Frank Staebell Farm

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Alden, New York
Surname/tag: Staebell

Francois Antoine Staebell, who was called Frank, was born July 20, 1820 in Stundwiller, Alsace, France. He immigrated to the United States in 1846, arriving in New York Harbor on October 5th. His wife was Margaret May. They were married in the United States and had six children:

• Frank, Jr. (born: 1850)
• George (born: 1852 or 1853)
• Catherine (born: 1855)
• Barbara (born: 14 Oct 1858)
• Mary Ann (born: 15 March 1860)
• Carolina (born: 6 April 1864)

Frank Staebell's brother and sister also immigrated to western New York. Both arrived in New York City on May 28, 1847 on board the Sweden. Frank's brother was Mathias Staebell. His wife was Magdalena Wagner and they arrived in New York with two young children. Mathias Staebell had a 50-acre farm in Darian, right on the boundary with the Town of Alden. Nevertheless, he was a member of St. John's church in Alden Center since his farm on the corner of County Line and North roads was only 3.5 miles from the church.

Frank Staebell's sister was Marie Eve Staebell. She was married to Anthony Staebell--yes, Marie Eve's maiden name and her married name were the same, Staebell was a very large family in Stundwiller, France. Anthony Staebell and Marie Eve Staebell had a farm on Wende road in Alden. Anthony also had a brother who immigrated on the Sweden, and his name was Mathias Staebell. This second Mathias Staebell was married to Marguerite Meyer and their farm was on Wende road next door to his brother's farm.

The children of Francois Staebell and Catharina Caspar
-- Frank (Francois Antoine) Staebell (married to Margaret May)
-- Mathias Staebell (married to Magdalena Wagner)
-- Marie Eve Staebell (married to Anthony Staebell)
The children of Antoine Staebell and Marie Anne Strasser)
-- Anthony Staebell (married to Marie Eve Staebell)
-- Mathias Staebell (married to Marguerite Meyer)

Frank Staebell purchased his Westwood road farm on July 11, 1848. The transaction occurred less than two years after his arrival in the United States. He paid $760 for 40 acres of land in lot number 36, which was on the south side of Westwood road.^[1]

The 1850 Census found Frank Staebell, Margaret May and their first child, Frank, Jr., living on Westwood Road in Alden. ^[2] The agricultural Census for 1850 found the fields were plowed with two oxen and no work horses were owned. The farm produced relatively large quantities of grains: wheat, rye, corn, oats, barely, and buckwheat. Frank Staebell also produced potatoes and hay. The farm had one milk cow but produced no commercial dairy products.^[3]

The 1855 Census found that Frank Staebell plowed 15 acres of land, still using oxen, and maintained another 11 acres of grassland. Twelve of the plowed acres were planted with oats. The dairy employed two milk cows to produce 150 pounds of butter and three hogs.^[4]

Twenty-five year late, in 1880, Frank Staebell was 60 years old and his wife, Margaret May, was 58. Their household included their 16 years old daughter Carolina and their son George who was 27 years old.^[5] Frank and his son were farming 62 acres of land, the 40 acres that Frank owned and another 22 rented acres. According to the 1880 Census of Agriculture, Frank’s dairy had three milk cows which produced 880 pounds of butter, three hogs, and two calves. The fields grew 15 acres of oats, 10 acres of hay, three acres of corn, two acres of wheat, and three and one-half acres of potatoes. The total value of production in 1880 was $628, making it a medium sized enterprise among the farms on Westwood road. ^[6]

When the 1892 Census was conducted, Frank Staebell was 72 years old and Margaret May was 71. Their son George was also a member of the household. He was 39 years old and single in the census year. The Census also found Frank Staebell, Jr. and his family living on Westwood road. ^[7]

Mary Ann (Staebell) Roll and her husband Joseph Roll had sold their Westwood road farm in 1884 and Joseph left farming. By 1892 Joseph and Mary Roll were operating a successful hotel in Depew. Frank Staebell and Margaret May had three other children, but they had died before 1892. Barbara died December 27, 1858 as a two-month-old infant; Catherine died September 11, 1875 when she was 20 years old and Carolina died August 31, 1884 when she was 20 years old.

A few years later, on April 16, 1896, Frank and Margaret Staebell conveyed their Westwood road farm to their son Frank, Jr. The terms of the deed amounted to their Last Will and Testament.

"It is hereby understood and agreed that the parties of the first part [Frank and Margaret Staebell] hereto have the full control of said premises in all matters during their natural life, except the right of selling said premises. ... The first parties hereto have the right to cut all firewood on said premises for the use thereof but shall cut no timber good for building. ... The said premises are hereby valued at $1800.00 and accepted by the part of the second part [Frank Staebell, Jr.] at that price. Now it is understood and agreed that the party of the second part shall pay at any time within one year after the death of the last surviving person of the parties of the first part, six hundred dollars to each George Staebell and Mary Roll or their heirs, the son and daughter of the parties of the first part. ... Each party hereto has the right and privilege of making any improvements on said premises that each party may choose, the parties of the first part are to pay all taxes."^[8]

Margaret (May) Staebell died seven months later, on November 28, 1896. Two years after that, Frank Staebell died on December 13, 1898.

Frank Staebell, Jr.

Frank Staebell, Jr. was 46 years old when he was given his father's farm and 48 years old when his father died. He had been married 24 years and had had six children. According to the 1900 Census, only three were alive in the census year. They were William, Carrie, and Rose.^[9] In January 1908 William Staebell purchased Joseph Girard's 50-acre farm, which was two doors west of Frank's property. ^[10]

Frank Staebell, Jr. worked his Westwood farm for about 19 years. In 1915, at the age of 65, he retired from farming. The Lancaster Enterprise-Times announced that Frank Staebell was selling his farm equipment Saturday October 23rd. "At 1 p.m. on the Westwood road, Alden, Frank Staebell will sell 1 horse, cider mill complete with feed run, lumber wagon, 1 five passenger Reo car, buggies, bobs, cutter, Mower, harrows, harness, household furniture, cream separator, etc. The usual terms. C. H. Pratt, auctioneer." (Lancaster Enterprise-Times, October 21, 1915)

Frank Staebell, Jr. died seven months later, on May 21, 1916. The Lancaster Enterprise-Times wrote the following: "Frank Staebell died at his home on the Westwood road on May 21. The funeral took place Wednesday morning from St. Johns church at Alden Center. Surviving are the widow, Barbara (nee Barth) one son William and two daughters, Mrs. George Bauman of Alden and Mrs. Frank Monin of Lancaster." (Lancaster Enterprise-Times, May 25, 1916)

His Last Will and Testament was entered into probate May 26, 1816.^[11] The Will named his son William the executor of his estate and William sold the remainder of his father's farm equipment at in an October auction.

"TUESDAY, OCT. 31 — Wm. Staebell, as executor, at the Staebell homestead, one mile west of Sandridge on the Westwood road will sell at 1 o’clock p.m. one Reo touring car in good shape, hay fork, rope and pulleys, farming implements of all kinds, harnesses, etc. The usual terms. See bills for fuller particulars. H. F. Stephan, Town Line, auctioneer. Eugene Pautler, Alden, clerk." (Lancaster Enterprise-Times, October 12, 1916)

On April 4, 1924 the 40-acre farm was conveyed to Frank Monin and his wife Rosa (Staebell) Monin.^[12]

Sources

1. ↑ Erie County deeds
   https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89W6-J9XF-H?i=875
2. ↑ U.S. Census, 1850, Alden, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DBLS-B6G?i=12
3. ↑ Census of Agriculture, 1850, Alden, p. 841.
4. ↑ New York Census, 1855, Alden, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-8B5S-3BK?i=34
5. ↑ U.S. Census, 1880 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYBX-9HCY?i=24
6. ↑ U.S. Agricultural Census, 1880, Alden, page 13.
7. ↑ 1892 census, Alden, ED1 (south side of Westwood road)
   https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6XCC-6DF?i=2
   1892 census, Alden, ED2 (north side of Westwood road)
   https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6XCC-DC1?i=1
8. ↑ Frank Staebell and Margaretha his wife to Frank Staebell, Jr., April 16, 1896. Erie County deeds,
   https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WX-XWS2?i=604
9. ↑ U.S. Census, 1900, Alden https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-69PS-MY8?i=11
10. ↑ Erie County deeds, Anna W Young to William Staebell,
    https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WX-X6D4?i=299
11. ↑ Erie County probate records, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9Y4J-23S?i=93
12. ↑ Erie County deeds, Frank Staebell (Jr) to Frank Monin, vol. 1733 p. 13, April 4, 1924 (36 11/5)