Charles, the patriarch of Cantonwine family members deceased or currently living in the United States, immigrated to America from Prussia in 1806, arriving in Philadelphia, Penn., aboard the ship Orlando. The ship's passenger list shows "Chr. Kuntentwine, single man." The name Kuntentwine later evolved to Cantonwine, and Charles appears to be the only surnamed Kuntentwine/Cantonwine to immigrate to America. Eight or so years after his arrival in Philadelphia, in about 1814, Charles married Mary Magdalena Scholl, daughter of Charles Jacob & Margaret (Fuhr) Scholl, in Bedford county, Pennsylvania.

Charles' birth year (1778) is based on his age found in "Records of Men Enlisted in the U.S. Army Prior to the Peace Establishment, May 17, 1815." Charles was enlisted as a recruit in the infantry of Co. H. His height was 5' 7", age 37.

Between 1815 and 1834, Charles and Mary had eleven known children (a possible 12th - Syphronia - has not been documented).

Those children and their eventual destinations in the US were the following (Note: these names are not in chronological order; establishing accurate birth dates for these offspring has been quite difficult):

Michael (m. Catharine Myers/Myres) - (Iowa)
Jacob (m. Christena Dilling) - (Colorado)
Mary (m. Peter Dilts) - (Iowa)
Catharine (m. John W. Royal) - (Colorado and New Mexico)
Margaret (m. Isaac Onstott) - (Kansas and Oklahoma)
Charles (m. Julie Denslow) - (Washington, then Oregon)
David "Doc" (m. (1) Huldah White; (2) Cynthia Emily Irish) - (Iowa)
George (m. Mary Malinda Lewis) - (Washington state)
John (m. (1) Caroline Denslow; (2) Nancy Starr)-(Colorado)
Abraham (m. Elizabeth White) - (Colorado)
Samuel (m. Rebecca Tucker/Todd) - (Missouri)

Charles probably died some time after July of 1839 and he most likely died in Cedar county, Iowa. The last, very sad, historical record bearing his name was this:

"July 16, 1839: An application having been made to the Board (consisted of 3 Commissioners - First Bank of Records in Cedar Co. [Iowa] Apr 2, 1838 to Mar 1840.) by Charles Cantonwine for relief as a pauper, they proceeded to examine the case. It appears that the above applicant has not been a resident 10 days. Ordered by the Board that the clerk issue a notice to Charles Cantonwine to leave the Co. of Cedar forthwith"

A year later, the 1840 census for Cedar Co., Iowa, shows Mary as head of household and no other male adult in her age category. By 1850 Mary and most of her offspring and their families had moved on to Benton County, Iowa. Mary was still alive in 1852, living in Benton County with her youngest son, Samuel, according to the census of that year. She is not listed in the 1860 census.

Listings for the Cantonwines (and other related surnames) can be found by clicking on my name, which will then open my contributor page. Then click on my "virtual cemetery" button. There you will find a list of the eleven offspring of Charles and Mary Cantonwine. Click on any name there and you will see the Findagrave listings to date for that particular family line. Each of these virtual cemeteries are far from complete. I really do welcome your input if you are related to the Cantonwine family or can shed light on any of its members.