Benjamin Boddorf first appears in the records of Armstrong County on 6 March 1837 when he purchases 104 acres from David and Salome Keck in Redbank Township, Armstrong County. He sells his property in Bethel Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania on 13 April 1839. He appears in the 1840 census in Redbank Township, Armstrong County with his family. He is not in the 1850 census in Redbank Township, Clarion County but appears in the 1860 census in Redbank Township, Clarion County. He last appears in the 1870 census with his son Isaac and his family in Redbank Township, Clarion County. He transfers 89 acres to his son Isaac on 27 June 1864.
Benjamin Boddorf was married to Sarah Miller and lived in Bethel Township, Berks County where his children were baptized at St. Paul's (Klopp's) Church in Bethel Township, Lebanon County. This church is located just over the line between Berks and Lebanon County. Benjamin's parents were Christopher and Catharina Battorff. The last name is spelled many different ways. Christopher Battorff's parents were Christian Battorff and Eva Regina Karsnitz. Christian's father was Martin Batdorf. Much additional information is available regarding this family for anyone that is interested.
Benjamin had the following known children:
Rebecca (5 June 1831-11 May 1909) married Josiah Fenstermaker
Ella Mina (about 1832-died after 20 March 1902) married Jonathan S. Himes
Amos (22 August 1833-27 October 1910) married Caroline Keck
Elisabeth (born 15 August 1834)
Benjamin (born 29 October 1835)
Isaac (25 August 1837-4 June 1923) married Caroline Stahlman
Catherina (born 10 November 1840-baptized at Yeany's Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Redbank Township)
Benjamin's brother, Leonard Battorf was living in Porter Township, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania in the 1850 census and had died by September, 1873 when his heirs hired Joel Spyker as their attorney to collect money owed to their father's estate. Leonard's two sons, Leonard and Andrew were living in the Armstrong and Jefferson County area but it is not known if they had any descendants.
There was a Sarah Batdorff living with John and Magdalena Reitz in the 1860 census in Beaver Township, Jefferson County. This may be a daughter of Benjamin Boddorf. There is an entry for a Rena M. Boddorf, d/o J.B. and S.,died 8/6/1836 1m 26d in Patricia Steele's Tombstone Hoppin'. This may also be a daughter of Benjamin Boddorf.
Benjamin has descendants in the Armstrong County, Clarion County, Jefferson County, and surrounding areas today that spell their last name Boddorf. If anyone is interested, I would like to share information with you.
