Melchior Zeifang

Melchior Zeifang

• Father: Marcus Zeifang b. 27 August 1833, d. 17 March 1913
• Mother: Ursula Stähle b. 19 December 1834, d. 5 January 1917

• Melchior Zeifang was born on 31 August 1873 in New York.
• He was baptized/christened on 28 September 1873 at Zion Lutheran Church in Niagara, Niagara County, New York, sponsored by Melchior Kilberer and Julianna Seitz.
• He was known as Michael.
• Marcus Zeifang appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Suspension Bridge, Niagara County, New York. Other members of the household included Melchior Zeifang, Catherine Zeifang, Ursula Zeifang, Rosina Zeifang, Bernard Zeifang and Julia Zeifang. Lucy Zeifang was enumerated twice in 1880, both with her family and as a servant in James Hollenbeck's household.
• During the Spanish-American war, Melchior Zeifang, age 24, enlisted on 14 June 1898 at Niagara Falls, New York, to serve two years. He mustered in as a private, Company E, same date, and mustered out with the company on 30 November 1898 at Niagara Falls.
• Marcus Zeifang and Ursula Stähle appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 737 Pierce Avenue. Other members of the household included Melchior Zeifang, John Frederick Zeifang.
• He was a carpenter, according to the 1900 census.
• He married Margaret Ann Crossett, daughter of James Crossett and Matilda Walker, circa December 1901.
• Melchior Zeifang and Margaret Ann Crossett appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 1312 Linwood Avenue. Other members of the household included Melville J. Zeifang and Theresa Crossett.
• He was working with the city police, according to the 1910 census.
• The following appeared on December 1911 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mr. and Mrs. Melchior Zeifang celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary last evening at their home in No. 1312 Willow avenue. Progressive pedro was played and the favors were presented to Mrs. George Payton, Miss Florence Evans of Buffalo, John Munford and Samuel Crossett of Buffalo. The house was elaborately decorated throughout with Yule-tide decorations, the color scheme being green and red. Shortly after midnight a most tempting buffet supper was served. A number of guests from Niagara Falls, Ontario and Buffalo were present.
• The following appeared on 17 March 1913 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: After an illness of several months, Marcus Zeifang, one of the city's oldest and most respected German residents, passed away at his home, No. 737 Pierce avenue, at 10 o'clock this morning, at the advanced age of 79 years. Death was due to pneumonia and a complication of diseases from which he had been a long and patient sufferer.
       Born in Wurtemburg, Germany, August 27, 1833, Mr. Zeifang came to this country with his wife, June 12, 1860, and settled in the then village of Suspension Bridge. For more than 30 years he was a flagman at the Cleveland avenue crossing of the Erie, being retired about two years ago.
       In 1864, he became an Odd Fellow, affiliating with Niagra Falls Lodge No. 81, I. O. O. F., and was next to the oldest member of the order, in Niagara Falls, the oldest being Matthew Fink. He was also a devout member of the Zion Lutheran church.
       Mr. and Mrs. Zeifang had been married about a year when they arrived in this country, and throughout the fifty-four years of their wedded life, had never been separated longer than twenty-four house. Mrs. Zeifang has been ill for the past several weeks, and her death is now almost momentarily expected.
       Seven children, three sons and four daughters survive, besides the widow. They are Bernard, Fred and Patrolman Melchior Zeifang, Mrts. John Mumford and Mrs. Rose Seitz, of this city, and Mrs. Julia Stevens, wife of the aviator, now in Porto Rico, and Mrs. Charles J. Evans, of Buffalo. A brother, Bernard Zeifang, an attache of the German government, also survives. Arrangements for the funeral have not been completed.
• Melchior Zeifang registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 in Niagara County, New York, while living with his wife Margaret at 1312 Willow Avenue in Niagara Falls, and self-employed there as a machinist at 825 Linwood Avenue.
• Melchior Zeifang and Margaret Ann Crossett appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 1312 Willow Avenue. Other members of the household included Melville J. Zeifang, Jessie Crossett and Catherine Zeifang. Also in the household was one male boarder.
• He was proprietor of a machine shop, according the 1920 census.
• Melchior Zeifang and Margaret Ann Crossett appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 1608 Eighth Street. Other members of the household included Melville J. Zeifang and Catherine Zeifang.
• He was proprietor of a machine company, according the 1930 census.
• Melchior Zeifang and Margaret Ann Crossett appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 1606 Eighth Street. Other members of the household included Melville J. Zeifang and Catherine Zeifang. Also in the household were four male lodgers.
• He was operating a mill repair shop, according to the 1940 census.
• Melchior Zeifang became a widower at the 3 May 1944 death of his wife Margaret Ann Crossett.
• The following appeared on 3 May 1944 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: [Died] Suddenly in this city May 3, 1944, Margaret Anne Zeifang, age 67, beloved wife of Melchior, mother of Melville, both of this city. Sister of Mrs. Joseph Willems of Pittsburgh, Pa; Samuel J. Crossett of Buffalo; William W. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; James J. of Bedford, Indiana, and Alexander B. of Niagara Falls, Ont. Services will be held from the home, 1606 Eighth Street, Friday, May 5, at 2 o'clock and 2:30 from the Zion Lutheran Church, Michigan and Tenth street, Rev. Arthur Schmoyer, D.D., officiating. Interment Oakwood Cemetery.
• He married Emma Victoria Caldwell.
• Melchior Zeifang and Emma Victoria Caldwell appeared in the 1946 Niagara Falls, New York, City Directory at 1606 Eighth listed as Melchior (Emma) Zeifang.
• The following appeared on 15 March 1950 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: [Died] Suddenly, in St. Mary's hospital, March 13, 1950, Ben Zeifang, husband of Catherine; father of Mrs. Ursula Ruhlman and Bernard J. Zeifang; brother of Melchior Zeifang, Mrs. Rose Franklin, Mrs. Julia Stevens, all of this city, and Fred J. Zeifang, Freemont, Ohio. Also survived by four grandchildren. Funeral from his late residence, 1109 South avenue, Friday at 2:30 p.m.
• Melchior Zeifang appeared in the 1960 Niagara Falls, New York, City Directory at 1606 Eighth listed as Melchior (Emma) Zeifang.
• Melchior Zeifang died on 6 May 1964 at age 90 in Thomasville, Thomas County, Georgia.
• Emma Victoria Caldwell became a widow at his death.
• The following appeared on 7 May 1964 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Melchior (Mike) Zeifang, 91, member of a pioneer family in Niagara Falls, died Wednesday (May 6, 1964) in Thomasville, Ga.
       Mr. Zeifang, a native of Niagara Falls, lived in this city all his life before moving to Georgia four years ago.
       He served as a patrolman in the Niagara Falls Police Department for 17 years and had operated the Zeifang Machine Shop in this city for 30 years.
       He was one of the city's last Spanish American War veterans and one of the few surviving members of the Exempt Firemen. From 1928 to 1932 he was a member of the Niagara County Board of Supervisors. He also was a member of the I.O.O.F. for more than 50 years.
       Surviving are his wife, Emma V. Zeifang, Thomasville; a son, Melville Zeifang, and a sister, Mrs. Julia Stevens, both of this city; a brother, Frederick Zeifang, Fremont, Ohio, and four grandchildren.
       Funeral services and burial were held today in Thomasville.

• Last Edited: 21 Apr 2017