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Author: SuzanneFrantz62
Surnames: MELCHING, BROWN
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.indiana.counties...
Message Board Post:
I am trying to sort out the family of William Melching, a physician, who was enumerated in
Jefferson Township in 1860 and Rock Creek Township in 1870. There are other Melchings in
Wells County and although the families are probably related, I can find very little about
this particular William Melching.
From the census records, he was born about 1823 in Hanover, Germany.
In 1860, Jefferson Township, his wife is Charlotte, and his children are as follows: Mary
born c. 1846 in Holland; Charlotte born c. 1848 in Hanover; Albert born 1855 in Ohio.
In 1870 Rock Creek Township, he is married to Elizabeth and there is a child Sarah born
c1861 in Indiana, prior to his marriage to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth Brown married William Melching 18 Apr 1870 in Wells County. I believe she is
the daughter of Thomas Brown and Lydia Sparks. If this is so, then the marriage did not
last, because this Elizabeth, using the surname Brown, married David Carr 24 June 1875 in
Wells County.
Charlotte, the wife enumerated in 1860, is living in Fort Wayne in the 1870 census with
son Albert. I have further information on Charlotte. She was born May 1824 in Prussia
and died in Fort Wayne 12 Feb 1912. She is enumerated in every census after 1860 until
1910 in Fort Wayne, sometimes alone and sometimes with son Albert. In 1900 she states she
has born 4 children and 2 are living.
Albert E. Melching was born 17 Mar 1855 in Youngstown, Ohio, and died 06 Oct 1918 in Fort
Wayne. In 1896 he was sheriff of Allen County and after 1901 was a partner in an
undertaking firm. He is buried in Concordia Lutheran Cemetery in Fort Wayne.
I have no further information about the daughters enumerated in the censuses.
I would like to know what happened to Dr. William Melching. Albert's obituary
erroneously states the family moved directly to Fort Wayne from Ohio. I would also like
to confirm that William's marriage to Elizabeth Brown is the right Elizabeth.
Elizabeth Brown died in Falls City, Nebraska, 16 Jun 1913 and her obituary does not
mention a marriage to Dr. Melching, although it mentions her marriages to David Carr and
Samuel Haskins.
If anyone can help me sort out the Melchings I would be grateful.
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