I just had this conversation with a distant cousin and thought I would share it with the masses that may also be doing Zuver research. As unusual as the name is, I have thought that eventually all roads lead to the same ancestor Zuver – Andreas. Although the roads may lead to Andreas, not all Zuvers are blood relation. In the confusion I have gathered some information on the “other” line of Zuvers that have now appeared in my family tree.
Andreas Zuver, born 1746 in Neckarkeis, Württemberg, Germany, had a son, Henry Zuver who was born about 1788 in Pennsylvania. Henry and Margaret Schneider had a daughter, Susanna Zuver who was born about 1824 in Pennsylvania. Susanna would marry David Kerns who was born in Ohio.
David Kerns’ mother was Elizabeth Zuver, born in 1793. Elizabeth’s parents were John Zuver, born 1766 in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania and Juliana Michael. John Zuver was the son of Daniel Zuver, born 1710 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Daniel’s father was George Zuber from Hanover, Germany.
David’s sister Juliana Kerns, born about 1819 in Ohio would marry Elizabeth Zuver’s brother Solomon Zuver, born about 1819 in Pennsylvania, she would be one of his 3 wives, creating yet another twist in the family line.
According to previous research I had found that Andreas and Maria Bachman were married in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Changes in the county lines could explain how one Zuver family ended up in Lancaster county and the Andreas line ended up in Franklin county.
This is more detailed information on David Kerns that was published in William G. Cutler’s History of the State of Kansas –
DAVID KERNS, farmer, Section 10, P. O. Baldwin City, born in Columbiana County, Ohio, July 19, 1821, son of John Kerns and Elizabeth Zuver. When eight years of age, he moved into Wayne County, Ohio, where he lived thirty years. He came to Kansas in 1859, settled in Palmyra Township. Owns 410 acres, improved and well stocked. Built a house in 1859, at a cost of $1,500; built barn in 1868, cost $1,100. He was married in Wayne County, Ohio, June 12, 1842, to Miss Susanna, daughter of Henry Zuver and Margaret Snyder.
Their children are –
Sarah A., born June 17, 1843
Martha E., May 28, 1845
John H., January 7, 1847
Elmer Y., May 22, 1848
Andrew F., April 28, 1855
Elizabeth C., October 14, 1852
Jemima C., October 16, 1856
William D., April 14, 1859
Jemima C. died May 15, 1858
Mr. and Mrs. Kerns are members of the United Brethren Church, Black Jack, Kan.
I love this article you wrote abt the Zuvers. It is very clear & helps clear-up the “Zuver Tangle”.
I can document my Zuvers back to Soloman, but cannot document any further back. Do you have documentation proving the relationships between Andreas & Henry? The Cerro Gordo County Iowa IAGenWeb Project claims Andreas & a Johannes Zuver are brothers. It goes on the say that Johannes is the father of Elizabeth Zuver Kerns. What are your thoughts this statement?
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Jan Berry
I believe the following statement has an error:
“David’s sister Juliana Kerns, born about 1819 in Ohio would marry Elizabeth Zuver’s brother Solomon Zuver, born about 1819 in Pennsylvania, she would be one of his 3 wives, creating yet another twist in the family line. ” Solomon’s sibs were John, Susanna, Lea, Henry & James; no Elizabeth. He did have 3 wives, Julia Kerns, Urilla Kenney & Annette Ravencroft; again no Elizabeth.
Jan Berry
Jan, You are correct, I am mistaken on that…one too many twists to keep straight!
I can document my Zuvers back to Soloman, but cannot document any further back. Do you have documentation proving the relationships between Andreas & Henry? The Cerro Gordo County Iowa IAGenWeb Project claims Andreas & a Johannes Zuver are brothers. It goes on the say that Johannes is the father of Elizabeth Zuver Kerns. What are your thoughts this statement?
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Jan Berry
I’m glad I found your site!
I’ve just begun researching my family tree. The farthest back I’ve been able to trace my Zuver heritage is a George E. Zuver, born in Philadelphia 1766.
I’m connected to the Zuvers via my great-grandmother Ida May Zuver:
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txgrayso/unknown_cemetery/taylor_ida.html
Here’s a breakdown of what I’ve found thus far:
George E. ZUVER – Birth: 1766 in , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Death: 1835
-Samuel Mills ZUVER – Birth: ABT 1800 in , Cumberland, Pennsylvania, Death: 21 Feb 1880 in , Lancaster, Pennsylvania
–Thomas Harper ZUVER
—James Stewart Zuver – Birth 01/02/1873 in Indiana, Death 12/21/1949 in Grayson County, Texas
—-Ida May Zuver – Birth: 7-24-1895 Death: 8-19-1917 in Grayson, Texas
Does any of this fit in with your Family tree?
Yes, Ida is my third cousin three times removed.