Charley Witte was born in Prussia, Germany in 1806. He died February 8, 1889, at Minnora, WV. His wife, Maria (Mary) Christina Wilhelmina Cuiwartz Witte was born in Prussia, Germany December 14, 1814. She died October 11, 1899 at Milo, Wv. They came to America from Prussia, Germany in 1852, and arrived in Philadelphia, Pa. They had 10 children: John Witte born in Prussia, Germany 1836, died 1910; Edward Witte born in Prussia, Germany 1839; Charlotte Witte born in Prussia, Germany 1842; Marietta Witte born in Prussia, Germany, died en route to America; Herman Witte born in Prussia, Germany 1849, died 1920; Theodore Witte born in Prussia, Germany 1850, died 1928; Frederick Witte born at sea 1852, died 1943; Lemuel Witte born in America November 13, 1858, died 1934.
Because of political and religious persecutions in their home land, they sought these freedoms in America where they were loyal citizens. They took little interest in political affairs, but were deeply religious. It was characteristic of the Witte families to speak evil of no one.
From Philadelphia, the Witte's came to Steer Creek in Gilmer County, West Virginia where they bought a farm from a man while they were still in Pennsylvania. However, when they came to possess the land, they found that another man claimed title to it. This land was probably on Chestnut Creek just above Lockney, Calhoun County, WV.
The Witte's acquired a farm near Stumptown, WV and lived there until they purchased land on White Oak in Calhoun County in about 1858. It is believed that a descendent of this family still occupies this farm. Submitted by: Wilma Arnold Witte Henthorn published in the Roane County West Virginia Family History 1989.
Edward Witte married Betty Stump, their children are, Valeria Witte Poling and Edna Witte Smith of Apple Valley.
Herman Witte married Vernetta Stump, then later married Martha Stevens, their children are, Judson Witte, who married Ida Rose Minney.
Frederick Witte married Louise Wright their children are Laura Witte Conley and Florence Witte Hicks.
Lemuel Sida Witte married Serena Jarvis on 2/6/1879 at Minnora, Wv. Serena was born 1/21/1861 at Minnora, the 7th of 13 children born to Weeden Harrison and Elizabeth Jane Hensley Jarvis. They had ten children as follows, Cary Albert born 12/25/1879 married Emma Locie Knotts, daughter of William & Sarah Knotts on 1/20/1901 at Euclid, Wv; Edith, born 11/5/1881, she married Robert Perry Mollohan, son of Perry & Rebecca (Boon) Mollohan, on 1/12/1902 at her parents home; Homer Clay born 4/6/1884, married Florence Gael Proudfoot, on 7/16/1914 at the home of her parents; Holley, born 4/8/1886, died 8/8/1887 at Minnora; Alice, born 7/24/1888, married Bernard Marshall, son of Mel & Mae (Thomas) Marshall, on 11/29/1914; Elizabeth, born 11/20/1891 married Okey C. Eismon, on 2/26/1915; Loise Pearl, born 9/15/1893, never married; Grace Odessa, born 5/15/1897, married John William Deem, son of William French and Eva (Rothgeb) Deem, on 10/18/1919 at Arkon, OH; Gladys Christine(twin), born 6/14/1903, married Clarence William Smith, son of William and Clara (Reynolds) Smith, on 2/1/1948 at Columbus, OH; Geneva(twin), born 6/14/1903 died 6/18/1903 at Minnora. All the children, except Cary Albert were born in Minnora, Wv.
Lemuel was a prominent farmer in the area and was appointed a deputy sheriff for Calhoun County in July 1897, he also served as an election commissioner in 1900. In addition to his extensive farming interests he operated a store and lumber business and a milling business in Minnora. He sold his milling business to his son in 1912 and his farming interests to his brother, Fred, in 1912. He then purchased a farm near Gallopolis, Ohio which he worked for about six years before selling it and moving to Parkersburg, WV. In 1920 he purchased a farm near McArthur, Ohio where they lived until death. Lemuel died 8/8/1934, the result of injuries received when he was struck by a vehicle while leading a cow across the road near his farm. Serena died 10/29/1956 in McArthur, Ohio. They are both buried at Bethlehem Cemetery, Grantsville, Wv. submitted by: Carol W. Babitzke and published in the History of Calhoun County West Virginia 1989.
Charlotte Witte married Mitchell Browning
and had four children, Melvin Browning, Hettie Browning, Frederick Browning,
and Lillie Browning. Hettie Browning married McClellan Brannon, their
children are, Orval, Sherwood, Edward, Denver, May and Gay Brannon.
Lillie Browning married W.T. Tucker. Melvin Browning married Rosa
Bell Starcher (this is my family line) and had nine children namely, Porter
Venten, Mitchell Guy, Clyde Daniel, Harley Sanford, Mary Francis (my grandmother),
Fred Ranson, Carl Hampton, Denver Earlo and a baby girl that was stillborn.
For more information about this family visit the Browning
Family History. Submitted by Debbie Robinson
If
you have information about the Witte family that you are willing to submit
or if you find an error in my facts please drop me a line. I am looking
for pictures of the early Witte's, I have one of Lemuel Sida Witte and
would like to create a family album for them. I can scan the pictures
and then return them to you quickly.
Page last updated 7/24/98
Page created by Debbie©1998