Rudolf / Rudolph Wittmer was born in Bavaria.

He married (first) Christiana Wyand on 3 Jan 1836 in Huron, Huron Co., OH. The marriage ceremony was performed by Rev. John W. Beecher.

Rudolf married (second) Philabena Labeck in Mar 1849 in Erie Co., OH.

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June Wittmer-Shawver, Genealogy - WHITMORE/WITTMER, E-mail: [email protected], E-mail 2/17/2008

The 1840 census lists Rudolph in Vermilion, Erie County, Ohio Roll M704_392 page 341 -image 151

The farm that Rudolph first settled on was along lake Erie and as we know now it was at the end of Sunnyside road. He grew fruits, vegetables, fished and dredged sand all for sale from Lake Erie. The land was purchased in 1833. There was a map in 1979 at Maple Grove Cemetery of the Brownhelm / North Ridge Cemetery that had been laid out on a piece of very old oil cloth and gave names to the family owned cemetery plots. When Warren Brill, the cemetery caretaker, showed the cloth to me it had the Whitmore (Rudolf) plot written as Whitman.

The cemetery is located at the corner of Mason Road and Sunny side Road. The cemetery records for this area are located at Maple Grove Cemetery, located at Mason Road and Cemetery Road in Axtel, Ohio.

Farm: 1903, Rudolph's farm was sold by his son, John to the Cleveland Catholic Dioseases and St. Ignatius College on 22 August 1903. It was called "Loyola on the Lake" and is still owned by them, it is registered in vol 92 and page 48, Lorain County, Ohio.

Farm 2: March 2006, By this time the farm is gone and the land is filled with condos.

June Wittmer-Shawver, Genealogy - WHITMORE/WITTMER, E-mail: [email protected], E-mail 2/17/2008

Rudolf Whitmore's will is at Lorain Co., Oh #771;

A transcribed copy follows. LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

I, Rudolph Whitmore of the Village of Vermilion county of Erie and state of Ohio being about seventy years of age, and being of sound and disposing mind and memory, so make publish and declare this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making null and void all other last wills and testaments by me made heretofore: First -My Will is that all my just debts and Funeral Expenses shall be paid out of my estate as soon after my decease as shall be found convenient.

Second - I Give, Deviser and Bequeath to my beloved son, John Whitmore fifty dollars. He having already received his share of my estate.

Third - I give devise and bequeath to my beloved wife, Phoebe Whitmore, one third of all my personal property of whatev or kind and also the use of one third of all my real estate as long as she shall live.

Fourth - I give devise and bequeath to my beloved daughter Mary Hahn, one eighth part of all the remainder of my estate for her use during her life time and should she become the mother of a child or children then the estate should become hers absolutely. Should no children be born to her then the part of my estate previously given shall at her decease or death be divided equally between Christina Lutz, Anna Shellhouse, Emma Ackerman, Amelia Whitmore, Phoebe Whitmore, Julia Whitmore and one share divided equally between my grandchildren William Lutz and Elizabeth Lutz.

Fifth - I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved grandchildren William Lutz and Elizabeth Lutz one-eight part of all my estate both personal and real estate which is not given in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd sections of this will except that the sum of six hundred dollars shall be deducted from their share. That amount already having been given to their father Henry Lutz.

Sixth - I give devise and bequeath to my beloved daughters Christina Lutz, Anna Shellhouse, Emma Ackerman, Amelia Whitmore, Phoebe Whitmore, Julia Whitmore all the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to be divided among them, share and share alike.

Seventh - In addition to the bequests above given to my beloved wife Phoebe Whitmore, I also give, devise and bequeath to her, the said Phoebe Whitmore, my wife the use and rents of the house and lot situated on State Street in the village of Vermilion, during her lifetime. The said house and lot being now occupied by us as a residence.

Eighth -1 nominate and approved Henry Lutz of Brownhelm, Lorain County, Ohio, my executor of the said last will and testament. Hereby revoking all other wills by me ever made.

In Testimony Whereof, I have set my hand to this, my last will and testament, at Vermillion Ohio, This twenty first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty. Rudolf Whitmore The foregoing instrument was signed by the said Rudolf Whitmore in our presence, and by him published and declared as and for his last will and testament and at his request, and in the presence of each other, we hereunto subscribe our names as Attesting Witnesses at Vermillion this twenty first day of August. A.D. 1880

(The Witnesses names are not distinguishable. But they did sign at Vermillion, Ohio.)

June Wittmer-Shawver, Genealogy - WHITMORE/WITTMER, E-mail: [email protected], E-mail 2/17/2008

Military Service 1: It is stated that he served in the standing army of Germany in the Shellhouse family history. Daug. Anna married Henry Shellhouse.

Military service 2: There is a question if he was a Hessian/Hetian soldier or member of the Prussian army.

June Wittmer-Shawver, Genealogy - WHITMORE/WITTMER, E-mail: [email protected], E-mail 2/17/2008

Caroline died before her father and in his will he names her husband who eventually married her half sister Christina as the executor of Rudolf's estate. Rudolf also mentioned Caroline's two children William and Melissa in his will.