Christian married KATHARINA FREUDENMANN 1823. KATHARINA was born 21 Mar 1789; died 19 Nov 1858. [Group Sheet]

Christian married Barbara Pfeiffer 28 Sep 1801, Steinhilben, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Barbara was born 19 Mar 1781, Steinhilben, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; died 6 Feb 1822, Salmendingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. [Group Sheet]

Richard married Johanna Seele 10 Mar 1835, Salmendingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Johanna was born 14 Jan 1806, Salmendingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; died 22 Dec 1871, Salmendingen, Zollernalbkreis, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

According to grandson Eugen Bailer, Joseph and Margaretha lived an old house and lived very poor. They had fourteen (14) children four of which survived.

Joseph married Margaretha Geiselhart. Margaretha was born 17 Jul 1845, Steinhilben, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; died 25 Sep 1927, Steinhilben, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

),(

Buried:
Oakhurst Cemetary

Christian married Mary Catherine Meyer 1873. Mary was born Abt 1856, Otisco, Onondaga County, New York, USA; died 2 Jul 1927, Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York, USA; was buried , Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Johann Bailer was born April 14, 1842 to Richard Bailer and Johanna (Seele) Bailer and according to church records received his first communion in 1856 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Salmendingen, Germany.

Salmendingen is a small agrarian village located on the Swabian Alb in the southern German state of Baden-Wurttemberg. In Germany, whenever a town ends in “ingen” it indicates an Alemannic settlement. Church records have the Bailers living in Salmendingen in 1777.

Johann (John) Bailer and his brother Christian (Chris), who was three years younger were the only two children of Richard and Johanna Bailer to immigrate to America. While the exact reason that compelled them to leave family and friends has been lost to history, family lore provides two possibilities. Johann's son, Floyd Bailer shares that he had always heard that they immigrated to escape conscription into the Kaiser's army and most certain death. Johann's grand-nephew Eugen Bailer, who lives in Germany believes that they immigrated because farming conditions became poor due to famine and drought making farming jobs became scarce. America held the promise of jobs.

In 1865, Johann received his official papers allowing him to immigrate to North America. The 1920 US Federal census lists his immigration year as 1865. He became a naturalized citizen sometime before 1875 according to the 1875 NYS Census.

It is believed that Johann landed in New York harbor. Family lore has it that he had heard that the landscape and climate of central New York was like that of his hometown of Salmendingen which is located in the Black Forest area of Baden-Wurttemburg Germany. Johann kept a journal documenting his voyage to America. The journal is now in the possession of Richard Bailer, son of Horace Bailer. While the journal is written in German, written in English on the inside back cover is the note, "Please direct to Baldwinsville, Clay Corners, Brewerton, West Monroe." Baldwinsville. This address is in the Syracuse vicinity which is near where he settled. The name Basil Bailer is also notated in the journal with an address in central New York. It might be assumed that Basil was a relative who had already immigrated and was a "sponsor" for Johann.

John worked as a laborer on what began as the Syracuse and Binghamton Railroad. In addition to passengers, this railroad also carried coal mined in Pennsylvania to be used as fuel for the salt mines of Syracuse. In 1869, this railroad company merged with the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company therefore Johann may have been employed by the D, L & W railroad.

He met Elizabeth Edinger in the United States. Even though her family immigrated to America from Germany, Elizabeth was born in the United States after her family’s arrival. They had their first child, Elizabeth "Lizzie" on January 9, 1873 and according to the 1900 Federal census they were married in 1874.

At some point, Johann Bailer leased a farm in Skaneateles, NY from Ann C. Briggs, entering into a lease agreement on August 26, 1874. He agreed to pay $160.00 annually along with paying highway and school taxes on the property. The lease agreement also required Johann to supply Ann Briggs with all the apples that she and her family might require.

John (Johann), then settled in a small empty house at 1999 Buckwheat Rd., Otisco. The house, built in 1850 was vacated when the owner, John O'Connell and his family decided to follow Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism westward abandoning their Buckwheat Road home. Sometime after the Bailers had moved into the house, John O'Connell showed up and demanded that they get out. The matter ended up in court and the court found in favor of the Bailers, therefore they were able to take over ownership of the house and property. During the time that the property was being contested a guard had to be posted at the Bailer house because the O’Connell’s were threatening to burn the house down while the family was asleep. On January 15th, 1894, John O'Connell pointed a gun at Johann resulting in an arrest warrant for O'Connell.

After John and Elizabeth passed away, the house was occupied by the son Floyd Bailer, who lived there until his death in 1972. James and Lynn Cummings now own the home. It has been remodeled but the Cummings incorporated a large beam from the existing structure as the Bailer family had made inscriptions in it.

John and Elizabeth spoke German in their home, so English was a second language for the children.


Buried:
Lake View Cemetery

Johann married Elizabeth Edinger 1874. Elizabeth (daughter of Johann Georg Edinger and Maria Elisabetha Cappel) was born 6 Sep 1849, Erdesbach, Germany; died 26 Dec 1926, Otisco, Onondaga, New York, USA; was buried , Amber, Onondaga County, New York, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Eugen Bailer, Pankraz son relates that "Pankraz was a farmer and a bricklayer. He participated in World War I from 1914 - 1918. After his return from the war, he lived at the home of his grandfather. Shortly after his return from the war his father died. In 1920, he built a new house on the abandoned property of the old house. As my parents were married in 1920, the house was not quite finished. The children helped do chores at night. They had to be tough and work hard. My father worked very hard as in addition to his work during the day as a bricklayers, he had a small farm. We had 4 cows, 4 - 5 piece smaller cattle are 2-4 pigs. Our life was marked won renunciation and surrender. Once we were old enough we all helped on the farm.

Pankraz married Rosina Geiselhart 27 Jul 1920, Steinhilben, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Rosina was born 9 May 1889, Steinhilben, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; died 15 Oct 1970, Steinhilben, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

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Edward married Anna M Bailer. Anna was born Abt 1879, New York. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

),(

Frederik married Cadie B Bailer. Cadie was born Abt 1885, United States. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

),(

Notes:

),(

Birth:
At home on Dutch Hill

Buried:
Rose Hill Cemetery

Died:
Age at Death: 80

John married Sarah Elvey 1 Mar 1922, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, USA. Sarah (daughter of James Elvey and Mary Elvey) was born Abt 1891, United States. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Buried:
Onondaga Valley Cemetery

William married Margaret May Ramsden 15 Dec 1909, Navarino, NY. Margaret (daughter of James William Ramsden and Abigail Jackson) was born Abt 1891, New York; died 18 Jul 1963, Otisco, Onondaga, New York, United States. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Floyd Bailer continued to live in his parent's, John and Elizabeth Bailer house on Buckwheat Road after they both had passed away. Floyds was a great story-teller. He shared that one evening Carlton Eibert ran his car into Floyd's outhouse and tipped it over. One of Carlton's tires got stuck in the hole and he couldn't get the car out. Floyd came chasing after Carlton with a rifle and chased him away. The car stayed stuck in the hole of the outhouse for months.

Local lore is that the local gossip was Eva Coles. However, somehow Floyd Bailer knew even more gossip than Eva. Eva would sit out on her front porch in the summer next the window that opened to the porch. When the telephone rang, she would simply reach through the open window to answer it. In those days they were "party lines"that were shared by several families. Every home with a phone had a special number of "rings". Eva would wait for the telephone to stop ringing and then pick qently pick up the phone's receiver and quietly listen in on everyone's conversations. This is where she got her information. Floyd would then spend some time talking with Eva and they would swap gossip stories.

One of Floyds endearing qualities was his speech. For example, instead of saying the word "yes," he would say "ayup."

Notes:

According to local Tully, NY historian Nancy Shelly, George Bailer lived with Tom Wood who was half black and half indian. She relates that in April of 1952, the local fire siren sounded. She and her family jumped into their car to see what was happening. On their way they stopped at the "four corners" and noticed a car had run into a truck. They learned that Tom Wood and George Bailer were in the car and that George Bailer had died as a result of the accident. Esther Bailer Sisco remembers that George was known for his delicious sauer kraut.


Buried:
Amber Village Cemetery

Notes:

According to the newspaper article announcing their 50th wedding anniversary on May 23, 1957, "In 1908 they bought a farm near Navarino, sold later to Ralph Pomeroy. In 1942 they moved to their present home in Navarino." An article from the Tully Times dated May 25, 1907, states, "On Thursday, May 23, at 2:30 p.m. Rev. Willis Bailey united in marriage Miss Luella Hobart and Mr. Fred Bailer. The ceremony was performed at the bride's home immediately after which dinner was served. Mr. Edward bailer, brother of the groom, acted as best man and Miss Dora Hobart, sister of the bride, acted as bridesmaid. Mr. and Mrs. Bailer left for a short trip to New York. Before leaving they were liberally showered with rice. The happy couple were presented with many handsome and useful presents. Mr. and Mrs. Bailer will make their future home in Otisco." Also in the same paper it was noted that, "Miss Luella Hobart and Fred Bailer were married Thursday at the home of Henry Tuffley."


Birth:
Dutch Hill

Buried:
Onondaga Valley Cemetery

Died:
Age at Death: 88

Fred married Luella Hobart 23 May 1907, Otisco Township, Onondaga, New York. Luella (daughter of Dix R. Hobart and Mary L. Tuffley) was born 17 Oct 1884, Vesper Hill, New York, United States; died 3 Oct 1966, Syracuse, Onondaga, New York, United States; was buried Oct 1966, Syracuse, Onondaga, New York. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Charles Bailer and his generation lived in a world vastly different than that of today. His was the last of a trully agrarian American culture. His generation didn't have the advantages that resulted from the advances of the industrial revolution such as the gas engine. They plowed their fields with oxen and horses, not tractors. Life for Charles generation was hard, yet simple. The pleasures of life didn't cost in terms of dollars. Esther (Bailer) Sisco remembers each Sunday evening the family would have apples and popcorn as a treat. Recreation consisted of swimming in Otisco Lake or visiting neighbors who were in some manner, likely related. Their pleasures were simplistic by today's standards. The change in the American culture began as the children of this generation began leaving the farm, favoring the opportunities and lifestyle available in the cities and suburbs.

Charles and his siblings were the first generation of Bailers born in America. Born the fifth of twelve children to Johann "John" Bailer and Elzabeth (Edinger) Bailer on Wedneday, November 8, 1882 at home in Otisco, NY, he was particularly close to his older brother John Bailer. Due to the fact that there were so many children in the family, it was expected that the next older child would take care of and watch out for the next youngest sibling. Therefore, John being fourth born took care of Charles, the fifth born.

Charles attended the one room schoolhouse in Otisco which was located next to the present day post office (see photos) completing his education to the sixth grade. This was not uncommon in the rural farm areas of New England at the time. The reason that public schools close for the summer stems back to the agrarian roots of the United States. It was during the summer that the children were needed to assist on the family or they were hired out by other families to work on their farms thus providing added family income. This was true of Charles experience. At twelve years of age he went to work as a farm-hand since there were so many children in the family and his parents couldn't afford the expenses. He lived on the farm he hired out to and then in winters would move back home and go to school. This is evidenced by the fact that according to the 1900 US Federal census, Charles was working as a farm hand for Samuel Cowles of Otisco, NY. His daughter, Esther (Bailer) Sisco remembers Charles telling her how homesick he would get for his family during these summer jobs.

Charles and his brother John became partners in a farming venture sometime between 1900 and 1910. The April 1910, U.S. Federal census shows them as partners and sister Anna as a farm-hand. It was also during this time that Charles met Dora Hobart and began courting her. He would ask John for permission to take the horse and buggy to pick Dora up to take her on a date. Since these were the days before telephones were widely used, they were write back and forth to communicate. In his letters to Dora, Charles would always sign his name, "Your Friend."

On March 29, 1911 Charles and Dora were married at the home of her grandfather, Henry J. Tuffley (See Photo Scrapbook below for images). He continued to work the farm with John Bailer after he married Dora. Both Horace and Phyllis Bailer were born in this house.

Around 1921, Charles and Dora purchased a farm on Tully Road (Route 80) in Otisco, New York because the original farm was too far for their son Horace to walk to school. The home is located at 1779 Route 80 in the town of Otisco. It was in this home that Esther Bailer was born and grew up.

Phyllis stayed home and took care of her younged siblings. Esther used to have to help harvest cabbage. It was picked by the wagon full and she would have to throw it off wagon. Esther recalled that one of her "tosses" accidently hit Charles in face and gave him a bloody nose. Then they would unload the cabbage and place it on the ground near the barn with the core down and it would be covered with hay. In the winter, when the price of cabbage would go up, it would be loaded on a wagon and taken to the Tully railroad. Esther relates that her father would get so cold that he would wear a full length horse skin coat. Sometimes his nose would freeze. He had blankets that he would put on the horses. Esther would also have to pick up potatoes after school. Her hands would get very cold.

Charles found that after his son Horace graduated from high school and began attending college, he could no longer work the farm by himself. Charles brother, John had sold the original farm and had moved to Hallstead, Pennsylvania and began working for the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western (DL&W) Railroad. In 1935, through John's encouragement, Charles and family moved to Hallstead, Pennsylvania and went to work for the same railroad as a laborer. As a laborer he repaired rails and ties.

The trains ran frequently during this time so he and the work crew had to be off the tracks when a train went by. He knew what time each train was to pass by so he had to keep his pocket watch accurate. He wore bib overalls and kept his pocket watch in the pocket of the bib.

They originally rented a house on Chase Avenue just off of DuBois Street in Hallstead, PA for a short time. Approximately one year after moving to Pennsylvania, Charles and Dora heard that the DuBois's were looking for a caretaker for their farm. So they moved to the DuBois farm on Harmony Creek Road in Hallstead, PA and became the caretakers of the farm. The Bailer family lived in the main house as the DuBois's would only visit for a few weeks each summer. At this same time Charles continued to work for the railroad which ran from New York City to Buffalo, New York.

Charles & Dora eventually were able to purchase their own house at the corner of Church and Tannery Streets in Great Bend, Pennsylvania. The house has since been torn down to make way for expansion of the fire station parking lot. Directly behind the house were Lackawanna railroad tracks. Even in retirement, sitting in his recliner watching television Charles would take out his pocket watch to check the time when the train went by. The trains ran so precisely on schedule that Charles would actually adjust the time on his watch based on the time that the train passed by their house. Terry Sisco remembers placing pennies on the tracks for the trains to flatten.

The kitchen in this home was located at the back of the house and had a wood burning stove. The stacks of wood to fuel the fire were stored on the back porch. Dora planted a vegetable garden in the back yard and at one point raised chickens for fresh eggs to eat and sell. To the rear and left side of the house was an unattached garage. Later in life Dora would not let Charles drive becuase he tended to be "heavy on the peddle."

Charles had very strong opinions concerning just about everything. He was a staunch Republican and was never afraid to express his opinion that "being a Democrat was worse than being a Catholic." He was a very gregarious person who "never met a stranger". He loved people and loved to tell stories. The Bailer children had an exceptional ability to remember dates such as birthdays and anniversaries. Charles was a hard worker even into his senior years. Two things that he believed a man should never be without were a pocket watch and a "jack knife", both of which Charles always carried.

He enjoyed chewing tobacco much to the chagrin of Dora. Each time he heard Dora coming he would take the wet chewed tobacco out of his mouth and hide it in his back pocket. Charles enjoyed whittling wood and playing what he referred to as the "mouth organ" or harmonica. He impressed his grandchildren by being able to carve a whistle with his jack knife out of a willow branch. He loved to watch the Lawrence Welk Show but despised the popular singer Perry Como, because he was a "foreigner." This was humorous because Charles mother and father immigrated from Germany.

Later in life, Charles suffered from arthritic hips and walked with a bad limp. He walked with a cane that also came in handy when he wanted to reach some or get someone's attention.

Charles married Dora Maude Hobart 29 Mar 1911, Otisco, Onondaga, New York, United States. Dora (daughter of Dix R. Hobart and Mary L. Tuffley) was born 10 Apr 1886, Preble, Cortland, New York, USA; died 17 Sep 1966, Binghamton, Broome, New York; was buried 1966, Vesper, Onondaga County, New York, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

),(

Elizabeth married George Outt. George was born Abt 1871, New York. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

),(

Buried:
Amber Village Cemetery

Died:
Age: 44

Notes:

Buried:
Pine Ridge Cemetery

Bert married Clara Lanning. Clara was born 10 Aug 1897, New York; died May 1976, Marietta, Onondaga, New York, USA; was buried , Navarino, Onondaga County, New York, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Buried:
Onondaga Valley Cemetery

Anna married Charles L Brehm. Charles was born 2 Sep 1891, Otisco, Onondaga, New York; died 10 Jan 1973, Syracuse, Onondaga, New York. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Buried:
St Patrick's Cemetery

Frances married Andrew Ryan 1906. Andrew (son of James R Ryan and Hannah Talbot) was born 2 Sep 1872, New York, United States; died 1 Jan 1936, Otisco, Onondaga, New York, United States. [Group Sheet]