Notes

[NI066] According to a family story, Ulrich's father had a lovely coat with gold buttons. The coat had become somewhat old and worn. One day it disappeared, but Ulrich's father didn't notice its absence. Then one day he was riding beside his garden, and noticed a gold button on the ground. It seems a servant had heard that old coats made good fertilizer. The father must have been well-to-do, because this was a time when many could not afford even one good coat. Yet the entire family thought it a wonderful joke, so I think they must have been at least fairly well-to-do.



This is the origin of the idea that Ulrich was related to, or perhaps actually was, royalty. Grandma always said he couldn't marry Gesina in Germany because his family was too "uppity" for hers. Yet Grandma Becker evidently had plenty of money to be able to go from America to Germany and back at will, at least before she gave her inheritance to her blind brother. So, the problem must have been related to social status.

Then, when Mother was a little girl, this happened. Grandma Huntleman (Gesina) saw her slumping and told her she should hold her head high because she was related to a queen. "Which one?" asked Mother. "Victoria" said Grandma Huntleman. There were two queens named Victoria. One was the queen of England during the 1800's, who was a cousin of the German royal family. The other was her daughter Viktoria, who married Kaiser Wilhelm I.

[NI074] After Henry died, Mary had a pet bird, which was always with her, even when she travelled, in its cage. After it died, she had it stuffed and wore it on her hat.


She was quite an individual. Grandma remembered that when she and Henry would visit Grandma's parents' farm, Mary would never just walk around a fence. Instead she would hike up her skirts and jump it - very unusual behavior for a woman in those days.


Even when she was younger, before she met Henry, Mary was a real go-getter. As a teen-ager she was a secretary for the Phillip Morris Company. Unsatisfied with that, she bought stock in the company and became quite wealthy.

[NI075] Grandma disliked her Uncle Henry for two reasons. One was that once when he came to see Ulrich, he disparaged Ulrich's occupation as a farmer and called his children "slaves", referring to their work clothes and general appearance. Then, when Grandma was twelve, Henry and Mary were at the farm for the community's celebration of Independence day. They became very drunk on beer, and were sleeping it off in the field that night when Grandma came out to check on them. Henry woke up and said he wanted to throw Grandma in the well. Mary sleepily concurred. Henry was probably too drunk to do Grandma any harm, but she took this threat quite seriously.

[NI103] Henry M. Rollins (1846-1922) came to Farmersville from Mississippi at the same time as the Seigler family and Sam Hamilton. He was the mayor of Farmersville in 1902, the year the cornerstone was laid for our second church building. He and Sam Hamilton prepared a city directory, a copy of which was placed in the cornerstone of the new building. His wife was Fannie Seigler (1849-1942), a sister of Jane Belle Honaker and Mary Catherine Hamilton.

-From The History of The First Methodist Church of Farmersville

[NI106] SEIGLER FAMILY
It is believed that David Seigler, the immigrant, whose descendants came to Collin County in 1866, came from the duchy of Wurtenberg in Southern Germany and settled in South Carolina about 1750. The family name was originally spelled Zeigler or Zigler in German, but most of the descendants changed the spelling to Seagler or Seigler after coming to the English colony of America. This family owned the land in the Lexington district of South Carolina between the Broad and Saulda Rivers called "The Dutch Fork".
Tradition, records of land grants, the United States Census and information in the family Bible tell the story of the Seigler family. Adam Seigler was born in South Carolina about 1765. His four sons, Michael, James, William and Adam, inherited his farm at his death in 1836. Michael Jordon Seigler, his wife Martha Rebecca Burkett, and their six children sold their part of his father's estate to move and buy land near the town of Starkville in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. The other brothers continued to live on their South Carolina farms.
Martha Rebecca's parents, the Thomas Burketts, owned a farm in Lexington District near the Seiglers when Martha and Michael Jordon married. After migrating to Mississippi, the Michael Seigler family was blessed with seven other children. When the War Between the States was over, the people and the land of Oktibbeha County, Mississippi still suffered from defeat in many ways.
The Seiglers had lost their son Thomas and two sons-in-law in the War. The Union Army had confiscated most of the Seigler's farm equipment and livestock and Lincoln had freed their slaves.
It seemed there must be a better life somewhere out further west for the Seigler children and grandchildren. The family had heard of rich farm land that could be purchased cheaply in Collin County, Texas. Perhaps with hard work, they could find a good life again. In the summer of 1866, several families near Starkville tried to sell their farms and organize a wagon train for the trip to Collin County.
Michael Seigler and two other men went ahead of the group to Vicksburg to buy the equipment for this wonderful dream of the future. They planned to meet the others at the Mississippi River in a few days. Before they arrived at the rendezvous, the group heard of many people dying of cholera. Unfortunately, their meeting was a funeral. Michael Seigler died of this dreaded disease and was buried at Vicksburg. The group had to burn the campsite and clothes of their leader because they could not take the chance of others developing cholera.
They discovered that most of their greenbacks for the trip to Texas had also been lost in the fire. The wagon train could not return to Starkville since the families had either sold or even given away their homes and land in their rush to leave for Texas. Therefore, they continued the slow and sad journey to Collin County with a son-in-law Sam R. Hamilton in command of the group.
The Farmersville community felt the power of Hamilton's leadership in theorganization of all civic and chruch affairs as he began his new life in Collin County. He became the Grand Master of Texas Masons and wrote a book on the history of this organization. He also wrote of the family's many hardships and troubles during those early days of settlement. Their determination, courage, Christian life and hard work made them successful in obtaining land to farm for their survival.
The memorial services at Farmersville Bethlehem Church and Cemetery this year, 1983, on the first Sunday in June will be a continuation of the annual gathering of this Seigler family's descendants. In 1900, several descendants of the Seigler family moved to Clay County; they also have a reunion on the fourth Sunday in June each year at Joy, Texas.
The oldest son, John Adam Seigler (1835-1919), became a BAptist preacher and married Mollie Phillips. Their children were: John Adam who married Dora Price, Valrie Seigler Dearen, Mattie Seigler Gilbreth, and Eddie Seigler who married Eula Gilbreth.
The oldest daughter, Mary Cathrine Seigler (1837-1916), first married Joseph Newson. He was killed in the Civil War. She married Sam R. Hamilton. Her children were: Sue Newson Battle Dunn, Joe Newson, Paul Hamilton who married Kate Morton and secondly Melvena Latta, and Eva who married Will Bradford.
Caroline Seigler (1842-1880) married Tom Hartness. After his death, she married Alfred Murray. Her children were: Tommy Hartness, William P. Murray (b. 1870), Clarence Murray (b. 1872), J.R. Murray (b. 1868), Nelia Murray (b. 1874), Cordelia Murray Bolton (b. 1877), and Elisha Murray (b. 1879).
James Patrick (Jim) Seigler (1846-1900) was married first to Millie Ward and secondly to Teenie Moore. His children were: George W. Seigler (m. Jo Ida Kerby), Alfred Seigler (m. Maud Sharp), Oliver (M. Dessie Leatherwood), Lillie (m. Dr. George Parkhill), Jim (M. Neilia Carroll), and Mary Seigler (m. Joe Shinn).
Martha Sealy Siegler (1848-1924) and Francis (Fanny) (1848-1942) were twins and married brothers, Jess and Henry Rollins. Jess died and Sealey Rollins married Alfred Dunn of McKinney. Her children were: Minnie Rollins, Lee Dunn (m. Leslie Sweeney), Beulah Dunn, Keen Dunn, and Zula Dunn who married Henry Pool of Nevada, Texas. Frances and Henry Rollins' two girls were Nora who married Henry Mansfield and Cora who married Frank Kerby. The Mansfield's children were: Rollins, Etta Mansfield Baker, Norbert Mansfield and Edna Mansfield Lylis. The eight Kerby children were: Nessie Kerby Tennison, Henry Edward, Newton Frank Kerby, Dorcas Kerby, McLarry Dodson, Melton (Shine) Kerby, Ludia Kerby Backus, William, and George Kerby.
Dave Seigler (1851-1925) married Lucress Hudges and later Betty Goff. His children were: Edgar, Lula Seigler Mendenhall, Albert Seigler, Lorene Seigler Hood, and Dave Seigler.
Mike Seigler (1853-1935) married Mary Moore. Their children were: Finis who married Mary Battle, Finny and Virgie who married Brad Baker. Mike Siegler's grandchildren were Modine Baker, Loraine Siegler Anderson, and Pauline Seigler Johnson. Mike and Henrietta Siegler (1853-1932) were twins. She married Nelson Staats. Their children were: James (n. Jennie Howard), Catherine (m. Perry Heffner and secondly Ben Hicks), Thomas (M. Liz McDonald), Nannie (m. Joe Bains), Henry (m. Willie Morgan), and Charles (m. Cora Lee White).
The Seiglers' youngest daughter, Jane Bell (1858-1936), married W.B. Honaker. Their four girls were: Beulah (m. Will Herron), Myrtle (m. Dr. J.F. McNew and after his death Judge Will Carter), Vivian (m. J. Claude Stewart), and Willie (m. Bob Holsonbake).
The thirteenth child of the early Seigler family of Collin County was Robert and his children were Julia and Robert Seigler Jr.
It is said that we can not live in the past but there are times when it is good for us to look back to our forefathers for some assurances, some comforts, and some inspiration because from them we may learn humility and gain pride in our heritage. We aer standing on their shoulders. We are tremendously obligated to those who have gone before us and made possible what we are today. They did so much with so little.

by Mrs. Martha Woodward
From Collin County Families

SEIGLER, MICHAEL JORDAN AND MARTHA REBECCA BURKETT
Michael Jorday SEigler, b. 1813 in lexington, SC, married in 1833 Martha Rebecca Burkett, b. 1816, in Lexington, SC. Michael Seigler d. 1866 at Vicksburg, MS. Martha Burkett d. 1884 or 1886 in Collin Co., TX and is buried in Bethlehem Cem. His father was Adam Seigler and her father was Thomas Burkett. Children:
John Adam, b. 1835, Lexington, SC, m. Mary Phillips, d. 1919, Clay Co., Tx;
Mary Cathrine, b. 1837, Lexington, SC, m. (1) Joseph Newsom, (2) Sam Harrelton, d. 1916, Farmersville, TX;
Thomas, b. 1839, Lexington, SC, Single, died in Civil War, MS;
Caroline, b. 1842, Lexington, SC, m. (1) Thommy Hartness (2) James Murrey, d. 1880, Farmersville, TX;
Harriett, b. 1844, Lexington, SC, died young;
Jim Patrick, b. 1846, Lexington, SC, m. (1) Mollie Wood (2) Tennie Moore, d. 1909 Collin Co., TX;
Martha Sealy, b. 1848, Starkville, MS, m. (1) Jess Rollins (2) Alfred Dunn, d. 1924, McKinney, TX;
Frances Louise (Fan), b. 1848, MS, m. Henry Rollins, d. 1942, Farmersville, TX;
Michael, b. 1851, MS, m. Mabry Moore, d. 1935, Bethlehem Cem.
Hennrietta, b. 1851, MS, m. Nelson W. Stoats, d. 1932, Clay Co., TX;
Dave, b. 1854, MS, m. Tucrus Hodges, d. 1925, Clay Co., TX;
Jane Bell, b. 1858, Starkville, MS, m. W.B. Honaker; d. 1936, Farmersville, TX; Robert, b. 1859, d. 1950, in OK.
Mike Seigler and family, and Sam N. Hamilton and wife and two step children, Joe and Sue Newsom, Mrs. Hartness and two children, and Henry Rollins and Alfred Murray, emigrated from Oktibbeha County, Missisippi, on August 12, 1866.
Mike Seigler and wife and Jim Seigler went through in advance. (Jim Seigler returning on RR), and there waited for the rest, who went overland.
Mike Seigler camped over on west side of the river opposite Vicksburg. The cholera broke out in Vicksburg, and those going overland (Sam R. Hamilton and others), learned of it when about thirty miles from Vicksburg; but as Mr. Seigler and family were awaiting, they had no alternative, but kept on to Vicksburg.
In passing through the city, they met many hearses carrying corpses of the dead; and when they reached the ferry, Mr. Murray (who had just come across) informed them that Mr. ike Seigler's corpse was on the other bank, just ready to be brought across.
There they were in a strange place, with the cholera raging, their headman and leader dead, and they had started for Texas.
They crosssed and as they drove out Mr. Seigler's corpse drove in, and was carried by Mr. Murray, over to the cemetery, east of Vicksburg and there buried.
They drove out to the camp, burned all the contents of the tent in which Mr. Seigler died, and it is quite likely some money was burned, as Mr. Seigler must have had a part of his greenback on his person, and they drove on westward along the pike or dam.
It rained on them, causing their wagons to bog up on a levy. They secured one room in a negro house about 1/4 mile to the north, across a watery swag, and carried the women and children on their backs across the lowest part, spent the night in the cabin before the fire to dry themselves. The next day, they went out to Price's farm, rested, sold off and gave away much of ehtir surplus to the negroes, and took a lefthand road, via Richmond, LA, Bayou Bluff, etc., to Mason Hills, and on to Texas.*
Written by Sam R. Hamilton in Hitchcock's New and Complete Analysis of the Holy Bible, New York, A. J. Johnson and so, 11 Great Jones Street, (near Broadway), W. D. Cummings 64 Grant Street, Pittsburg, Pa., 1876.

by Odie Hall
From Collin County Families

[NI195] Obituary in the July 4, 1985 Farmersville Times:

Mr. Kerby
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. last Thursday in the First Baptist Church for George Mason Kerby, 72, retired groundskeeper at the IOOF Cemetery in this city who died June 25 in Mineola General Hospital.

The rites were conducted by the Rev. Billy Joe Self, and interment was in the IOOF Cemetery under the direction of the Fielder-Baker Funeral Home.

Mr. Kerby was a native of Farmersville. Born March 9, 1912, he was the son of John Ed and Cora Rollins Kerby. He married Esther Lois Riddle Oct. 27, 1931, at McKinney, and she preceded him in death in 1978.

He was a member of the Merit Baptist Church.

Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Frances Brimer of Big Sandy and Mrs. Joan Brimer of Emory; a son, George Mason Kerby Jr. of McKinney; two sisters, Mrs. Ludie Backus of Campbell and Mrs. Dorcas Dodson of Bonham; a brother, Berman Kerby of Royse City; nine grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

[NI255] He was baptized at Bethlehem Baptist Church.

[NI459] He is a CPA.

[NI462] He pastors The First Baptist Church in Slaton. E-mail: CLKerby@@aol.com

[NF003] They were married on a Wednesday evening, at 8 o'clock, at the Odd Fellows Hall on Collins Street. Frank was in the U.S. Air Force.

[NF025] Grandma Becker was twice widowed. Gesina was the child of her first husband, whose last name was Aldiges. Joseph (Uncle Joe) and Mary were the child of her second husband, surnamed Becker. She was living in America, most likely St Louis, when her parents died. She returned to Germany one last time to settle their estate. Once there, she grew tired of her sibling's fighting over the property, so she gave all her share to her blind brother. Meanwhile,

[NF029] Sometime after Ulrich came over here from Germany, his younger brother Heinrich followed. We don't know whether he was disowned before he left, but he certainly was after he came here. Mary Becker, Gesina's half-sister, saw him, and decided she wanted him. Of course, whatever Mary wanted, Mary got. Not too long afterward, they were engaged. Gesina, who had no sense of humor at all, said dryly "Thank God she finally got him. I thought she was going to disgrace the family!" They were married, apparently very happily, because according to Grandma, when they visited Ulrich and his family they couldn't keep their hands off each other. They had no children.