CENTRE LINES

The Pletcher Family

This column is part of a feature series which focuses on a different Centre County family each week. Five new columns will be released each month unless some technical difficulty enters the picture.

This column's focus is on Pletcher. An effort has been made to identify all persons carrying that name in the 1890 U.S. Census, using the Centre County business directory which was formed from a preliminary review of that census before the larger set of 1890 U.S. Census records was destroyed by fire. (Sadly, the postal directory does not typically provide the ages of females, but it's the best record we've got).

One book in the Pennsylvania Room of the Centre County Library in Bellefonte apparently deals with the Pletcher family: Kathryn Ryback's Descendants of Immigrant Mary () Pletcher and Sons Samuel and Henry Pletcher.

There are several different first-name entries for Pletcher in John Blair Linn's History of Centre and Clinton County (1883). In addition, there are many references to the name in Beers' Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania (1898).

And, now, your ancestors' PLETCHER neighbors in 1890:

In HOWARD Borough:

C. H., 36, carpenter Silence E. Susan V. Ellen W. Flora M. Asbury T. 1 David W., 47, surgeon Savilla Jennie M. Howard W. 18 James F. 16 Bessie J. Walter B. 12 Henry S., 43, carpenter Lide M. Alice M. Mabel C. Eugene M. 6 Emma R. Joseph G., 24, laborer Annie M. Tillie J. Reuben, 56, carpenter Sarah E. Carrie M. John F. 21 William H. 18 Anna M.

In HOWARD Township:

Emanuel, 60, carpenter--Howard Edward 22 Henry J., 52, farmer--Howard Anna E. Ada J. F. Milford 14 C. Ellis 10 Jacob, 65, farmer--Howard Mary K. Eliza J. Channing 17 Charles E. 13 Lemuel, 35, farmer--Howard Bella Ella Carrie Lulu Samuel 2 Lizzie Michael, 74, farmer--Howard Susan J. Linn 31 Laura Sallie Irene M. Charles L. 13 Nathaniel G., 38, farmer--Howard Alice S. Thomas A. 17 Lewis R. 11 Trenna B. Herbert R. 2 mos. Orpha--Mt. Eagle Sergius 23 Samuel, 81, farmer--Howard Rudolph 41 Leah William B. 29 Laura Israel Samuel, 63, farmer--Howard Sarah E. Anna Theo, 43, farmer--Howard Mary A. Tacy M. William, 29, puddler--Howard Clara

In LIBERTY Township:

Joseph H., 47, laborer--Blanchard Mary A. Nina T. Hayes A. 12 Adeline

In WALKER Township:

Alpheus A., 33, agent--Nittany Julia Alma M. Ophelia C.