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Note: It is family tradition that Fred never talked about his family in Germany.
Fred immigrated from Saxony, Germany, in 1854, to his sister's (Hannah Wolfram) home in Germantown, PA. Hannah and her husband moved on to Wisconsin. In 1856, he moved to Ogdensburg, Union Township, Tioga County, PA. Shortly after he arrived, he married Elizabeth Stratton.
Fred produced grains, fruits, vegetables, and honey, which he sold door to door. It was on one of these selling trips in 1907, on the Ogdensburg/Blossburg Road, (known as "Yankee Path" when first built) that he suffered a stroke and died. It was said his horses stopped in the middle of the road and went no further. Finally someone came along and found them and took them home. Some family members and friends believed he was actually murdered for his money. He and Elizabeth eventually owned 150 acres in Union Township on what is now called Canis Road. (the information above was contributed by a descendent to "The History of Union Township", compiled by the Union Township Historical Society in 1985 and then printed in book form)
1863 - October 19 - Deed book N; page 225 - Clinton County Courthouse, Lock Haven, PA:
Frederick bought 100 acres in Green Twp. for the sum of $583 from John Christian Reuther and his wife, Emeline; the Reuthers and Frederick were living in Green Twp. at the time of the transaction. The deal was finalized on October 19, 1863 but I could not find a deed that he ever sold that property.
1866 - May 18 - Naturalization Docket 1; page 4 - Frederick's letter of intent to become a United States citizen was reviewed; he declares he is of age 29; arrived October 7, 1854 from Saxony and he renounces allegiance to King Henry; that he was under the age of 18 upon his arrival.
To the Honorable Samuel Si....., and his associates, Judges of the Court of Quarter Sessions of this Pa Co in and for Clinton County;
The petition of Frederick Canis an native of Saxony respectfully .......: That he declared on oath before the clerk of the said County on this day, that it was bona fide his intentions to become a citizen of the United States and to renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or Sovereignty whatever, particularly to the King of Saxony; that at the time of his arrival he was under the age of eighteen years: that he has continued to reside in the United State since that period: that for three years previous to his arrival at full age it was and still is bona fide his intentions to become a citizen of the United States and of renouncing forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or Sovereignty whatever and particularly to the King of Saxony of whom he was at the time a subject: that your petitioner has resided within the United States upwards of five years and in the state of Pennsylvania one year, both periods immediately preceding this his application to become a citizen of the United States: that he has never borne any hereditary title or been of any of the order of nobility in his own or any other country. He therefore prays that on making this ..... and taking this oath prescribed by law, he may be admitted as a citizen of the United States of America and he will ever pray. xc. Signed Frederick Canis
Clinton Co:
I, James Gamble a citizen of the United States of America being duly sworn according to law, say that they are well acquainted with Frederick Canis the petitioner that to their knowledge he has resided in the United States for five years and in the State of Pennsylvania one year, both periods immediately preceding his application to be a citizen; that during the said periods he has behaved as a person of good moral character attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States and will ....... to the good order and .............. of the same.
Sworn & sub...... in open Court. Signed James Gamble
May 18, 1866
W. H. Brown Prothy.
1866 - September - Frederick was issued a United States Citizen Certificate - No. 27 - in the Sept. term of Clinton County Court.
(there is a discrepancy in the dates concerning Fred's petition for citizenship; he declares to arrive in US from Germany in 1854 but swears he's only spent 5 years in the US; I believe it means that by law in 1866, a person had to be a resident of the US for at least 5 years in order to present a letter of intent to become a citizen so 1854 to 1861 was not counted. I do not understand James Gamble's statement that Fred was residing in the US for five years but only one year in PA since he bought land in Green Twp., Clinton Co., in 1863) Also how and where did he and Elizabeth Stratton meet when Elizabeth was in Tioga Co. in the 1850 census.
1870 - June 11, 1870 census, Green Twp., Clinton Co., PA, Sugar Valley Post Office, house #83:
Fred Canis, age 34, farmer, b. PA
Eliza, age 33, keeping house, b. PA
Henry, age 7, b. PA
Mary, age 5, b. PA
Agnes (hard to read, must be Agnes), age 2
Elvina (hard to read, but says a female) age 3/12 or 8/12
In deed books at Tioga County Courthouse, Wellsboro, PA: 1878 - 2 Feb 1878, Fred obtained 53 acres from William and Lydia Bache of Union Twp., part of Warrantee of John Vaughn #4605.
1879 - 4 April 1879, Fred and wife sold that parcel to Martin Middaugh.
4 April 1879, he obtained 23 acres from Martin and Sabrina Middaugh of Union Twp., formerly belonging to Nelson Wilbur and wife.
1883 - 8 Jan 1883, he obtained 3 1/2 acres from J. E. Cleveland and A. J. Cleveland and wife, of Union Twp., formerly belonging to Joseph Middaugh and wife.
1880 - June 9 - Census - Union Twp.:
Fred, age 43, farmer, he and parents b. Saxon
Elizabeth, age 41, b. PA, dad b. NJ, mom b. PA
Henry, age 17, works on farm, b. PA
Mary, age 13, b. PA
Agnes, age 11, b. PA
Anderson, age 8, b. PA
Ida, age 6, b. PA
Francis, age 3, b. PA
1894 - "The Blossburg Advertiser", Fri., March 2, 1894: The potatoes raised by Fred Canis of Ogdensburg, some of which are at this office (newspaper office) for inspection, have attracted great attention, and many express their intention to purchase some for planting this spring.
1899 - Directory for Tioga County - Union Township section, Fred is listed for Ogdensburg post office, residing on road 26, farmer, 96 acres.
1900 - March 2 - Friday - "The Blossburg Advertiser": A Happy Reunion;
Eighteen years ago, Henry Canis, a son of Frederick Canis a prosperous farmer of Union, becoming dissatisfied with the monotony of eastern life, went west. He located in Wisconsin, where he engaged in business and met with deserved success. His business has called him to several states and his present location is at Long Mont, Colorado. Thirteen years ago Mr. Canis made his first visit here, it being the occasion of his marriage to the wife who passed away about two years ago. His next visit was six years ago. Thursday, the 16th, Mrs. Canis was surprised to have a stranger walk into her quiet home, but her surprise was soon turned to joy when she recognized her long absent son. Word was sent to the absent ones and on Sunday the three married daughters, Mrs. John Carey, of Morris Run; Mrs. Warren Maley, of Troy, and Mrs. Jackson Rutty, of Liberty; the two unmarried sons, Anderson and Francis, together with all the grandchildren met under the parental roof, and we may guess that the reunion was a happy one, when for the first time in thirteen years the whole family gathered round "mother's table" to do justice to the good things her loving hands had prepared for them.
Mr. Canis made a short visit, leaving the 20th. May the occasion of his next visit be attended by another such reunion, with not one face missed from the circle, is the wish of
A Friend.
1900 - June 11 - Census - Union Twp.;
Fredrick Canis, born May, 1837 in Germany; present age - 63; parents born in Germany; married for 38 years; immigrated to U.S. in 1854 and number of years a resident of U.S. - 45; occupation - farmer
Elizabeth Canis; wife; born February, 1839 in PA; present age - 61; parents born in PA; number of children born to her - 6; number of children presently living - 6;
Anderson Canis; son; born July 1871; present age - 28; farm laborer
Francis Canis; son; born October 1876; present age - 23; farm laborer
1907 - "The Blossburg Advertiser", Fri., April 12, 1907: Frederick Canis died at the home of his son near Ogdensburg, on Monday, April 8th, from shock of paralysis sustained on the previous Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. D. R. Evans and daughters were driving to Ogdensburg to attend the funeral of Joseph Lodge and when near the 4 mile rock they discovered Mr. Canis leaning over the side of his wagon the hind wheel of which was firmly grasped in his hand. The horse was standing quiet seeming to know that to move would injure his master. Mr. Evans got out of his carriage and tried in vain to lift him into the wagon. While endeavoring to do so, he saw Mssrs. F. W. Kraiss and Joseph Hughes approaching with the hearse for Mr. Lodge's funeral. They hastened to his assistance and soon placed Mr. Canis in the wagon which was driven back to the residence of his son. Frederick Canis was for many years a respected resident of Union township where he owned and worked a farm, the produce of which he sold in the mining towns in this vicinity. He was of sturdy German stock and was of industrious and energetic habits. His funeral was held on Wednesday.
*Fred was buried in the Church of Christ Cemetery, Ogdensburg, PA*
1908/09 - Tioga County Directory - for Morris Run in Hamilton Twp., Elizabeth was listed as:
Canis, Mrs. Elizabeth widow of Fred, boards with John Carey Water St.
1910 - Union Twp. - census of North District, Elizabeth is in her son's home, Francis Canis. She states she was the mother of 7 children with 3 living.
1912 - March 17 - Elizabeth Stratton Canis died and was buried in the Church of Christ Cemetery, Ogdensburg.
1912 - Register Docket L - page 352 - last will and testament of Elizabeth Canis:
bequeaths - $1.00 to Henry Canis, Mary Canis and Ida Canis; $1.00 to be divided equally between the children of Agnes Carey. After the above bequeaths paid and her last debts paid, the rest of her estate to be divided equally between Anderson and Francis Canis. Anderson and Francis were her named executors.
1922 - April 27 - Thurs. - Wellsboro Gazette:
Treasurer's Sale of Seated Lands of Tioga County, PA
Union - Fred Canis estate. 130 acres, taxes and costs, $8.78; bounded on north by Fred Smith, east by Anderson Bunn, south by Arnot Co., west by Fred Smith
Elizabeth Stratton Canis was a daughter of Robert Stratton and Hester Jane Dyer. Robert died Tioga County, PA, about 1873, according to a Stratton researcher. Hester's death date, according to some Stratton researchers was about June 1839, location unknown, but probably either Schuylkill or Columbia Co., PA.
Hester Jane Dyer (wife of Robert Stratton) was a daughter of Joshua Dyer and Sarah Vanpelt Bennett of Roaring Creek Twp., Columbia Co., PA (Roaring Creek Twp. was in Northumberland Co. first, then Columbia Co.)
Robert Stratton was a son of Maskel (Mascall) Stratton and Mary Williams of NJ and Berks Co., PA.
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