GEOBIXLER

George A. Bixler was the only surviving son at the time of his father's death in 1856 in Manchester, MD. His father was Abraham Bixler, who had developed a large farm and mill in Bachman Valley just outside of Manchester in Carroll County, Maryland. During the late1830's and into the 1840's as Manchester and Carroll County established themselves, this father and son team were active citizens in the community and in their Lutheran Church. Just as Abraham was educated so was George, with the ability to read, write and do math. George was appointed as executor of his father's estate and in charge of seeing that his father's wishes were carried out. George in turn inherited his father's vast property holdings.

The first born was a daughter, Ellen Catherine Bixler, on June 27, 1839. Next came Sarah Jane Bixler, born on May 17, 1841. Two more daughters arrived, Mary Elizabeth Bixler on January 17, 1843 and Louisa Magdaline Bixler on December 18, 1844, all in Manchester. George may have wondered if he would ever have a son, when Josephus R. Pelin Bixler (also spelled JOSEPAHUS or JOSEHHUS - in different census records) was born January 29, 1847. Then on June 24, 1849, another son was born and he was named George Abraham Bixler. The family was doing very well with the farm and the mill and the numbers in the family grew also. Susan Rebecca Bixler was born October 13, 1851 and then John Franklin Bixler on November 16, 1854. Charles Henry Bixler (the author's great grandfather) arrived on March 19, 1856 and was followed by William Jacob Bixler on August 7, 1858. All together, George and Mary had ten children, who all made it to adulthood.

George was a founder in 1860 of Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company and served as its President for many years. During the 1860's and 1870's he served as an elder of the Trinity Reformed Church. But the 1860's also saw hard times, difficult decisions and bloodshed facing Americans as they were about to do battle with themselves during the American Civil War. There is no record that any of this Bixler line fought on either side during the American Civil War. But then too, George, was possibly too old at age 47 years to enlist and his oldest son, Josephus, was ages 14 - 18 during the war years. Family legend even has it that an individual was paid to take Josephus' place in the military (a common practice).

1 George A. BIXLER Born: March 10, 1814 in Manchester, Md. Died: March 28, 1883 in Bixler's Mills, Carroll County, Md. Burial: 1883 Manchester Cemetery, Md.   Property: 1870 Land value of $12,000 in Manchester, Md. Census: 1880 Had 5 children at home and two grandchildren (living in Dist. ED 55 in Manchester)   Occupation: 1880 farmer and miller
.. +Mary Magdaline GETTIER Born: Bet. March 11, 1815 - June 11, 1817 in Carroll County, Md. Married: October 10, 1837 in Manchester, Baltimore County, Md. Died: September 28, 1881 in Carroll County, Md. Burial: 1881 Manchester Cemetery, Md. Fact: On the family cemetery headstone is the year of birth of 1816.
.... 2 Charles Henry BIXLER (author's great grandfather) Born: March 19, 1856 in Bauchman Valley, Carroll, Md. Died: June 05, 1938 in York, York County, Pa. Burial: June 08, 1938 Prospect Hill Cemetery, York, Pa. Residence: 1920 #119 East South Street, York, York Co., PA   Census: June 1900 Lived in Hanover, York Co., PA in a hotel (#301 West Market St.) run by the Landis family. He listed his birth as March 1862, age 38 yrs old-- (it was really 1854) - he stated he was a widower.   Census-1: 1880 Attending college, teaching school (lived at home with parents) Census-2: 1910 Lived on #260 Walnut Street in Hanover, PA. with wife, Ella and daughter, Mildred. Also a stepson, Clare and a boarder. Age listed as 48 yrs old. really 54 yrs old that year. Census-3: April 1930 Lived at #348 Prospect St., In York, PA. Rented house for $20 a month. age listed as 74 yrs old, a widower. Had a boarder - John Young - age 28 yrs old. Also Charles' granddaughter - Jean Martin - age 4 yrs old. Mildred Bixler - lived next door. Fact: 1938 Lived to age 82 yrs., 2 mos.     Occupation: Bet. 1880 - 1925 cigar maker in a factory   Cause of death: antenosclenosis & chronic myocarditis--4 mos. Residence-1: Bet. 1930 - 1938 was 633 E. Market, York, Pa.   (** NOTE- More details on a separate link further down**)
........ +Mary Jane MUSSELMAN Born: March 07, 1864 in Hanover, York, Pa. Married: December 27, 1887 in Baltimore, Md. Died: July 24, 1893 in Hanover, York, Pa. Burial: July 29, 1893 Manchester, Carroll Co., MD     Census: 1880 Lived with her mother in Carroll County, Md (6th dist.) Cause of death: Ill for several weeks then became critically ill and died suddenly Possibly some untreatable - unknown disease for 1893.
.... *2nd Wife of Charles Henry BIXLER:
........ +Mary Ella SELLERS Born: December 1868 in York Co., Pa. Married: April 20, 1905 in York, Pa. Died: Bef. April 1930 in York, Pa.      Census: 1910 Lived on #260 Walnut Street in Hanover, PA. with husband, Charles and daughter, Mildred. Also a son, Clare and a boarder. Age listed as 40 yrs old, really 42 yrs old that year.   Census-1: April 1930 Not listed on husband's census (CH Bixler) in York, PA. He lists himself as a widower.    Fact: Went by the name "Ella"     Occupation: domestic
.... 2   Ellen Catherine BIXLER Born: June 27, 1839 in Md. Died: March 20, 1902 in Md.
........ +Oscar BUCKINGHAM Born: Abt. February 1838 in Md. Married: November 30, 1859 in Carroll County, Md. Died: Aft. 1900      Census: 1880 Lived Dist. 54, Baltimore Co.
.... 2 Sarah Jane BIXLER Born: May 17, 1841 in Carroll Co., Md. Died: February 20, 1920 in Baltimore County, Maryland      Census: 1850 Lived with parents and siblings in Carroll Co., MD.
........ +William J. SHAFFER Born: August 29, 1840 in Md. Married: Bet. July 17 - September 17, 1861 in Carroll County, Maryland Died: April 04, 1923 in Carroll County, Maryland      Census: July 1850 Lived with parents and siblings in Carroll Co., MD - age 9 yrs old.
(**NOTE: A link can be clicked further down to read more on the Shaffer and Bixler marriage***)

.... 2 Mary Elizabeth BIXLER Born: January 17, 1843 in Manchester, Md. Died: November 30, 1913 in Manchester, Md.   Residence: 1900 (owned home) at North Main Street, living with sister, Sarah and niece, Lydia Albaugh.   Census: 1880 Lived at home with her parents, helped raised two nieces   (two daughters of her sister, Louisa)
.... 2 Louisa Magdaline BIXLER Born: December 28, 1844 in Manchester, Carroll, Maryland Died: March 03, 1878 in Manchester, Carroll, Md. Religion: Reformed & Lutheran Church        Cause of death: Cancer
........ +John Thomas ALBAUGH Born: April 05, 1846 in Maryland Married: February 20, 1871 in Manchester, Carroll, Md. Died: February 04, 1925 in Manchester, Md. Burial: 1925 Greenmount United Methodist Cemetery in Manchester, Md.     Census: 1880 Lived with Adam and Mary E. Shearer in Hampstead, Carroll Co. MD, lived as a widower and was a farm laborer. He did remarry and had two additional children.
.... 2 Josephus (J. Peter) R. Pelin BIXLER Born: January 29, 1847 in Manchester, Md. Died: May 23, 1898 in Manchester, Carroll County, Md.   Occupation: 1880 Single, a miller, age 31 years, living at home with parents in Manchester, Dist. ED 55 Religion: Reformed & Lutheran Church
.... 2 George Abraham BIXLER Born: June 24, 1849 in Maryland Died: November 21, 1882 in Manchester, Md.      Census: 1880 Lived in Manchester, MD with wife.    Occupation: Bet. 1870 - 1880 a coach manufacturer and farmer
........ +Mary J. COX Born: Abt. 1852 in Manchester, Md. Married: August 11, 1878 in Carroll County, Maryland Died: Aft. 1920 in Manchester, Md.   Census: 1920 Lived on Bixler's Road, #257, owned her home, listed as a widow, age 67 yrs old.
.... 2 Susan Rebecca BIXLER Born: October 13, 1851 in Manchester, Md. Died: December 1931 in Manchester, Carroll County, Md. Burial: 1931 Manchester, Md. Residence: 1880 Lived at home with parents   Census: 1900 Lived with her sister, Mary on North Main Street, Manchester, also with niece Lydia Albaugh.
.... 2 John Franklin BIXLER Born: November 16, 1854 in Manchester, Md. Died: December 19, 1904 in Manchester, Md.     Fact: 1904 Died at age 50 yrs old.
........ +Susan R. YOUNG Born: November 22, 1860 in Maryland Married: December 04, 1880 in Maryland Died: May 08, 1947 in Manchester, Carroll County, Maryland      Census: 1920 Lived on North Main Street in Manchester, MD. Was a widow, owned home and did not work. Age listed as 59 yrs.    Census-2: April 18, 1930 Lived in Dist. 10 of Manchester, MD on Main Street. Owned her home (valued at $1,000), age listed as 69 yrs (hadn't had 70th birthday yet) and she was a widow.   Fact: 1947 Died at age 86 yrs old.
.... 2   William Jacob BIXLER Born: August 07, 1858 in Manchester, Maryland Died: March 14, 1925 in York, Pa. Burial: 1925 Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Hanover, PA     Census: 1880 Lived with his parents at home (Dist ED 55) in Manchester    Occupation: 1880 blacksmith
........ +Martha J. MCKINNEY Born: Abt. 1863 in Pa. Married: Abt. 1890 in Pa. Died: Aft. 1920      Census: January 1920 Listed age as 56 yrs old.

LOUISA MAGDALINA BIXLER ALBAUGH

Louisa was born December 28, 1844 in Manchester, MD. She was not the first of the family to marry but she was the first of the children to die too young. Louisa married John T. Albaugh on February 20, 1871 at the age of 26 years old in the Reform & Lutheran Church in Manchester. John was from Manchester, born April 5, 1846. The Albaugh family had been from the Frederick and Carroll County area for generations. The young couple had a son, George Clarence Albaugh, born on December 25, 1871 (Christmas Day). **(NOTE: On his Social Security form - he stated he was born Dec. 25, 1872). He was named for Louise's father, George. Their next child was Mary Hester Albaugh, born March 4, 1875 and she was named for Louisa's mother, Mary. Lelah M. Albaugh was their last child, born January 8, 1878. But tragedy hit the family within two months, March 3, 1878, with the death of Louise. She died of cancer, leaving her husband, John, with three children all under the age of six years old.
It may have proved too much for John to handle by himself. In the 1880 census, his two daughters, Mary Hester and Lelah Albaugh were living with their Bixler grandparents in Manchester. In Hampstead, Carroll Co. MD John Albaugh was working as a farm laborer in 1880 and living with Adam and Mary E. Shearer. He listed himself as a widower. His son, George C. Albaugh, was not with him and it is unsure who was caring for him.

US CENSUS FOR 1880 -- HOUSEHOLD OF GEORGE BIXLER OF MANCHESTER, MD
NAME	RELATION	M.STATUS	GENDER	RACE	AGE	BIRTH	OCCUP.	F.BIRTH	M.BIRTH
George	Self	M	Male	W	66	MD	Farm/Mill	MD	MD
Mary M.	Wife	M	Female	W	65	MD	housewife	MD	MD
Mary E.	Daughter	S	Female	W	34	MD	At home	MD	MD
Josephus P	Son	S	Male	W	31	MD	Miller	MD	MD
Susan B.	Daughter	S	Female	W	25	MD	At home	MD	MD
Charles H.	Son	S	Male	W	23	MD	Teacher	MD	MD
Wm Jacob	Son	S	Male	W	21	MD	Blacksmith	MD	MD
Albaugh,Mary	GR.Daughter	S	Female	W	5	MD	-------	MD	MD,
Albaugh, Lelah	GR Daughter	S	Female	W	2	MD	-------	MD	MD

Those not living on the family farm in 1880 were: ELLEN CATHERINE BIXLER, who had married Oscar Buckingham on November 30, 1859 in Carroll County. As a wedding gift, her father gave them $150.00. Oscar was born February 1838 in Maryland and with the 1880 census, he and Ellen lived in Baltimore County, District 54. Later George gave the couple $100 ($1,790 in 2003 money value) to purchase a lot and house in Manchester. They had six children to raise. A daughter, Alice Seponica Buckingham, arrived on August 31, 1860 and was their first child. Then followed with Cornelia , born February 26, 1863. Then their first son, Charles Buckingham, born abt. 1864, then George, born Sept. 8, 1867, next another son, Wellen, born February 1878. But on March 6, 1866, family tragedy with the death of the oldest, Alice Buckingham, not quite six years old. Another daughter was born January 2, 1879, named Flossie J. Buckingham, but she only lived 15 months, dying on April 16, 1880. Ellen lived until March 20, 1902.

^{George Abraham
Bixler}

George, was born June 24, 1849 and grew up with an apprecation for the land and the family farm. He worked the farm but also became a coach manufacturer. It was August 11, 1878 that he married Mary J. Cox in Carroll County. She was born about 1852 in Manchester. The marriage came only five months after his older sister, Louise Bixler Albaugh, had died of cancer.
Over the next couple of years it is not known if they had any children, at least none that survived beyond being infants. But tragedy faced the Bixlers again, this time with the death of George Abraham Bixler on November 21, 1882 in Manchester. It is not known what he died of. George was only 32 years old. His widow, Mary, remained unmarried the rest of her life, living for many years at #257 Bixler's Road, just outside of Manchester.

John Franklin Bixler

John, was born November 16, 1854 and then married at age 26 years old to Susan R. Young on December 4, 1880. They had one child, a daughter, named, Hattie Bixler. Hattie

She was born November 10, 1884 in Manchester. She was the joy of their lives. Hattie was only twenty years old when her father, John, died on December 19, 1904 in Manchester at the age of 50 years old. Susan, his widow, never remarried and stayed in the area for decades, living on North Main Street in Manchester. Hattie married Walter R. Ronemous about 1912, who was from West Virginia. Walter was an engineer, so he traveled with his family to many locations. The family spent most of the lives at #7 Glenwood Ave. in Charleston, South Carolina. They had two sons, Juan Carlos Ronemous, born September 21, 1915 in Argentina, South America. A second son, Vinson (Bixler) Bea Ronemous, born April 26, 1917 in Maryland. Susan lived until May 8, 1947 in Manchester reaching the age of 86 years old. Hattie died a few years later on Sept. 8, 1950 in Charleston. Her husband, Walter, died March 8, 1959, also in Charleston. The first son to die was Vinson Bixler Bea Ronemous in August 1974 in Atlanta. Nothing is know of his life. His brother, Juan, died April 5, 1989 in Charleston, SC. Again, nothing know if the two sons married. (Hattie - about 1900)

Josephus (J. Peter) R. Bixler

Over the various vital records, his given names were spelled many different ways, including a few to make you think the name was "Josephine" - a girl. But this was George and Mary Bixler's first son. He was born Jan. 29, 1847. In his father's will of 1883, he was named "Josephus R. Bixler". He remained at home, living with his parents and never married. His main occupation was that of a miller. He was a member of the Reformed and Lutheran Church of Manchester. But just like was happening to several of the males in the Bixler line, he died at age 51 on May 23, 1898. On the family headstone, his name was written "J. Peter Bixler".

Mary Elizabeth and Susan Rebecca Bixler

Mary was born Jan. 17, 1843 and lived with her parents up until their deaths. She remarried single but did help to raise Mary Hester and Lelah Albaugh when they were young girls. Mary remained in the family home on North Main Street in the heart of Manchester. Susan Rebecca was younger, born Oct. 13, 1851. She, too, never married but remained with her parents and then her sister. It was Mary who died first on Nov. 30, 1913 and years later, Susan died in December 1931.

William Jacob Bixler

The youngest of George and Mary Bixler's children was William. He was born Aug. 7, 1858 in Manchester. While in his early twenties he learned the trade of a blacksmith. William married a girl from York County, PA about 1890. She was Martha (Mattie) J. McKinney, born about 1863 in Hanover, PA. They had a daughter, named, Blanche A. Bixler, born about 1891 in York County. She later married about 1918, George F. Junker (Franker) {NOTE-- difference in surname due to information in census} and everyone lived in Hanover, PA. George Junker was born about 1883 and worked in a grocery store. The family lived at 210 Carlisle Street. The Bixlers' youngest, (William) lived until March 14, 1925 and was buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Hanover.

Sarah Jane Bixler
Married to William J. Shaffer
**See link for full story**

CHARLES HENRY BIXLER
1856 - 1938
**See link for full story**
Charles H. Bixler Family

"The Parents"
Mary and George Bixler

Even in retirement, the couple took on the care of their granddaughters, Mary Hester Albaugh and Lelah M. Albaugh, since the death of their mother, Louise, in 1878. By September 28, 1881, the young girls' grandmother, Mary Gettier Bixler, died in Manchester. This now left them in the care of their grandfather, George and their aunts, Mary Elizabeth and Susan Rebecca Bixler. But George Bixler died several months later on March 28, 1883.