When he was about 37 years old David decided to begin his long migration. He first moved his family about 30 miles northwest to Basehoar Mill, PA. There he supported his family working as a miller and his sons Jerome and Isidore were born. In 1853, he moved his family 500 miles west to Greenville, Ohio and began farming. Their youngest son Joshua was born in Greenville and they continued to reside in Ohio for 17 more years before David and Matilda decided to move yet another 350 miles northwest to Galesburg, IL. While they lived in Ohio, his father and mother had died. In 1871 David and Matilda made the final leg of their migration 480 miles west to Union Twp., Republic Co., KS. Nine years later Matilda died when David was 68.
In 1884 David decided to visit relatives who had stayed in PA. This seemingly benign trip tragically turned into a horrific nightmare for his family. While standing on a platform on a train rounding a sharp curve in Johnstown, PA, the train suddenly jerked throwing David from the speeding train onto a second set of tracks that shortly bore a second train headed the other way. David was killed instantly by the second train. His body was briefly buried in PA until his son John arrived to bring his body back to KS. Although he had lived in the area only a few years, David had many friends who extended their sympathy to the relatives of David.
When he was about 37 years old David decided to begin his long migration. He first moved his family about 30 miles northwest to Basehoar Mill, PA. There he supported his family working as a miller and his sons Jerome and Isidore were born. In 1853, he moved his family 500 miles west to Greenville, Ohio and began farming. Their youngest son Joshua was born in Greenville and they continued to reside in Ohio for 17 more years before David and Matilda decided to move yet another 350 miles northwest to Galesburg, IL. While they lived in Ohio, his father and mother had died. In 1871 David and Matilda made the final leg of their migration 480 miles west to Union Twp., Republic Co., KS. Nine years later Matilda died when David was 68.
In 1884 David decided to visit relatives who had stayed in PA. This seemingly benign trip tragically turned into a horrific nightmare for his family. While standing on a platform on a train rounding a sharp curve in Johnstown, PA, the train suddenly jerked throwing David from the speeding train onto a second set of tracks that shortly bore a second train headed the other way. David was killed instantly by the second train. His body was briefly buried in PA until his son John arrived to bring his body back to KS. Although he had lived in the area only a few years, David had many friends who extended their sympathy to the relatives of David.
Family Members
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