Sarah Celestine (Bergen) Watters (1851 - 1921)

Born 22 Nov 1851 in Jennings, Indiana, United States

Ancestors

Died 2 May 1921 at age 69 in California, United States

Biography

Sarah Celestine Bergen was born in 1851 in Indiana, the daughter of Williamson Theodore Van Arsdall Bergen and Caroline ( Cole) Bergen.

In 1870, the Bergen family lived in Minnesota. The household included Williamson, 52, b. IN; Caroline, 45, b. OH; their four children born in Indiana: Melissa O., 20; Sarah C., 18; son Francis, 17; and Theodore W., 15; and their six children born in Minnesota: Leonard C., 13; Albertus E., 11; Henry L., 9; Jasper N., 8; Cyrus L., 6; and Louis H., 2. Note: this Census data is from the brief transcription; the document page doesn’t sync up with the link. ^[1]

In 1880, the Bergen family lived in Lake Prairie, Minnesota. The household included Williamson Bergen, 69, born in Indiana (father b. NY; mother b. OH); their children, all b. Minnesota, except as noted. Melissa O., 30, b. Ohio; Sarah C., 28, b. Ohio; Henry, 20; Jasper, 18; Cyrus, 15; son Urn,12; and Charlie, 10. The five youngest were all in school, and all worked at home.^[2]

Sarah married twice, and had no children. She first married Jefferson Hunsaker, on 24 October 1882. Her second husband was Samuel Watters (married about 1909 per 1910 Census data, below). Sarah died in 1921. ^[3]

In 1900, Jefferson, 75, and Sarah, 49, lived at 422 Locust, Long Beach, California. They had been married 17 years. Jefferson was working as a farmer. They owned their home free and clear. They both could read and write. They were both born in Indiana. Jefferson’s parents were both born in Indiana. Sarah’s father was b. Ohio, and her mother was b. Indiana. ^[4]

Sarah’s husband Jefferson died in November 1900.

Sarah, 58 married Samuel Watters, 70. It was the second marriage for both parties. Sarah had no children. They married on 14 December 1909 in Long Beach, California. Samuel, a widow, was born in Westmorland, PA, the son of James Watters, b. Westmoreland, PA. His mother’s maiden name was Laurancel, and she was b. Allegheny, PA. Samuel lived at 234 E. 4th, Long Beach. Sarah, also a widow, was b. Jennings Co, Indiana. Witnesses were Henry L. Bergen (Sarah’s brother), of Long Beach; Viola J. Reese, Long Beach; and F. M. Bergen (brother?), of Corona, CA. Rev. J. Lewis Smith of Long Beach officiated.^[5]

In 1910, Sarah, 58, and Samuel Watters, 71, lived at 126 E. 9th Street, Long Beach, California. They had been married one year. Samuel had an independent income, and owned their house free and clear. Samuel was b. PA, as were his parents. Also living with them was Sarah’s brother, Henry L. Bergen, 49, single, b. Minnesota. Henry was a Mason in the building industry. Henry and Sarah’s father was b. Indiana, and their mother was b. Ohio. All members of the household could read and write. ^[6]

In 1920, Sarah, 67, and Samuel, 80, lived at 3316 Eliot, Long Beach, California. They owned the home free and clear. ^[7]

Sarah is buried with her first husband Jefferson Hunsaker in Long Beach Municipal Cemetery, Long Beach, California. ^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ 1870 US Census, Minnesota (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MDH4-L5L)
2. ↑ 1880 US Census, Lake Prairie, Nicollet, Minnesota (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZ9N-99X)
3. ↑ (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/2:2:9459-DRJ)
4. ↑ 1900 US Census, Long Beach Twp, Long Beach, Los Angeles, California (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9P2-FMQ)
5. ↑ California, County Marriages, 1850-1952 (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLWP-LPY)
6. ↑ 1910 US Census, Long Beach, Los Angeles, California (https://familysearch.org/ark/61903/1:1:MVLW-71P)
7. ↑ 1920 US Census, Long Beach, Los Angeles, California (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHQZ-BVH)
8. ↑ cemetery photo by [Metcalf-1784]