BRETHREN-L Archives
Archiver > BRETHREN > 1999-03 > 0922030248
From: <>
Subject: Re: BRETHREN-D Digest V99 #133
Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1999 10:30:48 EST
Hi all,
I'm new to the Brethren rootsweb group and I'm loving it. I especially
enjoyed the history of the Brethren and differences between groups which have
been pointed out by several subscribers. I knew very little about the
Brethren except that my mother and father got married in a Brethren church. I
am Lutheran but am now searching for my roots, and have learned that they most
likely were rooted in the Brethren.
I am trying to locate the parents of my GGG grandfather, Henry Wike
(1800-1861). Henry lived in an area of Pennsylvania called Morrison's Cove,
which at one time was in Bedford County, then became Huntingdon County, and
finally Blair County. He married Christina Shultz (1799-1831) in 1821 and
they had five children together before her premature death in 1831. Their
children were Mary (Wike) Lytle, George Shultz Wike (1823-1865) who moved to
Huntington Co., Ind., and was a member of the Brethren there, Samuel Shultz
Wike (1825-1898) my GG grandfather, Jacob Shultz Wike (1827-1870), and Henry
Shultz Wike (1828-1903).
After Christina's death in 1831, Henry Wike re-married, this time to
Nancy Rhodes (1809-1879), with whom he had more children. These included
Lucinda Wike (1839-1850), Nancy R.(Wike) Smith (1840-1915), David R. Wike
(1842-1910), a prominent man in the Roaring Springs area, Magdalena Wike
(1844-?), Abraham Wike (1846-?), Michael J. Wike (1848-1930), lived and died
in Tyrone, Pa., Christian R. Wike (1850-1851).
In searching for my GGG grandfather Henry Wike's parents, I have found a
Christopher Wike living in Bedford County along with a Jacob Wike.
Christopher was married to a woman named Margaret, with whom he had six
children. None of these seem to be my Henry. Christopher Wike died in
Woodberry Twp., Bedford Co. in 1814. Jacob Wike also lived in Woodberry Twp.
and his wife was named Elizabeth. They had eleven children, but again, not my
Henry. Jacob died in 1834.
The current theory of myself and a fellow Wike genealogist in Illinois,
is that Henry's parents lived in western Pa., probably Washington and/or
Westmoreland Counties. In the 1800 census, there are three men listed in
Washington Co., under the spelling "Wick" which appear to be a good
possiblity. They were named Samuel, Henry and William. From the age groups
on the census, it would appear that Samuel was the father of the other two. I
have found a reference to some official documents on file in Westmoreland
County in 1786 concerning Samuel Wike.
I do believe that at some point the name was changed from Weick or Weik.
It is often spelled Wyke, Wick and even Whike on official records. Does
anyone have any info on these early Wikes of Pennsylvania? They were most
likely Brethren but perhaps Lutheran.
Again, thank you, and I am truly enjoying the Brethren rootsweb service.
Bill Wike
This thread: