Peter M. Zehler was born in the Town of Murray, Orleans County, New York, on July 4, 18601, the oldest child of Peter Zehler and Mary Differt. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Bennington, New York, where he grew up on the Mill Lot, and next to his grandfather's farm.
On April 27, 18842, Peter married Harriett "Hattie" Mapes. Hattie was born on August 17, 18641, the daughter of Winfield Mapes and Mary O. Byrens. Peter and Hattie settled in Bennington, where they soon had two sons. Then, in February of 18882, shortly after the birth of their second son, Hattie died.
The children of Peter and Hattie are:
Fourth Generation
| i. | Dermont Zehler | Dermont was born January 18, 18852, and died June 13, 197732. Dermont married Mary Florence Kreutter. |
| ii. | Paul Peter Zehler | Paul was born October 3, 18872. |
In 1889, shortly after the death of his wife, Peter moved to the Town of Batavia in Genesee County28. After this move, Peter worked as a carpenter63, an occupation he continued until his death28. He probably moved to Batavia to improve his lot in life by living close to the city.
About 189263, Peter married a second time to Eunice Rich, the daughter of Frank Rich and Rachel Hubbard. Peter and Eunice had one child, a daughter, born in 1896. Eunice, however, contracted TB and died on October 10, 190064.
The child of Peter and Eunice is:
Fourth Generation
| i. | Dorothy M. Zehler | Dorothy was born May 1, 189666, and died July 18, 198866. Dorothy married (1) Lester Boyce Butler, (2) Thomas J. Ferris, and (3) Grover M. Finnefrock. |
In succeeding years, Peter lived near or with the Rich family in Batavia, and for a number of those years, he was accompanied by his granddaughter, Eunice Butler, who grew up on his farm40. Peter died in Batavia on April 28, 193928, nearly 80 years of age, and is buried in St. Joseph's cemetery, Batavia, New York.
Dermont Zehler:
Dermont Zehler was born January 18, 18852, the first child of Peter Zehler and Hattie Mapes. At the age of fifteen, he was living with his grandfather and attending school33. As a young adult, he apparently worked as a farm laborer.
On December 20, 1917, Dermont married Mary Florence Kreutter. Dermont and Mary settled in the Town of Darien, Genesee County, where they rented a residence and where Dermont worked as a farm laborer65. By 1930, Dermont and Mary owned their own farm in Bennington, in the vicinity of Cowlesville57. In his later years, Dermont worked for the Bennington Highway Department32. He died on June 13, 197732, and Mary died April 14, 1941. They had no children.
Dorothy Zehler:
Dorothy M. Zehler was born May 1, 189666, the only child of Peter Zehler and Eunice Rich. After her mother's death, Dorothy was raised by her father in Batavia. On August 19, 191367, she married Lester Boyce Butler67. Lester was born on February 21, 188968, in Coldwater, Michigan, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Butler. Lester and Dorothy settled in Batavia, where he was employed as a foreman at the Batavia Steel Products Corporation68. On October 20, 191868, Lester died after a week's illness with pneumonia. Lester and Dorothy had one child.
The child of Lester and Dorothy is:
Fifth Generation
| i. | Eunice Elizabeth Butler | Eunice was born November 16, 191518, and died December 21, 199418. Eunice married Francis C. Waters. |
Following the death of Lester, Dorothy married Thomas J. Ferris on November 17, 1921. Thomas was born October 9, 1891, the son of Thomas Ferris and Rose Theresa Kearney. Thomas and Dorothy had two sons before their marriage ended in divorce40.
The children of Thomas and Dorothy are:
Fifth Generation
| i. | Robert J. Ferris | Robert was born June 28, 192218, and died May 19, 197218. Robert married Louise ______ |
| ii. | Thomas J. Ferris | Thomas was born in 1926. Thomas married Nina _____. |
Finally, on August 9, 1944, Dorothy married Grover M. Finnefrock67. Grover and Dorothy continued to live in Batavia. Grover died in December 196218, and Dorothy died July 18, 198818,66 in Rochester, New York, after a long illness.
Eunice Butler:
Eunice Elizabeth Butler was born November 16, 191818, the daughter of Lester Butler and Dorothy Zehler. On August 8, 193640, she married Francis C. Waters. Francis was born January 24, 191518. Francis and Eunice lived in Batavia, New York, where they raised a family of four girls and one boy. Eunice died on December 21, 199418, and Francis died on September 18, 199718.
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