, he was christened at the Reformed Congregation in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Fred was baptized on October 20, 1773 at the Reformed Congregation, Hagerstown, Washington, Maryland. We know this from the “,Maryland, Births and Christenings Index, 1662-1911″.

He appeared in the United States census in 1800, 1820 and 1830. He also appeared in the Pennsylvania Septennial Census, 1779-1863.

Johan Frederik was named after his grandfather on his mother’s side – whose name was Johann Frederick Krafft.

He married a lady by the name of Catharine but we aren’t sure when the marriage took place. All we can say for sure was that it was some time before 1801, which was when their first child was born.

• Anna Marie (1801)
• Joseph William (1802)
• Henrietta (1804)
• Lydia (1807)
• Theresa (1809)

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