Rosina Zeifang

b. circa 1868, d. 19 December 1956
  • Rosina Zeifang was born circa 1868 in New York.
  • She was baptized/christened on 15 November 1868 at Zion Lutheran Church in Niagara, Niagara Falls, New York, sponsored by Melchior Kilberer and Rosina Ruopp.
  • She was known as Rosa.
  • 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 Rosina Zeifang, Friedrich Stähle, Catherine Zeifang and Ursula Zeifang.
  • 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 Rosina Zeifang, Catherine Zeifang, Ursula 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.
  • She married John Peter Seitz, son of Johann Peter Seitz and Marie (?), circa 1892.
  • John Peter Seitz and Rosina Zeifang appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 906 Niagara Avenue. Other members of the household included Marie Seitz, Johann Peter Seitz and Marie (?)
  • Rosina Zeifang became a widow at the 23 November 1909 death of her husband John Peter Seitz.
  • The following appeared on 23 November 1909 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: John Seitz, a resident of this city, for more than 35 years, died suddenly of heart failure at his late home in No. 918 Niagara avenue at 1:30 o'clock this afternoon. Mr. Seitz had been ill for the past two days with a severe cold on his lungs. Early this afternoon Dr. L. H. Teeter was summoned and while the physician was preparing some medicine, Mr. Seitz passed away. He was 49 years old.
         Born in Brooklyn, N. Y., on April 8, 1860, Mr. Seitz came to this city with his parents about 36 years ago. Nearly 22 years ago Mr. Seitz began business as an undertaker at the then village of Suspension Bridge. He has been engaged in that work to the time of his death.
         He is survived by his wife, who was Miss Rose Zeifang, his mother, Mrs. Mary Seitz, and one daughter, Miss Marie Seitz. Three sisters, Mrs. William Elmer, Mrs. George W. Cosby and Mrs. Christopher Schumacher, all of this city, survive also. No arrangements have been made for the funeral but they will be announced later.
  • The following appeared on 26 November 1909 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Mrs. Leo Stevens of New York, nee Miss Julia Zeifang of this city is visiting her sister, Mrs. John Seitz of No. 918 Niagara avenue. She was called here on account of the death of John Seitz.
  • Rosina Zeifang appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 918 Michigan Avenue. Other members of the household included Marie Seitz. Also in the household were four boarders.
  • 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.
  • The following appeared on 21 September 1920 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Mrs. Leo Stevens of Omaha, Neb., is the guest of her sister, Mrs. Rose Seitz of the Park hotel, First Street.
  • The following appeared on 2 November 1920 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Mrs. Leo Stevens of Omaha, Neb., and Mrs. Rose Seitz of the Park House, First street, have gone to Toledo, O., where they will visit their brother for two weeks.
  • The following appeared on 25 June 1921 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Mrs. Leo Stevens of Omaha, Neb., is visiting her sister, Mrs. Rose Seitz of First street.
  • Rosina Zeifang appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 111 Falls Street.
  • She was working as a saleslady in a souvenir shop, according to the 1930 census.
  • The following appeared on 29 June 1931 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Mr. and Mrs. Ben Zeifang, Mrs. Rose Franklin and Miss Julia Stevens, of this city, have returned from Fremont, Ohio, where on Sunday, June 2, they attended the silver wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. J. Fred Zeifang, formerly of this city.
         Dinner was served at the Old Elm tea room, which was attractively decorated with flowers and candles of the pink and white combination. Covers were laid for twenty-five.
         Mr. and Mrs. Zeifang were married at Niagara Falls twenty-five years ago. The bride before her marriage was Miss Ida Steve.
         Mr. Zeifang owns and conducts the Zeifang machine shop on Napoleon street, Fremont, Ohio.
         Mr. and Mrs. Zeifang were the recipients of many beautiful pieces of silver.
  • The following appeared on 13 March 1947 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Among the members honored at the recent dinner meeting of the Ladies Aid society of the Zion Lutheran church in celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the organization were: Mrs. Charles Bale and Mrs. Elizabeth Roupp, who joined the organization in 1890, Mrs. Mary Wolf joining in 1891, Mrs. Christine Schul in 1893, Mrs. Gayton Swan in 1897, Mrs. Margaret Fink and Mrs. Rose Franklin in 1898, Mrs. John Bates in 1899, Mrs. Charles Ford in 1900, Mrs. Elizabeth Brandt, Mrs. Elizabeth Vorwerk and Mrs. Anne Dickert in 1902. . . .
  • 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.
  • The following appeared on 7 March 1953 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: The Ladies Aid society of Zion Evangelical Lutheran church, Michigan avenue and Tenth street, will observe its sixty-sixth anniversary on Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the church. [:CR:      Three members of the society who have been enrolled for 50 years or more will be honored. They are Mrs. Margaret Fink, Mrs. Rose Franklin and Mrs. Elizabeth Brandt. . . .
  • Rosina Zeifang died on 19 December 1956 in Lockport, Niagara County, New York, at Lockport Memorial Hospital.
  • She was interred at Oakwood Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York.
  • The following appeared on 20 December 1956 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Rose Seitz Franklin, 89, of Beir's Hotel, 109 Falls St., a native of this city, died yesterday (Dec. 19, 1956) at Lockport Memorial Hospital.
         She had been in the hospital for the last month after suffering a broken hip.
         She was born in this city, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Melchior Zeifang.
         She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Marie U. Brydges, this city; a granddaughter, Mrs. Bernice Brydges Swick, Wilson; one great-grandson, John M. Knorr, this city; one sister, Mrs. Julia Stevens, this city, and two brothers, Michael Zeifant, this city, and Fred Zeifang, Fremont, Ohio.
         She was the last living charter-member of the Ladies Aid Society of the Zion Lutheran Church. She operated a souvenir shop on Falls St. for 35 years until her retirement eight years ago.
         Funeral services will be held at the Gridley Funeral Home Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Interment will be in the family plot at Oakwood [Cemetery].
  • Last Edited: 13 Mar 2014

Family: John Peter Seitz b. 8 April 1860, d. 23 November 1909