CHARLES WILLIAM PRESSLER

(Ed. Note: The following biographical sketch on his immigrant ancestor was provided by Paul Pressler. The family pedigree was published in the Sept. 1989 issue of the Newsletter.)

Charles William (Karl Wilhelm) Pressler was born at Kindlebruck, District of Weissensee, Province of Thuringia, Prussia, on March 26, 1823, and was the youngest of August N.J. Pressler 's ten children. He was 25 years younger than his eldest brother, August. The family home, with the door lintel stone reading [1680], still exists at Kindlebruck where the family seems to have settled in 1665. Prior to that, the ancestry stemmed from Neumarkt near Breslau in Silesia where it is traced to 1394.

He was only seven years of age when his mother died and his education and training became the responsibility of his older brothers and sisters. He received his primary learning at the small village school of Kindelbruck and from the ages of 11 to 12 attended a grammar school at Weissenfels where his older brother, Hermann, had been appointed teacher in August 1833 Early in 1836, when Hermann was called to Eisleben, Charles returned to Kindelbruck and for the next few months received private lessons from a Lutheran minister at Cannawurf which was a half-hour's ride from his home.

When Herman became established at Eisleben, he sent for Charles and entered him in the old State Luther-gymnasium there on October 13, 1836 where he remained until April 1, 1841, and graduated at the age of 18. He took an academic course and also studied veterinary surgery. Being rather adept at drawing, he was encouraged by Hermann to become a draftsman and, in order to accomplish this, he taught at Weissensee where he finished the course as a surveyor. In 1844, at the age of 21, he passed the surveyor's examination and immediately entered the Prussian State Service which constituted being sworn into the Army.

(continued on page twenty-five)

Another gift suggestion would he family group sheets for your Presley line. While recently copying the mailing list, I realized that many of you had not shared any of your family information with me, and I had no correspondence file for many of you. Our organization only works because members have shared their research, their queries, etc. v/ith the group as a whole. I don't have anything to print in this Newsletter except what you share with me, or what your dues can pay for through the commissioning of a professional researcher. Unless you are v/illing to open a line of communication with me, I don't know what interests you, and neither do other members who might have informtion in their personal files. Send me your queries, your group sheets, your crowded files yearning to be shared.

Finally, another welcome gift for your editor would be your suggestions for further research by Lilla Licht, our researcher in Washington, D.C. Currently, she is extracting the listings of Civil War Union Service Records at the National Archives, but when this is completed we have the option of assigning her additional projects.

As editor of a family newsletter herself, she understands the nature of our interests and has made the following comments: "I think abstracting pension files will be fruitful in terms of genealogical information.... What you need to think about is what particular records that are in pension files you may wish actual copies. For example, the original applications ... can be a gold mine of information.... ...[I]n the case of a long application, [it is] faster for me to photocopy than abstract. The kinds of information that can be abstracted quickly are: affidavits, medical records, military records, plus the total number of pages in the file. The typical file ...runs 40-60 pages, but some files are just a feu pages, and others over 200 pages.

"You asked about other resources at the National Archives. The ... 1870 and 1880 census indexes are now become available. I mould need to review the N.A. catalog for other sources that might be of genealogical value; there are 20 floors of records at the National Archives. Then, of course, there are the records of the DAR, DAC, CDXVII C, National Genealogical Society, ...as well as the Library of Congress.

"If you haven't reviewed any of this material, what I can do for you first is provide you with an inventory of the material in these libraries that pertain to the various spellings of Pressley. In addition, if there are particular localities that the family is known to have resided over a period of time, I can provide an inventory of the resources pertaining to these localities in the N.A. and these libraries. The opportunities and resources for genealogical information on any particular family that was prolific is endless."

Charles William Pressler (continued):
He did not approve of the prevailing political and religious aspect that existed in the country and felt that imrovements could be made. For several years prior, and especially now, the German papers were carrying considerable material regarding the possibilities of the new Texas Republic in America. Large colonies had left Germany for the new world, and, as Charles was now past 22, he had the adventure of youth and the idea of making good as a surveyor. He decided to join [the] Fisher and Miller Colonists and try his luck in the new land.

He emigrated as a member of the Manizer Adelsgesellshaft and their group consisted of 234 immigrants. These included Julius Franz of Torgau, brother-in-law of his brother Hermann, Fredrich Kanngiesser of Kindelbruck, brother-in-law of his sister Marie,

and other friends. The leader of this expedition was Albin H. Soergel. They left Bremerhaven in October 1845 on the Bark "Franziska" and, after a fairly eventful crossing, landed at Galveston on February 1, 1846.

Charles, Franz, and Kanngiesser were somewhat disappointed with the conditions that existed at Galveston at that time and seriously considered leaving Texas for New Grenada (Colombia and Panama) or even thought of joining the U.S. Army which was moving through Texas for the war with Mexico that had been declared in May. However, they decided to go to Soergel' s farm in Fayette County on Rocky Creek and try their hand on the land. This did not prove very satisfactory and Charles left for Austin in order to seek employment as a surveyor. He made the journey with $10.00 in his pocket and a violin and arrived there on June 15, 1846. Being unable to make any contacts, he worked with a bakery for a while at $9.00 per month and then became acquainted with Jacob De Cordova, who was in Austin making preparations for surveying parties. He was employed as head of a small expedition and left Austin shortly afterwards for San Antonio.

He went through Castroville and made surveys west of there as far as Eagle Pass. After several encounters with the Indians and some rather trying situations, he returned to Austin where the party disbanded. He made a trip to Soergel' s farm to see his friends and returned to Austin in November where he was again placed at the head of a surveying party by De Cordova. They left for work on the Blanco River and remained in that territory until June 15, 1847 when they returned to Austin after covering 1200 miles through wild and uninhabited country. On this expedition, he narrowly escaped with his life when an Indian raid killed several of their men. He continued to work for De Cordova on surveys and the assembling of field notes for the next nine months. His final undertaking was the actual surveying of the Esnaurizar Grant in Guadalupe County in March 1848.

The Texas newspapers during April had reported the outbreak of the Revolution in Germany, and, as Charles had been a member of the Army, he decided to return to his native land. He sailed from Galveston and, by a rather odd: route, reached home during the summer. Quite naturally he did. a great deal of talking about Texas and, as the Civil War in Germany was quite acute for a time, he persuaded many to try their luck in America.

In December 1848, an investigation took place at Eisleben in connection with a treasonable remark regarding the King which his brother Hermann was supposed to have uttered at a meeting on March 20th, nine months previous. This case aroused considerable public comment, and was of such a nature, that the District Circuit Court Justice, Edward M. Doerk, resigned his position on the bench in order to conduct the defense. During the hearings, Charles resided with his brother, Hermann,

and he met Counselor Doerk's daughter, Clara Johanna, in the early part of 1849. The resigning of his position to accept the defense of Hermann caused a local stir because Counselor Doerk had been an outstanding patriot of the Prussian Army. Ke had just completed several major decisions on the rights of the people and had finished a history of the Regiment in which he served during the Napoleonic War. He and two companions nearly captured Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo but the Emperor rode away on horseback faster than they were able to travel on foot. He did leave a vast amount of personal property which was divided among the members of the Regiment, some of these trophies remain in the family.

Clara was born on March 29, 1827, at Quedlinburg, Province of Saxony, and had received her education at an exclusive girl's finishing school. According to custom, their engagement was announced on April 27, 1849, and they were married at Eisleben on June 18th at a ceremony befitting the occasion. Prior to their marriage, the couple had made tentative plans to settle in Texas and they immediately made preparations to leave with Moritz and Edwina Doerk, brother and sister of the bride, as well as Frank Pressler, son of August and nephew of the groom. Their departure was delayed awaiting the outcome of the trial but they finally sailed from Bremerhaven on September 7, 1849, with a large party of immigrants.

They landed in Galveston on December 5, 1849 and went to Fayette County where Charles had decided to settle. The winter was extremely difficult for the newcomers and the hardships they faced were very dire. But, as Charles was unable to settle in the vicinity of Round Top as he had planned, he purchased 160 acres in the Duff Settlement of Austin County. They built a log cabin, survived the winter and, in the spring began to plow the land.

Their first crop was not as successful as had been hoped and they were rather discouraged. Charles realized that farming was not his vocation and felt that he should try to resume surveying. Clara did not want him to follow his former activities as head of a surveying party owing to the dangers encountered so he journeyed to Austin in the fall of 1850 with the intention of securing employment in the General Land Office. He was remembered for his previous good work with De Cordova and was promised employment. He immediately returned to his farm near New Ulm and loaded their belongings in a covered wagon and left for Austin with the family. They arrived there on December 13th and several days thereafter he entered the Land Office as a regular employee, being classified as a draftsman.

He was appointed chief draftsman in 1853 and suggested to the commissioner that the position of calculator be created. The duties of this person was to calculate the field notes of every survey returned to the land office in order to determine the acreage contained and to ascertain whether or not the survey

closed. This was to be established before the survey was placed for patenting. His suggestion was adopted and this was continued by subsequent examining draftsmen in the office.

On February 4, 1856, the Legislature approved an act incorporating the German Free School Association of the City of Austin and Charles was one of the seven incorporators. He later prepared certain information, most probably "Texas Lands", for the first Richardson's Texas Almanac of 1857 and the area of all the counties in Texas in J. De Cordova' s "Texas; Her Resources and Her Public Men" of 1858.

The (Galveston) Civilian and Gazette of April 25, 1857, published an item from The Dallas Herald concerning an expedition that had set out to make surveys and locate land script in north Texas. Charles called the newspaper's attention to the fact that Captain R.B. March's survey of the 100th Meridian in 1852 was incorrect and he had actually marked the 99th Meridian. The position of Fort Belnap had been very accurately established previously and the distance from that point to the 100 Meridian as set forth by Capt. March failed to check. This precipitated a lengthy pro and con discussion in the newspapers by all interested parties and continued until November 1857. On February of the following year, a Representative from Texas introduced in the U.S. House a bill to authorize the President of the United States to have the boundary line rerun and marked. This was done in 1859 and at least nine others were made before the correct line was established, marked, and accepted by the U.S. Government on March 17, 1930. The line finally established proved that Charles had been absolutely correct and that Captain March's survey had been about 1 east of the true 100th Meridian. The land located by the expedition of 1857 was actually in Indian Territory (Oklahoma) instead of Texas.

As his brother-in-law, Moritz, became interested in farming, the family moved in March 1855 to a tract of land located 12 or 15 miles south of Austin and they remained there until May 1856 when they moved to an 80 acre plot 3 miles northeast of Austin on the Manor Road. It was on this property that his three nephews, Paul, Frank, and Ernest Pressler, established a brewery in June 1860 with the aid of Charles' finances. This venture was continued until 1862 when the nephews joined the Confederate Army.

Charles remained with the Land Office but his services seem to have been transferred to the Engineering Department of the Confederacy about September 1863. However, on January 30, 1864, he was commissioned a Captain of Company C, 4th Regiment, Texas Infantry (State Troops) of the Confederate States Army and served in Houston and Galveston. He went back into the Land Office on September 6, 1865, but was relieved of his position in June 1866 when the U.S. Military Government took over the various State Departments. In the summer of 1867, he was appointed City Engineer of Galveston but resigned in

the fall when the yellow fever became bad. He was back in tine Land Office in September 1367 and remained there until January 1870. At that time he became connected with the U.S. Government Engineer Commissaire Service at Austin, which was a part of the Federal Military Government of Texas. One of his duties was the compiling of a map designating a new route from Austin to Ft. Yuraa, California. It is not known whether he actually made the trip but the map prepared by him is in the War Department at Washington, D.C., and is dated June 16, 18_. During this time, he accompanied Captain L.C. Overman of the U.S. Engineer Corps on an expedition to survey and inspect Forts Richardson, Griffin, Concho, McKavett, Clark, Dawson, and Mclntosh. He left Austin on June 26 and returned October 22, 1870. When this tour was complete, he re-entered the Land Office under Commissioner Kuechler in early 1871 and remained there continuously until his retirement on January 16, 1899. He lived quietly and occupied his time with his garden and flowers.

It was a well recognized fact, that in matters of litigation, especially where questions of boundaries were involved, his knowledge was accepted by attorneys and used as evidence. He was credited with being more thoroughly acquainted with the intricate and important duties of the Land Office than any other person who had served in the department since its organization during the Republic of Texas. The distinguished service rendered to the State during his many years is an outstanding monument to his skill, ability, honesty, and integrity and there is hardly any map of Texas prior to 1900 that does not carry some of his handiwork.

The first map of Texas by De Cordova was in 1849, and while this was actually compiled by Robert Creuzbaur, Charles had checked all the details with the Land Office records. This v/as done during the last nine months he was in Texas prior to returning to Germany. ;

Apparently he did not do any of the revisions on the 1850 De Cordova or the 1851 (a) map. But he did check the correctness of the 1851 (b) before it appeared and the changes were quite noticeable.

In 1851 Charles and W. Voelker issued the Pressler and Voelker Map of Texas which was published in Germany.

An 1854 De Cordova map does not show revisions while the 1856, 1857 (a) and 1857 (b) were each brought up to date. All three of these show on the face that they had been revised and corrected by Charles. However, the 1857 (b) bore this designation in error as Charles had made no revision on it Whatsoever.

The first Pressler map of Texas was published by him in 1858 and was considered to be the most correct that had been issued up to that time. A revision of this map appeared in

1862, but owing to the war, it did not have a very large circulation. The Pressler map was completely revised, redrawn and issued in 1867. This being after the Civil War, it was greatly in demand by people outside of the state who contemplated moving to Texas. The 1872 Colton map was completely checked by Charles before its issuance and indicates thereon that he had furnished the authentic material. A reissuance of this map was made in 1873, 1874 and 1875 with very slight changes.

The 1874 Roessler map indicates that a portion of. it had been copied from either the Colton or the previous Pressler maps and it is very hard to ascertain if Charles had worked on the project. He did, however, furnish some information but the nature of it cannot be ascertained. This may also be said in regard to the 1875, 1876, June 1876, November 1876, and the 1378 Roessler maps.

The Pressler-Langeermann map of 1879 v/as considered the outstanding map of Texas. Its 3 sizes have been widely used throughout the State and until recent years was considered extremely authentic.

A map was prepared by Charles in 1889 and while the Legislature approved of having it published at the State's expense, the matter was vetoed by Governor Hogg and it still remains in manuscript form.

There were also several county maps that were issued by the State bearing his name.

He suffered a paralytic stroke on February 3 and died on February 6, 1907 within two months of his 84th birthday. He v/as buried in the family lot at Oakwood Cemetery. His wife survived him ten years and died August 29, 1917, in her 91st year.

Their children were: Lucia, born April 11 and died May 29, 1850, at New Ulm; Sophia, born April 29, 1851, died May 6. 1852; Agnes, born October 13, 1853, married Frederick Sterzing on May 5, 1874, died May 22, 1938; Rudolf M. , born May 21, 1856, maried Miss Pauline Luckenbach on February 15, 1885, died January 7. 1938; Charles, born February 7, 1858, died November 11, 1861; Herman P., born April 7, 1861, married Miss Vedie Maddox on December 6, 1899, died January 30, 1937; George, born October 30, 1870, died December 16, 1928.

"...as the science writer Guy Archie has put it, 'no human ... can be less closely related to any other human than approximately fiftieth cousin, and most of us ... are a lot closer .... The family trees of all of us, of whatever origin or trait, must meet and merge into one genetic tree of all humanity by the time they have spread into our ancestors for about fifty generations.' The 'family of man1 ... actually exists. 'A single indirect genetic contact between Africa and Asia in a thousand years can make every African closer than fiftieth cousin to every Chinese.'"
-The New Yorker, May 13, 1985, "A Reporter at Large. The Mountain of Names" by Alex Shoumatoff

A MESSAGE TO THE MEMBERS

Dear Members:
There aren't any guarantees in anything much anymore, and especially not in genealogical research. It is very hard and often demands super patience in order to get the information we are looking for. We can't expect everything to come easy where this kind of research is concerned. Records have a way of being lost, misplaced or even destroyed, making it very difficult to piece together family histories.

This is why we need to protect what private and personal records we have, as well as to make this information available to fellow researchers. This is where the family research organizations come into such importance. We try to gather from everyone information on their personal lines, so that we are able to make this information more accessible to a greater number of people.

If it weren't for family organizations such as the one we are trying to keep going, much of this information would be almost impossible to obtain for most people. In keeping this organization together, we are trying to benefit as large a group of researchers of these families as there is out there. Without the help and support of each and every member we now have, have had, and will have, this would not be possible. ,

We've asked for your help many times and have often gotten no answer except silence. We do admit that some have come forward with copies of their records, and these have been heloful to other peoole. However, there are a lot of you who have shown no interest in helping out with what you have. I know our ancestors didn't live their lives selfishly, or we wouldn't have the freedoms we have today. We can't claim our ancestors and live selfishly with the knowledge we have of them.

I know these are harsh words at this time of the year when we are celebrating the birth of Christ, but we must also remember that he gave his life to help all mankind. Therefore, can we afford not to give to others who may need our help?

I, as the President of the Association, want to wish everyone a very Joyful Holiday Season and a Happy & Prosperous New Year. Take time in 1992 to write to me and to share with other members the fruits of your research efforts, your problems, and your desires for bur organization.

Lillian Stumpp
President

MILITARY RECORDS

INDEX TO COMPILED SERVICE RECORDS OF VOLUNTEER UNION SOLDIERS WHO SERVED IN STATE ORGANIZATIONS

MINNESOTA
Presby, Francis E - Co H, 5 MN Inf.; Pvt-Pvt.
Presler, Solomon W - Co K, 1 MN Heavy Art'y; Pvt-Pvt.
Pressey, Wm H - Co 2, Indpt Batt'y MN L. Art'y; (No rank Shown) O.F.U. Pressy, Wm. H.
Pressler, Solomon W - Co. K, MN H. Art'y; Pvt-Pvt; O.F.U. Presler, Solomon W.
Pressy, Wm. W - 2 Indpt Batt'y, MN Lt. Art'y; Pvt-Pvt.
MISSOURI
Presley, Charles A - Co b, 32 MO Inf.; Pvt-Pvt.
Presley, James R - Co A, 2 MO Cav.; Pvt-Pvt.
Presley, Josiah - Co K, 24 MO Inf.; Pvt-Pvt.
Presley, McKinzy - Co B, 32 MO Inf.; Pvt-Pvt.
Presley, Peter - Co K, 1 MO Inf.; Pvt-Pvt.
Presley, Peter - Co H, 5 MO Inf.; See also Co K, 1 MO Inf. Pvt-Pvt.
Presley, Philip - Co B, G, 3 MO S.M. Cav. (2 Orgn's); O.F.U. Pressley.
Presley, Reuben - Co G, 2 MO S.M. Cav.(2d Organization); Pvt-Pvt.
Presly, David A - Co A, MO Inf.; Pvt-Pvt.
Pressler, Valenten - Co K, 1 U.S. Reserves Corps, MO Inf.(3 mos. 1861); Pvt-Pvt.
Pressley, Reuben - Co G, 3 MO S.M. Cav. - 2 Organ.; O.F.U. Presley.
Pressley, Reuben (continued)
Pressley, Philip - Co G,B, 3 MO S.M. Cav. (2d Organization); Pvt-Pvt.
Pressly, David A - Co A, 47 MO Inf.; Pvt-Pvt; O.F.U. Presly, David A.
Pressly, Josiah - Co K, 24 MO Inf.; Pvt- (blank); O.F.U. Presley, Josiah
Priestley, George - Co C, 10 MO Inf.; Serg't-Pvt.
Priestley, William - Co B, 7 MO Inf.; Corpl-Pvt.
Priestly, George - Co C, 10 MO Inf.; Serg't-Pvt; O.F.U. Priestley, George.
Priestly, William - Co B, 7 MO Inf.; Corpl-Pvt; O.F.U. Priestley, William.
NEBRASKA-NONE
NEVADA-NOME
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Presbey, Oscar H., Co D, 13 NH Inf., Pvt-Pvt; O.F.U. Presby, Oscar H.
Presby, George W., Co H, 8 NH Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Presby, Henry F, Co D, 11 NH Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Presby, John, Co D, 8 NH Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Presby, Oscar H., Co D, 13 NH Inf., Pvt-Pvt; See also V.R.C.

Presby, Porter S., Co A, 1 NH H. Art'y. Pvt-Pvt.
Presby, Winthrop L, Co D, 4 NH Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Presler, Christian, Co A, 2 NH Inf., Sg't-Sg't.
Presley, Thomas, Co K, 2 NH Inf., Pvt-Pvt; See Also U.S. Navy.
Pressey, George H., Co H, 1 NH Cav., 2 Lieut-2 Lieut.
Pressey, John M., Co I, 1 NH Cav., Pvt-Pvt.
Pressley, Thomas, Co K, 2 NH Inf.; O.F.U. Presley, Thomas.
Pressy, Albert A, Co K, 15 NH Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Prestler, Christian, Co A, 2 NH Inf.; O.F.U. Pressler, Christian.
Prisley, Thomas, Co K, 2 NH Inf.; O.F.U. Presley, Thomas.
NEW JERSEY
Presby, Charles, Batt'y D., NJ Light Art'y, Pvt-Pvt.
Presler, Edward, Co F, 28 NJ Inf., Pvt-Pvt; O.F.U. Pressler, Edward.
Presler, John, Co F, 28 NJ Inf., Mus.-Drums.
Presler, Martin, Co K, 10 NJ Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Pressler, Edward, Co F, 28 NJ Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Pressler, John, Co F., 28 NJ Inf., Mus.-Mus.; O.F.U. Presler John.
Priestley, George W, Co H, 39 NJ Inf., Cpl-Cpl; O.F.U. Priestly, George W.
Priestley, John, Co -, 3 NJ Cav., Pvt-Pvt.
Priestley, John U., Co E, 15 NJ Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Priestly, George W., Co H, 39 NJ Inf., Cpl-Cpl.
NEW MEXICO-NONE
NEW YORK
Bresler, Henry, Co F, 12 NYS Militia (3 Months 1862), Pvt-Pvt.
Bresler, Julius, Co C, NY 2 Art'y, - - Pvt; O.F.U. Boeseler, Julius.
Bresley, Thomas, Co A, 43 NY Inf., Pct-Pvt; O.F.U. Thomas Biosty.
Bressler, William, Co C, 68 NY Inf., Pvt- -; O.F.U. William Rossler.
Presbrey, Wm N, Co F, 12 NH Cav., Pvt-Pvt.
Presbry, John C, Co B, 100 NY Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Presby, Co A, 2 NY Mounted Rifles, Pct-Pvt.
Presler, Oliver, Co I, 148 NY Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Presley, Ashbel G.H., Co D, 13 NY. H Art'y, Pvt-Pvt.
Presley, Ashbel G.H., Co D, 34 NY Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Presley, Ashbel G.H., Co L, 6 NY H Art'y, Pvt-Pvt; See also 13 NY H Art'y.
Presley, Benjamin, Co K, 9 NY Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Presley, Daniel, Co K & F, 52 NY Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Presley, Enos R., Co K E, 94 NY Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Presley, Francis N (Francis M ), Co E, 10 NY H Art'y, Pvt-Pvt.
Presley, Hiram S, Co G, 6 NH H. Art'y, Pvt-Pvt; See Also 10 NY H Art'y.
Presley, Hiram S, CoT, 10 NY H Art'y, Pvt-Pvt.
Presley, Marshall B (Michael B), Co B, 1 NY Veteran Cav., Pvt-Pvt.

NEW YORK (continued)
Presley, Robert, Co D, 136 NY Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Presley, Samuel W. , Co B, 10 NY H. Art ' y , Pvt-Pvt.
Presley, Wm., Co I, 59 NY Inf., Corpl-Corpl; See Also 82 NY.
Presley, William, Co K, 82 NY Inf., Pvt-Corpl.
Presley, William H., Co C, 110 NY Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Pressey, Daniel G, Co L, 2 NY Provisional Cav., Pvt-Pvt; See Also 13 NY Cav.
Pressey, Daniel G, Co L, 15 NY Cav., Pvt-Pvt.
Pressler, Franklin, Co G, 55 NY Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Pressley, Frank, Co H, 111 NY Inf., Pvt-Pvt; See also V.R.C.
Pressley, William, Co A, 4 NY Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Prestele, William H, Co E, 26 NY Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Prestler, George, Co B, 56 NY Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Priestley, Dalhouse, Co D, 118 NY Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Priestley, George, Co I, 12 NY State Militia, (3 Months 1861), Pvt-Pvt.
Priestley, William W, Co. I, 10 NY Inf., Mus.-Pvt.
Priestly, John, Co F., 143 NY Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Priestly, Stephen, Co D, 145 NY Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Priestly, Stephen, Co H, 150 NY Inf., Pvt-Pvt.; See Also 145 NYV.
OHIO
Bresler, Charles, 21 Indpt. Batt'y, OH Lt. Art'y, Pvt-Pvt.
Bresler, David, Co H, 26 OH Inf., Corpl-Corpl.; O.F.U. David Bressler.
Bresler, Eli, Co D, 111 OH Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Bresler, George, Co D, 73 OH Inf., Pvt-Pvt.; O.F.U. George Bressler.
Bresler, George W. , Co F., 49 OH Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Bresler, John M. , Co A, 26 OH Inf., Pvt-Pvt; O.F.U. John M Bressler.
Bressler, David, Co H, 26 OH Inf., Corpl-Corpl; See Also 4 U.S. Cav.
Bressler, Edward F., Co C (I?), 101 OH Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Bressler, George, Co D, 73 OH Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Bressler, George, Co - , 122 OH Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Bressler, George W. , Co F, 49 OH Inf., Pvt-Pvt.; O.F.U. George W Bresler.
Bressler, John M, Co A, 26 OH INf., Pvt-Corpl.
Preslay, Alford L, Co D, 166 OH Inf., Pvt-Pvt; O.F.U. Alford L Presley.
Presler, Aaron, Co B, 112 Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Presler, Aaron, Co C D, 184 OH Inf., Pvt-Pvt; O.F.U. Aaron Pressler.
Presler, Benjamin, Co B, 120 OH Inf., Corpl-Corpl; O.F.U. Pressler, Benjamin.
Presler, George, Co G, 11 OH Militia Inf., (3 months 1862) Pvt-Pvt.
Presler, George, Co B, 122 OH Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Presler, George W. , Co -, 177 OH Inf., Pvt- -; See Also 178 OH Inf.; Ref . card.
Presler, George W. , Co G, 178 OH Inf., Pvt-Pvt.
Presler, Jacob, Co -, 188 OH Inf., Pvt- -; See also 195 OH Inf.; Reference Card.

(to be continued)

SURNAME: PRESLEY

SOURCE: LAKE COUNTY1 (OHIO) MARRIAGE RECORDS2

LAST, FIRST NAME DOM3 AND OTHER INFORMATION

PRESLEY ELIZA4 23 June 1849 to Alex S. Parkman, Volume B, page 32 1; by Rev. John E. Bopert

PRESLEY MARTHA S5 12 June 1851 to Hiram Chapman, Volume B, page 374.

PRESLEY SALLY 22 September 1652 to James Hay ford (in record, it looks like "Hopford", which is incorrect, Volume B, page 442; by Rev. J. B. Stephansen.

PRESLEY ASBURY6 2 June 1659 to Nancy Ashcraft, Volume C, page 237.

PRESLEY MARIA A.7 23 February 1660 to Giles M. Gough, Volume C, page 271.

1 Lake County was formed out of parts of Cuyahoga County and Geauga County in 1640. Consequently, marriage records for many Presleys are found in the marriage records of those two counties before 1640.

2Research done by Claire Prechtel-Kluskens on 31 March 1976 at Lake County Courthouse, Painesville, Ohio.

3DOM is an abbreviation for "Date of Marriage"

4Daughter of Jeremiah Presley and Diantha Hoffman; granddaughter of John Presler and Newey __.

5Daughter of Jeremiah Presley and Diantha Hoffman; granddaughter of John Presler and Newey __ .

6Asbury Francis Presley. The marriage record is unclear and, in fact, looks like "Audrey." Son of John Presley and Mariah Miller; grandson of John Presler and Newey __ .

7Daughter of Jeremiah Presley and Diantha Hoffman; granddaughter of John Presler and Newey __.

PRESLEY MARRIAGE RECORDS - LAKE COUNTY, OHIO

PRESLEY CHARLES L8 - 25 August 1863 to J.9 Alice Edick, Volume D, page 32.

PRESLEY ANNISE J.10 - 7 January 1864 to John S. Chapman, Volume D, page 42; by Rev. B. C. Warren.

PRESLEY ALMYRA11 - 1 June 1871 to Martin Ferguson, Volume E, page 118.

PRESLEY JAMES N.12 - 16 March 1876 to Lucy G. Tiffany, Volume F, page 41, by Rev. J. R. Tompson.

PRESLEY ALICE13 - 22 November 1877 to Connet E. Keyt, Volume F, page 92.

PRESLEY MARIA JANE14 - 28 August 1879 to Chauncey C. Mentor, Volume F, page 148; by Rev. W. A. Lillie.

PRESLEY FRED E.15 - 24 May 1882 to Ella Taylor, Volume G, page 32.

PRESLEY ELLA16 - 11 September 1883 to Hudson Fowler, Volume G, page 208.

8Son of Jeremiah Presley and Diantha Hoffman; grandson of John Presler and Newey ___ .

9Full first name was Jane.

10Daughter of Jeremiah Presley and Diantha Hoffman; granddaughter of John Presler and Newey __.

11More commonly spelled Almira. Daughter of Jeremiah Presley and Diantha Hoffman; granddaughter of John Presler and Newey ——.

12Son of John Presley, Jr.; grandson of John Presley and Mariah Miller; great-grandson of John Presler and Newey ___ .

13Daughter of Lewis Presley and Almira Johnson; granddaughter of John Presley and Mariah Miller; great-granddaughter of John Presler and Newey __.

14Daughter of John Presley and Eliza Jane Briggs Barnum, grandson of John Presler and Newey __.

15Son of Solomon Presley; grandson of John Presley and Mariah Miller; great-grandson of John Presler and Newey —— .

16Daughter of Charles L. Presley and Jane Alice Edick; granddaughter of Jeremiah Presley and Diantha Hoffman; great-granddaughter of John Presler and Newey __.

PRESLEY MARRIAGE RECORDS - LAKE COUNTY, OHIO

PRESLEY JENNIE17 - 6 November 1887 to Nelson White, Volume H, page 146.

PRESLEY LUCY G.18 - 2 April 1890 to Marshall D. Biall, Volume H, page 529.

PRESLEY LEWIS19 - 19 November 1890 to Cordelia Sheldon, Volume I page 53.

PRESLEY CLARK H.20 - 19 January 1898 to Julia B. Downing, Volume K, page 132.

PRESLEY ESTELLA E.21 - 26 November 1903 to James A Ringle. Volume 12. page 490.

PRESLEY WILL B.22 - 27 March 1905 to Lillian Westerwiller. Volume 13. page 101.

(Ed. Note: Our thanks to Claire Prechtel-Kluskens for contributing this information.)

17 Daughter of Asbury Francis Presley and Nancy L. Ashcraft; granddaughter of John Presley and Mariah Miller; great-granddaughter of John Presler and Newey __ .

18 Widow of James M. Presley; see their marriage record above.

19 Son of Lewis Presley and Louisa White; grandson of John Presley and Mariah Miller; great-grandson of John Presler and Newey __.

20 Son of Lewis Presley and Louisa White; grandson of John Presley and Mariah Miller; great-grandson of John Presler and Newey __.

21 Daughter of Asbury Francis Presley and Nancy L. Ashcraft; Granddaughter of John Presley and Mariah Miller; great-granddaughter of John Presler and Newey ___ .

22 Son of Franklin E. Presley and Clara Nash; grandson of Asbury Francis Presley and Nancy L. Ashcraft; great-grandson of John Presley and Mariah Miller; great-great-grandson of John Presler and Newey __ .

CURRENT FAMILY NEWS

More than 600,000 people each year visit Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley in Memphis and the subject of Paul Simon's song of the same name. Among the fans of the late rock star who have signed the guest book recently have been Rod Stewart, the group 132, Joan Rivers, Wayne Newton, Dick Clark, and Geraldo Rivera. "Curiously, despite reports in the tabloids of Elvis being sighted everywhere . . . no one appears to have spotted him at home. Must be those long lines to get in... Elvis never like to wait."
-Parade, Dec. 15, 1991.

Plans are under way to build an 80 million dollar Elvistown USA theme park in Tokyo, part of plans to diversify Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. By 1994 other projects to be completed are: an expansion and relocating of the Graceland museum of memorabilia; the developing of a fine arts exhibit of Presley portraits; and the producing of a traveling exhibit. The domed theme park in Japan will be six acres duplicating an American town of the 1950's, and will include shops, restaurants, night clubs, a pool hall, a vintage car dealership, and a 40, 000-square-foot Elvis museum.
-Albuquerque Tribune, 7 Aug. 1991

A new member, Sarah R. Touchet, has published a new book, Pressley Families and Decendants 1734-1991. This book on the South Carolina family is available from the author for $19.95 plus $1.50 shipping & handling. Sarah says, "I would love to get as many family lines as possible on the Presley, Pressley lines, including old pictures, documents, wills, etc., and to exchange information with anyone who is interested. That was the main purpose of my book--to get my information in circulation. Somewhere someone has the information another one needs."

Vikki Lyn Cleveland, our member, is editor of Cleveland Family Chronicles and writes that "I am in the 'middle stages' of my dream project1: a multivolume Cleveland genealogical encyclopedia focused on the Southern line advanced by Alexander and Milly Presley Cleveland. I am anxious to hear from any and all descendants [of this couple]. I am particularly interested in receiving group sheet information, family anecdotes, biographies, family histories, photographs, etc. In the past ten years I have established a mail network of Cleveland researchers and have accumulated a respectable amount of information. However, I don't want to leave any Cleveland stone unturned."

Hint: Watch for an article in a future issue of Nexus, the bimonthly news bulletin of the New England Historical & Genealogical Society, on the relationship of Elvis Presley, former President Jimmy Carter, and Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina.

QUERIES

NEW INFORMATION & COMMENTS

by Jim Anderson

I recently got interested in the Presleys in Hax-;kins Co., Tennessee. I could not figure out why there was only one family of Presleys in the 1850 census, so I went back and checked the entire county line by line. I found four more families, which sheds a whole new light on this branch of the family.

                            p. 630 7/7 John Pristley M  50   TN
                                       Rebecca "     F  44   TN
                                       Priscilla "   F  29   TN
                                       Pleasant "    F  27   TN
                                       George "      M  26   TN
                                       Elizabeth "   F  20   TN
                                       William "     M  18   TN
                                       Jane "        F  16   TN
                                       John "        M  14   TN
                                       James "       M  12   TN
                                       Green "       M  10   TN
                                       Hiram "       M   9   TN
                                       Morgan "      M   7   TN
                                       Gilbert "     M   5   TN
                                       Andrew "      M 110   TN

Note this last entry. This Andrew has got to be the one who was in the Revolutionary War and stated he was born in Rowan Co., N.C., and who died in Hawkins Co., Tenn. His age is wrong, though. According to the information in his request for a pension, he states he was born in 1754.

                          p. 631 10/10   Martin Pristley M  30   TN
                                         Sarah "         F  23   TN
                                         Mary "          F  55   TN
                                         Templeton "     M  15   TN
                                         Quillen "       M   2   TN
                                     
                          p. 633 29/29   Andrew Presley  M  40   TN  Farmer
                                         Mary "          F  41   TN
                                         Nancy "         F  19   TN
                                         Jefferson "     M  17   TN
                                         Larkin "        M  15   TN
                                         John "          M  13   TN
                                         Howard "        M  10   TN
                                         Martha "        F   5   TN
                                         Jane "          F   3   TN
                                         Rhoda "         F 3/12  TN
          

                          p. 704 87/87   Zebidee Bresley  M  29   TN  Farmer
                                         Margaret "       F  30   TN
                                         John "           M  12   TN
                                         Andrew "         M  10   TN
                                         James "          M   9   TN
                                         Elizabeth "      F  12   TN
                                         Jane "           F   5   TN
                                         Matilda "        F   3   TN
                                         Julia "          F   1   TN
                                         Samuel "         M  18   TN

I also found some Breslers in Cocke Co., Tenn., that I missed. I may not have checked the index for this spelling, or maybe I found an index by a different author.

                          p. 794 770/770   Henry Bresler  M  56   VA  
                                           Elizabeth "    F  60   TN
                                           Charlotte "    F  26   TN
                                           Louisa "       F  16   TN

                          p. 794 770/770   John Bresler   M  21   TN 
                                           Elizabeth "    F  23   TN
                                           William "      M   2   TN
                                           David L. "     M  6/12 TN
                                        

In reply to the information on Elvis Presley's great, great grandfather being Martin Presley .[Sept. 1991 issue, page 10], there is a possibility for this to be true. It definitely needs further investigation. Elvis's great grandmother was Rosella Presley who, according to information in the Presley Saga by Fulcher, married J. Presley (relation unknown) on the 29th of October 1880. No place was mentioned. I have checked Itawamba County, Mississippi, but could not find this marriage. Fulcher also qives a record from an old family record which states that J. Presley, the consort of Rosella was born in 1859.

This opens up another Presley line. Now, this J. Presley would be a great grandfather, so his father could be Martin. I have checked both the 1900 and 1910 census for Rosella Presley's family. In both cases there is no father listed with the family. The 1900 census states that the children's father was born in Mississippi. The 1910 census for the oldest child, Walter, states that his father was born in Alabama.

WE GOT MAIL !

Seasons greetings by the staff of Library Acquisitions, Family History Library in Salt Lake City have been extended to the Presley/Preslar/Pressly Family Research Association.

FAMILY GROUP SHEET

(Ed. Note: The following was contributed by Mark R. Hammons2.)

Joel Broom, son of Andrew Broom & Susannah Pressley, was b. 13 June 1829 Anson Co., N.C., d. 10 June 1906 Lost Creek, White Co., TN, served 10th Heavy Arty, CSA, m. 27 Dec. 1853 Union Co., N.C. to Martha Jane Gay, b. 1827 S.C., d. 25 June 1895 Lost Creek, White Co., TN both bur. Lost Creek Cem., White Co., TN.
Children:
1) John W. Broom, b. 1859 Union Co., N.C., d. 21 May 1919 White Co., TN, m. Emily.
2) Thomas A. Broom, b. 1861 Union Co., N.C., m. White Co., TN to Mary Mitchell.
3) Martha F. (Mattie) Broom, b. 1867 N.C.,d. White Co., TN, m. White Co., TN to Bransford (Branch) Davis.
4) William Morgan Broom, b. 12 June 1872 TN, d. 29 Nov. 1925 Bon Air, White Co., TN, bur. Old Bon Air Cem., White Co., TN, m. 13 Dec. 1896 White Co.. TN to Florence Lucinda Myers, b. 23 June 1870 Bledsoe Co., TN, d. 9 Nov. 1918 White Co., TN (my great grandparents).
5) Mary Broom, bur. Lost Creek Cem., White Co., TN, m. Barry Wilson.
6) Alice Broom, m. ___ Burden.