Marcus Zeifang

b. 27 August 1833, d. 17 March 1913
  • Marcus Zeifang was born on 27 August 1833 in Machtolsheim, Württemberg.
  • He married Ursula Stähle, daughter of Georg Friedrich Stähle and Catharina Wegst, circa 1860.
  • He applied in April 1861 in Blaubeuren, Württemberg, to emigrate to North America.
  • He and Melchior Kilberer witnessed the marriage of John Ruopp and Rosina Zeifang on 17 April 1865 in Niagara, Niagara County, New York, at Zion Lutheran Church.
  • Marcus Zeifang and Ursula Stähle, appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Suspension Bridge PO, Niagara County, New York. Other members of the household included Friedrich Stähle, Catherine Zeifang, Ursula Zeifang and Rosina Zeifang.
  • He was employed as a blacksmith by the railroad, according to the 1870 census.
  • He was a sponsor at the baptism/christening of Robert Deveaux Williams on 16 September 1877 at Zion Lutheran Church in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York.
  • 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 Catherine Zeifang, Ursula Zeifang, Rosina Zeifang, Bernard Zeifang, Melchior Zeifang and Julia Zeifang. Lucy Zeifang was enumerated twice in 1880, both with her family and as a servant in James Hollenbeck's household.
  • He was working in a pulp mill, according to the 1880 census.
  • 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 and John Frederick Zeifang.
  • He was working for the railroad, according to the 1900 census.
  • The following appeared on 16 January 1903 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mr. and Mrs. Leo Stevens, who have been in town since Christmas visiting Mrs. Stevens' parents, Mr. and Mrs. M. Zeifang of Pierce Avenue, returned to their home in New York this morning.
  • The following appeared on 9 October 1908 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: A very pleasant gathering was that at the home of Mrs. Margaret Weber of Willow avenue, on Wednesday, when occurred the reunion of the family of Mrs. Ursula Stahle. The only drawback of the full enjoyment of the occasion was the absence of two of Mrs. Stahle's sons, the eldest, Mr. Conrad Stahle of Cleveland avenue, being seriously ill. The house was beautifully decorated with ferns and flowers, the color scheme throughout the entire house being red and green. The time passed most pleasantly in meeting and greeting relatives and friends, old and new, many of whom met for the first time. A most bountiful dinner was served, after which Mrs. Daniel Behe sang several beautiful solos, and Miss Ursula Stahle rendered some instrumental music. Among the out-of-town guests were: Mr. and Mrs. James Hollenbeck and daughter Hazel, of Lockport; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Behe, of Gasport; Mrs. Herman Gaertner and Miss Edna Williams, of Petersburg, Mich; Mrs. John Cleghorn and son Robert, of Cuba; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fitzgerald and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Weber and daughter, of Buffalo.

    Many of those attending the reunion appear in the accompanying photograph.
  • Marcus Zeifang died on 17 March 1913 at age 79 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at Pierce Avenue at his residence.
  • Ursula Stähle became a widow at his death.
  • 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.
  • Research Note: It is an educated guess that.
  • Were Marcus Zeifang and Johann Georg Zeifang brothers?
  • Last Edited: 14 Mar 2014

Family: Ursula Stähle b. 19 December 1834, d. 5 January 1917