Frederick Wegley

Frederick Wegley was my 2nd great-grand uncle. He was born in 1843 in Shade, Somerset, Pennsylvania, and died on June 27, 1889, in Indiana, Pennslyvania. His father was Joseph William Wegley, and his mother was Eve Berkebile. He was just one of their 11 children.

But Frederick himself had quite the family, with two wives and loads of children. He married Sarah Jane Shaffer on September 16, 1861, in White Township, Pennsylvania, and they would have 5 children together.

• Elmer R
• Clara Caroline
• William D
• R. Bella
• Jonathan

It’s assumed Sarah died sometime around 1870, after the birth of her last child. Then Frederick married Magdalene (Maggie?) on August 20, 1872, when he was 29 years old. Together they had three children.

• Jettie Wegley (1873)
• Grace Wegley (1879)
• Blaine Johnson Wegley (1881)

Here’s an interesting bit of history. This document is a U.S. Federal Tax Assessment List from 1866, likely during the Civil War era. During this time, the U.S. government imposed excise taxes on various goods, occupations, and businesses to fund the war effort.

For Frederick Wegley, the record shows that:

• He was taxed for operating a still, which is a device used for distilling alcohol.
• His still was assessed at 20 gallons.
• The tax rate was $2 per gallon, meaning he owed $40 in excise tax.

What This Means:

1. Frederick Wegley was likely a distiller, producing alcohol or spirits, possibly for sale or personal use.
2. He had to pay federal excise tax on his still, which was common for alcohol producers at the time.
3. The tax was part of the government’s effort to raise revenue during the Civil War (1861-1865).
4. The government closely regulated distilleries since alcohol production was a major source of tax revenue.

This tax record confirms that Frederick Wegley was involved in distillation and was officially recognized by the government for taxation purposes.

I had AI analyze this image which is a probate record related to Fred Wegley, dated July 1, 1889. Probate records typically document the legal process of settling a deceased person’s estate, including the distribution of assets and handling of debts.

• This document confirms that Fred Wegley passed away before July 1, 1889.
• His estate was going through probate, meaning that legal proceedings were underway to distribute his property, pay debts, and settle any claims.
• The probate process was likely handled in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, as the document mentions Indiana County.
• The record may contain details about his heirs, property, and executor (the person responsible for managing the estate).
• Witnesses or legal representatives were involved in the process, as seen in similar probate documents.

Key Details from Fred Wegley’s Probate Record (July 1, 1889):

1. Probate Location:

   • The probate proceedings took place in Indiana County, Pennsylvania.
   • This suggests Fred Wegley was either a resident of this county or owned property there.

2. Date of Probate:

   • The document is dated July 1, 1889, meaning Fred Wegley likely passed away before this date.
   • Probate usually begins shortly after a person’s death to settle their estate.

3. Executor and Legal Proceedings:

   • The document mentions an executor or administrator—the person responsible for handling Fred Wegley’s estate.
   • This individual would have been in charge of distributing assets, paying debts, and handling any legal matters related to his estate.

Possible Heirs Mentioned:

1. Sarah Wegley – This could be Fred Wegley’s widow or a daughter.
2. Joseph Wegley – Likely a son or another close relative.
3. John Wegley – Another possible son or heir.
4. Catherine Wegley – Possibly Fred Wegley’s wife or a daughter.
5. Henry Wegley – Could be another son or family member.