October 14, 1802 – June 1880
Joseph William Wegley was born on October 14, 1802, in Brothersvalley, Pennsylvania, and passed away in June of 1880 in McKean, Pennsylvania. He holds a unique place in family history as the first recorded use of the “Wegley” spelling of the family name, making him the patriarch of this lineage.
Marriage and Family
Joseph married Eve Berkebile around 1831 or 1832 when he was approximately 30 years old. Together, they built a large family, raising at least 11 children:
- Theresa (1831)
- Jonathan S (1835-1918)
- Jonathan George (1836)
- Josiah (1837-1930)
- Jonathan (1837-1907)
- Susanna (1841-1920)
- Frederick (1843-1889)
- Adeline (1845-1893)
- Mary Amanda (1847-1926)
- Austin (1851-1916)
- John Wesley (1858-1927)
Eve’s name frequently appears in historical documents, and their children provide critical information that helps piece together the story of Joseph’s life. For example, their daughter Mary Amanda’s death certificate confirms her birthdate (July 30, 1847, in Somerset, Pennsylvania) and her parentage.
The 1850 Census: A Growing Family
By 1850, Joseph and Eve were living in Shade, Somerset, Pennsylvania, with seven of their children and Eve’s mother, Elizabeth Berkebile, aged 61. Joseph was 48 years old at the time, and his occupation was not specified in the census.
The household composition was as follows:
- Joseph Wegley (48)
- Eve Wegley (39)
- Theresa Wegley (19)
- Jonathan Wegley (14)
- Josiah Wegley (11)
- Susanna Wegley (10)
- Frederick Wegley (6)
- Adeline Wegley (5)
- Amanda Wegley (2)
- Elizabeth Berkebile (61)
Life in the 1860s
By 1860, the family remained in Shade, Somerset County, though many of the older children had moved on to start their own lives. Joseph, now 58, worked as a day laborer. The household then consisted of:
- Joseph Weagley (58)
- Eve Weagley (49)
- Adaline Weagley (14)
- Amanda Weagley (12)
- Austin Weagley (10)
- John W. Weagley (2)
Later Years
In 1870, Joseph and Eve had moved to Wetmore, McKean, Pennsylvania. At this point, only their youngest child, John Wesley (then 11), lived with them. Joseph, nearing 70 years old, worked as a wood chopper—a physically demanding job, especially for someone of his age. This speaks to his resilience and work ethic even in the later stages of his life.
Legacy
Joseph’s passing in June 1880 marked the end of a life spanning nearly eight decades. He was a pioneer in his family’s history, establishing not only the Wegley name but also a legacy of hard work and family strength. His descendants continued to contribute to the family narrative, each generation adding new chapters to the Wegley story.
Joseph’s life, from raising a large family to his tenacity in his elder years, remains a cornerstone of the Wegley family heritage.